LATE OCTOBER BLOOMS

Lots of colorful blooms still to be found at the Arboretum.  Here is a sample of what you can see:

Phots by M. Endres

Top (l to r)

HERB GARDEN

1.  Rosemarinus officinalis (Rosemary)

PERENNIAL BORDER

2.  Coreopsis integrifolia (Fringeleaf Tickseed)

3.  Ruellia brittoniana 'Purple Showers' (Mexican Petunia)

4.  Salvia microphylla 'San Carlos Festival (Little Leaf Sage)

5.  Chrysanthemum 'Hillside Sheffield Pink'

Bottom (l to r)

LANDSCAPE FOR WET SITES

6.  Callicarpa americana (American Beautyberry)

7.  Tradescantia pallida 'Pale Puma'

BUTTERFLY GARDEN

8.  Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage)

9.  Lantana camara 'Miss Huff'

WILDFLOWER GARDEN

10.  Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders)

ASPARAGUS - A Perennial Vegetable

This picture is the 'fern' that  grows once you stop harvesting the asparagus.  It is feeding the roots for next year's crop.  You will want to leave this until frost hits and turns it brown.

If you are thinking about planting asparagus in your home garden, you may want to prep a bed now while the weather is still pleasant.  In our area, the best time for planting is February.  Here are two articles to help you get started:

PREPARATION & ANTICIPATION

HOME GARDEN ASPARAGUS

And once you are able to harvest, here are some hints on preparing it:

ASPARAGUS - GROW IT/EAT IT

HARDY MUMS

Chrysanthemum rubellum 'Hillside Sheffield Pink'

AKA Chrysanthemum "Sheffield', Chrysanthemum zawadskii 'Hillside Sheffield Pink',  or Dendranthema morifolium 'Sheffield'  

These are just a few names you might find attached to this beautiful hardy mum which is blooming at the Arboretum this month.  It has a looser structure than the mums for sale everywhere this time of year.  It, however, is one that reliably returns each year and slowly spreads to create a lovely mass of flowers.  This is often called an heirloom variety.  You may not find it for sale at local nurseries.  However, there is a very good chance we will have it at our Spring Plant Sale (May 19, 2018).

More information on hardy mums can be found here:  NOT YOUR AVERAGE MUM

A VISIT TO SOIL LAB & MORE

A group of Master Gardener Volunteers led by our agent, Eric, recently visited the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agromonic Division.   It was an information packed morning.  The day started in the soil testing lab where they were shown what happens with those little brown boxes filled with soil.  Next came the nematode testing area where they were able to view the tiny worms with microscopes.  The last stop was the lab for plant tissue/compost/pond water analysis.  The day ended with lunch and shopping at the Farmers' Market.

P.S.  Those that didn't follow the rules (long pants) had to wear blue coveralls!  Everyone looks so serious!  For more information about these services offered to farmers and gardeners, click here:  NCDA & CS AGRONOMIC DIVISION.

WHAT TO DO AND NOT DO THIS FALL IN YOUR GARDEN

We always have 'TO DO' lists.  Even when the main growing season is over, there is still work to be done in the garden.  Read this 8 GARDENING MISTAKES and you'll help your garden get ready for winter and look better next spring.

There is still lots of color in the fall garden.  Here is what's in bloom at the Arboretum this week.

Phots by K. Previll

Top left to right:
Helianthus angustifolius (Swamp Sunflower)
Cephalanthus occidentalis 'Sputnik' Buttonbush
Salvia microphylla "Hot Lips'
Bottom left to right:
Ruellia simplex 'Chi Chi' Mexican Petunia
Eupatorium coelestinum (Wild Ageratum)
Tradescantia pallida 'Pale Puma' Wandering Jew
Callicarpa americana (American Beautyberry)
'In the Mood' Tea Rose
'Pretty Lady' Floribunda Rose

HARDY FERNS

Several hardy ferns have recently been added to our Landscape for Wet Sites.  You might think of ferns as fussy plants, but there are some that do well year-round and even stay green over the winter.   Once established they require minimum care.   Most ferns prefer filtered sunlight and moist, humus soil.  You can find a diverse selection of frond shapes, colors, and heights.  Pictured is our current selection and plans are underway to add more natives.  You can read about individual ferns at this site:  FERNS

Onoclea sensibilis

Sensitive Fern (Native)

Osmunda regalis

Royal Fern (Native)

Athyrium filix-femina

Lady Fern (Native)

Woodwardia areolata

Netted Chain Fern (Native)