Educational Materials & Marketing Services Extension 4-H Youth Bldg. Ames, Iowa 50011-3630 (515) 294-9915

1/5/04

Contacts:
James Romer, Horticulture, (515) 294-2336, jromer@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033, jmcguire@iastate.edu

Yard and Garden Column for the Week Beginning Jan. 9, 2004

Ring in the New Year with Dr. Grow-It-All

By James Romer
Extension Horticulture Specialist
Iowa State University

Dear Dr. Grow-It-All;

I am in desperate need of some sound gardening advice. Over the past few years, I have amassed a large number of hostas in the shaded areas of my modest estate. Don't think for one minute that I don't cherish each one, but it seems that I'm in a hosta rut. Dr. Grow-It-All where can I find more information on other perennials for a shaded location?

Not Easy in Green Castle

Dear Not Easy;

Hostas are beautiful and dependable perennials for the shade garden. Many people start with one or two plants and before they know it find themselves with a yard full of hostas. However, there are many other plants that grow well in partial to heavy shade. I have great news for you! Iowa State University (ISU) Extension has just released a new booklet entitled, "Perennials for Shade." "Perennials for Shade" (PM 1913) contains color pictures of the plants and plant descriptions covering attributes like height, spread, flower color and desirable cultivars. The publication also defines part shade to heavy shade. For those sunny areas in your yard, ask for the publication entitled, "Perennials for Sun" (PM 1914). Both publications can be purchased at your local county extension office or through the ISU Extension Distribution Center by calling (515) 294-5247 or on the Web at www.extension.iastate.edu/pubs/order.html. Copies can be purchased for $5.00 each.

Dear Dr. Grow-It-All;

I keep hearing these ads on the radio that now is the time to prune my trees. In fact, the tree care service is offering a discount to come out and do the job. I'm a little suspicious of the whole idea. If it were the best time to prune, why would they be offering a discount? Dr. Grow-It-All this ranks right up there with those old husband garden tales!

Doubtful in De Soto

Dear Doubtful;

I see you are a member of the caveat emptor club. It's good to be a cautious consumer. However, this is a situation in which both you and your deciduous trees win. January through March is an excellent time to prune trees. The cost may be reduced because most people are not thinking about tree care and the tree care service needs to keep its employees working. Look for a certified arborist in your area to handle this very important task. If you decide to go out on a limb and perform the task yourself, visit your local county extension office and ask for the publication entitled, "Pruning Trees and Shrubs" (SUL 5). Otherwise, leaf the job to a professional.

Dear Dr. Grow-It-All;

Recently, while gathered around the family punch bowl filled with holiday nog, all I heard about was how beautiful my cousin Ethel's garden was this past summer. She went on about how this year's garden was going to have all these new and interesting flowers. For once, I wish I could get my hands on something that would really knock her socks off, so to speak. I'm almost afraid to try for fear of failure. Dr. Grow-It-All, what new and interesting flowers are coming out this year?

Lacking in Confidence

Dear Lacking;

You may want to try some of the All-America Selection annual flower winners. Five were chosen as All-America Selection award winners for 2004. There are more than 40 All-America Selection sites across Canada and the United States that evaluate unreleased annuals and vegetables. To receive this award, each selection must possess unique or improved characteristics compared to existing cultivars. A brief description of each award recipient is listed below.

Gypsophila Gypsy Deep Rose
Gypsy Deep Rose performed well in the Iowa trial garden I visited. The dark rose-colored flowers are semi-double to fully double. The plants produce more blooms over a longer flowering period. Plants prefer a full sun location. Gypsy Deep Rose plants are best located in the front of beds as their mature height is around 8 to 10 inches with a spread of 12 to 14 inches.

Petunia Limbo Violet
This grandiflora type petunia has large, 3-inch blooms and is a color knockout in the garden! The violet color is electric. Plant habit is improved with Limbo Violet as these compact stretch resistant plants attain a spread of 10 to 12 inches and a height of 6 to 7 inches. Its compact habit makes Limbo Violet a good candidate for use in containers. 'Limbo Violet' flowers all season in a full-sun location.

Hollyhock Queeny Purple
'Queeny Purple,' a new dwarf, double-flowered hollyhock reaches a height of 2 to 3 feet in a full sun location. The best part is that Queeny Purple will flower in about 12 weeks from sowing seed.

Celosia Fresh Look Red' and 'Fresh Look Yellow
Purportedly Fresh Look Red and Fresh Look Yellow provide consistent carefree garden performance. Plants will reach a height of 12 to16 inches in a full sun location.

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Editors: There is no photo for this week's column.

ml: isugarden

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