Have you ever seen a toad lily? With a name like that, do you imagine an unusual or less-than-beautiful bloom? Toad lilies are, in fact, lovely and resemble very small orchids; they are ideal if you have plenty of trees in your yard, and lots of shaded flower beds. They are the perfect solution to discovering beautiful flowering plants that grow well in a shady environment, and they are idea for our Oklahoma climate.
A name like toad lily doesn’t bring to mind images of beauty, but this easy-to-grow fall bloomer certainly does not resemble its name. With flowers that look like orchids which come in colors of white, purple and yellow, it is the perfect plant for beginning and experienced gardeners alike because it takes very little care; it is a perennial, so it will come back every year to add color to your shade bed.
As fall approaches, we still have a lot of gardening left to enjoy, but as cooler nights become more common and winter draws nearer, it is time to consider our fall gardening chores and think about putting our gardens to bed.
Here are some tasks you should consider doing now, while we still have some lovely days to work outside.
First, pull up old annuals and weeds before they get dry and drop their seeds. Leaving them in the ground will create more work in the spring, when you really want to begin planning for your garden and planting.
There are a variety of spring-flowering bulbs that are ideal for our area, and among the most popular choices are daffodils and hyacinths. Other good options include tulips and crocuses. This week let’s look at some specific cultivars that will add beauty and color to your yard.
Daffodils (Narcissus species and hybrids) are probably the most successful of the popular spring bulbs for naturalizing in Oklahoma. There are cultivars of large flowering, trumpet, double and late-blooming daffodils, all of which make great additions to your landscape. The bulbs are rarely eaten by animals, and deer generally do not care for them either! Plant daffodils in well-drained soil where they will receive at least six hours of sun each day while they have leaves. They should be planted 6 to 8 inches deep, less for smaller species bulbs; space them 3 to 6 inches apart, depending on size.
As the weather turns cooler, a gardener’s thoughts often turn to spring-flowering bulbs. Favorite varieties include daffodils, crocus, tulips and hyacinths, but if we are to enjoy their beauty in the spring, we must plant them in the fall.
These bulbs can be planted everywhere – in flower beds, in lawns, around trees, or in pots and window boxes.
In fact, most early-flowering bulbs can be planted under deciduous trees since the bulbs will be going dormant by the time the trees provide heavy shade.
Fall is one of the best times to plant a tree in your yard; cool weather allows the tree to establish roots in its new location before it adds new top growth, which requires a lot of energy. Proper planting techniques will ensure your new tree adds beauty to your yard for years to come.
First, be sure to choose the right tree for your area. Local garden centers and nurseries have many trees on hand which will do well in Oklahoma. Also, be sure to match the tree to the planting site, especially taking care to avoid planting too close to buildings or structures.
Have you noticed how active hummingbirds have been recently? They are getting ready to migrate back to the south mid to-late September. Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures, delightful to watch and always welcome visitors in our yards. If you don’t have hummingbirds, there are many things you can do to make your garden a haven for hummers.
Three species of hummingbirds are regularly found in Oklahoma; two species, the Ruby-throated and the Black-chinned, nest in our state and are here during the summer months. The third species, the Rufous Hummingbird, does not nest in Oklahoma, but migrates through our state during the spring and fall.
Hummingbird feeders are a great way to entice these beautiful little flyers to your neighborhood; feeders are plentiful in local stores and nurseries, and they are generally inexpensive.
This fall promises to be a wonderful one for growing those cool season vegetables. Our local weather forecasters are promising a cooler-than-normal September and a warmer-than-normal October – ideal for our fall season gardening.
Gardening is a year-round activity, and some of our best quality garden vegetables in Oklahoma are grown and harvested during the fall season, when warm, sunny days are followed by cool, humid nights. When these conditions occur, plant soil metabolism is low and so more of the food manufactured by plants becomes high-quality vegetables!
Oklahomans definitely have a love affair with our crape myrtles; in many areas you can see them on practically every street. And why not?
Few plants can match the crape myrtle’s spectacular summer flowers, colorful autumn foliage and attractive sculptured wood. Known as the "lilac of the South" they are truly versatile plants; here are some tips if you are thinking about adding a crape myrtle to your landscape.
Crape myrtles, Lagerstroemia indica, have many landscape uses: planted together, they make a great hedge or screen for your yard, while a single plant can create a distinctive focal point in a garden bed. Crape myrtles also make wonderful foundation plants around your house.
Summer is a great time to buy crape myrtles because it is easy to see bloom color.
Have you noticed the huge wasp-like creatures beginning to appear in your landscape the past couple of weeks? These are cicada killers, which feed on cicadas and katydids in our area and they are just now beginning to emerge from their winter burrows. Although they are large and look dangerous, cicada killers are actually beneficial insects which are good for our environment because they help to keep the cicada population in control.
Cicada killers reach up to 1-½ inches in length and they are black or rust red in color, except for a rusty red head and thorax and yellow band markings on the abdomen; their wings are russet yellow. As with all wasps, only the females have stingers; although they seem aggressive they actually just use their impressive size to scare off predators including people. One of the largest wasps encountered, females are capable of stinging, but they are rarely aggressive towards humans or animals unless they are threatened; males are incapable of stinging, but they can be more aggressive.
We have had some wonderful and unusual rain during this July, and most gardeners consider it a blessing to receive! However, with rain comes mosquitoes, which can be unwelcome visitors to outdoor activities and which can breed some serious diseases. What can we do to prevent these annoying pests from breeding in our backyards and spoiling our picnics?
Mosquitoes need water to breed; they lay their eggs on water or in places that are dry but will fill with water, and this cycle from egg to adult mosquito can take as little as one week! Adult mosquitoes may live about 2-3 weeks, or they can over winter. It should be noted that only female mosquitoes need a blood meal, which is required to produce eggs and a female may lay up to 12 batches of eggs – each batch consisting of hundreds of eggs! Obviously, we need to eliminate places where their eggs can survive, and this usually means standing water or places where water can collect.
Red, White and Blue Potatoes - Just in Time for July 4th
By Judy Kautz, Master Gardener
Gardeners like to experiment with new and unusual plants and vegetables, just to keep things interesting in their gardens. And one of the most exciting things about experimenting is sharing with fellow gardeners, especially if the experiment turns out to be a success.
Theresa, one of the master gardeners in our area, decided to try her hand at raising potatoes this spring. Of course, potatoes like cool weather and they mature in early summer, so this is the prime time for harvesting this year's spring crop. Not satisfied with plain old potatoes, she decided to plant red, white and blue potatoes for the 2012 crop.
