K-State horticulture expert outlines common chores MANHATTAN, Kan. – The workhorses of the yard and garden – lawnmowers, tillers, garden tractors and such – are about ready for a rest. But before you put them away for the winter, Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham says they need a little tender, loving care. “It’s important to run the equipment
Read moreLantana has a rich history of being utilized in the garden for long-lasting, colorful blooms, superior heat tolerance and the ability to attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Featuring clusters of bright colors, solid as well as multi-color, Lantana can be used in containers, landscaping and hanging baskets. In the 18th century, lantana was a popular greenhouse plant in Europe and breeding
Read moreHosta ‘Lakeside Paisley Print’ One of the very best hostas to come from Mary Chastain! This stunning hosta produces heart-shaped leaves with very wide, wavy, green margins. The narrow, creamy white markings in the center of the leaves shoot out from the cream colored petioles in a feathery pattern. Its thick substanced leaves make the perfect background for the cream
Read moreWhile dreaming about new plants for my perennial bed renovation, I scoured the internet and came across this beauty that attracts hummingbirds, from White Flower Farm. “In spring, our Director of Horticulture loves to plant this vigorous Australian selection next to his back porch. Each morning as he sits outside enjoying his coffee, he watches the hummingbirds savor the sweet
Read moreWinterberry Hollies It is easy to spot winterberry hollies in winter because of the bright, colorful, often shiny and red berries clinging to the branches. The dark green leaves of autumn slowly change to a bright golden yellow. A couple of hard frosts and the leaves drop, at which point the berries become a sight to behold. Winterberry hollies, also
Read moreIn the language of flowers, Coreopsis means “always cheerful,” and these delightful natives of the Americas live up to this designation in glorious fashion. Equally, at home in naturalized prairie settings or manicured landscapes, Coreopsis provide a lovely sunny presence wherever they make their home. Although typically seen in colors of yellow and gold, many species also contain red, bronze
Read morePurple De Oro Daylily Hemerocallis x ‘Purple De Oro’ Loads of lavender-purple flowers with chartreuse throats rise above a neat, compact foliage clump of slender, green, grass-like leaves. Blooms freely throughout the summer. Easy care color for the front of borders and mass plantings, or for use as a container accent. Tolerant of heat and humidity. An herbaceous perennial. Average
Read moreFew types of plants have seen the rise to stardom that the Calibrachoa has. From the first plants trickling into the US market during the late 1980’s, to the first of the Japanese breeding which arrived as Million Bells® in the early 1990’s, things have exploded. They were such beautiful plants but, at first, they were fairly hard to grow.
Read moreSuperbena are the most vigorous, heat tolerant, and mildew tolerant series. While always great in containers they are also fantastic in landscape beds. They can tolerate dry soils and lower fertility. Normally either an application of slow release fertilizer or amending with compost is enough to keep them happy and blooming in landscape beds. They shouldn’t need to be trimmed
Read moreWhat is Plant A Row for the Hungry? Plant A Row for the Hungry (PAR), is a people-helping-people program aimed at feeding the hungry in communities across the country. Harvesters’ PAR program is a partnership with the Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City. Last year, Harvesters distributed more than 52 million pounds of food, including 17 million pounds of fresh
Read more