Category: Archive Web Articles

Summer Emeralds By Tom Schroeder Photos courtesy of Tom Schroeder. Visiting your flowers this summer are the green gems of the native bee world, the Metallic Green Sweat Bees. These harmless, quarter to half inch, bees live out their entire lives in your yard and need your help to survive. They will provide not only pollinating services but beauty and

Plains coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) is the Kansas Native Plant Society 2017 Wildflower of the Year (WOY). Plains coreopsis is 2 to 4 feet tall with many yellow and reddish brown terminal flowers blooming June through September. Leaves are divided, narrowly linear and oppositely arranged on the stem. This species is found in damp disturbed areas, roadside ditches and low, sandy

Judy Penner, local expert rosarian, provides list of roses that perform well in our area and are available locally. Tahitian Sunset, an apricot blend Hybrid Tea Memorial Day, a medium pink Hybrid Tea Livin’ Easy, an orange blend Floribunda Day Breaker, an apricot blend Floribunda Elina, a light yellow Hybrid Tea Gold Medal, a medium yellow Hybrid Tea Strike It Rich, a yellow blend Grandiflora Double Delight,

Hummingbirds will like new list of recommended flowers as much as humans Prairie Star Flower list reveals latest recommended flowers for Kansas By Mary Lou Peter After years of sometimes-harsh tests, the winners have emerged: Kansas State University has unveiled its latest list of recommended annual flowers, including a sweet treat for hummingbirds and a vine that sports purple foliage with

Growing Vegetables in Containers Millions of Americans plant vegetable gardens. But oftentimes we hear comments such as, “I don’t have room,” or, “It is just too much work to combat our local soils.” If you are one of those people who can’t see the forest for the trees then I have the solution for you — containers. Container gardens for

Dolce® Blackcurrant Coral Bells Heuchera hybrid Type:  Perennial to zone 4 Sun/Shade:  Will perform well in sun or shade in Northern climates, but will do best in shade in Southern climates. Height:  The foliage is 8 to 12 inches tall, with flower spikes a foot or more taller than the foliage. Spacing:  16 to 20 inches apart Habit:  Mounded, used

Cheerful Winter Bloomers By Jan Vinyard Isn’t it hard for gardeners to be without bloom in the garden? You bet it is! The answer to that issue is to find things that bloom at unusual times, such as in winter. IN THE WINTER? That’s right! Our Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) has been blooming during all of these nice winter days.

Do you spend the winter months thinking and planning next year’s garden? Are you looking for plant suggestions? Here’s one worthy of your consideration.   Lantana, this stellar garden performer, is one tough cookie. Extremely drought tolerant, easy care and no pests or disease problems, makes Luscious® Citrus Blend™ Lantana a must in the garden. Lantana are easy to maintain. Their

Poinsettia is perhaps the most common plant gift of the Christmas season. It is colorful, traditional and looks like it should be tough to withstand any conditions in the home. Many recipients assume that it will last for months in the home environment. Cared-for properly and the poinsettia will give weeks of color and pleasure to its owner. But, it

Plant Trees and Shrubs Now Fall is an excellent time to plant new trees and shrubs in the landscape. There are several advantages to fall planting, so take advantage of this season to get a jump on the numerous spring landscape chores. Fall weather with the cooler temperatures and warm soil conditions make plant establishment close to ideal. Even though