(Audio 06/24/13) Louisiana gardeners welcome flowering plants that are able to withstand the intense heat of summer. Profusion zinnias are a hybrid group of zinnias that are insect-free. They grow very well during the summer. Hear more about growing zinnias in your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/24/13) While French tarragon will not grow properly throughout Louisiana’s hot summers, Mexican tarragon could serve as a substitute. This relative of marigolds has a rich flavor and grows beautifully in full sun. Learn more about planting Mexican tarragon in your herb garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/24/13) Frequent summer rainfall makes the weather humid and damp. Snails and slugs love this type of weather, and they are likely to come out and feed on your plants. Deal with snails and slugs by setting out beer traps or using iron phosphate baits. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/24/13) Most baldcypress trees that are planted in the landscape don’t usually produce knees. If your cypress does produce knees, this can be a nuisance when they come up in the lawn. While cypress knees in a flower bed appear picturesque, it is beneficial to eliminate the ones that appear in your lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/24/13) Petunias produce beautifully while the weather is relatively mild in the spring. It is not unusual for these spring-planted petunias to begin to languish during the intense heat of summer. If you are planning to plant petunias for the summer, be sure to choose heat-tolerant varieties. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 06/24/13) Amaryllis is a tropical-looking plant that has recently finished blooming across the state. On this edition of Get It Growing, horticulturist Dan Gill offers advice for detecting disease in amaryllis and steps to improve the overall health of the plant. (Runtime: 1:47)

(Video 06/17/13) Mention summer color and we typically think of bright flowers. But foliage can be a source of great splashes of color, too. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to the diverse copperleaf -- uniquely colored plants that are drought-tolerant even through the hottest months. (Runtime: 1:46)

(Audio 06/17/13) Many gardeners have outdoor container plants. Be careful when growing container plants on wooden decks because they could cause staining or rotting of the wood. To prevent this from happening, boost container plants by placing them on top of bricks or pot feet. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/17/13) Trees are an irreplaceable aspect of landscapes, but their tall heights make them vulnerable to lightning strikes. A lightning strike does not always cause a tree to die, but homeowners should be aware of how to handle a dying tree. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/17/13) Just about everyone loves a colorful flower bed in the summer. Pentas are wonderful, reliable plants that come in a variety of beautiful colors and sizes. Hear more about planting pentas in your flower bed. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/17/13) Caterpillars are a major pest on plants such as vegetables, ornamentals and fruit trees. Gardeners should keep an eye out for caterpillar damage and take action for controlling infestations if necessary. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/17/13) Gardenias are popular in Louisiana gardens and are known for their amazing fragrance. When gardenias finish their blooming season in June, it is time for gardeners to begin pruning if necessary. Here are some reasons why you may want to consider pruning your gardenias. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/10/13) A sucker is an undesirable, vigorous shoot originating at the base of a plant. When dealing with suckers, it is important to prune them off properly to prevent a stub from sprouting and producing more suckers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/10/13) Lichens are a crusty, grayish growth found on tree branches, statues or fences. Gardeners are often concerned that this growth is damaging the plant. Learn more about lichen growth in your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/10/13) Louisiana gardeners that spend long periods of time outside in their gardens should take precautions to protect themselves from summer’s heat. Hear more about drinking plenty of fluids, gardening in the shade and other helpful tips. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/10/13) Now is the time for gardeners to start pruning their once-blooming rose bushes. These roses are just finishing their blooming season, and by pruning them now, the plant will produce vigorous new growth. This new growth will produce flowers for you next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/10/13) Lawns often have many issues that are sometimes difficult to treat. Slime mold is an unattractive fungus-like organism that lives in lawns throughout the year and decays organic matter. Hear how slime mold can actually benefit your lawn rather than cause damage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 06/14/13) Many popular herbs languish in the heat of summer, and some down right pitch a fit. Herbs that do not like our hot, wet summers include thyme, chives, sage, parsley, cilantro, French tarragon, lavender, feverfew and chamomile.

(For Release On Or After 06/28/03) The heat is on, and we can expect daytime highs around 90 and nighttime lows in the 70s from now until September. As the days get longer and the sunlight more intense, our home air conditioning systems work harder and harder to keep the inside of our homes comfortable.

(For Release On Or After 06/21/13) The extraordinary heat we experience in summer can be put to good use in the vegetable garden. Through solarization – a process of heating soil in beds under clear plastic using sunlight – summer heat can be used to reduce the harmful effects of pathogenic fungi and nematodes and kill weed seeds in the soil without using toxic chemicals.

(For Release On Or After 06/07/13) Summer heat stresses many plants in our landscapes. Along with other plants, most roses are not especially happy during the extreme heat of mid- to late summer. Come to think of it, neither are most gardeners.

(06/03/13) Red yucca is not really a yucca, and it’s not really red. But it is a beautiful, low-maintenance succulent without the dangerous, dagger-like leaves of a true yucca plant. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to this heat-tolerant plant, which also attracts butterflies. (Runtime: 1:27)

(Audio 06/03/13) Vine-ripened tomatoes are a favorite of home gardeners. If you are having problems with insects or birds getting to your tomatoes, you can ripen them indoors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/03/13) Gardeners should recycle the organic waste in their yards. The compost you create can help your plants grow better. During summer, grass clippings are an excellent addition to the compost pile. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/03/13) Taking care of the lawn is an important chore during the summer. Mowing regularly and at the right height helps maintain a healthy lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/03/13) If you can tolerate the heat, you can plant a number of vegetables into your garden in June. These vegetables are productive during the hottest part of the year. Listen to learn more. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/03/13) Hurricane season starts in June. Storms can cause damage to landscapes. Before a storm approaches, check trees and make sure any dead limbs are removed. Also consider securing loose items in your yard when a hurricane is forecasted. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 06/10/13) The coral honeysuckle is one of the showiest vining honeysuckles you can find. It’s tough and attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains some uses for this climbing vine with bright flowers. (Runtime: 1:29)