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Dragon wing begonias offer nice size and color
Begonias

(Video 07/19/10) Common wax begonias are beautiful in the landscape, but they’re kind of small. If you’re looking for a begonia with bigger flowers and leaves, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill recommends trying dragon wing begonias on this segment of Get It Growing.(Runtime: 1:41)

Crape myrtles are perfect trees for summer color
Crape Myrtle

(Video 07/12/10) No trees show off more bright, flowery colors during the summer than crape myrtles. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill offers some advice for selecting and growing these beautiful and popular landscape trees. (Runtime: 1:36)

Add true blue flowers to summer landscape
True Blue

(Video 07/26/10) Blue flowers can add a cool touch to hot summer gardens, but are all flowers that may be called blue truly blue? In reality, relatively few flowers in nature actually are blue. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill is in search of some of those true-blue flowers. (Runtime: 1:45)

Purslane provides reliable color all summer
Purslane

(Video 07/05/10) During the heat of summer, flowers obviously need to be well-watered to keep them alive and attractive. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill describes a hardy plant that is drought tolerant, while also maintaining its color throughout the entire summer. (Runtime: 1:37)

Flower gardens beautify landscapes
(Audio 07/26/10) Flower gardens add a great amount of beauty to our landscapes. Late July or August is a great time to evaluate your flower beds to see what needs to be replaced. Hear about some great replacements that can withstand the summer heat. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Trim seed pods of young crape myrtles
(Audio 07/26/10) Crape myrtles are popular summer-flowering trees, and they have a very long blooming season. If your tree is relatively young, and you notice some leftover seed pods, trim these off to encourage new growth. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Make cut flowers from your garden last
(Audio 07/26/10) Some people feel guilty for harvesting flowers from their flower gardens. Imagine how much more you would enjoy your flowers if they were cut from your garden and arranged in an attractive vase indoors. Here are a few tips on how to make cut flowers last as long as possible. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Summer heat causes decline in rose quality
(Audio 07/26/10) The roses in your landscape do not enjoy the heat of summer. You may notice smaller flowers, faded color and declining quality. There is not much you can do for your roses when this occurs, but be sure to water deeply when the weather is hot and dry. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Learn about caring for caladiums during summer
(Audio 07/26/10) Caladiums are one of the most common bedding plants to use in shady areas of the landscape. They are popular, reliable and do not have many insect problems. Caladiums do require extra care during the summer. Be sure to keep beds well-mulched, water deeply, and apply a light application of fertilizer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Be careful when pruning blackberries
(Audio 07/19/10) Blackberries are one of the easiest and most productive fruits that can be grown in the home garden. They have a unique life cycle. Blackberry chutes do not produce during the first year, but during their second year they produce vigorously and then die. Be sure to prune all of the old canes down to the ground and prune the tips off of the new canes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Plant basil in Louisiana gardens
(Audio 07/19/10) Basil is an indispensable herb used in Louisiana cooking. Basil is a warm-season herb, and you can add more basil to your garden despite the heat. Visit your local nursery to find basil transplants to add to your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Bark lice does not damage trees
(Audio 07/19/10) If you ever notice a fine, silvery webbing located on the bark of trees, do not be alarmed. This is the web of bark lice, which are scavengers that feed on organic debris lodged in the crevices of the bark. Bark lice are harmless, so it is not necessary to remove them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Shade trees can prevent grass from receiving enough sunlight
(Audio 07/19/10) During the heat of summer, shade trees in the landscape are incredibly welcomed. As the years go by and these shade trees get increasingly larger, the grass beneath the canopies may not get enough sunlight and may begin to fade away and die. Here are some options for dealing with bare areas underneath shade trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Prune summer-flowering shrubs
(Audio 07/19/10) Unlike most summer-flowering shrubs, gardenias and hydrangeas should be pruned around the same time that spring-flowering shrubs are pruned. Here are some tips for pruning your gardenias and hydrangeas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)