(Video 6/27/11) Because of excessively hot, sticky Louisiana temperatures, we tend to feel sorry for plants because they’re constantly being sizzled. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to some plants that actually love the brutal heat and humidity and thrive in it. (Runtime- 1:39)

(Video 6/6/11) Record drought conditions are having an adverse effect on Louisiana yards and gardens. Not many plants are designed to withstand such harsh moisture deprivation. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why Color Guard yucca is a good, drought-tolerant plant for Louisiana landscapes. (Runtime: 1:34)

(Video 6/20/11) After drought-like conditions for much of the year some areas of the state finally have been receiving rainfall. But are these thunderstorms providing enough moisture for our plants and landscapes? Maybe not. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to take the guesswork out of that part of lawn and plant care. (Runtime 1:39)

(Video 6/13/11) Some plants work well at accentuating other plants in flower gardens or flower pots. Euphorbia is one of those plants. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how this beautiful, drought-tolerant plant enhances flowers in the landscape, much like a spray completes a floral arrangement. (Runtime: 1:47)

(Audio 06/27/11) Summer is the best time to plant palms in Louisiana. Palms can be grown around the state, but some are more susceptible to freezes, which are more likely in the northern part of the state. When deciding what type of palm to plant, consider size and hardiness. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/27/11) A great herb for summer is Mexican tarragon. This herb, which is similar to French tarragon, tolerates Louisiana's summer heat. The plant is related to the marigold and will produce wonderful flowers in the fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/27/11) Gardeners who planted petunias back in the spring may need to replace them soon. Nurseries have a wide selection of heat-tolerant bedding plants this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/27/11) Everblooming roses will continue to bloom through the summer, but they don't perform best in the heat. Gardeners will notice fewer, less vigorous roses over the next few months. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/27/11) The baldcypress is Louisiana's state tree. The trees are popular around the state, but knees can pop up when the tree is planted in poorly drained soils. Homeowners can remove the knees when they appear. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/20/11) Gardening this time of the year presents challenges. Gardeners need to protect themselves from the heat. Gardening in the morning and in the shade and drinking plenty of fluids make gardening during the summer more tolerable. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/20/11) The Serena series of angelonia is a Louisiana Super Plant selection for spring 2011. The plant is drought resistant and blooms well in full sun. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/20/11) Patches of silvery webbing on tree trunks may look alarming, but it's generally harmless. Bark lice feeding on organic matter on the tree usually are what create such webbing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/20/11) Snails and slugs can chew holes in the leaves of our plants. Other insects do this as well, so you need to confirm which pest is causing problems. As for snails and slugs, they cause their damage at night, but they can be controlled with baits or traps. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/20/11) Butterfly pentas are outstanding summer bedding plants. They come in a wide array of colors, produce flowers all summer long and attract butterflies. This plant also is a Louisiana Super Plant selection. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/13/11) Gardenias are fragrant shrubs that bloom in May and June. After they finish flowering, gardeners can prune these shrubs. Waiting too long could jeopardize next year's blooms. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/13/11) Caterpillars are common pests in our landscapes. Gardeners can control caterpillars organically on flowers and vegetables using a naturally occurring bacterium. This bacterium does not harm other animals or people. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/13/11) Many of the roses Louisiana gardeners use in their landscapes are everblooming roses. These flowers bloom in the spring, summer and fall. Once-blooming roses will bloom only one time during the year in spring and early summer. Midsummer is the time to prune them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/13/11) Some trees will survive a lightning strike, but lightning can kill a tree. After a tree is struck by lightning, wait a few weeks to look for signs that the tree might be dead or damaged. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/13/11) Hurricane season started June 1, and homeowners should prepare their property. Check trees for dead or decaying wood and be ready to secure container plants, outside furniture and other outdoor objects in the case of heavy wind. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/06/11) Lichens are odd, but they are not harmful to the plants they grow on. Lichens are a symbiotic organism composed of an alga and a fungus. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/06/11) Many Louisiana gardeners use container plants. During summer these plants can dry out quickly. Plants in small pots, ones that are root bound and plants in clay pots all dry out quickly. Make sure to water them thoroughly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/06/11) Plants are in active growth during the summer and may need extra nutrients from fertilizers. Soluble fertilizers allow plants to absorb the nutrients immediately, providing a quick boost to plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/06/11) When the weather is dry like it has been across much of the state, gardeners need to provide supplemental irrigation. Sprinklers, soaker hoses and hand watering are different ways to get water to your plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/06/11) Gardeners with new or young trees need to water these trees properly during summer. A lawn sprinkler won't adequately water a new tree. Hear more to learn about how to water a tree. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 06/24/11) Often, the things people plant first in new landscapes are the lawn and shade trees. As time goes on, however, sun-loving lawn grasses and shade trees don’t go together particularly well.

(For Release On Or After 06/17/11) There is still time to add colorful bedding plants to your landscape, but it’s important for you to choose plants that are able to thrive in the intense heat of a Louisiana summer. Summer bedding plants come in a variety of heights, textures and colors, and they are adapted to grow in everything from moist, shady areas to hot, dry, sunny locations.

(For Release On Or After 06/10/11) Violent thunderstorms can occur around the state during the summer, and in south Louisiana high winds from hurricanes are a real concern. That means it’s an excellent time to take a look at trees in your landscape. Although they add immeasurably to our home grounds, trees with problems can be a liability during storms.

(For Release On Or After 06/03/11) Dry weather has been common around the state since spring started, and most of us have received less than the typical amount of rain this year. We don’t know how much rain will fall this summer, but we can be fairly certain that there will be at least some periods of hot, dry weather when we will need to water our landscapes.