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La. Super Plant Shoal Creek vitex is beautiful shrub/tree
Shoal Creek Vitex

The newest Louisiana Super Plant can be grown as a shrub or can be formed into a small tree. Shoal Creek vitex has been shown to grow very well in Louisiana landscapes. On this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why this blue-flowered Louisiana Super Plant is one you would want in your landscape. (Runtime: 1:35)

Grass clippings make great compost
(Audio 05/30/11) Composting has many benefits. It recycles landscape waste, and the compost you make is a wonderful material to add to garden beds or to use as top dressing. Grass clippings are the primary organic material we get from our landscapes this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Summer vegetables can stand up to heat
(Audio 05/30/11) The intense heat of summer arrives in June. Despite the heat, gardeners can still plant vegetables into their gardens. Consider planting cantaloupes, eggplants, peanuts and pumpkins. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Mow properly to maintain healthy lawn
(Audio 05/30/11) Mowing is the primary lawn chore during the summer. If you wait too long between mowings, the grass can become unhealthy. When you mow, you want to remove no more than about one-third of the grass blade. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Hibiscus provide tropical flowers in summer gardens
(Audio 05/30/11) The tropical hibiscus is a wonderful, colorful plant for summer landscapes. Gardeners can grow them in the ground or in containers. In the northern part of the state, hibiscus are more at risk of being killed by freezes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Ripen tomatoes indoors to avoid bird, insect damage
(Audio 05/30/11) Vine-ripened tomatoes provide wonderful flavor to summer salads and sandwiches, but often birds or insects will attack them before you can harvest them. Gardeners can harvest tomatoes at different stages and allow them to ripen indoors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Rose of Sharon ‘Aphrodite’ blooms bigger, lasts longer
Rose of Sharon
(Video 5/30/11) If you’re looking for a large shrub with many big, colorful flowers, the Rose of Sharon ‘Aphrodite’ may be what you’re looking for. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why the ‘Aphrodite’ cultivar is a better selection than most other Rose of Sharon plants. (Runtime: 1:39)
Black spot affects roses
(Audio 05/23/11) Black spot is the most destructive fungal disease that affects roses in Louisiana. Hybrid teas and grandiflora are highly susceptible to the disease and require a regular spray regimen to prevent it. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Spanish moss is not harmful to trees
(Audio 05/23/11) Spanish moss does not damage the trees it grows in. It is not parasitic on the tree. It's a green plant, and it photosynthesizes all the food it needs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Irish potatoes are ready for harvest
(Audio 05/23/11) Irish potatos are great to grow in the vegetable garden. If you planted seed pieces back in February, the potatoes should be ready to harvest soon. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Replace cool-season bedding plants
(Audio 05/23/11) Most cool-season bedding plants won't make it past the month of May. When they start to languish, replace them with warm-season bedding plants. Before you go to the nursery, however, have an idea of what you want to use. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Homegrown blackberries are plump, sweet
(Audio 05/23/11) Blackberries are productive fruiting plants and easy to grow around your home. Backyard blackberry varieties produce larger and sweeter berries than the wild variety. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Fireworks fountain grass bursts with color
Fireworks Fountain Grass
(Video 5/16/11) Fountain grass can help accent a landscape. Now there’s a new variety of fountain grass that has foliage that bursts with color while flowing gracefully earthward. On this edition of Get it Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why Fireworks fountain grass is an excellent landscape selection. (Runtime: 1:31)
New plants need water
(Audio 05/16/11) Many Louisiana gardeners planted new trees, shrubs and vegetable and flower beds during spring. All of these plants will require water as the temperatures go up and we experience dry spells. (Runtime: 60 seconds)