(Audio 04/27/15) April is usually the month when Louisiana irises look most beautiful in our landscapes. These flowers come in a wide variety of colors and can grow in both normal garden beds and wet areas. Listen for more information about caring for Louisiana irises. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/27/15) Although crape myrtles are relatively immune to pests and diseases, crape myrtle aphids can weaken these trees, reduce flowering, and cause sooty mold growth. Listen for information about keeping crape myrtle aphids away from your trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/27/15) The term deadheading refers to the removal of flowers that have faded. Deadheading can keep your plant looking fresh and prevent your plant from setting seed. Deadhead your plants to encourage longer growth and to keep them looking fresh. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/27/15) Roses are abundant this time of year. Planting roses earlier is preferable, but planting from containers now will also work fine. Plant low-maintenance roses now to add some beauty and color to your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/27/15) Spring is the prime season for planting perennial vines. Try training your vines onto a fence or lattice. As they grow, weave your vines horizontally through the fence or lattice in order to ensure that your vines appear full. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/20/15) Many spring-flowering bulbs provide beautiful color in our landscapes. Be careful when removing the foliage of these plants after they are done flowering. Listen for more information on spring-flowering bulbs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/20/15) Fireworks purple fountain grass has been named a Louisiana Super Plant for spring 2015. This beautiful ornamental grass creates colorful foliage in whites, pinks, burgundies and greens. Think about adding some firework grass to your landscape for a beautiful display this year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/20/15) Container plants are commonly used for decorating porches, patios and decks. It is important to keep these plants well-fertilized so that they will remain looking healthy. Use slow-release or water-soluble fertilizers in order to provide the nutrients that your container plants need. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/20/15) Once the weather warms up in the spring, it is time to move tropical plants back outdoors. Gradually reintroduce these plants to the higher levels of light outdoors. Listen for more instructions on moving tropical plants outside after the winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/20/15) You may still have some Easter lilies left over from the Easter season. Rather than throwing these flowers away, plant them into a well-prepared bed. Listen for more information on planting and caring for Easter lilies. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 04/27/15) Flowers aren’t the only source of color in your landscape during summer. On this edition of Get It Growing, AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill presents some great choices for colorful and attractive foliage that will stand up to the heat. (Runtime: 01:46)

(Video 04/20/15) Hanging baskets offer a unique aesthetic perspective to patios and porches. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill offers some tips on maintaining the health and beauty of plants you choose for your hanging containers. (Runtime: 01:39)

(Audio 4/13/15) Now is a great time to add some warm-season bedding plants to your garden. Put old cool-season bedding plants in your compost pile when they play out and are removed from the flower bed. You can visit your local nursery and buy some new and colorful plants now. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/13/15) In the spring and summer, a fungus called powdery mildew can become a problem for a variety of ornamentals and vegetables. Once you notice this mildew, it is easy to control. Apply several applications of fungicide to alleviate the problem. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 04/08/15) Azaleas are superstars of spring. But flowering bridal wreath plays a supporting role in bringing out magnificent patches of color. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why bridal wreath spirea can be an excellent shrub for your landscape. (Runtime: 01:43)

(Video 04/01/15) Everyone is familiar with the Easter lily, but there’s another beautiful Easter plant that’s not well known. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to the Easter cactus – a relative of the Christmas cactus and the Thanksgiving cactus. (Runtime: 01:31)

(Audio 04/13/15) Caladiums are reliable bedding plants that grow well in shady areas. They are great plants to use to add summer color to your garden. Listen for more information on planting and maintaining caladiums. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/06/15) Coleuses are popular plants among gardeners. These colorful plants can be used in a diverse array of areas in our landscapes. Listen for information about an exceptional Super Plant called the Henna coleus. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/13/15) Around April, your lawn will begin to need more and more attention. Remember to get the blades on your lawn mower sharpened and mow regularly. Listen for more lawn care tips. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/13/15) Newly planted grass grows best in Louisiana during the warm summer months. If you spot a dead area in your lawn, lay sod to repair the damage. Listen for more instructions on lawn care and maintenance. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/06/15) Early to mid-April is the ideal time to plant your tomatoes. This allows your plant time to settle in and produce lots of flowers while the weather is still mild. Listen for more information on choosing and planting tomato plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/06/15) If you haven't already fertilized your lawn, now is a great time to do so. It is important to spread an appropriate amount of fertilizer evenly over your lawn. Be sure to choose a fertilizer that matches the needs of your lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/06/15) When cultivating tomato plants, it is important to keep them elevated off the ground. This prevents rotting and allows the plant to grow properly. Listen for information on methods of growing and training tomatoes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/06/15) Many popular herbs are ready to be harvested right now in the spring. It is important to harvest before the summer heat causes the plants to shut down. Harvest your herbs generously now while they're in the peak of production. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/30/15) Late spring is when cool-season bedding plants start to fade. Right now, nurseries may still have cool-season bedding plants for sale. However, make sure you're buying plants that will bloom through summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/30/25) It's time to head to your local nursery and buy some warm-season bedding plants. These plants can withstand the harsh summer heat. Plant them in your flower bed to provide color all through the long, hot summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/30/15) Late spring is a great time to plant a wide variety of vegetables in your home garden. Plant these vegetables into sunny, well-prepared beds. Consider adding vegetables such as collards, corn, Swiss chard and peppers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 04/24/15) An ornamental grass called Fireworks purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum Fireworks) has been selected by the LSU AgCenter as a Louisiana Super Plant for spring 2015. And, wow, are you going to be impressed by the colorful foliage of this grass.

(For Release On Or After 04/17/15) Coleuses were among the first plants I became familiar with when I started learning about plants as a teenager. I found the incredible variation of colors and patterns in the leaves fascinating. This spring, the LSU AgCenter has named Henna coleus a Louisiana Super Plants selection.

(For Release On Or After 04/10/15) Vines are an amazing group of plants with enough diversity to boggle the mind of any gardener. What binds these wonderful plants together is their universal lack of strong stems. That’s right; vines are lazy plants that rely on some other plant or structure to allow them to grow upwards, or they simply run on the ground.

(Audio 03/30/15) Sapsuckers are one of the few birds that cause damage to woody plants such as trees and shrubs. These birds peck holes in the bark in order to get sap and insects out of the plants. Thankfully, however, the damage caused by these birds is usually relatively harmless. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 04/03/15) Mulching is an easy-to-do labor-saving gardening technique that all gardeners should take advantage of. A mulch is a material, usually organic but sometimes inorganic, we use to cover the soil surface around plants. Mulching beds is an important part of sustainable landscaping.