Show#26
Monkey Grass With
Wally Pressy
Many believe Monkey Grass originated
in the Far East. It has become a very popular ground cover
in this country. Typically we think of only one or two varieties
but there are many different varieties of this plant. The
most popular variety Liriope Muscari "Big Blue"
is an effective border plant. It can be used to line trails,
it is not a spreading plant, grows well in the shade and
blooms yearly. Liriope Muscari "John Burch" has
beautiful large purple flowers. Many varieties are shown
on the program. Several Liriope Muscari species discussed
are "Variegata," "Mondo White" which
has white flowers and grows in the shade, "Aztec Grass,"
grows mostly in the deep South, "Royal Purple"
has beautiful purple flowers, "Christmas Tree,"
its' blooms look like a Christmas tree and flowers in late
Summer "Evergreen Giant," grows to between 2.5"
and 3 " tall (don't cut this variety back). Liriope
Spicata varieties spread and are good for erosion control,
"Silver Dragon" is one variety. Ophiopogon Japonicus
is "Mondo Grass." "Nana" Dwarf Mondo
Grass is shade loving, low growing, often used as a turf
substitute in the shade. Ophiopogon Planiscapus "Arabians"
or Black Mondo Grass is a spreading plant and likes full
sun. Typically Monkey Grass is best cut back in February.
Dividing Perennials
- Irises - With Tom Harvey
When blooms are small and spindly or if the plant lacks
vigor or is open
at the center it is time to dig up the plant, get it out
of the ground,
take it apart and cut it back. Don't let the task intimidate
you. Don't
be afraid to man-handle the plant, in the long run it is
needed.
First dig around the roots, pull the plant out of the ground
and shake
it out. Break it apart with a shovel and your hands. Look
for new growth
and focus on these. Prepare the soil. Trim the leaves back
to where they become flat, then put back in the soil. Spread
the roots, press firmly down into the soil and cover with
soil to the line where the green
starts. Sprinkle with 10-10-10, water and cover with mulch.
Your plant
will be much healthier and the blooms larger.
Dr. Rick Plants Pansies
and Violas
Violas and Pansies are
part of the same family. Pansies date back to the 4th century
when the Greeks used them medicinally. In the Fall they
are best planted when soil temperatures are between 45-65
degrees. There are different types of Pansies. If they're
going to be used in a setting close to you, a patio for
example, you might want to use Pansies with a face. If used
in a distance a clear face will have a more striking effect.
Size is also a consideration. Large Pansies have a face
of between 2.5 and 3 inches in diameter. Mediums are 1.5
to 2.5 inches. while smalls fall below 1.5 inches. Small
is not necessarily bad, because the smaller plants usually
have more flowers per plant than the larger plants. When
the soil temperature falls below 55 degrees you will want
to use a fertilizer with a Nitrogen source like Calcium
Nitrate. Check the back of the package to make sure it has
at least 50% Calcium Nitrate.
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