How can I rejuvenate my Begonias? Begonias are great during the cooler weather of spring or autumn but they tend to pout during the heat of the summer. You can use them as spring annuals or if you want to keep them until the cooler weather of autumn occurs, give them...
Fertilizing Pansies or Violas
Apply a light application of fertilizer to established pansy and viola (Johnny Jump-up) plantings. Use one-half pound of ammonium sulfate per 100 square feet of bed area. Repeat the application every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on rainfall. Dried blood meal or cottonseed...
Information About Grayleaf Cotoneaster, Please
Grayleaf cotoneaster – Cotoneaster glaucophylla is a sprawling three or four foot, semi-evergreen shrub (depending on the winter temperatures) with dusty gray-green foliage and orange fruit that does well in Parker County. It is heat-tolerant and can tolerate sun to...
Information About Buxus microphylla japonica, Please.
Known as Japanese boxwood, this is a compact evergreen shrub with lighter green leaves. The resistance to heat, alkaline soils as well as diseases and insects justifies their popularity. In extremely cold winters, boxwoods may suffer leaf burn but will recover...
Do Loropetalum Do Well in Parker County?
Loropetalum (Chinese fringe flower) Loropetalum chinense ‘Rubrum’ is a quality plant for Parker County. It can take sun or partial shade and can grow six to eight feet in height and three to four feet in width. You will see why it is called the Chinese fringe flower...
What is Causing Brown Spots On My Coleus?
What is causing brown spots on my coleus? Coleuses are wonderful annuals for Parker County with their colorful foliage, tolerance of summer heat and ease of propagation. They like shade from the afternoon Texas sun and even moisture but not constantly wet feet. They...
What Do I Do About Webworms?
Many north Texas homeowners are noticing unsightly silken webs appearing on a variety of trees this summer. One of the most common foliage feeding caterpillars in north Texas is the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea. Despite its name, the fall webworm is active...
What Can I Spray on Dormant Plants To Rid Them of Insects?
Is there something that can be sprayed on plants while they are dormant to rid them of insects before they do damage? You can rid your defenseless trees and shrubs of inconspicuous killers by using a prophylactic spray. The spray that should be used is referred to and...
What Are Those Worms Hanging From My Trees?
Cankerworms are a major defoliator of broad leaf trees in east and central Texas. Such outbreaks of cankerworms are not predictable and reach high levels with little warning. Cankerworms pose a threat to broad leaf trees. Early detection and control measures are...
Using Horticulture/Dormant Oil in the Landscape
January-February is a good time to control scale insects on evergreen shrubs and trees such as camellias, hollies, bay laurel, myrtle, euonymus, citrus, photinias and boxwood through use of a horticultural oil spray. Fruit trees may be sprayed at this time of year in...