Recently in our Master Gardener intern class I presented information about the Southern Magnolia tree. During my research, I was intrigued by the history of this beautiful and captivating tree. Magnolias evolved on Earth as far back as 95 million years ago during the Cretaceous period making the Magnolia the first known flowering plant. At this time bees were not in existence, therefore Magnolias evolved to be pollinated by UF/IFAS prehistoric insects. Today we know them as b

Naked Ladies is just one of the names of the lily, Lycoris. Other names are: Surprise lily, Magic lily, Resurrection Lily, and Red Spider lily. The flowers appear on their UF/IFAS own in late summer, just a bare stalk with a beautiful flower on top, no leaves...hence “naked” ladies. Another name is Hurricane lily because the flowers often come up after a good hard rain or a hurricane. Whatever you call them, these lilies are long-living. Many times you can see them in Northwe

Urban Legends About Urine Damage Colorado State University Dog urine damage is a common problem for home lawns, and one that has generated numerous home remedies and commercial products claiming to be cures for the spots. This lawn problem is misunderstood when it comes to causes and cures. Dog spotting on turfgrass is caused by the deposition of a high concentration of nitrogen (N)-containing compounds and associated salts on a small area in the lawn. These de

There are many ways to design a lovely home landscape while keeping in mind Photo: Lois Scott the needs and challenges of your furry friends. Paths of Dead Grass... Dogs tend to cause wear on turfgrass in specific areas, often near or along fences, which provide them good visibility. They like to patrol their territory. That’s why you might see your dog walking the same path over and over again every day. Often, it’s around the perimeter of the yard. Create paths or

Photo: Barbara Holder As far back as I can remember, I have always dug in the dirt, played with rocks, water, and flowers. A year ago, when we moved into a new home, there was an area of erosion beside a concrete brick wall. My husband said, “We need to extend the wall.” I said no, it’s a waterfall! After a few months of research, including reading and watching videos, I was ready to dig in! Steps included: Determine how big a pond and/or waterfall that you desire. Measur

When I first moved to Florida from the north, I planted tomatoes in pots in the yard. I was successful until one day I went to check on the tomatoes and the plants were bare! I looked at each plant closely and discovered 3-inch green caterpillars with black horns had invaded my plants. My husband and I picked them off the plants and flung them out of our yard. Now, I was told that any insect that causes damage to your plants is considered a pest. So all this time I’ve be

St. Augustine grass has become more popular as a lawn grass in our area over the past several years. As with any species of grass, it has its advantages and disadvantages. It is very salt tolerant, and relatively shade tolerant. The color is dark green when compared to other grasses, and it is vigorous, allowing it to quickly recover if a portion of the lawn becomes damaged due to pests. Along with all of the good characteristics, there are some shortcomings. It is a heavier

Many centipede lawns are in bad shape this spring. Dead and yellow patches are common and, in some cases, as much as half of the lawn is dead. Much of this damage is due to the use of improper maintenance practices. J. Bryan Unruh, UF/IFAS We are literally killing our centipede with kindness, especially where fertilization is involved. Until recently this species of grass was known as the “poor man’s grass,” because it is known to require less fertilizer and water than most

Florida’s extended growing season and abundant sunshine make the perfect opportunity for creating a culinary herb garden. Culinary herbs offer a low maintenance option with less pest and disease issues than many other plants. Culinary herbs usually require well-draining soil, a little sun, and not much else. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, in Florida you can enjoy fresh herbs at nearly any time of year. Rosemary Photo Credit: Andrea Light Florida has an ab

A problem of anticipation The feeling is palpable; everyone is ready for spring. Can you hear them? The seeds beckon in their packets, begging for you to bury them beneath the soil. Every gardener struggles with this dilemma in early spring, but this year will surely be different. Maybe, just maybe, I can get my garden planted. Eventually, as we wait with bated breath life will peek its tiny shoots through the soil. Inevitably, harsh reality will set in with the realiza

Foodscaping is a relatively new concept in horticulture which interplants edibles with ornamentals, or utilizes ornamentals that are also edible. One plant that exemplifies this is sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). This plant is in the grass family, ranging in color from green to red, resembling bamboo from afar. In the landscape, it makes a wonderful backdrop or feature, drawing the attention of passersby. Clumping Sugarcane UF/IFAS Photo Types of Sugarcane Chewing Cane Sug

Irrigation is quite a controversial topic in horticulture. Far too often, clients come into the office with struggling grass or detrimental fungal concerns in their gardens. The “go-to” conversation concerns the cultural practices being utilized in the landscape. Cultural controls include the homeowner’s landscaping and gardening practices. These can cover several topics, including proper fertilization, dealing with garden waste, and, of course, irrigation. While all these t