Most of us home gardeners in Louisiana are always looking for alternative plants to try. We typically get accustomed to planting the same warm season bedding plants in the spring and the same cool season bedding plants in the fall. Why not reach out a little bit this fall and give bluebonnets a try.

Ornamental kale and cabbage are becoming increasingly popular as fall bedding plants for Louisiana. An alternative to garden mums and pansies, these plants have feathery leaves of robust colors that make them well suited for landscape and container plantings.

Pansies are our most popular cool season bedding plant. Here is some recommendations for home gardeners in the care of pansies and information on variety selection.

Dianthus are a popular cool-season bedding plant. Here is some variety and cultural information for home gardeners.

We have many great trees recommended for south Louisiana landscapes. Some of these are common and known by home gardeners and green industry professionals, but there are great trees that are less known and under-utilized. Here is a list.

Herbaceous perennials are winter hardy ornamental plants that reappear each spring from their crowns or root systems. Many species can be used as groundcovers or landscape plantings to provide color for extended seasons. Some major species in production and landscape use are daylily, lantana, verbena, purple coneflower and black-eyed Susan.

This publication includes information on shrubs commonly grown in Louisiana including watering, planting, pruning, size, form and varieties.

Selection, cultural practices, fertilization, pruning and recommended varieties of vines and ground covers are included.

Dig caldiums in the fall or leave them in the ground. That is the question. Here are some suggestions and guidelines.

Living in south Louisiana, we know that getting ready for the storm means stocking batteries, candles, water, canned goods and first aid supplies. We also need to think about the landscapes that surround our homes or businesses and how they can provide a buffer zone that can reduce storm damage.

Here is some information on weed control in home landscape beds for the fall months.

Garden mums are one of the most popular color plants for the fall landscape.

Guidelines for planting sweet peas in the fall for a nice show of flowers in the spring.

Sweet Bay magnolias are gaining in popularity among home gardeners and landscape professionals.

Confederate rose is a great plant for fall flowers in Louisiana landscapes. These plants go by the scientific name Hibiscus mutabilis.

Ornamental peppers are becoming increasingly popular as landscape plants. Here is some brief information to help you with this plant.

Several species of cassias are becoming popular with home gardeners and commercial landscapers.

Virginia willow is one of the more popular native shrubs used in landscapes. Here is some information on this unique and interesting plant.

Caladiums are excellent summer accents in Louisiana gardens. New varieties with improved sun tolerance, unique color combinations, and better growth habits have been introduced by breeding programs in recent years. Caladium landscape trials were conducted at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station in 2006 and 2007 to identify varieties that adapt to landscape conditions in southeastern LA and provide selection guidance to landscape processionals.

Herbaceous perennials are continuously gaining popularity in landscape plantings. However, nutrient requirement of many species in this group during their first year establishment in landscape is still unknown. Seven herbaceous perennials were studied for their growth, flowering, and overwintering survival in respond to a variety of fertilization regimes and fertilization recommendations were generated based on the restuls.

A demonstration of different landscape mulch materials is on-going at the Hammond Research Station. Here are photos of the different mulches currently being evaluated. More to come!!!

Forty three coleus varieties were trialed in landscape evaluation plots at the Hammond Research Station in 2008. Top performers were Red Hot Rio, Big Red Judy, Zen Moment, Lancelot, Ruby Ruffles, Mariposa, Henna, Indian Summer (not pictured), Royal Glissade, Pineapple Splash and Fishnet Stockings. Here is a photo gallery. Results are based on plant vigor, foliage attractiveness, and resistance to flowering. Plants were grown in full sun.

Three new canna varieties from Horn Canna Farm in Oklahoma debuted in 2008. They are being evaluated in landscape performance trials at the Hammond Research Station.

Information on benefits of micro-irrigation systems for a home landscape and basics/guidelines on installation and ideas to consider.

Louisiana's warm, humid weather encourages the development of several serious diseases that can damage rose bushes. This publication describes the major rose diseases found in Louisiana and offers disease management tips.

It would be hard to find a flower more universally loved than the rose. Over humanity’s long history with this plant, the rose has found its way into our gardens, cuisine, medicine, art and cultures. It is easier than ever to find undemanding, reliable roses that will enhance your landscape. This publication will help you decide what types of roses to grow, as well as explaining how to plant and take care of them. (revised 4/07)

(Distributed 06/17/08) The LSU AgCenter has conducted a considerable amount of evaluation research on crape myrtles over the last 10-plus years, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings. “Probably 40-50 varieties are worthy of being grown and sold in Louisiana,” Owing says.

(For Release On Or After 04/28/06) Daylilies are coming into bloom about now, and gardeners would be hard pressed to find a plant that provides so many colorful flowers for so little effort. Available in an amazing variety of colors, shapes and sizes, there are daylilies to fit virtually every taste and garden situation.

(Distributed March 2005) Two varieties top the list for the 2005 All-American Daylily Selections, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings.

(Distributed April 2006) A relatively new category has been added to All-America Selections, home of the popular All-America Rose Selections, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings. That group is daylilies.

In the summer of 2000, daylily rust was reported for the first time in the United States. It has since spread across most of the country and continues to present problems for home gardeners, commercial landscapers and daylily growers.

(Distributed 04/14/08) The 2008 All-American Daylily winner is Sweet Summer Valentine, chosen by the All-American Daylily Selection Council. The plant has light, buff-pink flowers with a vivid burgundy maroon eyezone and a matching edge.

Information on the use of petunias in our Louisiana home landscapes.

In addition to flowers, bedding plants may be grown for their colorful foliage or interesting forms or textures. With proper selection, they can be used to provide color throughout the year. Use this publication to help you with bedding plant selection and proper care.

(Distributed 02/22/08) Mulching is one of the most important tasks for a successful landscape. Ornamental plants benefit greatly from it. Mulching should be part of garden maintenance at least twice a year, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings.

Information on azaleas includes recommended cultural practices and other keys to be successful with this popular plant in your landscape efforts.

The Durango series marigolds have been evaluated at the LSU AgCenter the last several years. This is a group of French marigolds.

The Safari series marigolds have been evaluated at the LSU AgCenter the last several years. This is a group of French marigolds.

Landscape evaluation observations were taken on new plants from Ball Seed, Pan American Seed and Ball Flora Plant in 2007. Here is the completed report from LSU AgCenter work at Burden Center and the Hammond Research Station.

The newest series of crape myrtles are the 'Razzle Dazzle' series. There are hybrids and are dwarf in form. Landscape performance evaluations are underway at the LSU AgCenter.

The new 'Plush' series of petunias are the newest of the seed propagated spreading type petunias. They are available from S & G Flowers. Here is photo gallery of the cultivars.

This publication includes information on conserving existing trees, planting and transplanting, pruning, tree fertilization, street and parking area plantings, tree evaluation, tree lists and a quick tree selection guide.

The 'Wave' series of petunias are very popular with commercial landscapers and home gardeners at the current time. Here is a photo gallery of the cultivars.

The 'Easy Wave' series of petunias are smaller versions of the original 'Wave' series. This group has also allowed for the expansion of flower color options in the series. Here is a photo gallery of the cultivars. Several "mixes" are available also.

The 'Tidal Wave' series of petunias are hedgiflora type petunias. They are the tallest growing and widest spreading of these petunia groups. Here is a photo gallery of the four cultivars in this series.

On the last couple years, a number of new Liriope muscari and Liriope gigantea cultivars have been released. These are being evaluated in landscape performance trials at the Hammond Research Station.