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Pentas, also known as Egyptian starcluster, are some of the best landscape plants for attracting pollinators to a garden.
With showy flowers borne on long, narrow floral spikes, porterweed beckons the attention of people passing by and a host of pollinators.
The Zesty Zinnia series from Ball Horticulture boasts bountiful blooms, where the large flowers are available in a spectrum of colors.
Indian blanket flower, or blanket flower, gaillardia is a wildflower species native to the southern plains region of the United States.
The FlameThrower coleus series can be identified by its uniquely shaped thin and ruffled foliage that stands out in any landscape, providing wonderful texture.
Serena series angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia, Serena Series) are herbaceous perennials grown as a warm-season color bedding plants in Louisiana.
Discover sustainable lawn alternatives with "Lawn Grass Alternatives: Green Your Space Sustainably" for a low-maintenance, eco-friendly yard.
Liriope, or lilyturf, is a low-maintenance ground cover used in landscapes. It resembles grass but is part of the asparagus family.
Different pruners are used for different plants, and different cuts within the same plant will necessitate different types of hand pruners.
This compact evergreen shrub adds a burst of color to the landscape with its golden chartreuse foliage – the defining feature of this variety.
As one of the first signals of spring, the bright pink flowers of deciduous magnolias are the talk of the town every February.
Selecting plant materials with similar water demands is one of the most common and practical recommendations for designing landscape beds.
Cool-season color is an unheralded hero in the landscape.
Another common northern climate perennial, delphiniums are typically strangers in the Deep South.
Well known as a perennial in many northern climates, columbine makes an elegant annual addition to the cool-season southern garden.
Gulf Coast muhly grass, or simply muhly grass, is one of the absolute greatest ornamental grasses for Louisiana landscapes.
Amazon dianthus is a cool-season perennial in the Louisiana climate.
Violas have been a long-time cool-season favorite and a go-to plant for the southern garden.
Peggy Martin roses are a robust and recognizable feature in the Louisiana landscape with showy, fragrant pink flowers.
Diagnosis of plant leaves turning yellow
Deer can be a nuisance to gardeners in certain parts of Louisiana. Here are some practical tips to help you lessen deer damage in your landscape.
Crape Myrtle's vibrant flowers, long blooming season, disease and pest resistance, and relatively small size make them an excellent tree to add to your yard.
Drift roses are some of the toughest and most tolerant shrub roses in Louisiana, making them the perfect addition for the busy gardener.
Home Garden Chemical Weed Control.
Encouraging and maintaining healthy native bee populations in your yard requires the presence of nesting habitat in addition to forage.
A number of common vegetable and fruit plants can serve a dual function of providing food and habitat specifically for native pollinators.
Many weeds in the landscape can cause a gardener to gripe.
Virginia buttonweed (Diodia virginiana) the number one weed problem in Southern turfgrass.
Plants that are suitable to a specific climate makes a difference. A heat zone map will ensure your plants are suitable to the area before planting.
The term ground cover is applied to low growing plants other than turfgrass used to cover areas of the landscape.
October could be argued as the most critical month for lawn maintenance.
Many of these underground organs can be difficult to distinguish from each other. So let’s shed some light on this underground world.
The hydrangea’s reliably charming and large flowers make it one of our beloved summer-flowering shrubs of Southern garden.
Ligularia is an excellent addition to any gardener’s shade garden. Consider incorporating ligularia as a great, course-textured addition.
By midsummer, many adults are thinking of ways to provide something for children to do until school begins. Why not start a gardening project?
(04/07/17) Henry’s Garnet Virginia willow is a native shrub that adapts very well to landscape cultivation and is reliable and easy to grow.
Herbs can be grown throughout the year in Louisiana. Some do better in warmer temperatures and others in cooler temperatures.
This article will give you more information on Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens).
Virginia buttonweed is widely considered the most invasive weed infesting turfgrass in the South.
(07/22/16) When you think of shade trees in your landscape, you most likely focus on the shade they create outside.
Use this check list for a successful summer garden.
This publication outlines some of the options for design, operation and maintenance of ornamental ponds and discusses basic environmental requirements of fish and plants commonly grown in these ponds. 20 pages. Full color. (PDF Format Only)
Louisianians take pride in the appearance of their lawns and landscapes. Weeds, however, can detract from that appearance and frustrate homeowners. Information on adaptation, light, soils and mulch can be found in this publication. (PDF Format Only)
Many Louisiana gardeners are expressing their desire to attract butterflies to their yards. Learn how to create a butterfly-friendly environment with a few simple requirements: food, water, shelter and a place to reproduce. (PDF Format Only)
When the proper plants are selected for shady areas, the results can be beautiful and enduring.
(Distributed 11/01/01) November in Louisiana means cooler weather, but LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske says it doesn't mean you have to hang up your garden tools for the year. "Some garden plants withstand cold weather, so you can keep your garden filled and growing until spring," the horticulturist explains.
Loquat, sometimes called Japanese plum or Japanese Medlar, is an attractive small tree or shrub that is frequently planted in landscapes as an ornamental in Louisiana. The tree has large thick evergreen leaves, which thrives in most well-drained soils, can be used as an edible landscape plant.
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.
Soil salts affect turf mostly by withholding moisture from plant tissues. They may also compete for uptake of nutrient ions. Try these suggestions to manage a soil salinity situation.
A hosta trial was conducted at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station from 2009 to 2013 with the objective of selecting hostas for southern Louisiana and similar climate. Top 10 varieties were selected based on four years of evaluation. Varieties that do not return from winter dormancy and those exhibiting stresses are noted as well.
Guidelines and benefits of mulching.
Learn the difference between topsoil and garden soil and what materials are blended together to create the soil you are purchasing.
What are perennials and what's the difference between a perennial and an annual?
This article discusses the best method of controlling oxalis in lawns and garden beds.
Information on Ground Covers
Infographic with tips for your own hummingbird garden
Gardeners can design and plant gardens that are attractive to birds.
Imagine a garden full of beautiful flowers. Now, add the fluttering movement and brilliant color of butterflies and you have one of nature’s most enchanting combinations.
The most satisfying method of attracting hummingbirds is to plant a hummingbird garden and provide them with their accustomed food, a concept has proven quite effective in our area.
There are not a whole lot of heat-loving vegetable crops, laments LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. In late spring, you can plant collards, vine crops such as squash, cucumber and pumpkins, or crops like okra, malabar vine spinach and southern peas.
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.
Information on benefits of micro-irrigation systems for a home landscape and basics/guidelines on installation and ideas to consider.
Some common landscaping practices provide an opportunity for subterranean termites to attack a house, even one that has been properly treated for termites.
If you look around at some of our landscapes, you would think we live in the tropics. Indeed, some winters the temperature never does dip below freezing. Be prepared when it does.
Well-managed lawns and landscaping are good for the environment as well as being attractive. Bad management, however, can negate a lot of the environmental benefits.
Landscaping your property is one way to help reduce the erosive force of rain.
When it comes to home landscaping, many gardeners remain confused about how to create what they want. Efforts at landscaping can be disappointing despite spending a substantial amount of money. Developing an attractive, properly functioning landscape is best done using a process.
Best Management Practices regarding climatical considerations in the home landscape.
Landscapes damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita can be revitalized. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill talks about what can be done to repair the damage.
A properly designed and operated irrigation system will ensure that the critical factor of soil moisture will be there to sustain healthy plant growth.
Summer pruning of blackberries is an important management tool. It is helpful in fruit harvesting, controlling insects and controlling diseases, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. John Pyzner.
More varieties and sizes of crape myrtles are available than many people realize. One group of crape myrtles being used more because of its smaller size and excellent flowering performance is the semi-dwarf, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings.
Nothing says summer in the South like the fresh, airy blooms of crape myrtles. Follow these recommendations to ensure proper growth and blooming.
A storm can leave trees looking like there’s no tomorrow. Major limbs may be broken or damaged, foliage can be shredded or stripped, or the bark may be torn or gouged. But what at first glance may look like mortal wounds are not necessarily fatal to a tree. Trees have an amazing ability to recover from storm damage.
The article describes growing bananas in the landscape and steps for possible fruit production.
Soil salts affect turf mostly by withholding moisture from plant tissues. They may also compete for uptake of nutrient ions. Try these suggestions to manage a soil salinity situation.
Controlling and trapping moles require a little time and patience. Your success with controlling moles depends on locating active runways and the proper placement of a trap.
The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio tells us how well the compost will work.
The article provides a brief description of feijoa. Information on selecting varieties and cultural practices are included.
Loquat, sometimes called Japanese plum or Japanese Medlar, is an attractive small tree or shrub that is frequently planted in landscapes as an ornamental in Louisiana. The tree has large thick evergreen leaves, which thrives in most well-drained soils, can be used as an edible landscape plant.
Best Management Practices relating to pruning ornamental plants and mowing lawns in the home landscape.
Best Management Practices in regard to proper planting techniques and mulch use in the home landscape.
An abundance of weeds, diseases and insects plague Louisiana’s home landscapes. The adoption of BMPs and integrated pest management (IPM) will reduce these problems.
A lawn can be as functional as it is beautiful if planned properly.
The term ground cover is applied to low-growing plants, other than turf grass, used to cover areas of the landscape. Perennial, evergreen plants with a sprawling, or spreading, habit are most often used. The plants used for ground covers generally are 1 foot or less in height, but taller plants are used in certain landscape situations.
Trees are one of the most valuable assets to have in a home landscape. Energy conservation and many other environmental benefits are achieved when trees are properly used in a landscape.
The well-designed landscape most often contains both deciduous and evergreen plants. Seasonal change is accented by using both types. Using best management practices to properly place deciduous and evergreen plants in a landscape improves energy conservation in the summer and winter months.
Flowering perennials are plants that live for several years and often require two or more years from seed to flower. There is a renewed interest in herbaceous perennials because they need less maintenance, less water and fewer pesticides than annuals.
Best Management Practices for annual bedding plants in home landscape.
Gardeners and landscapers often come into contact with poison ivy and may contract a bothersome rash. It pays to be able to identify this plant and avoid it.
With suburban sprawl continuing to invade wildlife habitat, many gardeners have come face to face with a new reality, the white-tailed deer.
A two-acre camellia garden at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station is now open again, thanks to the efforts of the Tangipahoa Parish Master Gardeners.
