Hort Tidbits (exerpts from University of Florida Factsheets)

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• Annuals
• Bulbs
• Daylilies
• Herbaceous Perennials
• Landscapes
• Lawns
• Oleander
• Roses
• Saving the Garden During Freezing Temperatures

 

Annuals

Annuals are plants which are grown from seed, produce flowers and seed, and die in one growing season.  Biennials complete their life span within two years and perennials last for 3 years or longer.

The best method of reducing insect and/or disease problems in annuals is to keep the plants growing vigorously and free from stress.  Cultural practices that should help to reduce insect and disease problems are as follow:

• Select a planting site which provides desirable growing conditions for a particular annual.
• Avoid plant in corners where light intensity and air circulation are minimal.
• Keep plants growing vigorously by following a regular fertilization and irrigation schedule.
• Avoid frequent wilting since water-stressed plants are more susceptible to infestation by thrips and red spider mites.
• Remove spent flowers from plants such as marigold, salvia, snapdragon, and geranium, which do not naturally fall from the plant.
• Prevent pathogenic fungal spores from germinating by keeping water off plants as much as possible and providing good air circulation around plants  by allowing ample space between plants at planting.
• Remove weeds from flower beds since they are frequently host to insects and/or disease organisms

Winter Annuals for Florida
Annuals Plant List

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Bulbs

Amaryllis
The best time to plant amaryllis bulbs is between September and January.  Bulbs can be planted  and grown very successfully in containers indoors or in greenhouses.  They also can be left in the ground year round. The bulbs are planted 12-15 inches apart and set so that the top of the bulb is just covered with soil and the neck of the bulb is protruding above the ground.  Water newly planted amaryllis and keep them moist until plants are well-established. Amaryllis do best in light shade and well-drained soil. Remove dead blooms before seeds are produced;  flowering in the following season will be reduced considerably if seeds are allowed to set. Also, life of blooms may be prolonged by removing anthers (long, yellow filaments sticking out from within the flower). 

Amaryllis factsheet

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Daylilies are among the most popular herbaceous perennials grown in Florida. They are a hardy, fleshy rooted plant that is relatively free from serious pest, have a long blooming period and adapt well to home landscape plantings due to their adaptability to a variety of cultural conditions and their availability in a wide variety of flower colors and plant sizes.

Daylilies can be planted throughout the year in Florida; however, spring or fall plantings are ideal.  Most daylily plantings in Florida are virtually free from attack by insects or disease and rarely need a pesticide application.  However, daylilies occasionally may be attacked by aphids, thrips, spider mites or grasshoppers, which will damage the foliage and flower buds.

Daylily factsheet

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Herbaceous Perennials

Herbaceous perennials are plants that grow indefinitely  and have soft, succulent plant tissue with little or no secondary, woody tissue.  Some herbaceous perennials are evergreen; others die back to the ground during winter, but the roots survive and the foliage eventually reappears.  Plants which grow from bulbs, corms, tubers, or other types of underground storage systems are also herbaceous perennials.

The quickest and easiest method of multiplying most herbaceous perennials is by division; and the best time to divide plants is after the blooming season or during milder times of the year.  Also, perennials which are frozen back to the ground can be lifted, divided, and reset at that time with good results.   Some perennials are easily grown from seed or cuttings as well; spring and summer are the appropriate seasons for those forms of propagation.

Perennial Plant List
Perennials Plant List
Flowering Perennials for Florida factsheet

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Landscapes

What is an edible Landscape?
The practice of growing vegetables, herbs and/or fruits at home is known as edible landscaping.  Florida's unique environment allows for the growth of a wide variety of edible plants year-round.  It can be fun and satisfying to grow your own food, but there are many other benefits, too.

Growing your own food is:

• Economical.  Save money at the grocery store.
• Attractive.  Many food plants are beautiful, often in unexpected ways.
• Environmentally friendly.  When you grow your own food, you are contributing to a healthier environment by not buying items that have to be transported.
• Time-saving.  There is no delay between the field and the table.
• Healthy and delicious.  Food often tastes the best and has the most nutritional value when eaten right after harvest.
• Easy.  Fruits, vegetables and herbs can all be grown in yards or containers and can be incorporated into ornamental landscapes.
• Different.  For many plants, there are more varieties available to the home grower than can be purchased in the store.
• Useful.  Home-grown fruits and vegetables make great gifts for friends, family and co-workers.

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How do I manage my landscapes for storms and hurricanes?

• When a tree falls, plant a new tree in its place.
• Plant tree species that have been shown to be more wind resistant.  See the IFAS extension publication "Assessing Damage and Restoring Trees After a Hurricane" for more information.
• Consider planting native species.
• Plant a mixture of species, ages and layers of trees and shrubs.
• Plant trees in groups.
• Give trees enough rooting space according to their mature size.
• Plant trees in sites with three feet of soil depth and a deep water table.
• Keep soil compaction to a minimum.
• Under power lines, plant small trees such as buttonwood, dogwood, crape myrtle and wax myrtle.
• Plant high quality trees with good form.
• Begin a structural pruning program for young trees.
• Plant decay-resistant trees, such as live oak, mahogany and winged elm, as appropriate for your area.
• Plant wind-resistant trees, such as dogwood, magnolia, coconut palm and buttonwood, as appropriate for your area.

(taken from the 2007 Extension Calendar)

Edible Landscaping for Urban Sustainability factsheet

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Lawns

What is wrong with my lawn?
Many turf problems are caused by environmental conditions.  Are any of the following true of your lawn?

• Plants not adapted to site.  Use the right grass for your area and yard conditions.
• Susceptible plants.  St. Augustine grass is vulnerable to chinch bugs.  Other grasses have different problems.
• Overwatering.  Water deeply at long intervals rather than watering frequently.  Follow local regulations.
• Overhead irrigation.  Wet foliage encourages plant disease.  Drip, soaker hoses and microsprays are healthier for your plants than overhead sprinkler systems.
• Nutritional problems.  Fertilizing excessively promotes disease and can lead to nutrient deficiencies, which weaken grass and make it more susceptible to disease.
• Mechanical injury.  Foot and vehicular traffic can damage lawns.  Soil contamination from toxic substances or construction debris can later cause plant problems.
• Excessive thatch layer.  Heavy thatch (brown patches) in some lawns, such as those made up of St. Augustine grass, serves as a breeding ground for insects and fungal diseases.  Thatch is a byproduct of too much fertilizer and water.
• Lack of sanitation.  Grass clippings should be left on lawns to recycle nutrients.  However, they should be collected and discarded if lawn disease is present.
• Improper use of pesticides.  Frequent use of pesticides kills good organisms as well as bad, and some pests can develop pesticide resistance.  Follow all label directions.

(taken from the 2007 Extension Calendar)
Residential Lawn Care Website

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Oleander

According to the American Medical Association Handbook on Poisonous and Injurious Plants, all parts of the oleander plant contain two toxic principles.  These toxic principles, oleandroside and nerioside, both have been identified as glycosides.  This extremely toxic plant can poison livestock and humans at any time of the year.  Lethal doses of leaves for livestock have been established for horse (15-30 grams), cows (10-25 grams), and sheep (1-5 grams).

Many people in the landscape industry have spent years working with oleander without experiencing oleander poisoning from landscape workers or from plants in the landscape.

Action of the poisons in oleander is similar to the action of the heart drug known as digitalis.  The usual symptoms are severe gastroenteritis, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sweating and weakness.  These signs appear within a few hours after eating the leaves.  Cardiac irregularities are common, often characterized by increased heart rate.  However, a slower heart rate is often detected in the later stages.  Contact a physician, hospital, or poison control center if ingestion is suspected.

When disposing of branches pruned from oleanders, do not burn the branches:  the volatile oils that make the plant poisonous will become airborne and may cause respiratory difficulties if the smoke is inhaled.

Oleander factsheet

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Roses

Roses grow and bloom in central parts of Florida year-round.  Success in growing roses depends upon varieties that grow well here.  One has the choice of low- or high-maintenance roses.   Low-maintenance roses thrive with minimal care and include the "old garden roses" and shrub roses such as the "Knock-out®" series.

Research has shown that hybrid roses grafted on 'Fortuniana' rootstock grow larger, are more vigorous, produce more flowers, and live much longer than plants grown on any other rootstock.  'Dr. Huey' rootstock is a distant second-best, and 'Multiflora' is the shortest-lived and least satisfactory rootstock under Florida conditions.

Roses need direct sunlight for at least six hours a day, preferably morning sunlight.  The best soil for growing them is well-drained, but, at the same time, holds an adequate supply of moisture and nutrients, which Florida does not have and therefore, the soils should be amended.  Nutrients are most readily available to the roots in a moderately acid to slightly acid soil (pH 5.5 to 6.5)

Local nurseries typically have containerized roses for sale year-round, whereas dormant, bare-root plants are usually available from October to March.  Be aware that bare-root plants are seldom grafted on 'Fortuniana' rootstock and therefore may not thrive.

The factsheet offered by the University of Florida will give instructions on planting and early care, maintenance, irrigation, fertilization, mulching and weeding, grooming, pruning, and pest management.

Rose factsheet

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