Landscaping
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In my previous article, I highlighted several small flowering trees that are recommended for planting in Georgia. This week, we will explore some of our relatively small native trees that are evergreen as well as a few deciduous trees with great fall color that are underutilized in Georgia landscapes. As a reminder, fall and winter…
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Fall and winter are the best times to plant new trees and shrubs in Georgia. One of the most important considerations is finding trees that are suitable for a site based on available space. Decisions to purchase trees on impulse often end with trees that grow too large next to a home or road access…
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A soil amendment, sometimes called a soil conditioner, is any material added to a soil to improve its physical and chemical properties, such as water retention, permeability, drainage, aeration, structure, and nutrient holding capacity. The goal is to provide a better environment for roots to grow. To work properly, an amendment must be thoroughly mixed…
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Fall and early winter are an excellent time to make some mathematical adjustments to your landscape. As deciduous plants enter into a dormant phase, they have less demands for water and nutrients since they don’t have leaves to support for the next few months. Even though evergreen plants still have leaves that are actively photosynthesizing…
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The Holly (Ilex) genus consists of more than 400 species. Hollies offer a diverse range of plant characteristics. They can be deciduous or evergreen and vary from small (18 inches) to very large (over 50 feet). Fall and early winter is the ideal time to plant hollies and other new shrubs in your landscape. Female…
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Recently, we had a client contact the Extension office asking about watering newly planted landscape shrubs. The client asked, “I have gotten such mixed messages on how I should have been watering — gardeners are telling me [water] every day; arborists and the nursery are saying [water] once a week, which I did. That didn’t…
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As a general rule, anytime a tree or shrub dies within the first year of planting, there is usually a root issue involved. Spring planted trees and shrubs are generally more stressed from summer heat, since their roots are still underdeveloped during the first year. This results in excessive wilting, which causes well-intentioned gardeners to…
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Have you ever browsed the pesticide aisle at a local garden center or farm supply store? Trying to find the right product for your plant disease, insect, or weed problem can be very confusing to the average consumer. Most gardeners are familiar with brand names such as Sevin, Roundup, Spectracide, Bayer Advanced, Bonide, and Ortho. …
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Japanese holly, Ilex crenata, are popular evergreen shrubs found in many residential and commercial landscapes. Unlike many other types of hollies, Japanese hollies do not have any thorns. Some of the more popular varieties include ‘Helleri’, ‘Compacta’, and ‘Soft Touch’. These slow-growing Japanese holly varieties produce dense, compact shrubs that require minimal pruning to maintain…