January 1999 Articles

January 16 - Container Gardening

There has been a tremendous increase in consumer interest in container gardening. Responding to this interest, researchers at the University of Tennessee are determining which specialty annuals can take the heat in mixed baskets.

The most common questions asked in regard to container gardens are:

Does the species perform well, despite competition from other plants?

Does it mix with other plants and look good in the design?

Is there a particular cultivar (variety) that does better than others in containers?

What plants are heat tolerant?

The researchers tested and evaluated plants based on their vigor in high-heat environments, aesthetic value, and compatibility with other plants. Here are the plants listed on their "heat tolerant container garden plant chart," which should be considered in your next container garden. Each plant includes, in order, the botanical name, common name, height/form, texture, and color.

Capsicum "Habanero;" Habanero Peppers; tall, open growth habit; medium; orange/yellow.

Giant Thai Hot; Giant Thai Hot Pepper; medium, spreading/trailing habit; medium; red.

Gypsophilia "Gypsy;" Creeping Baby's Breath; low-growing mounded habit; fine; orchid.

Heliotropium arborescens "Mini Marine;" Heliotrope; medium rounded habit; coarse; violet.

Lavandula angustifolia "Lady" and "Munstead;" English Lavender; low growing, spreading habit; fine-medium; silver foliage/violet flowers.

Mentha suaveolens "Variegata;" Pineapple Mint; medium spreading habit; medium-coarse; green/cream variegated foliage.

Nierembergia hippomanica "Mont Blanc;" Nierembergia, Cup Flower; low-medium rounded habit; fine; white.

Petroselinium crispum "Pagoda;" Parsley; medium, mounded habit; fine-medium; green.

Petunia x hybrida "Fantasies Blue & Ivory;" Petunia; low-medium trailing habit; medium; violet.

Rosmarinus officinalis "Renzel's Irene;" Rosemary; medium, erect habit; medium-coarse; silvery/green foliage.

Satureja montana; Winter Savory; low growing, compact creeper; medium; green.

Senecio cineraria "Silver Lace;" Dusty Miller; medium rounded habit; medium; silvery/white foliage.

Tagetes patula "Yellow Boy;" Dwarf French Marigold; medium, erect-rounded habit; medium; yellow.

Thymus vulgaris x citriodorus; English & Lemon Thyme; low growing, trailing habit; fine; green foliage, gray/yellow foliage

Zinnia angustifolia "Crystal White;" Zinnia; medium-tall, erect habit; medium; white.

When designing a hanging basket, it's important to consider design elements. The plants themselves provide some of the design features in their colors, textures, and forms. When they are combined with other plants, you can achieve balance and a well-proportioned container garden. But the question is, how do you combine them?

As the researchers at Tennessee found, developing solid combinations for container gardens requires practice and a lot of trial and error. They had 20 combinations in the study and of these, five were considered worthy of recreating. One reminder, if you do find a good combination, make sure that you write down the design in your garden notebook so that you can recreate it the next year. Check out some of the catalogs this year. They are offering prepackaged combinations for container gardens. These are great for the beginner. Or, check with your local garden store.

More information on the container research mentioned above can be found at this web site: http:/web.utk.edu/~uthort/trialg/trialf.htm.

January 30 - Gardening Classes

Now is the best time of the year to plan your garden for the upcoming season. Planning will lead to greater success in the garden. If you're not sure what you want or need for your garden, why not take a class for guidance?

The following classes are sponsored by the Clark County Master Gardener Association, with proceeds supporting various master gardener outreach programs. All classes are 7 to 9 p.m. at the Springfield Museum of Art.

Shade Gardening, Feb. 9 - Most people with shady areas in the lawn have given up hope of growing grass. Why not turn this area into a lovely landscape?
Linda Bishop, a master gardener with many years of experience in designing shade gardens, will discuss the virtues of shade gardening. Also, she'll tell you how to analyze, design, choose plants and prepare for your shade garden.
http://learncomputergarden-ing.edu, Feb. 16 - This is not an actual Web address, but an opportunity to learn more about computers from a well-known computer and horticulture expert. Bob Boufford, associate professor at Clark State Community College, will drive you down the information highway, stopping at great gardening sites. Boufford also will discuss the latest in gardening software. You don't have to be a computer whiz, but you need to know something about computers and logging onto the Web.

Ornamental Grasses - No Mowing, Feb. 23 - Do you want grass that you don't have to mow? Sorry, we won't be talking about turf. We will discuss the great selection of ornamental grasses available to accent your landscape. Jamee Nirider of Berryhill Nursery is an expert on ornamental grasses and will share his knowledge about planting and maintaining grasses - as well as choosing the right variety for your garden.

The cost for each of the above classes is $15 each or you can attend all
three classes for $40. Preregistration will guarantee you a seat. Registration at the door is $20. Call 328-4607 to register.

The Garden Center at Scarff's has more educational opportunities on
Saturdays. Call 845-3130 for details.

On March 6, the Wegerzyn Horticultural Association will present the Fourth Annual Miami Valley Gardening Conference. The program includes topics such as perennials (tried and true plus exciting and new); color in the garden; roses; computer gardening; designing flower borders; color, form and texture in the garden; plant diseases; container gardens; wildlife gardens; and gardening references. For information, call Wegerzyn in Dayton at (937) 277-9028.

Another great resource for your planning - brought to you by yours truly and a group of dedicated master gardener volunteers - is the first Landscape and Garden Plant Evaluations Bulletin. The data includes evaluations from our field trails on annuals (flowers), as well as crabapple, vegetable and ornamental grass evaluations from across the state. This reference can be used to help choose plants for your garden. In the annual evaluations, for example, the these plants are rated excellent:

Begonia Ambassador White; Melampodium "Medallion;" Coleus "Fiji Mix," "Wizard Jade," "Black Dragon" and "Volcano;" Nierembergia "Mont Blanc;" Ageratum "Blue
Horizon;" Impatiens "Victoria Rose." "Pan American Raspberry," "Super Elfin Cherry," "Super Elfin Lipstick," "Carnival White," "Deco Orange," "Super Elfin Salmon," "Carousel Salmon" and "Carousel Orange;" Petunia "Pink Wave;" Salvia "Victoria Blue" and "Victory White;" Alyssum "Snow Crystals;" Sweet Potato "Blackie" and "Margarita;" Swiss Chard "Bright Lights;" Verbena "Homestead Purple," "Imagination" and "Tapiens Pink;" Vinca "Blue Pearl;" and Zinnia "White Star."

Next week, I'll explain how this data came about and discuss the other
trials, too. For a copy of this bulletin, call 328-4607 and order Bulletin
874. It costs $2.50 and should be available in about 10 days.

All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Admin. and Director, OSU Extension
TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868

Special Projects

Master Gardener
Program:
Information

Weekly Gardening Articles

Clark County Master Gardener's Home Page

Links