Ornamental Horticulture
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Damage to perennial woody trees and shrubs caused by hurricanes or high wind events is often not initially apparent. In some cases, it can take months or even years to manifest, despite plants looking relatively healthy after initial inspection by growers and insurance adjustors. This publication describes common damage seen in perennial woody trees and shrubs after a hurricane or high wind event.
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C 576
Dahlias
Dahlias are among the most spectacular flowers you can grow in your garden. Hundreds of varieties are available, with flower sizes ranging from 1 to 14 inches in diameter. Almost any color except true
blue can be produced in Georgia. In exchange for their beauty, dahlias require dedicated care. Most of them need special soil preparation, staking, watering during dry periods, disbudding and a
strict insect control program. This publication contains information about successfully growing dahlias in Georgia.|
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C 1260
Azalea Bark Scale
Azalea bark scale (ABS) poses a serious threat to azaleas, rhododendron, and Pieris (Andromedas) in Georgia. ABS is a soft scale insect; the nymph and female soft scales secrete a protective coating of waxy crust on their body that cannot be separated from the scale insect. ABS also is found on blueberry, hawthorn, huckleberry, poplar, and
willow. ABS is found in cracks or crevices in the surface of the bark, and also in areas where azalea branches fork. ABS can undergo two generations per year in Georgia.
Symptoms of ABS infestation include dropping yellow leaves and dying branches. Developing nymphs and females excrete a sugary syruplike liquid called honeydew on to the bark and leaves. As time passes, the surface of the bark, and sometimes the leaves, turns black because it gets infested with a sooty mold fungus that
feeds on the sugary secretions. The white crusts of scale insects are easily visible when the azalea bark turns completely black. An ABS infestation rarely kills the plant unless it is extremely severe and uncontrolled.|
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With increased urbanization, container gardens continue to enjoy popularity and brighten up patios and balconies. For many reasons, tropical plants have become a staple in container gardens traditionally filled with herbaceous annuals, bulbs, succulents, perennials and woody plants.
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The majority of the plants used for interior decoration are considered “foliage plants” because of the highly decorative value of their leaves. Most of them originated in tropical and subtropical areas of the world and are adapted to low light levels, making them a natural choice for interior environments.
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The goals of these investigations were to achieve an aesthetically pleasing landscape while experimenting with mixing various plant habits, leaf textures and colors, and even flowers, and to raise consumer awareness, both at industry and public levels, of the alternative uses of tropical plants in the landscape. This publication presents plant performance data collected over a three-year period in trials from two different Georgia environments, a coastal area and a mid-state area.
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The brown marmorated stink bug is a landscape and agricultural pest in the United States. They seek dark and dry sites—such as a vehicle parked near trees—in the fall in which to overwinter. This pest is reported to feed on more than 170 plant species, including fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. This stink bug also is a nuisance pest as they aggregate and overwinter in man-made structures beginning in late fall.
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C 660
Growing African Violets
African violets are now among the most popular indoor plants. They are easy to grow and offer a wealth of beautiful flowers.
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Annuals are the mainstay color plant of many home gardens. They are also used in increasingly large numbers in commercial and municipal landscapes because they provide landscape color in a very short time with minimal investment. Properly cared for, many annuals will brighten the landscape continuously from spring until frost kills them in the fall.
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