Perennials Resources
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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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A pollinator-friendly and ecologically sustainable garden is both beautiful and able to attract and sustain beneficial insects, reducing the need for pesticides. This publication is based on new research in habitat management for purposes of planting insect-attracting plant species in order to intentionally draw insects to garden areas and urban landscapes. This is done by providing a refuge for the insects during winter and nectar and pollen resources. Plant selection directly affects beneficial insect populations, those insects that can provide ecological benefits such as biodiversity and natural pest control. This concept of “habitat management” can lead to potential increases in pollinating and other beneficial insect populations. An increase in these populations in landscapes will contribute to improved pollination of plants and biological pest control and reduce the need for pesticides.
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Monarda, commonly known as beebalm, is a North American perennial naturally found in woodlands, meadows, and floodplains. Aside from its aesthetics, beebalm offers environmental benefits, as its flowers, seeds, and shoots provide forage and habitat for many species of wildlife, including insects and birds. This publication covers the results of performance trials for 10 popular Monarda plants in the montane and piedmont (i.e., northern) Georgia regions.
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Monarda (beebalm) is a North American perennial naturally found in woodlands, meadows, and floodplains. It offers environmental benefits, as its flowers, seeds, and shoots provide forage and habitat for many species of wildlife, including insects and birds. This publication covers more details from our trials on 10 popular Monarda plants, this time focusing specifically on their floral properties.
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This publication includes a list of good plants for Georgia organized into various sizes and groups. The design qualities of plants—their form, size, color and texture—are emphasized according to the principles and requirements of good landscape design and plant maintenance. Hardiness and disease and insect resistant qualities are also considered.
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Proper planting is essential for healthy, vigorous growth of ornamental plants in the landscape. It assures rapid plant establishment by providing a favorable environment for the developing root system. This publication offers step-by-step guidelines that will help you achieve planting success.
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This publication is a comprehensive guide to growing and identifying native wildflowers suitable for planting in Georgia. The term “wildflower” in this publication is a general term used to define both annual and perennial native herbaceous plants with showy flowers that have evolved with an ecosystem and grow naturally without either direct or indirect human intervention.
NOTE: This publication is large and may take several minutes to load.
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A wide variety of bulbs grow well in Georgia. Most are grown for their flowers and some for their foliage. They are grown as pot plants, in shrub borders, naturalistic plantings and in mass displays. Bulbs offer a certain magic to the landscape virtually unrivaled by other plants.
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Wildflowers not only beautify the landscape but also provide food and shelter for myriad insects, birds, and mammals. Georgia is rich in endemic (belonging in a particular area or environment) species which grow in a wide variety of habitats, from coastal dunes and pine sandhills to savannas, meadows, and forests. Although many species are primarily seen in undisturbed natural habitats, others have adapted to human-created landscapes, such as roadsides and farms, and are frequently seen on road banks and edge habitats. This publication is intended as a visual guide to common herbaceous plants encountered mainly in sunny areas in South Georgia. Although by no means inclusive or extensive, the list contains plants that are easy to recognize and valuable for wildlife.
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