‘Field of Dreams’ Corn
Dec
12
Written by:
Monday, December 12, 2011
Ornamental Plant of the Week
December 12, 2011
‘Field of Dreams’ Corn
from Allen Owings
A new ornamental corn (
Zea mays) from Floronova has gotten considerable press this year. Field of Dreams was new for 2011, and those of you interested in growing should be able to locate seed or plugs to get started. Highly variegated green and white with touches of rose, Field of Dreams adds color and structure to large combination pots and accents in the landscape. For a fast retail product in as little as 30 days, sow 3-4 seeds per pot. Plants can reach 4 to 5 feet tall in the landscape and produce ears that are as attractive after the season as the plants were beautiful during the season. The dark kernels can be popped to add even more interest to this exciting new introduction. Plants to not maintain great appearance throughout the warm season of the year in the more southern climates, like south Louisiana. Space plants 12-18 inches apart and plant in full sun.
FURTHER ARTICLES
Make plans now to attend the 2012 Gulf States Horticultural Expo in Mobile, Ala., January 18-20. The educational sessions will be held on Wednesday, January 18, with the trade show scheduled for Thursday and Friday, January 19-20. This annual nursery and landscape industry show is sponsored by the state nursery and landscape associations in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. There will be a welcoming reception for all attendees Wednesday night at the Mobile Government Building.
The highlight of the educational sessions include a general session with presentations on marketing, communication with today’s customers, the latest consumer research, what’s going on in the marketplace and outdoor living with hardscapes. Speakers are Laurie Scullin from New Product Group, Bill Calkins from Ball Horticulture and personnel from Belgard Hardscapes.
The pest management session will be available for continuing education units and re-certification credits for Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana attendees.
Hotel and registration information –
www.gshe.org
The LSU AgCenter is looking for photos for its 2013 Get It Growing Lawn and Garden Calendar and is inviting the public to participate.
Although 2012 has yet to arrive, it’s already time to begin production of the 2013 edition of the popular gardening calendar. The first step in that process is asking professional and amateur photographers from across Louisiana to submit photographs for consideration.
“As in years past, professional or amateur nature photographers from Louisiana will have an opportunity to show off their work and earn recognition if their photos are selected for the 2013 Get It Growing gardening calendar,” said Elma Sue McCallum, of LSU AgCenter Communications, who directs the calendar project.
The deadline for submission of entries is Jan. 31, 2012.
The Get It Growing calendar is a monthly guide to Louisiana gardening and is full of tips from LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill. Each annual edition includes information on what to plant and when, reminders of when to prune and what to do about garden pests.
The 2012 calendar also includes information on LSU AgCenter-recommended Louisiana Super Plants, a special section on soil-testing and other useful gardening information. The 2012 calendar is on sale now and can be purchased online for $11.95 at www.LSUAgCenter.com/GetItGrowingCalendar.
“We are seeking color photos from Louisiana photographers to be included in the calendar, which serves as an educational resource for gardeners as well as a showcase for beautiful plants, gardens and lawns,” McCallum explained. “From the submissions received, approximately 40 photographs will be chosen to be included in the 2013 calendar.”
LSU AgCenter faculty members will select the photographs to be used throughout the calendar.
“The calendar features one full-page photo and at least one small photo to represent each month of the year and a cover photo that’s chosen from the monthly photos. We also use photographs for the special feature section,” McCallum said. “Photographers and gardening enthusiasts should submit photos of plants grown throughout the year, including the winter.”
Winning photographers will receive 10 copies of the published calendar for photographs chosen for the full-page monthly feature photo and two copies for other photos chosen for the calendar. All photographers will be credited for their work.
Submissions must be high-resolution digital images on CD (which will not be returned) and must be submitted with a 2013 Call for Entries form, which can be found by clicking the “Call for Entries” button at www.LSUAgCenter.com/GetItGrowingCalendar. All images must be the original work of the photographer submitting the image, and individual photographers may submit up to 25 of their best gardening photographs.
Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 31 and mailed to Elma Sue McCallum, LSU AgCenter, 101 Efferson Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.
LSU AgCenter Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic
Winter Lawn Care – December 2
Mulching – December 9
Louisiana Wildflower Guide (ISBN 0-9718625-2-4) by Allen, Wilson and Winters is a newly published work that covers many of the common and some uncommon or even rare wildflower species. The 251-page book will be useful in identifying plants not only in Louisiana but also throughout the Southeast from Texas to the Carolinas. More than 500 color photos are included and are the culmination of the years of photography by Ken Wilson. The text is a product of the lifetime botanical quests of Dr. Charles Allen. A set of charts that will narrow down your choices by several characteristics, including flower color, habitat, leaf arrangement and leaf type, will facilitate the identification of genera. Generic and species descriptions are included and are detailed enough for usefulness but not too long and cumbersome. Tips for the identification of many species are included in the descriptions. For each species, the flowering dates, habitat and distribution are given. A glossary, plant anatomy line drawings and index close out the book. It is published by Allen’s Native Ventures, 5070 Hwy 399; Pitkin, LA 70656; 337-328-2252 and can be ordered online from www.nativeventures.net. The cost is $30 plus $3 for shipping.
LSU AgCenter Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Lab
