Johnston County Center: The Gardener's Dirt November 2008

Using Native Plants to Attract Wildlife

By Shawn Banks

My wife, Debbie, loves to sit out on the porch and watch the squirrels chase each other around the yard. There is this one squirrel she has named Crazy Squirrel, because it plays by itself doing flips, tricks and chasing a stick. She also enjoys watching the birds coming into the yard to take a bath, catch a worm, or enjoy some seeds or nectar from the many flowers in our yard.

The squirrels love the mighty oak trees in the front and side yard. Native oaks like willow oak, white oak and red oak seem to be their favorite haunts running up and down the trunk and jumping from branch to branch. They also seem to enjoy the neighbors’ pecan and tulip poplar trees.

The birds really go after the berries from the dogwood tree. Debbie notes that the birds leave the Nandina berries until last and sometimes they don’t even eat those. The little hummingbirds will come right up to the porch to visit the flowers of the herbaceous plants we have planted up close, even when Debbie is out there watching. She really likes to watch the redheaded finches fight over the seeds from the purple coneflower. It is the interaction of all the wildlife together that she enjoys watching.

Native plants (flora) have evolved with the native wildlife (fauna) to be mutually beneficial. The birds, squirrels, and other animals eat the fruit the plants produce, and deposit the seeds in new locations. This allows the flora to spread and find new ground to grow on. The bees, butterflies, other insects, and hummingbirds pollinate the flowers that produce an abundance of nectar. In each case, both the flora and fauna receive some benefit from each other.

For more information on using native plants for landscaping including lists of native plants for wildlife, check out one of the Urban Wildlife publications (Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants, Managing Backyards and Other Urban Habitats for Birds, Butterflies in your Backyard) or visit the North Carolina Wildflower Preservation Society on the web at http://www.ncwildflower.org . You can also contact your local office of the NC Cooperative Extension Service for copies of the publications or more information.

Goshiki Osmanthus foliage
Photo by Shawn Banks

Goshiki Osmanthus full view

Goshiki Osmanthus
photo courtesy of JC Raulston Arboretum

Fruit and Nut Tree Sale Now through November 14. The list of available plants is on the web at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/johnston/homehort2/08_Available_Plants.pdf and the order form is at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/johnston/homehort2/08_Order_form.pdf or you can call or stop by the Extension Office (919) 989-5380 or 2736 NC Highway 210 Smithfield, NC 27577. Orders with payments must be in by November 14, 2008.

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Euonymus Scale on leaf

Gloomy scale on maple

Collect soil samples for FREE testing, so you'll know how much fertilizer & lime to add. Test your lawn, flower beds & vegetable garden. Testing should be done every 3 years. The kits are available at the Cooperative Extension office.
Clean up and throw away any diseased plant material. Do not throw it in a compost pile. Leaving infected plant material (leaves, fruits, nuts) on on the ground or plants, provides a source of inoculum for re-infection next year.

Fertilize fescue lawns for winter. The November fertilization (near Thanksgiving) is the most important one of the year for cool-season grasses. The soil is still warm enough to permit the growth of strong roots that will enable the grass to withstand next summer's baking heat. Use a slow-release fertilizer formulated for turf, and apply according to soil test results.

Fall is for planting! September through early February is an ideal time to plant deciduous trees/shrubs and perennials. Plant evergreen plants from September - November. The cool weather permits establishment of a root system before next year's hot weather. Find pictures of recommended planting techniques at: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-601.html
It's time to move shrubs from one place to another. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/brunswick/mastergardener/mg201113.html
Mulch shrubs/trees, perennials & herbs after the 1st killing frost for winter protection. Apply a layer 3" deep. Mulch comparisons and general info: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-608.html
Plant spring flowering bulbs as the weather turns cold. For best landscape effect, plant groups of bulbs in between shrubs, or scatter bulbs in wooded areas; avoid planting bulbs in straight lines. Always plant quality bulbs. Daffodils , Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanicus), and Snowflakes (Leucojum aestivum) are bulbs to consider. By contrast, Tulips and Dutch hyacinths decline after their first season and are best treated as annuals. Tips for planting/purchasing bulbs at: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-611.html
Use shredded leaves as mulch. Fallen leaves contain lots of nutrients, but they decompose slowly. Help the process along by grinding up your leaves rather than sending them to the landfill. You don't need a shredder; simply rake the leaves into rows and run them over with a lawnmower.
Compost your yard waste! As you cut back your perennials in preparation for winter, think about returning that bounty to your garden in the form of compost. Compost is nature's favorite fertilizer and soil conditioner. Recycle grass clippings, leaves, and non-diseased garden refuse. For information on how to compost: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8100.html
Here are some tips on how to protect your plants from cold damage:http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-604.html

LANDSCAPE IDEAS

Before you put those plants in the ground, consider this ....
Landscape with a plan. A well-thought-out landscape plan will produce a more "finished" effect. Analyze your property and draw a simple map, noting which areas are sunny, shady, moist or dry. Consider where you need evergreens for screening, shorter plants to maintain a view, and about creating a landscape that will be appealing throughout all four seasons.
Put the right plant in the right place. Choose plants well suited to the growing conditions in your yard. We can provide many publications describing plants that are well-adapted to our county. Master Gardener Volunteers, nursery professionals, gardening books geared toward North Carolina are also excellent resources.
Allow space for plants to grow to their mature size. A common mistake is placing a large or fast-growing plant where there is not enough room for its full height and spread. The error results in continuous pruning in an attempt to keep the plant to a size nature never intended it to be. Builders and beginning landscapers often place shrubs too close together, because the plants look so small when they come from the nursery. Find out how large the plant can be expected to grow, and place them where they can fulfill their potential.
Put the garden to bed for the winter. Pull out all annuals that have completed their life cycle and cut back perennials.

VEGETABLES & FRUITS

Winterize your herb garden: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8112.html
Rototill the vegetable garden to expose harmful insect larvae and disease organisms to the cold and predators. You'll be set to plant next spring instead of waiting for the soil to dry out enough for tilling.

Info to help your houseplants through the winter: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8554.html

HELPING PEOPLE PUT KNOWLEDGE TO WORK.

Got Questions? We've got answers!

NOVEMBER 2008
The Gardener's Dirt Information you can dig into.		North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Johnston County Center 2736 NC 210 Highway * Smithfield, NC 27577 919 989-5380
Shawn Banks Extension Agent Agriculture—Consumer Horticulture
In this Issue Feature Article Spotlight Plant Announcements Pest Alert Gardening To-Do	This newsletter offers *timely information for your outdoor living spaces*. Addressing the most common questions ranging from container gardening, tree pruning, wildlife management, to fire ant control, insect identification and lawn establishment.
Using Native Plants to Attract Wildlife By Shawn Banks My wife, Debbie, loves to sit out on the porch and watch the squirrels chase each other around the yard. There is this one squirrel she has named Crazy Squirrel, because it plays by itself doing flips, tricks and chasing a stick. She also enjoys watching the birds coming into the yard to take a bath, catch a worm, or enjoy some seeds or nectar from the many flowers in our yard. The squirrels love the mighty oak trees in the front and side yard. Native oaks like willow oak, white oak and red oak seem to be their favorite haunts running up and down the trunk and jumping from branch to branch. They also seem to enjoy the neighbors’ pecan and tulip poplar trees. The birds really go after the berries from the dogwood tree. Debbie notes that the birds leave the Nandina berries until last and sometimes they don’t even eat those. The little hummingbirds will come right up to the porch to visit the flowers of the herbaceous plants we have planted up close, even when Debbie is out there watching. She really likes to watch the redheaded finches fight over the seeds from the purple coneflower. It is the interaction of all the wildlife together that she enjoys watching. Native plants (flora) have evolved with the native wildlife (fauna) to be mutually beneficial. The birds, squirrels, and other animals eat the fruit the plants produce, and deposit the seeds in new locations. This allows the flora to spread and find new ground to grow on. The bees, butterflies, other insects, and hummingbirds pollinate the flowers that produce an abundance of nectar. In each case, both the flora and fauna receive some benefit from each other. For more information on using native plants for landscaping including lists of native plants for wildlife, check out one of the Urban Wildlife publications (Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants, Managing Backyards and Other Urban Habitats for Birds, Butterflies in your Backyard) or visit the North Carolina Wildflower Preservation Society on the web at http://www.ncwildflower.org . You can also contact your local office of the NC Cooperative Extension Service for copies of the publications or more information.
Ox-Eyed Daisy		Liatris flower		Strawberry bush
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Goshik: The Beauty Queen By: Kelley Schroedl, Master Gardener Volunteer Perhaps on more “most beautiful” lists than another other shrub, Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’ is lovely in all four seasons. Spring’s growth emerges in soft pinks, oranges, creams, greens, and white. Summer heat melts away the pink and orange hues leaving marbling and flecks of white and cream on green leaves. Summer through winter, ‘Goshiki’ foliage adds color and texture to the landscape. Often called a false holly because of the spiny, evergreen leaves, it lacks pricking power of a true holly. While softer it is nearly as tough with fewer disease or insect problems. It is deer resistant, drought tolerant once established, and adaptable to container planting. In Johnston County, this shrub does best in part shade with fertile, moist soils. It tolerates full sun, shade and drier soils but the growth rate will be slower and the plant will be shorter. Having a slow to medium growth rate, ‘Goshiki’ can achieve a mature size of 8 ft. x 8 ft. While this shrub has dense foliage and a pleasing form if left to grow naturally, it can be pruned to keep it compact. Add this beauty queen to your garden or landscape to brighten shady corners, form hedges or grace container plantings. Her performance and appearance are sure to give years of pleasure. ‘Goshiki’ Osmanthus awaits adoption in garden centers near you.				Goshiki Osmanthus foliage Photo by Shawn Banks Goshiki Osmanthus photo courtesy of JC Raulston Arboretum
Return to the top Fruit and Nut Tree Sale Now through November 14. The list of available plants is on the web at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/johnston/homehort2/08_Available_Plants.pdf and the order form is at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/johnston/homehort2/08_Order_form.pdf or you can call or stop by the Extension Office (919) 989-5380 or 2736 NC Highway 210 Smithfield, NC 27577. Orders with payments must be in by November 14, 2008. Return to the top
		Euonymus Scale on leaf	Armored Scales Order: Homoptera	Gloomy scale on maple
Are your plants wilted, yellow, have curly leaves, cracked bark, and deformed blemishes or discolored halos on the fruit? These are all symptoms of armored scale injury on ornamental plants. Armored scales destroy plants by inserting a tiny straw-like mouthpart into bark, fruit, or leaves and sucking fluid from these. Armored scales are insects that produce a waxy plate-like cover over their bodies. They vary in color and are less than 1/8 inch in diameter. If scales become too numerous, spraying infested plants with horticultural oil on a day when no rain or fog is expected in late winter or early summer should provide good control. Horticultural oils on deciduous plants are effective in spring or summer. Scales are often well controlled by natural enemies such as lady beetles, predaceous mites, and small parasitic wasps. Return to the top
GENERAL UPKEEP Collect soil samples for FREE testing, so you'll know how much fertilizer & lime to add. Test your lawn, flower beds & vegetable garden. Testing should be done every 3 years. The kits are available at the Cooperative Extension office. Clean up and throw away any diseased plant material. Do not throw it in a compost pile. Leaving infected plant material (leaves, fruits, nuts) on on the ground or plants, provides a source of inoculum for re-infection next year. LAWN CARE Fertilize fescue lawns for winter. The November fertilization (near Thanksgiving) is the most important one of the year for cool-season grasses. The soil is still warm enough to permit the growth of strong roots that will enable the grass to withstand next summer's baking heat. Use a slow-release fertilizer formulated for turf, and apply according to soil test results. TREES, SHRUBS & ORNAMENTALS Fall is for planting! September through early February is an ideal time to plant deciduous trees/shrubs and perennials. Plant evergreen plants from September - November. The cool weather permits establishment of a root system before next year's hot weather. Find pictures of recommended planting techniques at: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-601.html It's time to move shrubs from one place to another. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/brunswick/mastergardener/mg201113.html Mulch shrubs/trees, perennials & herbs after the 1st killing frost for winter protection. Apply a layer 3" deep. Mulch comparisons and general info: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-608.html Plant spring flowering bulbs as the weather turns cold. For best landscape effect, plant groups of bulbs in between shrubs, or scatter bulbs in wooded areas; avoid planting bulbs in straight lines. Always plant quality bulbs. Daffodils , Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanicus), and Snowflakes (Leucojum aestivum) are bulbs to consider. By contrast, Tulips and Dutch hyacinths decline after their first season and are best treated as annuals. Tips for planting/purchasing bulbs at: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-611.html Use shredded leaves as mulch. Fallen leaves contain lots of nutrients, but they decompose slowly. Help the process along by grinding up your leaves rather than sending them to the landfill. You don't need a shredder; simply rake the leaves into rows and run them over with a lawnmower. Compost your yard waste! As you cut back your perennials in preparation for winter, think about returning that bounty to your garden in the form of compost. Compost is nature's favorite fertilizer and soil conditioner. Recycle grass clippings, leaves, and non-diseased garden refuse. For information on how to compost: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8100.html Here are some tips on how to protect your plants from cold damage:http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-604.html LANDSCAPE IDEAS Before you put those plants in the ground, consider this .... Landscape with a plan. A well-thought-out landscape plan will produce a more "finished" effect. Analyze your property and draw a simple map, noting which areas are sunny, shady, moist or dry. Consider where you need evergreens for screening, shorter plants to maintain a view, and about creating a landscape that will be appealing throughout all four seasons. Put the right plant in the right place. Choose plants well suited to the growing conditions in your yard. We can provide many publications describing plants that are well-adapted to our county. Master Gardener Volunteers, nursery professionals, gardening books geared toward North Carolina are also excellent resources. Allow space for plants to grow to their mature size. A common mistake is placing a large or fast-growing plant where there is not enough room for its full height and spread. The error results in continuous pruning in an attempt to keep the plant to a size nature never intended it to be. Builders and beginning landscapers often place shrubs too close together, because the plants look so small when they come from the nursery. Find out how large the plant can be expected to grow, and place them where they can fulfill their potential. Put the garden to bed for the winter. Pull out all annuals that have completed their life cycle and cut back perennials. VEGETABLES & FRUITS Winterize your herb garden: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8112.html Rototill the vegetable garden to expose harmful insect larvae and disease organisms to the cold and predators. You'll be set to plant next spring instead of waiting for the soil to dry out enough for tilling. HOUSEPLANTS Info to help your houseplants through the winter: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8554.html
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NEED HELP
HELPING PEOPLE PUT KNOWLEDGE TO WORK. Got Questions? We've got answers! If you have a gardening issue you would like to see addressed in this newsletter please let me know I will do what I can to get you the information you need. Contact me by e-mail at shawn_banks@ncsu.edu or by phone at (919) 989-5380. The Johnston County Master Gardener Volunteers are available Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 1 to 4 pm to answer questions as well. They can also be contacted by phone at (919) 989-5380 or by e-mail at jcmastergardener@yahoo.com
Past Newsletters		Johnston County Lawn and Garden

NOVEMBER 2008

The Gardener's

Dirt

Using Native Plants to Attract Wildlife

Goshik: The Beauty Queen

Armored Scales

NEED HELP