Monthly Archives: August 2014

Serviceberry is a Tasty windbreak

Posted on August 31, 2014 by tedmanzer

I tire of the same old landscaping everywhere, especially when it won’t tolerate our growing conditions. So often we see ornamental pear trees ravaged by our strong winds. Other more adaptable species could be used, but familiarity and cheap prices … Continue reading →

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Playing with Bobwhites

Posted on August 31, 2014 by tedmanzer

I love the sound of bobwhites. I was working outside last spring in a brushy place and their call rang in my ears all day. I couldn’t resist calling back. Quail usually continue the conversation. I’ve called some to within … Continue reading →

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For Wisteria, Timing is Everything

Posted on August 31, 2014 by tedmanzer

A while ago I wrote about mayapples. In almost every stage of growth the plant is completely poisonous. Only the ripe fruit is edible. A similar example of that phenomenon is Wisteria, which is blooms in the spring. Wisteria is … Continue reading →

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You’ve got to love those ladybugs

Posted on August 25, 2014 by tedmanzer

A little girl came by the greenhouses with her parents this past weekend, excited about seeing some ladybugs. She thought they were pretty, but she didn’t know whether she wanted them on her plants. I told her they were one … Continue reading →

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North Carolina’s State Flower: The Flowering Dogwood Tree

Posted on August 25, 2014 by tedmanzer

Woodland edges are now fringed with white, mostly from flowering dogwood flowers. They delight us before the leaves emerge. Many view dogwood (Cornus florida) as our state tree, but it isn’t. It’s our state flower and has been officially that … Continue reading →

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The Paradoxical Mayapple

Posted on August 25, 2014 by tedmanzer

Take a walk in many wooded areas now and you might see low growing herbs with large umbrella-like leaves. They look a little like Lenten roses. Plants are found throughout the eastern half of North America from Canada to Florida. … Continue reading →

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Can you beat a good salad?

Posted on August 25, 2014 by tedmanzer

This time of year we’re all looking forward to milder weather. Many of us have a tendency to eat heartier in the winter and for that we’ve found a few extra pounds. Oh, I know we can find fresh produce … Continue reading →

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Flowering Quince is an old time favorite

Posted on August 25, 2014 by tedmanzer

Despite this recent cold weather, spring is on its way. Many of the flowering trees and shrubs are budding and some are even blooming. There’s a beautiful flowering quince in my neighborhood that’s already showing lots of color. Its clusters … Continue reading →

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English or French, Lavenders are a useful perennial herb

Posted on August 25, 2014 by tedmanzer

A week ago I was in a meeting when a colleague scribbled a note that I should write a column on lavender. I have not addressed that herb yet. A day later a student asked me about herbs for mouth … Continue reading →

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Osage Orange – Nature’s Barbed Wire Fence

Posted on August 25, 2014 by tedmanzer

These trees aren’t as common as they used to be. Years ago, Osage-orange (Maclura pomifera) was a common landscape and fence line tree. Some people called them hedge apples, since they were often planted and maintained as a hedge. When … Continue reading →

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