Pensacola News Journal

For: Saturday, May 11, 2002

By: Daniel E. Mullins

Extension Horticulture Agent

Santa Rosa County

Gaillardia for Hot, Dry, Bright Spots

Sometimes a particular plant species deserves special attention. Gaillardia pulchella, commonly known as blanket flower or firewheel is such a plant because it is both colorful and tough. Few flowering plants thrive as well as it does when grown in sandy, droughty soil. It is even found growing on the beach dunes.

Gaillardia is a member of the aster family. It is either an annual or perennial, depending upon which reference consulted. Red and yellow flowers are produced from late spring through fall.

Growing Gaillardia is easy. Select a planting site that receives full sunlight. Prepare the soil as you would for planting other flowers or vegetables.

It can be started from seed or by dividing established plants. If I am not mistaken, it is also now available in the bedding plant section of some garden centers. The maximum height and spread is approximately 2 feet, so space plants about 2 feet apart when mass color is desired.

Azalea Leaf Gall

Check your azaleas and look for light colored, thickened leaves that have an almost grotesque appearance. If such leaves are found, this is a disorder known as azalea leaf gall. It does not threaten the life of azalea plants, but a practice can be implemented to reduce the incidence next year.

The azalea leaf gall fungus generally infects tender spring growth. The disease stimulates the leaf tissue to develop giant cells. It carries over on galled leaves that eventually dry and fall to the ground. Hand pick the galls and remove them from your property.

May Gardening Tips

n Finish pruning azaleas and other early spring flowering shrubs.

n Fertilize shrub beds if this was not done earlier. Use an “Azalea-Camellia” type product when fertilizing azaleas, camellias and blueberries. Irrigate thoroughly following the application in order to activate the fertilizer and reduce the possibility of burn.

n Mulch flower beds with a 2 to 3 inch deep layer of pine needles or bark.

n Lightly fertilize annual flower and vegetable beds monthly, or after every heavy rainy period. If a slow release fertilizer product is used, less frequent applications are required.

n Remove old, spent blossoms from annual and perennial flower plantings. This practice, known as “deadheading,” prevents plants from going to seed and encourages repeated blooming cycles.

n Don’t prune back the foliage of amaryllis, narcissus and other spring bulbs too soon after flowering. Allow the leaves to grow, storing food in the bulb, until they die back naturally. n Snapdragons, pansies will go down fast as the heat rises this month. Prepare to remove and replace them with other colorful plants that tolerate our summer heat. Choices include zinnia, sunflower, gomphrena, salvia, lantana, pentas and firebush. In shady spots try nicotiana, begonia and caladiums.

Question of the Week: A pair of wrens nested and raised their young in a hanging basket that is on my front porch. Once the young left the nest, I saw only the male caring for them. We have snakes and cats in the area and I am worried about her and the young. Will the baby birds survive?

Answer: The wren has a peculiar nesting habit. Both parents are active during the egg laying and hatching stage. The male often feeds the female during this period. Once the young become active, the female sometimes leaves to nest again, while the male remains to care for the young until they can fly.