CAROLINA GARDENS
A cool-blue viola The viola ‘Rain Blue and Purple’ took top honors in the 2009 All-America Selections annual competition. Violas, sometimes called miniature pansies or Johnny jump ups, are vigorous, being more cold-tolerant than the largeflowered pansy and generally having a longer blooming season. The 1½-inch blooms of ‘Rain Blue and Purple’ open as purple and white and mature to purple and blue. Single plants spread 10–14 inches and have a trailing habit that makes them particularly fetching in containers. The AAS organization promotes new seed varieties, judged in impartial trials in North America, that have superior garden performance.
All-America Selections
By Carla Burgess
Botanical Garden greener than ever The new Education Center at the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill opened in September to accolades for its superior dedication to eco-friendly features. The 29,656-square-foot center, which will be the hub of the garden’s extensive educational outreach activities, received the highest level of certification for green architecture: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum. The three-building complex relies on green technologies such as photovoltaic panels, above- and below-ground rainwater cisterns, stormwater retention ponds, geothermal heating and air-conditioning, natural day-lighting and low-flow plumbing. Construction materials were obtained within a 500-mile radius, including lumber milled from the site. Recycled components include steel beams made from scrap metal from automobiles. A new, expanded parking lot is topped with rain-permeable surfaces to minimize runoff. Funds to help build the $12.5 million center have so far been contributed by University of North Carolina students and more than 500 other individuals. The $210,000 student gift came from a personal “sustainability fee” approved by the students. Donations are still needed, and naming opportunities for parts of the facility still exist. For more information, visit http://ncgb.unc.edu or call (919) 962-9457.
Fall fire ant control Early fall is a good time to tackle fire ant problems, when temperatures are between 70 F and 85 F. Control with drench treatments is more difficult to accomplish during hot summer months. This N.C. Cooperative Extension Service Web page, www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/ifa.htm, provides a comprehensive overview of the imported red fire ant, including advice on chemical and non-chemical controls. Apply insecticides only when and where they are needed. Because fire ants spread, it’s a good idea to collaborate with neighbors if you plan to implement control strategies. Carla Burgess can be reached at ncgardenshare@mindspring.com. For more gardening advice, go to the “Carolina Gardens” section of www.carolinacountry.com.
The viola ‘Rain Blue and Purple’ tolerates both cold and heat, making it a long-season bloomer. Plants spread 10–14 inches in the garden or container.
Hort Shorts 8Plant daffodils, crocus, tulips, hyacinths and other springblooming bulbs through December. The optimal planting time is when the soil temperature at the planting depth has dropped below 60 F. Good drainage is essential for spring-flowering bulbs. Amend clay or heavy soils with organic matter. 8Bedding annuals such as impatiens, begonias and coleus may be dug and potted, then brought inside to survive the winter. If you lack indoor space for large plants, cut 4- to 6-inch sections of stem and place in water in a small jar, bottle or vase. Pinch blooms and remove any leaves below the water line. When roots form, plant in small pots and keep in a sunny location. 8Hardiness varies among bulbs such as dahlia, gladiolus, canna lily and elephant ear. Winter survival depends on many factors: the average minimum winter temperatures in your area, the severity of a given winter, the degree of shelter in your garden and the particular species or variety. If in doubt, lift and store. For instructions about hardiness and storage of many types of bulbs, visit www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8632.html. 8Remove and destroy the dead foliage from canna lilies after frost to reduce infestation of leaf-roller caterpillars. The pupae of these pests overwinter in the leaves.
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