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Flowers for spring in Louisiana

3/20/2023

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Which Flowers to Plant For a Pop of Color?

We get a lot of questions about what warm-season flowers to plant in Louisiana. Questions specifically about Baton Rouge, Slidell, Mandeville, and New Orleans.  To help, we have compiled a list of some common flowers you can plant, along with the sun requirements, distance from other plants, and the average height of each species. Taking these into account will be the difference between struggling flowers and a thriving flower garden.

We hope this helps with adding beautiful flowers to your landscape. Contact GreenSeasons for your landscape projects.

List of Spring and Summer Flowers for Southern Louisiana:

Name

Agapanthus*

Amaranthus

Angelonia Serena ^

Begonia, Baby Wing ^

Blue Daze

Butterfly bush*

Caladiums

Candlestick plant

Celosia crista

Cleome

Cleome, Senorita Rosalita ^

Coleus

Cosmos bipinnatus

Daylilies*

Gomphrena

Hibiscus*

Hydrangea*

Hydrangea, Penny Mac ^

Impatiens


​Lantana*


Marigold African

Marigold French

Moonvine

Morning glory

Moss rose

Narrow-leaf Zinnia

Ornamental sweet potato*

Pentas, Butterfly ^

Profusion Zinnia

Purple Cone Flower*

Rudbeckia*

Ruela

Salvia*

Shasta Daisy*

Texas Sage*

Verbena*

Vinca
Light

Sun to part shade

Sun

Sun

Part Sun


​Sun to part shade

Sun

Depends on variety

Sun

Sun

Sun to part shade

Sun


​Depends on variety

Sun

Sun

Sun

Sun

Morning Sun

Morning Sun


​Shade to part shade

Sun

Sun

Sun

Sun

Sun

Sun

Sun

Sun to part shade


​Sun


Sun

Sun

Sun

Sun

Sun to part shade

Sun

Sun to part shade

Sun

Sun
Spacing

1 foot

2 feet

1 foot

2 feet


​10 inches

5-10 feet

10 inches

3 feet

2 feet

1.25 feet

1.5 feet


​1 foot

1 foot

1.5 feet

8 inches

Varies

4 feet

4 feet


​10 inches


​2 to 8 feet

1 foot

8 inches

1 foot

6 inches

10 inches

10 inches

3 feet


​1 foot


8 inches

1 foot

1 foot

1.25 feet

1.5 feet

1.5 feet

1 foot

1.5 feet

1 foot
Height

3 feet

3-5 feet

1.5 feet

2 feet


​10 inches

5-10 feet

1-3 feet

5-10 feet

18 inches

4 feet

2 to 4 feet


​1 to 3 feet

3 feet

1 foot

2 feet

Varies

2 to 4 feet

4 feet


​1 to 2 feet


​3 feet

3 feet

1.25 feet

Vine

Vine

6 inches

8 inches

10 inches


​2 feet


12 inches

3 feet

2.5 feet

3 feet

2 feet

3 feet

2 feet

1.5 feet

1 foot
^ Louisiana Super Plant
* Perennial


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What Can You Do For Your Landscaping During a Drought?

6/1/2018

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The weather forecasts are predicting a dry June for both Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and throughout south Louisiana. Look out for dustier cars, panting animals, and stressed plants. Read on for some steps to take with the dry weather just around the corner. 

Don’t stress out! We are not just taking about you. Don’t stress out your plants any more than they already will be. Keep your grass cut about a quarter inch higher than normal. Avoid selective herbicides if possible. Keep excessive shrub pruning to a minimum on susceptible plants. Give them a some water if they start to look droopy.

Add a good layer of mulch to your landscape beds. Keep it between two and three inches. A proper mulch layer will help to maintain a better moisture level in the soil near the roots of your plants. Soil with more moisture in a dry period means better looking plants. Leave an inch or so gap near tree trunks and the base of shrubs. Building up mulch near the base of these can lead to some long term problems.
Picture of a rain barrel as an water solution for landscaping
Rain Barrel
Install a rain barrel to collect rain water from your roof. Less rain in June does not mean no rain. The roof of your home will channel the rain water toward your gutters and down into your rain barrel. Use the stored water to hydrate the plants and save yourself some money on your monthly water bill.
​
Plant flowers that are drought tolerant. Some flower varieties need constant attention and a lot of water. Skip these unless you have a lot of spare time. Peruse the annual selection at your local garden center for flowers that can take both the heat and dry times.

Install an irrigation system with an automatic timer. An irrigation system, or lawn sprinkler, is your insurance against drought. The automatic timer will keep your plants watered without you needing to worry about it. These systems last a long time and usually take a small amount of maintenance once a year. Good luck with the dry heat this summer.
2 Comments

Louisiana Super Plants

9/13/2013

2 Comments

 
We get asked very often about Louisiana super plants. What are they? Where to get Louisiana super plants? When to plant them? Where to plant them? Below all of these questions will be answered.

What is a Louisiana Super Plant?

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What is a Louisiana super plant? These are plants which are strong enough to handle Louisiana's climate and pretty enough for you to want them in your landscape. Candidates for the super plant program undergo two strenuous years of testing in both north and south Louisiana. They also have to be easy to grow and distribute for nurseries. They are almost always marked with the Louisiana super plants logo shown to the left.

Louisiana Super Plants List

This is a list of the current Louisiana Super Plants. New plants are added twice a year so we will try to update this list when new plants are added. If you are interested in any of the plants, click on the name to follow a link to the LSU Agcenter page for each plant. There is information on planting, sun tolerance, and planting advice.
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Camelot Foxglove
 Cool Season Flowers
  • Sorbet Violas
  • Swan Columbine
  • Rebor Kale
  • Amazon Dianthus
  • Camelot Foxglove

Warm Season Flowers
  • Little Ruby Alternanthera
  • Bandana Lantanas
  • Aphrodite Althea Hibiscus (technically a shrub)
  • Senorita Rosalita Cleome
  • Baby Wing Begonia
  • Serena Angelonia
  • Butterfly Pentas

Shrubs
  • Conversation Piece Azalea
  • Belinda's Dream Rose
  • ShiShi Gashira Camellia
  • Penny Mac Hydrangea
  • Frostproof Gardenia

Trees
  • Evergreen Sweetbay Magnolia
  • Southern Sugar Maple
  • Shoal Creek Vitex

Where to Buy Louisiana Super Plants

Most nurseries will carry at least one or two Louisiana super plants. Click on this Louisiana super plant nursery list for names, locations, and phone numbers for all registered Louisiana super plant suppliers in the state. It would be best to call before you go to make sure they have the plants in stock since they have been known to sell out.

Additional Help

GreenSeasons is always proud to offer Louisiana super plants in any of our landscape designs. If you are looking for a landscape plan that focuses on using Louisiana super plants, just click here and we will give you a call. 

If you would simply like some landscaping advice with Louisiana super plants, please contact us.  
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Webbing on the Trunk and Tree Branches

8/30/2013

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One day you come outside and notice the oak tree in your yard has white webbing covering most of its trunk and some branches. Your first reaction is, "What is this on my tree and how do I get rid of it?" Well most people would have that reaction, but the good news is it is an overreaction. What you are seeing is the protective webbing of psocids, commonly referred to as bark lice. Believe it or not, this is a good thing.

Bark Lice, aka Tree Cattle

Bark lice show up on trees during the summer and early part of fall. Tree cattle eat algae, mold, fungi, lichen and dead insects that are in and on your tree's exterior. Most of these food sources are plentiful when given heat and excessive humidity which is why southern Louisiana is home to large invasions of psocids. They typically feed on hard wood trees and palms. I personally believe their tree of choice is an oak tree since it is what I have seen bark lice on the most. The good news is bark lice does not do any damage to the tree. By eating these foreign objects on the hard wood trees and palms, they are actually cleaning the tree. Be sure to thank them.

How to Get Rid of Bark Lice

Bark lice will go away on their own. After they have gone, the bark lice webbing will dissolve over the next few weeks. If you just can't stand the sight of the webbing in your tree, a soapy water solution may encourage them to move along. Mix three tablespoons of dish soap per gallon of water and apply it to the infested area. If this does not work, you will have to learn to live with the tree cattle until they move on to their next tree.


GreenSeasons is glad to help with any concerns regarding your trees you may have. If you would like for us to come out and perform a tree inspection, tree pruning, tree fertilzation, tree removal, or any other tree work, just click here and we will give your a call.
If you would just like some more advice on trees, please contact us.
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Home Vegetable Garden

8/16/2013

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Home vegetable gardens do not take a lot of your time and provide a solid reward for the work your do. Gardening can really help households come together have a hobby together. Especially consider a vegetable garden if you:
  • really like the idea of growing your own food.
  • want to know what is going into and on your food.
  • are feeling drained by the high price of produce.
  • want something to talk about and share with friends and family.

Vegetable Garden Advice

Sunlight
  • Vegetables need at least eight hours of full sun light exposure every day.
Water
  • An automated watering system will make your life a lot easier. You don't have to invest in an expensive irrigation system. A battery operated timer attached to a water hose and sprinkler will do the trick. Just be sure the water wets the entire garden. Battery operated timers can be found at hardware stores.
Layout
  • A 4x4 or 4x8  garden box or garden plot work very well for vegetables. Buy a few trellises and stakes. These will help to train some of your vegetables to grow properly.
  • Feel free to plant some fruit bearing trees around your garden. Be certain they are far enough away so they do not block the sun. Fig trees and satsumas grow really well in Louisiana.
Soil
  • Speak with the people at your local gardening center for what works best with your plants. Usually you will want a good amount of organic matter in your soil and good drainage.
Height
  • Think about how often you will have to lean over. Instead of getting down, get up. Build a raised garden box about waist high so you get save your back.
Plants
  • Your local garden center can guide you on what will grow in your area. Look at the available selection and pick what your like. 
  • Buying from seeds is very cheap and you should have seeds to share with a friend.
  • Don't stop at vegetables. Fruits grow very well here.
Seasons
  • It is important to remember plants are only in season at certain times of the year. You can get a large variety of vegetables by completely replanting three times a year.
Mulch
  • Once you are done planting and there are plants that have grown up some, it is time to mulch. Mulch will prevent weeds and will retain moisture.
Weeds
  • Mulch will only help prevent weeds, but some will still grow. For most weeds, it is best to pull them as long as you get them when they are young and have not seeded yet.
Gardening Basics
  • Keep a garden fork, hoe, shovel,  wheel barrow, hose, a bag of soil, a bag of mulch and a spade handy. These will help with general maintenance in the future and if you are are remotely serious about gardening, you will need them.
Animals
  • If you notice vegetables missing from your garden, you may have some hungry people or animals nearby. First, check with your family. If it is not them, you have hungry critters. A fence will get this to stop. For most small animals, a very low fence will do the trick. If you are in an area with deer, you will have to invest in a higher fence or a hunting license.
Family
  • Get your family to help. Gardening with family can be very fun and help you to grow closer.
  • Kids who grow food have a better respect for what it takes to get food on their plate. They are also much more likely to eat vegetables if they help grow and prepare them.
GreenSeasons is glad to help with any gardening needs you may have. If you would like for use to install, maintain and plant a vegetable garden for you, just click here and we will give your a call.
If you would just like some more advice on vegetable gardens, please contact us.
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How to Prevent Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion

8/2/2013

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Working around your home garden during the summer can be exhausting. The hot summers in south Louisiana can quickly lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke even for people who have never had either before. Both younger and older people are more susceptible to heat stroke and heat exhaustion. They, and those caring for them, need to be fully informed on the symptoms and ways to prevent it from occurring.

Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion Prevention

  • If possible, work or exercise outside before 7 am and after 7 pm.
  • Avoid working or exercising outside between noon and 3 pm. Plan lunch during this time.
  • Drink plenty of water. At least eight ounces of water eight times a day.
  • Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables at your meals. Watermelon, cantaloupe and cucumbers all naturally contain a lot of water.
  • Avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugary drinks.
  • Take frequent breaks in shaded areas during peak heat hours of the day.
  • Wear a hat. Preferably a full brim hat that goes completely around your head. Keeping the sun off your neck will make it feel ten degrees cooler.
  • Wear a light colored long sleeve shirt and loose fitting pants. This may sound counter intuitive since you normally would want to wear shorts and a short sleeve shirt. The truth is long sleeve shirts will keep the sun off of you and will also prevent you from losing as much moisture through sweat evaporating.
  • There are exercising socks that promote airflow. If you have some, I would recommend wearing some as they will help to keep you cool.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke

These are the symptoms you will notice for the onset of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. The further down the list you get, the more severe the situation. In my experience, red, hot dry skin is one of the first sure signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke that is definitive and would not be confused with symptoms of some other ailment.
  • Pounding Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Light Headed
  • Red, Hot, Dry Skin
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle Cramping
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Rapid Heartbeat
  • Quick and shallow breathing
  • Confusion
  • Seizures
  • Unconsciousness

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Treatment

Call 911 if the person has any of the following symptoms:
  1. Either a high or weak pulse with shallow breathing
  2. Is unconsious, disoriented or high body temperature
  3. Hot, dry skin

Lower Body Temperature
  • Get the person out of the heat and into a cool environment, shaded or air conditioned.
  • Remove heat retaining clothing.
  • Spray with a water hose, give a cool shower, immerse in a pool or body of water.
  • Ice packs to the head, back of the neck, arm pits, palms, soles and groin.

Rehydrate
  • If the person is able to sit up and drink, let them take sips of cool, non alcoholic beverages
  • Water
  • Watered down sports drink

Rest
  • No physical activity for the rest of the day.
  • Take it easy in a cool place.
  • Continue to hydrate.

See a doctor
  • If symptoms get worse.
  • If symptoms last more than an hour.
  • The person is nauseated or vomiting.


GreenSeasons is glad to help with any pest control or landscaping needs you may have. If you want help, please contact us.
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How to make a butterfly garden

7/5/2013

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Butterflies are nature's dancing flowers. No other living creature has as many colors and moves in such great numbers as butterflies. This is all the more reason to have them visit your home. With the addition of a few plants, your number of butterfly visits will swell. Another benefit of a butterfly garden is hummingbirds are attracted to many of the same plants as butterflies, so it is like getting a 2 for 1 deal!

Plants for Butterflies

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There are two classifications of butterfly plants you will want, host and nectar. You will want a good mix of both. Nectar plants will allow butterflies to feed while host plants are where butterflies leave their eggs. Important: Since butterflies leave their eggs on the host plant, do not treat it with insecticide. Also be willing to accept the host plant losing most of its foliage when the caterpillars appear. 

A few nectar plants are zinnia, marigold, petunia, lantana, rudbeckia, butterlybush, purple coneflowers, butterfly milkweed, and salvia. Host plants include artemisa, nettles, hops, pawpaw, dill, legumes, parsley, fennel, wisteria, tulip poplar and passion vine.

Butterfly Gardens

Pick a spot that gets a lot of sun and very little wind. Create a raised landscape bed with some good dark soil. Landscape beds can be any size and shape. An idea is to have two separate landscape beds on both sides of an outdoor sitting area everyone can enjoy them regardless of where they are looking. Another option is to have them border a pathway in your yard so you can see the butterflies every time you walk through. Be creative! Once your beds are built, it is time to select where you want to put the plants in your garden. 

There is only one thing to do once your plants are in and your garden is finished. Wait. The butterflies will come, they just have to realize there is a butterfly all you can eat buffet in your backyard. The best time to see butterflies in south Louisiana will be between 10 am to 3 pm during August and October. Butterflies can still be seen in the meantime, but those two months are butterfly prime time. So until then, keep an eye out and enjoy the show. 
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How to grow watermelons at home

4/12/2013

1 Comment

 
Watermelon will grown on a large vine sprawling out from the seed you plant. The plant loves heat and sunlight. In southern Louisiana this means planting watermelon seeds in late March to Mid April for best results. There are two beautiful things about growing watermelon. First, once they start growing, they need very little attention. Second, they are great to eat!
















1


2

items to grow watermelon

  • Watermelon seeds (pick a variety you like)
  • A sunny spot of land
  • Loamy, well drained soil
  • Leather Gloves
  • Tools for tilling soil (shovel, pitchfork, hoe)
  • Tool for digging small holes (spade, hand)
  • Water

steps to planting watermelon

Pick a spot. Make sure the area has full sun for at least 6 hours a day and good soil. If it doesn't have good soil, you can always add some new soil or compost.

Time for some landscaping work. You can either build a gardening box or make crop rows. I will cover making a crop row today, but both choices work the same for growing watermelon.

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4




5




6



7




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Break up and remove any plants growing on top of the crop area. Till the soil and making sure to break up clumps of soil. If you have trouble doing this or are doing a large area, you can look into renting a gas powered tiller. Make Mounds of soil using your hoe. Space these three to six feet away from the next row.The raised soil will allow water to drain and air reach the plants roots. The lower areas retain more water also.


Level off the tops of your mounds and use either your spade or your hand to make a narrow one inch deep hole for the watermelon seed. Put a few seeds in each hole and pull soil over the top of the hole until it is even with the rest of your mound. Do not press or pack in the soil on top of your seed. Instead, water the newly planted landscape bed using either your finger on the tip of the hose or a setting for your nozzle that imitates rainfall.


For the next week, keep the soil around the seeds damp. About of a week or so later you will see signs of life. Get rid of any plants that look far worse than the others. This will allow for more nutrition for the strong plants. When your new watermelon plants are about 5 inches, add some mulch directly next to the young plants to keep away weeds. Make sure to not cover up your plant. I foresee a very difficult time for you if your plant isn't getting sunlight.

You are in business once you start seeing flowers on your watermelon vines. You can now water your plants twice a week, but only if the soil is dry. If you have gotten a lot of rain in your area, chances are your plants have had enough to drink. Matter of fact, watermelons don't like having water around them. Excess water kind of leads to disease, fungus and sometimes death for the melons. If your watermelons are always wet, you can lay out a 2X4, a piece of tarp or flat rocks and sit your watermelon and its vines on top of them.

Keep your garden free of weeds regularly so they don't block out the sun and consume the nutrients from your watermelons. Also, if you notice your watermelons looking discolored or weird  you may have a fungus or bug problem. If you notice your plants or fruit missing, you have an animal or a people problem.


If you plant your melons in April, they will probably be fully grown by August. Smaller melons will take less time while larger melons take longer. To check if they are done, flick the melon with your finger and if it makes a lower pitch sound, it is probably ready. You can also check the bottom of the melon. If the bottom is yellow, it should also be a good sign it is ready. Do not water your watermelon for five to seven days before harvesting. This will give a better sugar to water ratio in your melons so they will taste great! Cut the watermelon from the vine and enjoy your hard work.


If you have any questions, please ask in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you.
1 Comment
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    Author

    Charlie Casselberry

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