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| WAITING TO SEE IF SERVICEBERRY WILL PERFORM | |
| Published: November 08, 1997 | |
Sounds like near-perfect patio treeQ:I have seen many references to the serviceberry tree in gardening books and magazines and am very interested in planting one. Will it grow well in this area?Q:I would appreciate hearing from readers who have had some experience with serviceberry. Except for pictures, I havent seen a mature plant and, like you, would like to see if it performs in Acadiana the way that it is reported to perform in more northern areas.This small, deciduous, native tree has been touted by some as the perfect patio tree because it has an attractive feature for each of the four seasons. These include graceful shape and silvery bark in winter, fragrant white flowers in spring before and with leaves, red fruit enjoyed by birds and people in summer, and red-orange early-fall foliage color. Amelanchier arborea is the species recommended by Drs. Odenwald and Turner for use in the South and the one that native plant grower, Bill Fontenot discusses in his book. Bill says that downy serviceberry, as it is sometimes called, is reported to be highly adaptable in the area, but he bemoans his clay soil which is not receptive to the plant. Another species, A. canadensis, is usually grown in more northern climates. I have rarely seen either in plant nurseries; however, I was able to buy a small canadensis recently and am hoping to find some hands-on answers to your question. Bringing home the loot from Fall Plant SwapFrom Ann:Wow! Did I ever acquire some neat plants last Sunday! First, I got a blue clerodendrum. Neither I nor the swapper has ever heard of a blue clerodendrum, but were going to find out about it. Also, I got my first night-blooming cereus. In addition, I brought home a potato vine seed, an aloe plant, and a blackberry lily. Thanks again to Genee Foley for hosting the swap and providing a lot of fun for a lot of fun gardeners.Growing poinsettias outdoorsQ:Last spring my husband planted a Christmas poinsettia in the ground. He wants to know if it will bloom and if there is anything we should do for it.A:It will indeed flower in November or December if it is planted in a sunny spot sheltered from wind and freezing temperatures, and provided that you didnt cut it back after July when the buds were being set. The plants should pruned back about one-half of the current seasons growth in early July to promote branching.If you notice outdoor poinsettias blooming in the area, they will probably be planted against the sunny side of a house or wall. Often they are planted at the back of a house to avoid artificial light from street or porch lights. Whiteflies moving closer to the houseQ:Do you know how to get rid of white flies. They seem worse this year in my planting beds near the house. They seem to have abandoned the gardenias some distance away.A:Whiteflies are sucking insects which fly out in clouds when an infected plant is shaken or disturbed. Like several other insects they secrete a honeydew on which a black sooty mold feeds and grows. A biological control from Rodale Press is spraying with a strained mixture of cup hot peppers and 2 cups water blended in a food processor. For chemical control spray with Orthene. Wear gloves and goggles with either, and reapply after heavy rains. |