CRAPE MYRTLE
 

On my show of July 10, I did a segment with Richard Turner, editor of Pacific Horticulture.  Pacific Horticulture is a quarterly magazine and often features articles by local garden people.  In the current issue, there is an article by Paul Bonine of Xera Plants on Crape Myrtle.  I then did a segment with Paul on growing Crape Myrtle in the Pacific Northwest and which varieties perform best.

A listener, Jack, called in with some questions and also commented on his own experiences with growing Crape Myrtle.  He gave us a good website to look at the different varieties available.  This website is http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/trees/crapemyrtle/crape_myrtle_varieties.html

Pacific Horticulture also has a website and there is an article about the current issue featuring Crape Myrtle.  There are some great photos and a listing of different sources for purchasing.  This site is: www.pacifichorticulture.org

These are both sources for learning more about this topic.
 

• Containers, flowerbeds and vegetables benefit from feeding this month. Dennis Seven Dees recommends Dr. Earth organic fertilizers.
• Summer can bring pests. Dennis Seven Dees specializes in earth, people and pet friendly organic controls to control slugs, aphids mites and more
• To keep summer annuals blooming, pinch off spent flowers, water and FEED!
• Encourage more blooms on your roses...prune off old blooms or failed buds. 
• Containers and hanging baskets will need supplemental feedings. Use fertilizer every 1 to 2 weeks during hot weather.
• To keep plants flowering, remember to remove spent blooms.
• Slugs are still out there munching, so another application of Sluggo will be helpful, especially around vegetables.
• Great landscapes begin with a plan. Plan to succeed with Planscaper: Landscape Design for the do-it-yourselfer.
• Control pond and water feature algae with natural bacteria which is child & pet friendly.