North Mississippi Gardening Tips
November/December 2008
Cool Season Annual Flowers
November is the time to sow many of your cool-season annual flowers. Larkspur (Consolida ambigua) seedlings can survive freezing temperatures. The spikes of pink, blue or white flowers will brighten the early spring garden. Once started this plant will happily reseed itself, as does Johnny-jump-ups, a cousin of the pansy. Plant seeds this fall in full sun to partial shade, and enjoy them for years. Forget-me-nots (Myosotis) are also sown in fall. These tiny blue flowers are great for overplanting bulb beds to provide a carpet of blue underneath tulips and narcissus. They’ll grow in full sun or partial shade.
Sweet peas can be planted this fall in the warmer regions of the state, but for those of us in north Mississippi we should wait until late February or March to seed these. Sweet peas are aptly named because their delicate perfume makes them a joy to cut and bring indoors in spring. Plant vining types at the base of a trellis, or choose self supporting selections. Even if seedlings appear to be killed back this winter, they’ll probably sprout from their roots in early spring.
Bachelor buttons, Shirley and California poppies, and nasturtiums can also be grown from seed. Follow the same planting schedule for sweet peas and you’ll have bouquets of flowers long before summer.
Trees and Shrubs
Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs, but be sure to select the right ones for the particular spot. One of the most important considerations is the ultimate size a plant will attain. Also consider the amount of sunlight or shade an area receives, and select a species adaptable to those conditions. Next, determine how much water will be available. Shrubs planted beneath building overhangs will receive little rain. Competition from nearby trees lessens available water as well. Plants in low, soggy areas must be able to tolerate having their feet wet. Place tender plants in locations protected from cold winter winds.
Buy fall-blooming camellias now to get the color you want. There’s an almost endless variety of single and double flowered selections. The f lowers of sasanqua camellia are smaller, but similar to those of common camellia, but the shrubs are smaller, looser, and more informal looking. Sasanquas have essentially the same cultural requirements as azaleas—acid soil, good drainage, and partial shade.
Fall Clean-Up
Rake fallen debris from beneath roses and fruit trees. This material will harbor diseases and reinfect the plant. Before camellias bloom, rake up fallen blossoms and old mulch. This will reduce the incidence of camellia flower blight.
In areas where heavy freezes are expected this month, drain your hose, sprinkler, and water timer to prevent cracking. Terra-cotta containers and garden ornaments absorb moisture and can crumble during winter; it’s time to bring them in.
Dead stalks and other debris left in the flower garden or vegetable garden provide choice locations for insects and diseases to overwinter. Remove and destroy any infested material, and add the rest to your compost pile. Fallen leaves may be composted as well. Do not allow leaves to pile up on the lawn, as serious damage to grass can occur.
Holiday Plants
If you are thinking of buying a living tree, be aware that after a week the warmth of your home will make the tree begin growing as if spring had arrived. To keep the tree longer, consider placing it on a cool porch. Be sure to choose a species that will be adaptive to your area and will be a good addition to your garden design.
Mistletoe, the traditional holiday greenery, is actually a damaging parasite that obtains all of its water and nutrients from its host plant. Breaking off the mistletoe will make the tree look better, but the mistletoe will grow back. If the limb is small, consider removing the entire branch.
To select a poinsettia that will last all season, look at the true flowers—the small yellow beads in the center of the red bracts. Ideally, the true flower should be fresh, that is, still closed or newly opened. Keep your plant in bright indirect light and away from heating vents and drafty doors. Water when the surface of the soil dries out. Do not let the soil dry to the point of wilting or the leaves will drop.
Want to have blooming plants for Valentine’s Day? After Christmas, stock up on amaryllis bulbs as the price will plunge after the holiday. The price often includes an attractive container as well. Put the potted bulbs in a warm, sunny spot, and water sparingly until growth starts; then keep soil moist. The timing will be just about right for a show of blooms on Valentine’s Day. By the end of December, the bulbs have been on shelves for some time so expect a few not to produce. But at these low prices, you can afford to buy extras.
Lelia Scott Kelly, Ph.D., writes North Mississippi Gardening Tips monthly and is a Horticulture Specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Her office is in the North Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Verona.