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GARDEN COLUMN FOR THE SALISBURY POST
Darrell Blackwelder
October 15, 2004
Homeowners get the urge to work outdoors with cool fall temperatures arrive. Now is an excellent time to evaluate existing landscape plantings. Overgrown shrubs may be judiciously pruned into its normal shape in the fall. Excessive shrub growth, especially with hollies, has occurred throughout the summer. However, severe pruning of hollies and other shrubs should be done in early spring. Severe pruning in the fall yields an unsightly mass of sawed off stubs throughout the winter. Winter damage is possible from unseasonably cold weather is greater when shrubs are heavily pruned in the fall. Misplaced trees and shrubs along with damaged or diseased plants often need replacement. Fall is an excellent time to remove declining or unwanted plant material. Homes landscaped with plant material 20-30 years ago often need a major overhaul. Shrub and plant availability was somewhat limited during this era of construction. Older plant material which has overgrown its boundaries usually requires constant pruning. Excessive pruning robs the shrub of its natural beauty and also subjects the plant to constant threat of insect and disease or possible winter injury. Improved varieties of plant materials are constantly being developed requiring less maintenance, have more insect and disease resistance and are better adapted to varying climatic conditions. It is fascinating as to the number of new and different plant introductions that are released each year--- there are over 250 different types of hollies! Take time to evaluate your landscape situation by constructing a realistic landscape plan. The plan should consider color, texture, size, growth rate and above all maintenance. Since newer plant materials and cultivars are constantly being planted and featured at local parks, arboretums, nurseries and garden centers, it is best to visit these on a regular basis. Observing mature plants gives the homeowner better knowledge of the growth habits and requirements before installation. Cooler days of the fall also provides an excellent opportunity to complete the hardscaping tasks such as sidewalks, dry stacked stone walls, irrigation units and outdoor lighting. Take each task one step at a time. Tasks which disturb turf should be done first allowing enough time for lawns to be seeded and well established before excessively cold weather arrives
Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. For archived garden columns or other information, visit the Rowan County Master Gardener web site at www.rowanmastergardener.com , e-mail Darrell_Blackwelder@ncsu.edu
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