Native to Brazil, this beautiful tropical vine is fast becoming
a new favorite for the northern gardener. A vigorous grower,
it blooms non-stop all summer long. Blooming will slow as
the weather cools. The most common variety has clusters of
lovely pink trumpet-shaped flowers, but red flowered
varieties are popular too. You will see 2 different leaf types in
the Mandevilla. One has a larger, more puckered leaf; the other
(once known as Dipladenia) has smaller, glossy leaves. Grow
these plants in containers or in the ground in a spot that receives
at least a half-day of direct sun. Allow them to dry slightly between
waterings and provide good drainage. Fertilize every couple of weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer such as Miracle Gro. Mandevilla does actually twine,
so it should be given a trellis for support.
Tropical Hibiscus
This long time favorite is hard to resist. They
make a grand statement on our front steps and
sunny patios. Native to southern China, Hibiscus
rosasinensis is also known as Chinese hibiscus
and is commonly grown as a bush or tree. The
showy deep-throated flowers can be either
single or double and come in variety of colors.
Flowers last only a day or so, but new buds develop rapidly throughout the
summer. The foliage varies slightly in different varieties, but on the whole,
hibiscus have rather large, dark-green, glossy leaves. Hibiscus are sun-loving plants and are big drinkers and eaters especially when actively growing.
Keep them evenly moist and feed them every other week during spring and
summer with an all-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer such as Bachman’s
Mighty Bloom or Miracle-Gro Bloom Booster. They will reward you with
vigorous growth and heavy bloom. For additional information on hibiscus,
see our care sheet Tropical Hibiscus.
Keep in mind both these plants are tropical in nature and must be moved
indoors when temps get down into the 50ºs. Be ready to bring them indoors if cool weather threatens. When the end of the season nears you can decide whether or not to save the plant for next summer. Our care sheet Winter
Care of Tropical Plants has many great tips on how to over-winter these
plants successfully. Insects such as aphids and mites are not uncommon
on the plants over the summer and can be managed easily with a little
insecticidal soap. When inside however, growing conditions are not as
ideal and insects are more common.
More Veggies to Plant
It would be nice if all our veggies could go in the ground at the same time.
That way we could just take one nice weekend day and get it all done. But
that is not the way it works here in Minnesota. Our cool season crops should
already be in the ground. Some we may have already done a second or third planting. If not, there is still time to add another row of leafy crops such as
lettuce or spinach. That is a great way to extend the harvest. With our
weather soon to warm up and the end of May approaching, it is time to get
the tomatoes, peppers, cukes, summer and winter squash, melons and
pumpkins in the ground. Some varieties of cucumbers and zucchini have
shorter growing seasons and can be started directly from seed. Your other
warm season veggies all have a long growing season so it is best to start
with plants you have grown yourself or purchased at the garden center. All of your vegetable crops need a consistent soil moisture level to produce and taste the best. Be sure to plant these veggies in the sunniest spot in the vegetable garden.
Success with Azaleas and Rhododendrons
Azaleas and rhododendrons are wonderful additions to our landscape, but some folks really struggle with getting these plants to survive. The key to success is proper site selection and soil preparation. These close relatives have nearly
identical needs. Rhododendrons prefer dappled light, while azaleas like lots of sun during the growing season. Ample moisture is necessary for both. They prefer a soil with lots of organic matter (leaf mold, etc.), very good drainage, and acid soil (pH of 4 to 5.5). They do not tolerate hot sites or winter winds.
None of these plants does well with rock mulch, nor do they like deep planting. Plant so that the root flare is right on the surface, and incorporate lots of organic material such as Erth Food in the surrounding soil. With their shallow, fibrous roots, azaleas and rhododendrons are prone to drought and heat stress; mulch
to keep the soil cool and to maintain soil moisture. Overwatering or too deep planting may lead to root rot. Protection from the wind, especially in winter, and from the sun in winter, will help the flower buds and plants survive. Avoid the south and southwest side of buildings.
If your soil is not naturally acidic, elemental sulfur or cottonseed meal can
be somewhat successful in acidifying it. Do not use aluminum sulfate.
Topdressing with compost year after year is likely to help the plants thrive. Check the pH regularly and use fertilizers labeled for acid-loving plants. These plants can do well in sandy and clay soils, provided that lots of compost is added to the soil and that water is adequate.
Take a look at the Northern Lights series of azaleas developed by the
University of Minnesota. There are a variety of colors available; some have wonderful fragrance and many varieties are mildew resistant. Rhododendrons are available in small leaf and large leaf varieties with colors in white, red, pinks, and purples. PJM is definitely an area favorite and may be one of the most adaptable and easiest rhododendrons to grow.
Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew
Who would have thought that an insecticide would have
an interesting story behind it? Captain Jack’s Dead Bug
Brew contains Spinosad. Spinosad is derived from a
naturally occurring soil dwelling bacterium that was
collected from an abandoned rum distillery on a Caribbean
island in 1982. This unique bacterium has never been found
in nature anywhere else in the world. Spinosad is classified as
an organic substance by the USDA National Organic Standards Board and is widely used in agriculture in the production of organic produce. This insect control product is intended for use on many fruit and vegetable crops such
as tomatoes, peppers, and many cole and vine crops to control worms
(caterpillars) and other listed insects. It is also registered for use for lawn
and outdoor ornamental plants use to control leafminers, sawfly larvae,
leaf feeding beetles, and spider mites.
As with all pesticides, organic or synthetic, read the label before use and
apply according to label directions. This product is toxic to bees exposed to treatment for 3 hours following treatment. It should not be applied to blooming, pollen-shedding or nectar-producing parts of plants if bees may forage on
the plants during this time period. Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew comes in
both ready-to-use and ready-to-spray bottles.
Flowers and gifts from Bachman’s make any day a special one. When you order your flowers or gifts online, you know you’ll be getting a beautiful fresh floral arrangement from a trusted florist known for outstanding floral design, plus quality and service.
If you’re sending flowers or gifts out of town, you can rely on us to choose the best florist from either the FTD or Teleflora nationwide flower network. Florists who can be counted on to deliver the best fresh floral arrangements and gifts, even when doing a same day delivery.
