Organically Speaking
By Carolyn Oldham

      Consumer demand for safe, effective, organic products has resulted in many new options for 2001. Here are just a few of the many that we have available:
     Organic Advantage offers a selection of liquid plant foods and soil builders based on humic acid. These products feed plants and soil in the most natural way possible, resulting in consistent growth and excellent bloom production.
     Citrex is a university-tested treatment for fire ant mounds containing the active ingredient D-Limonene (derived from citrus). Used as a mound drench, Citrex dissolves the ant’s exoskeleton without residual soil contamination.
     Hu-More is composed solely of alfalfa and feedlot cattle manure which as been converted from manure to humus by the microbial action of thermophilic/aerobic composting. The “green bag” has been tested and recommended by Texas A&M for the prevention and suppression of fungal lawn diseases such as Brown Patch and Take-All Patch. Apply this now, to eliminate the patches appear in summer. There are also Hu-More products for garden beds and foliar feeding. (For more information, see: www.dallas.tamu.edu/People/pcolbaugh/PostersmallNoback.pdf and www.hu-more.com)
     Horticultural Corn Meal is a soil amendment for the control of fungal diseases such as black spot, leaf blight and brown patch. It is especially useful in growing roses, azaleas, vegetables (especially tomatoes), photinias, and Indian hawthornes.
     Sluggo is a safe, organic control for slugs and snails in the garden. A bait of iron phosphate, it breaks down and feeds the soil when not consumed by slugs. Most importantly, it is not toxic to pets and children.
      We carry a wide variety of organic products for your lawn and garden. Our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your questions and the best organic product selection for your specific needs.

Two New Varieties of Katie's Dwarf Ruellia
By Don Miller, North Haven Gardens Horticulturist

       
       Lots of gardeners are familiar with the hardy perennial Ruellia brittoniana “Katie’s Dwarf.” This is a dwarf variety of the 3-4 ft. tall Mexican species that has naturalized in the southeast United States. Katie’s Dwarf only gets 8-10” tall. It has become popular as a border plant or ground cover for small areas. It makes a great spot of perennial color in the summer garden. Commonly called Mexican Petunia, it blooms all summer with zinc blue-purple trumpet-shaped flowers that close up in the afternoon.
      Now there are two new colors of this favorite perennial. The pink one goes by several names in the nursery trade: ‘Bonita,’ ‘Colobe,’ ‘Poquito Pink,’ or simply ‘Katie’s Pink.’ The white cultivar has several names. It is known as ‘White Ruffles’ or ‘Katie’s White.’ All three of these colorful perennials will thrive in our Dallas-hot sun or grow in light shade. They will also tolerate different degrees of moisture in the soil. They will grow in wet soil and also tolerate quite dry conditions. These perennials would be beautiful mixed or in solid clumps of color. They could also be used in a border alternating the colors.
      So, if you are looking for a short, heat tolerant perennial that will bloom all summer and tolerate excess water or some shade, this would be your answer.