IN THIS
ISSUE:
 Master Gardener news.
 Master Gardener Demo Garden
 Ground Cover
Spotlight:
Liriope
 Invasive Insects


and Plants
Native Plants:
St. John’s Wort
Indian Pink
Lyon County
Cooperative Extension Service
Lyon County
231 W. Main Street, P.O. Box 36
Eddyville, KY 42038-0036
(270) 388-2341
Fax: (270) 388-4627
http://ces.ca.uky.edu/lyon/anr/
susan.fox@uky.edu
Summer 2014
Dear Lyon County Gardener,
A Leaf Casting Class will be held on Saturday, August 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In this
class participants will make castings of leaves. The easiest leaves to use are waxy ones like
hostas, elephant ears and lotus leaves. The castings can be painted, or stain can be added to
the concrete mix for color. Castings will need to dry for 1-4 days depending on the size. Finished leaf castings can be used as garden art, wall hangings, birdbaths, etc. See the flyer
(Page 6) for additional details.
The Lyon County Farmers’ Market is now open on Saturdays, 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. or sellout.
They are trialing being open Tuesday mornings also. Blueberries are starting to come in and
there is lots of other produce. The Summer Celebration/Customer Appreciation Day will be
Saturday, July 19—mark your calendars! The Princeton Farm Fresh Market is also running
weekly. This is an online market that carries locally raised meat, milk, etc. Google it online for
more information or call for the contact phone number.
The 4-H Mother’s Day Flower Pot event was very successful with 27 youth making combination flower pots with bows and a card. Carrie Barnett chaired the event this year with help
from eight additional volunteers including Homemaker and 4-H Volunteer: Marilyn Reibel;
Master Gardeners: Peggy Barnett, Pam McKinney, Larry Mansfield, Lucia Craft, Natalie
McPherson, Kathy Hilkey and 4-H
Member: Donovan Brown.
Sincerely,
Susan M. Fox
Extension Agent
for Agriculture
and Natural
Resources
Master Gardener News
The 2014 Master Gardener Class has graduated and have been off to an excellent start on their volunteer hours. They were a wonderful group to work
with over the winter through the 14 classes and several storms. We were all
glad when spring came and it was time to work outside! We had an enjoyable
meeting and celebrated their graduation at Eddy Grove Vineyard with a tour
hosted by Sean Mestan.
Congratulations
Class of 2014!
Above: Master Gardener Class of 2014 Graduates. Pictured left to right: Kathy
Hilkey, Natalie McPherson, Ken Harp, Pat Travis, Gary Timmons, Peggy McKinney, Edith Whitledge, Joye Patterson, Sean Mestin, Pam McKinney and Ray Heaney. Not pictured are Susan Jackson , Rob Day, Gail McQuigg.
Left column: Master Gardeners relax at their monthly meeting hosted
by Sean Mestan at Eddy Grove Vineyard. Second photo down is of Pat
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Molloy-Travis, Edith Whitledge, Pam McKinney and Peggy Barnett.
Third picture down is of Gary Timmons, Larry Mansfield and Ken Harp.
Visit the Master Gardener website at
http://lcmga.yolasite.com/
for more information and pictures of
Lyon County Master Gardener events, classes
and activities.
Master Gardener Demonstration
Garden
Susan Fox, Extension Agent for ANR
The Master Gardener Demonstration Garden is looking
very good. There is still work to be done, including more
signs, but we are pleased to have most of the plants in and
perking up after their transplanting. People are welcome to Putting down sod on soft
walk through the garden and look anytime. We hope to have muddy ground can be a
stretch! It is a little crooked
a comment box up soon.
but good considering the
working conditions!
2014 GARDEN PRACTICES:
Fruit Trees: There are 9 well-prun
ed apple and peach trees. This is the third summer the trees have been planted.
One peach tree is in a lower, wet area and is suffering from root rot. Peach trees
have the lowest tolerance for wet soils of the fruit trees We have treated it but the
best practice in wetter soils is to plant peach trees on a raised bed.
Herb Gardens: There are three themed herb gardens this year. There is a culinary herb garden, a potpourri herb garden and a tea garden in a teapot design.
We are pleased with how the plants are doing, we need signs and mulch yet.
Annual Flower Trial Garden: This garden was appreciated by many last year.
The Master Gardeners are rating the flower varieties each month. There are several plantings of these flowers across the state. The results are sent in for an overall
evaluation across the state. After a late planting they are perking up and doing
well. We had some disease issues before planting that has contributed to the loss
of some of the plants.
Vegetables: For the second year we have squash (yellow and zucchini ) under a
floating row cover fabric. The fabric is to exclude the three insect pests which
cause early losses of cucurbits (cucumber beetle, squash vine borer, squash
bug). The fabric we have this year is proving too thin and tears too easily. The
plants do grow very well under the fabric but it is difficult to work under. That said,
the plants do like it under the cover and are doing very well. The larger tunnel is an
improvement over last year for the squash. We are working on raising a giant tomato on the Big Zac tomato plant. Ken Harp is following a recipe from the winner
of a New Jersey contest for 7 years, six years with the Big Zac. There are two sugar bush baby watermelon plants. This variety is ideal for small garden spaces. The
cucumbers, watermelon plants and Big Zac tomato are courtesy of Tysh Farms.
We appreciate the donation!
Ground Cover and Turf Demo: There are several full-sun ground covers started
and three types of sod in the middle ‘Compost Bin’ bed. We will be adding to this
bed over time so watch and help us evaluate how these plants perform. Robin Wilson at Akridge built the very nice staking compost bin for us. Now we need to get
the compost turned!!!
Water and Labor–Saving Irrigation: We have one bed set up with drip irrigation
tape and we are working on irrigation lines for other
beds using orchard tubing and
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drip emitters. At home these systems can be on timers. Water savings can be 50%
or more with drip irrigation systems.
Groundcover Spotlight: Liriope
Jennifer Schultz Nelson, University of Illinois Extension Educator
The first time I encountered Liriope, I thought it was a grass. The leaves were about as wide as a blade of crabgrass
and dark green. Then I read that a common name for this plant is lilyturf. But it is not a grass, nor is it a lily.
Liriope is a genus native to East Asia. This genus used to be placed in the lily family, but recent classifications put it in
the family Ruscaceae. This family contains a variety of genera, some of which we are familiar with as tropical
houseplants: Dracaena, and Sansevieria, commonly called "Mother-in-Law's Tongue".
Pronunciation of Liriope is sometimes debated. The pronunciation guide I found says: "luh-RYE-oh-pee". Sounds like
"calliope". But, like lots of horticultural topics, there is probably someone somewhere that believes a different
pronunciation is correct. As long as I can figure out what plant a person is talking about, it doesn't really matter to me.
There are two species of Liriope commonly grown: Liriope spicata, and Liriope muscari. Both are evergreen and are
typically used as groundcover. Both produce lavender, purple, or white flowers in clusters on spikes followed by blueblack berry-like fruit. The growth habits of the two species are very different and should be taken into account when
choosing the si ve for planting.
Liriope spicata, also called Creeping Lilyturf, is a spreading plant that creeps along by underground stems. It grows to
be about 10 to 15 inches tall and will rapidly fill in a given area. This may be a good thing, filling a bare spot with lush
green groundcover, or it may be a bad thing if the plant keeps creeping into other flower beds. Most sources advise
plantingLiriope spicata in areas where hardscape, like a sidewalk or a wall keep it from embarking on a hostile
takeover of your yard.
Two popular cultivars of Liriope spicata are 'Franklin Mint' with pale lavender flowers, and 'Silver Dragon' also with
lavender flowers, but the narrow leaves are variegated heavily in white.
Liriope muscari, sometimes called Big Blue Lilyturf, is a clump-forming plant rather than a creeper. It is a far better
behaved resident in the garden than Liriope spicata. Liriope muscari will be very happy in the border of a flower bed,
and won't want to take over the whole thing plus your lawn too.
There are many different cultivars of Liriope muscari available. 'Silvery Sunproof' is variegated in yellow and white,
and will withstand full sun better than most Liriope. 'Evergreen Giant' is one of the largest cultivars, reaching 18 to 24
inches tall. Its leaves are very stiff and it produces white flowers. 'Webster Wideleaf' grows to be 12 to 15 inches tall
and has the widest leaves among Liriope cultivars.
Liriope is a tough plant that will grow in sand or clay, in shade or full sun. The only "must" in its cultivation is welldrained soil. It will not tolerate "wet feet". I planted an unknown variegated Liriope muscari cultivar in my garden, and I
think it is just too wet there for it to be happy. Much of the summer it is like a brick oven, but the rest of the year is just
too wet. Some of the plants have died, and some have survived, but have not grown much in three years.
Though Liriope will grow in and tolerate full sun, it will flourish if given some partial shade. I think this is also part of my
problem in my home garden. Full sun and high temperatures can cause yellowing and "melting out" of Liriope in the
heat of summer.
Liriope should be planted about one foot apart, and plants may be divided every three to four years if you desire to
increase your plant numbers. It is not necessary to divide the plants to keep them flowering. You may leave them
undisturbed for many years.
Though it's an evergreen, several sources recommend mowing or pruning of last year's
foliage in late winter to keep Liriope looking attractive. However, it is important to make
sure the crown of the plant near the soil line is not injured, since this is where new
growth originates.
After writing this article, it seems obvious that I ought to move my Liriope to a more
suitable, more part-shade, less full sun, brick oven-like site. When I bought
my Liriope the catalog said it was perfect for hot dry sunny sites. Sometimes the catalog
is telling you what you want to hear, and what the plant will tolerate-- not necessarily
what the plant prefers.
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Spotted Wing Drosophila and Other Invasive Insects and Plants
Ric Bessin, Extension Entomologist
Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) caused serious damage to fall
raspberries and blackberries, as well as some damage to certain
grape varieties across the state in 2013. The adult female of this fly is
able to lay eggs under the skin of otherwise undamaged fruit just
before harvest. The result is fruit that have little shelf life and contain
small white larvae inside. While many soft-skinned small fruit are
potentially susceptible, fruits like June strawberries have escaped due
to the timing of fly activity.
There has been a catch this past week in the Purchase Area. Bessin
advises growers who have crops that will be ripening is to begin
trapping. Traps should be placed in crops about 2 weeks in advance
of harvest so you can make a decision to spray or not spray 1 week in
advance of harvest. If no flies are found, there is no reason to spray
for SWD during harvest. If you decide to use insecticides during the
harvest period, be careful to read and follow the label and observe Pre
-harvest Intervals (PHIs) carefully.
Figure 1. Spotted wing drosophila females on a blackberry. (Photo: Ric Bessin, UK) Figure 1. Spotted wing
drosophila females on a blackberry. (Photo: Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky)
The bait we are using this year is 2 tablespoons sugar and 1
tablespoon baking yeast in 1 cup of water. Each trap gets ½ cup of
bait and the bait is changed each week. You must also add one drop
of dish soap to the bait to capture the flies. Pour the used bait into
another container then refill the trap.
To process the samples, pour the murky trap contents through a
reusable coffee filter. Adding clean water helps to flush the yeast out
of the sample. Float the insects in water to check for SWD.
There are several fact sheets on the UK Entomology Web site that
discuss spotted wing drosophila:
Spotted Wing Drosophila, Biology, Identification and Monitoring
http://www2.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/entfactpdf/ef229.pdf
Spotted Wing Drosophila Management (discusses trapping,
identification, and management)
http://www2.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef230.asp
Spotted Wing Drosophila and Backyard Small Fruit Production
http://www2.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/entfactpdf/ef231.pdf
Figure 1. A 1-quart spotted wing drosophila trap is
placed inside the canopy of vines. (Photo: Ric Bessin,
University of Kentucky
KUDZU BUG
Besides eating legume plants (beans, soybeans, etc.) the square-shaped kudzu bug is a home invader in
the fall like the Asian lady bug. A single kudzu bug has been found not far away in Christian County.
LEFT:
POISON HEMLOCK PLANTS
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Poison hemlock has continued spreading in Lyon County and western Kentucky. It has now gone to seed for this year. This is a
tall plant in the parsley family. Related plants include Queen Anne’s Lace, carrots, angelica, and cow parsnip. It is very poisonous if consumed by people or animals. For information on control contact the extension office.
Native Plants
Dr. Tom Barnes, Extension Wildlife Specialist
Shrubby St. John’s Wort (Hypericum frondosum): Imagine an easy to
grow shrub that in the wild can reach 6' tall or more but in the home landscape
there are cultivars like 'sunburst' that get 3' tall at most and 3' wide.It has
somewhat flat linear almost bluish leaves that are bright green and up to 3"
long. This plant likes full sun to partial shade and rich sandy loam soils but does
well in landscape plantings. It bears flowers on new wood and thus it should be
brimmed back, and the roots mulched, in late fall. While the entire bush can be
covered with these beautiful 2" wide flowers, the reddish fruits are also quite attractive in late summer and fall. This is a
drought tolerant species and prefers limestone, but will do okay in other soil types. It is somewhat susceptible to wilt and
root rot. The genus Hypericum has long been noted for its medicinal properties and H. frondosum has been reported to
heal conditions ranging from muscle pain and skin burns to depression, ADHD and Parkinson's disease.
Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica): Early summer in most woodland
gardens is pretty boring because the spring ephemerals have flowered and are
gone and the later summer lilies, cohosh and other species have not yet
flowered. This plant, which is not that uncommon in southern Kentucky is a real
gem of a woodland edge or woodland flower and is quite at home in full shade,
full sun, part shade and full sun for much of the day.This is an easy to grow
species in rich, mo ist soil and will spread over time to form large colonies in
some cases supporting over 75 individual flowers in mature clumps. It flowers in
late May and June and if you cut back the flowerheads, it will rebloom during the
summer. The glossy green pointed egg shaped leaves grow up to 4" long and the flower reaches heights of 2".On top of
the already mentioned great attributes, this species only gets about 18" tall. This can also be easily divided and moved to
other areas around the garden. The Cherokee Indians used this as a ritual or ceremonial herb to induce visions and to
foretell the future. There can be no doubt this is a real show stopper in any perennial garden.This plant has no known
disease or insect problems and the one great attribute about this species, is that it is a hummingbird magnet, right up
there with cardinal flower. One combination I like for real show stopping is to use sundrops (a bright yellow and showy
flower) as an accent to the red flowers of Indian Pink. Finally, this species enjoys being drought tolerant. Because of its
showy nature, numerous nurseries sell this species.
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