Blog Posts

The Wonders of Fungi

10/2/2025

Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

Walking along a woodland trail, you may spy some shelf-like growths protruding from a tree trunk or some tiny toadstools covering a decaying tree stump. After rainy periods, white puff balls may suddenly appear in a circle in the middle of your lawn.

With their unique shapes and colors, these organisms are attention grabbers providing lots of visual interest in our environment. But what are they?

Bird's-nest-fungi, Nidulariaceae - NC State Extension
So named because the peridoles ("eggs") create the appearance of a bird's nest. When rain ejects them from the nest, they spread far and wide. Once the egg dries and splits, the spores are projected into the environment.

These organisms are the fruiting bodies of fungi that live in the environment. The fungus itself is in the soil and is composed of hyphae (white filaments).

Fungi are in their own kingdom and can't photosynthesize like plants so they must get their nutrients, particularly carbon, elsewhere. Most fungi are saprophytes which are organisms that get their nutrition from dead organic matter such as decaying tree stumps or dead leaves. In turn, the nitrogen, carbon, and minerals that the fungi doesn't absorb is recycled back into the environment allowing other living organisms to use them.

This feasting on dead organic matter is crucial in our environment as it breaks down dead leaves, branches, bugs, and animals that would otherwise litter the land. This return of nutrients to nature is vital to the survival of many plants and animals and critical for maintaining soil health. Fungi are an indispensable link in the circle of life.

Decomposition occurs within the soil through the fungi's white filaments. The above ground structures contain the spores that will spread the fungi throughout the environment.

Other fungi work with plant roots as mycorrhizae, which is Greek for fungus- root. They may not have a fruiting body. They attach to plant roots forming a thread-like network extending beyond the roots. This network absorbs more water and nutrients, especially phosphorus, which it supplies to the plant. In turn, the plant sends some of its sugar and carbon to the fungi in a mutual exchange.

Stinkorn, Phallus impudicus - NC State Extension
Stinkhorns live up to their name smelling like dung or rotting flesh. The smell attracts flies and other insects that eat the slime at the stinkhorn tip carrying its spores to new locations.

Ringless Honey Mushrooms, Desarmillaria caespitosa - Joanne K.
This mushroom can cause Armillaria root rot in hardwoods such as oaks. It should be removed as soon as it's noticed as it will kill the tree over time.

The mycorrhizae can also extend beyond one tree to connect its roots to two or more trees helping all of the trees to survive particularly during weather extremes such as prolonged droughts. Many trees, especially oaks, pines, and other conifers, need these partners for healthy growth.

Fungi can be harmless, but unless you are an expert, don't eat mushrooms in your yard or along the trail. it's tough to identify the edible from the poisonous. While some mushrooms can just cause unpleasant digestive discomfort, others can be deadly.

False Parasol, Chlorophyllum molybdites (aka fairy rings) - Joanne K.
According to northern European mythology, fairy rings were created when fairies danced in circles at night forming a ring in the grass. While these mushrooms look edible, they are not. Known as the "vomiter", they won't kill you but can cause severe abdominal distress.

False Turkey Tail Fungus, Stereum ostrea - Michigan State University Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Bonito Lab
The name ostrea is from "oyster" and describes its shape. It's saprophytic meaning that it feeds on hardwood tree barks and on decaying organic materials such as dead leaves.

If you are concerned that a curious child or pet may want to sample the toadstools in your yard, cut them down and toss them in the trash to keep the spores from spreading. There are no chemicals to remove fungi from mulches and lawns. However, within a few days, these growths will disappear.

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Nature's Oddities

9/4/2025

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Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

While walking on the greenway around your neighborhood or in your yard, have you spotted some funky-looking natural growths and wondered what are they? Are they useful? Do they harm the plant? What causes them?

The eerie sight of black fingers protruding from moss or a tree stump suggest a soul trying to escape! These are Dead Man's Fingers (aka dead man's toes) found growing on dead or decomposing wood such as tree stumps. It's a fungus, Xylaria polymorpha, produced by either wood-decomposing fungi or the fungus that causes root rot. Its club-shaped fingers produce reproductive spores that are released through a hole in the top spreading it around. The root rot fungus found at the base of trees is a problem for distressed trees, including apple, American elm, and honeylocust. There is no treatment and the trees must be removed, including the stump. The wood-decomposing fungus leaves behind nutrient-rich debris on which invertebrates feed.

Dead Man's Fingers, Xylaria polymorpha, on a decomposing stump - Joanne K.

Slime Mold, Fuligo septica, growing on top of mulch - Joanne K.

Although Dog Vomit Slime Mold, Fuligo septica, really does look like the neighbor's dog vomited under your tree, the dog didn't do it! It's actually a mold that's grouped with mushrooms called Myxomycetes since it reproduces by spores. It feeds off of decomposing organic matter like mulch. Although gross to look at, slime molds are harmless to people, plants, and pets and actually help with natural decay processes. In dry conditions, they disappear on their own in a few days.

The Osage-Orange Fruit, Maculara pomifera, definitely falls into the ugly fruit category. About the size of a baseball, its knobby green skin ripens in the fall and is eaten by squirrels and other small mammals. While they enjoy the fruit, it's inedible for humans. Both the fruit and flowers smell bad and are messy. A deciduous tree in the mulberry family, it's native to the central southern U.S. Due to its nasty spines and dense growth, it was planted extensively in the Midwest to define property lines before the arrival of barbed wire. In the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) planted it to prevent soil erosion.

Osage-Orange Fruit, Maculara pomifera - Jim Robbins, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Leaf Galls on a Camellia sasanqua leaf - Joanne K.

Those spongy-looking white growths observed on camellia leaves are Leaf Galls caused by the fungus Exobasidium camelliae. Usually, it's the Camellia sasanqua that's affected. While unsightly, these galls do not harm the health of the plant. Cool wet conditions favor their growth. Best control is to remove and discard the affected leaves when they appeared twisted and distorted and before they turn white and spread the spores by air or water.

Those thin, spidery-looking yellow flowers of the Witch Hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, suggest a witch's spell has been cast! This small deciduous tree, an eastern North American native, blooms from late fall to late winter making it the perfect addition to the all-season color garden. The fragrant flowers do best in full sun with beautiful yellow leaves in the fall. It's also a host plant for the larvae of the Witch Hazel Dagger Moth, Acronicta hamamelis, and attracts a variety of birds and pollinators.

Witch Hazel Flowers, Hamamelis virginiana - Kurt Wagner, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Hackberry Tree Bark, Celtis laevigata - Joanne K.

If you come across an unusually warty-bark tree on your walk in the woods, it's the Hackberry Tree, Celtis laevigata. Also known as Southern Hackberry, it's a North American native. This deciduous tree is in the hemp family (Cannabaceae). Its tiny flowers are of little interest, but its deep purple fruit is a favorite of many bird species and small mammals. Hackberry trees also serve as a larval host plant for several butterflies. The warty bark provides both a useful identification tool and visual interest in the winter garden.

Those spiky antennas and droopy petals are not some exotic insect in your garden but rather the Spider Lily, Lycoris radiata, a late summer-blooming bulb in the amaryllis family. It's always a surprise when the flowers appear on top of naked stems since the leaves sprout in the previous fall dying back in the spring. The antennas are actually the stamens, and the 6-parted wavy petals form a funnel shape on top of the stem. An Asian native, it does well in shady, moist areas but also grows in full sun. It's a pollinator plant attracting both butterflies and hummingbirds with its bright color.

Spider Lily Flowers, Lycoris radiata - Joanne K.

Keep your eyes peeled for these and other natural oddities while walking in your neighborhood and along woodland trails. These natural phenomena are all part of the wonders of the natural world, which make it so fascinating to learn about.

For more information:

For the plants, go to the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox at plants.ces.ncsu.edu.

For the mold, fungus, and galls, search by the Latin name.extension.

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Insects bugging you? Take another view

8/13/2025

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By Vicki K., Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, Pitt County Arboretum

When was the last time you heard a friend or a neighbor say, “Gosh, the cardinals and blue birds are just awful this year. The wrens and sparrows, too. They’re everywhere. I wish we could do something about it.” Never? By contrast, you probably hear this all the time: “The bugs are just awful! We need to do something about them.”

Ironically, insects are the primary food source for birds, and the primary source for pollinating all plants, including the crops that feed us. In fact, without a healthy population of insects, all life on our planet – the ecosystem – would collapse. In the words of the famous Harvard University entomologist E.O. Wilson, insects are “the little things that run the world.”

Top, from left to right: Ladybug, Monarch Butterfly, Marbled Orbweaver. Bottom row, from left to right: Ant, Dragonfly, Ground Beetle

Yes, insects are particularly active from August through early fall. During these months, they store up energy for breeding and laying eggs that will hatch next spring. That’s why you’re seeing more of them. But instead of viewing them as a nuisance, focus on all the good that they do:

Pollinate flowers to produce fruits, seeds, vegetables
Improve soil by burrowing holes and fertilizing soil when they die
Break down plant matter
Prey on harmful insects
Eat weeds and their seeds.

They are valuable as scavengers and are a food source for birds, reptiles, and mammals.
Some provide useful products such as honey, wax, silk, and dyes.
Many are beautiful and make your garden attractive.
It’s estimated that for America, the work insects do is worth at least $70 billion annually.
To re-set your view and learn more about insects, you can become a “citizen scientist” by participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census on either August 22nd or 23rd. Go to the website gsepc.org and learn how you can spend just 15 minutes observing and recording data about the insects you see in your garden or someone else’s. The website has instructions and easily downloaded data record sheets. It’s a great fun project for adults and kids to participate in together.

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What to do about those summer weeds?

7/20/2025

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By Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

Summer is here and so are the pesky summer weeds! Where were they hiding? They seem to sprout overnight in your lawn and then grow like weeds! What to do?

Identifying the weeds is the first step in controlling them. The following are some of the common ones seen in eastern NC yards with links to NC State TurfFiles for more information including how to control them.

Common chickweed growth habit, NC State Turffiles

Common lespedeza growth habit, NC State Turffiles

Common chickweed (Stellaria media) is a low-spreading perennial weed that roots at its nodes forming dense patches in the lawn. This growth habit covers the lawn slowing down turf growth. Chickweed has small white flowers with five deeply notched petals at the end of the stems. The light green leaves are opposite.

https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/weeds-in-turf/common-chickweed/

Lespedeza (Kummerowia striata, syn. Lespedeza striata) is another weed that spreads, doing so through prostrate branches from its taproot. A summer annual with alternate dark green leaves composed of three leaflets, its small single flowers are pink or purple. The flowers grow from the leaf axils.

https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/weeds-in-turf/common-lespedeza/

Ground ivy flower color, NC State Turffiles

Spotted spurge growth habit, NC State Turffiles

Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) is a perennial weed forming thick patches through its creeping square stems, which root at the nodes. The scalloped leaves have a rough surface. Its blue to violet flowers are spring bloomers appearing in the leaf axils. It grows in sun and shade.

https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/weeds-in-turf/ground-ivy/

Spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata) is a summer annual weed with a taproot from which it spreads out to form a thick mat. The stems are reddish or green as are the leaves, which are opposite. The leaves have a dark red blotch in the middle. Its inconspicuous flowers are pinkish-white. The latex sap from broken leaves is an allergen for people and toxic to pets. Hand pull the spurge with gloves and discard the seeds into the trash.

https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/weeds-in-turf/spotted-spurge/

Dollarweed-Whole Plant, Doug McGrady, CC BY 2.0

Dollarweed (Hydrocotyle umbellata) is a native perennial weed found in moist, open areas, along roadside ditches, and swamps. It can float in water, and water fowl eat its seeds. Its shiny, round, alternate green leaves have a scalloped edge. It spreads by long, creeping roots forming dense mats. Small white flowers bloom in clusters in late summer.
https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/weeds-in-turf/dollarweed/

For more information on these plants, go to:

NC State Plant Toolbox https://emgintranet.ces.ncsu.edu/

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Plants that critters usually avoid

6/20/2025

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Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

Deer and rabbits are the bane of many gardeners with these critters making a lunch of their gardens. However, there are some plants that are mostly pest-resistant. This doesn't mean that deer and rabbits will never eat them. If they are hungry enough and their favorite noshes aren't available, they may just nibble away.

However, plants that are poisonous, fuzzy, prickly or have spiny foliage or a strong fragrance will deter them. Deer and rabbits will also avoid plants with tough, leathery, fine textured, or hairy features. The following are some of these plants.

Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum odoratum var. thunbergii 'Variegatum', Joanne K.

Shaggy Wood Fern, Dryopteris wallichiana, Joanne K.

Thanks to anthraquinone poison in its berries, Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum odoratum var. thunbergii 'Variegatum', is relatively pest free. A great shade plant, especially the variegated variety, this perennial has fragrant, bell-shaped flowers that may be white, green, or gold/yellow and bloom in late spring. It's drought resistant and spreads easily.

The hairy stems and rough leaf feel of the Shaggy Wood Fern, Dryopteris wallichiana, deter deer and rabbits from snacking on it. As a fern it prefers moist, well-drained soil in partial to full shade. It can be deciduous or semi-evergreen and fairly drought tolerant once established. It can grow up to 4 feet tall and provides beautiful texture in woodland gardens.

Spider Lilies, Lycoris, Joanne K.

Hellebore, Helleborus, species, Flowers and Leaves,
Joanne K.

Lycorine, an alkaloid, present in the flowers, leaves, roots, and stems of Spider Lilies, Lycoris, makes them inedible to pests. However, this alkaloid has worked as a mice-repellent in homes and been used to treat dementia and other diseases. Spider Lilies, sometimes called Surprise Lilies thanks to the sudden appearance of their flower stalks ahead of the leaves, is a perennial bulb flowering in late summer. They spread easily through bulb offshoots and prefer to be left undisturbed. Great in a pollinator garden, they attract bees, humming birds, and butterflies.

In the leaves and sap of Hellebores, Helleborus, are glycoside and saponin, highly poisonous substances in both the living and dried plants, which can cause illness and death. Deer and rabbits won't eat them. Hellebores, a perennial herbaceous evergreen, bloom in late winter and early spring with cup-shaped flowers in white, pink, red, purple, and yellow. They flourish in dappled sunlight or partial shade and spread through self-seeding.

Catmint, Nepeta 'Early Bird', Flowers and Leaves, March 28, Wake Co., NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Holly, Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii', Fruit and Leaves Close-up, Jim Robbins, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

The fuzzy, fragrant foliage of Catmint, Nepeta, is detested by deer, but humans find the minty-flavored leaves tasty making herbal teas from the leaves and using fresh leaves as a flavoring in cooking. Its fragrance also deters certain insects, including aphids and squash bugs. The flowers attract butterflies. This herbaceous perennial needs full sun and good drainage and is drought tolerant.

Thanks to its spiny leaves, Hollies, Ilex, are deer and rabbit resistant. As many as 14 species are native to North Carolina with many holly shrub and tree species and cultivars available in nurseries. Holly flowers are pollinated by bees, and the fruit provides nourishment for birds especially in winter.

Ornamental grasses with their finely textured foliage resist deer browsing as they prefer succulent food. Pink muhly grass, Muhlenbergia capillaris, a North American native, is a beautiful late summer flowering plant whose pink flowers create a diaphanous cloud around it. This perennial has almost no insect or disease problems and is perfect for a low-maintenance garden. Grow in full sun and well-drained soil. It tolerates heat, humidity, drought, and poor soil and is highly salt tolerant. Other ornamental grasses include Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, and Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium.

Pink Muhly Grass, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Flower and Leaves, Jim Robbins, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Visit the NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox at plants.ces.ncsu.edu for more information about the above plants.

Visit the JC Raulston Arboretum Midweek Program, "(Mostly) Pest-Free Plants", 6/4/2025, for information on other pest-resistant plants at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2z8JTXLOKw.

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Refresh Your Planters!

5/26/2025

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Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

Summer is almost here by the calendar, but already it's sunny and warm in eastern NC, and container gardens are bursting with color. These planting beauties can be seen around the Pitt County Arboretum, along the curbs in Greenville, and in home gardens around the city.

Container gardens offer you the opportunity to create a new look every summer, combining old and new plants, annuals and perennials, or vegetables and herbs. They do need to be refreshed from time to time and below are some ideas to inspire your own designs.

Shade and partial shade gardens may or may not have flowers, but leaf patterns, colors, and textures create a striking visual appeal.

In photo 1, the four hostas offer varying shades of green with a variety of leaf textures and shapes. The fern in the back is an evergreen. Both the hostas and the fern are perennials that will return year after year and are great selections for a perennial planter.

Photo 1: Hostas (left to right)—Smiley Face, Cody, Little White Lines, and Curly Fries; Fern—Asplenium platyneuron Ebony Spleenwort—Teresa S.

Photo 2: Caladium 'Fiesta' (green/red/white), Caladium 'Gingerland' (red/white), Dianthus 'Floral Lace White'—Joanne K.

In photo 2, the caladiums and the dianthus grow in a partially shaded area. The bright colors of the caladiums provide a pop of color while the white dianthus flowers echo the white in the caladiums.

Sunny areas provide lots of plant options for container gardens.

Photo 3 is an example of a 4-season pot. All of the plants except for the coleus are perennials that will keep growing all year. The coleus is the one plant that needs to be replaced in the fall. Coleus last longer if the flowers are cut off as soon as they appear. This is another example of plants with different greens, colors, textures, and growing patterns creating a varied visual palette. This planter displays the thriller, filler, spiller mantra for container planting with its combination of a tall plant with fillers and spillers.

Photo 3: Coleus scutellarioides 'Wizard Mix', Teucrium chamaedrys Wall Germander, Lysimachia congestiflora 'Persian Chocolate', Sedum rupestre 'Angelina'—Teresa S.

Photo 4: Euphorbia, Surdiva® Scaevola hybrid 'White Improved'—Joanne K.

Photo 4 shows a euphorbia and a scaevola playing well together with the exuberant euphorbia providing the thriller factor and the scaevola a combined filler/spiller effect. In addition, the variegated euphorbia adds a touch of yellow to the color palette.

Photo 5 shows another example of the thriller, filler, spiller mantra. The hypoestes in the back is the thriller due to its height and variegated leaf color, the pink of which is picked up by the trailing vinca (the spiller), and the tiny purple/pink cuphea flowers (the filler).

Photo 5: Catharanthus roseus, Trailing Vinca 'Mediterranean Strawberry', Hypoestes 'Confetti Mix', Cuphea 'Floriglory Diana'—Joanne K.

Let your creative imagination take root as you create your summer planters remembering to faithfully water your planters especially during the height of summer heat and humidity, fertilize and deadhead as needed, and keep an eye out of pests or diseases.

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Plants for the Brown Thumb

4/22/2025

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Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

So maybe your gardening efforts haven't always been as successful as you'd like. Your plants die shortly after planting or after just one season. They fail to thrive or they don't bloom at all.

Alas, don't despair! There are plants out there that are hard to to kill even for the brownest of thumbs. You might want to add one of the following plants to your garden this year.

Phlox, Phlox sublata?Flower Form Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Phlox subulata has a number of common names including creeping phlox, flowering moss, and ground pink. A spring-flowering perennial ground cover, it has cultivars in pink, red, lavender, blue-purple, and white.

Its foliage remains green until winter when it turns brown. It spreads easily and prefers full sun. Deer usually avoid it, and it can survive erosion, drought, and air pollution.

Gelsemium sempervirens, Carolina jessamine, is a native perennial vine with lovely scented yellow flowers and glossy evergreen foliage that blooms in spring. It grows from 12 to 20 feet as a vine on a fence or trellis. Without

support, it becomes a ground cover. It's a common sight along Greenville's greenway. It has no major insect or disease problems. But there are two caveats: (1) all parts are poisonous so be careful to use gloves when handling it; (2) due to its extreme flammability rating, it should not be planted close to structures.

Dryopteris wallochiana, Autumn fern, also known as Japanese Shield Fern or Shaggy Shield Fern, is a semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial that matures to 2' (h) x 3' (w). A great shade plant, it also does well in dappled sun. New fronds are reddish in color. It prefers an acidic, moist soil high in organic matter. Browsing rabbits don't bother it.

Carolina jessamine, Gelsemium sempervirens?Form Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Autumn fern, Dryopteris wallochiana?Form Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Dianthus has a number of common names including Carnation, Cheddar Pinks, and Sweet William. A real stalwart in the garden it can be found as annuals, biennials, and evergreen perennials with more than 27,000 registered cultivar names. Plant in full sun in well-drained neutral to slightly alkaline soil with good air circulation to avoid root rot and fungal diseases. Deer won't eat it but rabbits will.

Salvia nermerosa is a flowering clump-flowering, deciduous perennial sage in the mint family. its violet-blue blooms appear from June to September. A great pollinator plant, it attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Easy to grow, it prefers full sun to partial shade in average, moist, well-drained soil. Deer and rabbit browsing rarely damages it. It has no serious insect or disease problems.

Sweet William, Dianthus?Flower and Buds (Wake County, NC) Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

Sage, Salvia nermerosa?Form in Bloom 3268zauber CC BY-SA 3.0

While these are hardy plants, they still need care so be sure to plant them in the right place, water regularly, and fertilize and prune as needed.

Now try some of these plants in your garden and turn your thumb green!

These and other plants were reviewed by Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum, during the Raulston Midweek Zoom program, Top 10 Bullet Proof Plants at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX-cas8YtfM

More information about these plants is also available through the NC Extension Plant ToolBox at https://emgintranet.ces.ncsu.edu/ where you can search by name.

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Celebrate April-National Gardening Month!

3/25/2025

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By Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

April is National Gardening Month, when we gardeners celebrate the joys and benefits of playing in the dirt! Planning a garden, selecting plants, digging them into the ground, caring for them, and watching them grow is all part of the fun. Visiting other gardens helps us to appreciate the beauty and diversity of gardens and all that they offer.

Gardeners enjoy sharing their passion for growing things so much that in the 1980s, the National Garden Bureau worked with 23 co-sponsoring horticultural groups to legislate National Garden Week. President Reagan signed the Proclamation in 1986, making it official in 1987.

In 2002, the National Gardening Association worked to designate April as National Gardening Month. Now there's even a National Gardening Day, April 14th, when people are encouraged to get outside and start gardening.

Growing plants and being in touch with nature offer many benefits. Working outside lets you enjoy the benefits of fresh air and sunshine. Gardening is a low-impact way to build strength and maintain flexibility. Time spent in the garden is relaxing and can help to calm the spirits and promote restful sleep.

A garden can produce fresh fruits, herbs, and vegetables just outside your door. Flowers add beauty to your yard and can be cut to brighten the inside of your home or shared with a friend. Tree shade helps to cool your house.

A hummingbird sips nectar from a trumpet flower. Photo: Kelly Colgan Azar, Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0

Gardens are not just for people. They provide critical habitats for pollinators such as bees, bats, birds, beetles, butterflies, and other animals. These pollinators, in turn, pollinate the plants that produce our food and our flowers.

Tomatoes grow in porous terracotta pots. Photo: Sharon_K, Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

There are many ways to celebrate this month:

If you're new to gardening, start small with a container garden. Vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers and herbs can be planted alongside parsley and chives in containers.

Introduce a child to gardening by letting them sow easy-to-grow plants such as marigolds, radishes, and lettuce.
Join a community garden where you'll meet like-minded gardeners who enjoy sharing their garden knowledge, produce, and friendship.

Go to the NC State Extension Master Gardener website at https://emgintranet.ces.ncsu.edu/ to learn more about plants and gardening.

Children learn best when they can actively participate. Photo: Kathleen Moore, NCSU Extension

This community garden is divided by plots. Photo: Donna Teasley CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Visit the Pitt County Arboretum for a lovely stroll through the gardens and to learn more about the plants that do well in our area. Joanne K.

Visit the Pitt County Arboretum or attend one of the monthly first Friday plant walks with Matt Stevens, Pitt County Extension Director and Horticulture Agent, who has a different plant theme from March through November.

https://www.pittcountyarboretum.com/northside-plant-walks.html

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy the fun of being in nature!

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Don't Just Buy a Beautiful Flower!

3/13/2025

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Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

Spring is almost sprung, and gardeners are dreaming about colorful summer blooms. Browsing through nurseries and garden centers, they're planning for what to plant in this year's beds and containers.

But before plant shopping, think about where you want your new plants to grow. Is the site in full sun, partial shade, or deep shade? How many hours is it sunny or shady and at what times of the day?

Is the site dry or well drained? Is the soil loamy, clay, or a mix? Is it acidic or alkaline? Is there enough space for the mature plant?

Reading the plant label will provide you with the growing requirements for your plant. Nursery staff can also help you select the right plant for your site. Right Plant/Right Place will make both you and your plant happy.

The back of the plant tag provides the plant's growing requirements—Joanne K.

Oxalis deppei Iron Cross buds have not opened, allowing for a longer bloom time—Joanne K.

Plants should be firm and upright. Don't purchase wilted plants as the roots may be damaged—Wilting Impatiens sp.—4-impatients_wilting pdic.jpg—NC State PDIC.

Look for vigorous plants with a healthy green color. Know what your plant should look like. It's shape should be balanced and well formed, not too big or too small for its container.

But don't be fooled by a pretty face! Beautiful flowers don't necessarily indicate a healthy, high-quality plant. Lots of foliage with few, if any flowers open, is desirable. It's best to buy plants before the buds break to extend bloom time.

Bigger is not necessarily better! Spindly or lanky plants, especially with annuals, don't transplant well. Also avoid ones that are misshapen, potted too deeply, pot bound, or wilted.

Oxalis deppei Iron Cross roots are white and loose, a good sign of plant health—Joanne K.

Roots should be white and not too tight around the root ball. If the roots are dark or the plant has an off odor, pass it by.

Too many roots coming out of the pot bottom may mean the plant was in there too long. If the soil is too wet or too dry, the plant was not properly maintained, and you don't want to bring any problems home.

Check the plant for insects on both sides of the leaves and near the crown. Avoid plants with discolored leaves or missing, dropped, or chewed leaves that may indicate disease or insect problems.

To find out if the plant has any major insect or disease issues, go to the NC Extension Gardener Tool Box at https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/ This site also has an abundance of information about plant characteristics and care.

Look for signs of disease on the plants before buying—Ringspot on a Philodendron sp. — 4 — Philodendron_pdic.jpg — NC State PDIC.

The risk of frost is still with us so it's too early to plant your summer annuals. However, this is the time to plant your new perennials when cooler temperatures allow them to put down their roots before summer heat, humidity, and drought are here.

Before digging your plants into the ground or a container, remove the top inch of soil in the pot, which contains weed seeds. Throw that soil into your yard waste to avoid adding new weeds to your garden. Water thoroughly until the plant starts to grow. Then water and fertilize as needed.

Careful research and selection of your garden plants will be time and dollars well spent to help you achieve a more pleasing result in your landscape.

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More Than Just a Pretty Landscape

2/17/2025

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Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

Did you know that your garden is more than just a pretty picture? Plants are great multitaskers whose bark, berries, flowers, fruits, galls, gums, leaves, rhizomes, roots, seeds, stems, and wood have a myriad of uses.

This is thanks to the fact that all plants contain phytochemicals, which are part of the plant's immune system and help to protect them from viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. These same phytochemicals help to protect human cells from environmental toxins and the body's own natural chemical processes.

Because of their antioxidant properties, phytochemicals are used in the manufacture of medicines, perfumes, disinfectants, sweeteners, solvents, soaps, cleansers, and many other products.

For example, chamomile and lavender teas are used to alleviate anxiety; blueberries and blackberries to make dyes; thyme and black oak to make disinfectants; aloe vera and witch hazel in skin care products; balsam fir and alliums in insect repellents.

For a list of more plant uses, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWHz0c-PyBCb5YmQesmeYDA - Click on Midweek with Dennis - Chemistry in the Garden: The Pharmacy in Your Plants.

The following are some common plants that may be in your garden that offer not only color and beauty to your landscape, but are beneficial in many ways.

Coneflower (Echinacea laevigata), a perennial native herb, was used by Native Americans to treat sore throats, toothaches, and other ailments. Now it's used as a dietary supplement to stimulate the immune system and to treat upper respiratory infections.

Smooth Purple Coneflower, Echinacea laevigata, leaves, flowers, roots, and seeds are used medicinally. - Steven Selberling, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Paper White Narcissus have been used from the time of ancient Egypt to present days in the manufacture of perfumes. Narcissus tazetta, N. jonquil, and N. poeticus are the species most commonly used because of their intense fragrance. An essential oil is extracted from the freshly picked flowers and used in the perfumery-making process.

The Paper White Narcissus (Narcissus tazetta), provides an essential oil used to make perfumes. - Flowers, Franco Folini, CC-BY-SA 2.0

Camellia (Camellia sinensis) leaves contain a stimulant that is used in making caffeinated teas. In early spring, they are harvested to make white, green, oolong, and black teas. Small young leaves and leaf buds are for making green tea, the older larger leaves for oolong and black teas, and the buds for white tea.

Camellia, Camellia sinensis, leaves are used to make assorted teas - Flower Detail, Doug McAfee, CC BY-NC 2.0

American White Oak (Quercus alba) is used in the tanning process. Tannins are organic compounds found in the cell sap of the bark, wood, and leaves of the white oak. They have an acidic reaction with specific proteins in animal skins to create leather. The tannins in oak bark are also used for its astringent and antibacterial properties in medicines.

American White Oak, Quercus alba, contains tannin, which is also found in other oaks, hemlocks, and American sumac leaves. - Fruit and Leaves Detail, - Jim Robbins, CCBY-NC-ND 4.0

American White Oak, Quercus alba - The highest concentrations of tannins are found in its heartwood and sapwood. - Bark (Williamsburg,VA) Jim Robbins, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Yucca, Spanish Bayonet (Yucca aloifolia) contains saponins in its roots, which canˇbe used to make soap and shampoo. Saponin is a natural plant toxin with antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. When mixed with water, it creates a soapy lather used as the basis for making soap and shampoo. It's found in yucca roots. The root is also an ingredient in medicines prescribed to treat upset stomachs, arthritis, and inflammation. The plant juice has been used as a varnish.

Yucca, Spanish Bayonet, Yucca aloifolia, roots can be used to make soap and shampoo. - Flowers, Gertjan van Noord, CC BY-ND 2.0

So as you stroll around your garden admiring your plants, thank them for the many contributions that they make to our health and well-being.

For more information:
https://homegrown.extension.ncsu.edu/2021/12/18/growing-medicinal-plants-in-the-home-garden/

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