by Chris Hicks, County Director – UT Extension Smith County
Our next UT Extension Virtual Lunch and Learn session will be July 1 at 12:00 p.m. via zoom. We will have Rachel Painter, UT Extension Horticulture Agent in Rutherford County, on hand to discuss the topic “Choosing Landscape Plants.” Registration is free, and can be done at https://tiny.utk.edu/landscapezoom.
The right landscaping can significantly improve the beauty of your home and lawn. Healthy shrubs, flowers, and ornamental trees can increase the “curb appeal” of a property and provide enjoyment for homeowners. On the other hand, when these plants start to dieback or become diseased it can be a major headache and expense.
Each year I respond to multiple homeowner calls about a “disease” killing their ornamental plants. While often times a disease is present, frequently the problem can be traced back to planting something that was not suited to the particular site.
When we talk about “right plant, right place”, we are referring to placing plants in a location that meets their requirements. For example, azaleas are beautiful flowering plants that require an acidic, well-drained soil. Azaleas perform best when the pH is below 6.0. If you plant them in a location where the soil is soggy and the pH is 6.5, they will be anemic and likely not survive.
Some considerations to keep in mind when choosing plants for your landscape include the amount of sunlight in the area, water availability, soil characteristics, and proximity to nearby structures such as buildings or utility lines. At our July 1 Lunch and Learn, Rachel will touch on these and other factors to think about, and give some specific examples of plants that work well in certain situations here in Tennessee. If you have questions or need help getting registered, give us a call at 615-735-2900.
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