Chicago Botanic Garden study identifies best catmints
Chicago Botanic Garden released the results of its 8-year study evaluating Nepeta (catmint). Of the 36 taxa evaluated by CBG between 1999-2006, 30 successfully completed a minimum 4-year trial, although some taxa were evaluated for all 8 years. Plants were assessed for ornamental traits, disease and insect resistance, cultural adaptability and hardiness. Four received 5-star excellent ratings for overall performance: 'Joanna Reed,' 'Six Hills Giant,' N. x faassenii 'Select Blue' and 2007 Perennial Plant of the Year N. racemosa 'Walker's Low.'
Tobacco rattle virus found in Massachusetts
This spring, tobacco rattle virus was found in Massachusetts on groundcover Epimedium rubra, according to Bess Dicklow at UMass Plant Diagnostic Lab. TRV symptoms include yellow ringspots and concentric line patterns. TRV has a host range of more than 350 plant species. TRV is also increasing in prevalence in vegetatively propagated perennials. It is transmitted by soil-inhabiting Trichodorus nematodes on infected grafting tools and seed. It is not spread by plant-to-plant contact.
Jury still out on effect of echinacea on colds
The most recent study by researchers at Univ. of Conn. should add to the confusion over the effectiveness of the herbal supplement echinacea's ability to fight the common cold. Derived from the plant of the same name, echinacea may reduce the chances of catching a cold as well as the length of a cold. The researchers examined results of 14 studies and reported their results in Lancet: Infectious Diseases. They found that echinacea decreased the odds of developing the common cold by 58% and the duration of a cold by 1.4 days. A 2005 study reported in New England Journal of Medicine that echinacea had no impact on colds.
IR-4 offers biopesticide online database
IR-4 launched a biopesticide/organic database that allows growers to input their crops, pests and state. The database provides a list of U.S. EPA-registered product labels that fit their criteria. It also supplies manufacturer contact information.
New habanero pepper is nematode resistant
TigerPaw-NR, a new habanero pepper developed and released by scientists at USDA-ARS's U.S. Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, S.C., is one of the world's hottest peppers. It scored a scorching 348,634 on the Scoville Heat Scale. But the pepper's uniqueness lies in its nematode-resisting abilities. It has been able to fend off the southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita), the peanut root-knot nematode (M. arenaria) and the tropical root-knot nematode (M. javanica).
Worth a visit
Learn to grow Hydrangea anomala spp. petiolaris, known as a gentleman among unruly vines. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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• Valent
• Goldsmith Seeds
• Yoder
Valent Booth 1512, 2007 OFA Short Course, July 14-17, 2007, Columbus, OH
Think...Cora™ Vinca for strength and beauty in the garden! To order, call your favorite supplier. Bred by Goldsmith.
Available only from Blooms of Bressingham®, the Tutti Frutti Series of Achilleas have compact habits that make them ideal for pot crops.
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