Plant Spotlight-Eastern Redbud

Eastern redbuds (Cercis canadensis) are one of my favorite signs of spring.  This small tree is native to the eastern United States.  It’s early lavender to pink flowers bloom before the heart-shaped leaves emerge.  This tree is naturally found as an understory tree in mixed forests, and prefers moist, well-drained soil but it is adaptable to a range of soil conditions.  It’s small size, maturing at a height and spread of 15-20 feet, makes it easy to fit in a suburban yard.

Aside from their obvious beauty, redbuds have other benefits in the yard.  The spring flowers provide nectar for bees.  Once pollinated, the flowers produce bean-like pods that provide a food source for birds.  Redbuds are members of the family Fabaceae, the same family that beans and peas belong too, and can fix their own nitrogen from the soil.

Several varieties have been selected for a range of flower and foliage colors.  C. canadensis var. ‘alba’ has white flowers while other cultivars range from pale pink to dark lavender-red.  “Merlot” and “Forest Pansy” were selected for their dark purple-red foliage while “Rising Sun” has pale yellow foliage in early spring.  Foliage color may vary depending on the amount of sun that the plant receives.

If you are looking to add a small tree to your yard or property, consider an eastern redbud.

Precipitation Prediction …

~Dr. Diana Rashash

Yikes! It has been downright soggy outside for much of December, January, and February. The next couple of months are predicted to have a slightly higher chance of being wetter than average, as shown in the map below for March, April, and May. Then, we enter a period of equal chances, followed by below average precipitation for the fall.





Source: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1

The temperature, however, is another matter. The NOAA Climate Prediction Center website is predicting an increased probability of above normal temperatures from April onward. These predictions are based on the current El Niño gradually decreasing and changing over to a more-neutral situation, and then to La Niña in the fall.

It’s amazing how sea surface temperatures off the California coast can be such a significant driver of conditions here in eastern North Carolina. For now, we just need it to dry out enough to be able to get into our gardens and fields. Will we be wishing for rain later this year? Maybe. If you establish new trees or shrubs this spring, be prepared to provide supplemental water – if needed – later in the summer.

March Tips and Tricks

Spring blooming bulbs should be fertilized just as the new growth emerges. If your bulbs have already flowered, wait until November to fertilize with a complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10. Summer flowering bulbs can be fertilized when the shoots emerge.

Fertilize trees and shrubs before active growth begins (before mid-March). Fertilize based on your soil test for best results. For more information about fertilizing trees and shrubs, stop by the office and pick up a copy of “A Gardener’s Guide to Fertilizing Trees and Shrubs”. Fertilize perennials and annuals in April. Do not fertilize warm season grasses yet. Wait until May or June for best results.

If necessary, continue application of pre-emergent herbicides to centipede and St Augustine lawns through early March. Avoid applications of once turf starts to green up. Bring weed samples to the plant clinic for specific herbicide recommendations. While you are here, request a lawn maintenance calendar for your turf type.

Apply a fresh layer of mulch to ornamental beds to suppress summer annual weed seeds now. Make sure mulch is not deeper than 3-4 inches total.

March is an excellent time to relocate plants or transplant container grown plants. Fall blooming perennials can be divided now. (Divide spring blooming perennials in the fall.) Keep an eye on new plants and replanted divisions through the spring and summer and provide adequate water to make sure they establish well.

Many cool season spring vegetable crops can be planted now. Early March is a good time to transplant broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage plants. Asparagus beds should be established by the end of March. Kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, radish, turnips, and spinach can be started from seed through the beginning of April. Potatoes can be planted until the beginning of May.

Remember to wait until after the last frost to plant warm season crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and peppers. The last frost in Onslow County is usually the second or third week in April. However, this is just an average – in any given year the last frost may be earlier or later. Plan to plant tender crops after April 20 and be prepared to protect these crops from a late frost if necessary. Heat-loving crops like okra, eggplant, sweet potato and watermelons will do better if you wait an extra couple of weeks for the soil and air temperatures to warm.