Tag: Gary W. Knox

Ten Common Conifers of the Tampa Bay Area

Sand Pine (Pinus clausa)

Conifers are cone-bearing trees often identified by their needles. In addition to their value as landscape trees and lumber and paper sources, they are popular around the holidays as Christmas trees.

This 6-page guide written by Andrew K. Koeser, Holly Finley, Gitta Hasing, Gary W. Knox, and Melissa H. Friedman and published by the Environmental Horticulture Department will assist you in identifying the 10 most common conifers that grow in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. It is an efficient resource for master gardeners, novice tree inventory crews, 4-H forestry teams, and others interested in basic conifer identification.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep508

Ten Common Flowering Trees of the Tampa Bay Area

EP505

Blooming trees serve as key focal points in the urban landscape. Florida’s flowering trees can be quite spectacular and leave you wondering, Wow, what tree is that?

This 7-page guide written by Gitta Hasing, Andrew K. Koeser, Gary W. Knox, and Melissa H. Friedman and published by the Environmental Horticulture Department will assist you in identifying the 10 most common flowering trees that grow in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. It is an efficient resource for master gardeners, novice tree inventory crews, 4-H forestry teams, and others interested in basic flowering tree identification.
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep505

Rose Rosette Disease: A New Disease of Roses in Florida

Figure 1. Clustering of small branches (witches’-broom)

Rose rosette disease is an incurable, destructive disease that affects both wild and cultivated roses. Over the past several decades, the disease has spread over much of the U.S., though it was first observed in Florida in 2013. This 6-page fact sheet describes the symptoms and diagnosis of the disease, as well as the cultural, chemical, and, possibly, biological controls that can minimize its spread. Written by Binoy Babu, Mathews L. Paret, Tim Schubert, Carlye Baker, Gary Knox, Fanny Iriarte, James Aldrich, Laura Ritchie, Carrie L. Harmon, and Svetlana Y. Folimonova, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, May 2015.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp317

Parana Pine, Araucaria angustifolia: An Ancient-Looking Conifer for Modern Landscapes

Figure 1. Paraná pine has a narrow, pyramidal form when young.Paraná pine is a primitive-looking conifer valued for its unusual horizontal branching, interesting triangular-shaped needles, and neat, symmetrical form. The primitive appearance of this evergreen tree results from its resemblance to and relationship with an ancient group of Araucaria-related conifers that dominated forests more than 145 million years ago. This tree once covered vast areas in southern Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Native Americans harvest the seeds for food. It was an important timber tree for European settlers, and it was logged extensively through the 20th century. Now one of the rarest trees in Brazil, Paraná pine is considered critically endangered due to habitat loss and exploitation. This evergreen conifer grows too large for most residential situations, but is best used as an accent or conversation piece in large-scale landscapes. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, November 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep509

Purple Sunset Pomegranate (Punica granatum ‘PIIPG-1’)

Figure 2. Orange flowers and purple fruits often occur on Purple Sunset pomegranate at the same time, producing a colorful display.Purple Sunset is a new ornamental cultivar of pomegranate, Punica granatum. Purple Sunset pomegranate is distinguished from fruiting pomegranate by a bushy, compact habit and numerous flowers followed by small, ornamental, purple-black fruit. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, June 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep501

Mexican Sycamore (Platanus mexicana)

Figure 1. Mexican Sycamore (Platanus mexicana) Credit: Gary KnoxMexican sycamore (Platanus Mexicana) is a fast growing, drought tolerant tree boasting smooth white and tan bark and large, maple-like leaves with velvety, silver undersides. Native to northeastern and central Mexico, this tree’s cold hardiness is not well defined. However, Mexican sycamore grows well as far north as USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 8b in Texas and Florida. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, June 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep502

Smooth-bark Mexican Pine (Pinus pseudostrobus)

Figure 1. Smooth-bark Mexican Pine in northern Florida Credit: Gary KnoxThis beautiful pine is distinguished by long, pendulous needles that form a graceful, open evergreen conifer. The slender needles are up to 12 inches long in groups (fascicles) of five. In its native environment, smooth-bark Mexican pine is considered fast growing, and can reach more than 120 feet tall and about 60 feet wide. In southern Georgia, trees have reached heights of 32 feet and widths of 25 feet in 10 years. Trees have a pyramidal form when young, becoming flat-topped with age. In its native range, smooth-bark Mexican pine grows in temperate to warm temperate areas with predominately summer rainfall. Florida’s similar climatic conditions suggest that smooth-bark Mexican pine will adapt well throughout the state. Cold hardiness is not well-defined, but this species has grown well in southern Georgia (USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 8b). This 2-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, June 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep500

Native Plants That Benefit Native Wildlife in the Florida Panhandle

coneflowersThe key to enhancing wildlife (and attracting it to your property) is to provide the resources wildlife need. This means supplying food, water, and cover within the space you own and manage. Because the needs of each wildlife species for food and cover vary from one season to the next, a mix of plant species is required to meet the needs of a species all year round. And because each species has different needs, attracting and maintaining a wide variety of wildlife year round requires a wide diversity of plants. A property owner interested in attracting wildlife should nurture a wide variety of native plants to ensure that there is a large assortment of food and cover options available all the time. This 8-page fact sheet was written by Holly K. Ober and Gary W. Knox, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, October 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw384

Faber’s Maple: Acer fabri

Figure 1. Acer fabri, Faber’s maple.Faber's Maple is unlike the maples familiar to most people, as it does not have the typical three- or five-lobed leaves. Instead, the leaves of Faber's maple are unlobed, slender, and very glossy. Additionally, most people know the maple as a deciduous tree, dropping its leaves in fall, whereas Faber's maple is evergreen. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, December 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep490

Apalachee Crapemyrtle: Lagerstroemia indica × fauriei 'Apalachee'

Figure 4. ‘Apalachee’ crapemyrtle in full bloom.‘Apalachee’ crapemyrtle is a small deciduous tree with lavender flowers, dark green leaves, and cinnamon-orange bark. Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Apalachee’ is one of the hybrids released in 1987 from the breeding program of the U.S. National Arboretum. It grows as an upright to vase-shaped multi-stemmed tree in USDA Cold Hardiness Zones 7a-9b. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, December 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep491

Alternatives to Invasive Plants Commonly Found in South Florida Landscapes

Ernodea littoralis, Beach creeper is a native an alternative to Gold coast jasmineBased on years of UF/IFAS research producing and trialing cultivars, this 5-page fact sheet lists native and non-invasive, non-native ornamentals as alternatives to invasive plants commonly used in Florida landscapes. Only plants considered to be generally available in the nursery trade are listed. Alternative plants are similar to respective invasive plants as much as possible in terms of size, habit, texture, and flower color. Written by Gary W. Knox, Sandra B. Wilson, Zhanao Deng, and Rosanna Freyre, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, September 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep483

Alternatives to Invasive Plants Commonly Found in Central Florida Landscapes

Professor Sandra Wilson gathers berries from the nandina species of plant at the Indian River REC in Ft. Pierce, Florida. Ornamentals, native and non-native, invasive and non-invasive landscape plants. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.Based on years of UF/IFAS research producing and trialing cultivars, this 3-page fact sheet lists native and non-invasive, non-native ornamentals as alternatives to invasive plants commonly used in Central Florida landscapes. Only plants considered to be generally available in the nursery trade are listed. Alternative plants are similar to respective invasive plants as much as possible in terms of size, habit, texture, and flower color. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox, Sandra B. Wilson, Zhanao Deng, and Rosanna Freyre, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, August 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep468

Alternatives to Invasive Plants Commonly Found in North Florida Landscapes (ENH1206/EP467)

Professor Sandra Wilson gathers berries from the nandina species of plant at the Indian River REC in Ft. Pierce, Florida. Ornamentals, native and non-native, invasive and non-invasive landscape plants. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.Based on years of UF/IFAS research producing and trialing cultivars, this 3-page fact sheet lists native and non-invasive, non-native ornamentals as alternatives to invasive plants commonly used in Florida landscapes. Only plants considered to be generally available in the nursery trade are listed. Alternative plants are similar to respective invasive plants as much as possible in terms of size, habit, texture, and flower color.was written by Gary W. Knox, Sandra B. Wilson, Zhanao Deng, and Rosanna Freyre, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, August 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep467

New Hydrangeas for North and Central Florida: Bigleaf and Mountain Hydrangeas (ENH1034/EP287)

Figure 1. Most bigleaf hydrangea flower heads are blue in the presence of aluminum ions in soil (typically acid soils), pink in the absence of aluminum (typically alkaline soils) or purple in neutral soils. This shows the mophead flower types in blue (Figure 1a 'Bailmer' Endless Summer®) and pink (Figure 1b 'Penny Mac') as well as the lacecap flower type in purple (Figure 1c 'Miyama-yae-Murasaki').Discoveries of reflowering hydrangeas have resulted in the introduction of many new cultivars, providing more garden impact and strengthening ongoing hydrangea appreciation. Even prior to the new reflowering cultivars, gardeners and landscapers had renewed interest in hydrangeas because they flower in shade, often produce blue flowers, and are considered an “heirloom” plant that reminds us of the garden heritage of our forefathers. Many of the newer cultivars have superior form and disease resistance, and some provide 15 or more weeks of flowering per year in north Florida. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, September 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep287

Alternatives to Synthetic Herbicides for Weed Management in Container Nurseries (ENH1203/EP464)

Figure 2. Gaps between the disk edge and container rim, along the installation slit, and around the plant stem allow weeds to grow. Weed management is one of the most critical and costly aspects of container nursery production. This is most effectively achieved through preventative practices, primarily with preemergent herbicides. But there are valid reasons for managing weeds with alternatives to synthetic herbicides, including sanitation, exclusion, prevention, hand weeding, mulching, and the use of cover crops, heat, and nonsynthetic herbicides. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox, Matthew Chappell, and Robert H. Stamps, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, September 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep464

UF-T3 and UF-T4: Two Sterile Lantana camara Varieties (ENH1202/EP463)

Figure 4. UF-T4 lantana flowers and inflorescences grown outdoors in ground beds in full sun. Lantana camara plants are valued for their bright flower color, butterfly attraction, tolerance to harsh environmental conditions, low maintenance requirements, and ease of propagation and production. But many existing varieties can be weedy or invasive when grown in tropical and subtropical regions. So in 2004, UF/IFAS started a program to develop sterile L. camara varieties with little to no invasive potential.
This 8-page fact sheet introduces the recently released UF-T3 and UF-T4 lantana varieties that have resulted from these breeding, selection, and testing efforts. Written by Zhanao Deng, David M. Czarnecki II, Sandra B. Wilson, Gary W. Knox, and Rosanna Freyre, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep463

Rose Pests and Diseases in Florida (ENH1108/EP371)

Figure 11. Symptoms of botrytis blightRoses are one of the most popular flowering shrubs in Florida and the United States. Valued for their beautiful and often fragrant blooms, roses have been cultivated in gardens for centuries as vines. Roses can grow and flower 9 months of the year in North Florida and year-round in the rest of Florida. Roses have become especially popular in recent years with the introduction of Knock Out® and other shrub roses. Unfortunately, increased use and misuse of roses have resulted in more reports of pest problems. This 9-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox, Mathews Paret, and Russell F. Mizell, III, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep371

Wildflowers Susceptible to Deer Damage in North Florida (WEC315/UW360)

Figure 2. Most deer browsing of wildflowers occurred at night.One sure way to prevent deer damage to your landscape is to choose plants that deer do not like to eat. Unfortunately deer foraging preferences vary geographically and studies conducted with captive deer aren’t always accurate. So UF/IFAS wildlife researchers investigated the foraging preference of wild white-tailed deer at two sites in Gadsden County with high deer densities for two years. Of 11 wildlfowers tested, four were very susceptible to browsing: fringeleaf tickseed, Florida tickseed, coastalplain tickseed, and orange coneflower. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Holly K. Ober, Lucas W. DeGroote, James H. Aldrich, Jefferey G. Norcini, and Gary W. Knox , and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw360

‘Jon Jon’ Magnolia: A Late-Flowering Deciduous Magnolia for Northern Florida (ENH1192 /EP453)

Figure 2. 'Jon Jon' magnolia flowers.This large-flowered, hybrid, deciduous magnolia flowers profusely in late spring, about two weeks after most saucer magnolias, but before foliage emerges. This allows ‘Jon Jon’ to miss spring freezes that often damage saucer and other spring-flowering magnolias. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep453

Nursery Crop Selection and Market Niches (ENH1194/EP455)

New products coordinator photographs banana custard mullein at a UF/IFAS floriculture field day The ultimate success of an ornamental production operation hinges on the ability of that operation to successfully understand which genera, species, and/or cultivars to grow on a year-to-year basis. This 5-page fact sheet describes several important factors that must be considered in order to properly assess which ornamental crops should be grown and which market niches exist that may dictate crop selection. Written by Gary Knox and Matthew Chappell and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, October 2011. UF/IFAS Photo by Josh Wickham.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep455