Groundsel Bush in Bloom

    The Extension office has received numerous inquiries on moderate size bushes blooming along roadsides and in natural areas. What people are observing is the groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia). It has thick branches, short trunks that are densely covered in branches. The plants are dioecious, meaning they have male and female flowers on different plants. The green to white flowers grow in small dense clusters are the terminal ends of the branches with slivery plume-like structures (botanically referred to as achenes) on the female flowers that resemble silvery feathers. The blooms produce significant amounts of nectar that attract butterflies and other pollinators. The shrub produces a lot of seeds that help it colonize open areas.
   The plant is frequently found growing by the seaside, being tolerant to salt sprays from the ocean. They thrive in most conditions but require full to partial sun. Groundsel bushes do well in wet areas and are often found in wetlands and swamps. The plant is native to our area. Interesting note: in Australia, the groundsel bush is invasive.
   The shrub is not considered a landscape plant, but you can plant and grow it in your yard if you would like. It is useful as a hedge or as a specimen plant.
(Above photograph by Karan Rawlins, University of Georgia)\

Japanese Maples

   Japanese maples add beauty and interest to the home landscape. They have smooth bark and weeping branches along with attractive foliage. The trees are quite versatile and can be grown in many settings such as a specimen or accent plant, a patio tree, in containers or in groupings.         
    There are hundreds of varieties of Japanese maples and they can range from being relatively inexpensive to over $1000 for some specimens. The shape of the trees varies from low growing and spreading to upright with a vase shape.  There are many colors of foliage
ranging from green to purple-red to orange. The many varieties can be classified as either dissected or non-dissected. The dissected types have leaves with deeply cut finely serrated lobes. Most of these types have a low growing, compact shape with a twisted branching pattern. Their reddish-purple leaves turn a bright orange color in the fall. The non-dissected varieties have leaves that have lobes that are not as heavily serrated and are more upright in their growth habits. The foliage generally has a green to bronze color during the summer turning to a red to purple color in the fall.
    Japanese maples are hardy trees that require minimal care once established. The soil should be kept evenly moist, high in organic matter and well drained.  Since the trees can suffer from excessive wind, they should be planted in protected locations. Full sun can cause the leaves to become scorched in which the leaves turn brown on the edges and between the veins. The condition results from the excessive loss of leaf moisture caused by the hot sun and dry conditions. The trees have shallow root systems that contribute to the problem. Apply supplemental water frequently, especially during prolonged hot dry spells. Part shade, especially in the afternoon, will help reduce the likelihood of this happening. The green leaf varieties can tolerate more sun than red or variegated leaf forms.