Hot Topics
Blackberries
This is an overlooked crop in some areas. There is usually a demand for fresh, locally grown blackberries. Plant breeders have provided some excellent cultivars over the past several years. Some to consider:
- Thornless Types : Arapaho, Apache and Navaho
- Thorny, but high yielders : Flordagrand, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Brazos , Kiowa, Shawnee and Oklawaha.
- Most trailing types require cross pollination.
More competed information concerning blackberry production is available by contacting the local Extension office. Ask for document HS-807 or obtain a copy by going online.
Are two crops per year possible?
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture has released the world's first commercial blackberries that will produce both spring and fall crops.
“Prime-Jim” and “Prime-Jan” are primocane-fruiting blackberries. Unlike other blackberries, primocane-fruiting blackberries produce twice per year. According to John R. Clark, fruit breeder for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, these are very unique plants. He states, “I'm not aware of anyone else who has anything like them.”
These cultivars produced berries as big as 10 grams each in test plots in Oregon . To my knowledge, they are yet to be evaluated in Florida .
Ornamental Grasses
The use of ornamental grasses is one of the newest trends in landscapes these days. They are catching on fast for several reasons. There is great diversity allowing the homeowner to choose plants that mature at different heights. Some have outstanding seed head displays, while others have colorful leaves. Even the dormant stage of many are attractive, adding attractive color and form to the landscape.
Dr. Mack Thetford, Associate Professor at the University of Florida , Milton Campus, is working with ornamental grasses. Go to the following web site for additional information.
Herbaceous Perennial Flowering Plants
Preferences are changing among gardeners. Many people are replacing typical annual flower beds with ornamentals that come back year after year. Through careful plant selection, perennials can be chosen to provide the desired result in flower color, mature plant size and season of color. The publication “Flowering Perennials for Florida ,” ENH-68 can be obtained at you local Florida Extension office, or it can be obtained online. This document lists approximately 50 flowering perennials that are recommended, along with information about growing them.
