Feature Plant: Otto Luyken Laurel

The Otto Luyken Laurel (Prunus Laurocerasus) is a beautiful evergreen shrub. It can grow to be as high as 4 feet tall and as wide as 6 feet in diameter. In late spring the Otto Luyken produces fragrant white flowers. The shrubs long, waxy, dark green leaves add to its beauty. The black fruit of the Otto Luyken is both showy and edible. The shrub does best when exposed to sun or afternoon shade and does very well in slightly acidic soil. 

 

 The Otto Luyken Laurel serves as a great decorative hedge.This shrub is low maintenance and is able to withstand weather abuse such as cold and humidity. Pruning a few individual branches off the shrub after it flowers allows the plant to stay healthy and groomed.

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Color Landscapes at the Kids Exchange

Color Landscapes is particating in the Parents Fair at the Kids Exhange in Raleigh.  The Kids Exhange is held at the NC State Fairgrounds from July 14th – 18th.   The consignment sale draws over 30,000 shoppers and its a great way to purchase high quality used childrens items.   You can find everything from strollers to clothes to books to diaper bags.

Visit our Color Landscapes Booth as you wait to check out

Enter our drawing for a $75.00 gift card to Skin Sense Day Spa at out booth!

Rows and rows of gently used children's items for sale

 

Come Color with Color Landscapes

Standing in line can get boring for kids, so send them over to our booth to color a picture!

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Why is my grass brown?

This is a common question this year. 

The first reason for brown grass is: it needs water.   The sustained high temperatures and minimal rain can stress grass.   An irrigaiton system is a great option to provide water on a regular schedule.  If you have an irrigation system you will need to increase the watering freqeuncy (five days a week instead of three) or time (10 minutes instead of five) the system runs.   If you do not have an irrigation system purchase a rotating sprinkler from your local hardware store.  Set the sprinkler out in the morning three to four days a week.  Let it run until one inch of water has been put out.  You can use a tuna can as a guage. 

Dry Fescue Grass

A second reason for brown grass is: brown patch or  pythium blight.  Both are diseases that affect grass during warm, humid coniditions.   Fescue, rye, bent and blue grass turf are susepctible to these diseases.  The best option is prevention.  A fungicide program will help prevent the disease from growing on your grass.  If you already have one of these diseases you will need to treat your lawn as soon as possible.   Even after your grass have been treated it is important to note the grass will not start turning green right away.   The damaged grass will have to grow out before your lawn will be green again. 

Brown Patch in Fescue

Learn more about brown patch or pythium blight.

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