The newest series of crape myrtles are the 'Razzle Dazzle' series. There are hybrids and are dwarf in form. Landscape performance evaluations are underway at the LSU AgCenter.

The newest ornamental sweet potato cultivars are the 'Sweet Caroline' series. These are being evaluated in LSU AgCenter landscape plant trials.

Nursery and Landscape Notes is a quarterly newsletter for Louisiana's green industry professionals. It includes production information for nursery growers and cultural practice recommendations for landscape contractors. New plant information is also included.

On the last couple years, a number of new Liriope muscari and Liriope gigantea cultivars have been released. These are being evaluated in landscape performance trials at the Hammond Research Station.

Caladiums are excellent summer accents in Louisiana gardens. New varieties with improved sun tolerance, unique color combinations, and better growth habits have been introduced by breeding programs in recent years. Caladium landscape trials were conducted at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station in 2006 and 2007 to identify varieties that adapt to landscape conditions in southeastern LA and provide selection guidance to landscape processionals.

Impatiens are colorful summer-flowering annuals that provide season-long color in landscape and home gardens. The 2006 impatiens trial conducted at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station evaluated some of the latest release of mini impatiens, trailing impatiens, double impatiens and New Guinea impatiens. Landscapers and gardeners can choose impatiens for shade or sun areas according to the trial results.

Colorful Caladiums are popular summer accents in our area; however, certain varieties are more suited to certain landscape conditions than others, and proper variety selection appropriate to the planting site is the key to achieving desired effects. The 2006 caladium trial at the Hammond Research Station documented 30 varieties for their early- and late-season performances as well as sun tolerance.

With the new ornamental horticulture program initiated at the Hammond Research Station, more herbaceous perennial varieties were tested in 2005. This report presents trial resutls that commercial growers and consumers may find useful.

LSU AgCenter experts say soil contamination in Jefferson and Orleans parishes from flooding after this summer’s hurricanes may not be as serious as originally feared. Initial results of tests conducted in October indicate no need for special preparations to the soils prior to planting and that there should be no danger for individuals digging or planting in the soil.

Sweet peas are an excellent cool-season annual for Louisiana. The flowers are popular for cutting and bundling because they come in an array of colors and have an intoxicating scent. Seeds should be sown directly in the garden in October or transplanted from containers in November. Sweet peas are vines so the plants need support (fence, netting, etc.) or a trellis to grow on. Sweet peas start blooming in late March and last up to two months, longer if deadheaded regularly.