Crape-myrtle

                                                                                
                            CRAPE-MYRTLE                                
      (Lagerstoemia)

Crape Myrtles come in many colors including a deep purple

Mid-summer brings a spectacular display of color when Crape-Myrtle shrubs come into bloom. Clusters of flowers in pink, purple, white, red, blue and even bi-color varieties add incredible color to yards, gardens and on road sides.

Many have a gold center and they can be found with more then
one color on the flowers.

 

Originally from China and the tropics, Crape-Myrtles have been popular in the south as far north as Baltimore for many years. These subtropical plants were not able to survive our winters until recent years. Now with more hardy hybrids available they are quickly becoming standard for gardeners in the northeast.

Careful pruning helps develop an elegant plant that
can be enjoyed all year.
  
Crape-Myrtle are deer resistant, 

attracts butterflies and are easy to care for.  

Planted in full sun you should plan on enjoying
 your new shrub for many years to come. 

The biggest problem with Crape-Myrtles is 
deciding which color to choose.

The incredible bark would make Crape-Myrtles popular even if they didn't bloom  

When the leaves drop in autumn, the beautiful exfoliating bark adds interest to the garden all winter long.  

Crape-Myrtles bloom in early summer on 'new wood', so when pruned in the early spring they produce more flowers. 

Pruning is best done in March or early April to keep the shape and size in check.  Actually crape-myrtles benefit from a "heavy" pruning every few years.

A heavy pruning every few years helps create more flowers which
blooms on new wood.
Caution: this type of drastic pruning should not be done every year. 

A good time to buy your Crape-Myrtle is when they are in bloom so you are guaranteed the color you want. Keep your new plant in the pot until planting in September when the heat breaks.  Be sure to mulch it well after planting and give it extra tender care the first year.

Blooming at the same time as Rose-of -Sharon , Crape Myrtle does not have the
"volunteer seedling" problems that Rose-of-Sharon has.

Be patient in the spring because Crape-Myrtle break dormancy long after most other plants, usually when Dogwood are blooming.  Give them time and you will be rewarded with summer color when few other shrubs are flowering.

Happy Summer,
James

Ticks

TICKS IN NEW JERSEY

In New Jersey we have four hard bodied ticks.
For proper ID they should be seen under a microscope. 

October is an active time for adult ticks and it is important that we stay diligent with their detection. Even an Indian Summer can cause these tiny creatures to become active when we often let our guard down. 

In New Jersey we have four hard body ticks; The American Dog tick, the Brown Dog tick, the Lone Star tick and Deer ticks. It is the Deer tick, also known as the 'Black legged tick' that causes humans in our area the most concern due to the transmission of 'LYME DISEASE'. 

Knowing which tick you have will help your doctor decide on a course of treatment.
Call you local Cooperative Extension Service for information.

Throughout the country ticks transmit different diseases including 'Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever', so always be aware of the ticks in your area and the problems they can cause.

If you find a tick outside of NJ the same suggestion applies.
Have your tick identified and inform your doctor. 

Early tick detection is the surest way to avoid problems. This simply means taking a visual exam of yourself  and your children every day. Deer ticks need 24-36 hours to transmit the Lyme Disease bacteria. An adult Deer tick is about the size of a sesame seed. Now with more and more deer roaming though our area we need to increase our guard.

When in tick habitat wear long pants and tuck them in your socks

Since ticks cannot fly or jump they have developed an ingenious way to get on their host.  Tick crawl up a blade of grass and wait for a host animal or human to brush by and give them a ride. This is know as 'questing'. The best place for this to happen is in parks where the field meets the tree lines. Avoid this area whenever possible, especially while wearing short pants. 

In this incredible photograph a tick is 'QUESTING' ready to take a ride on a
passing animal or human.   

If you do find a tick correct removal is very important. Remove the tick carefully with tweezers and put it into a container with a moist cotton ball (an old prescription bottle works best). A good tick specimen is essential if your doctor decides to have it tested. Do not put rubbing alcohol on the tick as it will kill the bacteria and that tick will no longer be viable for  testing.

When removing a tick don't use Vaseline and be sure to carefully remove the entire tick, especially
the head and mouth.
NEVER TRY TO BURN OFF A TICK AS IT WILL INJECT ITS SALIVA\ WHICH WE WANT TO AVOID.

Your local Cooperative Extensive service will either identify your tick or tell where to take it. Here in New Jersey call your local county 'Rutgers Cooperative Extension Garden Helpline' 

Rutgers suggest you always call your doctor when you are bitten by any tick. They will know the best course of action to be taken.

Keep Safe, James

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