Pick your favorite flowers at county field day
The display gardens in our county parks are filled with color and fresh ideas for home gardeners. Come see for yourself at the annual Garden in the Parks Field Day from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 19.
The Penn State Master Gardeners of Allegheny County, who plant and tend the gardens in South Park and North Park, have created a treat for the senses. You can taste herbs, garlic and basil grown on site, smell the flowers and take part in hands-on activities provided for children of all ages.
At each park, Master Gardeners will provide tips on how to successfully garden in our local soils and weather conditions. Bring your questions and learn strategies for controlling critters in the garden. Deer, ground hogs, turkeys and insects are all regular visitors at the county parks.
The event is free and includes a Penn State Creamery ice cream cone and the chance to vote for your favorite flower. Each year, the Master Gardeners track how different annuals perform. Feedback from trial gardens throughout the country determine which plants will be introduced to the market next year.
Here are a few of this year’s favorites that rose to the challenges of this summer’s hot and rainy weather:
South Park • Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) — a vibrant orange daisy that attracts many pollinators.
• ‘Monstrosum’ fireball strawflower ( Helichrysum
bracteatum) — scarlet flowers and amazing staying power.
• ‘Ruby Parfait’ cockscomb ( Celosia argenta spicata) — delicate lavender to pink flowers that wave gracefully in the wind.
• ‘Black Coral’ elephant ear ( Colocasia ecsulenta) —a show-stopper in the Victorian bed of deep-hued plants. Its huge iridescent black leaves appear to be slicked with oil. North Park
• ‘Scampi Blue’ fan flower ( Scaevola aemula) — its beautiful blooms do not require dead-heading and attract lots of bees.
• ‘Cathedral Shining Sea’ mealy-cup sage ( Salvia farinacea) — covered with bicolor blue-and-white spikeshaped flowers that are a favorite of bees. It requires less dead-heading than other cultivars.
• ‘Copper Prince’ ornamental millet ( Pennisetum
glaucum) — a vertical accent with light green and purple leaves and chunky foxtail-type panicles. Young seed heads turn from dark purple to copper as they age.
The South Park demonstration garden is between Corrigan Drive and McConkey Road. The North Park Demonstration Garden is at the corner of Wildwood and Ingomar roads.
Paula Dahm and Leslie Morgans are Penn State Master Gardeners. This volunteer program supports the outreach mission of Penn State Extension and provides researchbased information on best practices in sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship. Contact the Penn State Extension of Allegheny County at alleghenymg@psu.edu or 412-482-3476.