Home > Communications > News > Get It Growing > LSU AgCenter Communications produces a special service called “Get It Growing” aimed at people who want to improve their landscapes, grow flowers and ornamentals or grow vegetables and fruit. This service includes a weekly newspaper column written by horticulturist Dan Gill, a daily (Monday through Friday) 60-second radio spot voiced by Gill, and a weekly 90-second television spot featuring Gill. The newspaper columns are sent via e-mail once a month to a subscriber list. Read More features the newspaper columns.                       See More contains the 90-second TV spots. Hear More includes the 60-second radio spots. Super Plant Penny Mac hydrangea reblooms throughout summer [Image: Penny Mac Hydrangea] (Video 05/21/12) In Louisiana, hydrangeas typically bloom once – in May. But the Super Plant Penny Mac hydrangea keeps reblooming many times until the end of summer. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill visits the Hammond Research Station and looks at the Penny Mac hydrangea – a reliable and beautiful plant for Louisiana landscapes. (Runtime: 1:40) Blue Chip buddleia blooms throughout summer [Image: Dwarf Buddleia] (Video 05/28/12) Buddleia is also called butterfly bush because it attracts butterlflies. It’s a tough, flowering bush that comes in many sizes and colors. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how the dwarf buddleia Blue Chip is a good choice for vibrant color and nice fragrance.(Runtime: 1:37) Watch for aphids on crape myrtles (Audio 05/21/12) Louisiana gardeners are lucky to be able to grow crape myrtles. These flowering trees do not have a lot of problems. The one nuisance is the crape myrtle aphid. Control is possible with a tree-and-shrub insect spray. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Flower pots need regular cleanings (Audio 05/21/12) Growing plants in containers allows gardeners to have plants on decks or indoors. The containers may need to be cleaned from time to time. Plastic pots and terra cotta pots are cleaned differently. (Runtime: 60 seconds)  more articles... Black spot can infest roses (Audio 05/21/12) If you grow roses in Louisiana, you've probably had black spot. Roses are highly susceptible to this disease. It can be controlled with weekly spraying. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Grow less common greens during summer (Audio 05/21/12) Cooked greens are a traditional part of Louisiana cooking. Many greens such as turnip or collards won't grow during the summer. Swiss chard and few others are good substitutes. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Pick summer bulbs that fit your landscape needs (Audio 05/21/12) Gardeners use a variety of summer bulbs in their landscapes. Most of the bulbs are native to tropical areas do well in Louisiana's summer heat. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Spanish moss doesn't hurt trees (Audio 05/14/12) People may wonder if Spanish moss can harm a tree, but the answer is no. Spanish moss is not a parasite. It lives on a tree but doesn't take anything away from a tree. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Check plant’s full grown size on label before purchase [Image: Check Plant Size] (Video 05/14/12) Looks can be deceiving. Plants that appear small in the nursery can take on much larger dimensions once they’re grown. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill advises consumers to check a plant’s full-grown size before assuming it’s the right fit for their landscape. (Runtime: 1:32) Hyacinth bean is a great flowering vine (Audio 05/14/12) Louisiana gardeners can use a number of annual flowering vines. One great vine is the hyacinth bean. It produces spikes of purple flowers in summer and fall. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Fan flower is colorful summer plant with a story to tell [Image: Fan Flower] (Video 05/07/12) The fan flower is a heat-tolerant summer plant with beautiful flowers that come in various shades. This plant also has a tragic love story to tell as part of its folklore. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains on this edition of Get It Growing. (Runtime: 1:33) Don't prune young blackberry canes (Audio 05/14/12) True blackberries are producing fruit this month. Blackberry shoots live for two years. Young canes should be left alone when pruning to make sure you have another crop of blackberries next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Prepare beds for warm-season plants (Audio 05/14/12) Louisiana gardeners use a wide variety of heat-tolerant bedding plants this time of the year. Pull out cool-season plants when they start to languish and prepare your beds for new plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Young trees need extra care (Audio 05/14/12) Many people planted trees during the fall and winter. These newly planted trees will need supplemental irrigation to get through their first summer in the ground. (Runtime: 60 seconds) Click for more information...