Home > Our Offices > Research Stations > Hammond > Landscape Horticulture Research & Extension Center [Image: Yan Chen explains research findings] Established as the Fruit and Truck Experiment Station in 1922, the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station in Hammond has served the needs of the strawberry and vegetable industries in Southeast Louisiana for more than 80 years. While continuing to serve this industry, the station has now embarked on a new initiative to provide research and education for the green service industry. A Brief History of the Hammond Research Station [Image: Retention pond and landscape beds] History and mission of the Hammond Research Station. Home Horticulture Landscape Bed Weed Control Here is some information on weed control in home landscape beds for the fall months. Garden Mums - Plant in September Garden mums are one of the most popular color plants for the fall landscape.  more articles... Caladiums - To Dig or Not to Dig Dig caldiums in the fall or leave them in the ground. That is the question. Here are some suggestions and guidelines. Sweet Peas [Image: sweet peas] Guidelines for planting sweet peas in the fall for a nice show of flowers in the spring. Sweet Bay Magnolia - A Great Native Tree [Image: sweet bay] Sweet Bay magnolias are gaining in popularity among home gardeners and landscape professionals. Confederate Rose Confederate rose is a great plant for fall flowers in Louisiana landscapes. These plants go by the scientific name Hibiscus mutabilis. Ornamental Peppers Ornamental peppers are becoming increasingly popular as landscape plants. Here is some brief information to help you with this plant. Cassias Provide Nice Fall Flowers [Image: cassia] Several species of cassias are becoming popular with home gardeners and commercial landscapers. Virginia Willow [Image: va willow] Virginia willow is one of the more popular native shrubs used in landscapes. Here is some information on this unique and interesting plant. Landscape Mulch Demonstration Study [Image: colored red mulch] A demonstration of different landscape mulch materials is on-going at the Hammond Research Station. Here are photos of the different mulches currently being evaluated. More to come!!! Vinca Landscape Performance Evaluations from 2005 [Image: burgundy] Vinca series were evaluated at Burden Center in Baton Rouge in 2005 for landscape performance. Series evaluated were: ‘Sunstorm’ (8 cultivars and a mix), ‘Cooler’ (12 cultivars and a mix), ‘Victory’ (9 cultivars), ‘Titan’ (3 cultivars), ‘Pacifica’ (13 cultivars and two mixes), ‘Sunglow’ (1 cultivar), ‘Sundress’ (1 cultivar), ‘Sunshower’ (5 cultivars), ‘Mediterranean’ (6 cultivars and a mix) and ‘Nirvana’ (2 cultivars). The results are in the attached PDF file. Profusion Zinnias - 2008 Photo Gallery The Profusion series of zinnias from Sakata Seed continues to expand. Starting in 2009, 13 varieties will be available. New double-flower forms are debuting. In addition, we still have the old, good-performing standbys - Orange, White, Cherry (improved), Fire, and Apricot. See photos of all the Profusion zinnias in this PowerPoint presentation (warning - very large file size).