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In This Issue
Growing Japanese Maples in Austin
Understanding Algae
Rare New Palm
Landscape Herbs
Email Us
Great New Agaves
Outstanding Color
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Hello Gardener,
Welcome to Emerald Gardens Newsletter  Growing Japanese Maples
In Austin
Japanese Maples are mountain trees in their native environment, so the full sun they receive there is less intense than ours. In Austin Japanese Maples should be grown in full to dappled shade in rich acid well drained soil.
 Most areas have very poor soil and large amounts of amendments (Pine Bark Mulch and Peat Moss) are needed as well as acidifying fertilizers to mix with the hard water.For landscapes on wells or areas with very hard water these trees should not be grown.
In some areas of Austin Japanese Maples do very well , such as central Austin's older soil deposits and some areas with clay soil.
Japanese Maples grow well in containers and many people will keep them as potted plants or Bonsai.
 Understanding Algae
The good and the bad.Algae comes in many forms and grows for many different reasons.Mostly it can be classified as filament type (Hair Algae) or, single celled type (Pea Soup).
Filament type algae can be hard to get rid of in an otherwise balanced and clear pond.
This algae feeds off decaying matter, phosphates, and minerals associated with hard water. Most of the time your water is clear with this type of algae and the best remedy is to remove it manually so you get rid of what makes it grow.This algae is somewhat beneficial and should only be removed when abundant. If the algae floats to the top during the afternoon hours it is because of the oxygen it is generating. Some additional shading of the water can help .
Pea soup algae is very unsightly and indicates an imbalance in the pond.
Fish are not bothered but you can't see them and filters clog quickly.This algae is best controlled with ample plant life to fight it for the nutrients and to help block out sunlight. Dirty pond bottoms can cause this as well as overfeeding or overstocking fish. It is common on new ponds less than a year old because plant life and the balance have not caught up with the algae growth.
Both types of algae can be killed with AlgaeFix, however it is harder to balance a pond when continually using algicides.
Rare Winter Hardy Palm
Mazari Palm
"Nannorrhops ritchiana"
Native Afghanistan  this is one of the hardiest palms know, in its native environment it is covered in snow most of the winter but also able to withstand extreme heat and drought. Powdery blue fronds are very showy in tropical or xeric gardens, remove old fronds for a manicured look.
It grows slowly and can form branches. It has edible fruit and grows shrublike to about 10' and can tolerate any poor soil type.
Best color is in full sun but it can tolerate slight shade.
Great for the palm collector or anyone wanting a great silver / blue landscape specimen or accent.
Landscape Herbs
Mexican Oregano
(Poliomintha longiflora)
Many herbal, medicinal, or edible plants have great landscape value.
Mexican oregano is widely used by landscape professionals as a long blooming, deer resistant perennial for semi-shade or sun.
Long bloom period, fragrant, edible, Xeriscape, hardy, drought-tolerant are stong reasons why this perennial should be used in more lanscapes with a sustainable theme or just for occasional chef's garden.
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