Funding for the digitization of this title was provided by Georgia HomePLACE, a project of the Georgia Public Library Service, the Forsyth County Government, an ARPA Digital Inclusion grant, and the State of Georgia.
Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 16D
FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS - Sunday, April 12, ISM
Kalimeris are a ‘must-have’ for perennial gardens
By Paul A. Thomas
Georgia Extension Service
Kalimeris, a 1998 Georgia Gold
Medal Winner, is a must-have for
perennial gardens.
Kalimeris pinnatifida, or Japanese
aster, is one of the many perennial
species that can be planted without
tear of failure or poor performance.
It is very tolerant of Georgia
soils, grows well in north and south
Georgia and can withstand being
ignored by busy gardeners.
What’s more, Kalimeris develops
large displays of pure white, double,
composite flowers which contrast
well to the pleasant, light green
foliage.
It’s a sun-loving plant closely
related to Boltonia and asters.
However, this plant will grow and
bloom nicely in partial shade as long
as competition is not intense as it can
be under trees.
Like most asters, it grows slowly
at first, then fills out nicely by mid
summer.
A mature plant will grow to a
height of two feet and have an equal
Spread by late summer.
It blooms from mid-May through
August if given moderate care.
The best use for Kalimeris is as
an accent plant grown in front of hol
lies, junipers and other dark-green
shrubs.
It looks great against red brick,
stone and wooden fences.
r -.i'i.i in I,
FLCrOR
The
Carpet Store
At Your
Door!
Our Carpet Vans* come
directly to you at your home or
business offering professional
service, expert installation and
over 3,000 distinctive colors and
styles of quality products with
mill direct pricing.
To Schedule A FREE In-Home Estimate
Call 770-582-1669
I
Carpet, Vinyl,
Hardwood, Tile and Area Rugs
Financing Available
SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
When grown in large colonies, it
can brighten dark pockets of shrub
bery surprisingly well. Another way
to use Kalimeris is to establish it
between clumps of irises, crocosmias
or other plants with which all that’s
left by midsummer is tall, green
foliage.
Kalimeris spreads its stems into
the clumps of upright foliage, soften
ing the effects and adding brightness
where standard green prevailed.
Kalimeris can be grown from
seed. But like most asters, the seed of
these plants can be challenging. It’s
best to buy strong, healthy plants and
expand numbers through division.
Young plants can be established
in early spring, from March through
April. Larger one-gallon specimens
do well when planted in late fall.
Young plants established in early
spring will need more attention to
watering and fertilizer.
Keep fertility high during the
first two months to ensure a good
root and foliage system. Once estab
lished, Kalimeris is very heat-toler
ant
The best way to propagate
Kalimeris is by division.
Under usual garden conditions, it
benefits from division every three
years.
Divisions are best done in the
30%0
OFF
RETAIL LIST PRICE V* "*1
SALE! | t H
oh ‘'Warner*| /n
WALLCOVERINGS U
AND BORDERS \\l
Sr \ i j
rrssoEABY \\ \ j
YOU CAN <- * \\\ I
sxwyourselfL. Jpdj
•PRE-PASTED -WASHABLE
•PRE-TRIMMED -STRIPPABLE
(770)781-8595
505 Atlanta Hwy.
(Across from Sawnee EMC)
M-F 10-6, Sat. 10-3
wwwwindpw aMl&woom
late fall, before frost but after sum
mer’s heat has past. Separating the
clump by hand is recommended after
the clump is lifted. Multiple plants
per division do better than single
ft--J)
XSZ
Complete
y Property Management
Residential and Commercial
Roofing • Landscaping • Electrical
Plumbing • Carpentry • Painting
Grading • Repairs • Additions
Windows • Decks • Financial Management
I (770) 287-2486 I
\ CALL TODAY FOR /
A. FREE ESTIMATE Z/
| jSu P.O. Box 2841
Cumming, GA
LUBfesi
□□□ccc □□□□□□
LICENSED LOCALLY OWNED
& INSURED & OPERATED
□□□□□□ □□□□□□
r— —J j l
plants. It’s best to return them to the
soil right after dividing. Water thor
oughly and stake the stems, which
sometimes flop over when trans
planted by division. In late fall, mow
or cut the dead, dry stems.
(Paul Thomas is an extension
horticulturist with the University of
Georgia College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences.)
