Weekend Gardening: Distinctly Southern Hydrangeas
July 26, 2014
by Santa Rosa County Extension
Nothing defines a southern landscape more than hydrangeas.
These beautiful, large flowering shrubs fill gardens with their green, leafy foliage and incredible blooms during the warm months.
In order to ensure consistent and reliable blooms, these shrubs must be cared for correctly. In addition to proper site location, fertilizer and moisture conditions, hydrangeas may require pruning. Proper pruning includes correct timing.
Hydrangea aficionados are constantly debating pruning techniques. There are many different types of hydrangeas and pruning differs according to the type. It is a big genus of plants and so it’s important to know what type of hydrangeas you may have and on what type of wood they bloom on.
Blooms on old wood, prune after flowering
The bigleaf hydrangeas, known scientifically as Hydrangea macrophylla, are what most people think of when you mention hydrangeas. Most gardeners will know these as mopheads (also called hortensias) and lacecaps. Many of these blooms will be blue or pink although other colors now are available.
Many large colonies of bigleaf hydrangeas have existed around old homes for decades, surviving and blooming in spite of neglect. This tells us that it is not necessary to prune bigleaf hydrangeas.
However, if you want to keep these shrubs within a defined boundary, control their height or rejuvenate old shrubs, it will be necessary to prune them.
Bigleaf hydrangeas can be reduced in size immediately after flowering. A general rule of thumb is that you may remove up to a third of the shrub’s height. Be sure to complete your pruning before August. This is critical because next year flower blooms start to form in August. Pruning after August will remove next year’s blooms.
There now is a small group of bigleaf hydrangeas that are everblooming or remontant. Endless Summer® is one well-known brand. According to the developers of these reblooming hydrangeas, remove spent flowers to encourage rebloom. They are quite forgiving and will not suffer if left unpruned or pruned at the wrong time because these cultivars bloom on both old and new growth.
Our native oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a large, deciduous shrub that can grow up to six feet tall. It has deeply lobed, oak-like leaves which turn bronze in the fall. This plant does not usually need pruning. If reshaping or size-reduction is necessary, prune after blooms begin to fade.
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Lacecap hydrangea
Blooms on new wood, prune in early spring
Smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens) is the other U.S. native. The most common cultivar, ‘Annabelle’, produces rounded inflorescences that may reach up to a foot in diameter.
The panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata) is more of an upright type. It is typically a 10 to 15-foot large shrub or low-branched tree.
Panicle and smooth hydrangeas flower on current year’s growth and can be pruned anytime from late summer until early spring. If pruning these two species in the spring, try to prune before leaves appear.
Winter pruning
Established bigleaf, panicle, oakleaf and smooth hydrangea plants can often benefit from rejuvenation pruning. Remove about one-third of the oldest stems each year. The result is a fuller, healthier plant. This type of pruning is easiest to do in winter, since the absence of leaves makes it easier to see and reach inside plants.
Hydrangeas offer a wide variety of plants which can make the timing of pruning difficult to remember. Just keep in mind, if in doubt, either don’t prune at all or prune after flowering.
Big Band Indoor Yard Sale This Morning At Tate High
July 26, 2014
Lots of items are available at a Tate High School Showband of the South yard sale going on this morning from 7 a.m. until noon in the Fryman Gym on the school campus.
Numerous families are taking part to raise money to send the band to perform in the 2014 Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia. Plans call for the Tate Showband to spend time in both Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. when they make the trip later this year.
Back To School: Supply Lists
July 26, 2014
School starts Monday, August 18 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Here are printable school supply lists from each elementary school and middle school in Escambia County, plus the North Escambia area schools in Santa Rosa County and Escambia County, AL.
(High schools typically do not have a general supply list. Students are advised of their supply needs in each class.)
North Escambia Area Schools:
- Bratt Elementary
- Byrneville Elementary
- Central Elementary School
- Chumuckla Elementary
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Jay Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary
- McArthur Elementary
- Molino Park Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Ransom Middle
Complete Escambia County Lists:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
- Bellview Elementary
- Beulah Elementary
- Blue Angels Elementary
- Bratt Elementary
- Brentwood Elementary
- Byrneville Elementary
- Cook Elementary
- Cordova Park Elementary
- Ensley Elementary
- Ferry Pass Elementary
- Global Learning Academy
- Hellen Caro Elementary
- Holm Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lincoln Park Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary
- Longleaf Elementary
- McArthur Elementary
- McMillan Pre-K
- Molino Park Elementary
- Montclair Elementary
- Myrtle Grove Elementary
- Navy Point Elementary
- Oakcrest Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Pleasant Grove Elementary
- Scenic Heights Elementary
- Semmes Elementary
- Sherwood Elementary
- Suter Elementary
- Warrington Elementary
- Weis Elementary
- West Pensacola Elementary
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Bailey Middle
- Bellview Middle
- Brown Barge Middle
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Ferry Pass Middle
- Ransom Middle
- Warrington Middle
- Woodham Middle
- Workman Middle
ESCAMBIA (AL) SCHOOLS
- AC Moore Elementary
- Escambia County Middle School
- Flomaton Elementary School (not provided)
- Huxford Elementary
- Rachel Patterson Elementary
Wahoos Record 100th Sellout With Win Over Mobile’s Baybears
July 26, 2014
On a historic night when the Pensacola Blue Wahoos recorded their 100th sellout in only its third season, Michael Lorenzen became the team’s first pitcher to hit a home run.
It wasn’t just any home run, it was a two-out grand slam that broke a 1-1 tie and vaulted Pensacola to a 7-1 lead over the Mobile BayBears, who have the best record in the Southern League.
Pensacola never looked back and went on to win its fourth straight game – tying its longest streak of the season – with a 9-1 victory in front of 5,038 fans at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Lorenzen said he wished it was his pitching, not his hitting, that fans gave him a standing ovation for during a curtain call.
“It was one of the best feelings ever,” he said afterward. “It stunk that I had to do it as a batter instead of a pitcher. But everyone loves playing here and we want to make the fans happy.”
Lorenzen came to the plate with the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the third inning. The BayBears highly touted Archie Bradley, who is the Arizona Diamondbacks No. 1 pitching prospect, intentionally walked Brodie Greene to pitch against Lorenzen. Greene had doubled in Kyle Waldrop to tie the game at 1 in the second inning, which extended his hitting streak to eight games.
Pensacola Manager Delino DeShields knows what Lorenzen can do at the plate from jacking balls out of the ballpark during batting practice. Lorenzen, who played outfield for Cal State Fullerton last year before being drafted by Cincinnati, hit .335 with seven homers and 35 RBI in college. For the Wahoos this season, Lorenzen leads all pitchers with a .227 average and five of his hits now include three doubles and a grand slam.
“I was not expecting a home run but I knew if he got a strike he would do something with it,” DeShields said. “Mike’s a good hitter.”
Lorenzen’s last grand slam came for Cal State Fullerton in 2013 when he knocked one out in the first inning after coming straight from his brother’s wedding.
The Wahoos bullpen also put up another good outing, allowing no hits in five innings. James Walczak who relieved Lorenzen in the fourth inning, pitched three innings, allowed one hit and struck out six, including five in a row. Walczak entered the game having given up four runs in 1.1 innings in his last outing.
Both Lorenzen and Walczak emphasized how much they enjoy playing in front of sellout crowds at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium that’s on the scenic waterfront in downtown Pensacola.
“I love this Pensacola atmosphere,” Lorenzen said. “It’s been fun all year, even though, it has not been a good season for us. We enjoy making everyone go wild.”
Walczak said he feeds off the energy of the Pensacola fans.
“It’s energizing for us,” he said. “We know the fans are there for us whether we win or lose. I love how Pensacola takes care of us.”
DeShields said on Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer’s 63rd birthday, he was happy to get the 100th sellout and the win. It was the 29th sellout in 55 home games this year and puts the Wahoos on pace to surpass 300,000 fans total for the third year in three seasons.
“A big shoutout needs to go to the staff and Quint Studer for all they do,” DeShields said. “It’s a credit to them. This is an excellent venue for the fans.”
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos start a five-game series with Atlanta Braves Double-A affiliate Mississippi Braves at 6 p.m. Saturday. RHP Ben Lively (0-4, 3.52) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Braves RHP Jason Hursh (8-6, 3.70).
No Injuries In Early Morning Wreck That Blocked Hwy 29 In Molino
July 25, 2014
There were no injuries in a single vehicle rollover accident early this morning that blocked traffic on Highway 29 in Molino.
The driver of a Chevrolet S10 pickup lost control and overturned in the southbound lanes of Highway 29 just south of Molino Road about 3:10 a.m. The driver refused to be transported to the hospital.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Two Cantonment Residents Caught Burglarizing Barn
July 25, 2014
Two Cantonment residents were arrested after being caught stealing metal and equipment from a barn in the Cottage Hill area.
John Henry Shiffner III, age 19, was charged with felony burglary and felony grand theft. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond due to probation violation charge. A 16-year old juvenile was also charged in connection with the incident and released into the custody of the Department of Youth Services.
A man at his mother’s home on Williams Ditch Road observed Shiffner and the juvenile walking away from a barn. It was discovered, according to an arrest report, that the duo had moved hundreds of pounds of heavy equipment and metals from the barn to a path that borders one side of the property.
When deputies caught up with Shiffner and the juvenile a short time later, both completed written, sworn confessions, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
According to court records, Shiffner was on probation at the time of his arrest this week after being convicted for of aggravated battery and disorderly public intoxication.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a drunken public disturbance in the intersection of Mayo and Front streets in Century in October 2013. Shiffner’s girlfriend, who is two and a half months pregnant with his child, said he had pushed her, causing her to land on her back on the ground. She refused medical treatment.
When deputies tried to question Shiffner in the back of their patrol vehicle during the October incident, he began yelling at his girlfriend. When deputies explained her claim that he had pushed her, “he stated he did not touch her and then began rambling on about how Obama is right,” deputies reported.
“Obama said cops always listen to women,” Shiffner said, according to his arrest report.
Hall, Patee Apoointed To Escambia County Extension Council
July 25, 2014
Two new members were appointed Thursday night to the Escambia County Extension Council by the Escambia County Commission.
Janean “Karen” Hall of Bay Springs, principal at Bratt Elementary School, was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Vernon Hiebert, who resigned. And Jerry Patee of Pensacola, retired Navy captain, was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Stephanie Croan, who also resigned.
Hall was born and raised in rural Escambia County and enjoys gardening and fishing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary and early childhood education and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of West Florida. Hall has taught in rural elementary schools for 28 years.
Patee served 31 years on active duty as an aviation physiologist. He holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, biology and chemistry and a masters degree from the University of West Florida and the University of Southern California. He has completed over 1,500 volunteer hours as a Master Gardener, a Florida Naturalist, and is involved with numerous gardening and community organizations.
Their appointments are subject to the approval of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service.
Monday Last Day To Register To Vote In August Primary
July 25, 2014
According to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford, Monday, July 28 is the last day to register to vote or change party affiliation for those who wish to cast a ballot in the August 26, 2014 Primary Election.
Florida law mandates that registration books close 29 days before an election. New registrations and party changes must be completed and received or postmarked no later than July 28 in order for them to be effective for the August 26 election. Address changes can be made after the books close. Voters unsure of their registration status can visit EscambiaVotes.com and click Am I Registered?.
Escambia County citizens have several ways to register or update their record:
Online/By Mail: Visit EscambiaVotes.com and complete, print, and sign the online application. Be sure to include a valid Florida Driver’s License number, a valid Florida ID number, or if you have neither, the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number in the appropriate space. Completed applications must be received or postmarked no later than July 28. Send to: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, PO Box 12601, Pensacola, FL 32591-2601, or take the completed application to the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola. Also, to have a form mailed to you, call (595-3900) or e-mail the Elections Office (soe@escambiavotes.com).
In Person: You can register at the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor in downtown Pensacola, at any Florida Driver’s License Office, and several other governmental offices and public assistance centers. Registration forms are also available to pick up at many locations countywide. For a complete list of locations throughout Escambia County, visit EscambiaVotes.com or call or e-mail the Elections Office.
For voters who wish to cast a ballot by mail (an absentee ballot), go to EscambiaVotes.com and complete the online request form, or call or e-mail the elections office. Early voting begins August 16 at seven locations throughout Escambia County.
‘Great Day For Our Community’ — Immediate Financial Picture Improving For Atmore YMCA
July 25, 2014
About two weeks after announcing that they were on track to close the doors permanently next month, the Atmore YMCA director says things are beginning to look up for the organization’s immediate financial future.
“It has been a great day for our community and the YMCA,” Paul Chason, CEO of the Atmore Area YMCA said Thursday night.
Chason said several organizations have made financial commitments to help keep the YMCA’s doors open — the Atmore Lions Club has made a $5,000 donation; the Atmore Rotary Club has pledged $5,000; Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union committed to a $10,000 donation and $6,000 per year for three years; Alto Products has pledged $6,000 per year for three to five years.
He said the Atmore Rotary Club is reviewing their $5,000 pledge to possibly make it an immediate donation. If that happens, the YMCA will have secured the minimum amount needed to remain open through 2014.
In the meantime, the YMCA is still working to secure funding pledges for not only the remainder of this year, but for 2015 and beyond.
The YMCA board had set an August 4 deadline to raise $75,000 in donations to prevent an August 29 closure, but the board changed the request to $20,000 by August 4 to remain open through December.
The Atmore YMCA has served Atmore and surrounding areas since June 1995. The Atmore YMCA currently has just over 500 memberships representing about 1,250 members.
For more information or to donate to the Atmore YMCA, call (251) 368-9622 or stop by 501 South Pensacola Avenue in Atmore.
Pictured top: The Atmore Area YMCA building. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Registration Event Scheduled For Danceworks Classes
July 25, 2014
Registration is underway for Heather Leonard’s Danceworks, and a registration event will be held Tuesday in Byrneville.
The registration will be from 5:30 until 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Byrneville Community Center. Or students can register by mail; click here for a form.
Ballet, tap and jazz classes will be taught by Heather Leonard beginning the week of August 18 for girls ages 3 and up, including a class for teens and a hip hop class for those 10 and up. Leonard has taught dance to hundreds of girls from North Escambia and surrounding areas. She is also the coach for the Northview High School Dance Team.
For a printable information sheet, schedule and registration form, click here. For further information, contact Heather Leonard at (850) 529-1358 or email hldanceworks@gmail.com.
Pictured: The Heather Leonard’s Danceworks Spring 2014 recital at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
