- Author: Heather Hamilton
There are several cultivars of this perennial flower commonly known as the Black Eyed Susan. One of the cultivars you have most likely seen in the landscape and nurseries is R. hirta ‘Indian Summer' which gained popularity in 1995 as a winner from the All-American Selections. It is an herbaceous perennial plant growing between 2-3' high and wide. It is drought tolerant once established and can easily be grown from seed, blooming the first year. It is in the Asteraceae family and has a composite flower in orange and yellow tones with a prominent cone-shaped head. All are native to North America, and mostly have hairy foliage, which is what hirta means. There are so many new varieties to choose from. I have 3 in my garden at this time, and they are stunning with a very long bloom time all summer long, also attracting bees and butterflies. They also make a fabulous addition to fresh-cut floral arrangements. I took a few shots of some of the varieties I am seeing at the nursery and my own. One of the more popular ones I have seen lately is called an Echibeckia, a cross between an echinacea and rudbeckia. However, I don't think it looks anything like an echinacea other than having a cone and daisy-like florets. I would highly recommend either the rudbeckia or the crossed one to anyone looking for a beautiful, super easy plant to grow.
![Echibeckia 'Blazing Fire'. photos by Heather Hamilton Echibeckia 'Blazing Fire'. photos by Heather Hamilton](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108067.png)
![Echibeckia 'Sunbeat' Echibeckia 'Sunbeat'](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108068.png)
![Rudbeckia 'Toto Gold' Rudbeckia 'Toto Gold'](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108069.png)
- Author: Ben A Faber
Field Day at Pine Tree Ranch, Santa Paula
19455 E. Telegraph Road, Santa Paula,
Planting technique, Entomology, Pathology, New rootstocks/scions
Topics and Speakers
![avocado 40 year old scaffolded avocado 40 year old scaffolded](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/108315.jpg)
- Author: Pamela S Kan-Rice
UC ANR will be making additional travel support available for UC Cooperative Extension Specialists to collaborate directly with CE Advisors and REC Directors in FY 2024/25.
Each Specialist may apply for up to $2,000 for FY 2024/25 (travel reports must be submitted within 30 days of travel, and funds must be expended by June 30, 2025). These travel funds can only be used by CE Specialists and cannot be used for out-of-state travel. This funding is not provided for the purpose of presenting at or attending meetings.
In recognition of the importance of the partnership between UC ANR academics and Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) faculty, UC ANR will support travel by AES faculty to meet and work with UC ANR county-based or REC-based academics. Support is limited to $1,000 per AES faculty member, with a cap on the total pool of funds available set at $25,000 for FY 2024/25 (funds must be expended by June 30, 2025). Additional support may be available through the campuses; AES faculty should consult their departments or colleges to determine if additional support is available. Travel funds must be used by the AES faculty member for their own travel to plan and execute research or present research findings at meetings hosted by UC ANR academics.
UCCE Specialists and AES faculty can apply for travel support funding by completing an application through this short survey: https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=37624.
There is no deadline for applications, but travel funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and funding received must be expended in the Fiscal Year 2024/25. Any travel completed toward the end of the fiscal year must be submitted and approved within the fiscal year as no award will be carried forward.
Brent D. Hales
Associate Vice President
Fleas can be found on pets year-round, but populations tend to increase dramatically in spring and summer when temperatures are warmer. Larvae develop rapidly in areas where temperatures reach 70° to 90°F. Fleas are a major concern for pet owners as they can give dogs and cats tapeworms, but they can also transmit flea-borne typhus to people and spread plague to wild animals like ground squirrels. These blood-sucking pests can be introduced to backyards from feral cats, squirrels, opossums, and other wildlife.
To learn more about fleas, the diseases they can spread, and their management, check out the recording of UC IPM's Urban & Community IPM Webinar from June 2024 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-w7J6mkTeM. You'll hear from flea expert Dr. Laura Krueger of the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District on how you can protect yourself and pets from fleas.