From Ditch Lilies to Showstoppers: Growing Daylilies in North Carolina
Our loyal Weekend Gardener listener and friend Steve is the pot master of the universe when it comes to daylilies (Hemerocallis). You may have heard them referred to as “ditch lilies. These perennials originated in China. I must say though, they just love the climate here in North Carolina. There are over 60-thousand varieties with lots of colors from pale yellow to pink to lavender to maroon. They are extremely popular in North Carolina and there are active daylily clubs all over the state including Raleigh. Our friend Steve’s club meets at the Ralston Arboretum. Once upon a time Rufus entered a daylily from his landscape in the club’s marvelous show and won a blue ribbon. You would have thought he had been handed the Nobel prize.… Continue Reading
Meet Illicium: A Shade-Loving Shrub with Personality
I can remember a time when there were few shade-loving shrubs from which to choose for the North Carolina landscape. In the early years of the “Weekend Gardener,” Erv Evans or those who filled in for him, would primarily recommend: acubas, rhododendrons, azaleas, or hydrangeas. Now there are a plethora of woody plants for the darker areas of your yard. What I am building up to is the world of Illiciums or Illicium parviflorum, illicium floridanum and illicium parviflorum anise shrubs. The leaves of this species have a distinctively pleasant scent when crushed. Most people say it smells like licorice, which is not my favorite. However, I do think it has a unique fragrance. The flowers of the floridanum have another distinctive attribute. They are pretty, a red to maroon color with a raw fishy fragrance. Some say it smells like a wet dog. This odor is not apparent unless the flower is right up to your nose. The plant usually blooms in April and May.… Continue Reading
Matt Murphy Interviews Jeremy Piven
Jeremy Piven talks with Matt Murphy about passing on a big role on The Office, dating, and stand-up comedy. Jeremy Piven is at Raleigh Improv in Cary, NC on May 2nd and 3rd.… Continue Reading
Why the ninebark shrub deserves a spot in your garden
How many of you have ever heard of the Ninebark shrub or Physocarpus opulifolius for those of you who like to get technical? I hadn’t until recently! Since then I have learned that the Ninebark is also referred to in horticulture circles as Common Ninebark, Atlantic Ninebark, or Eastern Ninebark and is native to the eastern United States including North Carolina. Most frequently seen growing in the mountains and foothills of North Carolina, but seen less often in the central part of the state. It seems to like rocky hillsides and slopes near rivers. You won’t find ninebark growing very much in eastern North Carolina.… Continue Reading
Listen to Win Cage The Elephant Tickets
Get excited! 🔥 Cage The Elephant is heading to the Coastal Credit Union Music Park in Raleigh on Saturday, August 3rd, with special guests Young The Giant and Bakar for the “Neon Pill Tour!” Listen every day this week just after 7 a.m. for your chance to win a pair of tickets to the show!… Continue Reading
The New Pulse FM’s Cupid!
Cupid will be delivering things like flowers, chocolates, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Burney’s Sweets, and passes to Cupid’s Nightmare Haunted Trail! The New Pulse FM wants to make sure our listeners get something special at work on Valentine’s Day! That’s why Matt Murphy…. Err… The New Pulse FM’s Cupid will be out delivering Valentine’s Day goodies…… Continue Reading
Furry Friday: Meet Paula!
Paula is such a good girl! She picks up on your cues and requests quickly and loves a good treat so she aims to please to receive them! She can be a little vocal in the kennel until you go in to greet her, but ask a volunteer if they can take her outside to…… Continue Reading
Matt Murphy Interviews Elena Ricardo and Tim Rogan “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”
North Carolina Theatre presents “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium in the Martin Marietta Center October 10-15. Tickets are on sale now at nctheatre.com. KIX 102FM’s Shack and The New Pulse FM’s Matt Murphy sat down with the stars of the show, Elena Ricardo and Tim Rogan, to talk about the production and how…… Continue Reading
Furry Friday: Meet Layla!
Meet Layla, the fabulous five-year-old dynamo who’s ready to bring a whirlwind of energy and excitement into your life! This pupper’s enthusiasm is off the charts, and when it comes to playtime, she’s like a canine tornado in action. While Layla might not be a fan of the feline persuasion or other four-legged pals, she’s…… Continue Reading