U of M News Wire: April 19, 2007

 
 
University of Minnesota releases new ornamental grass

By Pauline Oo
U of M News Wire
 
In 1995, horticulturist Mary Meyer planted a selection of seeds from Benton County and 30 other Minnesota locations on the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus in St. Paul. Three years later, some superior individual plants were planted for further evaluation, and by 2004, one selection stood out. Blue Heaven, a new variety of little bluestem grass, is hitting garden centers this spring.
 
"I watched it [grow] in many sites and locations over 10 years," says Meyer, a horticulturist with the University of Minnesota Extension and a professor in the U's Department of Horticultural Science. "[Blue Heaven's] overall form, color and plant appearance is superior."
 
Ornamental grasses have been part of European and Asian gardens for centuries, but only in recent years have they become popular in the United States--largely because of their varied forms, colors and textures. Bluestem grasses, in particular, are one of the main group of native grasses on the Great Plains.
 
Meyer's prized Blue Heaven is taller and more upright than the typical little bluestem--a grass known for its tolerance for dry soil and full sun. It stands at 40 to 48 inches tall and doesn't fall down like some grasses tend to do, no matter the season.
 
Ornamental grasses at the University of Minnesota
The U's Landscape Arboretum has one of the one of the largest grass collections in the United States--more than 200 different ornamental and native species. Plants are evaluated for winter survival, flowering time, and self-seeding. A six-year (1987-1993) winter hardiness study of 165 ornamental grasses located at the Arboretum found 85 that can be grown successfully in Minnesota or USDA Zone 4a. Minimum annual temperatures during the study ranged from -20° to -30° F. These temperatures are typical of many states, ranging from Maine to Montana.
 
Blue Heaven's summer foliage is light blue, with flower stems appearing in late July and early August. By late August the plant begins to turn a dark burgundy and small, fluffy white flowers mushroom along its stems. Blue Heaven will slowly turn to tan and remain upright during the winter months.
 
With parents from central Minnesota (Benton County), where the average annual minimum winter temperatures are between -30 to -35 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA Hardiness Zone 3b), it's no wonder that Blue Heaven has winter hardy genes.
"Sandy soil is a good site for the little bluestem, although it will tolerate heavy clay soil," says Meyer. "Full sun is ideal, and fertilizer is not recommended. Water plants well the first month after planting, and then allow them to dry out between watering. After the first year, you should not need to water Blue Heaven."
 
 
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U of M graduate student’s creation gives people a unique way to send greetings

By Patty Mattern
U of M News Wire
 
No one knows how to send a unique greeting to friends better than University of Minnesota Institute of Technology graduate student Jesse Vig.
 
He has created a way to send greetings using buildings shaped like letters of the alphabet. Vig developed the Web site GeoGreeting.com that uses overhead, satellite images of letter-shaped buildings from Google Maps. Users can take those buildings and spell messages that they can e-mail to friends and family.
 
And for his creative efforts, his Web site has been nominated for the Best NetArt Web site of 2007. The winner will be announced May 1 and will be honored at the 11th annual Webby Awards June 5th at the Webby Awards Gala in New York City.
 
Vig started GeoGreeting.com for a class and never expected to receive international notoriety for the assignment.
 
“I had no expectation of people actually using the site, let alone being nominated for a Webby,” said Vig. “I just feel really fortunate that the site was recognized in this way.”
 
The Webby Award is the Internet’s most respected symbol of success, according to Webbyawards.com. The 2007 Webbys received more than 8,000 entries from 50 states and 60 countries. For each category there is a people’s choice award and anyone can vote at pv.webbyawards.com.
 

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Growing Concerns
A parenting question-and-answer column with Dr. Martha Erickson of the University of Minnesota


Question: My son often exchanges play dates with two boys from his preschool, brothers who are one year apart. On the rare occasion when only one of the boys comes over (for example, when the other was sick), everything goes well and the boys have a great time. But when both brothers come to play, there’s always trouble. I feel like if I invite one, I have to invite both, but it’s such a bother that I’m getting to the point where I don’t want to have either. Is there a graceful way out of this unpleasant situation?
 
Answer: I’d suggest you start by having an honest conversation with the boys’ parents, telling them what happens when both boys come over and enlisting their help to figure out a solution so that the friendship can continue. To balance the negative with the positive, be sure to tell the parents how well things go when only one boy comes over and acknowledge that having three children play together is more difficult than two. It also would be wise to ask the parents about how it goes when your son is at their house. Do they also find it difficult with a three boys? And do they have tips on how to help the boys play well together?
         
Then you have several options, short of cutting off the play dates altogether. One option is to have the brothers take turns coming over, assuming their parents would agree to that. But even before that, you might want to have them come together once more and try setting clearer limits and consequences for their behavior. Both you and their parents could tell them exactly what you expect, in language appropriate for their age. For example, in positive terms, you might say you expect them to share toys, talk nicely to each other, and save running and loud voices for outside. Tell them if they break any of those rules, you will give them one warning. If they break a rule a second time, you will take them home right away. Then be prepared to follow through on your promise. Doing so once will show them you mean business.
 
If you do have both boys come again, you also might want to arrange for their parents to call and check in an hour after they arrive -- and, of course, let the boys know that’s going to happen. Then make sure to notice when the boys are playing well together and following your rules of the house. Kids of all ages do best when we pay attention to the positive. And while you’re at it, be sure to let their parents know when they’re doing well. Pre-school children are in the early stages of learning social rules and expectations and they need all the help they can get from parents and other caring adults.