These plants are warm-season grasses that really take off in the early part of June and end up providing an interesting architectural feature in the garden and containers. The foliage is quite sturdy and grows in clumps with green, upright cylindrical stems coming from the basal area. Rushes prefer full sun but will also tolerate light shade. Most rushes are annuals in our area; however, a few cultivars have been known to overwinter. Rushes do quite well in wet areas and tend to prefer this location. However, if a flower bed is irrigated periodically, rushes will do quite well. They flourish in containers and provide a nice centerpiece.

Mums are the plant that most people think of when it comes to the fall perennial garden. These colorful plants come in a wide variety of colors including yellow, white, pink, purple, burgundy and maroon. They grow best in full sun and prefer well-drained soils. Many people have trouble getting these plants to overwinter. Some find better luck with planting in the spring, selecting varieties that are known to overwinter in their area, and providing additional winter protection with mulch. One of the most important things if they are planted in the fall is to be sure to water them as often as they need it. Once the blooms finish, some tend to forget that the roots continue to grow and need water to become fully established. In addition, mulch them after the ground freezes to prevent heaving from freezing and thawing. Don't cut the foliage back until next spring.

Jimsonweed is an annual herb which grows up to 5' tall. It has pale-green to purple stems with spreading branches. Its leaves are ovate and coarsely serrated, and 3-8" long. Jimsonweed's flowers are white or purple with a 5-pointed corolla up to 4" long and set on short stalks in the axils of branches. Seeds are contained in a hard, spiny capsule, about 2" in diameter, which splits lengthwise into four parts when ripe.

Jimsonweed is distributed worldwide. It grows in cultivated fields where it can be a major weed in soybeans. Jimsonweed is common on overgrazed pastures, barnyards, and waste land preferring rich soils.

Jimsonweed poisoning occurs in most domesticated production animals: cattle, goats, horses, sheep, swine, and poultry. Human poisoning occurs more frequently than livestock poisoning making jimsonweed unusual among most poisonous plants. Leaves and seeds are the usual source of poisoning, but are rarely eaten do to its strong odor and unpleasant taste. Poisoning can occur when hungry animals are on sparse pasture with Jimsonweed infestation. Most animal poisoning results from feed contamination. Jimsonweed can be harvested with hay or silage, and subsequently poisoning occurs upon feeding the forage. Seeds can contaminate grains and is the most common poisoning which occurs in chickens.