Lactuca canadensis ( Tall Lettuce )

Characteristics

Cultivar:	n/a
Family:	Compositae
Size:	Height: 2 ft. to 6 ft. Width: 0.67 ft. to 1.67 ft.
Plant Category:	annuals and biennials,
Plant Characteristics:	low maintenance, spreading,
Foliage Characteristics:
Foliage Color:	green, red to burgundy,
Flower Characteristics:	erect,
Flower Color:	oranges, yellows,
Tolerances:

Requirements

Bloomtime Range:	Late Spring to Early Fall
USDA Hardiness Zone:	5 to 11
AHS Heat Zone:	Not defined for this plant
Light Range:	Shade to Full Sun
pH Range:	5 to 8
Soil Range:	Mostly Sand to Mostly Clay
Water Range:	Dry to Moist

Plant Care

Fertilizing

Light

Watering

Planting

Problems

Weeds : Preventing Weeds and Grass

Weeds rob your plants of water, nutrients and light. They can harbor pests and diseases. Before planting, remove weeds either by hand or by spraying an herbicide according to label directions. Another alternative is to lay plastic over the area for a couple of months to kill grass and weeds.

You may apply a pre-emergent herbicide prior to planting, but be sure that it is labeled for the plants you are wishing to grow. Existing beds may be spot sprayed with a nonselective herbicide, but be careful to shield those plants you do not want to kill. Non-selective means that it will kill everything it comes in contact with.

Mulch plants with a 3 inch layer of pinestraw, pulverized bark, or compost. Mulch conserves moisture, keeps weeds down, and makes it easier to pull when necessary.

Porous landscape or open weave fabric works too, allowing air and water to be exchanged.

Miscellaneous

Glossary : Naturalizing

Naturalizing refers to planting in a random pattern, much as itwould occur in nature. If you spend any time in the woods, you've probably noticed that plants often grow in groups. The center of the group is dense and towards the edges, plants are located farther apart. Narcissus bulbs are easy to naturalize if you use this method: fill a bucket with bulbs and toss them out. Plant them where they fall. You will notice a portion of the bulbs are close together while the others have scattered farther away.

Glossary : Biennial

Biennial is a plant that takes two growing seasons to produce flowers and fruit. The first growing season, the plant stays in a rosette form, producing mainly foliage and roots. The second growing season the plant bolts, producing flowers and fruits or seeds.

Glossary : Herbaceous

Herbaceous refers to a non-woody plant that dies back at the end of its growing season, generally after frost or during the fall of the year. The rootstock of perennials will overwinter, providing the plant is hardy in that area, and resume growth in the spring.