Category Archives: Featured
'Naked lady' spider lilies bring surprise blooms
By MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend Gardener Every regular co-host on the WPTF Weekend Gardener has discussed with delight, at one time or another, the attributes of the "naked lady" spider lily or Lycoris rad...
Aug 17, 2025
Lantana: The sun-loving, pollinator-friendly powerhouse
By MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend GardenerI have grown to love lantana. I never really had anything against it. It’s just the fact I haven’t had a lot of sun areas in my landscape and lantana can...
Jul 30, 2025
Lantana: The sun-loving, pollinator-friendly powerhouse
By MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend Gardener I have grown to love lantana. I never really had anything against it. It's just the fact I haven't had a lot of sun areas in my landscape and lantana can take up a ...
Jul 30, 2025
Crocosmia: From Sweet Melissa's grandparents to your garden
MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend Gardener We have enjoyed growing the very colorful Crocosmia-"montbretia" or "Coppertips"- a summer-blooming flower that reminds me of a miniature gladiola. Crocosmia grows fro...
Jul 26, 2025
Black-Eyed Susan: A Cheerful Bloom From North Carolina to Norway
MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend GardenerMelissa and I just returned from a trip to Norway where we traveled as far north as Myrdal, which is 3,000 feet above sea level and about 350 miles south of the Arctic ...
Jul 16, 2025
Serviceberry: A little-known native tree that birds (and gardeners) love
By MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend GardenerRALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Many years ago, my family and I were visiting relatives in Ohio in early April. On the way back home it snowed, although it did not stic...
Jul 01, 2025
UNC 2025 Football Schedule
WPTF proudly offers season-long coverage of all UNC Tar Heel football games. Tune into WPTF for play-by-play coverage from WPTF and the Tar Heel Sports Network. DateTimeAtOpponentLocationSep. 1 (Mon.)...
Jun 10, 2025
From Ditch Lilies to Showstoppers: Growing Daylilies in North Carolina
By MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend GardenerOur 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...
Jun 08, 2025
Why the ninebark shrub deserves a spot in your garden
By MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend GardenerHow 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 ha...
Apr 29, 2025
What stores are open on Thanksgiving? Not many since most stay closed to prepare for Black Friday
By MATT OTT AP Business Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - With Thanksgiving and the formal launch of the holiday shopping season, Americans will again be consumed with the annual trifecta of turkey, travel and...
Nov 27, 2024