Category Archives: Featured
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 GardenerWe have enjoyed growing the very colorful Crocosmia-"montbretia" or "Coppertips"- a summer-blooming flower that reminds me of a miniature gladiola. Crocosmia grows from...
Jul 26, 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
Shack Interviews Lawrence Gowan of Styx
Shack caught up with Styx keyboardist and vocalist Lawrence Gowan prior to their show at Coastal Credit Union Music Park July 9th. It'll be Styx, The Kevin Cronin Band (former lead vocalist of REO Spe...
Jul 03, 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
KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Colman!
Meet Colman! He's an all-around good boy, tennis ball enthusiast, and your future best friend.Colman is a 10-year-old hound mix with a heart full of love and a mouth full of tennis balls (seriously - ...
May 06, 2025
KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Graciela!
Meet Graciela, the social butterfly with tiger stripes! Graciela is an eight-month-old beauty with striking stripes and a heart full of curiosity! This outgoing girl is always ready to greet you with ...
Apr 30, 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