In flower now at JLBG is the fascinating tree, Firmiana simplex. This odd Chinese/Taiwan/Japan native, with smooth green-striped bark, produces these fascinating flowers that mature to seed receptacles which resemble three-part umbrellas with lots of heads (seed) underneath. This odd tree is currently a member of the Malvaceae family, making it a cousin to hibiscus,
The Tree of Parasols Read More »
Last weekend, Anita and I watched as one of our indoor cats, Jake, was glued to the glass door as a common box turtle sauntered, seemingly purposely down our 50′ long sidewalk and toward the door. It (he?/she?) finally stopped just a few feet short of the door, where it just sat and stared, with
How many gardeners have grown a Malgas lily? Our guess is, very few. This beauty, whose real name is Ammocharis longifolia, is an Amaryllid (cousin of the commonly grown genus, Hippeastrum). This is the first time that this summer-flowering species has bloomed for us, adding another member of the genus that thrives here, in addition
Colocasia ‘Redemption’ is looking rather exceptional in the garden now. We are thrilled to be able to offer Brian Williams’ amazing elephant ear introduction. If you’d like a little pizzaz in your summer garden, this is for you.
Lookin’ for Redemption Read More »
Cryptomeria japonica ‘Champagne’ is a lovely, but little-known selection of Japanese cedar. This gem was discovered by David Parks of Camellia Forest Nursery at the now defunct, Yadkin Valley Nursery in Yadkinville, NC, as a dwarf sport of Cryptomeria ‘Knaptonensis’. It was later named by Brie Arthur, and introduce by Camellia Forest Nursery. Our 9
A Toast to Champagne Read More »
Looking lovely in the garden now is one of our favorites, the variegated form of our native inland sea oats, Chasmanthium latifolium ‘River Mist’. This 2010 introduction is from our friends at ItSaul Plants of Georgia. It thrives for us in the end of a pitcher plant bog, although it’s also fine in much drier
How could you not love a plant that can put on a show like this for months on end during the heat of the summer? So, why is is that so few people grow the amazing Euphorbia corollata? This amazing perennial is native to most every county east of the Mississippi River, even extending it
The Little Euphorbia that Could Read More »
Flowering now in the garden is the lovely, variegated-leaf tiger lily, Lilium lancifolium ‘Fukurin Fu’.
Many years ago, US National Arboretum plant breeder, Don Egolf (1928-1990) embarked on a crape myrtle breeding program, combining the hardiness, and dark bark of the white-flowered Japanese Lagerostroemia faurei with the commonly grown Lagerostroemia indica, with its more colorful flowers. Most of the crape myrtles in the market today named after “Native American” tribes,
Dazzling Sweetheart Read More »
We had to share a recent photo of the amazing Arundo donax ‘Peppermint Stick’. This is a classic “Go Big or Go Home” ornamental grass is for those who have a large enough garden. This stunning European native is best known as the source of fiber to make reeds for wood instruments. We love it
This Peppermint Stick takes a lickin’ and keeps on ticking Read More »
