I’m just back from speaking to the Western NC Master Gardener Symposium…always a great time chatting with MG groups. While in Asheville, I dropped by to finally visit our friends Matt and Tim Nichols…the owners of Mr. Maple mail order nursery in East Flat Rock, NC. It just happened that the PBS show, Growing a
Visit to Mr. Maple Read More »
Salvia leucantha has had quite a run in the garden this fall…we do love this plant. Dry soils in winter are the key to overwintering it in the ground in marginal climates like here in Zone 7b.
Salvia leucantha in full splendor Read More »
For over a month, Cuphea micropetala has been simply glorious with its Halloween colored flowers. Hardy for us, it can be used as a container specimen as long as you move it indoors before a freeze. For us, it dies to the ground after a hard freeze, but returns stronger each year here in Zone
Cuphea micropetala – Halloween flowers for fall Read More »
Congratulations to NC plantsman and friend Doug Ruhren, who was just named the new Gardens Manager for the JC Raulston Arboretum. Doug has volunteered in the perennial border at the arboretum for nearly 30 years, among full-time stints at Chatwood Camellia Gardens, Montrose, Daniel Stowe Botanic Garden, and the American Camellia Society headquarters. As an
JC Raulston Arboretum – New Gardens Manager Read More »
If you grow many plants from seed, you already know the chance of finding variegated offspring is actually fairly good..if you have a detailed eye. Most variegates have little if any commercial value, other than to crazy plant collectors, who will gladly trade their first born for a start. Still, it’s always exciting when these
Variegated magnolia and mahonia Read More »
While Lycoris x squamigera is one of the first surprise lily to flower each summer, Lycoris x caldwellii (Lycoris chinensis x longituba) is one of the last, usually in early to mid September in NC. With the popularity of Lycoris x squamigera in gardens through the upper midwest, it is quite shocking not to find the
Lycoris surprise – the late season Read More »
We are very excited to add four brand new Helleborus niger hybrids (bred with Helleborus x hybridus) to our fall on-line catalog. These are sisters to the wildly popular Helleborus ‘Anna’s Red’ and ‘Penny’s Pink’, all with outfacing flowers, incredible silver-veined foliage, and no seed. Our supplies of each are very limited. Helleborus ‘Cheryl’s Shine’
New sterile hybrid hellebores for fall – sneak peek Read More »
We were thrilled to welcome Raleigh based Treecology firm, Leaf and Limb for a volunteer workday at Juniper Level Botanic Gardens (JLBG) recently. Almost 30 team members showed up with tree equipment to help with pruning, and some woodland canopy opening. These volunteer work days are also used as a training opportunity for newer
Lovin’ Leaf and Limb Read More »
Foxtrot – “a dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements” – Wikipedia. Pennisetum ‘Foxtrot’ – I’ve long loved this splendid fountain grass, but somehow never managed to remember to stop and take a good photo…until now. We like it so much, we planted a big mass around our new home. These were planted as 1 quart pots
Foxtrot in the Garden Read More »
