Looking great in the garden now is Stokesia laevis ‘Peachie’s Pick’. This incredible selection of our native Stokes aster was discovered as a seedling in the Mississippi garden of gardener/floral designer, Sara “Peachie” Saxon, and in 2001, it was introduced to the commercial trade by the former Niche Gardens of North Carolina. Stokes aster is
The Season for Peachie Read More »
One of the lovely surprises from the aroid collections of the late Alan Galloway, has been the winter hardiness of the “tropical” Arisaema nonghinense. This little-known jack-in-the-pulpit, which was only named in 2014, endemic from 1,500-1,800′ elevation in the Nong Hi district in Thailand’s Loei Province. For those who don’t know Thailand, it’s the last
One plant that I’ve tried to grow for decades are the cotton grasses of the genus, Eriophorum. Actually, fourteen of the sixteen recognized species of bog denizens are North American natives. but all but Eriophorum virginicum are native so far north, they have little heat tolerance, as our trials have shown. Some species are tight
Cotton Grass…Fluffy, not Stuffy Read More »
I’ve spent the last 60+ years tromping through woodlands across the Eastern US, from Maine to Florida, and west to Texas, and have looked at more Christmas ferns (Polystichum acrostichoides) than you can imagine. Being a diversity freak, I am always looking for odd forms, which are surprisingly rare for this species. I could count
All I want for Christmas is a new Christmas Fern Read More »
Sabal ‘DeFuniak’ is a mystery palm, first spotted years ago, in the town of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, as an oddity and potential hybrid. Palm experts agree that the trunk looks like Sabal bermudana, while the foliage more closely resembles Sabal minor var. louisiana. Our first Sabal ‘DeFuniak’ plants are currently flowering this year at 5
Deciphering Defuniak Read More »
Looking cute as a proverbial button for the last few months is Pratia angulata, a plant whose recent name change has moved it into the genus, Lobelia, as Lobelia angulata. It is one of a very small number of plants we can grow here, that are native to New Zealand and the Chatham Islands. In
A Parade of the Plant, Formerly Known as Pratia Read More »
We’ve been trialing two very exciting new groundcovers, a spreading, gold-foliaged mondo grass (Ophiopogon), and a gold-foliage monkey grass (Liriope). Both are currently scheduled to be 2026 Plant Delights releases. While both plants will tolerate light shade, they are much more vigorous, and maintain their foliage color better in half day sun. Liriope minor ‘Gotemba
Monkeying Around with Gold Read More »
In full flower now is our patch of Agapanthus ‘Ever Amethyst’, from the agapanthus kings, De Wet agapanthus breeders in South Africa. This has been an exceptional performer in our trials. For us, agapanthus flower after the spring floral flush, and before the summer flowering plants begin, providing a great early summer filler. We will
Amazingly Amethyst Read More »
One of the truly fabulous Southeast natives, that is completely unknown to gardeners, is the amazing Trautvetteria nervata. The genus, Trautvetteria, a member of the Ranunculus family, is already poorly known. Even the comprehensive Kew Gardens database makes a mess of the species list. Trautvetteria nervata, a coastal plain denizen of only a few counties
Trautvetteria – Queen of the Swamp Read More »
I thought I’d share the view from our home kitchen table, where Anita and I enjoy dinner. The house was designed so that the garden view was integrated into the home. Our JLBG staff do an amazing job of keeping the garden maintained. As is the case throughout our entire property, plants are installed on
