Imagine our surprise, when the odd evergreen vine, Kadsura longipedunculata began flowering for the first time last month. This woodland vine hails from Southern and Western China, where it’s prized for it’s medicinal uses. Reportedly, it is used to treat arthritis, cankers, digestive issues, infections, and as a perfume. This member of the Schisandraceae family
Looking spectacular in the garden this week is our specimen of the deciduous Viburnum sieboldii. This lovely plant from Central and Southern Japan, is named in honor of German physician/naturalist Phillip Franz von Siebold (1796-1866). My early attempts at growing this at JLBG were all failures, since this species isn’t known to be very heat
Burnum, Baby Burnum Read More »
It’s that time of year, where the parade of lycoris (surprise lilies) kicks into high gear. For us, flowering season begins in late June, and continues into October with a steady parade of cultivars. Lycoris flowering is trigged by the natural timing window, but increases after rain showers, and can be consequently be delayed during
Surprise time begins Read More »
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 »
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’.
