Pieris, a member of the Ericaceae family, have long been a shrub we love, but not one that has thrived in our sandy loam soils, and coastal climate. One cultivar of the popular Pieris japonica, which has thrived here is Pieris japonica ‘Dorothy Wyckoff’. This Pieris, was introduced in 1960 by the internationally acclaimed Henry
Pieris ‘Dorothy Wyckoff’ Read More »
We’ve tried many times to grow the common rock garden perennial, Cerastium tomentosum, commonly known as Snow in Summer. Its origin in the European Alps, has not exactly been a climate match for our hot, humid summers. A few years ago, we were excited to obtain seed from a Balkan native cerastium from Greek plantsman,
Snow in a Real Summer Read More »
Those of us of an advanced age remember the old, but ubiquitous 1950s/1960s television commercials from the late John Cameron Swayze, extolling the toughness of Timex watches. I have flashbacks to that tagline every time I look at our plants of Rhododendron ‘Elizabeth Ard’ (sold as Southgate Grace). Through the years, I’ve killed far more
Rhodies that Take a Lickin’ and Keep on Tickin’ Read More »
We’ve grown a number of herbal thymes through the years, and most either take over the garden or die in our hot, humid summer. One that has really impressed us recently is the wonderful Thymus neiceffii, known as Juniper leaf thyme. This native to the Balkan peninsula forms a ground-hugging silvery mat that looks very
What a Nice Thyme Read More »
Our acanthus in the garden are looking absolutely superb now. This clump of Acanthus ‘Morning Candle’ was particularly photo worthy with its 4′ tall flower spikes and shiny, lobed basal foliage. We find that very open light shade to a few hours of morning sun produces the best floral shows. Acanthus require little in the
Morning Candles that last for Days Read More »
In the plant world, plants of the genus Saxifraga, are lovingly referred to as sax’s. While we can’t grow any of the lovely alpine species, we have found a few that thrive here. Looking amazing in the garden now is the evergreen groundcover, Saxifraga stolonifera, as they have burst into flower. Who needs to see
We love a good Sax Read More »
I’ll admit that we enjoy busting horticultural myths, and one of our latest busts is that alpine gentians can’t be grown in the hot, humid south. Over the last few years, we’ve grown and planted several forms of the alpine native Gentiana angustifolia and Gentiana acaulis. We’ll, below is a recent photo from the garden,
Where Gentian’s fear to tread Read More »
Calanthe is a genus of 235 species of terrestrial orchids. For us, the foliage remains evergreen through the winter, unless the winter temperatures are severe. We are still testing to find how many species are winter hardy here in Zone 7b. We have so enjoyed their amazing show over the last few weeks. Here are
Craving Calanthes Read More »
If you don’t grow Magnolia ‘Serendipity’ and live from Zone 7b south, I hope you’ll check this out. This amazing JC Raulston Arboretum introduction is a seedling they named from a cross made by Camellia breeder, Bobby Green of Alabama. The number of fragrant creamy-yellow flowers in late April to early May is truly unimaginable.
Serendipitous Behavior Read More »
While many of us grow hardy orchids, there aren’t many that grow so well you can share plants with your garden friends. Bletillas aren’t just one of the easiest orchids to grow, they’re also one of the most vigorous. Below are our field production beds now, before plants are dug and potted. Many sites still
Bletilla – The Friendship Orchid Read More »
