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When I first smelled a banana shrub (Magnolia figo) in bloom in a friend’s garden, I began an immediate search for one to add to my garden. Sometimes we humans, as enthralled as we become with fragrant plants, forget that they do not produce scents just to please our sense of smell. Scent serves an important biological function for plants by attracting pollinating creatures that are necessary for the survival of the species.
Every day people send perfectly good natural insecticides and soil amendments to the landfill. Many of them are not gardeners and don’t really realize the gold they’re throwing away, but some of them are gardeners who just have not yet discovered the beneficial properties contained in kitchen wastes. I, too, was a doubting Thomas until solid evidence made me a believer.
Nigella is one of my favorite biennials. Most people call it Love-in-a-Mist, but others refer to it as “Devil in the Bush.” I cannot imagine why this comely flower would be called such an uncomely name. For me, the first appellation is much more fitting. In spring its misty loveliness graces gardens throughout the country and beyond.
Sweet olive (Osmanthus fragrans, Zones 8-10) is one of the horticultural treasures that Southerners enjoy in their gardens. We have only to step outside in late winter or early spring when the sweet olive blooms to detect its heady scent wafting on the air. For those of us who enjoy fragrance in the garden and live in regions with mild winters, the sweet olive is a “must have” plant.
Arbutus unedo (ar-BYOO-tus YOO-nee-doe), sometimes called strawberry tree or cane apple, is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen small tree or large shrub. As a member of the Ericaceae (heath) family, it claims such relatives as blueberry and azalea. A number of attributes make it a great selection for landscapes within its hardiness range.
Some people might be led to believe that the Confederate rose is a rose that is native to the South. It is, in fact, a hibiscus that hails from China. Fortunately, the Confederate rose found a friendly climate in the South. With fall comes remarkable flowers that change color almost by the hour. We gardeners of the South are proud to adopt the Confederate rose as one of our own.
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) has only recently become a popular houseplant. It was not until 1999 the Florida growers started production of this unusual plant. It caught on quickly, though, and in 2002 was named the indoor foliage plant of the year by the Florida Nurserymen’s and Growers’ Association. Needless to say, it caught on quickly.
Euonymus americana goes by several common names, including American strawberry-bush, hearts-a-burstin’, and bursting heart. Regardless of which name you call it, this plant is a choice selection for shady areas in native and wildlife gardens.
Gardeners are ready to get back out in the garden during the fall of the year. The weather has moderated, and many plants are at their best during this season. With just a bit of thought and preparation, the fall garden will rival the newness and beauty of the spring garden.
Bluestars (Amsonia spp.) are clump-forming herbaceous perennials. About 22 species exist according to some experts, and many of them have potential for garden use. Most are native to North America, but a few hail from Europe, Korea, Turkey, and China. An internet search reveals that less than half that number can be found in the trade, but those that are available are superb additions to the garden.
The hibiscus-like flowers of Althaea figure prominently in my childhood memories of pretty flowers. Granny grew two kinds at the foot of her back doorsteps. Thomas Jefferson admired them, as well, and collected as many different kinds as he could find to grow at Monticello. These old-fashioned flowering shrubs are no less popular today than they were then.
Strolling through the woods and around the neighborhood on a beautiful spring day is a popular activity. Strollers delight in the mild weather and in the new flowers and emerging green foliage of deciduous shrubs and trees. Not the least among the attractions is our native grancy gray-beard that graces landscapes and woodlands in many parts of the United States.
Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) have changed significantly in the past few years. While the big, blowsy flowers have always stolen the show in May and June, gardeners intent on having hydrangeas in their gardens can now select types that bloom throughout the summer.
Every summer during my childhood, my family and I picked what I always believed were huckleberries. They were the main ingredient in many tasty dumplings, cobblers, pies, pancakes, and jellies. I have since learned, however, that what we thought were huckleberries were actually blueberries. We were not the only ones confused about their identity.
Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) is one of our small, native plant treasures. As our sensibilities mature (along with the rest of our bodies), we become more appreciative of little things that add to the quality of our lives. We take time to see the spring violets, the trilliums, and a hundred other small beauties that we may not have noticed during our earlier years.
Have you been looking for something different for your garden? How about a plant that is very fine-textured and almost fernlike, and which arches gracefully from branched, upright stems? How about soft mounds of billowy foliage that wave freely with the slightest breeze? If this sounds like something you might like, then bamboo muhly (Muhlenbergia dumosa) is an ornamental grass that deserves your consideration.
Once in a while a flower grabs the gardener’s attention and screams, “Buy me, buy me!” That’s the way the glory lily did me when I saw its picture on a bulb bin at a garden center one spring several years ago. I’ve never regretted the demand, for the flowers delight me with glorious blooms every summer.
Aspidistra has been with us so long that we tend to look upon it as one of our own. Introduced into the United States in 1824, it was immediately embraced as a fitting specimen in smoky barrooms and Victorian parlors. It is no less popular today as gardeners are quick to note its cast iron constitution.
Several years ago my class of 6th graders and I noticed a raised brick planter behind the cafeteria. It was in a highly visible area where buses loaded and unloaded and where parents came to pick up their children at all hours of the day. The planter was filled with weeds. It had not held any flowers or anything attractive for years. We decided to do something about this eyesore.
The Deep South Region (DSR) of National Garden Clubs (NGC) held its first ever Standard Flower Show in Huntsville, Alabama, in March. Participating were designers and gardeners from the six-state region, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana. The competition was keen and the spirit high as club members throughout the region placed their entries.
Those who open their gardens to the public have a right to expect visitors to be on their best behavior, and most guests are very well mannered. Sometimes, though, situations arise that cause concern. Knowing about these unexpected situations and being prepared with a solution can save the day. Conversely, if you are a guest to someone else’s garden, follow the rules of garden tour etiquette very closely .
Some plants prove themselves in the landscape. They do so by performing in an exceptional manner over the long haul. Such traits as attractive flowers throughout the summer, low maintenance requirements, and other desirable characteristics combine to make these plants high performers in the landscape. Society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) is one such plant.
Particularly prominent in my childhood memories are flower-picking excursions on the first warm days of spring. Mother delighted my sisters and me when she suggested a trip into the woods to pick honeysuckle. We didn’t know that they were really native azaleas, and we certainly had never heard such words as Rhododendron canescens. Nevertheless, these intoxicatingly fragrant flowers evoke fond memories every spring when they bloom in woods and landscapes throughout the South.
Gardeners take delight in growing plants. Opportunities to show their most beautiful specimens to the public are offered at Standard Flower Shows. Not only are these events showcases for beautifully grown horticulture; they are also educational forums that the public can access to determine what kinds of plants can be grown in their own gardens. Read on to learn more about the Horticulture Division of a Standard Flower Show.
Many gardeners believe that orchids are specialty plants that can’t be grown by inexperienced gardeners, especially under ordinary garden culture. It is true that many orchids have growing requirements that many of us cannot or choose not to provide, but the hardy ground orchid is not one of them. This hardy perennial requires no special coddling and is easy enough for beginners, provided a few basic requirements are met.
The Standard Flower Show gives gardeners a chance to show what they grow. Find out about flower shows in your neck of the woods to see if opportunities exist to share your successes with others.
My childhood was rich in many ways, but in other ways it was very difficult. Times were hard, and the whole family worked long, hard hours just to supply the necessities of life. One year a very special aunt held an Easter celebration, the memory of which holds a special place in my heart. The letter that follows expresses my appreciation to this aunt, who added so much gladness to the heart of a child. .
The term, “Standard Flower Show” is the official title of a flower show conforming to standards established by National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC). The purposes of a Standard Flower Show as outlined by NGC are to educate club members and the viewing public, to stimulate interest in horticulture and floral design, to provide an outlet for creative expression, and to convey to the community the objectives of NGC.
I remember a day last June when Amiable Spouse and I were visiting brother Ronald, who had just purchased a fantastic piece of land just south of Jackson, Mississippi. The fellows were scouting the property, and we girls were reminiscing and cooking up some favorite family recipes. In the midst of it all, Ronald brought a wildflower that he found on the property for me to identify.
Many people have preconceived notions about groups of people. For years, I imagined that garden clubs were nothing more than groups of prissy ladies who wore hats and gloves to their monthly tea parties. I had no idea that they were enterprising women who had serious agendas and who have made major contributions to the health and beauty of our planet. I learned the truth when I became one of them.
Henry Mitchell is my favorite author of gardening books. His books stay on the table beside my favorite chair ready to pick up and read whenever I tire of working in the garden or writing about it. Every time I read a bit from his books, I am delighted. His opinionated gardening tales are not only informative and entertaining, but they capture the very essence of what gardening is all about.
Gardeners are quick to write and tell about their garden successes. It may be that less experienced gardeners read our blathering and conclude that we never make mistakes. I want to reassure everyone that the road to a beautiful garden is paved with failures. Certainly we have some successes along the way, but mistakes are sprinkled in here and there. Together they are the building blocks from which a growing and constantly changing garden emerges.
Choosing a tree for the landscape seems like a game of chance for many people. We see a tree that we think is beautiful, and we become single-minded in our pursuit of it. Sometimes we forget to find out all we can about plants before adding them to our landscapes—often with less than pleasing results.
Kumquats are sometimes referred to as “the little gems of the citrus family.” It is easy to see why the trees are so prized. Tangy fruits, fragrant flowers, and glossy, evergreen foliage make them a year-round standout in the garden. Gardeners who live outside its hardiness range can grow the small trees in containers and move them to protected places during the winter.
Folks who were born and raised in the South enjoy foods and recipes that have been passed down by generations of their kin. Most of these recipes are not written down, but certain techniques and Dixie wisdom are necessary for their success. If you hanker for a fresh mess of greens doused with pepper sauce, accompanied by crispy cornbread and wilted mustard salad, but are unsure how to prepare them, read on.
Does coral bean (Erythrina herbacea) deserve a place in your garden? The fact that it is beautiful is unchallenged. Its attractiveness to hummingbirds and butterflies is well documented. However, its beans are very poisonous. The leaves and stems have prickles, and sharp, recurved spines arm the stems. Decide for yourself whether or not the coral bean would be a good addition to your landscape.
Years ago my brothers carried a seed of red buckeye in their pockets for luck. Most folks would argue that such a practice would have no impact on a person’s luck. Other people realize that my brothers’ outlooks on life were more positive simply because they spent time in the woods. Having the seed in their pockets conjured up pleasant memories of the woods and nature that helped them to see their cups half-full.
Sage was an important part of my childhood experiences, but I had little appreciation that it was used for anything other than seasoning sausages and hogshead cheese. Today I grow it in my herb garden and use often. As a matter of fact, sage is an ancient herb that has been used for centuries, not only for seasoning, but for its medicinal properties, as well.
All winter, flowering quince has been sitting in its corner, its spiny tangled mass of branches nondescript. Then, one day in early spring, the fairy godmother of the garden waves her magic wand. Bright flowers emerge from the leafless stems against a barren winter landscape, and flowering quince becomes the Cinderella of the garden.
