tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59769842973182730092024-03-05T11:38:04.113-05:00Gardening Shady StyleGardening Shady Style is all about creating a beautiful garden with rare and unusual plants. Shady Gardens Nursery provides Native Plants, Rare Plants, and Old-Fashioned Plants for a beautiful garden year round.Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.comBlogger252125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-51059553212650827642020-06-21T15:21:00.001-04:002020-06-21T15:29:23.620-04:00June Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Oakleaf Hydrangea<div><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xc5dP7EiN0E/Xtqs7Rmt4KI/AAAAAAAADQY/zyMtkd4Ys40kHz-h-8Hb5MzVDdk6BA78gCK4BGAsYHg/s960/Hydrangea%2Bquercifolia%2Bspecies%2BShady%2BGardens%2BNursery.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xc5dP7EiN0E/Xtqs7Rmt4KI/AAAAAAAADQY/zyMtkd4Ys40kHz-h-8Hb5MzVDdk6BA78gCK4BGAsYHg/s320/Hydrangea%2Bquercifolia%2Bspecies%2BShady%2BGardens%2BNursery.jpg" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;">This time of year our garden is always bursting with blooms, but this year has been a little different. Due to a very mild winter, everything bloomed much earlier than usual. Plants that normally cover themselves with blooms in June began blooming in May. Oakleaf Hydrangeas are particularly beautiful this year. I believe they all have a bloom cluster at the end of each and every stem. </span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;">I have never seen the species Hydrangea quercifolia in my garden so beautiful as they are now. I dug these from my brother's property in Beulah, Alabama.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WdaZZYz_Wg/XtqtOHyJfWI/AAAAAAAADQw/8PVevKMJ7-YiCj7N_SG7mY4lwL-1D1CXQCK4BGAsYHg/s960/Hydrangea%2Bquercifolia%2BSnowflake%2BShady%2BGardens%2BNursery.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WdaZZYz_Wg/XtqtOHyJfWI/AAAAAAAADQw/8PVevKMJ7-YiCj7N_SG7mY4lwL-1D1CXQCK4BGAsYHg/w375-h500/Hydrangea%2Bquercifolia%2BSnowflake%2BShady%2BGardens%2BNursery.jpg" width="375" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;">Snowflake
Hydrangea is gorgeous with its pure white double bloom clusters. This
plant always reminds me of my good friend Laura who was with me when
I purchased it. Laura suffered from cancer that was overtaking her body. Time spent with her was precious. We spent the day touring Wilkerson Mill Gardens in the little town of Chattahoochee Mills, Georgia. The kids loved it, as did we. We bought several plants that day, which have thrived in our garden. So if you get a chance to see the garden and nursery there, I highly recommend it. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jMrAlvTAFag/XtqtYxT9jRI/AAAAAAAADQ8/K98DDg8F7FoqUE2Nly-_dGwCXwmIeBAAgCK4BGAsYHg/s2592/H%2Bquercifolia%2BAlice%2BBloom%2BShady%2BGardens%2BNursery%2BMay%2B2015.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1936" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jMrAlvTAFag/XtqtYxT9jRI/AAAAAAAADQ8/K98DDg8F7FoqUE2Nly-_dGwCXwmIeBAAgCK4BGAsYHg/w299-h400/H%2Bquercifolia%2BAlice%2BBloom%2BShady%2BGardens%2BNursery%2BMay%2B2015.JPG" width="299" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;">Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice' has sprawled all over the place and will have to be cut back for rejuvenation. However, her blooms are large and fragrant. The fragrance was a surprise to me, but now I understand why the bees love Alice Hydrangea so much.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"><br /> <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-33109081709273397482020-01-07T13:53:00.007-05:002022-11-06T14:24:48.722-05:00January Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Leatherleaf Mahonia<a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/6232865/?claim=nu8bjzw5eya">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a><br />
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<b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Bright yellow bloom spikes atop Mahonia provide winter nectar for pollinators which are buzzing around this holly-like evergreen from China. Every year, I look forward to seeing these bright flowers open in the middle of a cold winter. Bloom time for the mahonia is dependent on the temperatures we are having any given winter. I have seen them open as early as December, but usually the blooms open soon after Christmas. We have had a very mild winter, so on warm days we are seeing bees buzzing around anything with flowers, including our many mahonia bushes.</span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">You won't find many plants easier to grow than the mahonia. This plant grows happily in sun or shade and in any type of soil. However, foliage stays greener making a much more attractive plant when grown in shade. Supplemental water is unnecessary. </span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I hope I do not receive numerous comments and emails chastising me for planting and recommending mahonia in the home garden, for this is one plant that gardeners either love or hate. There is no middle ground with mahonia. Many call this plant invasive, but I disagree. Mahonia is not capable of crowding and choking out native plants. Mahonia shrubs grow alongside our native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers without killing them or harming them in any way. And since pollinators are frequently darting around on warm days searching for nectar in our mild climate, I will consider any plant that blooms in January.</span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">A common name for Mahonia is Grape Holly, so named because the bright yellow blooms develop into dark purple/black drupes that resemble grapes. Birds will eat them, but usually only after they dry a bit and look like raisins. These attractive fruits give Mahonia value on into spring. </span></b></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Mahonia is a shrub that is beautiful any time of the year. Evergreen "holly-like" prickly leaves have an architectural habit that is unusual and can be a focal point in the garden. Add to that bright yellow blooms in January that attract pollinators and blue black fruits in Spring, and you have a great plant for the Southern garden.</span></b></div>
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Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-53202728257584633552019-07-25T12:50:00.000-04:002019-07-25T12:50:49.802-04:00July Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Chelone, Turtlehead<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CH8XM0MqtC0/XTndI8EMMII/AAAAAAAADF4/iMc7d8dILos7-DImKGIuY_4UBkTwU6xdgCLcBGAs/s1600/Chelone%2BHot%2BLips.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="264" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CH8XM0MqtC0/XTndI8EMMII/AAAAAAAADF4/iMc7d8dILos7-DImKGIuY_4UBkTwU6xdgCLcBGAs/s320/Chelone%2BHot%2BLips.jpeg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A cute little plant in my garden has the funny common name of Turtlehead. Chelone has pretty flowers that do resemble the head of a turtle. Legend has it that Chelone was a nymph in Greek mythology who insulted the gods by either ridiculing or not attending the marriage of Zeus to Hera. The gods punished her by turning her into a turtle.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chelone is a perennial plant found growing wild in the Northeastern United States. Bloom spikes develop in late summer into early fall. This plant grows best in evenly moist soil. It is most often found growing in moist meadows, swamps, and along stream banks. </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chelone is an important food source for the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly which loves to breed among the plants.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When happy, Chelone will grow up to 4 feet tall and about 2 feet wide. Foliage is a deep dark green. </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chelone is hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 8, so can be grown in most of the United States. </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chelone has few requirements, but it does need soil that is moist to wet and rich with humus. </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Light requirements are easy to provide, as chelone grows well in partial shade or full sun. In full sun, it definitely needs plenty of moisture. Mulch well, especially when growing in full sun. I suggest shredded leaves as the optimal mulch material.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chelone is great as a wetland plant, bog plant, or along the edge of a pond, but also grows well in containers as long as you do not allow the soil to become dry.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Additional Features:</span></span></b></div>
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<li><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deer do not eat chelone </span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Attracts multitudes of pollinators</span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good cut flower</span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span></span></b></li>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span>*</span><span>Chelone foliage dies back to
the ground for winter dormancy in late September or early October, so mark the
spot where planted to prevent accidental damage to the plant during your winter
gardening chores. </span></span></span></b>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span>Chelone glabra, White
Turtlehead</span><span>
– White Blooms appearing in August and September atop bright green foliage.</span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span>Chelone Lyonii ‘Hot
Lips’</span><span>
– Bright rose-pink blooms August – September atop deep green foliage.</span></span></span></b></div>
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Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-88912943120747409062018-11-27T08:57:00.003-05:002019-02-12T08:43:16.176-05:00November Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Salvia greggii<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the most reliable bloomers in my Georgia garden is Salvia greggii, Autumn Sage. Living up to its common name, this little woody perennial that grows more like a small shrub is still in full bloom after Thanksgiving this year. Autumn Sage is nearly evergreen in our West Central Georgia climate, often blooming on into December and sporadically throughout the winter. Bright red blooms attract hummingbirds and other pollinators to the garden. The aromatic foliage is not devoured by deer.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My first Autumn Sage was given to me by the horticulturists at Hills and Dales Estate when I was a volunteer there. They were very generous to the Troup County Master Gardeners, often giving us plants we admired when we worked there. Some of my favorite plants came from their lovely historic gardens. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The blooms of Salvia greggii are most often red or some shade of red, but thanks to breeding programs, can now be found in pink, orange, and even white. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Autumn Sage is not bothered by disease or pests, including deer. This plant doesn't even want fertilizer unless it's growing in a container for an extended period of time.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Salvia greggii is native to the state of Texas, but grows well all over the Southeast and can be grown in most parts of the United States. Autumn Sage is hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9. This salvia makes a fine specimen or hedge plant in flower or shrub border. It can be pruned to a certain height and is easily kept to 2 or 3 feet tall. Salvia greggii is an excellent xeriscape plant, adapting well to rocky, sandy, and poor soil as long as it is well-drained. Supplemental water is usually not necessary, even in dry and drought-prone areas. Full sun is the only requirement of Autumn Sage.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A lovely companion for Autumn Sage is the Mexican Bush Sage, Salvia leucantha.</span></b></div>
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Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-13292116494864000372017-11-16T08:39:00.000-05:002017-11-16T08:39:49.667-05:00November Foliage in my Georgia Garden: Sourwood Tree<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2wBGoQjcHNA/SSWS4lBmtVI/AAAAAAAAASI/VPWo2UHSEAo/s1600-h/Sourwood+Tree+Nov+2008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270780439616206162" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2wBGoQjcHNA/SSWS4lBmtVI/AAAAAAAAASI/VPWo2UHSEAo/s320/Sourwood+Tree+Nov+2008.jpg" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sourwood
cannot be beat in my opinion. It’s my favorite native tree, because in
addition to beautiful maroon foliage in early fall, Sourwood has
fragrant blooms in early summer that look and smell like Lily of the
Valley!</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Sourwood
is a very ornamental small to medium-sized tree native to the United
States. Leaves of Oxydendron arboreum possess a sour taste, giving the
plant the common name of Sourwood.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lovely
clusters of sweet smelling blossoms hang delicately from the tree in
early summer. Later the blooms develop into attractive seed clusters
that are usually still hanging on the tree in fall when foliage turns
its fire-red fall color.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Leaves begin to change from green to red as early as August. Autumn color can be a combination of red, burgundy, and purple!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The
photo shows a small tree in my garden in November, but some large
specimens can be seen at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sourwood
prefers a semi-sheltered position in partial shade--the edge of a
woodland is perfect. This lovely tree also grows well in full sun and is
a great choice for a roadside garden.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Although
drought-tolerant once established, water regularly the first year after
planting, to make sure your tree gets off to a healthy start.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">An
important source of nectar for honeybees, sourwood is a smart choice
for our environment in light of the decrease in honeybee populations
across the country.</span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0Georgia, USA32.1656221 -82.90007509999998125.3321621 -93.227223599999974 38.9990821 -72.572926599999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-69116331879696048502017-11-16T08:05:00.000-05:002017-11-16T08:05:11.716-05:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAZPXgU7Bok/UKjj1AAdF4I/AAAAAAAABFw/t9SY5BNU6wY/s320/Fireplace+Fire+Shady+Gardens+Nursery.jpg" width="320" /></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>I
don’t know about you, but during the winter, I just cannot get warm
without a fire! Every time I build a new fire something must be
done with the ashes from the previous one. We try to recycle as
much as we can, and I just abhor waste. What can we do with those wood
ashes?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>A
great way to use them is to apply them to the garden. Before we do
that, we must decide which garden area would benefit from wood ashes.
Ashes from hardwood trees make great soil amendment for certain types of
plants. They contain nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, and other
elements that will promote bloom and strengthen roots on plants such as
lilacs, rosemary, and peonies, as well as certain vegetables like
broccoli, cabbage, and collards. Don’t use ashes from charcoal fires or
from treated lumber, because they contain chemicals that would be
harmful to plants.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The
addition of wood ashes can be of great help to you when growing plants
that prefer alkaline soil, especially if you have acid soil like we do in Georgia. The
wood ashes will sweeten the soil, making it less acidic. You must be
careful where you deposit the wood ashes, because plants like
blueberries, camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons all need acid soil,
and will perish if you apply wood ashes around them.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>To
find out what kind of soil you have, you can take a soil sample to your
local County Extension Service for evaluation. For a small fee, they will send it
off for testing. For more information, just call your local county extension office.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Also, as with most fertilizers, a little wood ash goes a long way. Apply no more than 20 pounds per 1000 square feet per year. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Plus,
wood ashes should never be applied too close to tender roots of newly
planted seedlings, so it’s best to apply them to the soil well in
advance of planting time. (Fall would be great!) </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wood ashes are also beneficial to lawns if applied very sparingly and watered in well.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>In
addition to soil benefits, wood ashes make a good natural slug
repellent---just encircle the vulnerable plant with a ring of ashes and
the snail/slug will not cross the line! Since ashes won’t be as
plentiful next summer when snails are munching, you might want to save
some for later in a galvanized bucket.</b></span></div>
Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0Georgia, USA32.1656221 -82.90007509999998125.3321621 -93.227223599999974 38.9990821 -72.572926599999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-11776473044778794042017-07-10T11:17:00.002-04:002017-07-10T11:17:33.233-04:00March Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Creeping Phlox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M_bmrbi6XtE/WWOaKEmRj2I/AAAAAAAACPs/dVRp4s6ISYomsjwbgxSNkFU1myGxPUvoQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Creeping%2BPhlox%2BShady%2BGardens%2BNursery%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M_bmrbi6XtE/WWOaKEmRj2I/AAAAAAAACPs/dVRp4s6ISYomsjwbgxSNkFU1myGxPUvoQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Creeping%2BPhlox%2BShady%2BGardens%2BNursery%2B%25283%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Blooms are everywhere today in my Georgia garden. After such a mild winter, everything is blooming much earlier than normal. Creeping <a href="http://www.shop.shadygardensnursery.com/Phlox-stolonifera-Sherwood-Purple-Price-Includes-Delivery-539.htm?sourceCode=GardeningShadyStyle">Phlox </a>is absolutely gorgeous on a slope or spilling over a rock wall. I have tried growing this tough little groundcover to spill over the brick retaining wall beside our driveway. But these pesky chickens (whom I love very much) won't let me have anything planted there. So far they've destroyed creeping phlox, Loropetalum 'Pixie', oregano, and ice plant in that spot. I have managed to keep some Lamb's Ear there by surrounding it with rocks. Wish me luck on that. But if you don't have free-range chickens roaming around in your garden scratching up your plants, Creeping Phlox will thrive for you, wherever you plant it. There's a fragrance too!</span></span></b></div>
Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-51346202377434349502016-11-17T15:46:00.002-05:002016-11-17T15:46:38.471-05:00November Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Pink Muhly Grass<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ydz_0ph5WuE/WC4WqzbaxTI/AAAAAAAACNo/oYhRzBQDJxMqD50_gBy2Yr27F6XWPlBuACLcB/s1600/Muhly%2BGrass%2BAshton%2BBub%2BCallaway%2BGardens%2B%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ydz_0ph5WuE/WC4WqzbaxTI/AAAAAAAACNo/oYhRzBQDJxMqD50_gBy2Yr27F6XWPlBuACLcB/s320/Muhly%2BGrass%2BAshton%2BBub%2BCallaway%2BGardens%2B%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Pink Muhly Grass at Callaway Gardens<br />when my Children were small</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The most beautiful of all the ornamental grasses to me is Muhlenbergia capillaris, usually called Pink (or Purple) Muhly Grass.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When not blooming, Pink Muhly Grass just disappears into the background. No one would notice it at all. But in late Summer or early Fall when the pink to purple seed heads develop, all I can think is WOW! </b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Usually Pink Muhly Grass comes into bloom in September but is blooming much later this year, I'm guessing due to the drought. The plants are just now in full bloom. Everything has behaved differently this year. As I wrote in my last post, we've had no rain in our Georgia garden in more than two months. None. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>That just goes to show you what a tough plant this is. Most ornamental grasses are truly easy to grow, requiring nothing special in the way of soil or water. But most ornamental grasses just don't appeal to me. I love flowers.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Pink Muhly Grass gives me the look of flowers in the big beautiful fluffy clouds that look like cotton candy held high above the foliage. When in bloom, Pink Muhly Grass can be in excess of 3 feet tall. This plant is truly spectacular in the Fall garden. And by the way, Muhlenbergia capillaris comes in White too. What I mean is there is white blooming form, but to me it is not so eye-catching.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Muhlenbergia is a clumping grass so it will not spread all over your garden. It is a very well-behaved plant native to the Eastern United States, and is hardy in USDA Zones 5-10. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Muhly Grass also attracts beneficial insects. I'm not sure why, but ladybugs like it. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Muhlenbergia capillaris needs very well-drained soil, so I recommend mixing in some compost when you plant it. And although it is drought tolerant once established, water it weekly during its first Summer in your garden.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Pink Muhly Grass is spectacular enough to be a specimen plant, but I like the drama of a large mass of them, if you have the space. It is particularly lovely if you can plant at the top of a hill where it will be backlit by the sun.</b></span></div>
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Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-36403483027697902272016-11-13T13:04:00.000-05:002016-11-13T13:09:19.363-05:00November Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Osmanthus fragrans, Sweet Tea Olive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeNUoa-WikI/WCio4oeFWCI/AAAAAAAACMc/flbLq9Oe7q87taDIKAvSFm9VvJQBi9ewACEw/s1600/Osmanthus%2Bfragrans%2BMassee%2BLane%2BShady%2BGardens%2BNursery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeNUoa-WikI/WCio4oeFWCI/AAAAAAAACMc/flbLq9Oe7q87taDIKAvSFm9VvJQBi9ewACEw/s320/Osmanthus%2Bfragrans%2BMassee%2BLane%2BShady%2BGardens%2BNursery.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osmanthus fragrans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>I've been anxiously awaiting the blooms on my Tea Olives ever since Fall arrived. We've been under a severe drought here in Georgia for a couple of months now. Most of our plants are suffering, and many have refused to bloom. Some established shrubs and trees might even die. </b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>But there she is, my Tea Olive, blooming anyway. I admit, the blooms are not as plentiful as usual, but they are still there, and I can smell their sweet fragrance. </b></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Osmanthus fragrans is one of my favorite evergreen shrubs. When in full bloom, my whole garden smells like fresh apricots! </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJbltk06WjtI9Ot0BaQZVM35Sotr_S3w8l9eEg1p9Kdfy8MYq7p-hpb8pB3hhrTNrI9LqICAK8jAAuG8XWeOG_MELyY3jfk1-dWc-XK703y76GMgr-QUgWGLyf6RJQGNQIt1UtLEIYAdt/s1600/Osmanthus+fragrans+%2527Fudingzhu%2527.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJbltk06WjtI9Ot0BaQZVM35Sotr_S3w8l9eEg1p9Kdfy8MYq7p-hpb8pB3hhrTNrI9LqICAK8jAAuG8XWeOG_MELyY3jfk1-dWc-XK703y76GMgr-QUgWGLyf6RJQGNQIt1UtLEIYAdt/s320/Osmanthus+fragrans+%2527Fudingzhu%2527.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osmanthus fragrans 'Fudingzhu'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>I must say Osmanthus fragrans is one of the easiest plants to grow. This evergreen shrub grows very large over time and does well in full sun to part shade. Not picky about soil, the tea olive tolerates clay soil and is drought tolerant (once established.) </b></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>The most sensational bloom is in fall, but Osmanthus fragrans blooms sporadically year round. The fragrance is most notable in the evening on warmer days. Blooms are so tiny that you'd never suspect the heavenly fragrance is coming from them!</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>An exception to that is Osmanthus fragrans 'Fudingzhu', which has showy clusters of the tiny blooms--still with that same sweet fragrance.</b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGGUmihygRaYa52-EPWb9WRzgF3Kcf-dRRRs_5OoeCHlAdNsxF9cOTVLZAzPyio_Kqx23q5GpICBKEQMAO3owx_YiQbt0aqAUfOWq34e2tJHHz8h-chHlP0ef5DX5eMaJZLaaO6_yqlE2/s1600/Osmanthus+fragrans+Orange+Blossom+Shady+Gardens+Nursery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGGUmihygRaYa52-EPWb9WRzgF3Kcf-dRRRs_5OoeCHlAdNsxF9cOTVLZAzPyio_Kqx23q5GpICBKEQMAO3owx_YiQbt0aqAUfOWq34e2tJHHz8h-chHlP0ef5DX5eMaJZLaaO6_yqlE2/s320/Osmanthus+fragrans+Orange+Blossom+Shady+Gardens+Nursery.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osmanthus fragrans 'Aurantiacus'<br />Orange Blossom Tea Olive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Evergreen foliage is a rich green that holds up well in floral arrangements. </b></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Osmanthus fragrance is hardy in USDA Zones 8-11, but is often seen in Atlanta which is Zone 7. Can withstand temperatures down to 10 degrees with no foliar damage.</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Although we have some blooms on the Osmanthus shrubs that have been in the garden several years, I fear the we'll see no blooms this year on our Orange Blossom Tea Olive, Osmanthus fragrans 'Aurantiacus.'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-24480638577875903272016-11-11T12:48:00.001-05:002016-11-11T13:05:38.061-05:00November Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Sasanqua Camellia<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u7qiZBZCRkU/R1rddpbui-I/AAAAAAAAAEg/E0coW9kzf8ox1Q4zUMdNA5Hh1lSNiSpnQCPcB/s1600/Camellia%2BJean%2BMay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u7qiZBZCRkU/R1rddpbui-I/AAAAAAAAAEg/E0coW9kzf8ox1Q4zUMdNA5Hh1lSNiSpnQCPcB/s320/Camellia%2BJean%2BMay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right in the middle of the Fall harvest season not much thought is given to flowers. This is the time when our homes and front porches are decorated with hay bales, pumpkins, and scarecrows. Fall or Autumn is my favorite season for many reasons, and I love decorating with the usual harvest items like pumpkins and gourds. But I still want to see flowers in my garden.</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sasanqua Camellias give me just that. Available in many bloom colors, Sasanquas bloom reliably in the Fall every year. </b><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ll never forget the first time I saw a Camellia in bloom. I was young, and I was new at gardening. I was driving through a residential area when I noticed a large, bushy, green shrub with large red blooms that looked like roses. Believe it or not, it took me a while to find out what it was! You’re probably laughing at me now, but thank goodness I’ve learned a few things about camellias since then. </b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCOYW345f0E/WCYEOBq9qqI/AAAAAAAACMA/AExXsSmw7X8m_SgAxPGWJLGJLrxNQcDOQCLcB/s1600/Camellia%2BSasanqua%2BAlabama%2BBeauty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCOYW345f0E/WCYEOBq9qqI/AAAAAAAACMA/AExXsSmw7X8m_SgAxPGWJLGJLrxNQcDOQCLcB/s320/Camellia%2BSasanqua%2BAlabama%2BBeauty.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It wasn’t until attending the Master Gardener Course that I learned of the Sasanqua Camellia. Sasanquas are early bloomers, usually blooming October – December, so there is less chance of frost damaging the blooms. The fall blooming Sasanquas make great holiday decorations and gifts. Sasanqua camellias seem to be faster growing and are often larger growing than Japonica. Dwarf Sasanquas are available too--great for small gardens or even containers. Some varieties bloom so profusely that the blooms hide the foliage! </b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sasanqua Camellias prefer a sheltered site away </b><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>from drying winter winds. The blooms are more delicate than those of Japonica Camellias. Bright, filtered shade beneath tall trees is ideal. Moist, well-drained soil is best, but camellias are drought tolerant once established. </b></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Although our garden has received no rain in over 8 weeks and Troup County is under a severe drought , the Sasanquas are beginning to bloom anyway. </b></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Remember that deer will eat the blooms on all camellias, so consider using a deer deterrent around them. Your local Humane Society or Animal Shelter has plenty of inexpensive deer-deterrent—the all-natural kind. Just ask the attendant which dogs are frisky enough for deer control! </b></b></div>
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Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-16730336612177724182016-10-19T13:01:00.000-04:002016-11-11T13:02:14.420-05:00October Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Spider Lily, Lycoris radiata<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lycoris radiata is most often referred to by one of its common names. We always called them Spider Lilies, but in other parts of the South, it is known as Hurricane Lily, since it blooms at the height of Hurricane Season. Each summer we are plagued here in Georgia with a drought that goes on for weeks (if not months), and in September we'll finally get a drenching rain. It is after that good soaking rain that Spider Lilies pop up in old gardens of the South. This year, we did not receive that soaking rain at all, so the Spider Lilies finally bloomed without it--in October.</b></div>
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<b>Lycoris radiata blooms have extremely long anthers that give them a "spider-like" appearance, hence the common name Spider Lily. Once the flowers fade, dark green basal leaves appear that look much like liriope (or "monkey grass", as it usually called around here.) Its leaves will stay green all winter here in Georgia, absorbing nutrients from the sun to convert into energy for the next summer's blooms.</b></div>
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<b>Lycoris radiata is hardy only in the Deep South, in USDA Zones 7-10, but it is still easy to grow. Like other members of the Lycoris family, it tolerates any soil in either sun or shade and needs no supplemental water to thrive. </b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have only the red blooming Spider Lily, but it also can be found in white. I'm still looking for some.</b></div>
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<b>All species of Lycoris should be divided or transplanted only when dormant, so as not to interrupt its bloom and growth. Early summer is the optimum time for this task. Once the foliage has withered, it is safe to dig the bulbs.</b></div>
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<b>Lycoris does extremely well beneath large established trees.</b></div>
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<b>The flowers make excellent cut flowers and hold up well in a vase, lasting for several days in a floral arrangement. </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>And one more thing: Deer won't eat your Spider Lilies!</b></span><br />
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Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-22359680276387147682016-10-16T16:32:00.000-04:002017-11-07T09:33:26.819-05:00October Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Asters<div style="text-align: right;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>If you see me when I come home from pretty much anywhere this time of year, you'll find me unloading at least one mum. I bring one home almost every time I go to the store. But where do they end up? Well, I do plant them of course. But they just don't last very long in my garden here in Georgia. Our summers are very hot and dry. This year, the drought has extended into Fall. This is the driest Fall I can remember. We haven't had any rain at all in over 2 months.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Unlike Chrysanthemums, Asters, will live on for years, in spite of the drought we usually suffer here in Georgia. There are many Fall blooming Aster varieties to choose from, and I intend to add them all to my garden! There are asters for full sun and asters that will bloom well in shade.</b></span></div>
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Symphyotricum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite' is covered with lavender daisy-like blooms every Fall in September and October. The aromatic foliage reminds me of mint and deer do not like it.</div>
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Butterflies and other pollinators love all varieties of aster. In mid-Fall, most other flowers have finished blooming, but the Fall asters are just getting started. Most aster plants are just covered in flowers this time of year. Asters make excellent cut flowers, lasting a long time in a Fall floral arrangement.</div>
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Our native asters are much easier to grow than chrysanthemums. Once established they are quite drought tolerant, thriving on sunny hillsides even in the midst of a drought. Asters tolerate just about any soil--dry, clay, or sandy.</div>
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This native plant can be grown anywhere in the United States, since it is hardy in USDA Zones 3-8. Most asters like full sun, but there are asters that bloom even in shade.</div>
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This year The Garden Club of America named Aster oblongifolius 'Raydon's Favorite' as the 2016 Plant of the year, so it definitely deserves to be in your garden.</div>
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The only negative I can think of with Raydon's Favorite is that it will grow quite tall and flop over if it isn't pruned early in the summer. I am bad about forgetting to prune.<b></b><br />
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</b></span>Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-5995582809498081702016-08-15T10:00:00.000-04:002016-11-25T10:08:38.773-05:00August Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Peegee Hydrangea<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XzDyauieuN_pCF_MftQniOc7Sq0wFevcyc6Obrdi4IkgtMPvRHWIXVeRlqBPRwkAuDGJb1po7sE36-IFJ8haaRTWMN0Ml20ZPnNiKnASUTGHgF-fNb-acGEWG4BcjHsNVhzFl-AY9Fws/s1600/Hydrangea+Peegee+tree.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XzDyauieuN_pCF_MftQniOc7Sq0wFevcyc6Obrdi4IkgtMPvRHWIXVeRlqBPRwkAuDGJb1po7sE36-IFJ8haaRTWMN0Ml20ZPnNiKnASUTGHgF-fNb-acGEWG4BcjHsNVhzFl-AY9Fws/s1600/Hydrangea+Peegee+tree.jpeg" /></b></span></a><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the most spectacular shrubs in my Summer garden has got to be Hydrangea paniculata.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Usually referred to as Peegee Hydrangea, Hydrangea paniculata is the latest bloomer in the hydrangea family.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Peegee Hydrangea is also often called the Tree Hydrangea, since this shrub grows as large as a small tree, reaching up to 20 feet tall and about 10 feet wide. Hydrangea paniculata is beautiful when "limbed up" into a tree form, with the lower limbs removed as shown in the photo. </b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blooms of Hydrangea paniculata are large white flower clusters in panicles at the end of the stems. These pointed bloom clusters are at least 8 inches long, but can be up to 18 inches and so heavy that they weigh down the branches, forming a lovely weeping effect. The bloom clusters open greenish white and mature to a creamy white, finally aging to a beautiful shade of rose by Fall.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Although this species will ultimately grow into a small tree about 20 feet tall, dwarf cultivars are available that mature at about 5 feet high.</b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hydrangea paniculata can be grown almost anywhere in the United States, since it is hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9.</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peegee Hydrangea grows well in part to full sun but flowers best with all day sun and regular water. This hydrangea is much more tolerant of sun than other hydrangeas. In the deep South, some afternoon shade is appreciated. </b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hydrangea paniculata is quite drought tolerant once established, but regular watering is ideal for good flowering, especially in the deep South where summer heat is extreme and drought is common. Water weekly if your Peegee Hydrangea is planted in full sun.</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tardiva Hydrangea is a Peegee Hydrangea with glossy green leaves and creamy white panicle blooms that are held upright on the bush. Tardiva blooms a little later than the other cultivars, usually in mid to late August here in our Georgia garden. The creamy white blooms age to a purplish pink. This hydrangea will grow large, at least 15 feet tall.</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chantilly Lace is a dwarf Peegee Hydrangea, maturing at about 5 feet tall. This hydrangea has a very long bloom period lasting from mid-July into Fall. Blooms change gradually from creamy white to pink and finally to purple. Chantilly Lace is more cold hardy, surviving in USDA Zones 3 through 8.</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another dwarf hardy Peegee is Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' which has huge bloom clusters shaped like a football. The flower panicles open very green in the summer but change to various shades of pink, red, and burgundy by summer's end. Blooms can persist on this plant even through frosts of Fall. The large rounded panicle blooms make an excellent cut flower and florists love using them in arrangements both fresh and dried. Limelight Hydrangea is a little larger growing dwarf, reaching up to 8 feet tall at maturity, but it can be kept smaller by pruning in winter once the blooms are no longer beautiful.</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hydrangea paniculata is great used as a single specimen in a mixed border, but I have seen them massed in a large landscape making a spectacular show for the late Summer garden. Remember the natural weeping appearance when in bloom and space widely, allowing that weeping form to show off without appearing crowded. The larger growing paniculatas should be planted about 10 feet apart, while dwarf cultivars can be grown closer together. Space Chantilly Lace and Limelight 5 to 7 feet apart for the best show. If you'd like to limb up your Peegee Hydrangea as a tree, just remove the lower branches as they appear. </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>With so much variance is size and such ease of care, surely you can find a spot in your garden for the very lovely and hardy Peegee Hydrangea!</b></span></div>
Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-90222812287794987572016-06-15T13:26:00.000-04:002016-11-09T13:27:17.591-05:00June Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Bottlebrush Buckeye<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Bottlebrush Buckeye really showed out in our garden this summer. Multitudes of rain fell during the month of June, and our little bushes just loved it.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Aesculus parviflora is usually referred to as Bottlebrush Buckeye because the huge blooms do resemble large white bottlebrushes. Aesculus parviflora</b></span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> is a lovely native plant with bright green palmately compound leaves and fragrant white bottlebrush blooms up to 1 foot long in summer.</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This plant has a spreading habit that under ideal conditions will grow wider than it is tall. When I say ideal conditions, I mean moist soil in full sun. We have one such plant, pictured in this post. But Bottlebrush Buckeye is quite tolerant of drought. I know this because we have one that I should have planted in a better spot, as it has been growing in full shade with no supplemental water for years. That one is pitifully leggy and has never bloomed until this year, after all that late Spring rain we had, when it rewarded us with one bloom. I was appreciative, but apologetic. I did not know what I was doing when I planted that one.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The huge white bloom panicles on the Bottlebrush Buckeye attract butterflies and many other pollinators. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>This lovely shrub can grow up to 12 feet tall and spread to about 15 feet wide.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>If you are lucky enough to have a pond or a stream, that is this buckeye's native habitat. It will tolerate a constantly wet bog, but grows well in any garden with regular water. If grown in full sun, it will need more water. You'll get the largest most beautiful blooms in full sun with regular water or wet soil.</b></span></div>
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Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-33730525085131609122016-05-20T12:32:00.000-04:002016-11-09T13:02:28.935-05:00May Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Oakleaf Hydrangea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I know I've written this many times, but the Oakleaf Hydrangea is my very favorite hydrangea, for several reasons. Hydrangea quercifolia, commonly called the Oakleaf Hydrangea, is beautiful all the time. </b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In summer, large blooms appear that attract much attention. The panicles of white blooms appear in May. These creamy white blooms can be quite large, depending on the cultivar. Blooms on 'Alice' can be up to 12 inches long, which makes for a spectacular display.</b></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>By late summer the white blooms change to a rosey purplish pink, hanging on into fall. </b></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In fall, the leaves turn a rich mahogany red, contrasting beautifully with the then dried rosy brown flower stalks used by many in floral arrangements. </b></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In winter, the branches exhibit lovely cinnamon colored exfoliating bark, and the large flower buds already forming are attractive. In spring, the new leaves are a reddish purple. So you see, Oakleaf Hydrangea is truly beatiful in every season!</b></b></div>
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<b>Hydrangea quercifolia is much easier to grow than other hydrangeas. The fact that it is native to the southeastern United States is probably the reason for that. It’s accustomed to our summer droughts, making it more drought-tolerant than other hydrangea. It isn’t picky about soil. And Oakleaf Hydrangea can take more sun than most other hydrangeas.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Oakleaf hydrangea is one of our most beautiful American native shrubs, and should be in every garden.</b></span></div>
Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-76423464170498253072016-05-15T07:17:00.000-04:002016-05-15T08:19:53.440-04:00May Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Mock Orange<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Philadelphus coronarius<br />Sweet Mock Orange or English Dogwood</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Blooms are spectacular this year on my Philadelphus coronarius, most often referred to as Sweet Mock Orange or English Dogwood. Our established shrub is completely covered with the fragrant dogwood-like white blooms.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Philadelphus coronarius is a deciduous shrub that grows quickly into a large shrub, so give it plenty of room. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Because of our very mild winter, Mock Orange bloomed a little earlier than usual this year. Usually blooming in late May, the Mock Orange reached its peak bloom the first week of May here in our Georgia garden.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The white flowers with 4 petals smell like orange blossoms, hence the common name Mock Orange and resemble blooms on the Dogwood Tree. Leaves are tender and dark green. On the Sweet Mock Orange, even the bark is lovely, which is exfoliating and orange-tinged. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>This large growing shrub will eventually be up to 12 feet tall and just as wide with a rounded habit, so it's perfect at the edge of the property. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Philadelphus coronarius can be grown in full sun to light shade, but ours is in pretty much full shade here in Georgia. It might get a little peak of morning sun, but I don't think so. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Although rich fertile soil is best, our soil is hard clay, and our large shrub gets no supplemental water. This year we received more than enough rain during the Winter and Spring, which might be why our plant showed out so well this time.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Mock Orange is a popular old-fashioned shrub in the Southeastern states, and although it might look delicate, it can be grown in most of the United States, since it is hardy in USDA Zones 4-7.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>If you want a hedge of Mock Orange, for Summer privacy perhaps, space them about 5 feet apart for good screening. The shrubs will quickly grow to fill the space. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>If pruning is needed, do so immediately after blooming by removing old canes at the base and cut back remaining branches to create a rounded shape. If your space allows it, don't prune your Mock Orange at all. </b></span></div>
Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-90054032942358721422016-05-14T06:54:00.005-04:002016-05-14T06:54:39.400-04:00March Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Fruit Shrubs and Trees<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Before we can feast on the fruit from our growing collection of fruiting shrubs and trees, we get to enjoy the flowers. Some of the prettiest flowering trees in the South are fruit trees. </b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Blueberry Bushes have cute little white blooms in clusters that attract pollinators. Blueberry Shrubs are all-around attractive, really. In Spring you have the blooms against newly developing blue-green leaves. In mid-spring the blueberry fruits develop, beginning as green drupes that gradually ripen into dark blue juicy fruits loved by people and wildlife. Attractive foliage remains until Fall when leaves turn all shades of orange, red, and burgundy. Some or all foliage remains into winter, depending on the temperatures of that particular winter or which part of the country you are in. Blueberry Bushes are gaining in popularity as the word gets out about how nutritious the fruit is and how easy the shrub is to grow. Homeowners are even incorporating Blueberry Bushes into their flower beds and foundation plantings. I've seen a few local businesses adding Blueberries to their commercial landscaping. How exciting!</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Crabapple Trees have been used in landscaping for years. The flowers are beautiful, covering the tree canopy with loads of flowers in various shades of pink. But many Crabapple Trees produce a fruit that is not only loved by wildlife but edible for humans as well. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Peach Trees are not known for being easy to grow. Some maintenance is required. But when you bite into that beautiful peach and feel the juice running down your chin, you know it was worth all that work. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Plum Trees are beloved by children everywhere. We love to eat the plums either green or ripe, if we can get to them before the squirrels do. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Our Ponderosa Lemon tree is huge. Originally purchased as a Meyer Lemon, this tree produces huge lemons that have a rough, knotty skin that is very thick. The fruit is very sour and the juice is great for a marinade. When I looked up recipes to decide what to do with the abundant fruits, I found that ours was not a Meyer Lemon after all, but a Ponderosa. Oh well, I'll keep looking for the hardy Meyer Lemon I guess.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Our newest fruiting plants are the Bush Cherry or Nanking Cherry. Not usually grown around here, the Nanking Cherry Bushes are growing well, and we are getting lots of fruit from them this year. These bushes will grow to be about 10 feet tall and just as wide, and they produce a small red cherry that is tart and delicious. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>We have other new fruit trees that haven't yet bloomed or produced fruit, and I intend to add as many new fruiting plants as I can until I run out of room.</b></span></div>
Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-55162305489066725672016-05-13T08:43:00.002-04:002016-05-13T08:46:45.892-04:00March Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Lady Banks Rose<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<em><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal;">One of the easiest roses of all to grow is the Lady Banks Rose. Rosa banksiae is a thornless rose producing soft fluffy blooms in early Spring. Lady Banks Rose is almost evergreen here in Georgia, if temperatures don't drop below the 20's. </span></b></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal;">Lady Banks Rose is drought tolerant and disease resistant by nature. This lovely rose tolerates poor soil too.</span></b></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: normal;">Lady Band Rose is an easy care rose that is thornless and almost evergreen here in Georgia. It is a climbing rose that is beautiful growing on a pillar, arbor, fence, or trellis. </span></b></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>Although Lady Banks blooms only once a year, in Spring it is absolutely covered with small fluffy double blooms. Blooms are slightly fragrant and come in either yellow, Rosa banksiae 'Lutea', or white, 'Rosa banksiae 'Alba plena.' </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>Rosa banksiae originated in China but was introduced to Europe in the early 1800's. Lady Banks was very popular in the Southern United States during Antebellum times and was usually found on old plantations of the South. The largest rose in the world is a white blooming Lady Banks Rose that was planted in Tombstone, Arizona, in 1885. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>Plant your Lady Banks Rose in full sun for best bloom. This is a fast-growing strong rose that will quickly become very heavy, so plant it near a very strong support. Those inexpensive little trellises at the discount store will not work.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>Lady Banks Rose is evergreen in USDA Zones 8-10, but is hardy in colder zones 6-7 where it will lose its leaves in winter. Banks Rose is said to withstand temperatures down into the teens, but we have single digit temperatures every so many years and our established plants lived through that. </b></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;">Once established, Lady Banks Rose is quite drought tolerant, but be sure to water regularly the first few years. Lady Banks is somewhat hard to find in nurseries, so you don't want to have to try to replace it.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>Lady Banks, unlike many other roses, can be grown near the beach since it tolerates salt spray.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>Lady Banks is not bothered by diseases and pests that infect most roses, so you won't need to spray at all.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b>If you don't have an arbor or trellis, Lady Banks can be grown as a free-standing shrub rose, but must be drastically pruned yearly to keep it in check. If pruning is needed, do so immediately after flowering. </b></span></span></div>
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Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-55194028936858108522016-05-12T10:13:00.001-04:002016-05-12T10:39:12.196-04:00March Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Japanese Kerria<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<b>One of our most sought after plants for early Spring bloom is the Japanese Kerria, often referred to as the Japanese Thornless Rose. Vibrant golden yellow blooms are visible from a great distance. The long green stems of Kerria japonica 'Plena' are absolutely covered with bright yellow flowers that look like pompoms. We also grow a single blooming Kerria known as 'Shannon.' </b></div>
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<b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kerria is an arching, shrub-like perennial that sends up many suckers forming a thicket of green stems that remain green even into the winter. Although leaves fall off after the first frost, the green twiggy mass is attractive.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Give Kerria plenty of room to grow, since it will be 5-7 feet tall and up to 6 feet wide at maturity. Kerria loves water, and it will grower larger and larger with ample water. </b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQmg4-Fmfbc/VzSOso4sWtI/AAAAAAAACG4/cJo4TdM_5Q8kbCW2ixBgGXI9_IyPiETywCKgB/s1600/Kerria%2BSingle%2BShannon%2BShady%2BGardens%2BNursery.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" height="174" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQmg4-Fmfbc/VzSOso4sWtI/AAAAAAAACG4/cJo4TdM_5Q8kbCW2ixBgGXI9_IyPiETywCKgB/s320/Kerria%2BSingle%2BShannon%2BShady%2BGardens%2BNursery.jpeg" width="320" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Kerria japonica 'Shannon'</b></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kerria likes some shade, and will bloom quite well with no sun at all. However, regular water is needed for Kerria to grow well. We have a couple of plants in shade that receive no supplemental water, and they need to be moved. We seldom see a bloom on those. If water is available, Kerria 'Plena' will bloom profusely in early Spring and then sporadically throughout the Spring and Summer. 'Shannon' blooms only once, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">in Spring.</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Kerria Japonica looks like a tropical plant but is quite easy to grow and is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. That's amazing to me.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Kerria is very popular in Georgia and the Southeastern Unites States, but it is seldom found in nurseries, and we cannot keep it in stock.</b></span>Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-90963407538959322382016-05-12T09:51:00.000-04:002016-05-12T09:53:53.885-04:00March Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Flowering Quince<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>When the bare branches of Flowering Quince
burst into bloom, I know spring is coming soon. We grow 4 different varieties of Flowering Quince, and all of them are spectacularly showy when in bloom. Flowering Quince is now in full bloom in our Georgia garden, but flowers began opening well before winter was over. </b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Quince Toyo-nishiki</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Bright red blooms of the Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince are the first to open in our Georgia garden. Soon after, the salmon-pink flowers of Cameo appear. Scarff's Red is another red blooming Quince that has an upright habit and is nearly thornless. Scarff's Red is a large shrub up to 10 feet tall. Jet Trail is a low-growing Quince with white blooms. My favorite Flowering Quince is Toyo-nishiki with its white, pink, and red blooms all on the same plant. This is another large Quince up to 6 feet tall at maturiy.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Flowering Quince is a thorny shrub that is an excellent barrier plant if you need that quality in a plant. Some varieties bear a small crop of 2-3 inch fruits much like an apple that can be made into jelly, but I never see more than 3 or 4 fruits on my small plants. Birds and other wildlife will eat the fruits, so I just leave them.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>When not in bloom, Flowering Quince sort of disappears into the landscape with its scraggly branches, but when in bloom, it will knock your socks off. Birds love to build their nests in the protection of the spiny stems. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Flowering Quince is one of the most drought tolerant shrubs we grow. We have several plants in our roadside garden bed that I cannot water at all. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Plant your Flowering Quince in full sun for good flowering. I mistakenly situated some of my Quince plants in too much shade where they have not grown or flowered well.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>Noteworthy Features of Flowering Quince:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>Red-flowered
quince attracts hummingbirds<o:p></o:p></b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>Virtually
maintenance-free<o:p></o:p></b></span></li>
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summer<o:p></o:p></b></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Everyone in the United States can have Flowering Quince in the garden, since it is hardy in USDA Zones 4-10.</b></span></span></div>
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Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-30897947362654371482016-05-12T08:47:00.000-04:002016-05-12T09:28:36.531-04:00March Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Eastern Redbud<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioi-phFjqvwekXYKZQtkV7Tj7r2hdxFehy1L2y3NONnaTuOWEUZbuNQlpUBwHIF5rcYFGALmu-_XK0GN_NzcDh-KvpdpIXj0WNWjNQQR7nWhUowUv6INikX5dVeM2-u2GHCYpfttHkOzJA/s1600/Redbud+Shady+Gardens+Nursery+March+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioi-phFjqvwekXYKZQtkV7Tj7r2hdxFehy1L2y3NONnaTuOWEUZbuNQlpUBwHIF5rcYFGALmu-_XK0GN_NzcDh-KvpdpIXj0WNWjNQQR7nWhUowUv6INikX5dVeM2-u2GHCYpfttHkOzJA/s320/Redbud+Shady+Gardens+Nursery+March+2015.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>One of my favorite trees is the Eastern Redbud, Cercis canadensis. In very early Spring, deep pink/purple buds develop all along the stems before the tree leafs out. When driving along country roads I see these purple budded trees covering the edge of the woods all over Alabama and Georgia. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Redbud Tree is one of the loveliest native trees, growing wild all over the Eastern United States as far North as New Jersey and as far West as Texas.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Since Redbud is a small tree, it is beautiful near the patio even as a foundation tree, but also at the edge of the woodland. The Redbud Tree is beautiful even when not in bloom. Leaves are heart shaped and the tree has a graceful habit that is at home in any landscape style. Redbuds are usually multi-trunked, so do not prune away multiple trunks. As a matter of fact, prune your Redbud as little as possible, removing only cross branches immediately after bloom, to allow your tree to grow naturally.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Redbud Trees can be grown all over the country except for the Northwestern States where summers are too cool for them. Redbud is hardy in USDA Zones 4-9.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Mature Size is anywhere from 20-40 feet tall. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Plant your Redbud Tree in either full sun or part sun. An excellent spot is in morning sun with afternoon shade at the edge of a woodland or naturalistic garden. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Great companions for the Redbud Tree are Carolina Jessamine and Dogwood Trees which bloom about the same time. </b></span></div>
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Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-47497759724728389552016-05-11T09:51:00.001-04:002016-05-11T09:57:47.707-04:00March Blooms in my Georgia Garden: White Chinese Fringe Bush<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKG-TbXvfgCJMUPH_vikQDqRtgtf8y1-GzrX2051qGrf6-OGPP8cFeVqDDjJ0dw0e84UjO3TZaGPmzYMaQanjB7zWXBK-QQqRSwMeMfP0J_GgJ6p4DIG5U7jKT22VuAoTVZtDlBb2ks7qy/s1600/Loropetalum+White+Fringe+Flower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKG-TbXvfgCJMUPH_vikQDqRtgtf8y1-GzrX2051qGrf6-OGPP8cFeVqDDjJ0dw0e84UjO3TZaGPmzYMaQanjB7zWXBK-QQqRSwMeMfP0J_GgJ6p4DIG5U7jKT22VuAoTVZtDlBb2ks7qy/s320/Loropetalum+White+Fringe+Flower.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I wish you could smell the fragrance coming from our White Fringe Bush, Loropetalum chinense, also known as Chinese Fringe Flower. As you can tell by the bloom, it is in the Witchhazel family.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Pink-flowered Loropetalum has been widely planted around the Southeastern United States in the last several years, used in almost every commercial landscape in Georgia. And for good reason! The many different cultivars are beautiful in every season of the year. But here in my Georgia garden, I also love the white blooming form. Although it doesn't bloom as many times per year as the purple-leafed variety having pink blooms, when in bloom, the White Fringe Bush is absolutely covered with fragrant spidery flowers! (I can't believe I called something "spidery" in a complimentary way, but only when I'm speaking of a flower.)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Although Loropetalum thrives in full sun, my White Loropetalum is planted in almost full shade, and it still blooms in a spectacular fashion.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Although I've read that the white-flowering form of Loropetalum was introduced to the United States during the 1800's, it didn't become popular until after the purple leafed varieties were introduced in the 1980's. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>White blooming Loropetalum is just as easy to grow as its purple leafed (and pink blooming) relative. Full sun to light shade will promote plentiful blooms. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Mature size is large, 10 or more feet tall and just as wide. Loropetalum can be allowed to grow as a huge shrub, or it can be limbed up into a tree form, depending on your space.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I have not seen this shrub wilt even in the severest drought or the hottest summer.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Loropetalums grow very well in the Southern parts of the United States, as they are hardy in USDA Zones 7-10.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I do not know the cultivar of my White Fringe Bush, since information I find online describes heights of 4 feet and ours is in excess of 6 feet tall. That doesn't matter to me. All I need to know is what I see when I look at it in bloom in March every single year. </b></span></div>
Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-73966911839548347122016-05-11T09:17:00.004-04:002016-05-11T09:21:14.830-04:00March Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Forsythia<div class="MsoTitle">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGNm5A6Uz7QB2mch49plt0oWref_xI9O664uM8M_YbJtaivlWPAafIdIBJ9gcK9LAsGchCRZrxAUy3qn90zZ_GwDfdU6r1p0cGhv54Anpyq48VwzlXah2Oobbrm5GPmPOPJ_mkk6HPUTG/s1600/Forsythia+Shady+Gardens+Nursery+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGNm5A6Uz7QB2mch49plt0oWref_xI9O664uM8M_YbJtaivlWPAafIdIBJ9gcK9LAsGchCRZrxAUy3qn90zZ_GwDfdU6r1p0cGhv54Anpyq48VwzlXah2Oobbrm5GPmPOPJ_mkk6HPUTG/s320/Forsythia+Shady+Gardens+Nursery+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Known by many as the harbinger of Spring, Forsythia explodes with bright yellow blooms in very early Spring, or sometimes even in late Winter here in Georgia. Forsythia blooms reliably every single winter, no matter what the weather conditions have been. I have seen the blooms of Forsythia open as early as January or February, or not until March, depending on what kind of Winter we are having.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Forsythia is a deciduous shrub that blooms in late winter or very early Spring with bright yellow blooms that open before leaves appear. The common name, Yellow Bells, seems fitting, because the blooms do look like yellow bells dangling along the stems. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Although Forsythia is widely grown in gardens all over the Unites States, it is native to China. </b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_C2hSqGzlxGaq7KJBbOhCVZR2Idd8k-9M2JVQInEbm9CMwhRF6_wAKEZZu4LWjcMNtZC_mZsvMQjoLhEUqJBqixmIosFaVEwWDA72AuJBnoJfaBz1r5gswLwBnSwx4S-GkQYKXGcRhgg/s1600/Forsythia+Shady+Gardens+Nursery+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_C2hSqGzlxGaq7KJBbOhCVZR2Idd8k-9M2JVQInEbm9CMwhRF6_wAKEZZu4LWjcMNtZC_mZsvMQjoLhEUqJBqixmIosFaVEwWDA72AuJBnoJfaBz1r5gswLwBnSwx4S-GkQYKXGcRhgg/s320/Forsythia+Shady+Gardens+Nursery+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Forsythia blooms well even in shade</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bloom seems to be most prolific when grown in full sun, but we have a few plants growing in the woods where the bright golden yellow blooms are visible from a distance and draw attention to the woodland garden.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Forsythia does not self-sow and become invasive in the landscape, but stem cuttings root easily if you want to make more plants for your garden.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Forsythia grows very large over time (8-10 feet tall and up to 12 feet wide), so</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>give it plenty of room. The cascading branches are lovely when allowed to grow naturally with no pruning. Stems will root themselves when allowed to touch the ground, and this is an easy way to get more Forsythia plants. Pruning isn't necessary or desired, except to remove old woody growth or dead wood. When pruning, remove old branches to the ground, making room for the growth of new stems. This should be done in Spring, immediately after flowering, since Forsythia will bloom next Spring on the stems from the previous year.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Forsythia, also known as Golden Bells, can be grown in most of the United States, since it is hardy in USDA Zones 5-10.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Forsythia is a fast grower, so you can start with a very small plant. The Forsythia shrubs in our garden have proven to be very drought tolerant and are growing in poor soil that was not amended at planting. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Forsythia is a great shrub for forcing bloom indoors before it would bloom outdoors. I like to cut long stems in early January and place them in a large vase of warm water. I can watch the buds develop into blooms that will open indoors much earlier than they would outside, reminding me that Spring is coming!</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Loropetalum Zhuzhou </b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Purple Loropetalum is a beautiful companion for Forsythia. Not only do they bloom at the same time, but even the foliage will provide nice contrast in the garden--Loropetalum with its purple foliage is striking against the bright green leaves of the Forsythia. You'll have to imagine this vision, since I failed to get a photograph of the two together when in bloom. </b></span></div>
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Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-47487110948715101672016-05-08T07:49:00.000-04:002016-05-08T07:49:52.043-04:00March Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Japanese Magnolia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-e9no7d6Z4/Vy8ltE2gXNI/AAAAAAAACEs/l_3hmubzHJc4rynKyW-44PLDoGv0NVFaQCKgB/s1600/IMG_2264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n-e9no7d6Z4/Vy8ltE2gXNI/AAAAAAAACEs/l_3hmubzHJc4rynKyW-44PLDoGv0NVFaQCKgB/s200/IMG_2264.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>One of the showiest trees in our Spring garden is the Japanese Magnolia. Also known as the Saucer Magnolia or the Tulip Tree, this magnolia is a multi-stemmed spreading tree that often looks more like a very large shrub. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The white, pink or purple blooms are very fragrant and appear in early Spring, usually in March. Large fuzzy flower buds are formed in winter and will begin opening as early as February during a prolonged warm spell. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Japanese Magnolia is easy to grow, but it loves moisture, so water it deeply during Summer droughts. Plant your tree in full sun for the showiest bloom.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976984297318273009.post-42500956792890846712016-05-08T06:47:00.000-04:002016-05-08T07:46:32.790-04:00March Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Bridal Wreath Spiraea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>One of the earliest shrubs to bloom in our Georgia garden is Bridal Wreath Spiraea. The variety we grow is <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">S. cantoniensis</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18px;"> ‘Lanceolata’, which is absolutely covered with double blooms that look like tiny white roses. The blooms appear all along the stem, also resembling stems of Baby's Breath, which is common of floral arrangements. I have used Bridal Wreath stems similarly in my floral arrangements when the shrub is in bloom. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">Bridal Wreath Spiraea is very easy to grow. For the showiest bloom, plant in full sun where the large-growing shrub has plenty of room to grow. The arching stems will ultimately reach up to 6 feet tall and just as wide.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b>This spiraea can be grown in most parts of the United States, as it is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9b. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b>Spiraeas are known to be very drought tolerant, and the one in our roadside garden gets no supplemental water at all. The soil in that bed is very hard clay.</b></span></span></div>
Shady Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01927085522415242202noreply@blogger.com0