August Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Peegee Hydrangea

One of the most spectacular shrubs in my Summer garden has got to be Hydrangea paniculata.

Usually referred to as Peegee Hydrangea, Hydrangea paniculata is the latest bloomer in the hydrangea family.

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. 

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.

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.

Hydrangea paniculata can be grown almost anywhere in the United States, since it is hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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!

October Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Mistflower

I love Eupatorium coelestinum for its showy bloom clusters in early fall. This plant is usually referred to by one of its common names which include Hardy or Perennial Ageratum and Mistflower. 

Eupatorium is a deciduous perennial native American plant in the same family as Joe Pye Weed. The bright periwinkle blue blooms of Eupatorium coelestinum attract a lot of attention in September and October, when most flowers have stopped blooming. Mistflower contrasts nicely with fall-blooming asters and the common fall mums.

The plentiful 4-inch flower clusters atop tall stems resemble the shorter annual ageratum, but Hardy Ageratum comes back bigger and better every single year.

With large clumps of bright blooms visible from a distance, Mistflower is a good candidate for a roadside garden.

Hardy Perennial Ageratum prefers full sun, fertile soil, and regular water, but this hardy variety can tolerate periods of drought. Like other varieties of Eupatorium, this one can grow in wet soil too.  We have a patch behind the greenhouse that has taken over a shady spot where the sprinkler keeps the soil evenly moist to wet.

This very showy and assertive perennial will reach heights of up to 4 feet tall, but it can be kept mowed to only a few inches. Just to give you a hint of its vigor, Mistflower is in the mint family.

This is a perennial plant that looks best in naturalistic informal gardens. It grows very well in my shade garden, where its blooms seem electrified in September.

Perennial Ageratum emerges late in spring, so be careful not to uproot it when doing your spring weeding. 

Cut back once or twice in summer to promote bushiness and more blooms, and to keep it from coming into full bloom too early.  I always want mine to wait and bloom in October.

June Blooms in my Georgia Garden: Hibiscus moscheutos

Annabelle Hydrangea isn't the only Southern native shrub with voluptuous blooms. Just take a look at this native Hibiscus! Hibiscus moscheutos displays blooms up to 12 inches across. The blooms on her remind me of the huge dresses worn by Southern Belles on the movie Gone with the Wind.

Hibiscus moscheutos Lord Baltimore

Also known as Swamp Mallow, Dinner Plate Hibiscus (Due to the huge diameter of the flower), and Rose Mallow, Hibiscus moscheutos is native to marshes in the Southeastern United States. 

Many new varieties of this hibiscus have been developed, resulting in a wide range of bloom colors and interesting foliage.

The huge blooms up to 12 inches across begin opening in late June or early July in our Georgia garden and keep coming until cool weather arrives in the Fall. Although each bloom lasts just one day, a large plant can sport several blooms at one time. Flowers come in many different shades of pink, red, or white. They might be a solid color or have a red eye or some type of variegation in the bloom.

Like Hibiscus coccineus, this plant will grow very fast if it is happy in the spot where it grows. Give it plenty of room, because by mid-summer, it can be 5 feet tall and just as wide. Rose Mallow, like other perennial hibiscus, will die to the ground in Winter and regrow from the base in late Spring.

This fabulous Hibiscus is as easy to grow as Hibiscus coccineus, as long as you have a spot in full sun and can reach it with a hose.  In my garden, this hibiscus has proved to be quite drought tolerant, as long as I give it a drink of water when I notice the leaves drooping from thirst.

Hibiscus moscheutos has a larger hardiness range than coccineus, so it can be grown in gardens further north. According to the USDA Hardiness Zone Map, Hibiscus moscheutos can be grown in zones 5-10.

Texas Star Swamp Mallow: Native Hibiscus

Hibiscus coccineus, Texas Star, Swamp Mallow
Shady Gardens Nursery

One of the showiest summer bloomers in our garden this time of year is the Texas Star Hibiscus. A native plant of the Southeastern United States, Hibiscus coccineus is also known as Swamp Hibiscus, probably due to its love for moist soil.

Hibiscus coccineus is very easy to grow. It grows well near a pond or stream, and really enjoys a soggy spot. We have no pond, stream, or soggy spot in our garden--our Hibiscus is located in ordinary garden soil (that means dry hard clay in Georgia language). Admittedly, I do water it on occasion, but it grows bushier each year--we've had it several years now.


You can grow Hibiscus coccineus if you live anywhere in the south and as far north as USDA Zone 6!

Even before blooms begin in summer, Texas Star is a spectacular presence in the garden. Palmate leaves resemble Japanese Maple foliage and even have a reddish tinge.

Blooms are showy red star-shaped flowers appearing throughout summer and into Fall. The flowers can be up to 6 inches across!

Hibiscus coccineus dies down to the ground in winter but re-emerges in spring. By mid-summer this hibiscus will be 6-8 feet tall and look more like a shrub than an herbaceous perennial.

Texas Star Hibiscus does need full sun to bloom well, and you'll need to water it weekly when rainfall is absent. Also a regular application of compost or composted manure will keep it growing well for you.

Source for Texas Star Hibiscus: Shady Gardens Nursery.

Hibiscus: Choose Native for an Easy, Beautiful, Low Maintenance Garden

Every summer many, many people purchase the Tropical Hibiscus to place on their patio, porch, or around their pool. While it is true that the Tropical Hibiscus is beautiful and really does lend a tropical look to the garden, it will die to the ground with the first frost unless you live in the sub-tropical states. And if you've ever tried overwintering one indoors, you know how difficult that can be!

Instead, consider our American Native Hibiscus varieties. There are several, and in my opinion they are much more beautiful than the Tropical Hibiscus. Our native hibiscus is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows to shrub size each summer.

Hibiscus coccineus has bright red star-shaped blooms all summer on tall stems. This native hibiscus is known by many common names, among which are Texas Star Hibiscus, Swamp Hibiscus, and Swamp Mallow. The Swamp Hibiscus loves consistently moist soil but grows well in my garden with only a weekly watering. Hibiscus coccineus is beautiful even when not in bloom, having reddish-tinged green leaves shaped like maple leaves. Some visitors have claimed it looks like marijuana, but I can't say for sure, since I've never seen a marijuana plant. Perhaps they're telling on themselves! What do you think?

Hibiscus coccineus at Shady Gardens Nursery

'Very spectacular' is the best description for Hibiscus moscheutos or Swamp Mallow. Blooms are the size of a dinnerplate! See for yourself:

Hibiscus moscheutos growing alongside Rudbeckia Goldsturm

Hybridizers have developed many types and colors, but all are beautiful and any one would be a show piece in your garden.

The native hibiscus is so easy to grow that it would be a shame not to have one in your garden. Hibiscus coccineus is hardy as cold as USDA Zone 6 and Hibiscus moscheutos is happy in even colder temperatures found in USDA Zone 4! Wow! They are deciduous plants but will return in May each year with no special care.

For more information on availability of the hardy native hibiscus, contact us anytime at Shady Gardens Nursery.