As I go about my daily routine each morning, I usually have a few minutes to check out my garden before I head to the office. One of my favorite spots in my yard is the 3 feet of ground surrounding my mailbox. The soil here is terrible and I didn't do anything to amend it, but I insisted on putting some plants here so that I wouldn't have to weed-eat around the mailbox pole. The soil is largely clay, so not much will grow in this spot without … [Read more...]
Spring Tour of Colonnade Garden in Columbus, MS
As part of the spring tourism season, the city of Columbus holds a Spring Pilgrimage that includes tours of antebellum homes, live music events, arts, food, a 5K race, and stories from the town’s history. We selected the tour that included Colonnade Gardens. The original gardens were installed in the 1860’s and include a boxwood maze, gazing pool with fountain, kitchen and herb garden, and a pleasure garden. Pleasure Garden There were so … [Read more...]
This Beautiful Purple Vine Can Be Deadly to a Tree
When there is a sweet floral scent in the air in early March, I know the wisteria is blooming. All I have to do is drive my car with the windows down to find a patch of this sweetly scented flowering vine. I’m led by my nose to look around for the soft purple of its blooms. In the South, this vine is omnipresent – in the forest, in neighborhoods, in rights-of-way, and even along highways. That is both the joy of and the pitfall of Chinese … [Read more...]
When Do You Put Out Your Hummingbird Feeders in Spring
The first hummingbirds start migrating northward in early spring, showing up in southern Texas, Louisiana, and northern Florida in late February and the first week of March. It takes a little while longer for them to start showing up in my garden, but they usually show up just when the red buckeyes are in full bloom. This tends to be around mid- to late-March. This is when I’ll hang my hummingbird feeders in my garden. There is a great … [Read more...]
Bringing in the Beauty of Spring
Spring Beauties Just when I reach my limit with the bleakness of winter and cold temperatures, the tiniest of pink striped flowers start to poke their heads out of lawns and ditches. To me, the Virginia spring beauty (Claytonia virginica) is a harbinger of spring and warmer weather. These flowers bloom just before the false garlic – so they fill up the lawns and ditches before the taller flowers begin to grow leaves and bloom. In … [Read more...]
Beautiful, Large Blooms of the Oak Leaf Hydrangea Shrub
Oak leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a favorite of native plant gardeners for many reasons. If you're looking for a shrub that is hardy, produces beautiful flowers, can grow in the shade, and has lovely fall colors, look no further. Here are just a few of the reasons why I love this shrub: #1 The large white flowers (in the shade!!) These flowers are quite simply gorgeous! They can get 6-10 inches long and have clusters of small white … [Read more...]
Freesia – Early Spring Blooms
This is the second year that I planted freesia bulbs. I had a bag that had been in my gardening supplies for a year or so (I have a tendency to put things away and forget about them), so I finally decided to put them in the ground. The results were great! These are such strong-smelling flowers though, I recommend you don't cut them to bring them indoors. They are beautiful outdoors in early spring where you can enjoy the scent and not be … [Read more...]
Trees for Your Southern Landscape: A Walk through the Forest in Your Backyard
As gardeners, we usually think of flowering plants and vegetables when we think of our gardens, but trees and shrubs play an important role as well. Trees provide shelter, food, and nesting sites for wildlife. They help to store carbon dioxide and can reduce your electric bill for your house. Some trees bloom and some have beautiful patterned bark or leaves that change to a stunning hue in fall. Having a variety of trees that bloom or produce … [Read more...]
Louisiana Irises
If you want an iris that has a lot of color but is very low maintenance, maybe the Louisiana iris if for you. The wide variety of colors and shapes in these irises make them very popular. This is a favorite of mine and I find the unique flowers gorgeous. The leaves are attractive, providing texture in the garden long after the blooms are gone. With such easy care, what’s not to love? There are five species of Louisiana irises. These are … [Read more...]
Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia)
The little purple-blue flowers of common blue violet are blooming all over my grass under the trees, where it stays moist for long periods of time. I always try to mow around them as much as I can so that I can enjoy the wildflowers. They bloom in early spring into early summer, from April to June and sometimes July. Common Blue Violet Plant Description This small plant grows about 4 inches high and can be as wide as 5 or 6 inches. It is … [Read more...]