Gardens – Page 13 – Fine for Friday

Late Winter 10 March 2020

The winter is coming to an end but not without one last insult. We will flirt with near freezing temps on Monday night and Tuesday night. Thankfully, I resisted the impulse to put out warm weather plants even though “spring” seemed to have come early this year.

The average last frost for us is April 15 so we still have at least 2 more weeks to go before planting warm weather plants.

There continues to be a steady appearance of new growth and blooms. Here are my photos for this week.

First, here is an Alabama Croton. It has beautiful foliage and delicate spring blooms. It is a native.

Second is a colorful Japanese painted fern. It is deciduous but worth waiting for each spring.

Third is my spring project. These are cuttings of Dragon Wing Begonias. I keep the original in a cold frame over the winter and protect it over cold spells. Beginning last spring, I have been harvesting cuttings and producing sufficient plants for my window boxes where they thrive.

Fourth is another spring project. Here are some reseeded hardy begonias. I am going to pot these up into containers and spread them around the part shaded areas nearby.

Fifth is a hosta which has just emerged. This is probably about 3 weeks early. I do not know the cultivar.

Finally, here is a poinsettia from 2 years ago. I kept it and managed it and it finally has changed color. A little late for Christmas but still a welcome site.

Hope your gardens are advancing like mine. I hope next week’s cold causes no lingering damage.

Don’t forget to tune in tomorrow for Six on Saturday hosted by Jim Stephens. You can find the link here https://gardenruminations.co.uk

Happy Gardening

Late Winter 3 March 2023

We have had very mild weather this week with ample rain. A storm front came through today and it was very lion like. The sun broke through after the blustery air mass had passed through. The wind brought down some some branches and pine cones mostly.

The green sign of new growth continues to strengthen and more blooms are emerging. The yellow green of pine pollen is also appearing so nasal passages beware.

The photos are becoming easier to obtain. Here are my efforts for this week.

First is this native violet, the common blue violet Viola sororia. This is a great ground over

This is a native trillium. Looks like Little Sweet Betsy or Trillium cuneatum. It is a spring ephemeral so I am happy to see it again.

Third is the bloom of a pearl bush or Exochorda so. It is usually a prolific bloomer but it is stunted from the winter cold snap.

The fourth is a Sedum. The cultivar is ‘Autumn Joy’. This is a welcome sight. I thought it would be ruined by the deep freeze at Christmas.

The fifth is a dewberry or Ruby’s flagellates. It is a low growing perennial that acts like a vine. It can be a nuisance but the flowers are beautiful. yes, it is a blackberry and raspberry relative

This last is a redbud or Cercis canadensis. It is a reliable harbinger of spring. The arching branches and abundant blooms are very showy. And yes it is a lavender shade and not red.

Hope the weather is changing or soon to change in your area. If not, join us tomorrow for the Six on Saturday gang with photos of their gardens from around the world. Hosted by Jim Stephens and here is the link.

https://gardenruminations.co.uk/

Happy gardening!!

Late Winter 24 Feb 2022

The days continue to lengthen and the pace of change in the garden is picking up steam. Every day brings new evidence that the damage done by the Christmas freeze experienced here in the South has not been permanent. Leaves are appearing on the tea olives and azaleas. The dianthus has begun to bloom. More and more daffodils are appearing and the grass is greening up.

Flocks of robins have appeared and the songbirds are in full throat. It is a time of high expectation. I have many plants ready to go into the ground but I have to control myself since we are likely to have one or two more frosty mornings before spring arrives.

First photo to show you is the blueberry Vaccinia ashei which is about to bloom. Hope I can do a better job of keeping the birds and deer away from them.

The second photo is a trumpet daffodil. I am unsure of this cultivar.

The third photo is of the flower of the wild garlic (Allium vineale). It is a winter perennial and is considered a nuisance in the lawn but if you look up close the bloom is beautiful. Sorry for the out of focus shot here but it was quite a windy day.

The fourth photo is of a very interesting fungus growing on a fallen log at the edge of my yard. I think it is commonly called turkey tail (Trametes versicolor).

The fifth photo is of a shrimp plant beginning to bloom. I keep this in my little green house. I do not climate control it but in freezing weather I turn on heat lamps which are ample enough to keep the temp inside it above freezing. This plant is also called false hop (Justice brandegeeana)

The sixth photo is of the spring ephemeral called Carolina beauty. It is a delicate plant which blooms and soon disappears until next year. It is in small clumps which you have to look carefully to pick out.

I hope you able to get out into your garden in order to enjoy the therapeutic effect of gardening. If you cannot now, I hope it will be something you will soon be able to enjoy.

Join the Six on Saturday blog hosted by Jim Stephens. Gardeners around the world join in and post their 6 or so photos of the week. You can find it here https://gardenruminations.co.uk/

Happy gardening until next week!!

Five for Friday 17 Feb 2023

We are about to have a freeze tonight. The low in the morning will be 28 degrees F according to the forecast. We have had a lot of rain yesterday (2 inches). The temps are forecast to be in the upper 70’s next week and probably the next 10 days. I am feeling the need to seriously think about some hardy plants.

I did plant some sweet peas last week and I hope they survive the night temps. My onion transplants are standing straight and I am optimistic about them.

More and more green is beginning to appear but not a lot of blooms yet other than the daffodils. Next week should be one for more blooms.

First, here is an amaryllis well out of the ground. I cannot say what cultivar it may be since these are generally those we had for the holidays which I plant in the ground each spring.

Second, here is the colorful bark of a crape myrtle ‘Natchez’. It blooms white in the middle of spring but the winter bark color is the winner for me.

Third, this a noticeable frond of a Southern Shield Fern. These are well established now after 3 seasons and I expect a generous clump of them this year. They are deciduous but they do tolerate a fair amount of sun which is wonderful during the hot days of summer.

Fourth, this is Iris virginica. It just emerged last week and I am grateful. It will be a few weeks before it blooms. The common name is Blueflag Iris.

Fifth and final for today is an oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia. It is a hardy native perennial with the noticeable red bark in the winter. Those are my best for today.

Join Jim for Six on Saturday tomorrow here. Gardeners from around the world will be joining to update us on the latest in their gardens.

Until then, happy gardening!!

Five for February 3 Feb 2023

Its a sunny day which is especially delightful since we have had a run of gloomy rainy days. We are storing up the rain now since we can expect dry hot weather in the summer.

The plant world is showing more evidence of emergence aided by the increased duration of sunlight. I am seeing more daffodils, some tulip magnolias and even a few early azalea blooms.

It is becoming easier to find 6 photos to feature on this blog.

First is a glorious cluster of Lenten roses which are a brilliant white.

Second is a smaller cup daffodil which is in a cluster as you can see. I am unsure of the name. The leaves on the ground are mostly water oak. This spot is mostly in morning sun.

Third is the early buds of blueberry. This is Vaccinium ashei which are rabbiteyes. I think is the cultivar ‘Tifton’. I had to put a glove behind them before the iphone camera would focus.

Fourth is an asparagus fern coming to life. This is Asparagus sp which is not a true fern. It is perennial in our Zone 8A.

Fifth is a heucherella which I have in a container in a mostly shade area. This is exciting since it looked to be wiped out by the Christmas flash freeze.

Sixth is Rudbeckia triloba or Brown eyed susan which is a native to our area. I plantd these last year in a container. They were severely affected by the flash freeze at Christmas but I am proud to say they are making a comeback.

I have one more photo to show today. We have a number of feral cats in our neighborhood. Two days ago we heard a lot of noise from under the hood of my wife’s car. These were the culprits.

They were right on top of the battery. By size and movement, we think they are three weeks old. The neighbor is keeping them as she has been feeding the mother. The kittens will go to a shelter as will the mother.

Join us for Six on Saturday tomorrow hosted by Jim Stephens here. Check out gardens from all the world.

Happy gardening!!

Five for Friday 27 January 2023

In Alabama, the days are lengthening and more signs of spring growth are appearing. There are still some frosty nights this week but just a few degrees. I have started some seeds but mostly these are some herbs and some perennials.

Today, my photos are from the Birmingham Botanical Gardens as well as my own yard and the Vestavia Hills Mens Garden

This first photo is of some winter interest. This is a bank of muhly grass with limelight hydrangeas in the background near the conservatory. This was very noticeable on a sunny day this week at the Botanical Gardens. Notice how the hydrangeas keep the petals over the winter.

The second photo is of a hardwood woodland at the Gardens filled with King Alfred daffodils. This faces east and warms early in the day as the sun rises.

The third photo from the Botanical Gardens is Spirea thunbergii which may be called Thunberg spirea. It is also on an east facing bank. These tiny blossoms are brilliant white. I did not notice a fragrance but there must be to attract early insect pollinators.

Next is a photo from my yard of a large cupped daffodil which I think is Orange Sunset. It was in some shade when I took this picture so its brilliant colors cannot be appreciated.

This next phots is also from my yard showing the first signs of recovery in my tea olives Osmanthus fragrans. I am very pleased to see this.

The next photo is from the Mens Garden. Here is a beautiful violet hellebore. This was a donation so I do not know the cultivar. It was shyly drooping a little so I raised it up to take the photo.

Another from the Mens Garden is an emerging fiddlehead of a Southern Shield fern Thelypteris kunthii. They are deciduous and a little agressive but they are a great groundcover in woodland areas and even in sunny locations.

Finally, here is also some sign of life in an oakleaf hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia. These Alabama natives are very hardy and are a welcome sign of the coming spring season.

I hope your garden is also beginning to show increasing signs of life. If you are able, join us Saturday morning for the Six on Saturday group. See gardeners from around the world post photos of their gardens.

Jim Stephens is our host and you can find it here.

Until next time.

Five for Friday 20 Jan 2023

It has been a month now since the record cold here in Birmingham. The weather has been seasonal since, which means warm days with rain and sunny days with near freezing temps. A close watch on the garden continues to reveal many hopeful signs that plants are entering their late winter/early spring phase. There is even a daffodil bloom to feature for this post.

First, is the first sign that the Southern Shield Ferns (Thelypteris kunthii) are beginning to rise out of the ground. There is the characteristic fiddlehead.

Second, is a chrysanthemum. There are increasing numbers of newly emerging growth stalks. These are hardy mums and they bloomed prolifically last fall.

Third is a photo of Shasta daisy awakening. It took a significant hit but prospects of a good summer bloom are increasing. This is the ‘Becky’ cultivar.

Fourth is Stoke’s Aster (Stokesia laevis). It seems to be well recovered and in better condition than the Shasta. It is a native which explains the better response.

Next are two other natives. The resurrection fern which always freshens up after a rain and the leatherwood (Dirca palustris). The leatherwood is now 5 years old and this is the first bloom that I have seen on it.

Finally, the prize goes to the first daffodil. I am unsure of the cultivar but it may be ‘Ice Follies’.

We will have rain this weekend with continued seasonal temps. The hellebores are making good progress so I hope to have photos of them next week.

In the meantime, tomorrow, wander over to the Six on Saturday forum and see gardens from all over the world as our group shares. Jim Stephens hosts our group here and it is a pleasant place to gaze as you enjoy a morning beverage.

Until next time, Happy Gardening.

Five for Friday 14 Jan 2023

Here in Birmingham which is in Central Alabama of the American South, it is blustery and cool today. We are at the high for the day early this afternoon and it is 39F or 4C whichever pleases you the most. In addition, it is gray and dismal.

Severe storms came through at mid day yesterday and brought with them strong winds and some tornadoes. There was a lot of damage in Selma about 75 miles to our south and several people were killed in Autauga County also to our south.

Selma, Alabama at the home of a good friend’s relative. It is right across the street from the historic Sturdivant Hall which was spared.

Sturdivant Hall

In our location, we were spared the damaging storms. We will be warming up next week, although the expectation is for rainy weather.

There are an increasing signs of spring for you today.

First, I have to show you the blooming geranium in my greenhouse. It is so red that it blurred the picture.

Second, I have two hellebores. The first is a white which is just emerging.

Lenten Rose

The next is a lavender pink color. When the bloom emerges, it is more erect so that you can easily see its face. I do not know the cultivar. It may be Pippa’s Purple.

The third is the culinary ginger which I keep indoors. It thrives outdoors in the summer. It is great to just take a segment for cooking..

The fourth is the Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’. It is just beginning to peak above ground. As you can imagine from its naming, it is red.

Crocosmia

The fifth is daffodils beginning to appear. I think these are Barrett Browning.

Daffodil

Finally, sixth, this is a camellia bud that looks like it will emerge soon. This is Professor Charles Sargeant.

Camellia

Join us on Six on Saturday https://gardenruminations.co.uk/ hosted by Jim Stephens and see the photos of gardeners from around the world.

Happy gardening!

Five for Friday 6 January 2023

#Vestavia #VHMensgarden

Here in the American South, I have had time to assess the damage from the Christmas freeze. It is significant but there are definitely signs of hope.

The herbaceous annuals and perennials are showing signs of recovery. The shrubs have a lot of leaf damage but the horticulture folks tell us to wait until spring growth before pruning. That makes a lot of sense. The hope is that we will still have the beautiful spring flowering from the azaleas. The camellias are expected to bloom soon. We shall see. Short range, the weather looks favorable for plant growth.

Today, I am showing some before and after photos.

First, these are holly ferns. Fingers crossed here since they are favorites.

Second, these are lenten roses. A lot of damage but it looks recoverable.

Third, these are pansies. They had been off to a good start but this is a significant set back.

Fourth, these are poppies. I thought they were goners but maybe not so fast.

Fifth, these are the rudbeckia. Once more, there is a glimmer of hope.

Finally, these are Shasta daisies.

There is hope. There are buds on the camellias, the daffodils are rising and a cut through an azalea branch still shows the green cambium of growth.

Please join the Six on Saturday group hosted by Jim Stephens Six on Saturday.

Happy Gardening.

Five for Friday 30 Dec 2022

The New Year is upon us and as always I am looking upon it with great expectations. In many ways, this has been a trying year and I am not regretting its passing.

The severe weather that we just experienced in Central Alabama has caused visible damage and to our plants untold damage yet unseen. Here in the American South, there is still some color to show but also a glimmer of the damage done.

It was a flash freeze that we experienced here with the temps dropping 40 degrees F in just a few hours to temperatures we rarely record.

Here are my pics for today.

First, here is some of the color before the freeze. The Majestic pansy and the kerria were so bright and cheerful.

Second, here were some other window box items that were doing so well. The red sorrel and the curly parsley are now history. The succulent may survive.

Third, here is the ageratum which had been surviving through several mild frost days. It will have to wait until spring weather to see if it survives. I am optimistic.

Fourth, here is a sasanqua camellia. It shows some leaf damage from the freeze that I have never seen before but there is enough green and a bud to hold out promise.

Fifth, I show you a Rudbeckia ‘Indian Summer’ which I protected in my little vinyl greenhouse. It is a survivor.

Finally, there are a pair of other tender plants which I shelterd in the greenhouse and they will survive to bloom another day.

There is a geranium (Pelargonium) here and a shrimp plant.

There has been a lot of damage to water pipes in our area. Many buildings do not have the insulation for the pipes to survive the severity of cold we had and so much of the distribution systems are aged and frail. These problems will take time to fix and may result in more stringent building codes.

Happy New Year and Happy Gardening!

Thank you to Jim Stephens for hosting Six on Saturday Come visit our merry band and enjoy the thoughts and labors of gardeners around our planet.