garden – Page 5 – Fine for Friday

Six on Saturday 23 Dec 2022

For us here in Central Alabama, the cold front arrived during the night and we will be below freezing for the next 48 hours. It is too soon to assess the damage so I have some photos taken in past 2 days.

We have not had any snow and there is no ice to close the roadways. The power is out in our neighborhood but our generator is functioning so thank God for that blessing.

First is a camellia bud. It is the Sea Foam that I showed you last time. These should have enough protection to be saved for blooming later.

Sea Foam

This next is another camellia. This one is Professor Charles Sargent. When it blooms, I will show it to you. It is unusual in color.

Professor Charles Sargent

This is a succulent that is outdoors in a repurposed bird bath. It is very hardy and I think it will survive the cold.

Succulent

These are some bearded iris which should also survive. They are a deep blue color and are reliable early March bloomers. They should be protected by the Post Oak and Water Oak leaves.

Bearded Iris

This next is a Florida anise. It is in partial shade and has done very well for the past several years. It is also hardy and I believe it will survive. The buds are visible and look well protected.

Florida anise

Last, I have a Lenten Rose which will bloom next month. It is shade loving but with the leaves fallen, it is getting enough sunlight to encourage blooming.

Lenten Rose – Hellebore

Next week, after assessing damage, I will bring you up to date on the garden.

Wishing all my friends on this blog a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Be sure to follow us on Six on Saturday hosted by Jim Stephens. You can see it here .https://gardenruminations.co.uk/

Six on Saturday 16 Dec 2022

The weather is forecast to be much colder but there are still some blooms to show you. There is also signs of new growth to come.

We are expecting a cold snap here in Central Alabama. Temps will drop below freezing for several nights. Looks like this will continue at least until Christmas. Who knows! We might have a white Christmas.

In the meantime, my photos today will feature some persisiting blooms and some signs of things to come.

First, here is a lantana to start. It still has a few blooms despite the short days and cool temps. I really like this gold color. It will not survive the upcoming cold nights.

Second is the Camellia japonica “Sea Foam”. It is a little early but the double bloom is outstanding.

Third is the second Camellia japonica. I could not find the cultivar name but it is an unusual dark color.

The next are two ferns. The first is known as Southern Shield and it is evergreen. The other is an asparagus fern which dies back with the cold.

Fifth is a bay (Laurus nobilis) which I use for cooking. This has a hint of lemony flavor in addition to the expect bay leaf flavor.

The next is a project that has succeeded. These are leopard lilies that I have started from the seeds (bulbils). I planted them last fall and they sprouted this spring. They should be ready to plant next spring.

Happy gardening! Hope the cold weather does not cause the garden too much damage.

Follow the Six on Saturday group on this site Six on Saturday blog. Jim Stephens has taken over hosting the group.

Winter Approaches 2 Dec 2022

The days continue to shorten. The recent rain has brought most of the leaves to the ground. Orion is visible in the Southern sky. Winter is definitely approaching.

We are still having mild enough weather to keep some of the blooms alive but their is color everywhere if you look.

First, the Alabama Croton continues to display. It is definitely a four season delight.

The dogwood (Cornus florida) has beautiful leaf color. It will have some pretty red berries for the birds but most of them have already been eaten.

This Japanese maple has dropped its red leaves onto this bed of pansies after the recent heavy rain.

The blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) is continuing to bloom This native is another multiseason showpiece.

The encore azalea is living up to its name. It is still blooming even after a few light frosts.

These have become iconic in the American South since they bloom in profusion 3 times a year. There are numerous cultivars in several colors from white to red to lavender.

Finally, I thought you might enjoy the pointsettia tree at the Birmingham Botanical Garden. The story goes that it takes 300 individual potted pointsettias to make this eye stopping beauty.

That’s mine for this week. I am still managing to find a lot of color for the blog.

Don’t forget to enjoy Six on Saturday which is now hosted by Jim Stephens. You can find it here.

Happy Gardening.

Thanksgiving 25 Nov 2022

We have had a reprieve from the freezing temps of last week. It has been beautiful with warm days but that always brings the possiblity of stormy weather. In fact, it may bring some thunderstorms tomorrow night.

There was a refreshing rain overnight and we are still overcast this morning as I write. This is Thanksgiving weekend and this is a special beginning to the holiday season. It is appropriate to give thanks for all things. It is a good thing to pause, step back and reflect. Yesterday, it was a feast day with turkey as the centerpiece and sides of traditional food at our house including cornbread dressing, squash casserole and cranberry relish.

It is also a time to look forward beyond the holiday season and to the upcoming year. In the garden, there are signs of the past year but also signs of the year to come.

First, I have a lantana still putting out some blooms. It seems to remind me of colored popcorn.

Second, I have a Camellia sasanqua and a California poppy both with bright blooms.

Third is a large hosta. After the frost, the bright greens are replaced by this golden yellow which is so eye catching.

Fourth, there is a Tuscann blue rosemary with its delicate blue blooms.

Fifth, there is the seedhead of some garlic chives. This is a sign of new life to come and also garden weeding in the spring.

Sixth, there are the buds of blooms to come. This is Viburnum macrocephalum and Edgeworthis chrysantha which will be glorious come spring.

Those are my offerings for this week.

Follow Six on Saturday hosted by Jim Stephens on garden ruminations. It is a gathering of gardeners around the world sharing their love for gardening.

Happy Gardening.

Frost 18 Nov 2022

In our part of the American South the first frost date averages November 15. It is 26 F this morning, so we are on schedule. The air is crisp and clear with a forecast for a bright sunny day. On this type of days, the light is so bright that it becomes a little difficult to see.

Garden tasks will be delayed today but they are few. In fact, the most important task will be to check the LED lights for our outdoor Christmas decoration.

However, I have still been able to find some colorful items to show you.

First, here is a blue ageratum or mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum). It is perennial with striking lime green foliage and the misty blooms that have been there for weeks now.

Second is a kerria bush (Kerria japonica). It had stopped blooming but I found this bloom down low in a protected area. It mostly blooms in the spring but sporadically there have been blooms all summer long and now well into fall.

Third, I have a photo of the pansies I planted as a fall/winter annual. They do so well in windowboxes and containers on the patio or deck. This cultivar is in the Matrix series. They are able to tolerate cold down into the low 20’s. The bright faces are much appreciated in the cold mornings we will experience the next few months.

Fourth is a rhododendron that I found 2 days ago with a well developed bud. It looks well wrapped to bear the cold. Anticipate this will be glorious in the spring.

Fifth is a Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides). It is a native. The name derives from the frond leaves which resemble hanging Christmas stockings. I will leave that to your imagination.

Sixth is an indoor plant but I keep them outdoors during the warm months. It is a Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera truncata). It is a succulent which is very easy to propagate. It is sometimes called a Thanksgiving cactus which seems more appropriate at this time of year.

Be sure to follow Jim Stephens at Garden Ruminations

He is hosting the Six on Saturday group. There is an abundance of great photos and dialog there.

Happy Gardening!

Fall Colors 11 Nov 2022

The garden is continuing to ebb as the temperatures slowly decline. It is a slow march into winter but this past week, the colors of the changing leaves have been unmatched. It is made ever more noticeable because of the clear blue skies and the dry weather.

In addition to the leaves, I still have some persistent blooming flowers to show you.

Chestnut Oak (Quercus montana). This tree stands near the Mens Garden along the side of the elevated roadway. Last year, I found some acorns underneath it that were sprouting. I took them home and I now have a chestnut oak in my own yard.

Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia). This native shrub provides four season attraction. The red fall coloration is beautiful. This particular shrub is at the edge of a small woodland and really stands out since it is south facing.

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). This dogwood was planted several years ago and has taken some time to be established. It performed well this year so I am expecting to see it bloom this spring.

Sweetspire (Itea virginica) This small shrub is another Alabama native which performs so well. It has thrived in this location also on the south facing side of a small woodland. It should also bloom well in the spring with its characteristic tassel.

Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana). This native established itself near the fountain of the Mens Garden. It is a fall bloomer and really shows out.

Red mulberry (Morus rubra). This is a well established tree, along the east facing side of my property line, which bears a lot of fruit in the spring. If you want some of the berries, you have to beat the squirrels and the birds to it since they really love them

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum). I planted two of these trees along my property line 40 years ago. Each year I think they will show the rainbow of colors characteristic of this tree but each year it produces this brilliant gold.

Zinnias. These zinnias haven’t given up. I am still seeing Monarchs, Gulf fritillaries and Clouded sulphurs coming for nectar.

Well, that’s my lot for this week. I enjoy this exercise of finding six photos (more or less) to keep up to date with the happenings in my garden world. If it brings you pleasure to view them, then my job is doubly fulfilled.

Check out Jim Stephens Garden Ruminations. He is hosting Six on Saturday where you can view gardeners from around the world who share in this exercise.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Solo shot of the day.

Frost is coming

In our area, first frost averages as November 15. I was planning on beginning to winterize my garden the last week of October. In fact, we have an out of town trip planned next week. As luck would have it, next week we are forecast for 2 nights of below freezing temps. I have had to step up today and begin that process. Tender plants have been provided shelter.

In the meantime, here are my photos for the day. I have been looking at succulents. So here are some of my discoveries.

First, this is known as a paddle plant. It has appealing shape and color with a sense of modesty about it. It will be an indoor plant. Careful not to overwater.

Second, this another interestingly shaped succulent. It may be a whisk fern although I am uncertain. It is another indoor succulent.

Third, and found at the Mens Garden. It tolerates our climate in Zone 8. It tolerates this partly sunny location nestled in a repurposed bird bath. I am unsure of the name.

Fourth, this looks likea Euphorbia but I didn’t catch the name even though it looks like the tag was beside it. It will also be an indoor plant.

Fifth, here is a mass of light blue pansies. They will tolerate our winter and even bloom. They will survive a light frost. Careful not to overfertilize them in the winter months.

Sixth, here is a lingering patch of Sunpatiens. It is a hybrid plant combination of traditional impatiens with the larger New Guinea impatiens which results in a plant that thrises in full sun in hot, humid weather. These had a slow start this summer but are have thrived ever since June. Hope they will survive this little cold snap and give pleasure for a few more weeks.

That’s it for this week. I wish you “Happy Gardening” and don’t forget to take a peek at the propagator’s blog. He is the host of Six On Saturday.

Fall Colors 30 Sept 2022

This week, it has been fall like weather with highs in the 70’s and morning temps below 60. I have been able to complete many more fall tasks. Most of the planting beds have been cleared and I do have a good start on a fall vegetable garden with radishes, carrots and beets.

It has been a little breezy from a cold front. It is still very dry. The hurricane did not bring any rain our way but it has been devastated to our dear brothers and sisters in Florida. I have spent many vacations in central Florida and it is painful to think of the destruction and misery. God Bless all those who are rushing in to help.

Here are my six.

First is this Inland Sea Oats that I started from seed. It will do well in the shady areas of the garden. It is beginning to show that golden fall color. The seed heads are so unusual.

Next is some boneset. It is a Eupatorium species. It is a common native. I did not plant it but it is a delight of the fall.

Next is a toadlily given to me by a friend. It is Tricyrtis hirta. It is a hardy, shade loving perennial. It is low growing and has such beautiful lily like flowers.

Next is another grass I planted this year. It is a Carex known as Everillo. Beautiful fall golden color. It loves the sun.

I was visited by this beautiful butterfly. I think it is a Red Spotted Purple.

Speaking of blue, here is a group of Ageratum proudly displaying their color.

This Alabama Croton is beginning to show its bronzy side and the dogwood beside it is showing its red side.

At the last, here is a camellia showing that it will bloom in January when the days are dreary and that the spring will return.

Hope you are enjoying the blue sky days of October here in the American South.

Take a peak at the propagator blog. He is the inspiration for my efforts.

Happy Gardening.

Friday Favorites

It is Friday. Our beautiful weather continues. It will be dry for the next week so some judicious watering is in order. These tasks will have to be done today as you will soon find out.

Football season has begun so the wife and I will be watching college football tomorrow.

First off are two spider lilies. They are sometimes called surprise lilies because they seem to just appear overnight.