Gulf Coast – Fine for Friday

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.

Grasses and Such 20 Oct 2022

Since the garden is entering hibernation, I was searching for photos to post today. I found some photos of grasses and such. We have visited the Alabama Gulf Coast often over the years and I have a selection of photos I have taken there.

First is a pampas grass against a backdrop of palm trees. This grass is tall and stands out in the landscape with its plumes. It is a native of South America but commonly seen in the American South.

Second is a pink Muhly grass. It is a perennial sedge like plant. It is an Alabama native which blooms this time of year. It is commonly seen along roadsides. The feather blooms are noticeable from a distance.

Third is sea oats. Sorry it is a little blurry. It grows on the sand dunes and is a signature of the beach and coastal areas. It provides shelter for birds.

Here is a close up of the sea oats.

I am not sure of this next photo but my plant app suggests it is a goldenrod. The Monarch butterflies seem to enjoy it.

Finally, here is a magnificent sunrise. The object above the sun may be Venus.

So, there it is. Hope this diversion entertains you.

Just a reminder, Jim Stephens of Garden Ruminations is hosting Six on Saturday now. You can find him here: https://gardenruminations.co.uk/ He has a good blog too.

Back to gardening next week.

Bird Project 15 July 2022

I noticed that my bluebird houses have attracted pairs of Eastern Bluebirds for the second time this year.

I have several houses at home and one at the Mens Garden.

I have followed the recommendations of the Audobon Society in building them in order to keep other birds away. I built them out of red cedar donated by a friend.

https://www.audubon.org/news/how-build-bluebird-nest-box

Bluebirds are almost exclusively insect eaters. They capture insects, crush them and feed them to their young. As you can see from the nest placement, they prefer to nest near a lawn or farmland so that they can capture insects easily.

I also inspected the trees nearby since they are abundant sources of caterpillars for the bluebirds and for other birds.

I know I have hackberry trees host to 6 different butterflies including the hackberry emperor.

I also found a shagbark hickory which is a host plant to many butterflies included the hairstreak.

In my search, I also found this in my side yard. He was perfectly still until I emerged enough to take this picture.

Finally, I hope you enjoy this Casablanca lily which just began blooming this week.

Happy gardening!

Be sure to check out the propagator

Summertime

The song says that the living is easy. It is hot here so its easy if you are indoors. Rain is forecast tomorrow which will break the heat for a while. In the meantime, it is sufficient just to keep the outdoor plants watered. Had to take care of the vole problem today. Applied a newly acquired treatment suggested by the local hardware store.

This pink spiderwort stood out today. I see it is also called Purple Heart. It loves the heat and spreads every summer and self seeds as an added bonus.

The rose campion has started to bloom again. It seems undefeated by the summer heat. Its delicate nature is beautiful. It is also self seeding but it is welcome.

The Rose of Sharon is also enjoying the summer heat. It is an old time favorite and I can see why. The blooms are magnificent. There is also a white bloom with a red throat.

The white caladium “Candide” loves this shady spot. It does get enough morning sun to keep it healthy and looks spiffy in this urn.

This old recycled fountain looks great set back amongst the Limelight hydrangeas and sports some thriving succulents.

The voles are inhabiting most of the lawn at the Mens Garden. The hardware store recommended this remedy. It attacks the Japanese beetle larvae which are the main food source for the voles. In addition, I have applied some repellent that was also recommended. Hope this works. All the runways in the lawn are unsightly.

Meanwhile, be careful in the heat. Seek shade whenever possible and remain hydrated.

Remember the Propagator

Happy Gardening

Heat Wave 17 June 2022

Greetings from the sweltering Southeast USA. We have been in a heat advisory for the past few days. It is expected to continue for another week. Highs are in the upper 90’s and heat index is topping 100 every day. My plan is to limit outdoor work to early morning and just before dusk. Plenty of liquids are also in order.

The plants are flourishing regardless. They have an ample supply of water after the heavy rain of a few days ago. I am watering the newest plants from this spring.

I did do some volunteer work in the native plant area of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens so I am including a shot or two from there.

The first shot is this beautiful tall Tiger Lily. The plant identifier is calling it an iris.

This next is a Prairie Coneflower. Ratibida sp. I started these from seed a few years ago. They had a tendency to sag when in bloom but this year they are strong enough to stand tall.

The hybrid daylilies are beautiful. So many vibrant bright colors. This one stood out.

This garden cherub is shaded in the fern garden amongst the Natchez crepe myrtles. The fern is a Southern shield (Thelypteris kunthii). This stately fern is slowly covering the shaded area but it is deciduous and allows the daffodils to come through in the late winter and spring.

The blephilia is blooming again.

Thought you might enjoy this native hydrangea (Hydrangea aborescens)

Another native hydrangeas showing off is this oakleaf with the red tinted flowers of the pannicle. Hydrangea quercifolia.

It is hot this week but these floral displays are grand. Hope you are able to get out and do some gardening. Mine will be limited the next two weeks.

Don’t forget the the propagator

Some Gulf Coast Photos 13 May 2022

I have been away at the Beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast. It has been marvellous weather. I am including some photos from there as well as some from home in Central Alabama. No matter where you travel in Alabama, you will be blessed with natural beauty.

This first photo is a Solomon’s Seal in bloom. It doesn’t bloom for long so you have to be watchful, especially so since it is in the shade garden.

I found this luna moth hanging out on the Encore Azalea. Its host plant is the tulip poplar which is in bloom just across the street from the Men’s Garden.

I found this iris on my walk at the Gulf Coast property where I have been staying. It resembles the Iris virginica at the Mens Garden.

Found this skink hiding in the iron plant. It must think I can’t see him.

Here is some cucumber leaved sunflower and sea oats framed against the beautiful Gulf waters. Makes you want to put up a sun umbrella.

Don’t you like this walking iris? It is sad that the bloom only lasts a little more than 24 hours. I have been able to propagate it easily. Just put the new growth that appears after the bloom fades into a small pot with some potting soil.

Found this magnificent Great Blue Heron lurking in the lily pond near our rental property on the Gulf Coast. He was probably feasting on some fish or crustacean found in the brackish water.

So, a mix of flora and fauna for you today.

Don’t forget to follow the Propagator. He is the inspiration for this blog.