It is Spring 5 May 2023

A survey of the garden today reveals a significant advance this week. More shrubs that were damaged by December’s flash freeze are showing signs of new growth. This is noticeable with the lorapetalum, azaleas and now finally the gardenias and camellias. What a relief! I was not looking forward to replacing so many shrubs.

I planted tomatoes this week which I hope was not too brave a move. The onions are doing well and so are the potatoes. Even a few beets that survived the winter are showing signs of being mature soon. The ground temperature was 55 degrees F yesterday so I am holding off on some caladium bulbs.

Here are this weeks photos.

I have three hostas to show you. I am unsure of the upper left and lower center but the lower left is called guacamole. That lower center hosta shows some signs of slug damage so I treated it with diatomaceous earth. Hope that helps.

Upper middle is a pointsettia that I saved several years ago and kept in my cold frame. It just recently showed signs of festive colors. Better late than never.

Upper right is a magnificent daylily. Cultivar is unknown but it is beautiful whatever is its name.

The lower right is a Japanese persimmon which I acquired several years ago. This is the first year that it has set fruit. I am very pleased because the fruit is delicious.

Join our Six on Saturday crowd tomorrow if you are in the neighborhood. It is curated by Jim Stephens. The link is https://gardenruminations.co.uk/.

Happy Gardening!!

Shade and sun

We have been through a few rainy days brought on by a tropical depression coming off the Gulf of Mexico.  The sun has returned today and the garden will now burst forth.  The trees and shrubs are fully arrayed in their leafy glory so there is plenty of shade.  The shade will protect the more tender of plants from the intense summer sun which is coming.

This is a beautiful time in the American South.  Here are my photos for the day.

This is a mock orange planted 3 years ago.  It has had a slow start but lots of beautiful blooms now.  It is a glorious sun lover.

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This is a Rudbeckia (Indian Summer) that I started from seed.  They are planted in a mixed bed with some dahlias that I also started from seed.  They are doing well in this sunny location.

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This daylily is one of a group that is thriving in afternoon sun.

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The oak leaf hydrangea is in morning sun and some afternoon sun.  It has been in this location for many years.  It is particulary glorious this year.  It is an Alabama native.

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This hosta thrives on the shady side of the house protected by a lorapetalum.  It used to suffer from slug damage but a little diatomaceous earth has stopped that this year.

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The majestic caladium Candide proudly sits in this planter at the entrance to the Mens Garden.

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Hope you enjoyed the tour of the sun and shade.

Be sure to check out the Propagator