slideshow

‘One Man’s Treasure’, ‘Afternoon Delight’, ‘Elvis Lives’, ‘Guacamole’, ‘Squash Casserole’!! Hosta!!! Just like potato chips – you can’t just have one. I, thus, have dozens – often choosing them purely by the whimsy in their names. For those who have not added hosta to the landscape, it is time to do just that. The garden shops are chock-full of these marvelous hardy herbaceous perennials grown for their wonderful and colorful foliage. The leaves come in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes, and textures -- and can be solid or variegated in combinations of blue, green, yellow and my favorite, chartreuse. Just last week I bought one called ‘Orange Marmalade’ which has an orange tint to the leaves. As for texture, I love the ones with the thick, highly corrugated leaves – often making them impervious to slugs (more about that later). Hosta are low maintenance and widely available. They are featured in catalogs, such as the one from Plant Delights Nursery which lists dozens of interesting cultivars. There are tiny ones like ‘Stiletto’ which grow only a few inches across or huge ones like ‘Sum and Substance’ which get several feet across. Some can get just inches high and others can reach two feet.

Although hosta are primarily grown for their foliage, they do produce flowers from early summer to fall. Flowers grow on long spikes and range from white to lavender or purple and may be fragrant. Some folks do not like the flowers and promptly remove them. Butterflies and hummingbirds like the flowers, so I have begun to enjoy them more.

Hosta are shade-tolerant plants but they, like many other shade lovers, do not like deep shade. They prefer dappled morning sun and afternoon shade. Some will tolerate a little afternoon sun, but their leaves may get sunburned. The blue-leafed hosta require more shade and the gold, yellow and white-leafed hosta can tolerate more sun. Hosta with fragrant flowers do like some half a day of sun. ‘Fragrant Bouquet’, ‘Guacamole’, ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ and ‘Sum and Substance’ all will tolerate some sun. (Don’t you just love the names!) Please remember that the more sun a hosta gets, the more water it will need to thrive. For those of you looking for long- lived plants for your garden, hosta are just the plant for you. A little slow release fertilizer is appreciated in early spring. Unless attacked by voles or wandering deer, they will remain in your garden for years. Deers love hosta and the pricier the plant the better the plant tastes. (This is not scientific fact just personal observation.) I use a product made of putrefied eggs to spray all my hosta with after the deer consumed most of mine one year. Voles, small mouse-like creatures that tunnel under the mulch and devour the entire root system, can also do lots of damage; I have lost many beloved hosta to these small creatures. (Since voles like to crawl under mulch, pulling back your mulch from the base of your plants might prove helpful; removing it entirely from a bed may help convince the voles not to remain in your garden. The only drawback here is that the mulch is really good for the garden; I compromise and keep it away from the base of the plant.) To do battle with the voles I went to two methods, planting the hosta in containers and planting those in the ground with moats of Permatill surrounding the root ball. Permatill, actually a soil amendment is a product (a soil aggregate) made of small rocks and is advertised as a volebloc, as supposedly the voles don’t like to crawl through the rocks to get to the root. The Permatill did help deter much of the damage once I started using it. Years ago I put out mouse traps laden with peanut butter and oatmeal; the only thing I caught were my own fingers. Years ago we had a terrible problem with rats getting under our house, so we had to hire a service which dispatched them; when we dispatched the rats our vole problems disappeared. Enough said on that topic.

Another garden enemy to hosta are slugs who will munch and munch and munch. Some gardeners may put out small containers of beer (a drink irresistible to slugs and snails) which the slugs drown in; there are also slug baits but caution is needed as those products can poison pets. I have used diatomaceous earth and a product called Sluggo which is supposed to be safe to use in the garden for pets and the environment. A friend puts out boards which the slugs crawl under and then she cleans off daily. I have heard of others pouring salt around their hosta but I would not recommend that method as it is bad for your soil and anything else there.

Hosta, like all other things in our gardens, prefer well-drained soil with lots of organic matter. They need ample moisture during their growing season – at least an inch per week. You can plant, transplant, and divide hosta in the early fall or in the spring before the leaves unfold. It is much harder on the plant if you do those chores during summer’s heat. Just a few weeks ago I spent days bumping my hosta to bigger pots. By the way hosta do great in containers. Not only are they not bothered by voles, but you can also move them out of range of the local deer herd; the extra chill in the air from being in a container is actually enjoyed by the hosta root system.

With more than 2,000 registered cultivars of hosta in existence, there is one for every personality and every garden. Choose some of each color, size, and leaf shape and prepare to quickly become a collector. Sit back and enjoy the spring show as their marvelous leaves unfold. You and your garden will be the better for it! (Now, where did I put my Plant Delights catalog?)

By the way the MGs will sell ‘Sun Power’ hosta at our first plant sale of the season, April 21, from 8 until 11 at Cane Creek Community Gardens at McClellan. ‘Sun Power’ is more sun tolerant than many other hosta culitvars.

slideshow

Rain Barrel and Cisterns Workshop

By Hayes Jackson, Urban Regional Agent

March 29, 2012 10:00—12:00 pm

Anniston Museum of Natural History

800 Museum Drive, Anniston To Register Contact 256 237-6766

FREE CLASS! *First 30 registrants can purchase a Rain Barrel for $40.00*

"Funded by Legacy, Inc. Partners in Environment Education."

Sponsored by Anniston Museum of Natural History www.annistonmuseum.org

Berman Museum of World History www.bermanmuseum.org

Longleaf Botanical Garden www.longleafbotanicalgardens.org

PLANT SALES

Saturday, April 21rst, 4-H Tree Amigos Master Gardeners , 8 - 11, Cane Creek Community Gardens

Saturday, May 5, 4-H Tree Amigos Master Gardeners and Anniston Museum Volunteers, 8 AM - until all plants are sold, Longleaf Botanical Gardens at the Anniston Museum

Saturday, May 5, Jacksonville Garden Club, 8 until, Dr. Bonds parking lot in Jacksonville

LUNCH & LEARN - A series of free gardening programs sponsored by Calhoun County Master Gardeners & Calhoun County Commission. Held the 4 th Wednesday of each month at the Cane Creek Community Garden at McClellan. Noon-1pm ~ bring your own lunch!

April 25 th

"Stone Structure Sites on Choccolocco Mountain"

Harry Holstein, JSU Archeology Dept.

May 23 rd

"Land Conservation in Alabama"

Josh Holmes, Alabama Land Trust

June 27 th

"Succulents"

Hayes Jackson, ACES

July 25 th

Cleaning up Choccolocco Creek"

Michael Buntin, AL Aquatic Biodiversity Center

Aug 22 nd

"Getting to Know the Talladega National Forest"

Karen McKenzie, District Ranger

Sept 26 th

"Native Plants"

Hayes Jackson, ACES

Dates/speakers subject to change. Calhoun Co. Extension Office 256-237-1621.

"Every Home Deserves a Garden" with Vince Dooley, Botanical Gardens Benefit Luncheon, Friday, April 27, Call the Museum to get a ticket.　

slideshow

Just wanted to share a photo of my ‘Coral Bells’ azalea. Nothing says like spring in Alabama like the blooms of this beautiful azalea (except perhaps for the glorious stretch of white dogwoods lining the street in my neighborhood). These warm days have led all of us to believe that spring is really here and winter is over. But the last official frost date for our area is April 15th. I can remember a snow on April 6th. So words of wisdom. It is too early to plant tender annuals. It is too early to put out a summer vegetable garden. Even if we do not have  a frost, the ground has not warmed up enough to put annuals and summer vegetables in the ground. At a recent vegetable growing class I attended it was suggested that the ground be around 65 degrees for our summer vegetables to begin to grow. If plants are very tender the first week of May is even better for them. Most annuals are considered tropicals and we are way too chilly now for them. I have to admit I was tempted as I strolled the aisles of the big box stores and eyed the begonias, the impatiens, the zinnias, and others. But common sense took over. Those same plants will be waiting for me when it is safer to plant them. So spend this lovely weekend getting ready to plant. Add some compost to your flower bed. Wash the pollen off your car and enjoy spring in Alabama.

slideshow

Most of the time this evergreen shrub adopts an unassuming role in the garden. A stiff upright- growing plant with prickly leaves that resembles a holly, it doesn’t command our attention like a camellia or a Japanese maple. That is, until January when magnificent sprays of bright yellow flowers bloom in spike-like clusters. The faded blooms are replaced by blue-black berries which the birds relish. This is one of those plants that must be planted in the right place, as the leaves are sharp and a little mean. It should not be planted close to walkways or where people sit or little children play. Mahonias do not seem to be bothered by either pests or diseases but they can get leggy. Use judicious pruning when needed to remove the leggiest canes to the ground.

I have many different mahonias in my yard but ‘Arthur Menzies’ (ordered from Heronswood Gardens, now out of business) may be a favorite. Friend and gardener Hayes Jackson told me this was a plant I should own. He was right; the beautiful glossy green leaves and the wonderful sprays of bright yellow blooms have earned a place in my garden’s heart. The sprays, resembling mini fireworks exploding in the landscape, are a special gift in January when the days tend to be gray and dreary. Although ‘Arthur Menzies’ will grow in full sun to part shade, mine is in filtered shade and doing well. This mahonia can reach 15 feet tall but not nearly that wide; in the ten or so years in my grden it has not reached that size. It is not a suitable choice for a foundation planting. It might make a nice screen as long as you plant it where no one can get stuck.

When I began to garden decades ago I went for all the splash and substance for spring and summer, an error commonly made by many gardeners, especially first timers. But gardening and the precious gifts that a garden can bring can occur twelve months of the year. A mahonia is only one of many wonderful plants that brightens the landscape at unexpected times throughout the year. So garden for the whole year. It takes a little practice and a lot of thought, but it is a worthwhile effort.

daffodils and pansies share the spotlight

slideshow

I will be presenting a free program on March 6 th at 2PM at the Public Library of Anniston-Calhoun County: "How does Your Garden Grow." Grady Woodall will present a free bonsai program at the Library on March 13 at noon and then there will be a hands on workshop on March 30 (call the Library to register as there is a fee for this workshop).

Hayes Jackson is doing a "Rain Barrel and Cisterns" workshop at the Anniston Museum from 10 until noon on March 29 th . Please check with the Museum at 256-237-6766 to register.

Looking ahead "Lunch and Learn" with the Calhoun County Master Gardeners starts back on April 25 at noon. Dr. Harry Holstein of JSU will be our speaker. The first MG plant sale of the season is April 21 from 8 until 11. Both events are at Cane Creek Community Gardens.

For those of you who can always use another tree there will be 2 tree giveaways in the county this month:

Jacksonville Arbor Day Tree give away: Friday, Feb. 17 th on the Square from 3 until 5 PM

Calhoun County Beautification Board: Friday, February 24 at Foodland in Alexandria from 2:30 until 4:30 PM.

slideshow

The flowering quince (chaenomeles) around town have been putting on a show now for a couple of weeks. This wonderful deciduous ornamental is just about the first thing to begin blooming in the garden each year; I have seen the quince in the photograph start to bloom in January. This is an easy plant to grow; flowering quince doesn’t seem bothered by insects, diseases (except perhaps leaf spot in the summer), or deer. If it had one drawback, perhaps, that might be the thorns. Flowering quince want full sun and, like all plants, well-drained soil. It is neat to bring branches in the house and watch them bloom during late January. The flowers make a glorious flower arrangement. The quince pictured here ( I don’t remember the cultivar) grows only about three feet tall and about five feet around. There are many, many cultivars of flowering quince available to the trade: some grow tall; others remain dwarf size. There is a wonderful assortment of colors, including coral, pink, red, white and, my most favorite, the one that sports pink and white and red blooms all on the same branch (‘Toyo Nishki’). I have been told that quince can even survive in dry shade--the gardener's worst place to get something to grow, but I have not been successful in that environment.

Flowering quince is a wonderful addition to your garden. It might almost be described as bullet-proof, a gardener’s favorite plant description.

THE SOUTHERN LIVING GARDEN BOOK was the source for my information.

a weeping yaupon

slideshow

Many winter days can be very gray with bitter temperatures and blustery winds. We are worried more about our freezing pipes than gardening chores. This year so far our winter has been rather balmy. Winter does not have to be colorless or boring in the garden. The tropical leaves of the fatsia japonica or the reddish cast of a loropetalum’s leaves can brighten up our surroundings. The breath-taking blossoms of a camellia japonica, the cheery faces of the pansies, or the bright yellow trumpets of the early daffodils can add the burst of color that gardeners long to see twelve months of the year. Some of the most wonderful splashes of color in a winter landscape can come from berries. The weeping yaupon (Ilex vomitoria ‘Pendula’), nandina (Nandina domestica) and various cotoneaster cultivars sport wonderful bright red winter berries.

By mid-January the weeping yaupon is covered with bright red berries that sparkle in the sun like round jewels. As do most plants, the yaupon prefers well-drained, fertile soil. It will grow in part to full sun but will have more berries in the sun. This yaupon can reach 15 to 20 feet in height and about five to six feet in diameter. Deer don’t care to eat it. It is a trouble-free, easy-to-grow evergreen; the glorious fruit is just one more reason to add it to your landscape–provided you have the room to let it do its thing. This plant is one that must be planted in the right place because of its size at maturity. 

Some gardeners have a love-hate relationship with the common nandina, a member of the bamboo family. I am not sure why as it can survive just about anywhere and be completely ignored. I have seen it growing, and even thriving, where it receives absolutely no attention. As do all plants, a nandina prefers well drained fertile soil with regular watering but it will grow in tree roots with dry shade. Nandinas can appear far from their original home as the birds drop the berries; since it spreads by underground stolons it can also creep out of its original planting space. For color, from both the leaves and the berries, it does deserve to have a place in the garden. It is tough as nails, doesn’t seem to be troubled by pests or diseases, and is not too picky about its growing conditions or its environment (grows in sun or shade). Improper pruning techniques, however, can quickly ruin a nandina’s appearance. Shearing it into a hedge, a square, or a round ball are all misdemeanors in the gardener’s book of pruning. If a nandina needs a little pruning,, that is best done with a hand pruner. One can also cut one third of the canes to the ground each year for three years. There are so many cultivars: ‘Firepower’ grows two feet tall; others such as ‘Plum Passion’ reach four to five feet. The common nandina can reach six to eight feet.

Another beauty in the winter garden is the cotoneaster as the berries appear sooner than those of the nandina and yaupon. When its weeping branches are covered with hundreds of red berries, it is a standout in the winter garden. Cotoneasters require little care and should not be heavily pruned as that will ruin its natural shape. It would make a beautiful espalier across a fence. Most cotoneasters prefer full sun, but will grow in light shade also. They will survive on little water. Although they do well in drought conditions they are prone to a type of blight which will mutilate and kill them.

When you are choosing plants for your landscape, remember those whose beauty is in the berries During the cold days, your winter jewels will warm your heart.

The blooms on 'R.L. Wheeler' sparkle in the sun

slideshow

Although tree bark, form, and evergreen foliage generally can certainly liven up the winter garden, there is probably nothing that cheers us in the middle of winter like a splash of color. Our daytime temperatures have ranged from near 70 to the high 40's. There have been days with bright blue skies and days where we never caught even the smallest glimpse of the sun. On those gray days dashes of color coming from the cardinals visiting the bird feeder were certainly welcome. Some of the garden appears to be resting, but many of the plants are putting on a brilliant winter show; after all, it is officially winter until almost the end of March. Unfortunately, there may be a lot of green in the lawns these days as winter weeds are making their appearance – probably the only spot of color in the winter garden we do not relish.

If you peek under your mulch you will see that the daffodils are coming up; soon our gardens will be full of the quintessential winter bloomer with bobbing, waving heads of bright yellow. My first daffodil began to bloom last week. If you plan carefully, you can have them blooming for several months. Daffodils come in an array of flower sizes (from the tiniest jonquil to the huge King Alfred), in colors from bright yellow to white to pink, in stems in different heights – in various blooming times.

I love to plant for winter color; following are a few of my favorites from the more than 400 plants which can bring life to the winter landscape. Hope these will inspire you.

Camellia japonica – these wonderful evergreens also like the same conditions as azaleas: acid, well-drained soil with filtered sun – so many to choose from (more than 3000 named ones exist): ‘R. L. Wheeler’ with its huge rose red blossoms, ‘LA Peppermint’ with it pink and white striped flower, ‘Lady Clare’ an oldy but goody with semi-double deep pink blooms , ‘Professor Sargent’ with dark red anemone-like flowers with ruffled petals in the center, and ‘Magnoliiflora’ (one of my very favorites) with its pale pink semi-double flowers. Camellias like to stay out of the early morning winter sun and very cold winter winds. My mom used to say camellias could break your heart because just as they began to put on their show there would be a killing cold snap which would destroy the blossoms. However, buds that are tightly closed can usually survive the cold.

Helleborus orientalis, the Lenten rose – forms a wonderful evergreen ground cover, and is a prolific reseeder (almost to the point that some may consider it to be invasive); it blooms in late winter to early spring in shades of cream, light green, or purple to brown (most blooms turn light green as they age) preferring areas with high shade. Lenten roses are fairly drought tolerant once they are established although mine needed supplemental water in last season’s drought; they will need tidying up in the late fall to remove tattered leaves. They dislike being disturbed and will pout if they are moved and take a couple of years to get going again; ‘Royal Heritage’, fairly new to the trade blooms pink to purple to black. There is absolutely nothing to bring life to the winter garden like a bed of Lenten roses with their (droopy) multicolored faces.

Pansy – no winter landscape is complete without pansies –whether in containers or in the ground

Chaenomeles, the flowering quince – produces flowers (some varieties double and others single) on thorny branches, with the shrub blooming before the leaves come out – very easy to grow, possibly bullet-proof. It is not very particular about garden soil – takes full sun; once established it is fairly drought tolerant. It is a marvelous sight in the winter garden as it is one of the first to bloom. A special treat is to take a branch that is budded and bring in the house to watch the flowers open up. Of note is ‘Toyo Nishhiki’ which sports pink and white and red flowers all on the same plant.

Daphne -- the most familiar may be the evergreen Daphne odora (winter daphne), prized for its heavenly fragrance and the dainty pink/purple blooms in late winter. WARNING!! Daphnes can succumb to sudden daphne death if they are not given perfect drainage; plant your daphne high just as you would your azaleas. Mine is in a huge pot close to the front door for two reasons: to smell whenever I come in and out and to monitor its growing conditions. Daphnes like to be protected from the mid-day sun and overwatering is a no no.

Edgeworthia chrysantha, the paper bush – deciduous plant that is a must for the winter garden with charming fragrant yellow flowers; it requires same growing conditions as azaleas and ample moisture during summer’s heat and drought.

Mahonia bealei, the leather leaf mahonia (also discussed in an earlier blog) -- planted not only for its wonderful holly- like foliage but also for the spikes of vibrant yellow flowers. It prefers a part shade location with rich soil and regular water (but a well-established plant has been known to tolerate dry shade)

Corylopsis, winter hazel – another one where flowers appear before the leaves– there are many to choose from but all have fragrant flowers shaped like a bell that hang in short chainlike clusters from the branches; another one that likes the same growing conditions as azaleas.

If you still need some winter cheer, please don’t forget the crocus blooming in late winter and signaling to us that spring is around the corner. Mass them; don’t plant them deeply, and hope that the squirrels and the chipmunks aren’t watching you the day you plant them.

Winter does not need to be a drab colorless season. With a bit of research and planning, something can be blooming twelve months of the year in your garden. I have used a book called THE WINTER GARDEN by Peter Loewer and Larry Mellichamp and THE SOUTHERN LIVING GARDEN BOOK for my inspiration and my plant facts. A walk through your favorite garden shop to see what is blooming at this time of the year may also spark your imagination. Remember we are in the middle of the best time to plant in our 7b to 8A area – so go for it!