Design for small spaces (before)

This fall, in my state of "gardenlessness", I decided to take on some pro bono work. Actually, my sister's townhouse garden was in desperate need of attention and I in need of a design challenge.

Here's a before photo of her space in all its white-light no-makeup glory:

While the design and implementation plan is still in progress, here's been our design process thus far:

• Flagged, clipped and discussed photos from online sources and design books and mags of what we liked and thought might work
• Completed a site assessment. This included considering: water runoff/drainage, light, space, privacy concerns, traffic via walkways and pathways...
• Discussed at length how she currently uses the space as well as her lifestyle needs (e.g. entertainment, storage)
• Reviewed her favorite plants and her tolerance for caring for them.
• Toured her complex to see what other's had done with the same space and many of the same challenges.
• Measured, of course!!

The obstacles to overcome:

• First and foremost, the ginormous A/C unit needs some serious screening to make it visually less obtrusive. Currently it consumes about a 1/3 of the space, so this is big one!
• Busy girl + active life = little time for plant care. "Needs to be low maintenance" is an understatement.
• When it rains its pours. There's a down spout that dumps directly into the bed bordering the patio.
• A back parking pad means the patio is a primary pathway from car to house.
• Homeowners association rules....need I say more.

More to come. This one is a work in progress.

My state of gardenlessness has ended!

The unplanned hiatus on blogging and gardening is over... Fall is for planting after all and there are only a few days left!

You should know that our Fall has been a little tumultuous as we sold our house and have been in limbo for quite some time looking for something new. The good news is we're moving soon into a new home that boasts a "victorian garden". I'm not sure exactly what that means, but here's a photo. I'm anxious to see what Spring has in store for me!

So....the many articles that I've mentally written on Fall bloomers and the likes, are just going to have to wait until next year. Fear not...I have a backlog of winter topics to explore. More to come....

Cut herb arrangement

Most of my yard is tired this time or year. My herb garden, however, is still thriving.

I cut some herbs tonight for a fall arrangement. I'm thrilled to have some color in the house in the form of fresh flowers this time of year. It included:

• tansy (the yellow button-like form)
• pineapple sage (the red spike)
• st. john's wart (the variegated greenery)
• licorice (silvery foliage)
• chives (rounded white blooms)
  

Garden Conservancy's Open Days Garden Tour - Sept 08

This weekend granny and I headed out to the garden tour.

First stop, The Shupings, a gorgeous garden on West Lake Drive in Raleigh (right next door to a childhood friend's home whose yard I spent hours playing in growing up).

The Shuping's also boasted the best use of a mum I've never seen (I'm not a fan or mums: they just don't last long enough!) Mums tucked in a brick wall: great splash of color and perfect for party AND the short life of a mum.

One new discovery there was the "shrimp plant". It packed great Fall color at a time of year when little else is blooming. Rumor has it, that its a shade lover and definitely on my list of plants to remember!









The next garden was the Steven's, in Cary. There I saw a great ad hoc potting bench for those gardening in small spaces! I'll have to keep that in mind as we are downsizing to a smaller house and yard later this Fall.

Fall Gardening Events

Ok, so its not quite Fall yet, but who say's a girl can't dream??

Two upcoming gardening events to take note of:

Garden Conservancy's Open Days Tour - September 20 - 21

Tour six Wake County gardens and see what's blooming this time of year while getting design ideas for Fall planting. Tickets are $25 for all 6 gardens or $5 for entrance to each garden and can be purchased in advance or at any one of the gardens. More info at Garden Conservancy.org.

Pi Alpha Xi Plant Sale at the JCRA (JC Raulston Arboretum)
October 4, 2008 (Saturday) - 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
October 5, 2008 (Sunday) - 10:00 AM-3:00 PM

Hope to see you there!

Soil Cocktails

"A 50c plant in a $5.00 hole" is a saying most gardeners have heard. When you are planting its extremely important to amend your soil.

I like to think of it is a "soil cocktail". Given the amount of clay in my yard, area adding organic material to the soil is essential to the health (or life) of my plants. For every plant or shrub I install, I add a mixture of top soil, mushroom (or homemade garden) compost, and black cow. I like to scoop the materials straight from the bags and toss them in a large plastic pot before mixing them with the soil I've removed while digging my hole. I sometimes also layer my cocktail mixture and the original hole's dirt as part of the planting job.

I often end up with extra soil from the original hole that I dug out (Not sure if anyone else has this problem). I used to have a hard time disposing of all of my "extra dirt". Recently, I've starting using it to make my ring shaped mounds around my plants to help them capture and hold water. Clay works especially well for this purpose since its easily molded.

Got any planting to soil amendment tips? Click comment below and let's hear 'em!

Black Gold....Compost

Composting is a secret of many a respected gardener. It's also a great alternate for those, unlike my friends in Oakwood with a chicken coop (and poop), who are looking for sustainable ways to fertilize their plants!

Last year, we bought a composter from Neuse Works (unfortunately, they are closed currently, but some like models can be found at Logans and Atlantic Avenue Orchid Center). It was stand model which allowed for tumbling and easy mixing. It also composts quickly in a little about 30 days. It was love at first site.

If you're not up for a manufactured bin, consider this alternative...In Charlotte, we created our own composter using wire fencing fastened in a circular shape. We tossed the components with a pitch fork and it seemed to work. I recommend it as a cheaper alternate to see how you take to composting.

There are all kinds of composting formulas online, so I'm not going to repeat them here, but I will share a few tips from our brief composting tenure. I didn't grow up composting, so some of these may be "old hat" to those of you veterans.

• Keep a pail in your kitchen or fridge for food scraps (coffee grounds, vegetable peelings, fruit cuttings....) to minimize your trips to the bin.
• Place your bin as conveniently as possible to your kitchen without it being an eye sore. (Originally, our's was next to our kitchen stoop which made frequent tumbling easy. We've since moved it to the back of the yard where it only receives weekend visitation)
• Newspaper and dryer lint can be used as "brown" materials in the summer when dead leaves aren't typically as abundant. This is really great since fresh scraps are so bountiful in the summer, but need to be balanced with brown materials.
• Heat and compost "tea" are normal. Expect them.
• You can add water to compost, if you need to in order to keep it damp.

With gas prices as they are, I'm looking for ways to save on everything. Composting is a great way to not only reduce your waste but also avoid a trip to the store for fertilizer or prepackaged compost.

Gardening in the Dog Days of Summer

The July garden is typically kind of a bummer for me. In years like this one with all of the rain, weeds abound making weeding an all to frequent necessity. Its also usually blatantly clear by July which of my Spring and Fall plantings didn't work. Unfortunately, with the blistering heat its hard to do anything about plant casualties until the Fall. This year is no exception.

I've had great success (maybe too much success) with my herbs and my side bed looks great, but some other areas aren't quite as I'd hoped. Rather than get down this year, I've decided to channel my gardening energy into planning for my Fall plantings.

I've already got a list of changes to make:

• In my side perennial bed, my Bee Balm is OOC (out of control) and totally dwarfing my Yellow Yarrow.
• Some Hellebore or Lenten Rose are getting too damp and need to be moved out of the path of rain runoff in the back by the pond.
• A few Hostas are getting more sun than I ever thought they would.
• Re-organize my mailbox bed. The drought tolerant plans have worked great, but my arrangement left a little to be desired.
• Move my Gladiator Aliums to a more showy location where they can colonize their hearts out!

In order to stay energized, I'm focusing my efforts to NOT on what is struggling, didn't work or is shriveling up and dying; but rather to what and how I want to use my Fall weekends. I'm getting out my garden magazines and problem solving and thinking about Fall bulbs. (If you are doing the same, consider Terra Ceia Farms (a NC company)). I'm also starting to ponder a new bed for the front yard which means sketches abound. No time for the blues!

Mastering the Art of Pot Drainage

We've all had the pot that wouldn't drain or know somone who bought a sensational looking pot that they didn't realize didn't have drainage holes until they'd already planted it. I frustrates me that they don't just pre drill holes in more pots!

Drainage Holes

A few weeks ago I burned my hand falling on a hot drill bit after drilling drainage holes in several pots: very smart! My dad gave me some advice to avoid future skin seering ocassions: run water over the drill bit and pot as you make the hole to cool the operation. He and my husband also both suggested a diamond drill bit: however, I was too excited about getting my new annuals planted to take the time to go back to the hardware store. I either make one large hole in the bottom of each pot OR make several smaller holes depending on the pot and drill bit size.

Drainage Materials

After you've gotten your drainage holes taken care of, its important to fill the bottom 1/4 or so of your contain with a material that will encourage water to drain. I was fortunate to be able to repurpose the 3 truckloads of white landscaping rocks that the homeowners before me COVERED my yard in for this purpose! However, I also keep a plastic tub of broken clay pots and even rocks I uncover while digging in the yard to reuse in my pots.

I read recently in a magazine about using old tennis balls to aid drainage in larger pots. I tried it recently with Mason (my not-so-helpful gardening side kick) at my side. So far, my yellow hibiscus seems happy in the pot among the recycled tennis balls.

Hydrangeas

In the Fall of 2006, I bought 3 Penny Mac Hydrangeas from Home Depot. They were extremely healthy looking plants, however after some reading I regretted not getting not getting the Endless Summer variety. Nonetheless, they have performed excellently and I couldn't be happier with them. This year they've hit their stride and are blooming like crazy and hanging in there with the heat.

Last summer, I took several floral arranging classes at The Art of Flowers in downtown Raleigh. I was reminded of the Limelight Hydrangea. Its a show stopper in arrangments when paired with pinks and reds. I set out to buy three and got a hydrangea education along the way.

Hydrangea Macrophylla

The most common hydrangeas in our area are the Hydrangea Macrophylla or bigleaf hydrangea. These hydrangeas' blooms vary from pink to blue depending on the pH (or acidity) of the soil. If you want blue blooms increase the acidity adding aluminum. For pink blooms, add lime to the soil. Don't forget that as pretty as they are in the summer, these hydrangeas are decidious and will loose their leaves in the winter. Unless you like the twiggy look in the winter, like I do, they might disappoint you if you if they are too prominent during the winter in your landscape. These hygrangeas bloom on old wood, so prune them after flowering.

Hydrangea Paniculata

The limelight hydrangea is a Hydrangea Paniculata or Panicle Hydrangea. From what I've read, its white and light green blooms of the summer turn to a deeper pink or red in the Fall: I can't wait! This hydrangea blooms on new wood. In fact, my plants had recently been pruned to about 2 feet tall when I got them in March and now they are about 4 - 5 feet tall. No blooms yet, but I'm hopeful!

What to do with all those herbs: Oregano and Parsley

My husband is from Argentina and is a "foodie" if ever there was one! He loves to cook and to send me to the herb garden with my herb snips. Below are three of our staples! If we've had you over or taken you dinner, you've probably had one of these recipes.

Zapallitos Revueltos (Scrambled Zucchini)
One large onion (sliced long ways)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 zucchini
2 teaspoons oregano
Salt
Pepper
2 eggs

Place sliced onion in a pan with olive oil on low heat. Cover and cook until onions are soft. Slice 2 green zucchini to about 1/4" thick and add them to the onions. Add oregano, salt and pepper and cook on low heat stirring until soft. Turn off the heat and add 2 eggs stiring into the mixture. Add additional salt and pepper (or oregano) to taste.

Marinated Pork Tenderloin
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup dry red wine
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons fresh Oregano, chopped
3 tablespoons fresh Parsley, chopped
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Pork Tenderloin

Whisk together the oil, wine, garlic, parsley, oregano and pepper. Cover the pork thoroughly with marinade, cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours (preferably overnight).

Chimi Churri (a traditional Argentine sauce)
Red wine vinegar
Olive oil
Garlic
Parlsey
Red pepper flakes
Hot water

Andy nor any of my in laws measure anything, so just mix and enjoy! We use it as both a marinade and a sauce. We store it in our fridge and add additional hot water, olive oil or red wine vinegar for reuse.

Andy has also found a new passion in local food and ingredients: his inspiration, Animal Vegetable Micracle by Barabara Kingsolver. We've been buying all local and organic and limiting all of our produce and meat to purchases from NC farmers. Its been both fun and rewarding although I'm already lamenting the end of strawberry season!

Lately, we've also been exploring local meat and cheese CSAs and tomorrow we're headed Celebrity Farms (a goat cheese farm in Siler City, NC) for a locally grown Sunday dinner. If you're not up for a trip to Siler City, you can check out their cheese at the North Hills Farmer's Market.

Drying Herbs

My herb garden has exploded: I've got blooming lemon balm, oregano, dill and cilantro. I did a little pruning last weekend and potted my "out of control" lemon balm in hopes of creating fuller plants and making my little spot a little less crowded.

I decided to cut and dry some of my herbs for use in the winter. I've tried drying herbs by hanging them upside down to no avail, so this time I removed the leaves and set them out to dry on plates. About a week later they were nice and crispy, so I pulsed them in the food processor and stored them in some glass jars. We'll see how they work.

What to do with all those herbs: Sage

My sage (salvia officinalis) is growing like crazy. My friend, Susan, was telling me the other day that she wasn't sure what to do with all of her sage. Sage is a perennial herb that has a strong and earthy taste. It has light green almost velvelt-like leaves. Its a perennial in our area and is evergreen, so you can look foward to enjoying it year round!

This recipe for Chicken and Proiscutto (with sage) is delicious! My husband made this for me while we were dating. Love at first taste! Its from the Dean and Deluca Cookbook.

If you aren't up for eating your sage, try this display idea....Line a platter or serving tray with sage leaves for instant decoration.

What do you use your sage for? Click "Comments" below and share!

Shopping at Grannys

A few weeks ago, we returned to my grandmother's in Fuquay for some yard work. My husband commented that while we were working in her yard, that at every turn she has an unexpected focal point or creature peeking out at you. Its true and truly an amazing place! Here are a few more pics of her yard:

Fortunately, her yard is suffering from being overgrown whereas mine is just getting started! So, I did some "shopping" and learned about some new plants. Here's what I returned with:

• Mockorange - We were spraying for weeds in the driveway, when I noticed a tree-like shrub bursting with delicate white blooms hidded behind an overgrown evergreen. It was a mockorange. A new plant to me, I've learned that its a fast growing easy plant to grow that performs well in both sun and part shade. It will likely outgrow where I've planted it, but I can't wait to see how it performs.


• Trumpet (Coral) Honeysuckle Vine - We had this vine growing up, so I was excited to be able to get some of it from one granny had growing on a lamp post. I've planted it on a bird house post in the back yard. Its probably not as sunny at the plant would like, but I'm optimistic for blooms and the hummingbirds they attract!


• Dead Nettle Lamium - This perennial evergreen ground cover was peaking out from underneath the Mockorange. At first, I thought it was a Rex Begonia but I later learned it was Lamium. I love the variegated foliage!


• Jerusalem Sage - I was hesitant to take this one, mostly because my herb garden is already bursting at the seams, but she insisted!! It does have a beautful yellow bloom, so I didn't really resist. It also is much taller than my other sage plants, however apprarently its not a true sage or herb.

Not all Hostas are Created Equal

I've gotten to know Hostas fairly well. They are a great perennial that thrive in the shade. Even though they are a perennial, they aren't evergreen, so don't be surprised when they die back and go underground in the Fall.

Among hostas there is a ton of variety. Here are a few things I've learned to pay attention to:

• Size - some are nice and small and others are ginormous! Check out this hosta at my mom's transplanted from an older homesite in Raleigh.

For scale that's my size 10 gardening clog!

• Color - I love the variety of colors that hostas offer: from blue hues to limey green to hunter green and then there are lots of variegated options. The variegated options can work very nicely in the shade to give the appearance of dappled light. One of my favorite looks is to line an entry way to a shady area with variegated hostas.


• Appearance in the garden - I've noticed that hostas "surface" in the Spring at different times. I have some wide brim hostas that are just peaking through and others that are fully "out".

This perennial is rampant in garden centers in the Spring and typically is harder to find in the Fall. Here are some tips I try to follow when buying hostas:

1. Look for plants with more than one stem in the pot. Here's what I mean:
You can often get 2 or 3 plants for the same costs and divide them immediately when you get home.

2. When you are buying hostas be sure to check the estimated width and height for that variety and space them accordingly.

Got hosta tips or favorites? Let's here 'em. Comment below.

A snake in the grass...poison ivy

I've had a few run-ins with poison ivy. In the third grade, I got it in my eye (it was very cute!) and 2 weeks before my wedding it covered my left hand! One would think I'd be better at identifying it, however I'm not. So, this post is as much for me as for anyone.

This is what poison looks like.

Avoid it at all costs! You've been warned!!!

Killer Combinations

This one left me speechless.


Hot pink wave petunias (a sun annual) in a cobalt blue planter.

"Camellia Bedelia"

My dad owns a local custom home building company, Tall House. Recently, he was working on a project and a camellia was in the way. Luckily, I was the recipient! I also was fortunate the plant still had the original tag on it and a lone bloom.

Its a Frank Brownlee Variegated Camellia Japonica: a late blooming japonica with a double deep red bloom.

Camellias are classic Southern (zone 7) waxy leafed evergreen shrubs that often bloom when little else is. In case you aren't sure of the differences in Camellias, here's the skinny. (There are hundreds of types so the exceptions are many!)

Camellia Japonica

• Bloom time: Winter - Spring
• Color: Red, pink, white, variegated
• Light: Prefers shade (especially in the morning) and needs protection from wind

Camellia Sasanqua (I have a "Setsugekka" sasanqua that has white blooms and has done well.)

• Bloom time: Fall
• Color: Red, white, pinks
• Light: Sun to part shade (more sun tolerant than Japonicas)
• Uses: Often used as an espalier on a wall or trellis, or in pots (as can be seen at North Hills shopping center)

Camellia Photos

This Camellia caught my eye at Sara P. Duke Gardens in Durham last Spring. Its an All American Variegated Japonica. I think of it as the peppermint camellia.


Camellia sansaquas grown on trellis' at my mother's house in Raleigh.


Here are some great Camellia resources, I've found:

• Camelia Japonica Cultivars (NSCU Cooperative Extension Service)
• Camelia Sasanqua Cultivars (NSCU Cooperative Extension Service)
• Mcdonald Garden Center Camelia Book

Weekend Gardener on WPTF

Weekend Gardener is one of my favorite radio shows. The problem is that often I am either in the yard or at the garden center when its broadcast Saturdays from 8:00AM to 10:00AM. The good news is that they now make both hours of the show available on their Website via podcast. Don't worry if you don't have an IPOD: its not required. Anyone can play the recording directly from their computer. So far, I don't see an archive, so be sure to download them weekly.

Weekend Gardener podcasts

In case you don't know Latin...

I never studied Latin and occasionally plant names completely stump me. Other times, I think I have them down completely and realize when I'm describing them to a friend or sales person that I've never actually heard them pronounced before.

Here are some of the funnier ones I've blundered this season:

• Spirea - I was asking a friend's dad for advice on pruning these earlier this year. I had inherited the shrubs and identified them in a book. I pronounced them "SPIR-ea". He corrected me (ever so kindly) that its "Spi-REA".
• Artemesia - I pronounced it with a strong "s-i-a" at the end instead of the "sya" sound.
• Euryops (bush yellow daisy) - I didn't even try pronouncing this one, but I really wanted one so I described it to the sales person instead.

Tonight in Fine Gardening, I found a Latin plant name pronunciation resource that might save some future embarrassment.

Herbs gone wild

My husband is the cook. I used to think I could cook before I met him, but now I'm resolved to other talents. He uses lots of fresh herbs.

I started growing culinary herbs, but my excitement for herbs has grown to include many other types. Herbs are easy to grow because they like the heat, poor soil and little water. Perfect for a busy gardner in drought conditions!

I tend to favor perennial herbs since they come back every year. In our current herb garden, I intentionally layered and placed the herbs balancing perennials and annuals so that it wouldn't look bare or lopsided in the winter.

Here's what I have planted so far (I'm running out of room, so this is probably it for awhile):

Perennials

• Germander
• Oregano (aka "Pot Marjoram")
• St. Johns Wort - This herb has a great pink, green and white color and is about 18" tall and whispy. It also has tiny yellow blooms in mid summer.
• Tansy
• Pineapple Mint - A gift from my friend Susan. This mint doesn't seem to be as invasive as others and the variagated foliage is great.
• Lemon Balm - I love it, but its coming up everwhere!
• Bay - A slow grower, but its evergreen shiny leaves are a nice constrast in the garden.
• Rosemary - A kitchen classic, however mine looks pretty pitiful right now.
• Sage
• Thyme
• Pineapple Sage - This herb has delicate red blooms in the Fall: I can't wait!
• Chives
• Licorice
• Lavender

Annuals

• Basil
• Cilantro (aka "Coriander") - I know it won't last, but I couldn't resist
• Parsley - Actually a biennial that will die after it blooms during its second year.
• Dill

I've got some specific herb recipes that I'll post later, but here are a few I found on the Herb Society of Wake County Web site.

Empty Lakes and Empty Rain Barrels

Just today I reached the bottom of my 3 rain barrels. Hopefully, we'll get some rain soon. I decided others might benefit from the following resources as they try to maintain a lush garden during this drought:

• USGS Rain Fall Amounts (I use the Falls Lake data as a benchmark for rainfall in my neighborhood. Its great for when you aren't at home when it rains or can't remember how long its been.)
• North Carolina Drought Watch
• Neuseworks - A local man who makes composters, rain barrels and chicken coops on the side. We have 3 barrels and a composter and LOVE them!
• Rainwater Pillow - I read about this on a flight recently. Can't vouch for them, but its an interesting concept.
• Self Watering Containers - I've seen these around in a couple of places. Its a pretty clever idea, but I'm too picky about how my pots look to try them. Desperation may change that.

Let me know how you're getting by with the drought.

Stage One Water Restrictions

(from City of Raleigh Water Restrictions Web site)

Mailbox Plantings for Drought

When we bought our house in 2005, our mailbox was covered in several overgrown shrubs. A friend's daughter actually asked me if a racoon lived in our mailbox bed! Three years, one new mailbox and numerous outgoing loads of white landscaping rocks later... I embarked this week on replanting the mailbox.

Last fall, I purchased 5 Gladiator Alliums from Terra Ceia Farms (a NC business out of Pantego). They are in the garlic/onion family and should produce 3 - 4' tall softball sized pink blooms. They are coming up and the foliage looks great! I'm optimistic for good blooms in May. I'm considering moving them since I hear they can multiply and right now they aren't placed to bloom in mass (anyone with advice on when and how to move them, please let me know!)

I consulted my plant books to find other hardy and drought tolerant plants to accompany this dry setting. Here's what I decided on:

• Autumn Joy Sedum (1) - I love the idea of fall color and these are one of the most drought tolerant plants around. The dark green foliage also compliments the grays and blues nicely.
  
• Autumn Fire Sedum (2) - Similar to the autumn joy and boasted to be more brillant in color... we'll see.
  
• Artemesia (Silver Mound) (3) - Great silvery foliage and requires little water.
  
• Spanish Lavender (1) - A neighbor put this in last year and has completely neglected it and it looks fabulous. It's an herb, so I figure its got to be tough! I also love the purple blooms.
  
• Purple Queen (2) - Great purple foliage and triangular shape to compliment the greens well.
  
• Pink Dianthus (Firewitch) (3) - Great shorter plant for the front of the bed. I'm hoping the color will compliment the allium nicely.
  

I'm new to "sun" gardening (with the exception of a 8X6 herb garden, this is all the sun we have). We'll see how it goes.

My Favorite Things.....Plants

Here is a list of my favorite and tested plants. I've indicated the ones that are in my garden currently with an asterisk.
Sun Perennials

• Viburnum Doublefile - My all time favorite plant. I had one in my old yard. I LOVE the delicate cream flowers and the contrast with the green foliage.
• Yellow Yarrow* - a gift from a country gardener. The flat blooms are great additions to cut arragements.
• Echinacea ("Ruby Star Cone Flower")* - The pink and brown blooms can't be beat and make nice cut arrangements.
• Rudbeckia ("Black Eyed Susan")* - I have a huge bed of these and the yellow finches feast there during to July! Its a real joy to watch.
• Bee Balm*
• Lamb's Ear* - I love the silver and velvety leaves. Don't over water these plants!
• Peony (Sara Bernhart)* - Great pink blooms in Spring. Finicky about being moved and likes to be planted high. Don't let the ants scare you: they're normal.

Shade Perennials

• Digitalis, "Strawberry Floxglove"* - A self reseeding biennial with nice height and form. As a bonus the foliage stays green year round.
• Hellebore, "Lenten Rose"* - A great evergreen that has delicate blooms starting in February.
• Hosta*- A classic in the shade garden. I love the smaller and variegated varieties.
• Bleeding Heart*
• Deer Fern* - An evergreen fern that I love!
• Astibe - Colorful tall plumes of flowers, however the blooms never last quite as long as I like.

Annuals

• Impatients (for shade)
• Portulaca ("Moss Rose") - A tough little succulent-like plant that has a nice bloom and is great for pots.
• Caladium* - A plant grown for its foliage of pink, green, and white. A staple in my garden. I save the tubers year to year. (Look for a post on that this fall). Pairs great with impatients and asparagus fern.
• Lantana - Tough sprawling yellow bloomer.
• Polka Dot Plant

Shrubs

• Panicle Hydryangea (Limelight)* - I'm trying three of these for the first time this year. More to follow....
• Hydryangea Macrophylla* - Can't beat these in the South. Perform well in sun and shade. Blooms are great additions to cut arrangements and can be dried.
• Camellia Japonica - A late winter bloomer in a variety of colors (pink, white...). Prefers shade.
• Camellia Sasanqua* - A fall bloomer in a plethora of colors. Does well in the shade.
• Variegated Forsythia* - I didn't realize there was variegated variety until recently. I love these plants especially when allowed to grow in the natural form.
• Akebia ("Chocolate Vine")- A great fast growing vine for shade.
• Confederate Jasmine* - Common in Charleston and areas south of here. This plant can thrive in Eastern NC, but its needs attention during its first winter. Small star shaped blooms smell heavenly!
• Gardenia* - A lush evergreen shrub with sweet smelling cream blooms in the summer.
• Acuba - A great variegated shade shrub with red berries. Great for holiday foliage. Can get quite large, so be careful where you put it. Needs both a male and female for berrying.

Trees

• Cherokee Daybreak Dogwood
• Weeping Red Bud
• Crape Myrtle*

A Trip to Granny's

My grandmother lives about 25 miles South East of Raleigh in Fuquay-Varina. She lives in an adorable board and batton house straight out of a magazine. Her yard is amazing, a true testament of her love for old things and working in the yard. She enjoys a good day of hard work in the yard as much as anyone I know... and it shows.

My husband and I have been down several times recently to visit and help her in the yard. She's repaid us for our time and troubles in PLANTS!!!

After untangling a mess of Southern Smilax from her dogwoods and forsythia, we've brought a clump of bulbs home to plant over our porch. No signs of growth yet....still waiting. After some of the online posts I've read about Smilax, we might be regretting our decision. I'll keep you posted.

On our trip today, she gave us some "Tansy", an herb. I asked her about it, not realizing it was an herb, but rather because the folliage was so shiny, green and fern like. Only tonight, after looking it up, did I realize that its the familiar button bloom that I loved in her garden last year. It reminds me of a yarrow. I also read online about the role that Tansy has played as the bitter herb in Passover Feasts of the past. Since my husband's family's Jewish and Passover's just around the corner, its a must have for our herb garden.

I tried to transplant some of her white Quince earlier this year, but to no avail. Maybe next time.