Forsythia 'Gold Tide'. A smaller, forgiving forsythia that melts into the background of the garden after it blooms. Mine top out at around three, maybe four feet. Forgiving because though it spreads and gets wider with running roots, it's easy to yank those outer branches out, cut the runners, and toss them. Or you can sever those runners from the mother plant with a sharp spade and then go back later—I suggest fall—and dig out the resulting self-sufficient stems to plant elsewhere or give … [Read more...] about Forgiving Forsythia: From Here to There to Here, Again
shrubs
Additions to the Garden of Southern Follies and Delights
In a couple of months, a couple little starts of Gardenia 'Sweet Tea™' are going to wake up on a snowy morning and realize they are not in the south any longer. They are in my Garden of Southern Follies and Delights, nestled in with two camellias that have so far survived one winter, three "big box" crepe myrtles sold as perennials, and a bunch of dandelions. The dandelions are ruining the party, so to speak, so I'll be evicting them soon and adding some more mulch. They are why I can't … [Read more...] about Additions to the Garden of Southern Follies and Delights
Dear Southern Camellia Sisters
Dear Southern Camellia Sisters, Hello from the Midwest. We cannot believe it has been six months since we last wrote to give you an update on our adventures here in the Midwest. First, we need to report some sad news. It appears that our dear sister camellia 'Kuro Delight' did not make it through the winter. 'Snow Flurry' and I ('April Delight') watched and waited for her to leaf out but sadly, she did not. We wondered for the longest time if Carol noticed that 'Kuro Delight' didn't … [Read more...] about Dear Southern Camellia Sisters
All my thoughts are in the garden
Where are my thoughts these days? I never have to wonder too much about where my thoughts are because most of the time, I can find them in the garden. I've been thinking lately about attracting more birds to the garden, not by setting up "fast food" stations like hummingbird feeders, but by planting more plants that provide food for them. One such plant is a Sundenia® Dipladenias. It's in a hanging basket and likes to vine up and all over. I've seen one hummingbird enjoy its blooms and hope … [Read more...] about All my thoughts are in the garden
Another week closer to spring
Camellia 'April Remembered' Hang in there, Camellia! You just got through another week of winter which means you are a week closer to spring. It was a cold week, but I'm feeling pretty good about your chances of surviving it. Your leaves look green and your buds actually look a little plumper than a few weeks ago. We did get some snow and it got pretty cold there for awhile, but you still look good. Hang in there, Camellia! I'm hopeful and I will continue to believe in you and … [Read more...] about Another week closer to spring
Dear Southern Camellia Sisters
Camellia bud Dear Southern Camellia Sisters, Hello from the north! We thought it was high time we should write to let you know we arrived safely in the Midwest months ago and are more or less settled in our new home, a place called The Garden of Southern Follies and Delights. It's part of a garden known as May Dreams Gardens. We had a lovely spring, a wet, for the most part, summer, and so far, a mild fall. Or so they tell us. This weather is all quite new to us! As near as we … [Read more...] about Dear Southern Camellia Sisters
