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But it wouldn't be gardening if all this were so. And that's why during inspection yesterday, I discovered that a recently planted penstemon "Beard Tongue," variety Pensham Czar, had wilted. So it was water to the rescue, and today it looks no better. Tomorrow it will be pulled up.
Who knows how or why it died. Something in the soil? An underground varmint that chewed on the roots?
Nearby two other newly planted "Beard Tongues" were looking just as they should.
Not uncommon in the spring is a condition called wilt. It often attacks vegetables, and the new growth of azaleas.
It appears that newly planted perennials also are subject to the disease. It's best to act quickly before it spreads, by pulling up or pruning out.
A CHARMING GARDEN
I decided it was time to take a break and go on a trip. We visited the Sumerals' Okatie estate gardens, where there are always plant variety discoveries to be made and a greenhouse filled with orchids that perpetually flower to inspect.
John Sumeral uses garden art objects in unique ways that punctuate and separate the gardens from the greenhouse, chicken house and tropical plant pavilion. This magnificent garden stays in the mind; part of the charm is the location. One does not forget the scenic drive to get there.
A RIVER GARDEN
The next day, a trip to a different setting was equally memorable. To reach the Schilling garden in Pinckney Colony on the Okatie River, one drives through undisturbed country with miles of trees shading the way. Nancy Schilling walked me through her garden of native flowering plants and shrubs that provide color throughout the year. The garden extends down to the river that has become so much a part of Nancy's life. She was instrumental in the inception of Friends of the Rivers 10 years ago when she began to help make local officials and the general public aware of the water quality of our estuaries, the health of our natural resources and the importance of protecting them. This is done with the use of cleanup events, radio and television public service announcements, speaking to civic organizations and the popular Kids in Kayaks program.
There's a daily online news site dedicated to providing "everything environmental" in the Lowcountry at www.RiverSmart.com.
A MEMORY GARDEN
The next trip was on Hilton Head Island to check out the garden being constructed at Memory Matters, a resource for "support, education and respite" located at the corner of William Hilton Parkway and Squire Pope Road.
Executive Director Edwina Hoyle and Assistant Director Karen Doughtie showed me the walled-in, large area with pathways for easy access to the flower and garden areas.I met construction foreman Gary Peters, who really knows his stuff when it comes to Southern plants, and workmen Albaro Victoriana, Randall Smith and Emilio Naeo from Carolyn's Landscaping.
Landscape designer Bonnie Payne of Carolyn's, working with Carolyn's owner Mark Woodruff, plan rose and vegetable beds and a garden where you can "pull up a chair and participate."
Already in place are two large palm trees, red oak and water oak trees, anda flowering Ligustrum. The full-length, tall wall that offers privacy is from MAJ Enterprises.
In the center of the courtyard a handsome fountain has been installed, a gift from two Long Cove Club garden clubs. Also in place are three Charleston benches from Sea Pines Garden Club, and three urn planters from the Plantation Garden Club.
The Hilton Head Island Avid Gardeners, known for their unique arrangements, will do Memory Matters' Christmas decorations. The Hilton Head Island Garden Club will gift outdoor tables and chairs for the garden patio, and the Hilton Head Island Garden Council has contributed funding for the planned vegetable and herbal garden.
