Winter freeze have Lowcountry gardeners yearning for the 'pow' of summer flowers
The frost that hit many local gardens in late November sent avid gardeners to our local nurseries for the winter flowering plants that can handle temperatures below freezing. Pansies, snapdragons and dianthus love the cool days and frosty nights.
In my yard, summer annuals still flower -- although the sweet potato vine is looking tacky and the morning glory has announced, "I'm outta here" and ceased to climb. The potted chrysanthemums are into their second flower go-around as I remembered to deadhead after the first bloom, and the swamp sunflower's golden petals dropped, making way for the good-looking seed heads.
My husband Larry's photos of the sunflower and another "show off," the scarlet mallow, are lasting memories as they, along with other showy flowering plants, can be seen on our computer screen. The mallow is the hardy hibiscus coccineus from a Georgia swamp, whose huge scarlet flowers bloom for only a day. That's OK, as it propagates by seed, giving me seven additional plants in pots that I move around when "pow" is needed, and when we move, hummingbirds follow.
Question. There is a palm tree in my front yard that is covered with ferns. The entire trunk and the area around the base are involved. I love the look but am afraid it may be injuring the tree. Should I try to remove the ferns?
Nina Landry
Answer. Ferns growing in the leaf bases of palm trees is an exotic look. However, ferns growing there will increase the organic matter and moisture close to the trunk. This is a surefire way of introducing fungul rots to the tree. Try to remove as much of the fern as possible. Sadly, removal came late for the Landry tree, and the palm died.
Q. I'm attempting to plant an organic nature garden. Are there any tips you can give me?
Peggy Ritchie
A. Don't prune or deadhead when plants are wet; you may spread disease. Sprinkle garlic powder around rose bushes. It helps prevent black spots. Pick off black leaves and bag them; wash hands and any garden tools used after. If you're using nonorganic fertilizer on potted plants, the chemicals will leach out after three months. Invest in a composter for discarded, uncooked vegetables and fruits, with the exception of bananas. The chemicals in nonorganic fertilizers will leach out in three months.
Q. We have just moved to Bluffton from New Hampshire. I'm looking for a small to medium, preferably evergreen and fast-growing, understory tree for my back conservation area. Can you recommend one? It would be the background for ornamental shrubs.
Peyton Carr
A. I'm thinking either dogwood or redbud. There are new species of dogwoods that remain small to medium in size. Redbuds are slow growing; there are small and medium size varieties as well. For an evergreen, I'd love to see you plant our native red cedar. I'm wishing a hundred or more of us would plant a red cedar. We need to save this tree, which is important to wildlife.
Are your camellias flowering? Here's hoping they will be blooming through the holidays. If you are planting one or two more, ask about flowering time. With some thought, you can have camellias on your holiday table for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Passover and Easter.
This story was originally published December 6, 2014 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Winter freeze have Lowcountry gardeners yearning for the 'pow' of summer flowers."