Top Articles on your southern garden

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It is no secret South Carolina has a long growing season as does most of the southern states. However, even with this one advantage there are many challenges to overcome in the gardens in the south. There are drought issues, high humidity levels, and a large variety of pests that must be dealt with  on a regular basis to have any luck. Here are a few articles that focus on great plants and shrubs that are particularly well suited to the specific challenges our southern climate offers as well as a few must haves that are just worth the trouble.

Great plants for the novice southern gardener
When we buy our first home, there is usually an urge to put our own touches on it to make it truly our own. Either we start painting, or we add some special touches to the yard to improve it. Luckily there are some plants that a novice gardener can feel pretty confident about having success with. In Southern states like South Carolina, finding plants that can stand up to our somewhat harsh zone 8 conditions can be a real challenge.  This list will give you a few to try that should be able to fill the bill. For the complete list, see: Great plants for the novice southern gardener

Blooming shrubs and trees for your southern garden
In South Carolina, as well as other parts of the southeast, Springtime cues the shrubs and trees to produce magnificent blooms and blossoms galore. Here are a few that are well worth the money to have in your yard, especially for zone 8 areas and warmer. For the complete list see: Blooming shrubs and trees for your southern garden


Taking a look at beautiful Gardenias
If you are looking for a beautiful shrub for your South Carolina yard, you can't go wrong with the lovely Gardenia. Gardenias are a flowering shrub that belongs to the coffee family. There are at least 142 species and the blossoms, growth habits and sizes vary. Beautiful to look at, and with a heavy floral scent that is to die for. This shrub is an evergreen and adapts well to the South Carolinian soils and environment. Zones 8-10 are ideal locations for a gardenia to flourish.
Find out more about this charming floral wonder here:
Taking a look at beautiful Gardenias


Encore Azaleas, a bloom for all seasons
One of the most exciting parts of the onset of Spring in the south is the burst of brilliant colors delivered by gorgeous Azaleas. Ranging in colors like white, pink, red, purple etc. they are a true standout in many landscapes in South Carolina. Read more here: Encore Azaleas, a bloom for all seasons

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Taking a look at beautiful Gardenias

Photograph by Dawn Gagnon

If you are looking for a beautiful shrub for your South Carolina yard, you can't go wrong with the lovely Gardenia. Gardenias are a flowering shrub that belongs to the coffee family. There are at least 142 species and the blossoms, growth habits and sizes vary. Beautiful to look at, and with a heavy floral scent that is to die for. This shrub is an evergreen and adapts well to the South Carolinian soils and environment. Zones 8-10 are ideal locations for a gardenia to flourish.

The crisp white blossoms begin appearing around late May and will continue for several months.Some shrubs can grow up to 6 feet in height and also grow in similar feet width wise. Some are small compact varieties that will grow close to the ground and have smaller blooms. Most are noted however, for the strong scent.
Gardenia plants generally prefer a sunny location in the garden with some afternoon relief ideally. They like a soil ph level ranging around 5 to 6.





Even though they enjoy a moist soil, take care not to plant larger varieties in confined locations as they are subject to a variety of diseases and pests. One pest in particular is white flies. Prune bushes when they are dormant, and for bushier growth, snip the tips in dormant times.

Feeding and fertilizing should be done with a fertilizer that also is recommended for Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Most areas where these grow, gardenias will grow as well. A heavy mulch bed with lots of pine straw are sure to help retain soil moisture and provide composted acidic rich soil.

Related articles by this author:

• Top three flowering plants for your southern garden 
• The Southern Magnolia 
• Container gardening: Petunias