Growing Camellias in your southern garden

Pink Camellia (photo credit: Dawn Gagnon)

One shrub you will find beloved by many a southerner is the lovely Camellia bush. Camellias are sturdy small shrubs that produce vivid blossoms appearing October-March. They have thick dark green glossy leaves and the flower heads are similar in size to a rose. Camellia blossoms can come in a myriad of colors from white, soft pinks, vivid reds and in Southern parts of China yellow.

Growing conditions:
Camellias can be grown in full sun, partial or even full shade. Dappled shade is perhaps ideal especially for white flowering forms. Camellia shrubs are known to thrive quite well underneath Pine and Oak trees due to the naturally acidic soil around these types of trees. Basically, a Camellia will grow well wherever a n Azalea will thrive. When planting a Camellia bush, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and once the bush is centered in the middle of the hole be sure to fill in the hole with compost, and a good prepared soil mix.

Zone hardiness:
Camellias can grow in zones 7-9. Many new cultivators have developed varieties that can tolerate zones further north.

Pruning:
Camellias can be pruned almost any time of the year but ideally can be pruned lightly after it is done blooming.

Watering:
Newly planted Camellias do well with regular watering that keeps the soil moist. Do not over water or keep the plant soggy. Normal annual rainfall is well tolerated, however, when there is extremely hot and dry weather a Camellia should be watered during those times to keep it healthy.

Pests and diseases:
Camellias are prone to tea scale. Tea scale are small insects that have cotton like masses underneath the leaves and the presence of yellow blotches on the top side of leaves. If left untreated the bush will not thrive. Use of a systemic insecticide is preferred. Camellias can become subjected to root rot as well if it is grown in soil that is too damp or is over watered.

Related articles by this author:

• Planting Azaleas in your garden
• The Confederate Rose
• How to grow and care for the eastern Red bud tree
• How to keep Boston Ferns alive all summer
• Ornamental grasses

The Eastern Redbud tree for your garden

Eastern Red bud tree

One tree that will bring a beautiful boost of color to your spring garden is the Eastern Red Bud tree also known as the Judas Tree. This is the state tree of Oklahoma and with good reason. It is a beautiful and welcome site that Spring is on the way with its lovely bright purple flowers that arrive early in the Spring. One lovely trait of these trees in addition to the purple blossoms are the beautiful, large heart shaped leaves.

A small tree with a sturdy upright trunk which divides into stout branches that usually spread to form a broad flat head. Found on rich bottom lands throughout the Mississippi River valley; will grow in the shade and often becomes a dense undergrowth in the forest. You will see these trees growing in abundance in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and eastern Texas.

The Eastern Red bud is hardy as far north as zone 4, grows rapidly and an ideal ornamental tree. It has low water requirements and displays a high tolerance to salt and alkali soils. One variety that you may want to check out when selecting a Red bud tree is the beautiful weeping Red bud tree which is available at the *link at the end of this article.

Red bud care and specifications:

Hardiness Zones:  4 to 9
Height:  30 ft
Spread:  25 ft -30 ft
Form:  rounded
Type:  deciduous tree
Annual Growth Rate:  12 to 20 inches
Light:  Full sun to partial shade
Moisture:  Grows best in moist soil
Flowers:  Purplish-pink small and grow along the branch

Caring for Red buds:

Soil type:  Red buds can grow in almost any garden soil, preferring soil that is a little on the moist side.

Lighting:  They do well planted near other trees that can filter some of the sunlight so that they have a partial shaded environment.

Pruning:  Pruning lower branches helps the the Eastern Red bud develop a lovely crowned top and always remove dead, damaged limbs. Pruning should be done in late Winter or early Spring before the blooms appear.

Fertilizing:  Slow release light fertilizer

Diseases and pests:  Red buds are sometimes prone to caterpillar infestations and do well to have a preventative spraying of borer spray. Fungicides can also be used where there may be leaf spots and can be applied mid to late Spring ideally.


*Spring Hill Nursery Lavender Twist Weeping Red bud

For more information on Southern gardening, see: The Southern Garden

Zone 8 gardening tips for Autumn

Image via Wikipedia

If you live in South Carolina you know that the cooler weather is all but here. Many of us

spend a good deal of time and money winterizing our homes, however, our gardens, even in zone

8 need some winterizing and planning ahead too. Here's a few tips for tending to your zone 8 garden and lawn right now before winter sets in.

Start covering your perennial varieties of bulbs and also strawberries now in their beds for the winter.

Plant winter- and spring-flowering bulbs

During the cooler months, it is an ideal time to go ahead and either plant

grass or make improvements to lawns.

If you enjoy ornamental grasses like Pampas or other varieties, now in zone 8 is the time to

get it in the ground.Image via Wikipedia

Winter perennials that bloom should be planted now.

Plant bare root roses, trees and shrubs right now to ensure they winter over in your yard.

If you have a vegetable garden going and are interested in planting a winter veggie crop now is the time to put those seedlings in the ground.

For a list of some interesting plants for zone 8, check out HGTV's link.

For more on Southern gardening, see: The Southern Garden

Related articles by this author:

• The carefree Peony for your southern garden
• Slugs in the garden
• Taking a look at beautiful Gardenias
• Lovely Hydrangeas for your garden
• Great lilies to plant in your southern garden

Great lilies to plant in your southern garden

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South Carolina has an ideal environment for planting many different species and types of lilies. These varieties listed below are also well suited for planting zones 4 , up to 9 making them lovely and ideal choices to plant this Spring in your garden for years of enjoyment.

Dreamcatcher Carpet Lily 

Dreamcatcher Carpet Lily is more compact version of taller Lilies.  It is ideally grown in containers and along borders in your yard. Every year the plants produce more flowers than they year
before.
Botanical Name:
Lilium 'Dreamcatcher'
Form:
Hardy bulb
Sun Exposure: 
Partial Shade/Full Sun
Height/Habit: 
15 - 18"
Spread: 
6 - 9"
Spacing:
6 - 9"
Hardiness Zone: 3 - 8 (-40° F)
Foliage Type: Dark green, lance shaped, 3-4" long in whorls around sturdy stems.
Flower Form: 
Full upright flowers. Several flowers per stem.
Flower Color: 
Pink
Flowering Date:
Early to mid summer
Planting Requirements:
In the garden, 5-6" deep and 9-12" apart. In pots and containers 5-6" deep and 5" apart.
Soil Requirements: 
Prefers well-drained soil but will tolerate heavier soils.
Growth Rate: 
Moderate

Unique Characteristics:
Border lilies are referred to as the 'garden charmer'. Extremely suitable for planting in containers or front position in a border.

Pruning: 
Don't remove leaves until they have died down in fall. They help provide nourishment to the bulb for next season's blooms.

Time of Pruning: Fall

Commander in Chief Lily



This gorgeous lily has deep scarlet red blooms that grow up to 48 inches tall
in your garden. This lily produces a ton of blossoms and loves both full sun or part shade making it an extremely versatile plant for your garden.

Botanical Name:
Lilium 'Commander in Chief' (Asiatic)
Form:
Hardy bulb
Sun Exposure: 
Partial Shade/Full Sun
Height/Habit: 
3' - 4'
Spread: 
15" - 18"
Spacing: 
10" - 12"
Hardiness Zone: 
3 - 9 (-40 degrees F)
Foliage Type: 
Dark green, lance shaped, 3" - 4" long, 1/2" - 3/4" wide
Flower Form: 
Large upright facing flared flowers in bold terminal panicles
Flower Color: 
Scarlet (dark red)
Flowering Date: 
Mid summer
Planting Requirements: 
Plant with 4" of soil above the bulb
Soil Requirements: 
well drained is important.
Growth Rate: 
Moderate once established. It takes 6 - 8 weeks for a good root system to develop
Unique Characteristics: 
Strong growth and extremely hardy. It has 6-8" diameter flowers that are scarlet red.
Pruning: 
Cut back spent flower stems by 1/3
Time of Pruning: 
After flowering in Fall
Unique Characteristics: 
Border lilies are referred to as the 'garden charmer'. Extremely suitable for planting in containers or front position in a border.
Pruning: 
Don't remove leaves until they have died down in fall. They help provide nourishment to the bulb for next season's blooms.

Double Tiger Lily

English: Lilium lancifolium, Liliaceae, Tiger lily, flower. The fresh, blooming plant without bulb is used in homeopathy as remedy: Lilium tigrinum (Lil-t.) Deutsch: Lilium lancifolium, Liliaceae, Tiger-Lilie, Blüte. Die frische, blühende Pflanze ohne Zwiebel wird in der Homöopathie als Arzneimittel verwendet: Lilium tigrinum (Lil-t.) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This beautiful orange lily has been an old time favorite for gardeners throughout generations, and many will continue growing and existing long after the old homestead has perished. This double blooming variety has more than 25 petals per flower, blooms in midsummer and can grow up to 48 inches tall.

Zones:
4-9
Light: 
Full Sun to Partial Shade

Botanical Name: 
Lilium lancifolium flora-pleno

Form: 
Hardy bulb

Sun Exposure:
Partial Shade/Full Sun

Height/Habit: 
30 - 48"

Spread: 
9 - 12"

Spacing: 9 - 12"

Hardiness Zone: 
4 - 9 (-30 degrees F)

Foliage Type: 
Narrow, lanceolate leaves 4" long, thick and glossy.

Flower Form: 
Approximately 3-6" orange flowers with black/dark brown spots.

Flower Color: 
Orange

Flowering Date: 
Mid summer

Planting Requirements:
Plant 6" deep and 9 - 12" apart.

Soil Requirements: 
Well drained soil, but will tolerate heavier soils.

Growth Rate: 
Moderate

Unique Characteristics:
On old time favorite Lilium which was first introduced in 1870. Perfect for cut flower gardens. More then 25 petals per flower. A very special classic Lily!

Pruning: 
Don't remove leaves until they have died down in fall. They help to provide nutrition to the bulb for next season.

Related articles by this author:

• The Southern Magnolia 
• Gardening tips for zone 8 in Autumn