Bypassing the Roses

Southern women are hard to impress, especially when it comes to Valentine's Day. Any man in the life of a Snipes lady is up for a real challenge when it comes to Valentine's Day. All three of us have worked/still work in the wonderful world of flower arranging and have worldwide access to any flower we could want at a wholesale price... When flowers do actually arrive at one of our doorsteps the instinctive question is to immediately ask "Who did these?" and "How much did you pay?" We're not trying to be tacky here, we're just in the business and need to know our competition. 

 very cute, but not gonna cut it for us...

Sound familiar? Coming up with a great Valentines arrangement is pretty much a wasted effort for a gardening or flower enthusiast, so why not bypass the roses with a great gardening book this year? Not to sound like a hallmark card here, but this holiday is a great way celebrate their love of plants with a great little something for the bookshelf; something that will last for years to come.

I utilize my own gardening library everyday of the week. My most beloved garden/plant reference book was given to me as a graduation gift from dear family friends, and I love opening it to their note on the inside cover. There is something about the warm, cozy emotion that arises when you find a note inside the dust cover. Some of my all time favorite cookbooks are vintage ones passed down for generations that have others names inside and handwritten notes on the recipes inside. So what better way to pass along the warm fuzzies to someone than through a great gardening book? The Pegs and I have come up with our list, and would love any more suggestions that you may have.

Here are some of my suggestions that have been give to me throughout the years: 

First up, this is a new release on the book store shelves is from a Mississippi author who actually taught with my mom in Starkville before I arrived on the scene, Laurie Parker. Laurie has written a number of books, but the new Garden Alphabet really takes the cake. You may know her other works such as, Everywhere in Mississippi, A is for Angels, All Over Alabama, and the Louisiana Alphabet.  The Garden Alphabet is great for all ages, not only does it take you through plant names and gardening terms, but provides beautiful collages for "I Spy" opportunities.

 

The Southern Living Gardening Book, or my personal gardening bible resides right beside me at all hours of the day. It has been around for years in multiple editions, but a definite must for a garden reference.

Jack enjoyed the corner of this book as a puppy...

Beatrix Farrand Private Gardens, Public Spaces is the newest addition to the collection. It documents the works of Beatrix Farrand who was one of the first great lady Landscape Architects. For those of you in the DC area, she designed Dumbarton Oaks. With stunning photographs, garden layouts, and great historical tidbits, this book is a true source of inspiration for any landscape designer or gardener.

The Mid South Garden Guide, as it says is the Essential Reference tool for any gardener at any stage in his/her career. It covers everything from lawn care to nomenclature to plant selection guidelines.

Rain Gardening in the South,  was given to me by my graduate professor, Anne Spafford, who is one the authors. If you have a blossoming conservationist in your life, this is the book. It is an exceptional guide to establishing a rain garden in your own yard, as well as an excellent planting design reference.  (more to come on rain gardens later...)

Check your local bookstores for availability. Don't have a book lover you're trying to impress? Think outside the heart shaped box with a wrapped up package of spring bulbs to plant outside and every year when they pop up, your "hunny" will remember them as her most favorite Valentine's gift. So whether it's a lovely and lasting book with a note in the cover or some spring bulbs to pop up every spring, bypass those roses with a lasting gift this Valentine's Day.

Hotflashes & Heritage Plants

 my office thermometer (in the shade)

For all of my friends that live outside of the Southeast, I am not trying to brag...really, I'm not, so I will go ahead and apologize if this post is a tease. For those of you who live within the Southeast and haven't been outside this month...shame because we have been experiencing quite the hot flashes (and I don't mean the ones that grace we Southern ladies in our midlife). We have been consistently above our average temperature of 53 degrees for a few weeks now with more warm days than cool days. Today's high of 74 is right below the record of 78. It's a strange sensation to walk outside and meet a blanket of warm, spring-like air. Although my original intent was to devote the last week of each month to highlight a conservation technique for you landscape, it would be a shame for me not to acknowledge what is happening in our landscapes as we speak. 

It seems that many of our Southern heritage plants are loving the hot flashes of warm weather.  The warm temperatures have forced these spring bloomers into overdrive. While many species are on schedule to bloom between January and February, there are some that have jumped the gun. Not only that, but the warm temps are providing us with some excellent blooms throughout our yards from species who preform best in January/February. The warm temperatures are preventing frosts that inhibit blooms so often on many of these plants. The following are the "usual suspects" of early spring to consider incorporating into your yard for a flowering accent:

Forsythia
Forsythia x intermedia 
(the most widely grown species)


A staple to the most Southern of gardens, Forsythias can grow anywhere between 7-10' tall depending on the species. They require regular water, full sun, and can typically be found in hardiness zones 8-3. 

Star Magnolia
Magnolia stellata

This petite little ornamental tree grows up to 20' tall and 10' wide. The star magnolia's blooms are usually the first to appear in late winter/early spring. Some varieties are even known to be fragrant.

Winter Honeysuckle
Lonicera fragrantissima 
(a favorite Latin name of mine for the sole purpose that it ryhmes)

The limbs of the winter honeysuckle can reach up to 8' tall and wide. It is a semi-evergreen and thrives in zones 8-3. The flowers bring a distinct citrus aroma that is reminiscent of fruit loops. Consider it for use in areas that have full sun to partial shade and that receives regular water.

used as a screen/border along a fence line in my neighborhood; beautiful combination with the dark evergreen of the Southern Magnolia.

Flowering Quince:
Chaenomeles speciosa

This flowering shrub is usually the first on the scene in January and have been loving the warm temperatures. They are in full bloom throughout town. It's one of the easiest shrubs to grow, requiring only full sun and well drained soil. It can reach over 6' tall depending upon variety. Bloom colors vary from white to red to many shades of pink. Flowering quince is not the same as common quince (Cydonia oblonga). Check the variety for color and fruit production.

 

Daffodils, Narcissus, Jonquil

Narcissus spp. 

One of the most beloved spring bulbs around and a definite must for any garden. They can be found all throughout the South, especially popping up in old homesteads. They require full sun to partial shade and ample water during growth and blooming. For technical purposes the term "daffodil" refers to the large bloom" and the term "jonquil" refers to the the smaller blooming variety. 

 Jonquil

 

Daffodils springing up amidst Asiatic Jasmine. Consider this technique for your bulbs: Plant them with a groundcover. This way the bulbs come and go, but the groundcover creates a consistent backdrop.

 

Daffodil

Tulip Tree
Magnolia x soulangeana 

Also called Saucer Magnolia, this guy is another key deciduous Magnolia to consider. Loving some full sun or partial shade, these Magnolias can reach 25'x25' and need at least 3-5 years of maturity to bloom.

Bridal Wreath Spiraea
Spiraea prunifolia 

A beloved spiraea with arching branches that reach 6-7' tall. Bridal wreath spiraea is a clump forming plant that requires full sun or light shade with regular water.  This petite little Southern favorite is normally a mid-spring bloomer that beckons the start of turkey season, according to my father. However, this one is getting a jump start and beginning to set blooms in early February. 

Carolina Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens

 

An actual native plant to the Southeast, Carolina Jessamine can be seen covering our lamp posts, mailboxes and fences all throughout the Southeast. An excellent vine do to its evergreen nature, drought tolerance in maturity, and adaptability to sun or partial shade. It can be found thriving in zones 9-4. Normally a late February bloomer in this area, I noticed this one ready to hit full bloom within the next week or so. 

Note: all parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested. 

 

Now, let's discuss how to incorporate these guys, which are the cornerstones to traditional southern gardens, into your landscape. While these species are stunning in the early days of spring, they tend to blend into the landscape during the rest of the year. Consider mixing them in with an evergreen border or screen for a splash of color amidst a sea of green. Another option would be a grouping of 3-5 within a bed. The goal is to have them in an area where they can pass the spotlight along once other shrubs/trees begin to bloom. Although they are often used as stand alone/specimen plants, their beauty is fleeting and they leave much for desire during the remainder of the year.

And if this weather has sparked your interest in beginning some spring landscaping, February is an excellent time to prune, yet stay away from spring blooming shrubs such as hydrangeas, camellias, and azaleas. These plants bloom on old growth, so if you prune them now, you will be chopping off their blooms for this year. Try pruning while they are blooming. This way you get a two for one deal, cut flowers & your pruning chore done with.

February is also the best time to cut back your monkey grass, liriope, and other ornamental grasses that have overwintered. 

In the case our temps plummet next week, as they have a tendency to do in February and March, we may all be singing a different tune. But until then, enjoy this hot flash and some of our longtime Southern favorites and their blooms throughout are gardens.

References: The Southern Living Garden Book