Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Crazy for Knock Out Roses!


I knew that when Charleston Home Magazine editor Ellen McGauley and writer Melissa Bigner said that we were going to do a page on knock out roses in the next issue, that it had to be a big deal. I mean...why hadn't I heard of them? Why aren't there any in MY garden? Where have I been? This rose is gorgeous and has everything going for it. Click on the image to read more, or you can check out Ellen McGauley's Blog at:
http://www.charlestonmag.com/home/feature/knock_out_roses

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Charleston's Spring House & Garden Tours are Here!


The Spring house and garden season has arrived in Charleston, SC. Many of these formal gardens are synonymous with Charleston's horticultural beauty and history. I've also included some of the plantations...they are gorgeous to stroll this time of year.

Annual Festival of Houses & Gardens
Tour the private homes and gardens of Charleston’s storied past. Set in the midst of the city’s blooming season, this event offers the public a rare opportunity to get an up-close look at Charleston’s distinctive architecture, gardens, and culture while participating in tours that feature seven to 10 properties a day. Also take part in a variety of activities ranging from oyster roasts to wine tastings and luncheon lectures. Locations, times, & prices vary.
(843)722-3405
www.historiccharleston.org
When: Thursday (3/18/2010) - Saturday (4/17/2010)
Location: Downtown Charleston


The Garden Club of Charleston Annual House and Garden Tours
All proceeds from the House and Garden Tours benefit The Garden Club of Charleston's continuing projects - maintaining the gardens at the Historic Joseph Manigault House, the Heyward-Washington House, the Gateway Walk and the Healing Garden at MUSC.
www.thegardenclubofcharleston.org
When: April 9-10
Location: Downtown Charleston, SC

Kiawah Island Art and House Tour

The 10th annual Kiawah Island Art and House Tour, sponsored by the volunteer group, Gibbes, etc., will take place on Friday, April 9, 2010, from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm. This year, six stunning Kiawah Island homes that showcase spectacular art collections and dramatic views of the salt marsh, creeks, ocean, and woodlands have been selected to allow touring guests a myriad of visual experiences.
http://www.gibbesmuseum.org/visit/calendar.php
Tickets: $55
When: Friday, April 9, 2pm - 6pm

Plantasia: A Green Market for Plant Lovers
Presented by the Charleston Horticultural Society.
www.charlestonhorticulturalsociety.org
When: Saturday, April 24, 2010
Location: On the grounds of the Gaillard Auditorium

FREE

Other Great Gardens and Plantations:
Magnolia Plantation: www.magnoliaplantation.com
SEE!: The camellia garden, stroll the swamp on a boardwalk, relax on the train ride, take the beautiful boat tour, and the kids will love the petting zoo.
Middleton Place:
www.middletonplace.org
SEE!: Butterfly ponds, overabundance of azaleas, formal rose garden, and giant pampered live oak tree by the river.

Drayton Hall:
www.draytonhall.org
SEE!: the historical and well preserved house, and the mirror image of the house by the pond

Cypress Gardens:

www.cypressgardens.com
SEE!: Take the canoe ride through the swamp, and see the butterfly house featuring a pet wood duck named "Woody."

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Before and After: "After" doesn't always mean "better"...at first


What a mess...last year's herb garden was in a long overdue state. Leggy leftovers, live oak leaves on top of more live oak leaves. I started today with my "Chimney" Herb Garden which is conveniently located near the kitchen. It receives more than six hours of sun in my super shady yard....kind of a rare spot. And a a special bonus!: my zone 8b becomes a zone nine or 10 next to the chimney in the winter....it allows me to ooh and ahh over the passion flower vine that keeps the herbs company during the winter months. I'm looking forward to this summer's yield: basil, German thyme, cilantro, tarragon, and mint.

This recipe is one of the main reasons I grow basil every summer.

RECIPE:
MOZZARELLA CAPRESE
yield: Serves 4 to 6

2 pounds vine-ripened tomatoes (about 4 large), sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced1/4 inch thick
1/4 cup packed fresh basil washed well and spun dry
3 to 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
fine sea salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste

On a large platter arrange tomato and mozzarella slices and basil leaves, alternating and overlapping them. Sprinkle salad with oregano and arugula and drizzle with oil. Season salad with salt and pepper.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Insalata-Caprese-13232#ixzz0jQTOlmMN

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Having a "Camellia neighbor" has its benefits...




(top): One of my neighbor’s 15-foot + camellias at the property line.
(center): A wonderful feature I designed for Charleston magazine last year featuring many antique prints. Written by Melissa Bigner. http://www.charlestonmag.com/charleston_magazine/feature/charleston_s_botanical_treasures
(bottom): A chart on camellia flower form and style from Stirling Macoboy’s “The Illustrated Encyclopedia on Camellias”


The colder than normal winter here in the South was much more tolerable as soon as the camellias started blooming. I only have two in my garden right now, a double petal 'professor sargent' that I planted myself a few years ago, and an unknown dark pink variety volunteer that my friend Pete gave me. Both are pretty small at this point but I loved seeing them both bloom for the first time last year. The flowers were so big that they weighed down the thin young branches over almost touching the ground.

But my next door neighbor lives in camellia heaven. When she moved into her house more than 25 years ago she acquired a yard of more than 40 different varieties of camellias. I reap the benefits by having many of them literally hanging ("reaching!") over my fence. Each year on Christmas eve, and with my neighbor's permission, I clip enough to make two gorgeous bouquets. Family and friends marvel at how different each one is. Red, pink, candy cane variegation, single petals, double petals, etc.... Though they don't last long in bouquet form, I relish these 2-3 days every year.

I love it when my daughter sees a new camellia color starting to bloom... "Mom! you gotta come see this!"

Monday, March 22, 2010

First Day of Spring: Ligularia!


Today got out into the garden really for the first time this year. My daughter Piper helped me plant my favorite new foliage...Ligularia aka: Farfugium japonicum Aureomaculatum. We've said the word "Ligularia" around the house so many times now that my husband Lee says it just keeps repeating over and over again in his head. The large round shiny leaves make for great contrast in the garden. I've never grown it before but I'm pretty excited about it. I read somewhere that it's a garden geek's dream plant. It's pretty small right now and will grow slowly, but Piper and I can wait. It looks great next to the variegated dionella (tall spiky green/white leaves). I plan to add in some brightly colored heuchera, coleus, and white caladiums when it gets a little warmer.
Type: Perennial/clumping Hardiness: zones 7-8 Light: light shade/filtered sun (makes it perfect for my tree covered yard) Size: up to 2' x 2' Soil: moist Blooms: Yellow daisy like flowers on tall stalks. Fall, into early winter (up until first frost around new years) Foliage: when mature up to 1' x 1'