Story and Photos by Norman Winter I have heard some suggest that Dutch iris is a short-lived perennial, but those growing at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, such as the variety ‘Romano’ have been returning since the late 1990s. I’ve led a life comparable to a house flipper, so my knowledge regarding the longevity of …
Story and Photo by Russell Studebaker As a cut flower, Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria) has long been a favorite of florists as a cut flower. And now hardy cultivars, such as ‘Inca Ice’, extend their use in our gardens. This cultivar has been bred for large blooms on shorter, compact stems, which gives long-lasting blooms from mid-summer …
Tips for getting more creative with these one-season wonders Story and Photos by Dee A. Nash Instead of planting the same old bedding plants at the edge of the garden in a ribbon of monotonous color, why not try something new this year? Although blocks or strips of annual color are one way to plant, …
Story by Russell Studebaker One doesn’t usually think of orchids growing outside in Oklahoma; however, the hardy Chinese orchid is an exception, and after a few years, clumps of this perennial can become so vigorous in the garden that division may become necessary. Some years ago, I saw a planting in Tulsa that had was …
Story by Michelle Reynolds The diversity of Alabama’s flora makes it super easy for the Alabama gardener to be inspired by native plants for their beauty, their architectural interest, as well as the wildlife they attract to the home garden. And with more nurseries, local botanical gardens, and nature centers focusing on the propagation and …
Creating ways to incorporate annuals in your garden Story and Photos by Loretta Gillespie After years of gardening in the same spot it sometimes gets hard to come up with new and interesting ideas for displaying and using plants. However, if you read magazines, watch gardening shows, or drive through different neighborhoods, you can find …
Growing summer squash in your Alabama garden Story by Mallory Kelley In Alabama, a summer garden would not be complete without your favorite summer squash plants. These vegetables are members of the cucurbit family and have many cousins in the vegetable garden. Now, you may be asking, “What plants are in the cucurbit family anyway?” …
A profile of Hernando gardener Parker Pickle Story and photo by Karen Ott Mayer For more than 40 years, Parker Pickle has been known to many Hernando residents as the DeSoto County tax assessor. Across town at his home, The Cedars, Pickle has cultivated an immense loyalty to his home and garden. “I could never …
A profile of Consolida regalis Story by Denise Pugh As a young gardener with a blank slate for a garden, I was introduced to larkspur (Consolida regalis). My neighbor was a seasoned gardener and grew these lovely plants. She allowed me to gather a bouquet, and my only disappointment was learning that the seeds had been …
A list of lists of great native plants for your Mississippi landscape Gardeners are constantly looking for ways to make gardening easier and more carefree. “Low maintenance” is often the holy grail for most of us. One of the easiest ways to reduce the “work” of gardening is to use plants native to our state. …
