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Volume 3 Most folks tend to move south for the mild winters, abundant sunshine, and the opportunity to be outdoors year around to participate in the plethora of activities that are available to us. But for others, there is great self-fulfillment and joy in working outside under our vibrant southern sun. They quickly discover that once you become a southern gardener, the pastime of creating or maintaining a garden, landscape, or even a lawn here in the Carolina’s, can be a spiritually gratifying and physically healthy experience. However, even the well trained, long time veterans of gardening who have moved here from the cooler gardening zones, quickly discover that it’s simply “different down here “! There’s life in that there soil! Most fertile soils are rich in organic matter and include beneficial micro-organisms. These microscopic bacteria will in turn, help provide valuable nutrients to plant our life. Unlike many of the more fertile soils of the Midwest or the northeast, our sandy soils along the southeastern coastal areas contain very little organic matter. As a result, incorporating soil amendments such as humus, black cow, and aged manure, will go a long way to enhance the health and aesthetic appeal of most of our plants. Irrigation requirements are also different as a result of our local soils structures. Our soil composition on and around the beach areas will vary from sandy, to sandy loams, to hard pan clay in some areas. Therefore, irrigation requirement during the growing season can be tricky and very different. This is not only true from one home to another, but also from different locations within the same property. Because of this, it is important that you get familiar with the nature of the soil in different sections of your yard before you start creating landscape areas. Plants grow different down here! Most “Yankee” gardeners are surprise when they find And of course, some of the flowering plants that flourish in the cooler summer temperatures of the north will simply get “fried” here in the southeast. Lilacs are a favorite flowering tree in the north. And although there are a few varieties that are touted to be heat tolerant such as Lady Lavender, Dwarf Korean, Angel White, and a few other just to name a few. Generally speaking, most folks enjoy little success growing Lilacs in our gardening zone. Several years ago, I tried my hand at growing one of these so called “southern bloomers “. I even planted it in some homemade Yankee type soil, and kept it out of our intense summer sun. What I managed to grow was a semi healthy, sparse little tree that refused to bloom! So if you are originally from a cooler gardening zone and you just have to have a small flowering tree that resembles a lilac, try an Althea (Rose Of Sharon). As a result of our warm summer afternoons, several of the plants that grow with little effort in our cooler regions, must be planted with care here in the south. Azaleas and hydrangeas are two plants that prefer a little afternoon shade in the summer to keep them from getting stressed out. Keep in mind that these plants will require some morning or afternoon sun to help in flower production, Rhododendrons will thrive in the western part of our state and can be seen along with azaleas, growing wild in the Appalachian mountain areas near Ashville. Here in Southeastern North Carolina, maintaining a healthy Rhododendron is challenging to say the least. A few of the more sun tolerant varieties may increase the chance of survival if planted in a clay loam soil type that has an acidic pH of 5.0 to 5.8. Installing your Rhododendron in a protected area from the intense afternoon sun is important. However, make sure that your plant will receive some sun to enhance flowering. We are however, truly fortunate to have so many other wonderful landscape options here in the Southeastern United States. Many of these plants that we use in our landscapes or see every day will not perform well in a more northern climate. Oleanders which are marginally acceptable for our area will generally do well in full sun with some protection from winters harsh winds. To keep the size of your oleanders under control or to remove dead plant parts, prune your Oleanders back by one third in march and feed with about a half cup of superphosphate around the base of the plant. This will help in promoting good blooms in the early summer. As a result of our long summer and fall growing seasons, we are able to grow some terrific plants such as Crepe Myrtles, Gardenias, Fatsia, Lorepetalum, Magnolia, Camellia, Buddleia, Glossy Abellia, and a plethora of other annual and perennial species. If gardening in the south is new to you, an excellent way to learn some of the different plants that are available here, would be to visit some of the better garden centers in our area. This will allow you to see what some of the plants actually look like in person! You will be able to observe the type of foliage that it has the color and shape of the flowers, the plant size and density, etc. Many plants will have some general information on the label or a tag. By reading this information, you will learn if the plant is happier in sun or shade, prefers wet or dry soils, the nutritional requirements, planting instructions, and other important maintenance instructions that will insure a healthy plant. Most of our local garden centers will also have some folks on staff that will be able to assist you with plant selection and some sound horticultural recommendations. Here in Southeastern North Carolina, our soil types will vary from yard to yard, and our seasons and our growing conditions are never the same from one year to the next. And with each New Year, comes a unique challenge and experience! That’s gardening Carolina style…. it’s just different down here! |
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And as a result of our extended warm weather and growing conditions, most people find that they must have a pretty lawn and landscape southern style. For some, the goal is to have an amazing southern landscape but have no desire or time to do the work themselves. These people will gladly pay others to design the plan, perform the work, and maintain the grounds so that the health and aesthetic appeal of the landscape remain intact.
that some of their favorite annual flowers from the north such as Begonias, Impatiens, Pansies, Snapdragons, annual flowering Vinca, Lantana, Plumbago, and many other flowers that are classified as “annual”, will sometimes make a return appearance and behave as perennials in the south! Contrary to this, some of the old reliable northern perennials such as tulips will flourish year after year in the more northern gardening zones. However in the south, you may get one or occasionally, two years of pleasure from your tulip bulbs. This is generally due to our warmer soil temperatures during the winter months.
Although they lack that sweet aromatic fragrance of traditional lilac, they have many different varieties with some awesome flowers in different shades of purple, lavender, two tone, and even white. They perform well in full sun and will require little care in terms of fertilization and pruning. Another old favorite in the cooler gardening zones is a plant called a burning bush. This hardy great little plant turns a brilliant orange red color in autumn. Unfortunately, the burning bush will not survive our sultry summers. But if you are looking for a low maintenance plant that will turn from green to bright red during the fall and winter, try a Fire Power Nandina! This plant requires little pruning or fertilization, and will perform best in a sunny location.