Fairview Greenhouses and Nurseries - your source for flowers, trees and shrubs Cary, NC, Raleigh, NC

plants, flowers, trees, shrubs, Cary, NC, Raleigh, NC, Fairview Greenhouses and Garden Center and Nursery

--- Continued --- Southern Favorites

	A drive through the countryside in late spring or early summer surely results in the spotting of hydrangeas (Hydrangea sp). This longtime southern favorite has always been popular in the garden, but its popularity has snowballed in the last six to eight years. There are many different species and hundreds of hydrangea cultivars available today. The old fashioned pom-pom type flowers are typically a cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla, like ‘Nikko Blue’ which remains popular today. Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) with its large, hairy leaves and white panicle type flowers has also been revered in southern landscapes for many years. New introductions seem to emerge daily and differentiating between one plant to the next can become difficult. While these new cultivars can bring new colors, sizes and forms to the garden, it is hard to ignore plants that have been popular for decades.	Hydrangea
	Much like hydrangeas, camellias, azaleas, and gardenias remain popular in our landscapes. Camellias (Camellia sp.) represent one of our best plants for late fall, winter, and early spring color. There are again several different species and many different hybrids available, but the easiest way to split the group into two is by looking at fall, then spring blooming cultivars. Generally, the fall bloomers are cultivars of Camellia sasanqua, and the spring flowering forms are Camellia japonica. The hybrids and other species can fall under either group. The fall blooming plants typically have smaller single flowers with smaller leaves while the late winter to early spring bloomers have larger flowers and foliage. Like hydrangeas and azaleas (left), there are hundreds of different camellias available for the garden. Like camellias, azaleas are great evergreen shrubs for shady to semi-shady areas. Dogwoods and redbuds under planted with azaleas can be a captivating sight in spring (golf fans, think Augusta National). Gardeners that had become tired of azaleas have been re-invigorated by the Encore azaleas. Encore azaleas are a group of azaleas that re-bloom three times a year. They have the traditional spring flowers, followed by flowers in the summer, then again in the fall. No longer are azaleas colorful for just two weeks in the spring. Gardenias (Gardenia jasminoides) are know as much for their fragrance as for their flowers. Traditional forms of gardenia could reach heights over six feet tall. Newer introductions like ‘Kleims Hardy’ will remain closer to four feet tall and wide while ‘Radicans’ reaches 18” in height and two feet in spread. The white flowers release a rather delightful sweet fragrance.	Camellia Gardenia
	Many of these plants are close to our hearts because they remind us of our grandparents or parents gardens. This is definitely true with sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus), also called Carolina allspice, sweet betsy, and spicebush. I have many people inquire about this plant based solely on its fragrance. The common story with this shrub is that people remember it being planted by the “old home place” when they would visit relatives. Sweetshrub is a native deciduous plant that can reach eight feet tall and wide. The rusty red colored flowers open in May. Much like gardenia, the fragrance is definitely stronger in the early morning or late evening hours. These are just a few of the plants that I call “southern favorites”. Others that could also be considered are pyracantha, wisteria, jessamine, rose, and rhododendron. These plants are all tried and true in the southern landscape. Add some of these plants to your landscape, and keep the tradition alive! Happy Gardening! Brad Rollins	Sweetshrub
	(Pyracantha (orange/red), Wisteria (purple), Jessamine (vine), Rose (white), Rhododendron (pink/purple)
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