Georgia Backyard Nature

Grandfather's Favorite Rose

This red climbing rose was my Grandfather’s pride and joy. My mother rooted several cuttings from his and they grew gloriously in her yard along a fence. She rooted this one for me and I treasure it. Several years ago I talked to my landscaper about some changes to this flower bed. He proposed moving the two rose bushes to another spot and adding a different shrub. When I explained the red rose’s lineage and sentimental value, he quickly came up with another plan because he realized it was too dear to risk moving.

Quiet Quince

  The little flowering Quince is tucked under the big Camellia in the side yard. It has struggled over the years because I don’t think it gets enough sun. However, every spring it manages to put out a few pretty coral blossoms.  I’m going to fertilize it and do a little pruning and hope to see more flowers next year.

Love and Repentance

 

Today is both Valentines Day and Ash Wednesday, the first time since 1945 that they occur on the same day. For some the dichotomy of the two days causes a dilemma, but not in the garden. Despite being battered by ice, snow, and frigid temps, the double crimson Camellia burst into bloom on schedule. This lovely red flower serves as tribute to love as well as a reminder of Ash Wednesday obligations.

Springtime Saucer Magnolia

Georgia Backyard Nature

Georgia Backyard Nature

More signs of Spring! The Saucer Magnolia is in bloom. This is one of my favorites because I love the big two toned blossoms--delicate purple on the outer side of the petals and a creamy white inside. We had one of these trees by our front porch when I was little, but we always called it a Tulip Tree; some call it a Japanese Magnolia. No matter the name, it's stunning when in bloom!

 

 

 

Radiant Roses

It seems as though every Rose in the yard flowered at the same time. Roses can be fussy, but to be honest, other than pruning and fertilizer, I don't do a lot for mine. They still bloom so I guess I found the right spot for these lovely plants.The one above is the fiery Fourth of July Rose. I love the variegated petals.

Below is a Knock Out Rose. They are low maintenance and bloom wildly all season long. Too bad that the deer love to munch on them.

This Red Climbing Rose is a true heirloom plant that brings back memories because it was my Grandfather's favorite rose. My Mother loved it, too, and rooted cuttings which lined our back fence when I was growing up. This one came from her rose plant.

This is my favorite Rose, a Pink Sweetheart. My grandparents had a massive one in their yard. I always think of them when this rose blooms.

I just realized that most of my Roses are red--maybe I should branch out a little next year with some yellow and lavender!!

Sweetshrub Scent

The spicy-sweet scent wafting through the yard signals that the Sweetshrub, or Carolina Allspice, is in bloom. This native plant grows wild along the east coast from Pennsylvania to Northern Florida and west to Mississippi. Sweetshrub can tolerate full sun but part shade is much better.  The one in the pictures is a true native--it somehow escaped the bulldozer when my house was built. Lucky for me--it's nice to have such a lovely fragrant shrub in my yard.

Lovely Loropetalum

If you are looking for a low maintenance shrub with arresting spring color, the Loropetalum or Chinese Fringe Flower is an excellent choice. I have a group of three on a bank near my driveway and the mass of vivid hot pink blooms is gorgeous. Loropetalum is an evergreen shrub that grows up to 15 feet high, but can be pruned after flowering to control the size. There are also dwarf varieties for smaller spaces.

Holiday Season Sasanqua

The red Sasanqua is blooming a bit late, but right on time for holiday color! This member of the Camellia family is also known as the Yuletide Camellia with good reason.

Sasanquas are members of the Camellia family.  They are less well known that their larger cousin the Camellia Japonica.  Both, though, have dozens of different varieties and a wide range of colors.  Here in Georgia, Sasanquas generally bloom in November and December and the Japonicas in January and February so if you have both varieties in your garden, you can see color all winter long.

This Sasanqua is in a spot where it has to be pruned to control its growth. As a result, it usually doesn't have many blooms. I've thought about moving it to a place where it can grow unchecked, but the shrub is well established. Seeing the pretty red blooms has made up my mind about transplanting--I want to see lots of red blooms next Christmas!

Beautiful Flowers, Beautiful Butterflies

 

In the dog days of summer bee, butterfly, and hummingbird activity has increased dramatically. The lantana and butterfly bushes are swarming with skippers and swallowtails busily gathering nectar while it lasts.

Showy Snowball Viburnum

I thought winter was over, but we still have snow here in Georgia—but it’s the good kind. The Snowball Viburnum is heavy with dozens and dozens of showy white flowers. Don’t they look like Hydrangea blooms?  

I didn’t prune it last year so the shrub is now 10-12 feet high. This is the most flowers I’ve ever seen on it, too. The Snowball viburnum can flourish in in full sun or partial shade, but needs at least 6 hours of sun a day to flower. The only maintenance I give this one is fertilizer. The Snowball Viburnum can be pruned after flowering to control the height or shape it up.

 

The Snowball Viburnum always makes me think of my Mother. She didn’t have one, but it was one of her favorite plants in my garden. She always looked forward to seeing it bloom every year and enjoyed bouquets of the big white flowers. That makes it a very special plant.

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