You are here

Southern Gardening

The Angel Mist lavender compact angelonia combines well with Million Gold Melampodium. The new compact Angel Mist angelonias will stay around 15 to 18 inches tall and bloom long before they need to be deadheaded.
February 16, 2006 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Thanks to the new Serena series and a new compact called Angel Mist, angelonias should finally reach star status in Southern landscapes.

Maybe that's wishful thinking because my recent surveys at seminars point to a disturbing fact -- gardeners still haven't tried angelonias and probably don't understand what they are.

Each Tiger Fern frond resemble a tiger's stripes with different colors and different patterns of variegation. The colors will vary from dark green to lime green and golden yellow.
February 9, 2006 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

If you like the Boston Fern, you will adore the Tiger Fern. These tropical treasures make their Mississippi debut this spring at garden and patio shows in Hattiesburg, Jackson and Southaven.

Their incredible beauty comes from the variegation that resembles a tiger's stripes. Each frond will be a different color and offer a different pattern of variegation. The colors will vary from dark green to lime green and golden yellow.

This All-American daylily winner is a large, showy salmon-pink variety with a rose halo. It is a robust performer that produces loads of buds, blooming an average of 90 days per year. It is easy to grow and does beautifully as a border, ground cover or container-grown specimen.
February 2, 2006 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

There are thousands of spectacular daylilies for sale, some even approaching the cost of my first car, but two reasonably priced selections you should search for are this year's All-American Daylily Selections, Buttered Popcorn and Persian Market.

Stained Glass has brilliant shiny golden foliage surrounded by a 2-inch wide, dark-green margin. The American Hosta Growers Association has chosen Stained Glass as the 2006 "Hosta of the Year."
January 26, 2006 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Rains, especially those on recent weekends, have been so plentiful that about all we can do is make plans for the spring planting season. I'm past ready to prepare beds for a new hosta I want to try called Stained Glass.

Stained Glass looks to be the hottest hosta in the upcoming season as the American Hosta Growers Association has chosen it as the 2006 “Hosta of the Year.”

The Firewitch dianthus, or cheddar pink, is a low growing, mat-forming plant with narrow, bluish-gray foliage and brilliant purplish-pink flowers. The blooms cover the plant and perfume the air with a spicy, clove-like fragrance.
January 19, 2006 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

If you love Bath's Pink dianthus, then you will be delighted with Firewitch, the 2006 Perennial Plant of the Year. The Perennial Plant Association has a strong reputation for selecting perennial plants that perform for the widest area of the United States, and this year's winner is no exception.

Zowie! Yellow Flame zinnia and Evolution salvia make a dynamic duo in this landscape. Both make great cut flowers for the vase and can be dried for an everlasting bouquet. Unlike any other zinnia, each Zowie bloom flames with a scarlet-rose center and yellow petal edges. Evolution provides a slightly richer color that Victoria Blue salvia.
January 12, 2006 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Zowie! That is a word that may conjure up memories of the 1960's Batman television series when it may have been used to mean wow, incredible or great Scott. In 2006, it will remind you of an All-America Selections Flower Award Winner, a zinnia called “Zowie! Yellow Flame.”

Kathy Ann, a native yaupon holly from Stone County, Miss., reaches 15 to 20 feet in height and is a perfect choice for use as an accent or the focal point to a special garden. The leaves are dark green and large, serving as a good contrast with the white bark that adds further winter landscape appeal. The Kathy Ann is in an elite class as one of the most prolific berry producing hollies.
January 5, 2006 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

As I was buttoning my favorite pair of pants this morning, it became evident the high Southeastern humidity in my closet had caused them to shrink. Unfortunately, it looks like the same New Year's resolution will be at the top of my list again.

Speaking of resolutions, there are several New Year's gardening resolutions we all need to make to have a better and more environmentally friendly garden this year.

Plant your screen informally and in odd numbered repetitive clusters or clumps keeping your plants separated from turf.
December 29, 2005 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

One common request I hear is from people wanting to create some privacy between them and a neighbor, to quiet a noisy street, or to soften a fence. These are all good reasons for planting a screen of plant material.

Nellie R. Stevens holly was introduced 1954. Rugged, durable and exquisite in both beauty and form, it offers glossy leaves, red berries and a classic Christmas tree shape.
December 22, 2005 - Filed Under: Trees

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

This is one of the plants where legends have been passed down. The word, holly, is believed to be derived from holy, for in several parts of Europe sprigs were used in decorating to commemorate the birth of Christ. The legend continues that the berries were yellow, but being part of the crown of crucifixion, were stained with the wounds of Christ and have since remained red.

This lilac painted poinsettia can add to your Christmas decorations, then with some extra care, can still look good for Easter. Try it with some pink eggs underneath or surrounding white Easter lilies.
December 15, 2005 - Filed Under: Cut Flowers and Houseplants

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

I just placed a poinsettia in my living room called Orange Wonder. It is incredibly beautiful and what I tell you about it will most likely stretch your poinsettia comfort zone a little.

The blue-green foliage of the Arizona cypress stands out in showy contrast against the fall rusty red needles of the bald cypress.
December 8, 2005 - Filed Under: Landscape Architecture

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The winter landscape can look breathtakingly beautiful by choosing the right plants, such as the smooth Arizona cypress.

Yellow tulips provide a colorful contrast with purple pansies.
December 1, 2005 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

This year was my first time to take part in the Black Friday Christmas shopping chaos. From now on, I'll just stay at home and plant bulbs. I am not talking about daffodils, although I suppose if you found a good buy you could certainly do that. What I am really talking about are tulips and hyacinths purchased back in October.

Chardonney Pearls deutzia, Sanguna Midnight Blue Petunia and Coffee Twist sedge combine wonderfully in a container that would be a hit on any porch, patio or deck.
November 23, 2005 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Just when you think you've seen everything in the gardening world, up pops a new deutzia. Your grandmother may have had an old white variety that bloomed every spring. The new Chardonney Pearls will change everything you ever thought about deutzia.

Visions of sugarplums take on a new meaning when people see this snapdragon variety called Sugarplum. A part of the Luminaire series, Sugarplum is vigorous and ideally suited in hanging baskets.
November 17, 2005 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

As exciting as the new pansies have been, 2005 was also a great year for new snapdragons. Our growers hit the target with the highest quality snaps I have ever seen. Garden centers tell me the snapdragons seemed earlier and created steady sales to enthusiastic customers.

Scarlet-colored Diamond dianthus complements these yellow and orange Calypso calendula in cool-season gardens.
November 10, 2005 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Just when you thought dianthus had reached its peak, up pops more great new varieties like Diamond and Dynasty.

The Diamond is being brought to us by Sakata Seed and is available in some rare colors for dianthus. There are Blush Pink, Carmine Rose, Coral, Pink, Purple, Scarlet and a mix. This range of colors really allows for some interesting, cool-season combinations.

Citrona Orange will stop traffic with displays such as this one as it towers over Matrix Blue Blotch pansies.
November 3, 2005 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The highly colorful and attractive foliage of flowering cabbage, kale and mustard gain them a lot of attention, but keep your eyes open for the breathtakingly beautiful flowers of Citrona Orange.

Peach Frost violas from the Sorbet series offer a wide range of colors beginning with blue and moving toward a center of creamy yellow with a splash of hot orange. They are spectacular in this bed with True Blue Panolas.
October 27, 2005 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The wind chill of 39 degrees this morning told me I better start getting ready to plant pansies and violas. As usual, I find myself a little behind in bed preparation. I need to tidy up the area where lantanas and verbenas have run rampant.

In 2000, the Panola was a Mississippi Medallion award winner, and there were just a handful of colors that first year. This fall, there are 22 colors and nine mixes. One of the most sought-after no doubt will be the True Blue Panola.

The Matrix series of pansies are large-flowered with 12 colors and four mixes available. They come with blotches and clear-faced, and with this many varieties, are sure to have a color to suit any palette.
October 20, 2005 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Judging from those attending this year's Fall Flower and Garden Fest, pansy planting season is here, and there are some terrific new selections to pick from.

I enjoyed watching people shop at the festival in Crystal Springs. In one area, tropicals were selling like there was no tomorrow, and in another area it was pansies and snapdragons. It was good to see people paying attention to the landscape again.

October 13, 2005 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The recent cold front put a little spring in my step and gave me a fresh outlook. It is finally time to plant cool season flowers. One you may have noticed over the past couple of years is Redbor kale, a Fall 2005 Mississippi Medallion award winner.

Container gardening can provide colorful displays throughout the fall months. This combination, including purple pansies beneath spikes of lavender, yields a spectacular accent on a backyard deck.
October 6, 2005 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Gorgeous fall colors don't have to be limited to the yard or landscape, but can be artistically arranged as floral accents at any home's entrance. Some well-placed, colorful planters can welcome family and guests to your home even if you don't do a lot of gardening.

Pages

Southern Gardening Archive