Winter Wonders

Today Southern Gardening is visiting Pine Hills Nursery and I always love to explore and see what unusual plants they have growing in their winter greenhouses. It’s a great way to beat some of the winter blues. Of course they have some of my favorites that we’ve shared in the past. One of my all-time faves is blue butterfly plant. Who doesn’t love the intricate flowers arranged on long branches that actually resemble little blue butterflies in flight. And the somewhat creepy Buddha hand citron with its hand-like fruit that are multi-fingered. Let’s add a couple more to my list. First is Mexican Flame Vine. This tropical plant is a sprawling vine with four inch dark green toothed leaves and cluster of reddish orange daisy-like flowers with golden centers. When planted outside in the spring this plant is a must for the butterfly garden. It’s perennial in most of Mississippi as long as it’s heavily mulched, but is easily grown from seed each spring. A plant that not enough homeowners grow are Angel Trumpets, I don’t know why because they’re easy care plants. There are a wide variety of colors but I’m really liking these purple ones. The coarse textured leaves compliment the large flowers. They unfurl from a tight star-shaped bud opening to white insides and purple outsides. What a spectacular accent container plant. So take some time during the winter months to visit your local garden center for some horticulture therapy and ideas for the coming season. I’m horticulturist Gary Bachman and I’ll see you next time on Southern Gardening.