Author: Barbara H. Smith

Bishop’s Hat

Nov 7, 2024 | In the Garden, Perennials

One of my favorite perennials for dry shade is bishop’s hat (Epimedium species), also known as barrenwort or fairy wings. There are over fifty-eight different species of Epimedium that are native to...

November 4 Week 1 Garden Photos

Nov 4, 2024 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants

“Welcome sweet November, the season of the senses and my favorite month of all.” ~Gregory F. Lenz~ Fall Foliage in the Evening Light Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension Miss...

October 28 Week 4 Garden Photos

Oct 28, 2024 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants

“The clear light that belongs to October was making the landscape radiant.” ~Florence Bone~ Fall Color on Lake Hartwell Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension Cope's Gray...

The History of the Ginkgo Tree

Oct 24, 2024 | In the Garden

Did you know that a ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is considered a living fossil? It’s the only surviving species of a group of trees that existed before dinosaurs roamed the earth. Genetically, it has...

October 21 Week 3 Garden Photos

Oct 21, 2024 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants

“October is the opal month of the year. It is the month of glory, of ripeness. It is the picture-month.” ~Henry Ward Beecher~ Hana Jiman Sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua 'Hana Jiman') and...

October 14 Week 2 Garden Photos

Oct 14, 2024 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants

The High Elevation and Desert Conservatories in the Fuqua Conservatory at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory was opened in 1989 to highlight the botanical richness...

October 7 Week 1 Garden Photos

Oct 7, 2024 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants

CAROLINA STRONG “Courage is found in unlikely places.” ~T.R.R. Tolkien~ Our hearts are with those affected by and recovering from Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic damage. The HGIC...

September 30 Week 5 Garden Photos

Sep 30, 2024 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants

The Tropical Rotunda at the Atlanta Botanical Garden Fuqua Conservatory contains 170 palm species along with many tropical plants. When you visit, listen for the sounds of live birds and frogs...

Nodding Ladies’ Tresses

Sep 26, 2024 | In the Garden

Nodding Ladies’ Tresses (Spiranthes cernua) is a beautiful terrestrial orchid native to the Eastern United States and Canada in USDA planting zones 5a to 9b. In Greek, Spiranthes is derived...

Japanese Cryptomeria

Sep 25, 2024 | Landscape, Trees

Discover how Japanese Cryptomeria trees add elegance and function to gardens and yards.

September 23 Week 4 Garden Photos

Sep 23, 2024 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants

The Fuqua Orchid Center at the Atlanta Botanical Garden has over 200 genera and 2,000 species of orchids on display. The Foyer of the Fuqua Orchid Center featuring the art work of Lillian Blades and...

September 16 Week 3 Garden Photos

Sep 16, 2024 | Photo Blog, Photo Worthy Plants

The Atlanta Botanical Garden has an extraordinary collection of more than 122,230 plants that represent 11,400 taxa and 8,150 species throughout the 30 acres. Evergreen Wisteria (Callerya...