Paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha)
When I encounter paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha) in late summer, I hear Tom Petty singing his 1981 release of “The Waiting”, where he sings that “waiting is the hardest part.” That’s what...
Author: Robert F. Polomski
Leaf & Needle Drop
A well-cared-for plant in the landscape that suddenly begins dropping leaves or needles can be a very troubling sight. There is usually no need to be alarmed, since leaf and needle drop often occurs...
Pecan Planting & Fertilization
Pecans (Carya illinoinensis) will grow in almost any soil in South Carolina, except poorly drained soil, hardpan or stiff clays, or thin sands with a high water table. Pecans are recommended for...
Managing Mistletoe
Now that the oaks have shed their leaves, look for the green azalea-sized clusters of mistletoes (Phoradendron serotinum) nestled comfortably in the bare branches. This half-parasitic plant has been...
Camellia
Camellias are large, attractive, broad-leaved, evergreen shrubs that are highly prized for their flowers, which bloom from winter to spring. There are more than 2,300 named cultivars registered with...
Forsythia
Border forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia), or golden bell, ushers in spring with its vivid golden yellow flowers and is one of the most recognized shrubs in the South. These hybrid forsythias are...
NICH: An Organization that helps Consumer Horticulture find its niche
If you’re a member of one of the 84 million households in the U.S. who’s actively engaged in gardening and landscaping activities, I encourage you to become a member of NICH (rhymes with pitch): the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture. The term Consumer Horticulture may appear foreign to you, but it encompasses the wide range of “gardening” activities that occur indoors and out,...
Why Plants Fail to Flower or Fruit
It can be very disappointing to wait eagerly for a favorite plant to flower and it never does. Flowers and fruits are major horticultural features of plants and can fail to form for many different...
Persian Parrotia
Native to the lower mountain slopes of the northern Alborz mountains in northern Iran and Azerbaijan, Persian parrotia (Parrotia persica ) has been widely cultivated in Europe and the U.S. (USDA...
Ornamental Grasses and Grass-like Plants
Ornamental grasses and grass-like plants are valued in home landscapes for their hardiness, ease of care, dramatic appearance, and the wide variety of colors, textures, and sizes available. Types of...
Impatiens
Impatiens have traditionally been one of the most popular bedding plants in the United States because of their beauty and ease to grow. Few annuals that grow in shade provide the range or intensity...
Raised Beds
Not every landscape is suitable for in-ground gardens. If this is the case, raised beds are an option. For less than ideal garden locations, raised beds provide a tremendous amount of flexibility....