Aquatic & Shoreline Plant Selection
Aquatic plant selection is extremely important in the development of aquatic pools. You must have some degree of balance between plants and animals in your pool so that the water remains clear and...
Author: Robert F. Polomski
A routine check-up of trees saves lives and property
Trees provide significant benefits to our homes and communities, but they may also become liabilities when they fall or break apart, causing property damage, personal injuries, and power outages....
Climbing Fig
Climbing fig (Ficus pumila) is a woody, self-supporting evergreen vine whose overlapping leaves and stems create a tapestry of colors and textures on walls, fences, trellises, and other vertical...
Conserve Water in Your Landscape with Proper Plant Selection and Placement
Water is like gasoline: you don’t miss it until it’s gone. Benjamin Franklin succinctly stated it this way: “When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.” So, while you may not be contemplating...
American Wisteria
Whenever I encounter an introverted gardener, I engage them in conversation with this question: What wisteria do you recommend for my backyard? Expect to hear either one of these perspectives. On...
Wild or False Indigo
Wild or false indigo (Baptisia species) is the perfect Mother’s Day gift, whether your Mom is a newbie, seasoned green-thumber, or someone who simply enjoys flowers that come back year after year...
Do I have to fertilize my shrubs and trees?
Trees and shrubs are living investments that grow in value with each passing year. When properly selected, sited, and planted, they can be expected to thrive with the right care, which may include...
Florida Anise
Unlike other native shrubs and trees that have become the darlings of nationwide advertising campaigns, Florida anise-tree (Illicium floridanum) struggles to achieve widespread interest. This...
River Birch
River birch (Betula nigra) is the most widely adapted of all the birches and grows throughout South Carolina. It is hardy in USDA Cold Hardiness Zones 4 to 9. River birch’s widespread popularity is...
Planning a Garden
Home garden vegetables can be grown abundantly in most areas of South Carolina with proper care. Many who have grown vegetables for the excellent fresh flavor or as a hobby now find home gardening...
Ajuga
Three species of Ajuga are particularly useful to gardeners in South Carolina. These species grow in any reasonably well drained soil and although tolerant of full sun, growth is more rapid in...
Carolina Jessamine
Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is one of the most beautiful vines of the South. It covers fences and trees in open woodlands and along roadsides throughout the Southeast with its...