Winter Leaf Marcescence
Have you noticed the persistent brown leaves still hanging on some deciduous trees long after their foliar companions have fallen? This usually becomes very apparent after normal leaf drop in early...
Tag: Blogs
Gift Plants
Consider living plants as an alternative to traditional cut flowers for Valentine’s Day this year. Cyclamen, kalanchoe, and miniature roses are all great alternatives. Cyclamen has heart shaped...
February Week 2 Garden Photos
Visit the South Carolina Botanical Garden to see what’s in bloom this week. Camellia cuspidata with Honeybee Honeybees have been active during the warmer days. Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC,...
LENTEN ROSES
Lenten rose is one of the first perennials to flower each new gardening year. The plant’s name comes from its typical spring bloom time in northern climates that coincides with the religious season...
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...
Pruning Muscadines
Muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia) are native to the Carolinas, making them a relatively low-maintenance fruit that is well adapted to our warm and humid climate. Gardeners experience very few...
Food Safety in a Power Outage – Tips from Dr. Susan Barefoot
I recently had a call from a South Carolina resident who lost power for more than 24 hours and wanted to know whether the foods in her freezer would be safe to eat. This is a very common problem in...
January Week 5 Garden Photos
“Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle.” ~Luther Burbank~ Diane Witchhazel (Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane') Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension Camellia...
The Dual Benefits of Rain Gardens
Do you have an unsightly spot in your yard plagued by erosion? Or, how about an area that captures the majority of rain from your rooftop, driveway, or sidewalk? Rain gardens are the perfect...
If They Grow It, They Will Eat It!
Convincing children to eat their veggies may sound like an impossible task, but a research study conducted by Parmer, et al. found that “second graders who participated in school gardening as part...
Weed of the Month – Annual Bluegrass
That bright green, grassy weed in your lawn this month could be annual blue grass (Poa annua). It is a cool season annual weed that grows in moist, compacted, even shady locations. It is a prolific...
New Year, New Habits
Are you the person who every year swears that this is the year they are going to eat healthy and get in shape, but by February you’re back to your old habits? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Most...