Sunday, September 26, 2021

What’s Coming Up In The Garden, 71: southern shield fern

On Friday evening we brought home the next batch of natives and yesterday planted those going into the bird haven garden space.

There was a great spot for the grouping of southern shield ferns, and they’re now in the ground. I chose these because the light they’ll get in the bird haven is perfect for their needs, and also because they get quite large and turn a bronze color in the fall, which I think will be quite stunning in that area.

I weeded a few things out of the space and we also put in the dwarf crested irises and the hearts a bustin’ shrubs. I have another thing going in that space today and then more coming Monday. My plan to create layers of height and foliage in that area is definitely coming to fruition this fall. I’m very excited to see how it grows into maturity.

Several of the southern bayberries that I planted inside the fence along the back of the bird haven space have died - they’re all in close proximity to large oaks and I’m not sure if that has something to do with it or if they just don’t like that area. I have come replacements coming Monday but am now wondering if another shrub or two would do better in this space.

For some reason I ordered two new species of native shrubs, two of each, and those will be here Monday as well, so I may switch out my plan a bit. I’ve learned that if a plant dies it is likely true that I didn’t place it in the right spot, or what I think fits in terms of light/soil isn’t quite the right match for it. There seems to be a spectrum where a thing grows and thrives to the point of spreading hugely, grows and thrives, but not so much that it takes over, and doesn’t thrive and gradually peters out.

It’s worth experimenting and also moving a plant to a new location before it dies. For these few bayberries (out of the 30+ we planted) I think I’ll try a different shrub. It’s very possible they didn’t like the wetness of their location during big rain events, and the new species I have coming very much do like wet feet, so hopefully I’ll solve the dilemma.

More on southern shield fern from NC State’s plant site:

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Show Menu Thelypteris normalis is often confused with: Thelypteris noveboracensis Plants that fill a similar niche: Woodwardia areolata Thelypteris noveboracensis Phegopteris hexagonoptera Tweet this Page Share on Facebook Thelypteris normalis Common Name(s): River Fern Southern Maiden Fern Southern Shield Fern Widespread Maiden Fern Previously known as: Thelypteris kunthi Phonetic Spelling theh-LIP-ter-iss KUN-thee-eye Description Sun to partial shade; prefers average to humus-rich, moist soil but tolerates drought; short to long creeping rhizomes; spreads quickly to form colonies rather than clumps; easy to grow. This plant is seldom damaged by deer. Long arching, triangular, bright sea green fronds; pinnate pinnatified blade; very hairy on upper and lower surface; sori have rounded indusia and are borne along the midvien of pinna lobes,

Thursday, September 23, 2021

What’s Coming Up In The Garden, 70: coral honeysuckle

This is the plant I’ve putting in our potager on a trellis along the perimeter fence as part of my “wall of climbing pollinators.” I’m excited to see how this looks once I have the entire strip of trellises planted and the plants have matured to full blooming.

Coral honeysuckle is a native, unlike the Japanese honeysuckle that is not native and very invasive. We just had to remove a small stand of that from our Poplar Folly fence this year. The native coral honeysuckle is not invasive and in some zones keeps its leaves throughout the year. That would be a nice benefit for screening.

More info from the NC State plant site:

Description

Lonicera sempervirens, commonly called Trumpet Honeysuckle, is a vigorous twining vine that is primarily native to the southeastern U.S. but has naturalized in many other areas of the eastern U.S.

Trumpet Honeysuckle is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained, neutral to acidic soils in full sun. It will grow in some shade, but best flowering is in full sun and does best in humusy, organically rich soils with good drainage. This plant flowers in mid-spring, and is often non-fragrant. Flowers are always terminal and never axillary as in L. japonica. There is a significant variation in leaf shapes over the growing season. This is a twining vine that needs a support structure and is an excellent choice for a trellis, arbor, or fence. It can also be allowed to sprawl as a ground cover. The plant flowers on new growth, so pruning should be restricted until after flowering.

High nitrogen fertilizer will produce foliage at the expense of flowers. This plant is noninvasive, and it is excellent for natural, low-maintenance areas. This vine is evergreen in the warm winter climates of the deep South.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: There are no serious pest or disease problems, but powdery mildew and leaf spots may occur, particularly in hot and humid summer climates. Watch for aphids.

Fire Risk: This plant has an extreme flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home. Plants with a low flammability rating should be chosen for areas closest to the house.

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

What’s Coming Up In The Garden, 69: hearts a bustin’

I have a couple of these going into the bird haven space this week. A note - they are beloved by deer so be aware of that when planting. Since these will be inside our perimeter fencing and I’ve not seen deer jumping in since we added the boards with no-climb wire, I think they will be safe.

More info from NCSU website:

Euonymus americanus

Common Name(s):

This plant has low severity poison characteristics.

See below

Description

Strawberry Bush is a low maintenance deciduous suckering shrub native to the southeastern and southern states. Its common name derives from the showy warty capsules that split open to reveal red-orange seeds in the fall. Spring flowers are small and non-showy but fall leaf color is a showy red. It has a sprawling form when young but matures to a more upright growth pattern.

It is native to wooded slopes, moist woodland and creek or river areas, and is found in a variety of soil conditions ranging from sandy to clay. The typical range is from New York coast all the way south and across Texas and inland to the midwest from all those points.

The shrub can be grown in a wide variety of soils, including clay, and tolerates both drought and wet soils to a degree. It tolerates being planted near black walnut trees. It frequently sustains damage from deer that eat the foliage and twigs. Fruits and seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. Plant in a woodland naturalized area for best results.

Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

What’s Coming Up In The Garden, 68: dwarf crested iris

Yesterday I put extra plantings of white wood aster and wild ginger in the shade bed. These have previously been featured in my series, so I won’t add them in again today. I have a few more things to add to this shade bed this year and can’t wait to see the layers these new plants will create in this area.

Today when we get a break in the rain, I’ll be carting a nice grouping of dwarf crested iris down the hill to the bird haven bed.

When I start thinking about a new garden space I usually do some kind of sketch like this to get a visual of what I’m trying to do.

I sometimes deviate from the original sketch, but it’s always a useful endeavor to think about what I envision eventually being in the space.

More on dwarf crested iris, from NCSU’s plant site:

Iris cristata

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

Evansia cristata
Iris glumacea
Iris odorata

Phonetic Spelling

EYE-riss kris-TAY-tah

This plant has low severity poison characteristics.

See below

Description

Dwarf Crested Iris is a native species of Iris that grows in North Carolina. It reaches only 4-9 inches tall and spreads to form a groundcover in its native peaty woodland habitat. It offers an early perennial spring bloom in partly shady areas and grows well in rock gardens and woodland sites. Following the blooms, the foliage is useful as a ground cover in the woodland shade.

This plant grows best in partial sun to partial shade, preferring rich, well-drained soil. A too rich soil will encourage foliage growth and no blooms. It can tolerate full sun but needs more moisture. Use this plant for a ground cover in partly shady areas of rock gardens, woodland sites or in a perennial border. It is resistant to damage by deer.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Slugs and snails.

Sunday, September 19, 2021

What’s Coming Up In The Garden, 66 and 67: two varieties of sweet coneflower

I fell in love with these two varieties of sweet coneflower a local nursery had this fall and I had the perfect place to put them - on either side of the azure blue sage I put in last fall.

The first, Henry Eilers sweet coneflower:

‘Henry Eilers’ sweet coneflower

Rudbeckia subtomentosa 'Henry Eilers'

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The unique, finely quilled, 2-inch-wide flowers are what make 'Henry Eilers' stand out from the rest of the coneflowers. The petals sit separate from one another, forming a brilliant, golden yellow starburst around a dark brownish purple cone. The blooms grow on strong, upright, 4- to 5-foot-tall stems in late summer, and are produced in such abundance that you can cut some for bouquets and you'll never even notice they are missing from the garden. The stems are covered with a soft, hairy down, while the leaves have a pleasing vanilla-and-anise scent.

The second one is Little Henry:

Golden yellow quilled ray petals surround deep brown-eyed cones. The unique flowers of Little Henry Sweet Coneflower are produced on many branched sturdy stems beginning in mid to late summer with the show lasting often into fall on well established plants. A compact form of Henry Eilers with sturdier flower stems and an earlier flowering time, Little Henry's poise and uniqueness lend it to use in smaller spaces but it is sure to make a big statement in nearly any garden or landscape. A clump forming, native perennial whose flowers attract a variety of garden beneficials.

Little Henry Sweet Coneflower is more compact than Henry Eilers topping out at about 3-4' high and begins flowering about 2 weeks earlier than its parent. The unique flowers make long lasting cut flowers.

Sweet Coneflower is a vigorous clump forming perennial common to stream banks and moist areas but will do fine in average garden soils. The sweetly scented foliage gives it its common name. Along with 'Herbstonne', the Sweet Coneflower is one of the latest to flower. This perennial Rudbeckia is unusual in that it will grow and flower quite well even under deciduous shade.

The regular ones, as described by the Missouri Botanical Garden:

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Species Native to Missouri

Common Name: sweet coneflower

Type: Herbaceous perennial

Family: Asteraceae

Native Range: Central United States

Zone: 4 to 8

Height: 3.00 to 5.00 feet

Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet

Bloom Time: July to October

Bloom Description: Yellow rays and brownish purple center disks

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Low

Suggested Use: Rain Garden

Flower: Showy, Fragrant, Good Cut

Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Clay Soil

Garden locations

Culture

Best grown in medium moisture soils that are well-drained loams in full sun. Tolerates hot and humid summers and some drought. Appreciates good air circulation. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage additional bloom.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Rudbeckia subtomentosa, commonly called sweet coneflower, is a Missouri native, nonrhizomatous perennial which occurs on moist prairies, along streambanks and in low areas throughout the state. Typically grows 3-5' tall and features daisy-like flowers (to 3" across) with yellow rays and dark brownish-purple center disks on branched stems. Flowers have a mild aroma of anise, hence the common name. Toothed, gray-green leaves (lower leaves are 3-lobed) are downy below. Long summer-to-early-fall bloom period.

Genus name honors Olof Rudbeck (1630-1702) Swedish botanist and founder of the Uppsala Botanic Garden in Sweden where Carl Linnaeus was professor of botany.

Specific epithet means downy below for the hairs on the underside of leaves.