David Austin Roses for The South

Cyndi Lauderdale, executive director of the Wilson Botanical Gardens, and a North Carolina Extension Service agent, has found that several English rose cultivars grow well in the hot and humid Southeast. Writing

Earth Kind Roses – List

In January 2002, at the conclusion of the first 5-year research study, Texas A&M had identified 11 cultivars which not only survived but also produced outstanding results in southern gardens. Those 11 cultiv

Flowery Branch – Origin of Name

When I wondered how Flowery Branch GA got its name, Bob C. was quick to respond: Chartered in 1874, this little town is one of the oldest in Hall County. It was first called Anaguluskee, a Cherokee Indian word me

Geranium – Overwintering

Recently I was asked how to store dahlias and caladiums for the winter. Let’s continue the discussion and focus on another plant that is not reliably winter-hardy but which can be kept with a bit of effort. The b

History of Knock Out® Rose

William Radler Develops Hybrids That Are Knockouts By STEWART DEMPSEY From the July 9, 2006 edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel It is hard to imagine a garden without roses. Their captivating beauty and lor

Holland – A Great Vacation for Gardeners!

I recently was invited by the Netherlands Board of Tourism and the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center to travel to Holland to see the glory of their flowers in spring. I was not disappointed! Mile after m

Hosta – Diseases and Pests

Hosta are one of the most common landscape plants. Yet they are affected their fair share of diseases and pests. If you have hostas, this publication from The University of Georgia and The University of Iowa will

Hosta – Identifying

Identifying plants is always a challenge. Some, like hosta, have hundreds of varieties. Judy Burns, from the Georgia Hosta Society, sends this note: "At the hosta show last weekend I had a number of folks t

Lantana – Cultivars

Lantana has become a ubiquitous part of the colorful summer landscape. And with good reason! Here is an article describing its habit. Texas A&M: "Lantana"

Lantana – Pruning

Winter lantana care simultaneously exemplifies the mystical pleasure and the aching frustration of gardening. Most lantana varieties are a bit too tender to survive a winter north of Atlanta. ‘New Gold’, in parti

Lantana – Winter Hardiness

Most varieties of lantana, including ‘New Gold', ‘Festival' and ‘Tutti Fruiti' are not winter-hardy in Atlanta. Rick Berry, the proprietor of Goodness Grows Nursery in Lexingto

Milkweed – Toxic Sap

Here's a cautionary story for gardeners who enjoy growing milkweed: My sister lives in the tidewater area of Virginia. She had a very scary experience this weekend and she thinks other gardeners should be w

Naked Ladies (Surprise Lily, Lycoris squamigera)

My driving companion in Cincinatti was quite discomfitted when I suddenly shouted "There are naked ladies by the sidewalk! Pull over so I can take a picture!" Dutifully, she turned around and returned

Oxblood Lily (Schoolhouse Lily)

I've learned a new plant! My friend Arty Schronce, who writes for the Ga. Department of Agriculture shares his knowledge of oxblood lily.

Pansy – UGA Publication

Pansies are the most popular winter annual grown in Georgia. Professional landscapers plant them by the millions in office parks and apartment complexes. Their flower beds look great… and yours can too! Rea

Planting Winter Annuals in Drought

It's daunting to consider planting winter annuals like pansies and cabbage when we have severe watering restrictions. But these plant have to be planted by November 1 so they have enough time to

Rose – Buying and Planting

THE RIGHT SITE Roses require a minimum of six hours of sunlight each day. Where some shade cannot be avoided, find a location with morning sun at least. Morning sun will help dry dew from the foliage and reduce l

Rose – Fungicides for Black Spot Control

It’s important to switch fungicides each month to keep rose black spot disease at bay. Swap between chlorothalonil (Daconil), myclobutanil (Spectracide Immunox), triforine (Ortho Orthenex Rose Spray, and propicon

Rose – General Care

No flower in the world is as popular as the rose. Gardeners can choose from hundreds, perhaps thousands of different types of roses. For this discussion, roses will be simply divided into bush roses and climbing

Rose – Pruning Climbing Types

Most climbing roses bloom on old growth, that is, the growth from previous years. The best time to prune these roses is right after they finish blooming (typically in May). If they are repeat bloomers, then prune