Category: Beautification

There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling.
Mirabel Osler

Brushing a hand through the limbs of a rosemary bush will surely bring a smile and an “ah” from the passing gardener. The breath taking aroma, an instant form of therapy, is a worthy reason to include this herb in the coastal garden. A native of the Mediterranean region, the woody perennial was used by the early Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks. Thriving in sunny locations, the drought tolerant shrub can be propagated by taking cuttings from new growth. Learn more about this fragrant herb at the following links. Wikipedia

Bonnie Plants

Gardening is a matter of your enthusiasm holding up until your back gets used to it. ~Author Unknown

Cuphea micropetala, a native of Central America, is a colorful perennial that attracts pollinators. An easy grow plant suitable for full sun and part shade, this perennial is a must have for butterfly and hummingbird enthusiasts. Learn more about this plant at the following website. Plant Delights

“The older I grow the more do I love spring and spring flowers. Is it so with you? ” Emily Dickinson

Buddleia davidii is a sun loving butterfly magnet. This perennial comes in a variety of colors and needs fertile, well drained soil. Flowers develop on new growth so severe pruning is required in the early spring. In some areas, buddleia , a native of China, can become invasive. Removal of spent blossoms prevents this problem as well as encouraging the growth of new flowers. For more information about this shrub, click on the link below.

Buddleia davidii

The single greatest lesson the garden teaches is that our relationship to the planet need not be zero-sum, and that as long as the sun still shines and people still can plan and plant, think and do, we can, if we bother to try, find ways to provide for ourselves without diminishing the world.

Michael Pollan

Daylilies are hardy perennials, needing at least 6 hours of sunlight. They can be grown in borders, beds, containers, and as ground cover. Division of clumps is required every 3-4 years, preferably in early spring or after bloom completion. As the name implies, blooms last only a day and spent blossoms should be removed to extend flower production. Learn more about these generation favorites at the following link.
Hemerocallis spp.

When the world wearies and society fails to satisfy, there is always the garden.

Minnie Aumonier

Gardens, in need of a splash of color, may benefit from the addition of coleus. Most coleus prefer shade, but sun coleus varieties thrive in part shade or full sun. Extremely easy to grow, these colorful foliage plants should be trimmed to promote fullness. Cuttings root quickly in water or can be placed directly into potting soil. Click on the link to learn more about these must have plants for southern gardens. Coleus

The following site may be helpful as well. Coleus

Flowers are happy things.

P.G. Wodehouse

What appears to be a runaway from a muppet show, is actually a spiral ginger, with a startling likeness to a Jim Henson muppet. This happy little thing can be seen at Bellingrath Gardens. While many gingers are included in their summer garden displays, this one is unique-well worth the price of admission! Go make yourself happy! Learn more about this tropical plant at the following website. Spiral ginger

Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace.

Mary Sarton

Bellingrath Gardens is a wonderful place to slow down. Wander along the pathways, taking in the beauty overwhelming the senses. Snap lots of pictures and plan to include a few gorgeous specimens in one’s own landscape. Shady landscapes will benefit from the above exotic, cordyline fruticose or ti plant. Ti plants cannot endure frigid weather, but container gardening will allow them to be rescued when the thermometer drops. So, now’s the time to get that dose of patience.