Tag Archives: chamaecyparis

Spring 2014 – New Shrubs to Peruse

Bert and Jay unloading...

Bert and Jay unloading…

blueberry bush blooms after a rainstorm

blueberry bush blooms after a rainstorm

March brings the beginning of the spring planting season, and new arrivals will be coming in almost daily from now through  June. It’s an intensely busy time, and, after this past winter, we understand everyone is more than ready to plant something…anything!

The first spring deliveries bring  shipments of select shrubs. Because of space limitations we get them in first; it’s amazing how much room a blueberry bush or a Lady Banks rose  in a 5 gallon pot can take up…especially noticeable when our entire operation is on 1/3 of an acre  (Including the parking lot). Some shrubs in these  first shipments are one time orders only, so don’t hesitate if you see something you like.

Chamaecyparis 'Golden Mop'

Chamaecyparis ‘Golden Mop’

 

 

 

If you’re looking for a focal point in the garden, we have a chamaecyparis in now named ‘Golden Mop’. Shown here is a picture of one in my  garden.  If you’ve looked at pictures of some of our outdoor Christmas  decorations using live greenery,  you might be able to spot the  bright golden foliage lighting up those holiday arrangements.  In March, the perennial groundcover Veronica ‘Georgia Blue’ makes a pretty skirt underneath it. We have some of it in stock now as well.

Rosemary looking a little rough after this past winter...

Rosemary looking a little rough after this past winter…

Do you need some new rosemary plants in your garden after this frigid winter?  I do. With this in mind, we have tried to get in as many as we can. These first shipments will include large pots of upright rosemary to replace those so many of us lost. Remember to place your rosemary where it will receive at least 4 hours of good sun and won’t be in soil that stays wet for any great length of time. I’ve had a large one out by my mailbox for a number of years now (Inexplicably, it was the one that survived this winter.) that rarely gets much attention and is enormous.

This tea olive is right at nose level from my deck...

This tea olive is right at nose level from my deck…

A couple more favorites of mine that we have now until they’re sold out are the wonderfully fragrant tea olives, Osmanthus fragrans. Their small white flowers aren’t noticeable until the elusive scent wafts through the garden in the late summer through fall and again sporadically through the winter. Plant these in a protected area in sun to light shade, ideally near entranceways or seating areas where the scent can be fully appreciated.

On afternoon walks in the fall their scent is unmistakeable in my neighborhood!  According to this link by UGA (Click on publications and search for osmanthus fragrans.), they will grow to a size of 10-15 feet at a fairly quick rate. I started with a one gallon pot 9 years ago, and it’s easily at its mature height now.  This is the only winter mine exhibited cold damaged leaves and bare stems; with spring, some fertilizer, and new growth they should be fine.

Sarcococca in my garden with Dicentra cucullaria peeking out from underneath...

Sarcococca in my garden with Dicentra cucullaria peeking out from underneath…

One last shrub I’d like to mention is one you may not be familiar with; it’s an excellent for shade areas called Sweet Box, Sarcococca confusa. It will gradually spread in woodland areas and has clusters of fragrant white flowers in the spring, followed by round black fruit later in the season. It’s a very nice evergreen shrub and useful as a filler or background plant. If you have a woodland garden, it’s a must!

These are just a few of the new arrivals; others  include confederate jasmine, figs (Yum!!), Virginia sweetspire, Red Drift roses,  bay laurel and more.  If you’re in the area, please stop by and take a look!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March Brings New Shrubbery, Vines and Herbs…

Unloaded in the parking lot...

Unloaded in the parking lot…

It’s the beginning of March, and finally (!) the nursery looks like more than an empty parking lot. A sure sign that spring is approaching are the first shipments of shrubbery,  early perennials, and herbs, including a couple of different spiraeas, snowball viburnum, Deutzia ‘Nikko’, blueberry bushes, and ‘Red Star’ and ‘Golden Mop’ evergreen chamaecyparis.

Bay laurel

Bay laurel

 

 

 

 

If your  bay laurel, rosemary or confederate jasmine succumbed to this winter’s frigid temperatures,  we have some of all of these too. Unfortunately many of us have to replace them this year. The ‘Tuscan Blue’ rosemary is in one gallon pots –  a good size to plant now.

Confederate jasmine, shown here with a clematis growing through it...

Confederate jasmine, shown here with a clematis growing through it…

 

This shipment also brought Virgninia Sweetspire, Itea virginica. A great shrub for our area, it is adaptable to many situations and provides spring blooms and beautiful fall color as well.

In addition to the confederate jasmine, another  flowering vine, the beautiful (and non-invasive) honeysuckle, Lonicera ‘Alabama Crimson’, is in stock now too. It’s blooms are honey for hummingbirds as they repopulate our area for the summer.

'Alabama Crimson' honeysuckle, growing on my arbor

‘Alabama Crimson’ honeysuckle, growing on my arbor

 

 

 

This first shipment is just the beginning of the rebirth of the nursery for a new season of gardening. More and more will arrive until, finally, we’ll be oveflowing again with green and flowering goodness…stay tuned!

 

 

 

 

 

These Shrubs Work In The South, And They’ll Work For You Too!

Chamaecyparis anchoring a border

Chamaecyparis anchoring a border

Fall is the perfect time for planting shrubs, either in your landscape or in containers, and we have a new shipment of locally grown plants that will do well for you whatever your needs. Since our nursery is small, we have to be very selective in the shrubbery we offer and only carry those that work for us in the Birmingham and surrounding areas. The nursery these come from is located right down the road in Shelby County, so you’re keeping your money here in Alabama!

If you’re thinking about adding some additional shrubs to your landscape or are replacing old, overgrown plantings, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

First, know the amount of light the area will receive. Hot, direct sun for four or more hours per day is, of course, considered full sun. Many of our homes, though, have mature trees or are shaded by buildings; so watch the amount of sun and monitor it as it moves through your landscape at different times of the year.

Chamaecyparis 'Yadori'

Chamaecyparis ‘Yadori’

Determine the purpose for your shrubs. Do you need them to hide an unsightly fence or to soften a building or wall? Perhaps you are looking for one interesting evergreen to anchor a flower bed or to put on either side of a walk. Some shrubs have interesting bark or berries, while others have beautiful foliage all year.

Determine the ultimate and maintainable size you need your shrub to be. No one wants to have to continually prune a shrub that has grown too large for its spot. Make wise choices from the beginning and this won’t happen.

Ligustrum 'Coriacaeum' has shiny, rounded leaves and is nice in containers or as a specimen...

Ligustrum ‘Coriacaeum’ has shiny, rounded leaves and is nice in containers or as a specimen…

If you’re designing large containers, evergreen shrubs mixed with seasonal flowers and pretty trailing plants can beautify any area and can also serve as wonderful focal points in your garden. The ligustrum japonicum ‘Coriaceum’ is one that will take full sun to partial shade and could be wonderful in a container, growing to 4′ with a spread of about 2′.

golden chamaecyparis foliage, with a skirt of Veronica 'Georgia Blue', shines in the spring....

golden chamaecyparis foliage, with a skirt of Veronica ‘Georgia Blue’, shines in the spring….

 

 

 

 

Other shrubs that are available now include several chamaecyparis obtusis selections. These are grown for their beautiful foliage and tolerance of full sun and hot, humid summers.

Cryptomeria globosa 'Nana'

Cryptomeria globosa ‘Nana’

 

Thuja 'DeGroot's Spire'

Thuja ‘DeGroot’s Spire’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New selections of junipers, cryptomeria, Thuja  and hollies have also arrived, just in time for fall planting. Many are also beautiful as cut greens for holiday arrangements or as fillers in floral designs also – double duty shrubs are the best!

 

An ornamental blueberry, Vaccinium darowii ‘Rosa’s Blush’, is a smart choice as a woody plant for a partially shady spot. The small deciduous shrub’s new growth is a pretty purply color, and the texture in the landscape is very soft.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t let this fall slip by without stopping in to take a look at some of these interesting and useful woody ornamental options for your landscape or planters – you won’t be sorry!