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Arbutus Gardens

As we were touring Renee Moog's garden, another visitor told me that I should go to Arbutus Garden Arts, which was just down the road. I had no idea we were close but it was a garden I was familiar with and always wanted to visit. A pleasant surprise! Norm Jacobs is the owner, and he showed us around and answered questions. The garden is also a nursery and he propagates the plants. However, he says that he is in the process of retiring. My friend Linda bought an absolutely stunning weeping snowbell tree. I managed to discipline myself and only left with a groundcover, Erigeron pulchellus 'Meadow Muffin'. The garden is stunning with winding pathways surrounded by packed borders of mostly conifers and Japanese maples. I was enamored by the most beautiful specimen of Sourwood Tree ( Oxydendrum arboreum ). I have one that seems to be stunted, but Mr. Jacobs told me that they need space for their root zone and do not like competition. This could be my problem, as mine is surrou...

Fantastic phlox



Is August the pits or what? I officially hate it. It has been so hot and humid this week that you can't be outside for ten minutes without enduring a sweat bath. To add insult to injury, there is no rain in sight. This morning the weather man was talking about some type of front in the pan handle of Florida that was preventing tropical moisture from reaching us here in north Alabama. Typical!

Despite this, there are some plants that actually look great this time of year. Phlox is one of them. This is a very forgiving perennial and seems to do well in either sun or shade and snubs its nose at the heat and drought. The variety in the photo is "Robert Poore," which, true to the catalog descriptions, is resistant to powdery mildew. You can't beat it this time of year for blue color in the garden and it is great in flower arrangements.

Comments

  1. When I lived in Atlanta, it rained every day at 4 p.m. during the summer. Like clockwork. It was quite an adjustment for me.

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  2. Thanks for reminding me about Phlox. I am in Charlottesville, VA - dry, dry, dry. It is great to remember what keeps going during these down-times!

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  3. Hello Phillip - thank you for coming to my blog and leaving a comment - what a beautiful site you have!
    My one little white phlox nearly croaked when we had too much rain - and is now being fried. 'Robert Poore' looks great.

    As one movie-loving gardener to another - have you seen the YouTube called Women in Film ?

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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