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Rhododendron 'Blue Baron' Greetings from a wet, wet garden. In between rains, I've managed to get a few photos... (And sorry for the erratic quality of these. I have a new phone and still learning how to use it. Some of these are from the phone and others from my camera). Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' ('Dancing Peacock') Flowering Currant ( Ribes sanguineum ) 'King Edward VII' Clematis 'Stolwijk Gold' is beautiful for the first time after languishing in the garden for five years. Turns out, it is all my fault. This is a clematis that should not be cut to the ground in early spring. You live and learn, and I know that I will never understand the rules of pruning clematis.  Clematis 'Stolwijk Gold'  Aucuba japonica 'Rozannie' - the aucuba that doesn't really look like the others.  But what a fine shrub this is, especially for shady situations. This was planted in 2019 and didn't grow much for the first few years but n...
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Winter planting

I posted last week about transplanting. Winter is also a great time to plant hardy trees and shrubs. The weather was mild this past weekend and I knew that heavy rain was on the way, so I wanted to get some new plants in the ground.

First, out with the old. It really kills me to discard a plant but this juniper is too big for this spot (it totally blocks and crowds the beautiful Japanese Maple behind it) and it keeps encroaching on the driveway. I decided to replace it with a low growing camellia.


This looks rather sad but the new camellia ('Chansonette') is in place. The Japanese Maple can now be seen and the balance of this planting area should be more pleasing to the eye once the camellia takes off. This still leaves a large hole on the left side so I'll be looking for something to put there. Low growing shrub under a dogwood tree - any suggestions?

Here is another new camellia that I bought - this one is "Showa No Sakae"


This is Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Gulftide' also known as "False Holly." Sweet Olive (Osmanthus fragrans) is my favorite fragrant plant in the garden but I had never seen this variety.





The leaves are totally different from the regular sweet olive and they do indeed look like holly. I'm excited about this shrub and I'm curious to see if it blooms as well as the Osmanthus fragrans.

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  1. Lisa at GreenbowJanuary 6, 2009 at 12:14 PM

    Your planting looks very nice Phillip. I know what you mean when you say you hate to take an established plant out. However I think you made the right decision. This area looks quite fresh even in its winter outfit.

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  2. F CameronJanuary 6, 2009 at 12:20 PM

    I'd like to know how you like that particular osmanthus. I also have 'Goshiki' which is a variegated yellow/green. Prickly like a holly, too. I like the color that it gives in the mixed border, but it doesn't bloom like the osmanthus fragrans.

    Cameron

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  3. Chandramouli SJanuary 6, 2009 at 12:25 PM

    I'm not so experienced a gardener to give you suggestions, but I sure see that you're carving out a beautiful garden by giving out your maple a view!

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2009 at 12:29 PM

    Hi Phillip, I agree with the removal of the juniper, it looks better already. Chansonette is one I have and it has stayed smaller than stated height on the tag of four feet, it is more like two feet but has been a tough performer under adverse conditions. I think ferns would be a good addition there, maybe some evergreen tassle ferns?

    Frances

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  5. Phillip OliverJanuary 6, 2009 at 12:34 PM

    Frances, ferns sound like a good idea. I'm glad to hear that 'Chansonette' stays low. I was hoping for under 3 feet.

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  6. Roses and LilacsJanuary 6, 2009 at 12:57 PM

    The osmanthus is interesting. The leaves look very holly-like. I've been reflecting lately that I should have planted more evergreens, pine, juniper, etc. It's a shame yours had to come out.
    Marnie

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  7. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2009 at 2:01 PM

    Love the look of your garden and the back-drop too. The old window box and things on the wall. It's all those treasures that make a garden huh?

    I gave up on camelias. They get bit by the March cold that leaves nothing it its wake. I think the Autumn bloomer would fair better in my neck of the woods.

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  8. DaveJanuary 6, 2009 at 2:43 PM

    Looks great! I'm not a fan of junipers of any kind so its removal wouldn't have bothered me! Maybe plant some heucheras under your dogwood? The seem to thrive no matter what I do. Ours are in shade most of the day.

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  9. LesJanuary 6, 2009 at 5:08 PM

    I fell no guilt pulling out plants that have served there purpose and their time is done. You could consider one of the low growing, late blooming Satsuki hybird Azaleas, a variegated Winter Daphne or how about a patch of Hellebores.

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  10. GailJanuary 6, 2009 at 5:22 PM

    A very nice look at the dogwood now! Ferns sound perfect, they won't out grow the dogwood and will a good look all winter. I would love to have the osmanthus and wonder if any nashville growers have success with it...Gail

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  11. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2009 at 6:35 PM

    I really like "Gulftide" and its leaf color. It looks like a good addition to your garden.

    Jan
    Always Gardening

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  12. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2009 at 8:20 PM

    I love that false holly, both the leaf shape and the blue-green color. Does agarita grow there? Your false holly reminds me of it.

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  13. LostRosesJanuary 6, 2009 at 9:15 PM

    I love your plaques and birdhouses and stuff on your house, Phillip. Very interesting! I agree that the maple can now hold its own now that the juniper is gone. I never feel sorry about getting rid of a plant whose time has come and gone. I usually wonder why I waited so long! Your plantings look very cool.

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  14. Dig, Grow, Compost, BlogJanuary 7, 2009 at 3:33 PM

    I think it looks much better now. You can really see the beauty of the maple's trunk. That osmanthus is really interesting. I've never seen it before so am interested in how it works out for you.

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  15. WayneJanuary 8, 2009 at 3:15 AM

    A good move Phillip. I think most evergreens, especially Junipers make for better background intrest and filler.

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  16. Annie in AustinJanuary 9, 2009 at 9:30 AM

    That Japanese Maple might thank you if it could talk, Phillip- it looks so good with the camellia. Touching junipers gives me hives so one less doesn't bother me.

    That's an Osmanthus? I love the Sweet olive and have managed to keep three alive here... it will be interesting to find out if this holly-leaved type can smell as lovely.

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  17. CosmoJanuary 12, 2009 at 5:19 PM

    Hi, Phillip--I have the Gulftide osmanthus and I just love it. the flowers are even--what do you say? Less significant?--than those on the sweet olive, but the plant is nevertheless really fragrant and much prettier. Be aware, though, that it grows more quickly and much taller than the sweet olive (though you can prune it easily). I like the hellebore suggestion--or maybe an homage to your old big juniper with a dwarf one?

    Happy New Year, and love your amaryllis blooms.

    ReplyDelete

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