Skip to main content

Featured

10 June Favorites

Magnolia 'Kay Parris' With so much going on in the garden in June, it is hard to choose only ten favorites. I challenged myself and have done just that. These are plants that look good around the midway point in June, specifically from June 15-20.  I begin with Magnolia 'Kay Parris'. Believe it or not, having spent the majority of my life in the South, I never grew a magnolia. They are emblematic of the South, where magnificent specimens grace old plantation homes and stately homes in older neighborhoods. I always thought of magnolias as huge trees, not suited to a small garden, but things have changed, and more varieties are now available that are not supposed to grow as large.  We now have two magnolias in our garden, both of which were added recently. When one of the old photinias that line our back property line died, it left a gaping hole. I had been looking at magnolias at the nursery and decided a smaller one might make a good backdrop and create a good privacy s...

Hydrangea "Veitchii"




One for the top 10 list is this elegant but tough hydrangea that is a dependable performer. It grows in an upright habit and is always loaded with lovely flattish white lacecap sepals with fertile blue flowers. The flowers age to pink. An added bonus are the dark green leaves that turn yellow/red in the fall. It is mildew resistant and is reputed to have exceptional cold hardiness. In 2002, it received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. Veitchii was imported from Japan in 1861.



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. How do I find out which Lacecap I have....?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Darla, it is often very difficult to identify a hydrangea because, as you've probably noticed, they look similar and to make matters worse, most of them will look different in other people's gardens because of the soil types. I would suggest getting a book on hydrangeas (there are several good ones) and compare yours with photos and the descriptions. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Phillip - thanks for your comment. I learned to put newpaper under the mulch from Frances Worthington former garden columnist for our regional newspaper here in Upstate SC The Greenville News.
    This is a beautiful hydrangea you have pictured. I'm not wild about lace caps but its pretty in the garden. I am in search of the little dwarf sized bushes i see around town.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, how absolutley lovely.
    Hydrangeas' are one of my most favorite plants, although I never have much luck with them in my own garden, I do admire them form afar.
    Just a lovely specimen.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm blaming you when the partner starts screeching about what I'm spending on additional hydrangeas......

    ReplyDelete
  6. These are lovely! I love them coz they seem to bloom forever, only I couldn't get them in my city...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Okay that's it - I'm moving to Alabama where Hydrangea is a happy plant. Phillip you do so well with them! If I were a Hydrangea I'd want to live right there in your garden!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm really wishing for a shaded, fenced garden! Quite a lovely!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts