Dirt Therapy

Golden Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria 'Ancot')   Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

The Armand's Clematis (aka Evergreen Clematis) is just finishing up after putting on a spectacular show this year. It started blooming way back in early March. A few cold snaps along the way didn't seem to faze it much and the blooms just kept opening. This photo was taken in mid-March and the bloom was actually heavier a few weeks later.  I had tried to grow this clematis before but failed. It is hardy only to zone 7 and very cold winters, which we haven't had much of lately, can do it in. Like most clematis, it takes about 3 years to get going. You've heard the saying - "First year it sleeps, second year it creeps and third year it leaps" - this certainly applies here.  Clematis armandii is a vigorous climber and can quickly scramble into trees or cover a small structure.  Occasional pruning may be required to keep it in check. The lovely fragrant flowers are beautiful but the long, narrow glossy leaves are highly attractive as well. This is a good...

Thanks to the big box stores, our locally owned nurseries have either closed or turned to being landscape-only businesses. Fortunately, there are a few left and one of the most unique is Little Cypress Natives , owned by Harry and Linda Wallace. Even if you are not shopping, the picturesque location is well worth a visit. They are located on a bluff overlooking Cypress Creek, just right across across the road from the historic Forks of Cypress. The Wallaces have landscaped their property with beautiful native azaleas and other plants which are peaking now. The nursery specializes in native plants and hostas. You will find a wide variety of oakleaf hydrangea (like the new dwarf varieties "Munchkin" and "Ruby Falls"), native azaleas, ferns, and shrubs and trees. During my visit this past weekend, I saw the exquisite Carolina Silverbell Tree ( Halesia ), Franklin Tree ( Franklinia ) and a large variety of redbuds in stock. These are plants that you probably cannot fi...

We have survived the garden tour and I'm happy to say it was a success. The weather cooperated and we had a steady flow of visitors all day Saturday and more than I expected on Sunday. I was told over 500 tickets were sold. We were all exhausted by the time it was over. Who knew that standing around talking to people could be so tiring? I still haven't fully recovered. A special thanks go out to George, Pam, Berniece, Joann, Rebecca, McKenzie, Kelly and Jim who worked all day Friday (and earlier) to finish up weeding and last minute chores. The garden has never looked this neat so early! It was early for a garden tour and our garden is far from its peak. That usually happens in early to mid May when the roses are blooming. I hope I can invite everyone back for another view when that happens. There wasn't much in bloom but we did have - White Wisteria - Most visitors had never seen white wisteria before. This was a plant giv en to me by my great aunt Gertha who die...

I'm always amused at the places Chester finds to nap! Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

This is a reminder that the Garden Tour is this weekend. The hours are Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 1-5. Tickets are only $5 and can be purchased at any of the gardens on the tour. Once you purchase a ticket at your first garden, you are good to go and your ticket is good for the remainder of the tour. Also, the State Master Gardener conference is set for Monday-Wednesday, April 15-17. You do not have to be a Master Gardener to attend. Speakers include James Farmer , Erica Glasener , Walter Reeves , Troy Marden , Hayes Jackson, Cindy Shapton , Don Shadow , Dan Spaulding and David Tomlin . Visit the website for more details on the conference. For the garden tour, in addition to our garden, there are eight other gardens that will be open. I have photographed and written about many of these gardens for Alabama Gardener magazine. They include: Ma rgie Anderton Irene Fowler Tommy Mathis Dee Hubbert For a list of all the gardens as well as directions, see my earlier po...

The garden tour is one week away and I'm telling you now our garden is not the best for an early spring tour. We are actually having a late spring. The dogwoods aren't even blooming yet! Most of the trees have not leafed out and there is very little in the way of flowers. On the plus side, I've never done so much work in the garden this early! There is still quite a bit to do before next week. I got a lot accomplished today. It was a gorgeous day! I bought some plants this morning for the pots. The garden centers around town were super busy. Everyone is ready for spring! A calla lily we picked up at Lowe's. Caladium "Little Miss Muppet" for the bed at the base of the waterfall. Swan River Da isies - there were four in a large pot and they flopped when I removed them so I have them tied for the moment. Lobelia for the chandelier planter. I haven't had much luck with lobelia in the past so I'm not sure ab out this but I wanted some...

A beautiful evening to be out working in the garden with the birds singing and mild and dry weather. Everything is suddenly popping out - so much to photograph yet so little time. Tons of weeding yet to be done and the garden tour is weekend after next. Panic will set in soon. The weather man I follow on Facebook posted today that the long term outlook for next week foretold an artic front that would have us with daytime highs in the upper 20s. I fell for it for a few seconds until I realized what day it is. Haha, very funny. Not. The Yoshino Cherry trees are just beginning to bloom. They are very fragile and are usually destroyed by rains or strong winds. I'm hoping they will last for the garden tour but I'm not getting my hopes up. The evening sky above our driveway. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy