Looking back on the year in my garden, it was extremely cold all last winter. Many plants I expected to be damaged by the cold were not, and they bloomed prolifically.
Confederate Jasmine
Confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) bloomed floriferously. None of my old tea roses were damaged without protection, not even the more tender ones like `Marechal Neil.’
Alstroemeria Pulchella
The lush, tender growth of Alstroemeria pulchella stayed frozen stiff for days—it could have been broken like icicles.
When thawed, it was the tender green color we longed for in the winter. It blooms until late August, dies, and appears again in early fall.
Alstroemeria “Common Pink Oxalis”
Alstroemeria makes good cutting material. The clusters of seed pods may be sprayed or dipped in clear shellac to keep them from opening.
This is a good idea for many pods and beans that are used in dried arrangements.
Common pink oxalis, considered almost a weed because it spreads so fast from the long, scaly, bulblike roots, bloomed in January and until June when it disappeared for its annual rest.
With a little food, this small plant will surprise you with its quantity and quality of bloom.
Jacobinia Carnea
Commonly called plume plant and pine cone geranium, Jacobinia carnea returned to beds outside after the cold winter.
Its pink flowers came to delight all season. This makes a nice house plant for winter.
A clump in my greenhouse grows 5′ feet high. Outside it grows to 2′ feet. It is exquisite in front of pink salvia.
Setting Out Evergreens
December is an excellent month to set out evergreens, deciduous shrubs, and fruit trees.
Since the advent of dwarf fruit trees, one can grow them in the flower garden.
They are ornamental in bloom, and fresh, tree-ripened fruit is a real treat.
Photinia David Soniae
Photinia David soniae is a large evergreen (50′ feet high) with handsome lustrous, bright green foliage. It is stunning in the early spring.
The new growth is red with clusters of white blooms, which, in the fall, turn into red berries.
Photinia Serrulata
Photinia serrulata, also evergreen, grows to 40′ feet, with dark green leathery foliage. The leaves have a wavy edge.
It, too, has young red growth and bears bright red berries. Photinias need only a minimum of care and good garden soil.
This is a favorite time to plant roses. If they are bought locally, examine the wood and root system.
Do not buy bargain roses. Buy only the top-grade plants.
Rosebush
When you order, do it from a grower that has a good reputation. Actually, in the South, the time to plant a rosebush is when you have one.
They may be planted through the winter until early March.
If azaleas, gardenias, or camellias show many yellow leaves, they may have an iron deficiency. Use iron chelates according to package directions.
Prune peach, apple, plum, pear, and other small trees. Paint the cuts with commercial wound paint.
If this is unavailable, use an outside house paint with a linseed oil base.
Burford Holly
Select the holly and firethorn (pyracantha) plant now when they are in fruit so that the berries can be seen. These are the glory of the winter garden.
Burford holly is a heavy berry bearer. It makes an outstanding tall hedge. Its leaves are glossy and less spiny than many hollies.
Versatile Pyracanthas
Pyracanthas are versatile – use them to espalier, as hedge material, or for winter color in the shrubbery border.
In the spring, they are a froth of white blooms.
In the fall and winter, they become mounds of color.
- Pyracantha crenulata grows to 20′ feet and has shiny green leaves and orange berries.
- Pyracantha coccinea grows to 6′ feet as a bush, but against a wall, it will grow much taller. It bears bright red berries.
- Pyracantha Gibbsii grows to 10′ feet and has large red berries that are a boon to Christmas decorations.
In late spring, hordes of wild birds feast on the berries of these plants.
44659 by Kitty Simpson