Confederate Jasmine

  Our Confederate Jasmine is in bloom in the backyard.    

  The sweet smell covers the entire back yard!

Confederate jasmine is a fragrant vine that is grown widely in the Southeast. Its versatile nature makes it a great plant for many settings.

Confederate jasmine is not native to the Southeast, nor is it a true jasmine. It is actually native to China and is known scientifically as Trachelospermum jasminoides.

In early spring and summer, Confederate jasmine produces clusters of small, white flowers that look like tiny pinwheels. Despite their diminutive size, the flowers pack a huge punch of sweet fragrance and can easily perfume an entire yard.

Confederate jasmine is a fast-growing, twining vine that can be grown on lamp posts, trellises, or arbors. It will easily twine through chain link fences and makes a great, evergreen screen. It will not climb on masonry walls unless a support structure is added.

Confederate jasmine can be planted throughout the southeast US and prefers well-drained locations that receive full or partial sun. Plants grown in full sun will produce the most flowers.

Be sure to provide plants with adequate space, since vines can grow twenty feet or more if left unpruned. Pinching back the tips of the vines will encourage branching and produce fuller plants.  This plant is great for an arbor  or fences.

Confederate Jasmine

Beautiful and Easy Flowers to Grow in your Yard

Easy Plants to grow in your yard

Daylilies

DayLily

Daylilies are perennial plants. The name Hemerocallis comes from the Greek words ἡμέρα(hēmera) "day" and καλός (kalos) "beautiful". This name alludes to the flowers which typically last no more than 24 hours. The flowers of most species open in early morning and wither during the following night, possibly replaced by another one on the same scape (flower stalk) the next day. 

Daylilies are resistant to insects and disease and can handle hot and cold temperatures. They also do not need lots of watering.   

SunFlowers

SunFlower

Sunflowers are annual plants that are easy growers.  They come in a variety of sizes from pot size to 15 feet.  (Helianthus annuus) is an annual plant native to the Americas. The flower's shape and image resemble the sun. 

Sunflower seeds can sprout and grow 6 feet in as little as three months.  They are heat tolerant and can thrive in poor soil.   Sunflowers are drought and pest resistant.   

In the Merry Month of May

In the merry month of May

      When green leaves begin to spring,

Little lambs do skip like fairies,

      Birds do couple, build, and sing.

Nursery Rhyme - Unknown Author 

Is something eating your Dahlia leaves?

Something is biting holes in my dahlia leaves.  I have been doing some research on what it could be and I now suspect that it is slugs.  I have also found  some non-toxic suggestions on  ways to get rid of garden slugs.    

They include:

Beer -  Slugs don't like stale beer any more than you do, so only use cheap, but fresh beer. Use margarine tubs and place them on top of the soil close to the damaged plants. Wait until dusk and fill the tubs with beer. The next morning you should find dead, heavily intoxicated slugs. Repeat this every evening until your slug population is destroyed.

Caffeine - This one is almost as effective as beer. Save your unused morning coffee and spray full strength on the slugs in the evening. Use coffee grounds as a mulch around the plants. This not only deters the slugs but acts as fertilizer for the plants.

Copper - Copper shocks slugs when they touch it. Glue pennies around your pots, or place pennies around your garden plants.

Human Hair - Put a barrier of hair around your plants and watch the slugs get tangled up and strangle themselves. The hair gives nitrogen to the plants to help them grow

Citrus - Put citrus rinds, such as oranges, lemons, or grapefruit around your plants at night. In the morning all the slugs will have collected to feed on the rinds and you can collect the rinds with slugs attached.

Toads - They guys love to eat slugs. Provide the toads with a low source of water and some dark, damp shade for the daytime heat, and they will spend their nights eating your slugs.

Slugs are a universal problem and they can nearly destroy a garden overnight. Getting rid of them doesn't have to involve toxic chemicals. There are non-toxic ways to destroy plant eating slugs just as effectively.

I am going to try the beer and caffeine.  Will let you know how well it works.    

First Aid for Snake Bite - From Mayo Clinic

Most North American snakes aren't poisonous. Some exceptions include the rattlesnake, coral snake, water moccasin and copperhead. Their bites can be life-threatening.

Of the poisonous snakes found in North America, all but the coral snake have slit-like eyes and are known as pit vipers. Their heads are triangular, with a depression (pit) midway between the eye and nostril on either side of the head.

Other characteristics are unique to certain poisonous snakes:

• Rattlesnakes rattle by shaking the rings at the end of their tails.
• Water moccasins' mouths have a white, cottony lining.
• Coral snakes have red, yellow and black rings along the length of their bodies.

To reduce your risk of snakebite, avoid touching any snake. Instead, back away slowly. Most snakes avoid people if possible and bite only when threatened or surprised.

If a snake bites you

• Remain calm.
• Immobilize the bitten arm or leg, and stay as quiet as possible to keep the poison from spreading through your body.
• Remove jewelry before you start to swell.
• Position yourself, if possible, so that the bite is at or below the level of your heart.
• Cleanse the wound, but don't flush it with water, and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.
• Apply a splint to reduce movement of the affected area, but keep it loose enough so as not to restrict blood flow.
• Don't use a tourniquet or apply ice.
• Don't cut the wound or attempt to remove the venom.
• Don't drink caffeine or alcohol.
• Don't try to capture the snake, but try to remember its color and shape so you can describe it, which will help in your treatment.

Call 911 or seek immediate medical attention, especially if the area changes color, begins to swell or is painful.

From:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-snake-bites/FA00047

Top 10 Snake Questions

I found a large snakeskin in my flower garden yesterday.  I am glad that snake was gone, but decided to read and post about for others.  Here are the top 10 snake questions and answers from the NC Cooperative Extension.

Canebrake - also called Timber Rattler

Copperhead

Cottonmouth

1. Why shouldn't I kill any snake I find?
   Most people are bitten when trying to kill or handle a snake. As a general rule, snakes are just as frightened of you as possibly you are of them. Often they move as quickly as possible in the other direction. Snakes cause no property damage, but seeing a snake or its shed (skin) may frighten some people. Snakes--with their diet of rodents and insects--can actually help protect the plants in your yard and garden.
2. How many kinds of venomous snakes are in North Carolina?
   Six of North Carolina's 37 snake species are venomous. Only three of those are found in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. They are copperheads, rattlesnakes, and sometimes cottonmouths. Cottonmouths are typically found east of Gaston County beginning in Union County and east of there to the coast.
3. Aren't all the patterned snakes dangerous?
   Most patterned snakes are not venomous and therefore not dangerous to people or pets. In fact, several of our most beneficial snakes are often killed by people who mistake them for venomous snakes. Many young snakes have patterns that they will lose by adulthood. The patterns help them hide from predators.
4. How can I tell venomous & nonvenomous snakes apart?
   The rattlesnakes, copperhead, and cottonmouth are pit vipers. They are characterized by a pit between and slightly below the eye and nostril, long movable fangs, a vertically elliptical "cat's eye" pupil, undivided scales on the underside of the tail, and a large triangular-shaped head that has a small, smooth, shiny cap over the nose. Nonvenomous snakes have round pupils, a large smooth cap over the top of the head past the eyes, divided scales on the underside of the tail, no pits and no long fangs. Unlike venomous snakes, most nonvenomous snakes cannot bite through clothing.
5. Aren't all snake bites dangerous?
   Unlike venomous snakes, most nonvenomous snakes cannot bite through clothing, because non venomous snakes have many tiny teeth. On bare skin, these small teeth will make superficial cuts similar to briar scratches. If you, a child or a pet is bitten by a nonvenomous snake, the bite will look like a horseshoe of tiny scratches. If you or your pet are bitten by any snake that you suspect is venomous, get medical attention immediately. Clean any snake bite area well with soap and water and wipe it with hydrogen peroxide. If only one or two puncture wounds are present, or if you are allergic to snakes, or if you are not sure the snake is nonvenomous, go to a doctor. Many more people die each year from bee stings than from snakebites.
6. How far can a snake strike?
   A snake can only strike with authority within a distance of one- half its body length. So a distance of four feet or more will keep you safe. Give the snake time to go on its way. Remember, most snakes -- even venomous ones -- are not aggressive and would rather avoid a confrontation with people.
7. How can I avoid snake bites in my yard or while hiking?
   Keep grass short. Eliminate weeds and brush. Do not place hands or feet into dark places. Stay out of dense vegetation. Watch where you step. 
8. Can snakes bite while swimming?
   Only if the snake and the human swim into each other. A snake can raise its body 1/4 to 1/3 of its length from the water surface using water tension, but water tension is insufficient for a coiling strike or for jumping into boats. Snakes usually flee humans, both in and out of the water. 
9. Will snake repellent keep snakes out of my yard?
   Mothballs and many other so-called snake repellents don't work. Snakes can be discouraged from staying in an area by cutting off their food supply and cover. Mow closely around homes and outbuildings, and store firewood and lumber away from residences. Reduce mulch layers around shrubs to about 2 to 3 inches in depth to discourage small animals. Snakes also are often found in or near mulch piles and compost piles.
10. How can I keep snakes out of my house?
    Snakes sometimes enter buildings looking for food. In spring and fall, young black rat snakes are the most frequent "visitors". Nonlethal control measures are the most commonly practiced forms of control. Close cracks and crevices in building exterior walls and floors and around pipes and utility connections with 1/4-inch mesh hardware cloth, mortar or sheet metal. All doors and windows should have tightly fitting screens. Add weatherstripping around exterior door frames.

Wild Mountain Azalea

Waynesville, NC at SLG Cabin

Mountain azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) is an orange wild azalea that grows in thickets and open woods in Western North Carolina.  It blooms from mid spring until early summer. Bloom time can vary depending on elevation.

Mountain Azalea

   

                                                                 



I recall seeing these growing abundantly on the wooded hills beside Lake Fontana in the springtime when by Dad and Mom would take us fishing.  It is now close to peak in the area.   I snapped the picture below this weekend at our weekend get-away cabin in the mountains.

Peonies - Gorgeous Blooms

Once established, Peonies are some of the most easygoing perennials you will ever grow.  The gorgeous blooms may fool you into thinking they are high maintenance, but Peonies are not a high maintenance plant.  

There are 3 types:  

1.  Old Fashioned herbaceous peonies
2.  Tree peonies - said to have been grown by the Chinese for well over 1000 years
3.  Inter-sectional or Itoh peonies - a cross between the tree peonies and the herbaceous peonies

Give your peonies a good start by planting them in the fall so that the root system gets established before the growing season,   Mulch and water during dry spells.

Old Fashioned Peonies at SLG home.

Other tips:  

- Pick a sunny well drained spot
- Dig the planting hole deep - 2 ft by 2 ft to loosen soil (plant herbaceous and inter-sectional 1-3 inches deep; plant tree peonies 4-6 inches deep.
- Fertilize - use one low in nitrogen and high is phosphorous.
- Don't crowd your peonies around other plants and keep area clean to prevent mildew and blight.
- If you do encounter mildew or blight, apply a fungicide that contains copper sulfate or a microbe based solution - treating will keep it under control.

Lady Banks Rose

Lady Banks rose plants (Rosa banksiae) present with light small, yellow or white soft spring flowers. This climbing vine can grow in full sun to partial shade in a moist, well-drained soil with pH of 6.5 to 7.5. These roses perform as evergreens in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11 and as deciduous plants in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 8.

Close up view.  The flowers are very small.

A lovely plant for arbor .

Plant Care:  
 - The Lady Banks roses can tolerate a variety of conditions, so it is a good option for difficult areas of the garden, such as those receiving full sun and hot temperatures or those that become shaded.

      - Irrigate regularly when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch, for best growth.

      - Prune to maintain the desired height and shape after they flower in the spring; Lady Banks bloom only once a year and pruning will not encourage repeat blooms.
 - We recommend feeding them immediately after they bloom and perhaps again in the Fall with a Rose Fertilizer.   
 - Lady Banks roses are one of the easiest roses to maintain.  Pests and disease don't typically bother them. 

Your Dahlias are Growing, What to do in May/June

When your dahlias have developed 6 pairs of leaves, pinch the top out.  This will stimulate the growth of laterals to grow where each leave joins the main stem.   

Pinching should be done for two reasons: 

1.   To encourage lateral branches to start development so that you will have plenty of blooms in time for show season

2.   To produce a bushier, sturdier and more compact dahlia plant. This will make your plants less susceptible to high winds and inclement weather.

An additional benefit is that because you are actually forcing earlier blooms you will have more blooms during the growing season. 

Before Topping

After Topping

  

Process:  

Grasp the central growing tip on your dahlia plant and bend it until it snaps off. Be careful not to damage the two emerging lateral branches that will just be beginning to form on each side of the plant tip right at the base of each leaf. Now all of your plant’s energy is directed into the growth of the lateral branches rather than the plant’s terminal bud.

After pinching out the top of the dahlias, sprinkle about 2-3 hands of fertilizer (5-10-10) in a 2 foot circle around the plant, cultivate lightly and water.  

Ground Cover: An alternative to grass

Ground covers generally need less water, fertilizer, pest control and maintenance once established.

Some areas of the yard are too shady, have surface roots or have steep slopes. Ground cover could be a good alternative rather than fighting it.  The ground may seem too wet and there may be more moss than grass.  Don't fight it.  Moss is a beautiful ground-cover that doesn't need mowing or fertilizing.  Other options are listed below.  

Alternatives for shade:

English Ivy

Caution:  must be contained or will become invasive.   

Japanese pachysandra

Alternatives for part sun/shade:

Ajuga, also known as bugleweed

                             

Mazus, also called creeping Mazus

Alternative for Sun:  

Juniper

Arranging with pot of flowers or a statue offers a pleasing look.

Moles in the Yard and Garden

Wildlife in the garden can be a mixed blessing.  Many gardeners enjoy watching the chipmunks or rabbits in the yard.   They are fun to watch and the damage that they do can be controlled and is usually minor.   Fences and chemical repellents usually take care of these nicely. 

 

Then there are those that are especially notorious for damaging and destroying the yard and garden.    Moles dig underground burrows that can damage plant roots and disfigure lawns.  Although it is not easy, it is possible to rid your yard and garden of these pests by depriving them food and water and shelter.  Traps can also be effective.  

Moles are torpedo shaped creatures weighing about 4 ounces.  Moles have strong fore paws that display outward for better digging.  They can tunnel 200 feet a day.  A gardener rarely sees moles because they generally do not emerge from their network of tunnels but to gather materials for nesting.

Moles feed on cutworms and grubs in large numbers and do not feed on plants.   They have an acute sense of hearing as well.    Here are ways to get them out of your garden and yard:

1.  Treat your yard with chemicals to kill the food source.
2.  Push the shaft of a plastic pinwheel down into a tunnel until you feel it reach the tunnel floor.  The vibrations produced when the windmill turns will prompt the moles to abandon the tunnel.
3.  Use a trap.

You can minimize the impact of the tunneling by lightly stepping down on the raised burrows and watering well so the plant or grass roots will not dry out.    

Growing Azaleas

Azaleas are a favorite in the South.  Spring is aglow with their flowers and they serve as an evergreen shrub for the other weeks of the year all through the winter.  

Options:

Southern Indicas are a good choice in the lower south.  They can survive temperatures down to 10 degrees and grow tall and fast. Indicas are available in a variety of colors and can grow up to 6 feet tall.  If you are looking for a flowering, evergreen screen plant, this is the one.
.
Rutherford azaleas are bushy compact shrubs that are hardy down to 20 degrees.  Red Ruffles and Pink Ruffles are favorite Rutherfords.

Kurumes are one of the most common azaleas.  These plants are hardy down to 5 degrees.  Kurumes feature dense growth and small shiny leaves and reach an average height of 4 feet.  The most popular color is coral bell pink.  Other colors include Hershey's Red, Hinodegirl (fushsia pink) and Sherwood Red, which is an orange/red.

Satsuki azaleas can grow hardy down to 5 degrees.  These azaleas are low growing, late blooming and good for ground cover.  Colors include Gumpo White, Gumpo Pink, Macrantha Pink, Macrantha Red and Wakebisu(salmon).

Glenn Dale azaleas can survive in areas down to 0 degrees and heights can vary and multiple colors are available including Aphrodite (pale pink), Copperman (orange/red), Everest (white), Fashion (salmon/pink) and Glacier which is a white.

Azaleas like moist, acid (ph 5.5)  well drained soil that contains lots of organic matter. They will not grow in clay, sand or alkaline soils.

Other tips:

1.  Do not plant to deep or your plant will decline immediately.

2.  If your soil is heavy clay, break it up and mix with top soil before planting.  You may also do better with a raised bed.

3.  Mulch your azaleas and water regularly to get established.

4.  Plant where the azaleas will receive dappled light through the day or morning sun with partial evening shade.