Calla Lilly

By Ms Sherry

Yesterday a group of Master Gardeners joined me at my house for a garden stroll. As we turned a corner we discovered that the calla lily was blooming. Since I have only one, I call it my “Phyllis” calla as it was given to me by a very good friend when she moved away. It is funny how a plant takes on the name of the person who made you a present of it. This very beautiful gift, one of my true treasures, is blooming for the third year. The first year, the bloom ended up as a snack for a deer; thus I now spray the bloom with smelly deer repellant in hopes that I might enjoy its splendor for days to come. I am not sure which cultivar of calla this is, but a calla lily is also known as a Zantedeschia. This calla is a perennial, as it disappears over the winter only to return in the spring. According to THE SOUTHERN LIVING GARDEN BOOK “the flower bracts are called spathes, and they surround a central spike or spadix that actually has the tiny true flowers.” The spathe is cream color and the base of the spathe is a deep wine color. It does not appear to be the common calla as the leaves of the common calla are unspotted and these, as you might see from the photograph, are spotted with white. In its three years in my garden it has yet to form a clump which is its normal growth habit. But I am most grateful for this single magnificent flower. It is planted in part sun but the sun is from 12 until 3pm, the hottest part of the day, so this calla could probably handle full sun. It is in a location that gets plenty of water. My Master Gardener friends remarked that white callas seemed to come back the best, but one of the group said she had good luck with a pink one.

When a gardener gives a gift of a plant to another gardener, garden etiquette says that we should never say thank you. But we are all thankful for our friends who share their bounty with us, because with that gift they share themselves. If you have something extra that has brought you pleasure, think of a friend who would treasure that plant as much as you: that plant then becomes a growing living reminder of your friendship.

From Amaryllis to Zenobia

By Ms Sherry

There is a dainty plant in my garden that waits quietly to be noticed; however, it has an impressive scientific name. I call it simply zenobia. It is also referred to as honeycup or dusty zenobia; its scientific name is Zenobia pulverulenta (Bart. Ex Willd.) Pollard. Whew! I located this name with the help of a google search and a web site from desert-tropicals.com.

This wonderful delicate small shrub grows well in my climate zone of 7A/8B. According to the web site it is suitable for zones 5 through 9. Mine grows in part sun but it gets the sun during the hottest part of the day so you could probably safely say it is a full sun shrub. According to the web site the more sun, the nicer the foliage colors. Zenobia prefers moist soils. When I bought this little jewel so many years ago from Petals from the Past in Jemison, Alabama (a wonderful locally owned garden center), I did not know much about “the right plant in the right place” so I planted it where I had an empty spot which turned out to be a sunny spot close to my irrigation system so it receives ample water. My zenobia is about 2 and a half feet tall (but can grow up to 5 feet) and the green foliage has a dusty look about it. Although the web site remarks that zenobia is deciduous, mine tends to hang on to most of its leaves through the winter. I love it and the wonderful nodding little white flowers that remind me of small bells. I am not sure if this plant is hard to obtain but if you should happen to see it and have the right conditions, please buy one. Its late spring show is one not to be missed.

‘Hilda Niblett’

By Ms Sherry

This glorious ornamental evergreen shrub is an azalea, a Robin Hill hybrid by the name of ‘Hilda Niblett’. This beauty reaches only about two to three feet high and around. Its blooming season is much later that the Southern Indica hybrids (like ‘Pride of Mobile’ and ‘George Lindley Taber’) coming into flower in May in my climate zone (7B-8A) when the danger of frost has really passed. They are a little harder to find in the trade, but if you live in an area where late frosts frequently destroy your azalea show, then this hybrid is one to try.

The tri colored flowers completely cover this beautifully shaped shrub. ‘Hilda Niblett’, like other azalea hybrids, prefers morning or filtered sun and good drainage in fertile, acid soil. An important point to remember when you plant all azaleas is never to plant them too deep. In fact, the top of the root ball should be an inch over the soil line. Dig a wide hole, but absolutely no deeper than the root ball of the shrub to be planted. Return the native soil to the hole (without amending the soil with anything) as research now indicates that it is better to plant a shrub or a tree in native soil to encourage the plant to form a good root system in the native soil.  Water well; and mulch with pine straw or bark, making sure that the mulch does not touch the stem of the plant.  Azaleas are not drought tolerant and need watering especially in dry periods.

Be prepared to be amazed and enchanted with this jewel of an azalea. Their small footprint makes them ideal for most gardens. 

Amaryllis

By Ms Sherry

I love to have an amaryllis blooming indoors in the winter. The big box stores as well as the smaller nurseries sell bulbs in late fall; amaryllis then provide a burst of color during the winter months. Watching an amaryllis come to life in the house is an amazing experience as they can go from a bulb to full flower in just a few weeks. If you have never grown one, try one this winter. You will be hooked.

An amaryllis (hippeastrum) in the garden is just as much of a joy as one on the windowsill. The blooms (in red, pink, white, even striped) can measure eight to nine inches across and grow on nice fat stems (which can reach two feet tall); amaryllis have vibrant strap-like green leaves. Amaryllis really can liven up a perennial bed. 

The amaryllis in the photograph, sadly, are not mine but live in a neighbor’s yard in huge pots which he stores in his garage over the winter. He tells me all he does is water them. If you want to try your hand at growing amaryllis, plant them in part to full sun and keep them watered during the growing season. Be sure to check the label to see that the amaryllis you choose is winter hardy in your climate zone.

If a bed of amaryllis at the front of your house does not stop traffic, it can really slow it down. This majestic beauty is a splendid addition to any landscape. 

Weigelas, a Swan in the Garden

By Ms Sherry

Tri colored tubular flowers in shades of white, pink and, dark pink populate the same shrub.

The weigela shines during spring! When this deciduous shrub is not in bloom, it may almost be considered the ugly duckling in the garden. But once spring is here this plain Jane turns into a swan. Weigelas appear bullet proof; they bloom in hot sun to part sun, don’t seem very picky about the soil, are not prone to disease or insects, and can easily survive the drought. However, they can get very big, soon taking over the space around them. To me they are best in a supporting rather than a main role. But their wonderful springtime show earns the weigela a place in every landscape, if you give your weigela the right amount of room to flourish. Depending on the cultivar weigelas can reach 15 feet tall and almost that wide. However, there are also dwarf selections (for example ‘Minuet’)  on the market. I made the mistake early on in my gardening career of planting three together; eventually, they took over. I also discovered, when they were not blooming they were not especially attractive. I am not sure of the name for the weigela in the photograph but its claim to fame is three colors of flowers on the same bush. It is magnificent. (The label and my recall for the names of all my shrubs have disappeared). When the blooms diminish and the leaves come out, it will become a nice background plant. This weigela is about 8 feet tall and 6 around. I also have a weigela with wonderful variegated foliage which continues to be beautiful after the blooming show has passed.  Pruning is best done by cutting the oldest canes to the ground. THE SOUTHERN LIVING GARDEN BOOK also suggests that you can cut the whole plant back halfway every other year. I personally have not tried this method as mine still seems vigorous and healthy. I do prune out any dead canes when necessary.

A weigela is proof positive that you don’t have to be a star every minute of the year but, when it is your turn to shine, you will wow your audience.

(Please remember that I garden in East Central Alabama in an area that varies between hardiness zones 7B-8A; should you decide to plant any of the items mentioned in “The Inquisitve Gardener” in your own garden. please do check for plant hardiness in your area.)