Author: Laura Lee Rose

My friend and I were already planning to leave town for the weekend. The SC Native Plant Symposium was being held in Clemson at the same time Hurricane Matthew was blasting the South Carolina coast. After getting the necessary travel preparations finished we loaded up my gold Trail Blazer and headed for higher ground. Even as we left the lowcountry and got “up the country” fall was evident in the yellows, reds, and gold on the sides of the road.

Members of the heath family typically love acidic, well-drained soils, high in organic matter. Ericaceae is a large family with around 4000 species and includes Rhododendrons, azaleas, blueberries, and it also includes the parasitic Genus Monotropa or Indian Pipes. Edible berries, lovely flowers, and outstanding fall color make the blueberries a noteworthy choice for landscaping.

While leaves may have similarities in shape, size, color, or texture, there is an awful lot of variation too. Leaf shape and size are invaluable in determining the identity of a plant. Botanists look at the way leaves are arranged on the stem as well.

I can’t help it; I just make song lists and plant lists wherever I go – even on a recent family vacation with my best friend and granddaughter.

How about trying lawn substitutes? Flower/shrub beds, groundcovers mulch, paving, or trees. So many good plants and so little time! Always use the right plant in the right place.

The garden centers are ready for you to come and buy summer flowers, shrubs, trees, and supplies. There are so many choices your budget is the only limiting factor. I have started a few seeds indoors.

School gardens make sense in many ways. In addition to learning ABC’s children and adults can learn much more than where food comes from by engaging in one of the most popular American hobbies, gardening.

Chilly nights, shorter days and lots of moisture can be a great combination for establishing or moving woody shrubs and trees. Planning is always a good idea when the weather is too cold to work outside, and a drawing or picture of the property is helpful.

Folk medicine and herbal teas have always fascinated me, so when I was asked recently to do a program for the Hilton Head Herb Society I got out my pocket guides and clippers. Our yards and gardens are veritable pharmacopoeia and whether a plant is grown intentionally or branded a “pesky weed” we are very lucky to have so much regional diversity of plants. Many of them are useful on their own for teas, salves, cordials, and others attract birds and insect pollinators. Here are a few of the locals.

Now is the time to get out the catalogs and make plans for adding color and interest to flower gardens. The axiom is that spring blooming bulbs are planted in the fall.