"Vitex"

"Texas Lilac"

When I first observed this plant several years ago I thought it was a well developed "Butterfly Bush." The color of the flower was very correct and I thought that the shrub was well cared for an properly pruned to maintain a compact/tight look.

During my attendance at a Flower Arranging Workshop during National Garden Week in 2008 I learned from the program presenter that it was a "Vitex" plant. I generally feature shrubs and plants that I have growing in my Gardens; however my mantra for this Blog also indicates that I will also write about plants that I enjoy.

This is a sun-loving, drought-tolerant plant that does well in the soil filled islands in parking lots here in Middle Georgia. In fact this plant and many more like it are well placed in the soil filled islands at a Macon, Georgia Elementary School. To bad school is not now in session so the students could enjoy this delightful looking plant. It is visible from the street that runs by this school and it sure attracts attention.

I post this information today because I know that many, many Georgia Garden Club members are also involved in landscaping activities in their respective communities. This is certainly a plant that would do well in similiar locations, like the soil islands in parking lots at community centers, and other areas of almost every Georgia Community where there is plenty of sun light.

I did a quick Internet search and ascertained that this shrub can grow rather large, however I do think that it would also perform well with severe pruning when needed to maintain a proper size in a large scale landscape setting such as the parking lot shown above.

As always, I look forward to your comments so that we may have a sharing Blog. Thank You!!!

Hydrangeas and Angel Trumpets

In Bloom - Middle Georgia

Everlast Hydrangeas in Bloom. Soon it will be time to dead head the blooms. This plant will repeat blooms through November.
The first Angel Trumpet blooms here in Middle Georgia. These blooms are on the first plant I acquired many years ago. Since then I have shared rooted cuttings of this lovely, and special to me plant.

This plant is still in a large fourteen inch flower pot which I winter over in the garage. I have at least a dozen Angel Trumpet plants in the soil and they are slower, but I will enjoy them later this Summer.

Interesting Flowers In Bloom

in

Middle Georgia

Of course everyone has seen the Lace Cap Hydrangea in bloom here in Middle Georgia. There is not very much excitement about this bloom, but I feature it today because these are the first Hydrangeas to bloom in my Gardens.

The exciting Hydrangea in Bloom today is the Climbing Hydrangea. This plant was placed on the North Side of our Home and the planting was conducted using the recommendations of the County Extension Agent. I acquired this plant on a Horticulatural Society Field Trip to various Nurseries in the Athens, Georgia area. I was introduced to this plant when a Speaker from Calloway Gardens gave a presentation to our Central Georgia Horticulture Society some years ago. I paid five dollars for this plant and was told that it probably never ever flower here in Middle Georgia in as much as it thrives in the higher country near Calloway Gardens. I planted it with love and used garden soil, peat moss and fine pine bark chips as well as sand. I did not write the formula down but I do believe that I used a bag of each items and dug a really deep hole. Of course I am excited about this plant and it's blooms here in Middle Georgia.

The featured bloom in this Gardening Tidbits Post today is the Apostle Plant. Several years ago a Garden Club Buddy of my Wife gave this plant to us. We have kept it in pots and divided it so that we could Winter it over in the garage. This Spring I placed one six inch pot on the front stoop and it has flourished. It is also known as:

Neomarica gracilis

Walking Iris

Twelve Apostles

So far this plant has flourished in full sun and the blooms are a visual treat.

I have conducted a limited search using Google and have found one site that indicates that each bloom will only last a day, but that several blooms will open on each stalk. I have found that the quickest way to research a plant if I know the name is go perform a Google Image Search.

Fringe Tree

A Fringe Tree in Bloom against a backdrop of other trees in the Gardens. You may know this plant as an "Old Man's Beard" or "Grancy Graybeard." It also is known as "Chionanthus Virginicus."

I can not state when I first saw this lovely flowering tree which is usually seen in rural area off of the back roads, but I do know that I first saw this plant in full bloom in a yard in rural Georgia as I traveled to visit my Bride's Aunt in Danville, Georgia. Several years later I learned the name as "Grancy Graybeard." I finally acquired one tree several years ago and it always blooms the second or third week of April. It is not a fast grower but it is a very interesting tree with lovely looking fringe. It does well in full sun and I have been told that it will also thrive in part shade.

A great focal point in April and it then takes a back seat in the landscape. It does loose it's leaves in the Winter.

Tulip Poplar

Lirindendron Tulipifera L or commonly known as Tulip Poplar is in full bloom in Middle Georgia.

These fast growing trees have lovely flowers, but once they reach great heights you have to wait until the flowers fall. Here is one bloom that was not damaged during the trip to Earth. Click on the image to see full size.

I have several of these trees in the back gardens and they make great shade.

Clivia

Clivia, a member of the Amaryllis Family. This plant is native to South Africa. Here in Middle Georgia it is a house plant. I keep it on the deck with a North exposure during the warm months and place it in the garage during the Winter. When the flower buds appear I bring it into the house to enjoy. This plant has been blooming for three weeks and will most likely continue to have a nice bloom for at least two more weeks. A delightful plant which can also be shared. This plant has two developing shoots which I will cut away once the blooms are complete. It is a great pass-a-long plant to share with your gardening friends and a delightful house plant that does not require any direct sunlight. It is certainly low maintenance.

Lenten Roses

Hellebores

I have featured the Lenten Rose in several Post this Winter. The first bloom I posted was on December 24th, 2008. These lovely low growing flowers are a delight and once established require almost no maintenance. I appreciate them because the local Deer population does not bother them. You can note the seed pods in the center of the blooms in the three pictures displayed above. These flowers have provided gardening pleasure for three months.

I would urge all Gardeners in Georgia to try this plant. The Lenten Rose was the 2005 Perennial Plant of the Year.