When planning a landscape design for your home, selecting the proper plant material from the very beginning can save a lot of aggravation and resources down the road. Most gardening issues arise from initially having the wrong plants for a given climate, and not from pests.
First of all, use species of indigenous plants when possible. Indigenous plants have already adapted to the conditions in your eco-zone, and generally require very little in the way of chemical fertilizers or pest control.
While some exotics seem desirable, it can be a constant struggle for the gardener to ensure survival. Exotics may require heavy use of chemical supplements and may need to be irrigated. Be sure you know the soil and sunlight requirements for all of your plantings.
Here in Coweta County Georgia, summer bloomers are Hydrangea, Crape Myrtle, Buddleia (butterfly bush,) and hardy hibiscus such as Rose of Sharon do very well with little or no interference from the gardener other than a nice annual pruning to encourage blooms.
Ask your local nursery which plants do the best in your area, You can save money on pesticides, fertilizers and water. You'll be helping the planet and at the same time you'll be creating a more beautiful yard for you and your family to enjoy!
Photos: Top Right: Hydrangea, Bottom Left: Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
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Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor |
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All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required. Visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com! Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. North Georgia Photos.
I wish I had read this post a long time ago. I experimented and didn't do so well. Then I went to a nursery and spoke with a knowledeable person about the soil types and amount of sun expose and things are looking great this summer!
you forgot the summer blooms of my favorite ... Hostas
Love collecting Hostas and they do very well in Georgia .. shaded areas
A good nursiery is a must have for all do it yourselfers and professionals alike. They will gladly help you find everything to make your landscaping really beautiful, and keep it that way by helping you know where they should be placed and their needs (shade/sun, and soil requirements).
I love hydrangea............all the varied colours.......I dry them and make arrangements from them...........beautiful photos, Richard...!
My hydrangeas died but I have a neighbor that has done well with them. The other plants you mentioned all work well in my neck of the woods. I prefer planting with 'purpose'. Herbs and veggies are my thing.
Joan...
It's always better to get it right from the beginning, but we ALL have that tendency to purchase what looks great at the nursery. Thanks for the comment!
Eric...
Hostas (Deer Salad) and Cannas and Southern garden must-haves! Thanks my friend!
Chris...
And it makes life so simple later! Thanks for the support!
Liz...
The ladies at the office have hydrangeas in vases everywhere ... they are so beautiful! Thanks.
Mel...
There is nothing better than food seasoned with fresh herbs! I used to keep a HUGE vegetable garden, not so much anymore but herbs are a must! Thank you and get some sleep!
Richard - I do like buddleia and crepe myrtle. The buddleia also attrack hummingbirds. I have none of either in my yard, currently (just moved in recently) but they are on my list of things to plant, once I can start planting on a larger scale again.
I am not a hydrangea afficionado but I do know you can change the color of the blooms by adding or subtracting aluminum.
Don't get the wrong impression, I have a very small veggie garden and just a few herbs. I cannot seem to kill rosemary, lemon thyme, basil, or mint. I use them as a teaching tool for the kids when cooking.
Mike...
In my parts I am known as the "Butterfly Bush" man. I can break of a branch, stick it in the ground, and it will grow. I have a nice collection now, and they are in full bloom now. I also keep a hummingbird feeder by the window. The cats just ignore them!
Mel...
Chives are great, they have a beautiful (and edible) flower, oregano spreads like crazy, and sage does great in the south too! I have lots of basil on the deck for pesto too, we love it!
Thanks for the tip. I will use it. I forgot to mention, cilantro loves me! Can't make a good salsa or pico without it!!!
Love your photos Richard...My wife does the flowers and I do the veggies. Will have to show you the biggest tomatoe plants I have ever grown and it's only early July.
Mel...
I haven't had much success with cilantro, but that would be very handy because I make salsa ALL the time!
Bill...
Take a photo and blog about it! People love big tomato stories! BTW in July our tomatoes are almost done PRODUCING! lol They always die from old age or disease before frost!
Richard -- As usual...awesome photos, my man. Half the fun of reading your posts is looking at the amazing pics!
Thanks for the tips but my butterfly bush done died this year. Need to get a new one for next year.
I have always had a knack for landscaped. When I was a teenager, I practically had a botanical gardens in my mother's front yard. It was the size of a football field and I had the entire thing planted and designed.