Persian Palm

BY SKEETER

 This photo was snapped back in June of my GEORGIA GARDEN. The hydrangea glows but it is not alone. To the left of this stunning bush is a Persian Palm Alocasia calodora.

 I was lucky enough to find this Plant for a mere $8.00 back in 2012. I spoke about it briefly and you can read that Blog by clicking HERE.

 The tag on this plant says it is hardy in USDA Zone 9 and I live in Zone 7b. I did not expect it to survive in the ground. The first year, I kept it on the front porch and wintered it inside in a guest room. I do not like to winter plants inside as my kitties do not like for doors to be closed. With open doors and kitties, well, plants become snacks. Thus, I don't winter many plants if any.

 So in the ground and enjoy for one year while expecting the worst and hoping for the best after winter. I do believe this plant has been in this spot now for 3 years! This year, I was surprised to discover blooms on it. Do you see them? 

 Lets go in for a closer peek. I find them to be such a cool bloom. They remind me of Jack in the Pulpit plants.

 Look at all of that pollen. I had never seen this plant do such a thing so after a bit of research on the internet, I found the most humorous write-up. Click HERE if you would like to read more on the bloom by that humorous writer. 

I would say this plant is most happy as it has multiplied into many plants. I have it in the Chimney Planter on the East side of the house. It gets lots of morning sun but by mid day, it is shaded. I water it about once a week if no rain has fallen. I remove the dead foliage in the winter and do nothing more to this green giant!

Here she is today after another month of growth and a new iron piece. (Thank you mom for passing it along to me and Thank you Saint for hanging it for me on that hot steamy day.) I do believe this fall when the temps are cooler, that iron will become a black color to match our gutters and front porch accents. I can only assume this PERSIAN PALM, will become larger and stronger as time goes on, In the Garden... 

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Beach Planter Ice Damage

BY SKEETER

 When Ice Storm 2014 hit us here in my GEORGIA GARDENS, I feared for my little Palm tree.

 Some of the palm fronds were clearly damaged. I have seen many large Palm Trees, Sego Palms, etc. completely destroyed from the several days of being under that nasty sheet of ice.

 But my little Palm still looked alive to me. With a Sweet Gum Tree sapling growing right in the middle of it.

I decided that it was time to give the Palm a good clipping. I clipped every single Frond with damage and even took it a bit further by removing anything remotely close to the Heat/AC Unit.

 In the process, I was bit many times by the Palm as it is covered with sharp Thorns! Had I known this thing would have produced thorns, I would have thought twice about making this purchase as I do not like anything that bites back. Na, I would have more then likely made the purchase anyway knowing about the thorns as I needed a Palm in my Beach Planter. I do believe in time the Palm will shine once again after the BEACH PLANTER ICE DAMAGE, In the Garden... 

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Beach Planter Follow-up

BY SKEETER

It has been a while since I shared the Beach Planter with you. Yes, I have a little beach in my Georgia Gardens. Click HERE to see how this garden began.

  I thought now would be a great time for a revisit as the Formosa Lily is in full bloom! Lola, thank you so much for this wonderful gift that keeps on giving to me year after year!

I just love this lily and how tall the thing becomes.

A banana tree once was here but it was moved after Tina posted on how they can damage a house's foundation. In the spot was placed a Silver Fan Palm back in 2010. The Palm survived a freak ice and snow storm as did the Lily. The base got a fresh coat of sand this spring and the Crab came to life with a bit of color added as well.

I just love this lily as it is so darn beautiful glowing in the sun shine! Here you see the most blooms of her yet. At this rate, we shall have to make a change in time as I know she will outgrow this planter. I can see a future BEACH PLANTER FOLLOW-UP, In the Garden... 

 Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Back At It

BY SKEETER

 I have finally finished Posting about the Garden Bloggers Spring Fling! I know some of you are saying FINALLY! But it was such a wonderful event that I wanted to share every thing with those of you that could not make the visit to Asheville, NC. I hope I have inspired you to get to that beautiful city as it is worth a visit. Or at least be a bit more open minded about different types of gardens.

Now I am back in my Georgia Gardens and a lot has been going on. With all the Fling talk, time did not stand still and my gardens are ever blooming and expanding. As I sit at the computer in the sunroom, I look to the right and this is my view out the window!

 I am ever so happy to see Hibiscus Luna is doing well and getting bigger and stronger each year. She is filling my eyes with lots of beautiful blooms.

 Not dinner plate size but about dessert plate size. I will take this on my plate any day.

 I am not happy to see this guy. Japanese Beetles have been showing up the past few weeks. I have been squashing them as fast as I find them. It appears this one has been in this spot eating for a while. See the poo behind him? This one succumb to my fingers just after me snapping this photo. I did not know there was a second one under the leaf until I saw this photo loaded on the computer. That is the beetle that got away! Bugs are really bad this year especially the grasshopper and crickets. But to be expected with such a mild winter.

Right in the middle of composing long postings on the Fling, the McCorkles "Giant Plant Sale" (Open to the public) took place. The Saint took the day off from work and accompanied me to the event! We had agreed we would not get any trees as this is not the ideal time of year to plant them with the heat taking off and our continued drought conditions. The first plant in our little red wagon; A darn tree! The Saint grabbed a 10 gallon Leyland Cypress for $8.00. He said he could not resist and the hole was already dug and ready. The tree is now in the spot where we lost a leyland from last years drought. It did not take me long to get my wagon full several times. Once I felt there was nothing more for me to see and I was starting to melt from the heat of the day, we cashed out and left. I came home with a nice haul.  

 Knock Out rose's for $9.00 in colors of red (double knockout) and yellow. Hosta @ $3.00. Butterfly Bush @ $3.00. Hydrangea Mini Penny @ $5.00, Deep purple (rare) Crepe Myrtle @ $12.00, A huge Agapanthus, Barberry, Plumbago, etc.

 A return trip had me taking home some small perennials and annuals as well. $7.50 for a flat of 12. Fun things such as Salvia, Sage, Coneflower, Phlox, Purple Queen, Moss Phlox, Angelina Serena, Coleous, etc.

And my pride and joy find was this Persian Palm @ $8.00! I have seen them priced at this size for $29.00 and up! I happen to be at the truck when it came in from the fields. I am a seasoned veteran with this sale and know that when a closed truck comes in from the field that you better be by it when the back doors open as you may miss out on something great. I was there when the worker took the Palm off the truck and I said to just hand that one to me rather then stock it. He said I was the lucky winner as it was the only one they had from the greenhouse's! As I walk to my truck with it, people kept oohing and aahing and asking me about it. It is hardy in zone 8-11 and I fear it will perish if I plant it outside. We do have mild winters and I may plant it. At that price, it will not be a great loss. I may weaken up and bring it inside and into the NO NO Room away from the cats for the winter. Only time will tell as to my decision.

I also found Silver Berrys @ 6.00 when I normally pay $15.00 for them Retail. Yes, this is a bargain hunters world, this twice a year Open to the Public Sale! McCorkles grows for Companies such as "Southern Winners" ... "Gardens Confidence Collection"... "Southern Living"... "Knock Out Rose" amongst others. These are some of the goodies I have in my collection.

Mark your calendars for the next sale this fall where we plan to rack up on some evergreen items. September 21-22, 2012. You can find Magnolia's, Leyland Cypress, Giant Green, etc in 15 gallon pots for $15.00! There are bargains galore and you never know what they will be bringing in from the field next! I spotted an Atlas Cedar Tree in 15 gallon pot for $75.00. Garden centers have them at retail in 10 gallon pots for $128.00 and up!  

They have lots of bushes also but I do not know much about them. I so need for someone that knows these plants to come to GA for a visit and go with me! Tina, Janet, are y'all listening? You will have free Room and Board.

I have most of my new goodies in the ground as I have been working my rump off the past few days. We had a low humidity spot and I took total advantage of it. I have a few remaining items that must find a hole but I have decided it is time for The Saint to dig a hole or two as I am not a good hole digger. 

As you can see, I am BACK AT IT, In the Garden...
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

The Last Lily

By Skeeter
I have one last lily to share with you from my Georgia Garden. This lily is located in my Beach Themed Planter.
This tall odd looking lily was given to me from our dear commenter Lola. She sent it to me with some Canna she dug from her Florida Garden and passed along to me. This bulb was hiding (unbeknown to us both) within the canna. I found the bulb and planted it in a container to over winter in the house not knowing what it could be.
The thing started to grow tall so I snapped a picture and sent it to Lola asking what I had in my pot. I was happy to find out I have a Formosa Lily also known as the August Lily in the South. I was saddened to lose the lily last year. I think I gave her too much to drink as I also lost the reed grass I planted in this planter. I am happy to say that the Lily left me some babies she produced. They survived our winter and lookie here, the lily gave me a bloom this year! See how long this bloom reaches out?
It was a single bloom verses the normal multi blooms on one stem but a bloom none the less!
She had dew drops on her the day I snapped this picture. I found a great read on Formosa Lily that Lola passed along to me. Click HERE to read more about her.
As you can see here, I have more baby Lilies popping up around this gal. I am saddened I lost the Reed Grass and also had to remove the Banana tree from this planter. It's replacement, The Silver European Fan Palm is doing well in its sandy spot in the planter. I just hope it will survive winter as her tag says she will.
The hanging fish and buoys have a new coat of paint on them to perk this planter up a bit.
I am not much of a painter but I must admit I had fun painting these guys. I am so happy to have one LAST LILY, In the Garden...

Thanks go out to Lola for this gift and Good Luck and a speedy recovery with knee surgery today!

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden