Choose Native Plants for Your Garden

Native plants give us a sense of where we are in this great land of ours. I want Texas to look like Texas and Vermont to look like Vermont. — Lady Bird Johnson

In recent years there has been an increased awareness of native plants as we learn about the effect of climate change and environmental stresses on pollinators. Gardeners everywhere are trying to reverse the trend of pollinator decline by selecting plants that are appropriate to their home environment and region.

Our Yards Are Complex Eco Systems

Like so many others, I am learning about the importance of native plants in our environment, but my awareness is growing beyond that. As I research this topic, I am becoming aware that our own yards are complex ecosystems. The birds, insects, flowers and the soil are interdependent. Our gardens and yards are living habitats where these elements all depend on each other.

As gardeners, we need to think in terms of what plants are best suited for our yards. There are many shrubs, trees and flowers that are indigenous to the mountains of North Carolina. Having a variety of vegetation that is appropriate to our region can create attractive environments for beneficial insects and many types of birds.

Resources for Gardeners

One excellent place to find out about local flora is Carolina Native Nursery, located in Burnsville, North Carolina. Bill Jones, the Founder and President, talked to me about why people should be interested in native plants. He said "A lot of us moved here for the natural beauty of Western North Carolina, so it makes sense to continue this in your own landscape. Native plants do better because they have evolved over the millennia to the weather, soils and environment. Indigenous plants support the indigenous flora and fauna. These plants have evolved to the nutrient level of the soils and the type of weather."

On my visits to Carolina Native Nursery I have noticed a great variety of healthy looking plants for sale. Bill and his staff are a knowledgeable resource for gardeners wanting to learn more. Their website is www.carolinanativenursery.com.

Another important resource for gardeners interested in supporting local plants and insects is The Pollinator Victory Garden by Kim Eierman, founder of EcoBeneficial. The book explains the details of pollination and how to attract and support bees, butterflies, bats and other pollinators. This is a must-have book for gardeners! You can learn more about this book at www.ecobeneficial.com/pvg. The website and book are full of great ideas to help you become a better ecological steward of your landscape. The website also contains a comprehensive list of native plants for the Southeast as well as other parts of the country.

Many homeowners are now replacing their grass lawns with meadows of local flowers. The idea is that these meadows will create a thriving ecosystem for native bees, honey bees, wasps, birds and butterflies. Even renters who have small spaces can create container gardens with native plants on their patios. Regardless of your situation, take a good look at your home landscape this year and consider how you can improve your environment with plants that are indigenous to your region.

Do you plant native plants in Spring? What are your favorites? I would love to know.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Early Spring in the Mountains

These March winds, which make the woods roar and fill the world with life and bustle, appear to wake up the trees out of their winter sleep and excite the sap to flow. - Henry David Thoreau, Journal of March 9, 1852

I enjoy reading the Journals of Henry David Thoreau, who lived in Concord, Massachusetts, from 1817 to 1862. His many volumes contain various descriptions about life in that era, especially details of the natural world. One of my favorites is Early Spring in Massachusetts, which records Thoreau's observations from late February through mid-April over a period of many years. His book inspired my title for this column.

I have always felt that early spring is its own special season. It is the time of transition between the end of winter and the warm weather of late spring that we all cherish. The bridge period is the month of March.

Living In WNC

The Western mountains of North Carolina can experience harsh winter weather in March despite being in the South. Spring begins tentatively in late February with mild days and emerging flowers, but March often roars in like a lion with gusty winds, cloudy days, freezing temperatures and sometimes snow, especially in the higher elevations. It feels like winter will hang on forever, but just before the Equinox in mid-March the tide begins to turn and Nature moves forward into the new season with green grass everywhere and a steady warmth.

The warm February and March days allow plants to swell their buds and then open, leaving them vulnerable to the killing frosts that can often occur in March. This can be a nerve-wracking time for gardeners. New blooms, such as daffodils, are so fragile and delicate that my only defense is to pick as many of them as I can for floral arrangements before they perish in a freeze.

Early Spring Changes

Early spring brings with it signs of change everywhere, even though they can be subtle. Tiny white snowdrop flowers appear with crocuses. Birds return and sing throughout the day. Buds on trees grow bigger. Occasionally a bee or a small moth appears in the garden. The biggest change is that the sun is higher in the sky and stronger. Each day is longer. Sitting outside on a mild March afternoon in the sun is a blissful experience after a long and dark winter.

Yet, we cannot assume it will be like that every day. March, and even April, demand that we be aware of sudden changes in weather. Such is the reality of early spring: the roller-coaster ride of fluctuating temperatures. Gardeners have to pay careful attention to the weather during those months to protect plants with row cover or bring plants inside in case of abrupt temperature changes.

Early spring is an unpredictable season with many weather changes, but it is also full of promise for what is to come. We always hope March will exit like a lamb into a warm and spring-like April! Are you experiencing warmer days now where you live? Let me know!

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Plants Improve Our Lives

Plants give us oxygen for the lungs and for the soul. - Linda Solegato

One night in June when I was picking peas in my kitchen garden, the title for this column came to me. I was moving around the trellis, admiring the handsome pea leaves and enjoying the search for pea pods. Some were fat and round, others were still thin and tender. It was a delightful and calming experience to spend time with the peas I had first planted in February.

I then reflected on how I enjoy my garden. Each morning in the spring and summer, I walk around the yard checking for new blooms, looking for seeds that have germinated and watching the green tomatoes get bigger. It is a rewarding experience to nurture seeds and seedlings to maturity and observe all the changes in between.

Gardens Are Relaxing Even In Winter

Gardens are relaxing places. Being outdoors is a calming experience as the light, the smells, the sounds and the touch of plants align us with nature. I especially enjoy the songs of birds, the physical sensation of touching leaves and looking at the beauty of flowers as I walk around my yard. Spending time outside in all seasons, even in the winter, is essential to my sense of well-being.

It is also possible to have a similar experience inside our own homes. Indoor plants nurture us all year round. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen that improves the quality of the indoor air. I find indoor plants to be especially uplifting in the winter with their graceful green leaves and colorful blooms.

Houseplants Reduce Our Stress Levels

Research tells us that houseplants reduce our stress levels and improve our moods. Caring for houseplants by watering or repotting them provides a soothing and restful activity. Vibrant green leaves on a dark winter day are a counterpoint to the cold and brown environment outside. Over the course of the winter months watching houseplants, such as the amaryllis, mature and prepare to bloom is fascinating. When an amaryllis does bloom, it is always a treat to see the size and the color of the flowers.

Biltmore Estate Conservatory

One of the best places in Asheville to enjoy indoor plants is the historic conservatory at the Biltmore Estate. There are thousands of plants to admire year round with their lush green foliage and fragrant blooms. Tall glass ceilings let in abundant natural light as you walk from room to room. I like to look up and admire the spiky fronds of the palm trees against the sky.

During the winter months, visitors to the Biltmore conservatory will experience a visual feast of poinsettias, amaryllis, ferns and a variety of tropical plants as they wander from room to room. One of the most popular is the Orchid Room, with its abundance of exotic orchids of varying colors and sizes. The conservatory is especially appealing on a cold winter day.

Whether you have indoor houseplants or outdoor garden plants, you are creating a positive environment with better air quality and uplifting beauty. Even more significant is the connection you are making with nature.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Embrace The Winter Season

Live in each season as it passes: breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of each... Open all your pores and bathe in all the tides of nature, in all her streams and oceans, at all seasons. - Henry David Thoreau

One thing I have learned over time is to appreciate the present moment as much as possible. It is pointless to relive the past or worry about the future. So many moments in our lives can be meaningful and pleasurable if we just slow down enough to notice them.

This is especially true for gardeners, as each season presents us with unique characteristics and possibilities. That is why I enjoy living in Western North Carolina where there are four distinct seasons and where each season shines, even winter.

Spring, summer and fall are easy to like, but winter's cold and barren landscape can be a problem for some. It is easy to convince yourself that when the landscape is bare and brown, there is nothing to look at. But I disagree. Winter is the time to seek out plants that do well in the cold, such as evergreen plants with stunning foliage and red berries like the Nandina or Silver King euonymus. Mahonia plants also have evergreen foliage and small yellow flowers.

Another example of a cold-hardy plant found in many yards is the shield fern. It can survive snow and freezing nights. Other ferns go dormant in winter, but this fern keeps going regardless of the temperature. One plant that actually blooms in winter is the hellebore. I am always pleasantly surprised when I discover hellebore blossoms in a snowy landscape. When you know what to look for, you will find many signs of life in your yard to appreciate and enjoy.

Gardeners can plant ornamental cabbage in the fall to brighten a winter garden. These cabbages have many layers of attractive green foliage with colorful centers. I have grown Osaka Pink, White and Red for my garden, and I admire their cheerful colors on a January day. I also plant red and green cabbages, kale and broccoli that provide nutritious greens for the table, even in cold weather.

The important thing to remember is that winter can be productive if you maintain a positive outlook and perspective. Over the past few years I have focused on what I can do as opposed to what I can't do. I appreciate the quiet time inside to pursue garden and plant research, take virtual classes, review my notes from the previous garden season and study seed catalogs. Once I have decided on my garden goals for the new year, it is time to order seeds.

If you have not liked winter much in the past, changing your perspective and embracing the season fully can help you discover its many pleasures. I believe that each season is noteworthy, so I look forward to winter as much as the other seasons, especially when there is a beautiful snowfall that transforms the landscape.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Create Holiday Arrangements From Your Yard

Even in the depth of winter, when flowers are least plentiful, good room decoration may be done with but very few, or indeed with foliage only.
— Gertrude Jekyll: "The Gardener's Essential"

Flower arranging is a year-round activity that always gives me pleasure. The holidays, however, are a special time for making floral arrangements to decorate my home. As I walk around my yard in early December, ideas come to me as I see what is green and attractive. When I look closely, I see possibilities for holiday displays to supplement the traditional poinsettias available for purchase in stores.

The foundation of my holiday arrangements is evergreen foliage that I find in my yard. Nandinas have green leaves and colorful red berries in December. Other attractive plants are holly, boxwood, arborvitae, pine, magnolia, and spruce. The Silver King euonymus is stunning for its beautiful variegated leaves and red berries, which lends contrast to an arrangement. Consider adding pine cones for an accent. Once you find a variety of greens and berries, you can begin the process of creating a holiday display.

I also like to purchase flowers for my arrangements. Alstroemeria contrasts nicely with the greenery from my yard, plus it lasts a long time in a vase. Red or white roses add extra color as will a small amount of baby's breath. All these flowers look wonderful with a variety of greens.

A dramatic addition to a holiday arrangement is the bloom of an amaryllis plant. Their variety of colors and sizes is exciting. I always buy at least two new bulbs every fall to have indoor winter flowers. A red or white amaryllis bloom is an impressive addition to holiday decorating. Paperwhite bulbs are another option. They produce small white flowers with tall green stalks. You can add evergreens and red berries to a container of paperwhites for a colorful effect.

Of course, choosing an appropriate vase is essential for an attractive display. I have a collection that ranges from short vases to tall ones with both narrow and wide openings. Once you assemble a good combination of greens, berries, and flowers, plus the right vase, think about where to put your arrangement. When I create a floral display, I first try to visualize where it will go in my house and then I consider how much space is available. For example, I always like to have a lower centerpiece in a short vase for the dining table so guests can easily see each other. I place arrangements in a taller vase for a prominent spot in a hallway.

Finding attractive greenery and berries in the yard during the winter months keeps me outdoors and aware of my plants, even in the snow. You may be surprised to discover the many possibilities in the winter landscape if you look closely. Taking the time to select from among the plants in your yard for floral arrangements will bring a festive touch to your holiday decor.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @The Observant Gardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Impermanence

Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.— Robert Frost

Impermanence is a concept in Buddhism that life flows from one stage of existence to another. Change is constant. When we grasp and try to hold onto to something, we will ultimately suffer because everything changes. Buddhism teaches that attachment is the cause of suffering and that we must be aware of impermanence in every aspect of our lives and try to accept it.

Gardens teach us about impermanence. Change is constant with soil, plants, weather and the natural world in general. We may think that something is stable and permanent, but the opposite is true. Sometimes the garden changes in ways that are small and imperceptible, but other times the changes are large and dramatic. Watching my garden change from season to season reminds me to embrace the changes in my own life and to fully appreciate every day.

I have had the privilege of observing the natural world closely for years. From day to day, not much seems to happen, but that can be an illusion. If I leave for two weeks on vacation, for example, I am always amazed at what I see when I return. One April, when I went away on a trip, the azaleas had not yet bloomed. When I returned, their pink flowers had burst open by the thousands! After a recent summer vacation, my plants had grown much taller and weeds had taken over everywhere.

All the plants I grow illustrate impermanence. The transition from summer to fall is especially rapid and dramatic in the garden. The plants diminish, changing every day. The first killing frost happens at this time of year, marking the final end to the growing season for the warm weather plants.

I have to accept the reality that nature is constantly in the process of flowing from one stage of existence to the next, and that by November the time of growth has passed. It is time to lose my attachment to the garden I have nurtured for months. When the next cold front blows in, I will watch the clouds race overhead and reflect on the various aspects of the fall season, especially the bare branches that emerge from the trees, revealing their structure.

The branches symbolize our losses. Sometimes I feel wistful looking at them, remembering the lush growth of summer. Autumn shows us how fleeting the seasons are, but I know that life will continue to evolve and I feel at peace with the world. As one situation fades away, a new one will replace it, especially with growth in the spring.

There are many lessons we can learn from the natural world.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Never Doubt the Power of Seeds

Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed... Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.
- Henry David Thoreau

Now that it is fall, I like to reflect on the past growing season. I feel that there is always a lot to learn regarding specific plants, how to prioritize my gardening chores or evaluating the result of my decisions about what and where to plant.

Lately I have been thinking about the growing experience. This spring I planted my seeds for flowers and vegetables, and by mid-June, I wondered if they would ever amount to much. Really, I should know better by now! I confess that I had doubts as my seeds seemed to take forever to germinate and then the seedlings looked so tiny as they started growing.

Rapid Growth in July

Throughout the month of June their growth seemed slow, but by mid-July their growth exploded. Tiny zinnia seedlings developed lush foliage and colorful blooms. Sunflowers gained more height every day as they reached for the sky. The squashes finally created both yellow flowers and fruits, covered by enormous leaves. The lesson I learned this summer is to never doubt the power of seeds.

As I look back, I keep asking myself, how could I have doubted these seeds? I think one reason is that I am impatient. I want seeds to produce flowers and vegetables quickly. When I visit the local farmers' market and I see vibrant floral bouquets, I wonder why my plants seem so far behind. I know that I shouldn't compare myself to the professional growers, but I do.

I have to remember that these farmers have a different situation than I do with warm greenhouses in the early spring and a schedule geared to commercial necessity. However, I still love my sunflower display in August and I appreciate the fact that sunflowers have their own blooming schedule. I need to keep that in mind and to be patient.

A Spark of Life in a Seed

In addition to having patience, observing seeds as they grow also teaches me about how nature packages her bounty. Seeds come in different sizes and shapes, from tiny lettuce seeds to large round nasturtium seeds. After I plant them I watch the new shoots appear and grow larger every day.

Recently, when I showed my garden to a neighbor and explained that I grew most of the plants from seeds, she was amazed. She couldn't believe that since many of the plants were at least six feet high. I am also amazed! It makes me wonder, how can a tiny seed produce such large plants?

Nature programs each seed to grow in a specific way and at a particular time. Once I place seeds in the soil and water them, the seed releases the plant embryo inside the hard shell to begin the process of germination. Such is the miracle of a seed, that each one contains a spark of life just waiting to grow when the conditions are right.

This is a lesson I will remember next year!

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @The Observant Gardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Our Gardens Transition to Fall

September... where fall and summer meet.
- Will Wallace Harney

September is a time of change in the garden. The changes happen rapidly this month, beginning with daylight and temperature. Even though the days are still warm and summery, the sun sets earlier and rises later. The nights are cooler.

As I notice these changes, I reflect on how the growing season has gone, and begin to prepare for the upcoming autumn. I want to believe that summer will last a few more months because the sunflowers and zinnias still have many blooms, but I can see that there are signs of the seasonal change as other plants die and decay.

The first to go are the squashes. I always love to plant their seeds in the spring, watch them emerge and produce lush foliage. Then later, I look forward to their orange flowers and delicious squash. By late August, however, their season is over and it is time to remove the dying plants.

Some tomatoes are also done by the end of August, but others continue, such as the San Marzano tomatoes. Gradually, I pull up the spent plants and their cages. I also remove any lettuce that has finished for the season, although sometimes the neighborhood bears perform that chore for me as they seem to have a taste for old lettuce plants.

In September, sunflowers turn their heads down and begin to produce the seeds that goldfinches love. They lose their flower petals, but the outer green leaves, called bracts, remain around the sunflower head, which becomes a magnet for birds as they devour the seeds. By mid-September it is time to start taking the tall stalks down.

The brilliant orange tithonia flowers begin to fade in late summer. By September their petals fall off and they begin to produce seeds. Zinnia blooms also fade in September, but the plants will continue to produce new blooms.

The nasturtiums that grow on the borders of my vegetable beds are also producing seeds by September, another sign of transition. In June and July their colorful blooms were vibrant. But now their season is over.

Throughout the month of September the sun sits lower on the horizon and the light changes daily. After the Autumnal Equinox there is more darkness as the sunset is earlier and the sunrise is later. As I work in the garden, I cast long, dark shadows as early as six o'clock in the evening. At this point the changes are rapid and dramatic.

The pollinator garden now feels different to me. After all the motion of butterflies and bees over the summer, suddenly there is no activity. I still see an occasional swallowtail butterfly here and there, but not many. There are only a few bees still looking for nectar among the remaining flowers. I sense a quiet and a stillness. The faded flowers and the seasonal changes of less sunlight and cooler temperatures have caused some pollinators to die and some to migrate.

By late September the weather is usually warm and sunny during the day, but the nights and mornings are chilly. Summer is waning, the changes are happening and I savor every glorious September day as the fall season begins.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Now is the Time to Plant Cool-Weather Vegetables

Half the interest of a garden is the constant exercise of the imagination. You are always living three, or indeed six, months hence. - Alice Morse Earle, 1897

By August, many gardeners feel that the growing season is coming to an end. For some gardeners, however, late summer is just the beginning of a whole new season. They know that there are cool weather vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, rainbow chard, lettuce and Brussels sprouts that thrive in the fall. August is the time to extend your gardening season and harvest an abundance of tasty vegetables well into the cool months of fall and even winter.

Cool Weather Plants Thrive in the Fall

With so many plants having finished for the season by September, cool weather vegetables can become the dominant plants in your garden. I enjoy seeing them on a cold morning with their vibrant green leaves. I am always surprised and delighted that these plants can endure a frosty night or even a snowfall. A period of cold weather makes them taste sweeter.

Starting from seeds in August is usually too late for plants to mature into a fall crop, but in late summer most garden centers offer seedlings for cool weather vegetables. When I saw these seedlings last August, I experimented by planting some of my favorite fall vegetables such as cabbage, kale and Brussels sprouts.

Once I planted the seedlings, I put row cover over them to protect the young plants from insects. In previous years, my early summer plantings of kale and cabbage failed because of insect damage. The benefit of fall planting is that the cool evenings kill off harmful insects, giving the plants a chance to mature. Not only that, but after the summer vegetables finish their season, the cool weather plants grow into the stars of the garden with their handsome foliage!

The red cabbage, one of my favorite vegetables, produces large blue leaves with dark red veins. Green cabbages produce heads that look like roses. Even after several frosty nights last November, my cabbages were still going strong. Lacinato kale, with its dark green leaves, is also a striking fall plant. I even discovered that parsley, which I grow all summer, grows well into the fall.

Many Plants Can Survive a North Carolina Winter

Last year was my first time growing cold-hardy vegetables through an entire winter. There were several snowfalls and many freezing nights in Asheville. After each snowfall I would walk out to the garden to inspect my plants. The large leaves of the cabbages and Brussels sprouts would be covered with snow. One morning, after a particularly cold night, there were ice crystals on the leaves, which was a beautiful sight. Throughout the winter, my vegetables were fine!

By April it was time to clear the vegetable bed and make room for a new season of planting, but my winter plants still had surprises for me. When I removed the Brussels sprouts, the stalks contained many tiny round sprouts. The red cabbages had heads hidden in the handsome leaves. The heads went into spring salads and the leaves went into the compost bin.

I now had a clean garden bed for the summer and a reward of Brussels sprouts and cabbage heads to eat! This August and September, keep cool weather vegetables in mind to extend your gardening season.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

The Landscape Changes and So Must We

The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.
- Kakuzo Okakura

I have learned over many gardening seasons that the landscape of my yard is constantly changing. Over the course of months and sometimes even years, the trees and plants are always either growing or dying. These changes happen slowly and incrementally, but they are real and they add up.

Rethinking My Garden

As an example of this change, one day I realized that a part of my yard that had always been sunny could no longer support plants that needed full sun. This was a spot where I had successfully grown tithonia, a tall and wide shrub also known as the Mexican sunflower. For three years tithonia grew well in this location. Then one summer I noticed that the plant was leaning over, as if straining to reach the sun. The next year it was not producing flowers. I looked at the surrounding evergreen trees, and realized how dramatically they had grown during the previous five years. To my amazement I realized that this sunny spot had now become a shady spot!

I was forced to rethink what I would plant there. I had assumed that once I got to know a section of my yard, that the light there would not change, but I was wrong. So, this spring I transplanted many shade-loving hostas to this location. It is my new shade garden.

Another time two years ago, a snowstorm with high winds uprooted three large trees in my side yard. The next day, as I stood surveying the fallen trees, I could see a new kind of garden immediately in my mind's eye. I realized that this area, which had been covered by the trees, now had the possibility to become a full sun garden. Since I had previous experience with changes in my yard, I began to make plans for this area.

Making a New Pollinator Garden

I decided to create a place that pollinators would love by planting a variety of sunflowers as well as gold and orange tithonia. This new garden, with sunflowers as high as twelve feet, was a joy for me all summer. I watched the sunflowers grow from seeds, then mature, then reach for the sky as they towered over me. Some sunflowers produced multiple branches with many blooms. They kept blooming all summer.

Meanwhile, the tithonia also grew rapidly. On a hot dry day they seemed to double in size. By mid-July they began to produce their vibrant gold and orange blooms, which attracted many bees and butterflies. The pollinators just kept coming, from early morning to dusk. This spot was full of activity and beauty.

There are times when I reflect on the changes in my yard, realizing that much of what I learn from gardening I can apply to my own life. When unexpected events happen, like the trees falling, I need to adapt to the change. We have all experienced life taking a turn we don't see coming. Can we be flexible to accommodate a new situation? Can we see things from a new perspective? These are important questions. I look to my garden for lessons on how to adapt to change.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Zinnias Create Summer Color

When I was a child my mother gave me a packet of zinnia seeds to plant in our backyard. I planted them and watched them grow with amazement. I was probably about five years old, but I have a strong memory of their brightly colored flowers. This was my first gardening success and I was hooked. I am still amazed by what I can grow from seeds.

My childhood interest in these annuals has become a serious exercise in garden planning and design. Now I create sketches and study websites so I can maximize the garden beds in my yard. One garden website that I have found helpful is www.gardendesign.com.

Planting Zinnia Seeds

At a corner of my house I have an open and sunny space that I fill with zinnias every summer. I plant the seeds in late May or early June once there is no danger of frost, then I carefully watch the seedlings emerge and grow.

After a couple of weeks the seedlings are noticeably larger and buds start to appear. Once the July heat and sun work their magic, the explosion of growth is rapid. Suddenly, colorful zinnia blooms appear and I am enchanted by their appearance. Every day I notice the variety of colors, shapes, and designs of the blooms. I combine a mixture of seeds from different seed companies in this bed to produce a variety of heights, colors and types of zinnias.

Zinnias do best in full sun, and since my yard is very sunny, I plant lots of zinnias. I choose taller ones for the back of a plot, such as Benary's Giant Mix from Pinetree Seeds that have spectacular, big blooms and can reach a height of four feet.

I then plant slightly smaller zinnias in front of those, such as the Purple Prince, Orange King, and Yellow Canary Bird zinnia elegans plants. These will reach a height of between one and three feet. In front of these I plant Cut and Come Again zinnias, which will grow to about two feet. I can get these varieties from both Pinetree Seeds and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

When I want even smaller zinnias, I plant Persian Carpet Heirloom Butterfly zinnias. These grow about a foot high and have a mixture of colors. Other choices for smaller plants are Thumbelina Mix at 12 to 16 inches and Pixie Sunshine zinnias at about 8 inches. These work well in containers. They are all available from Renee's Seeds.

Different Types of Zinnias

I am learning that zinnias have many different shapes and sizes of blooms. The flowers can be single, double and semi-double. Interesting varieties with unique blooms are the peruviana, the elegans, and the cactus zinnia.

In addition to being colorful and attractive, zinnias attract pollinators throughout their long growing season. I enjoy seeing many types of bees, butterflies and even hummingbirds flock to these plants. This year, consider planting zinnias for their ease of care and beneficial presence for pollinators. You will enjoy their colorful display and continuous blooms in your garden throughout the summer.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

The Clematis Climbs in May

The world's favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.
- Edwin Way Teale

The month of May brings many colorful blooms to Western North Carolina. There is always a new flower or tree blooming every week. One of my favorite spring flowers is the alluring clematis, which graces gardens in many sizes and colors.

I first saw a clematis several years ago on a garden tour and I was amazed at its stunning beauty, so I decided to grow one in my garden. Since the clematis is a climbing vine, I planted it at the base of my garden trellis. This plant, a Dr. Ruppel, produces blooms starting in early May. It is such an impressive sight that I think of the clematis plant as the queen of my spring garden! I look forward to seeing its blooms return every year.

Large Clematis Blooms in May

Beginning in March I notice tiny leaves growing at the base of the trellis. By mid-April I am always excited to see large buds appear as the vine begins its climb up the trellis. In early May the clematis continues climbing and the buds begin to open, revealing blooms that are seven inches in diameter! It is a spectacular show as my trellis becomes covered with pink and white blooms. This is a gorgeous plant to have in a prominent place in any garden or yard.

There are dozens of different types of clematis plants. The variety of colors is dazzling, including white, pink, red, lavender and even dark purple. Some have multiple colors such as pink and white. The White Flower Farm catalogue and website have many photographs of different clematis plants. Their description of this plant is "versatile vines with unforgettable flowers," which is an accurate statement.

Queen of the Vines

The clematis name comes from the Ancient Greek word klema, meaning a climbing plant or vine. The Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus first named Clematis viticella in 1753. Originally from China, by the 17th century the Japanese were growing clematis, and it wasn't much later before it was introduced to Europe. In England, the plants were popular during the Victorian era. Today there are over 250 species, and the plant, known as the "queen of the vines," is grown around the globe.

In popular culture the clematis represents ingenuity or cleverness because it can climb anywhere and grow to great heights. All you need to do is provide a trellis, a post, a pergola, or a gazebo since clematis has twining leaf stems that cling to almost any structure.

The many varieties of clematis all have different characteristics such as bloom time, height, and the size and color of blooms. Some clematis bloom early in the spring, like mine, but others bloom later in the summer. By carefully choosing varieties with different bloom dates, it is possible to enjoy clematis flowers all summer long. Just provide a spot with full or partial sun and something to climb on, and you will be rewarded with magnificent flowers in your garden. If you have clematis in your garden, please let me know what types you are growing!

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

A Gardener's Spring Cleaning

We dream of having a clean house, but who dreams of actually doing the cleaning?
— Marcus Buckingham

I believe that gardening is a continuous activity throughout the year. While many people think only of spring planting, summer watering and fall harvesting, there are also two other phases: winter planning, and in early spring, preparing for the coming growing season. This starts with clearing away the accumulated winter debris from the planting beds, but for me extends into the cleanup of my gardening workspace.

Organizing in the Spring

Along one wall of my garage I have a space with a table and some shelves where I make decisions and find tools that I need to get my garden jobs done. It is where I store the labels of plants I have grown and keep my records of different bulbs that I have planted. This is my gardening "office," and by late winter my office is a mess. Last spring I even found some dahlia tubers that I had dug up the previous fall and forgotten about. They were hidden under a pile of tools and half empty fertilizer bags!

After months of winter hibernation, heavy clothes, cold days and dark nights, it is time for some significant spring cleaning, both in the yard and my gardening office. I consider this double spring cleaning. It is not a pleasant task because there is so much work to do, inside and out.

By early April I can't ignore the piles in the garage any longer. All winter I look at catalogs and order seeds and other items I will need for the upcoming season. I store the new seed packets inside but all of last year's are in my office, where they sit in piles on the table for my future reference. Add to that garden tools, pots, plant labels, gloves and fertilizers. Because of the colder temperatures, I don't spend much time in the garage, so the piles, which started last summer, get bigger and messier.

Warm Weather Helps Me with Cleaning

I know I must keep my tools and supplies somewhat organized if I want to get beautiful blooms or delicious tomatoes in the summer. Once the weather turns warm, I depend on these tools and supplies to carry out the plans I spent all winter thinking about. Finally one day the weather suddenly improves and my hour of reckoning arrives: I must clean up my space, I must get organized! When I start misplacing my gardening gloves, trowels and seeds, I resolve to tackle this job head on and stick with it. After months of adding to the piles of garden-related clutter, I have to wade through it all to prepare for my spring yard work.

Planning and organization in any endeavor is the key to success, and gardening is no exception. I do better when my workspace is clean and orderly. There is a definite schedule for planting certain seeds and seedlings in order to reap the harvest of flowers and vegetables later. Having an orderly workspace ready in early spring is essential for keeping to this schedule. A successful growing season is always my reward and my motivation for spring cleaning! Have you also had this experience with your garden spring cleaning? Please let me know!

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

A Long and Glorious Season

At the end of winter, there is a season in which we are daily expecting spring, and finally a day when it arrives.
- Henry David Thoreau, Journal of March 8, 1853

Spring is a long and glorious season in the southern Appalachian mountains. It can begin as early as late February, but gets fully under way in early March despite occasional cold and snowy days. The earth is soft, the birds begin to sing, and this is the time I plant my pea seeds. You see, peas like the cold weather. While the nighttime temperatures in early March can be just below freezing, the daytime temperatures are usually mild. It is true that the day and night temperatures in March can vary, but the peas don't seem to mind.

March is the transition from a cold and snowy February to increased warmth and new growth everywhere. At this point the landscape is still mostly bare and brown, but color is creeping onto the trees and on the ground, in fact everywhere. You just have to pay attention to notice it.

Most people are aware of daffodils in the spring, but there is more to see for the observant gardener. By mid-March, the peas are germinating and poking their tiny green heads above the soil. The burgundy tips of peonies also start appearing. Looking closely, I can see small green catnip shoots near the circular leaves of my autumn sedum. The Knock Out rose bushes in the front yard are unfurling dark red leaves.

By the third week of March many flowering trees are coming to life, such as the Weeping Cherry and Star Magnolia. Their glorious blooms last about two weeks, then they fade and are replaced by green leaves. Robins appear with joyful birdsong every morning as the birds call to each other.

With April comes a burst of colorful growth, green lawns, and leaves on trees. By mid-April the Appalachian Redbud is the most vivid flowering tree with its tiny pink blooms. Dogwoods and cherry trees put forth their white and pink blossoms. The daffodils are fading by then, but at that point, colorful phlox covers the ground with tones of vivid pink and lavender. As soon as some plants finish, others begin in a succession of vibrant color, such as the azaleas that begin blooming in April and continue into May.

April also heralds the return of many different types of insects, which I look forward to. One notable and visible insect is the swallowtail butterfly that appears. This is the month that bees begin their season of pollinating flowers.

May brings accelerated growth and blooms with a nonstop display of beauty. In my yard, the climbing clematis, the Siberian and Bearded irises and exquisite peonies take center stage, while the hydrangeas begin to show their blue, pink and white flowers that last throughout the summer.

In Asheville, spring extends into June. I can tell because my peas are still hanging on. Early June is when fireflies begin to appear and the Oakleaf hydrangeas begin to bloom. Tiny praying mantises walk around after hatching. The earth is now fully alive with plants, insects, and birds. By mid-June the summer heat begins, putting an end to a long and exciting spring season.

This article also appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Imagine Your Garden

There is always in February some one day, when one smells the yet distant, but surely coming, summer. - Gertrude Jekyll

I believe that gardeners are always thinking of the next season as they appreciate the current one. This is especially true during the winter. When looking at a frozen landscape, it can be hard to imagine a summer garden. In fact, it seems almost impossible, especially when there is a layer of snow and ice on the ground and we are forced inside by the cold temperature.

Anticipate and Plan for a Summer Garden

But this is the perfect time to anticipate a summer garden. I use the winter months to look at all the seed catalogs that come in the mail and fantasize about what to grow when warm weather returns. The pictures in these catalogs help me visualize what my garden will look like in the spring and summer. One of my favorites is from White Flower Farm in Connecticut. Another great catalog is from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds in Missouri. These catalogs are comprehensive and contain stunning photography.

While browsing through catalogs for ideas, I consult my garden journal from the previous year. In it I keep track of dates, weather, what I grew and how well the plants did. If a particular plant didn't grow well, I'll plant something else the following year. I list my favorite plants so I can repeat their success. I also check my photographs of plants that I have grown as a visual record of how they look in my yard.

One consideration is how big plants will grow. Squash, for example, needs a lot of room to spread out. When planting squash seeds, I allow several feet of garden space for the vines and large leaves that will appear. Knowing a plant's needs is important before making a selection of seeds or seedling.

Another consideration is where to plant. Choosing the right location for plants is a major part of garden planning. I observe how the sun hits my yard during different seasons to see which areas are in full sun, partial sun or full shade. This makes a big difference in selecting locations for plants and visualizing the outcome I want.

Observe the Winter Landscape

With these considerations in mind, I walk around my yard in the winter to observe the bare landscape. In the colder months the essentials of the landscape appear. Shrubs with lots of leafy foliage in the summer, such as hydrangeas, have bare branches at this time of year that reveal how much room they have for future growth or if they need dividing and transplanting. Tall, flowering annuals, such as tithonia, are gone by winter, freeing up space and allowing me a good look at the area in which they grew. The winter openness lets me visualize different possibilities for what I might grow.

Even though the winter season can be cold and brown, I appreciate the bare ground as a blank canvas for next summer's garden. It is the perfect time to reflect on the past growing season and to imagine the next one.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Persephone Days

The ancient Greeks explained the change of seasons, and especially winter, by the story of Persephone. The daughter of Demeter, goddess of the harvest, Persephone was abducted by Hades and taken to his realm in the Underworld. Demeter was so upset by her daughter's disappearance that she stopped tending the earth. As a result, the plants died and the landscape was barren.

Eventually Persephone was allowed to leave the Underworld and return to her mother for half the year. When Persephone returned, the earth warmed and became green with new growth, so the Greeks thought of her as the goddess of spring. This was their way of understanding the seasons.

January is the Time of Persephone Days

During the autumn and winter months, many gardeners refer to the short days of sunlight as "Persephone Days.” Now, in January, when the earth is cold and brown, we are experiencing our Persephone Days.

Recently I walked around my yard during a blustery winter week of snow, ice and bitter wind chill as I carefully observed the barren landscape. It was stunning to experience the winter season this way. My garden beds had only dirt and snow in them and my pond was ringed with ice. The contrast between summer and winter could not have been more striking.

When a frigid wind swirls, it feels as if winter will never end. The cold is penetrating. The earth is hard. The water is icy. I know that by July the garden beds will be overflowing with color and green foliage, and the pond will be full of minnows and frogs. In January, however, July feels like an eternity away.

To overcome that feeling, I focus on my garden notes from the previous summer and on the many colorful garden catalogs delivered in the mail. In my sunroom, the amaryllis bulbs I planted in October start producing magnificent large blooms of many colors. As the morning light streams in, I sit back and appreciate the magic of these exotic plants.

The Cold Will Not Last

The pond also changes with the seasons. Even in winter it is a beautiful sight, showing the entire structure of a magnificent willow tree in its reflection. Let the cold wind blow now; it will not last. I can anticipate what is coming even as I enjoy seeing the handsome trees without their leaves. Over time the spring peepers and other creatures will begin their cycle of life in the pond as the warm weather approaches.

Winter can be depressing for many people, but gardeners know better. We know what has grown before will grow again. We do not doubt it. We realize that, like Persephone returning from the Underworld, the warmth of the sun and the green landscape of spring will return.

The American painter Andrew Wyeth alluded to this anticipation when he wrote: I prefer winter and fall when you feel the bone structure of the landscape. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn't show.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

The Amaryllis is a Winter Beauty

There are many choices for growing flowers in the winter, such as crocus, hyacinth, paperwhite narcissus, and tulips. These bulbs, which are widely available at garden centers and through catalogs, are easy to grow. Among these many choices, my preference is the amaryllis. It is a reliable plant to grow indoors, with large and attractive blooms. Winter is the very time when we need their colorful flowers and green foliage in our lives. I have tried many different types of amaryllis bulbs over the years, all with pleasing results.

Plant Amaryllis Bulbs In October for December Blooms

You begin by planting the amaryllis bulb in a pot, or buying one that is already potted. Next, place the potted bulb in a sunny location and water occasionally. Once planted, the bulb starts a growing process that can last up to ten weeks before it produces a bloom. So, if you want colorful flowers for December, be sure to plant the bulb in October.

At first, the amaryllis bulb will not appear responsive. After a few weeks, however, small green shoots will emerge. Then the growth becomes rapid. Shoots become taller every day. In a few weeks, a single large bud will appear and then another. Soon there will be a cluster of several blooms. I always get excited at this stage, anticipating how many blossoms the plant will produce. Some amaryllis bulbs even grow two stalks, each with multiple large blooms. In planning my winter amaryllis "garden," I stagger potting the bulbs so that when one is finished blooming, another is ready to produce.

The amaryllis is native to regions in Africa, the Caribbean, and South America. The name amaryllis originates from the Greek word amrysso, meaning "to sparkle." The magnificent blooms certainly do sparkle with their vibrant colors and perfect symmetry!

The Amaryllis Can Rebloom

The amaryllis is a perennial, so it will rebloom if you follow a few simple steps. Once the blooms fade, cut them off and continue to water and fertilize the plant. The long leaves will continue to grow and send nourishment back to the bulb. In the spring, plant the bulb outside in full sun and well-drained soil. In the fall, move the bulb indoors to a cool, dark place so it can become dormant for approximately eight weeks. Now you are ready to place the bulb in a sunny location indoors where it can start the growing process again.

Last spring I planted several amaryllis bulbs outside. Some bloomed again in their new setting during the summer. Since the winter is fairly mild and short here in Western North Carolina, I plan to keep these bulbs outside this winter to see how they do. If our winter is mild this year, they might survive with a layer of mulch to protect them.

I have had impressive results with theses types of amaryllis: Monaco, Candy Floss, Marilyn, Apple Blossom, Picotee, and Red Lion. Long after my outdoor plants have died for the season, I always look forward to colorful amaryllis blooms. The sight of these large flowers on a cold, dreary day is uplifting throughout the winter months.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

November in the Mountains

The month of November fascinates me. It is the time of transition from fall to winter, revealing hints of what is to come with cold nights and a barren landscape, but also showing us the best of fall with warm Indian summer days. I enjoy that duality. The mountains of Western North Carolina are majestic in November. The sun sits low on the horizon, casting dramatic shadows on the mountains from the clouds above.

November comes from the Latin novem, meaning "nine," because it was the ninth month in the Roman calendar. Later, as the Julian and Gregorian calendars added January and February, November retained its name even though it became the eleventh month. November has also been known as the time of the "Snow Moon" and the "Moon of the Falling Leaves."

The Killing Frost in November

In November, my garden beds are almost bare except for plants like Rainbow Chard that enjoy the cold. A killing frost usually occurs in late October or early November. Many plants in my garden bear the brunt of this frost. Annuals such as sunpatiens, zinnias and tithonias, which have the most colorful flowers, turn brown overnight. These plants are my pride and joy, as I have nurtured them from early spring. In one night their season ends abruptly. It is always a shock when this happens, even though I have experienced this before. Once these plants die I cut them down and gather them for the compost pile. Accepting that this will happen helps me appreciate their short, vibrant season each spring and summer.

Weeding continues in the fall, but at this point most of the autumn chores are done. After the intense colors of October, the subdued landscape of November is alluring. There is a mystery in the air as winter and its accompanying darkness approach. Shadows lengthen and the late afternoon light becomes dramatic. This is the time to slow down and contemplate our lives and our own mysteries.

A Fleeting Autumn Landscape

Like the trees and the earth, we are also changing and moving toward our next season. November is symbolic of our progression. The fleeting autumn landscape, with dying plants and bare branches, reminds us to let go of the things we love, starting with the plants we have nurtured for months. I accept this impermanence as winter comes to the mountains.

Nature is a great teacher, showing us the stages of life. November unfolds as the month of beauty and loss, splendor and decay. The light fades and darkness dominates as the days become shorter. Yet we can find light in this season, knowing that the cycle of growth will resume in the spring. Gardeners in particular have faith in this because plants have spread their seeds and perennials will rise again as they always do.

Although the dying time, it is also the color time, the time when faith in the steadfastness of nature is surest... The seeds all have summer in them, some of them thousands of summers. — John Muir

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily.

Tending to Daily Garden Chores

Now that fall has begun, I have been reflecting on this year's growing season. One thing I learned is that daily garden chores matter. Weeding, pruning overgrown plants, cleaning out beds, watering when conditions are dry—the list goes on and on. All of these chores add up to a garden that is tended to and functioning well.

By October every year, I start to dismantle my garden to prepare for winter. I remove dead plants from their beds and put them into the compost bin. I cut back perennials such as peonies and hostas to remove the dead foliage. Fall is also the time for me to consider what plants did well during the growing season and make notes about them in my journal. Then I plant bulbs, such as daffodils, for next spring. Each season has its own chores to prepare for the upcoming season.

The Cycle of Garden Chores

I first learned about the cycle of garden chores when I had a plot in a community garden several years ago. During my time there, I saw varying results. One woman in particular started in the spring with great energy and attention, but after a short time, she lost interest. By August, she was not visiting her plot and her mature vegetables began to rot because she wasn't picking them.

Other gardeners paid meticulous attention to their plots with thoughtfully planned rows and handsome plants that they carefully watered. Over the summer these gardeners harvested abundant flowers and vegetables because they were there consistently tending to their plants. These plots were a pleasure to see.

This past summer I was away on vacation for eleven days, but after this short period of time I returned to see tremendous changes in my yard. The weeds had taken over in every area. I never knew that crabgrass could get so big, but there it was, sprawling everywhere! Tomato plants that were beginning to get tall when I left were enormous and tipping over their cages with the weight of the green tomatoes and foliage. Some sunflowers were bent over, in need of staking, because they had grown so much.

The Right Tools for the Job

As I worked on the garden after my vacation, I realized that I work at many garden chores almost every day throughout the year without much effort. It takes only a few minutes to weed one small area or to pick squashes that are ripe. On a dry day, it might take twenty minutes to pick up the hose or watering can and water some plants. For these chores, I rely on my garden tools, gloves and sturdy boots. Having the right tool for the job is essential in order to work quickly and effectively.

Successful gardening amounts to paying attention and following through with what needs to be done at any one time. Whatever we put our attention on will flourish, and a flourishing garden can give us much enjoyment.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!

Sunflower Delight

I find comfort in contemplating the sunflowers. - Vincent van Gogh

The sunflower is one of my favorite flowers. Known as Helianthus, this name is derived from the Greek word helios, meaning sun, and anthos, meaning flower. Every year I grow a variety of sunflowers. They are fascinating plants with their cheerful faces and many shapes and colors that delight people all over the world.

I enjoy watching the sunflowers grow and mature, reaching for the sky. As they create buds, they produce spiky green leaves called bracts that appear on the edge of the flower head. Slowly the petals of the flower open in the warm sun. Once the petals are open, they cover the bracts from the front. Then the flower show begins and it can last through August and into September.

Sunflowers are Inspirational

The story you learned as a child, that sunflowers follow the sun all day is true, but only for the young plants. Once the flower blooms, the plant will only face east. Because young sunflowers follow the sun, many cultures see them as symbolic of loyalty, faith, and spirituality. Also many people find the way that they stand tall and upright inspirational.

A few years ago I decided to collect seeds from a variety of sunflowers to experiment with different heights, colors, and size of bloom. Look at any garden catalog and you will get a sense of the great variety that is available. Their are many choices, from compact, smaller sunflowers to ones that grow over ten feet tall. Before you buy, be sure to read the seed packet carefully to understand how high a particular sunflower can grow.

Many Types of Sunflowers

I like to try different sizes, especially the tall varieties. The dilemma is choosing which ones to plant and where to plant them so they won't cast shade on other plants that need sun. As I discovered last summer, some sunflowers are extremely tall and tower over me. Last year, I measured my Heirloom Mammoth Greystripe sunflower after I took it down at the end of the growing season. I laid it on the ground and took out my tape measure. It was twelve feet tall! Another impressive sunflower is the Heirloom Titan, which I also grew to a measured height of twelve feet. With such tall plants, at some point I have to stake them for extra support.

A sunflower that was new for me last summer was the Shock-O-Lat, named because of its chocolate-colored petals with a striking thin yellow ring around the dark center. I loved this unusual looking sunflower. It grew six feet tall and produced abundant blooms for weeks.

In recent years I have become aware of the pollinators for my sunflowers. Scientists know that bees can see various colors, including including blue-green, violet and reddish colors such as yellow and orange. With their vivid colors, sunflowers attract honey bees, wild bees and hover flies, in addition to birds and butterflies. Bees are attracted to the warm, flat surface of sunflower’s center.

Sunflowers are important plants for the environment, offering food for insects and birds. All you need is an area in full sun and a little care to enjoy these stunning plants all summer.

This article appears in The Laurel of Asheville. Follow @TheObservantGardener on Instagram to see new garden photos daily!