The Viburnum Collection

The process of moving a large garden to another location is a big and complicated process. Sometimes I just want to throw up my hands and give up but still I continue on with the garden move. The reason I do so is because while it may be easier to buy all new plants, I just can't do it. I don't want to start all over brand new because I have nurtured all of these little plants here in my garden for years and now they are big plants. I want to continue to see them grow and mature--in my new garden. Plus, I want to start with a large, and mature garden. Moving my existing plants, the ones that I can reasonably think will make the move, is the only logical solution for me.

Today we shall talk about the new viburnum garden. I call the new garden the 'Viburnum Collection'. It is the only area that is completely visible to the public because our main living area is about 300' feet off from a dirt road behind trees. You cannot see into the main area of the garden from the road, but some of the driveway garden area will be visible at some point. So right now the viburnum collection is the face of my new garden.

I came up with the idea several months ago while Farmer Fix-it and I were evaluating our site for clearing and building. We happen to have an area on our property that borders a road that the county has a right of way on, even though the road is technically our property. Along the road are some power lines that were, at one time, cleared beneath. When we purchased the land the area was not cleared. We had to bushog and remove a great deal of trees and weeds from this area. Once bushogging was complete we had to box blade to level the area. I don't have any pictures of the overgrown area but do have a picture showing it cleared and box bladed to level it out. This work was completed on June 16, 2013. I won't bore you with the photo because it is not much different than the one below. Just take away the shrubs and cannas and there you have it.

The area is about 200' long by 40' wide (from the woods to the road). The county has a right of way 20' feet from the centerline of the small road you see here. As such that took about 10' from the grassy area. This is where I started the garden. Since the area slopes slightly to the road then levels out under the power lines, I thought I'd plant some old fashioned daylilies on the edge of the hill. There are two types planted here. The shorter ditch lilies are closest to the road, while the double version 'Kwanza' daylilies are planted right behind the old fashioned daylilies. These form somewhat of a border and start the level area. They should make a grand statement next summer. There are also daffodil bulbs planted in and amongst the daylilies for added early spring color.

I decided to plant the viburnums in this area for several reasons. The most important being the space. There is more than enough space for all of my viburnums to grow here comfortably. Also, the light is perfect (full to part sun), the pH is acidic, and the soil is fairly good. The area still has tree roots, weeds, and rocks but for the most part it is perfect for the viburnums; which aren't really picky about soil. Once the viburnums are established I should not have to water them. Watering will be done by hand if needed. Another consideration is that the viburnums will never get tall enough to interfere with the power lines and I can easily maintain this area by mowing once or twice a month. At first I considered finding a spot for the viburnums in our main living area (field), but due to the varied amount of viburnums I just didn't see how I could fit all the shrubs into a partly finished landscape and make them look good. Plus, I am anxious to get as many shrubs and trees moved as soon as possible. Hence, the public area and a new viburnum collection.

With all of the rain we've received this summer I felt fairly confident I could plant the viburnums here. I dug several viburnums at one time, always after a rain, and transported them to this location for planting. I love viburnums and find their genus to be so diverse and wonderful in so many aspects that I had begun collecting viburnums several years ago. Viburnums are easy to grow, grow quickly, bloom wonderfully, have good fall color, fragrant flowers, and sometimes they even get berries. 

In order to get berries you usually need more than one cultivar of the same type of viburnum. For instance, 'Count Pulaski' is a Viburnum nudum type viburnum so I would need to have another nudum viburnum close by. In my case I have used 'Winterthur' V. nudum as a counterpart to 'Count Pulaski'. Some viburnums are self fertile but most aren't, or at least they have improved berry production when there is more than one kind planted close by. The pollination thing has really confused me so I tend to just grab a lot of viburnums and try to get at least two in the same group. That may be how I wound up with eighteen different types of viburnums. I am not sure if I will be able to take them all with me but I have a good start on moving the collection. So far fourteen cultivars have been planted in this area under the power lines.

All of the viburnums are labeled with their type and cultivar with my long lasting homemade plant labels. They are arranged in a manner that I think will be pleasing to me. I also tried to space them according to my knowledge of how big they will get. Some viburnums are quite small staying around 3-4'x3-4' while others can grow as large as 12'x12'. The viburnums are spaced 10-13' feet apart on center. The kinds already planted include: 'All that Glitters' (V. bracteatum), 'All that Glows' (V. bracteatum), 'Summer Snowflake' (V. plicatum) (also blooming in the first picture), 'Reiflers Dwarf' (V. obovatum), 'Emerald Triumph' (cross between V.x rhytidophylloides 'Allegheny and V.burejaeticum), 'Downy' (V.  rafinesqueanum), 'Conoy' (V. x burkwoodii), 'Mohawk' (V. x burkwoodii), 'Winterthur' (V. nudum), 'Count Pulaski' (V. nudum), 'Autumn Jazz' (V. dentatum), 'Leatherleaf' (V. x rhytidophylloides), and 'Allegheny' (V. x rhytidophylloides). 

Still to go include: 'Doublefile Viburnum (V. plicatum var. tomentosum), Japanese Snowball bush (V.
plicatum var. tomentosum), 'Mount Airy' (V. dilatum), 'Blackhaw' (V. prunifolium). I am not sure if I am going to be able to take all of these due to the fact that some have gotten really big and I have had difficulty digging them up. Namely, the Blackhaw viburnum is being extremely stubborn and the Mt. Airy is really way too big to move. I may be able to split off a piece but I am not sure.

Two of the newest viburnums in the collection, though not the newest planted ones, are 'All that Glows' and 'All that Glitters' bracted viburnums (V. bracteatum). These two cultivars are pollinators for each other and were trial plants from Proven Winners this June.  As soon as I received the plants and had the viburnum collection area ready, these two small viburnums were planted. They survived all summer long with little to no care from me. I must say I am quite happy with these two viburnums. The foliage is quite shiny though you can't tell it from my picture. This time of the year everything starts to look a bit weary. And, as promised by the label on the plant, these two viburnums have not been bothered by the deer. I am ever so happy about that because deer and rabbits and other varmints are a new to me garden hazard that I am having to adjust to. So far none of the viburnums have been browsed and all have adjusted well to their new home. This includes some shrubs that are over five feet tall. I have no qualms in saying viburnums are fairly easy to transplant, unlike some other shrubs I have already moved. The only viburnum that has had trouble has been the Downy Viburnum (Viburnum rafinesqueanum), but I think it will recover with time....

in the garden....

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

Scheider Garden Part IV

We will finish up Paul and Dot's garden today. It was a long tour but there was just so much to see. Pictures sometimes do not convey the feel of a garden. Though I sure wish they could since you know the old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." I wonder where that saying came from because with garden blogging it does not seem to work that way. 

Can you see the metal artwork hanging in a tree? It is red and looks somewhat like a ship Christopher Columbus would have sailed.

This artwork was one of my favorites. It is an orb filled with what looks like broken windshield glass. It was a beauty. The glass almost looks like gems.

I took this picture to show one of my favorite conifers. This is a Japanese cedar. It is called 'Yoshino', Cryptomeria japonica. I plan to plant one on the new land once the house is built. In the meantime Paul was very kind to give me a seedling Japanese plume cedar. I am very, VERY excited about it.

This was a nicely colored bottle tree made from rebar.

Farmer Fix-it, aka the driver on this day, enjoyed the garden tour and making new friends. He was quite impressed with Paul's garden, though I think his garden style leans more towards the formal. The artwork throughout the whole garden was really something we both liked a whole lot.

This bamboo sculpture reminded me of a teepee.

This abstract art was quite interesting and made a large presence in the garden.

How about a hanging urn with its own bowling ball? What a great idea!

A garden shed fit right into the shade garden. The rock wall and textures Paul used in this area were very interesting and looked great. Considering this tour took place in mid-September when most plants are on their way out I was quite impressed with all of the happy plants in Paul's garden.

Another great piece made from old tree limbs. As many trees and limbs we are cutting on the property I think I should get going on doing something like this too!

Finally, a rock cairn. I've always loved these but have never had enough rocks or creativity to come up with one for my garden. That is changing. Our land has TONS of rocks, mainly in the form of red chert but I think I may be able to find a few large rocks with which I can create a cairn on the property. Look for that to be an upcoming project. 

I hope you enjoyed my views of Paul and Dot's garden in Portland Tennessee. I took 157 photos and have only published about 40 on these four blog posts. The garden was truly a work of art....

in the garden....

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

Georgia Wild Flowers

BY SKEETER

Here are some "New to Me" wildflowers along our creek here in my GEORGIA GARDENS. This is a rain run-off creek rather than a constant running stream. Although, the creek ran all Summer long this year with plenty of rain falls. I normally tend to this area with a weed trimmer keeping the weeds at bay. With all the rains, I neglected this area and assume my neglect is why I am spotting flowers when never before.  

The creek bed was over grown and very weedy and this past month, we have had little rain so time to get the weeds in check. While weed trimming, I spotted several of these beautiful plants. I believe them to be some type of Lobelia. Within days of snapping this photo, I noticed the deer ate the leaves.

I really do like this flower and will try my best to not cut it in the coming year. I must mark the spots so as to not mistake it for a weed. Or is this an Annual plant instead of a Perennial? Hum, more research needed. 



The Creek Bed is full of this pest. I call this a pest as it finds its way into my gardens. It grows quickly and takes over in no time at all. A bit of research tells me this plant is Lady's Thumb. 

I do enjoy its small pink flowers but it just gets so out of control every time I attempt to let it grow. I tell you, the entire creek bed is full of this stuff!

This plant must be in the Joe Pye Weed family. But exactly which one, is a mystery to me.

But I have spotted many of these growing along the creek bed.

The Bees enjoy it so again, I must mark the areas where this one is happily growing. Times such as this, I wish for a Green House to over winter such finds.

I am not sure what this plant could be. I have researched it for over an hour with no luck. I find things similar but not exactly as the one pictured.

I spotted a couple of them and really do like their tiny fringe type blooms. Any one know this plant? 

Trillium or is this Ginger? Click HERE to see what you think. Seeing the flower would be the answer to this question but since it is located near the Creek and in the woods, well, I am rarely in that area so fail to see it bloom. I shall try to keep an eye on it next spring. 

I have seen this plant before so it has been here for a while. I have just never really paid it much attention until now as I am seeing it pop up in many places. I assumed some type of Fern but not sure. Look at the shoot/bloom of this plant.

Such an odd thing yet intriguing to me.

One of the blooms was white while all the others I spotted were the lime green as you see in the previous photo. I have researched this one with no luck so am hoping that one of you may know something about this neat GEORGIA WILD FLOWER, In the Garden...

I attended the McCorkles GPS (Giant Plant Sale) this past weekend! I was good and only came home with 2 Loropetalums (Fringe Plant), Abelia Rose Creek and 5 different types of Heuchera (Coral Bells) for a total of $30.00. I had a great time helping a family member gather their selections to total about $600.00! And ever so happy to not have to dig holes for that trailer full of plants!  Ha.. 



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

Schneider Garden Part III

As we continue around Paul and Dot's very large and beautifully maintained art and plant garden we come upon another sculpture using trees. It is quite an artful poise of the big pieces of a tree trunk don't you think?

Back behind the house there was a beautiful patio with a neat staircase surrounded by tons of touchable and architectural plants and sculptures. The above picture is of a spikey thing (Opuntia sp) and a soft thing ( the crytomeria and spruce?). The sunlight reflected off from the vignette nicely.

Paul is known for his collections. He has several collections but one that is extra special is those of his plants that need really good drainage. To ensure the good drainage Paul made several hypertufa pots. And wow on the pots! Some were really REALLY large. I can't even imagine the work it took to make all the pots, then to fill them with soil and plant. Ouch on planting cacti! I hope Paul wears gloves.

Here is that lovely staircase I was talking about. As you come around the left side of the home you encounter this easily traversed staircase up to a raised patio. I just loved the sculpture on the left. How clever is it? Just paint some pots, and stack them with some cement rounds and there you have it!

Stepping back from the patio and staircase we see a long view of the area. Again, this area is raised and was surrounded by many specimen plants.

Here is another scree garden (raised bed with good sharp draining soil or mixture of rocks) complete with a beautiful egg like sculpture. The colors are some of my favorite colors-RED/WHITE AND BLUE!

And here is Paul himself. Paul is a fun loving guy who is most passionate about gardening and loves to share it all with others. This trait is priceless for folks like me who like to learn from experts in their fields. There are many great gardeners out there who don't share a thing:( Paul is not one of them. The fun loving comes in with the beer in the hand. I took several pictures of Paul and when I told him the one I selected showed him with a beer in his hand, he said "Good!" If the truth were told though, I could not get a shot of him without a beer in his hand:)

Since Paul grows a lot of bamboo in his garden you can expect it to be the subject of some sculptures and garden art such as this fanciful arrangement in a barrel painted blue.

This sculpture is one of several metal sculptures and I think a departure from the majority of Paul's sculptures that I have shown in that does not contain a natural element from the garden, such as tree branches or stone. It is a very large sculpture and I loved it. It is hard to see it with the background but in person it is quite a presence....

in the garden....

There is one more post showcasing Paul and Dot's garden so come back Wednesday to be sure to check it out. I think I even have a picture of my 'driver' (the 'Mr. Tina' as some folks call him) in that post....

in the garden....

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

The Schneider Garden Part II

We shall continue our tour of Paul and Dot's wonderful garden with some views of a colorful blue bottle tree.

This tree was at one time a growing toothache tree, also sometimes called the prickly ash tree. This tree was killed by voles. Voles kill a lot of trees and are awful garden pests. Just had to add that part. Once the tree died Paul painted it and left it as a sculpture in the garden. It is festooned with flags, which you will see two pictures down.

Bamboo is the word of the day in the garden. There were several types of bamboos growing here in their own special little mini forests. It was astounding just how dense the shade was under the bamboo.

Here is a long shot of the toothache tree and blue bottle tree.

This shot shows a few of the bamboo forests. There were large comfortable paths through the forests.

Once you come out on the other side of the path you run into a garden that was delightfully edged with large wine bottles and which contained the other bowling ball pyramid. Looking at the below picture you can see the long shot of the wine bottle edged garden.

Of course you must first get past the blue hanging tree.

In a back corner there was a very neat garden shed/solar greenhouse. This greenhouse was awesome!

It came complete with a heater, shelves, a fan, and a gravel floor. I can see it being a delightful place to hang out on a cold sunny winter day because of all the many plants Paul stores in it....

in the garden....

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

A Visit to a Special Garden in Portland Tennessee: The Schneider Garden

 Driveway leading you to the house.
Boy do I have a treat for readers of this blog! A wonderful garden tour in the garden of both an artist, and a plant collector. The combination is quite a unique combination and can, at times, become overwhelming. Then at other times (such as this one), can be so amazing you just want to take 157 pictures and try to post them all. Yup, that is what I did this past Saturday when Farmer Fix-it and I traveled all the way from our northwest Middle Tennessee home to Portland Tennessee. The trip was worth it as the day was wonderfully cool with bright sunshine, and the company found at Paul and Dot Schneider's garden was even better!

 The plantings alongside a busy highway.
Being a member of the Perennial Plant Society of Middle Tennessee (PPSMT) has its benefits. I have been a member of this wonderful society for about eight years now and not only am I a member, I am the editor of the quarterly ten page newsletter, administrator of their FaceBook page, and have even been privileged to speak to this esteemed plant society just this past year! Speaking to them was never ever on my agenda and wow, was I honored because sometimes local plant people can wait ten years to speak to our group! Another little known benefit of being a member of the PPSMT is the fact that we members get the opportunity to tour fabulous gardens in the Middle Tennessee area. I must confess, this was only my second garden tour and I know I miss an awful lot of great garden tours. I really wish I could see them all but the travel time and distance is a bit much for me. 

A xeric garden with specimen plants growing in scree. 
 It just so happened that I have known Paul for several years having met him at the PPSMT meetings. Paul is a plant collector of several kinds of plants. Included in his collection are: xeric plants, conifers, and bamboo! You shall see some of them in this post and the following three posts I have prepared to showcase this garden. So, Farmer Fix-it and I took the day off from working on our land to go on a date day-garden touring! We had an awesome day too. Many thanks to Paul and Dot for opening their home and garden to the members of the PPSMT. And as a side note, many thanks to all people who open their gardens to tours. This is not always an easy or desirable thing to do and takes a lot of work!

A very unique feature of Paul and Dot's garden is the number of sculptures throughout the garden. Sculptures start right outside along the roadside and lead on up to the house and all around the house. Sculptures are made from not only natural elements such as the above rock sculpture, but from many man made items. It is clear Paul has a great eye for art and beauty.

This particular sculpture contains no less than 92 bowling balls! It was one of two bowling ball pyramids to be found in this garden. You'll see the other one in a later post. These pictures are in no particular order--they were mainly uploaded as we saw the views in the garden. I like to think I could be organized and group pictures of sculptures together in one post, the bamboo in another, and so on, but there were just so many things to see and so many pictures to sort that I gave up sorting photographs.

Here is another bowling ball sculpture. Note the natural and man made elements in this joining of earth, wood, and stone.

Yet another beautiful sculpture. The artwork in this garden was SO amazing! It was amazing not only for its beauty but for how it all fit into the garden. The artwork was one with the garden. This is a rare thing in many gardens where artwork can overwhelm a garden. Not so in the Schneider garden. 

Earth, wood, and stone again. How cool is this?? The brilliant use of the dead trees on the property was quite clever. It was almost as if Paul had planned it all out ahead of time.

I had to show the winterberries. Everyone was taken with these and I asked Farmer Fix-it what they were. That is another note, most all of the plants were labeled in an easy to read fashion. Farmer Fix-it (the non gardener) said holly. How smart was he? This was before he looked at the sign and let me tell you, knowing any plants was a change for Farmer Fix-it. This particular winterberry was 'Red Sprite' with a pollinator of 'Jim Dandy' in the center of the grouping. It was a brilliant display.

We finish up this post with another tree trunk that is sprouting some plant pots containing some unique specimens. Paul and Dot's garden is a mixture of sun and shade. Can you see the large windmill palm in the background to the right? This fella likes the sun and is in a sheltered spot on the southern side of the house. It is quite a large specimen for a palm--in Middle Tennessee!

There are three more posts on this wonderful garden so come on back and check them out!

in the garden....

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