BY SKEETER
I have a new love here in my GEORGIA GARDENS! Not this cute kitty but rather the pink bush in the background. This photo was snapped on March 10 and the bush was already full of blooms. I did not take a photo of the bush beginning to bloom as I was paying more attention to the Daffy Explosion in the gardens.
Here is a photo of a smaller bush I have next to the larger one. This photo was snapped on January 3. We had a very mild winter so this bloom time is not normal.
I added Loropetalum or Fringe Bush as I like to call it, a few years ago. I discovered them while in Macon, GA enjoying the Cherry Blossom Festival. Click HERE if you would like to see that beautiful posting.
I just love the little fringe blooms of this bush.
Our area is full of these hardy bushes and this year has been a great Spring for them. They are glowing all over town. This one was really filling in by this photo snapped on March 14.
Here you see the smaller one up front and the larger one in the back. I am so happy with these that I will be adding more as I find them on sale. The small one in the front is the one I showed in full bloom in the second photo. However, this photo was snapped March 16. Yep, that little bush was on its second blooming cycle for this year! Crazy Winter and Spring for us here in GA.
Fringe Bush is native to China, Japan and South east Asia and is in the Witch Hazel family. March 16 and she was at her full peak bloom.
By March 24, she was starting to drop some blooms as others were still opening.
The Crabapple tree was in full bloom at the same time, making for a beautiful sight out my sunroom windows as I sip coffee each morning.
Just beyond the larger bush you can see a tiny plant. Yep, another Fringe bush. You can also see the Magnolia which is in topiary form thanks to a rutting Buck Deer.
This photo was snapped March 30 and even though many of the blooms have fallen to the ground, there remains plenty of color to enjoy for days to come. This bush is awesome and I have enjoyed those blooms for over a month on the larger bush and since Jan with the smaller one. I know with a warm Winter this is not normal but this bush has blooms for a month if not longer in its normal state. All I do for it is keep the deer away!
I see them in landscapes trimmed round or square shaped. I just do not understand why people trim them and azaleas in that form as they were not meant to be trimmed as such!
I planted 4 on the hillside by the driveway but they all died. I was not surprised as the area was saturated with water when planted. They seem to be okay in a saturated area once established though as this area is pretty moist during high periods of rain. And we have seen the rain since last August in our gardens. I will go with another type plant where the others died as I will not risk loosing these again.
I also have a red Fringe which is making a come back. It was thriving until last year when a deer got to it and a squirrel broke off the main branches. I gave it a good pruning and she is hanging in there. Maybe by next year, I will have some good news to report of the Red Fringe Bush. Until then, I shall continue to enjoy this long blooming LOROPETALUM (FRINGE BUSH), In the Garden...
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden
I was given a loropetalum to try by the Southern Living plant people. When I read about the zone needs I knew it was in trouble. I gave it the warmest most protected spot in my garden and it didn't survive. I like the color of the leaves as well as the blooms. It is just a great plant. I wish I could grow it. Those darned deer. I am lucky they haven't ever bothered my garden. I have only seen them in the neighborhood one time. Once is enough. Happy Spring.
ReplyDeleteI meant to put the zone within this posting but forgot. Duh... They love it here and this one has been under snow and ice and survived but the snow and ice only last a few hours in our neck of the woods. I love the deer so do not get too mad at them when they nibble. After all, they were here before we were and I knew about them when planting on that side of the yard. Love my critters....
DeleteThey are really spectacular and pretty. A nice match with the crabapple too. Love them! I have one fringe bush in my old garden and it is hanging on but we are on the northern edge of their hardiness range so sometimes they get zapped. I'm trying to think of a shrub that does okay with no drainage along the driveway. All I can think of is sweet bay magnolias but they are more like large shrubs or trees. I know what would work! I think leatherwood, aka Dirca palustris. They grow along stream banks and are really beautiful and native. They have a limited range they grow but they would grow down there no problem. A specialty plant tho. Check them out. I just planted one by my pond. The other shrub that likes it wet is zenobia. Remember them at Biltmore? They were in full bloom and very lovely. I just planted one also by the pond.
ReplyDeleteLove that Zenobia and may have to hunt some down. I mostly get my goodies at McCorkles, Lowes or Wal-Mart so may have to go outside my normal places to find it. The Saint wants to plant a couple of Bald Cypress over there. They would do well with moisture or drought conditions so I may go that route...
DeleteLove it but being in city there isn't enough room.
ReplyDelete