5 MUST HAVE’S TO PLANT THIS FALL
Vaccinum ‘Bountiful Blue’ (Blueberry)
This plant has so many cool attributes I don’t even know where to start! In the spring it explodes with white flowers that cover the entire plant, pollinating all of your other blueberries bushes and taking in enough for itself from others at the same time to create what comes next: FRUIT!!! Handfuls and baskets full and barrels full of sweet, juicy, out of this world healthy blueberries. Considered a super food, blueberries are filled with anti-aging and cancer fighting antioxidants. But wait, it gets better. ‘Bountiful Blue’ should not just be thought of as fruit producing scrub shrub. This beauty is dense and evergreen, yes an evergreen blueberry…with BLUE foliage! But only for 9 months or so, because the other 3 months during the winter it takes on hints of red, plum and pink hues. And it maxes out around 4’ x 4’. So it will fit in many areas of your landscape or in a pot on your patio or deck. Give it full to partial sun, water every now and then, a lil bit of Billy’s organic goodness and watch the magic happen.
Rosa OSO EASY ‘Paprika’ (Rose)
Vaccinum ‘Bountiful Blue’ (Blueberry)
Ahhh, the ever elusive easy care rose. So many of us shy away from roses based on the idea that they are just too hard to grow. Spraying, feeding, pruning, spraying, cleaning, and spraying again. Whew, Im tired just from thinking about it. Well let me introduce you to a care free, no fuss rock star rose….’Paprika’. Its all in the name and it truly is OSO EASY!!! This new Proven Winners selection lives up to the hype for sure. Low maintenance with a compact habit and ground hugging form, disease resistant and as floriferous as any rose on the market today. The colors this flowering shrub produces will knock your socks off. Tones of spicy orange, coral, yellow and gold all at the same time. Plant anywhere you have full sun and some good dirt prepared. Roses are heavy feeders so don’t be scared! Just get out there and give ‘em what they want. I prefer Organic Plant Heath’s Bloom ‘n Evergreen 3 times per year, early spring, early summer and late summer.
Nandina domestica ‘Murasaki’ (Flirt Nandina)
Don’t be a flirt! Well I guess in this case it’ll be alright. ‘Flirt’ is the newest and most colorful Southern Living introduction of nandina yet. Stunning deep red new growth adorns this lacey, almost fern-like evergreen shrub throughout the year. In the winter ‘Flirt’ takes on more of a purple tone layered with dark green leaves and red berries for the birds. Low growing, tidy and tough as nails. When planted in masses or a sweeping border, ‘Flirt’ resembles groundcover bamboo. And if you are into the Japanese garden look as I am, this is a great attribute. So go ahead, get your ‘Flirt’ on yo!
Camellia sasanqua ‘Marge Miller’ (Trailing Camellia)
The one and only weeping form of camellia, ‘Marge Miller’, and it is a show stopper for sure! Beautiful, double soft pink flowers are starting to crack color right now. And will continue to do so through December. When staked or tree formed ‘Marge Miller’ will trail all the way back to the ground in no time making this selection of camellia great for containers and a very unique specimen choice for the garden. Weeping plants are good for giving your landscape variation and that ‘it‘ factor we’re all looking for. ‘Marge Miller’ certainly will be that if placed properly in part sun and planted in organic rich, fertile soil. And when you come to The Gardens of Blackhawk to pick one up, tell ‘em Large Marge sent ya!!!….uh…you know…Large Marge…Pee Wee Herman…never mind.
Abies pinsapo ‘Aurea’ (Golden Spanish Fir)
I am conifer crazy yes, but this one took me over the edge. The golden Spanish fir could quite possibly be the most colorful and interesting conifer on the planet. When I first saw it I thought, there’s no way this is going to survive in Charlotte North Carolina, as most firs will not stand our heat. But my desire to rule this beautiful specimen out for the garden center so I would not lust over it one second more led me to research it tirelessly. After many sleepless nights and countless hours on the computer and on the phone with growers and botanical gardens all over the country and beyond, I came to the astounding conclusion that YES! This zone 8 hardy fir will take the brutally hot and humid summers of the piedmont when placed in the proper locale. I am currently scoping a spot at the nursery to plant one of these amazing wonders of nature in our display beds. The placement of this Spanish fir called ‘Aurea’ should be in dappled shade or morning to midday sun only. Its bright, stiff blue needles dusted with yellow and gold will burn in afternoon sun during the summer months almost anywhere in the country. A brightly colored conifer for the shade, who knew! This baby should be planted in the best soil you can buy, I will be using Billy’s Organic Planting Mix or BOPM as we call it and getting it started with Urban Roots in the hole before planting, which is fluffed with organic compounds and beneficial fungus’ and microorganisms to boot. Then drenching it with compost tea that we brew daily here at the garden center once per week. I know all that sounds really complicated but its not. And if you want a beautiful landscape you can be proud of it does take some knowledge and understanding of what you’re dealing with. So do your research, figure out your space and what you want, come to The Gardens of Blackhawk and let us help you get started!
