GIFTS FOR GARDENERS

Looking for something for your favorite gardener in the Greenville area?  Why not gift tickets to this event?

MASTER GARDENERS CELEBRATE

As we closed out another year of working together, learning together, and laughing together, we enjoyed a small feast of culinary creations.  Yes, we cook, too!  In addition, we collected food items for the Food Bank and the Pet Food Pantry.  We all look forward to 2020 and implementing new ways and ideas with our new agent, Hannah.  Stay tuned.

Photos by J. Torres, C. Taylor, J. Weber

WHAT'S IN BLOOM

The deciduous trees and shrubs have shed their leaves (except for our Quercus texana (Nuttall Oak) in the Mixed Border which hangs on to it brown leaves longer).  However, there are still a lot of colorful plants to see.  Below are some samples from this week:

Top Row:
1.  Camellia sasanqua from the Ag Center Front Entrance
2.  Osmanthus heterophyllus (Holly Tea Olive) from Wet Sites Garden
3.  Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) from Wet Sites Garden
4.  Aucuba japonica variegata (Gold Dust Plant) from Shade Garden
5.  Crytomium falcatum (Japanese Holly Fern) from Perennial Garden
Bottom Row:
6.  Symphotrichum novi-belgii 'Alert' (New York Aster) from Perennial Garden
7.  Ilex vomitoria 'Pendula' (Weeping Yaupon Holly) from Mixed Border
8.  Rosemarinus officinalis (Rosemary) from Butterfly Garden
9.  Tsuga canadensis (Eastern or Canadian Hemlock) from the CPP Area
10.  Ilex cornuta 'Dwarf Burfordii' (Dwarf Burford Holly) from the CPP Area

Photos by C. Christian

WREATH WORKSHOP WORKS OF ART

Thank you to everyone who participated in our annual wreath workshop.   Everyone always leaves with big smiles as they proudly show off their creations.  Here are some photos. 

DECEMBER IN THE GARDENS

Here are two plants that are especially attractive this time of year.  Click the plant name for more info about them.

Ilex verticillata 'Sparkleberry' Holly

Eriobotrya japonica (Loquat)

Photos by C. Christian

MORE LATE NOVEMBER PLANTS OF INTEREST

If you are looking for a quiet place to take a stroll and/or gather ideas for your own gardens, come out to the Arboretum during the long Thanksgiving weekend.  Start under the Green Shelter in front of the Ag Center.  View the large map and pick up a reprint from the box underneath.  Here you will also see the display of a 10 plants of interest and where they are located in the Arboretum.

This is our display this week:

FROM THE CPP AREA:

1.  Euonymus japonicus 'Microphyllus'

FROM THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN:

2.  Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)

ALL REMAINING PLANTS FROM THE CPP Area

3.  Ilex cornuta (Chinese Holly)

4.  Ilex attenuata 'East Palatka' (Native Holly)

5.  Halesia tetraptera (Carolina Silverbell)

6.  Viburnum awabuki 'Chindo'

7.  Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese Privet)

8.  Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific' (Shore Juniper)

9.  Ilex vomitoria 'Pendula' (Weeping Yaupon Holly)

10.  Fatshedera lizei (Tree Ivy)

Photos by J. Margeson

WHAT'S IN BLOOM Mid-November

There are still a lot of plants of interest to see at the Arboretum.  It is really a 4 season place to visit.  Here are some selections this week:

From the BUTTERFLY GARDEN

1.  Ilex serrata x verticillata 'Sparkleberry' (Winterberry Holly)

2.  Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)

From the CPP GARDEN

3.  Ilex cornuta 'Needlepoint' (Chinese Holly)

4.  Nandina domestica 'Firepower'

5.  Ilex x attenuata 'Savannah' (Holly)

6.  Ilex opaca (American Holly)

7.  Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese Privet)

From the HERB GARDEN

8.  Tagetes lucida (Mexican Tarragon)

From the MIXED BORDER

9.  Ilex vomitoria 'Pendula' (Weeping Yaupon Holly)

From the SHADE GARDEN

10.  Aucuba japonica 'Variegeta' (Gold Dust Plant)

Photos by C. Christian

WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP

WHAT'S IN BLOOM

A few plants can withstand a brief cold snap and keep their bloom at the Arboretum.  Here are some you will find.

From Auditorium Containers:

1.  Centaurea cineraria (Dusty Miller)

2.  Calibrachoa 'Superbells Evening Star'

From Butterfly Garden:

3.  Ligularia tussilanginea (Leopard Plant)

From Perennial Border:

4.  Perovski atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)

5.  Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips' (Little Leaf Sage)

6.  Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)

7.  Salvia guaranitica 'Sapphire Blue'

From Mixed Border:

8.  Ilex vomitoria pendula (Weeping Yaupon Holly)

From Front Ag Center:

9.  Camellia sasanqua

From Landscape for Wet Sites:

10.  Osmanthus heterophyllus (Holly Tea Olive)

Photos by J. Margeson

HARDY MUMS

These Chrysanthemum 'Hillside Sheffield Pink' are hardy, old-fashioned mums.  They are always a showstopper in the fall at the Arboretum.  This first picture shows them a week or so ago still in bud.  The next shows them after the buds literally burst open into a beautiful display of pink.  The last photo shows them a few weeks old.  The blooms have faded a bit to a pale pink and are long lasting.  The bees and butterflies love this plant.  Here is a short article on caring for

 OLD FASHIONED GARDEN MUMS.

(We always have these for sale at our annual plant sale.  Save the date: 5/16/20)

LATE OCTOBER WHAT'S IN BLOOM

Fall blooms are still going strong at the Arboretum and the bees are happy to find good nectar sources.  Click on this link to read more about FALL IN THE POLLINATOR GARDEN

Here are ten plants of interest this week at the Arboretum:

From the HERB GARDEN

1.  Ocimum basilicum (Basil)

2.  Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage)

From the FRONT AG CENTER

3.  Chrysanthemum 'Hillside Sheffield Pink'

From the WILDFLOWER GARDEN

4.  Muhlenbergia capillaris (Pink Muhly Grass)

From the CHILDREN'S GARDEN

5.  Malvaviscus arboreus  (Turk's Cap)

From the SHADE GARDEN

6.  Tricyrtis formosana (Toad Lily)

7.  Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum' (Striped Solomon's Seal)

From the PERENNIAL BORDER

8.  Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Alert' (New York Aster)

9.  Perovski atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)

10. Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips' (Little Leaf Sage)

FALL INTO WINTER CONTAINERS

Last week the Container Team of EMGVs changed out plants in the Arboretum's containers.  The tree, shrub, and perennials pulled out will either be planted in other gardens at the Arboretum or possibly potted up to be sold at our next May 16, 2020 Plant Sale.  We visited Carolina Seasons Nursery and chose from their variety of pansies, violas, and snapdragons for winter color.  We added ornamental kale, euphorbia, and dusty miller for background height.  For more ideas, check out this link:

FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES FOR WINTER

BENEFICIAL ZIPPER SPIDERS

MGV Cindy C. found this spider in her garden.  They are busy this time of year.  You can read about this spider which goes by many names at this link:

BLACK AND YELLOW GARDEN SPIDER

FALL BLOOMS

The Arboretum's gardens are still providing colorful interest even though it has been incredibly dry.  We don't have an irrigation system running for all the gardens.  For the most part, plants are watered when planted and until they get established.  Then they mostly fend for themselves.

Plants of interest this week:

FROM MIXED BORDER:

1.  Lantana camara 'Miss Huff' (Hardy Lantana)

FROM CHILDREN'S GARDEN:

2.  Ruellia brittoniana 'Southern Star' (Mexican Petunia)

3.  Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (Turk's Cap)

FROM LANDSCAPE FOR WET SITES:

4.  Callicarpa americana (American Beautyberry)

FROM BUTTERFLY GARDEN:

5.  Helianthus angustifolius (Swamp Sunflower)

FROM CPP (Trees & Shrubs)

6.  Fatshedera lizei (Tree Ivy)

7.  Aucuba japonica (Japanese Aucuba)

8.  Osmanthus heterophyllus (Holly Osmanthus)

FROM WILDFLOWER GARDEN:

9.  Coreopsis tinctoria (Plains Coreopsis)

FROM PERENNIAL BORDER:

10.  Achillea sp. (Yarrow)

Photos by C. Christian

FALL FOLIAGE MAP

You can follow the leaf color change by going to this link:  FALL FOLIAGE MAP
Our peak time is predicated to be in early November.  The link has some interesting facts about leaf color and what makes the change happen.

WHAT'S GREEN AT THE ARBORETUM?

Are you looking for some inspiration for your gardens?  The Arboretum has hundreds of plants to view and all are labelled.  Take a stroll around and make your lists.  Fall is a good time to plant.  You may want to read this brief article on garden design before you set out:  TIPS TO GREAT GARDEN DESIGN

One thing to consider is not only bloom (if any),  but the color, shape, and texture of the foliage.  All of that is longer lasting than the actual flower.  Here are some examples from the Arboretum:

FROM CPP COLLECTION (Trees & Shrubs)
Top  -  Scientific name (Common name)
1.  Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon)
2.  Ilex cornuta 'Carissa' (Chinese Holly)
3.  Ilex vomitoria pendula (Weeping Yaupon Holly)
4.  Mahonia bealei (Leatherleaf Mahonia)
5.  Nandina domestica (Heavenly Bamboo)
Bottom
6.  Cryptomeria japonica 'Radicans' (Japanese Cedar)
7.  Chionanthus retusis (Chinese Fringetree)
8.  Ilex verticillata (Winterberry Holly)
9.  Fatshedera lizei (Tree Holly)
10.  Euonymus japonicus (Japanese Euonymus)

Photos by J. Margeson

FALL GARDENING

The first day of Fall is just around the corner:  Sunday 9/23.  Time to start your fall garden chores.  Begin by reading the latest edition of

EXTENSION GARDENER - Fall Coastal Edition

LATE SUMMER PLANTS OF INTEREST

As the summer is winding down, here is an assortment of plants that provide interest in the gardens at the Arboretum.  We have berries for the birds and flowers for the pollinators.  And of course, all for us to enjoy too!

FROM THE CPP Area (Trees & Shrubs)
1.  Nandina domestica (Heavenly Bamboo)
2.  Ilex cornuta ''Needlepoint' (Chinese Holly)
3.  Ilex verticillata (Winterberry Holly)
4.  Kerria japonica (Japanese Kerria)
FROM THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN
5.  Abelia grandiflora 'Little Richard' (Glossy Abelia)
6.  Solidaga rugosa 'Fireworks' (Rough Goldenrod)
FROM THE HERB GARDEN
7.  Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage)
FROM THE ROSE GARDEN
8.  Brite Eye Climber
FROM THE LANDSCAPE FOR WET SITES
9.  Callicarpa americana (American Beautyberry)
10. Hydrangea macrophylla 'Merritt's Supreme' (Pink Big Leaf Hydrangea)

Photos by C.  Christian

BUTTERFLIES IN SEPTEMBER

While collecting samples for our What's In Bloom display, MGV Suzanne spotted this swallowtail  butterfly feeding on a  butterfly bush flower.  It will find a host plant of bronze fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) in the nearby Butterfly Garden.  Watch out for their caterpillars this time of year.  They also like plants in the celery and parsley family.  For other ways to attract butterflies, read this:  BUTTERFLY GARDENS

Plant:  Buddleja davidii 'White Profusion'

Butterfly Bush

Photo by S. Gray

HURRICANES & GARDENS

Maybe we won't need this information, but maybe we will.  Only Dorian knows, or maybe doesn't even know.  Stay safe!

CLICK THIS LINK:

HANDLING STORM DAMAGE IN THE LANDSCAPE

Follow on www.nhc.noaa.gov

GROWING SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN THE GARDEN

This tree is Plumeria alba, commonly called Frangipani.  It's flower is used in Hawaiian leis.  Yes, we can grow it here just not outdoors year-round.  You will find this in our Perennial Border.  It is only hardy to Zone 10 or above and is native to Puerto Rico.  More plant details may be found here:  PLUMERIA

This plant will be lifted before frost hits.  It was left in a container when planted which will make it easier to move inside.

The very fragrant flowers

MID-AUGUST WHAT'S IN BLOOM

The Arboretum gardens are still going strong.  If you want yours to keep looking good through the fall, you will find some tips here to help:  TIME TO MAINTAIN

From the Wildflower Garden:
1.  Rudbeckia triloba Brown Eyed Susan
From the Perennial Border:
2.  Veronica spicata 'Sunny Border Blue'
From Plants for Wet Sites:
3.  Tradescantia pallida 'Pale Puma'
From the Herb Garden:
4.  Salvia uliginosa Bog Sage
From the Mixed Border:
5.  Ilex x 'Mary Nell' Holly
From the Children's Garden:
6.  Malvaviscus arboreus Turks Cap
From the Mixed Border:
7.  Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan' Chinese Juniper
8.  Cryptomeria japonica Japanese Cedar
From the Fruit Garden:
9.  Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu' Japanese Persimmon
From the Vegetable Garden:
10.  Yellow Pepper (planted 4/19/19)

Photos by J. Margeson

BROWN TURKEY FIG

Our Ficus carica  'Brown Turkey' Fig espalier continues to take shape.  It is located by the auditorium doors.  Click here to read more about growing this edible fruit tree:

BROWN TURKEY FIG

Photo by C. Taylor

EARLY AUGUST BLOOMS

Looking for plants that bloom now?  Check out this publication:  PLANTS FOR LATE SUMMER 

Here are some plants showing all colors of the rainbow from the Arboretum's gardens.

ROSE GARDEN
1.  Rosa 'KORaveli' Heaven on Earth Floribunda Rose
2.  Rosa 'Radbrite' Brite Eyes Climbing Rose
LANDSCAPE FOR WET SITES
3.  Tradescantia 'Pale Puma' Wandering Jew
4.  Tinantia pringlei Mexican Speckled Wandering Jew
5.  Canna x generalis
CPP
6.  Buddleji davidii Butterfly Bush
7.  Kerria japonica 'Plentiflora'  Japanese Kerria
PERENNIAL BORDER
8.  Lobelia speciosa 'Starship Scarlet' Cardinal Flower
9.  Salvia guaranitica 'Sapphire Blue'
10. Verbascum 'Southern Charm' Mullein

Photos by M. Engelke

FARMERS' MARKET

Stop by the Master Gardeners' table tomorrow at the Farmer's Market from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM.  They will be waiting to answer any gardening questions you have.    This will be the last Saturday they will be there until next Spring.

4560 County Home Road

Greenville, NC

PLANTS FOR WET SITES

Our 'Plants for Wet Sites' Garden demonstrates which plants can tolerate wet feet.  If you have an area in your garden with poor drainage, you might try some of these pictured. First, though, this Info Sheet may guide you in bedding preparation and plant selection:  QUALIFIERS FOR QUAGMIRES

Hydrangea macrophylla (Pink Bigleaf  Hydrangea)

Hibiscus coccineus (Swamp Hibiscus)

Ligularia tussilaginea (Leopard Plant)

Photos by S. Gray

COUNT YOUR MONARCHS

Monarch Caterpillar

At the Pitt County Master Gardeners' Spring Plant Sale in May, they sold several varieties of Asclepias (Butterfly Weed) grown from seeds.  This plant is the only one that monarchs will lay their eggs on.  To all of you who purchased one, it is now time to take a look at your plant and see if you have any signs of caterpillars.

Join the Monarch Blitz by reporting your sightings HERE.

WHAT'S IN BLOOM

The gardens at the Arboretum needed a good rain (which we got last night) and some cooler temperatures (which we have this morning).  Here are some plants of interest this week:

CONTAINERS BY AUDITORIUM

1.  Calibrachoe hybrid Evening Star (Superbells)

PERENNIAL BORDER

2.  Buddleia lindleyama (Lindley Butterfly Bush)

3.  Baptisia australis (False Blue Indigo)

4.  Miscanthus sinensis 'Striticus' (Japanese Silver Grass)

5.  Eupatorium dubium 'Little Joe' (Dwarf Joe Pye Weed)

WILDFLOWER GARDEN

6.  Coreopsis tinctoria (Plains Coreopsis)

7.  Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' (Switch Grass)

MIXED BORDER

8.  Nandina domestica 'Seika' OBSESSION 

9.  Abelia grandiflora "Kaleidoscope'

10.  Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste Tree)