Now here's a beautiful evergreen!!  You may know it as Southern Magnolia or Magnolia grandiflora.  No grand flowers this time of year, but look at those gorgeous, shiny green leaves.  I have pictures from Colonial Williamsburg of fabulous Christmas wreaths made using magnolia leaves.  They provide such a great foundation.

 

Magnolias can be found along the east coast up to Delaware and down to Florida, and west to Mississippi and Louisiana.  They don't do well in colder climates;  the leaves get windburned, and turn brown.  But they grow well in maritime forests, and apparently here in the mountains.  

 

Magnolias grow to be huge pyramid shaped trees, up to 120 feet tall and 40 feet wide!!  They really need lots of room to grow.  Given space, Magnolias make breathtaking specimens.  You can see giant magnolias on big college campuses and  southern plantations, where they can really spread out and provide shade year-round.

 

They bloom in late spring, with 10 inch, citronella scented white flowers.  And the seed pods that follow are interesting too, with red berries nestled in the furry, cone like pod.  Birds and squirrels will eat the berries;  but the best use for them, I think, is decorative.  They're really festive looking.

 

The particular tree that I photographed is fairly young, so it has no seed pods yet, but I'm looking forward to seeing blossoms on it this spring.  I'll get back to you.

 

HAPPY WINTER!!!

 

 

 

I hope this isn't too late!!  I know you know most of this already, but I would like to share a little about Christmas tree care, and while we're at it a little Christmas tree lore.

 

I recently read that a fresh cut tree can drink up to a gallon of water in the first 24 hours.  Good reason to recut an inch off the bottom, and fill that tree stand to the top.  And be sure to check it every day.  The tree can drink a quart more each day.  Some people add stuff to the water, like sugar, aspirin, Sprite.  Not sure if any of that works to bubble the water up the trunk;  the main thing is the WATER.  

 

Some interesting Christmas tree lore: 

Nearly all ancient cultures had myths about the sun disappearing at the winter solstice, so they hung gifts to the gods on evergreen tree branches hoping to appease the gods and bring back the sun.

We use evergreen trees to symbolize immortality and everlasting life, mistletoe to bring peace and happiness, and holly for protection and good luck.  

 

We love hanging ornaments on our evergreen tree, not to appease the gods or bring back the sun,  but because they are pretty and bring back fond memories of Christmases past.  

 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!

 

 

 

 

My friend sent us Paperwhite bulbs this Thanksgiving, and I was so excited, I planted them immediately.  

 

The directions said they would bloom in 4 - 6 weeks.  Well, I must have the perfect conditions in my house, because it's only been three weeks, and here they are!!!  Who knew that 60° inside could be perfect for ANY living thing, but.....

 

Paperwhites are in the genus Narcissus, the same as daffodils,  Narcissus tazetta papyraceus.  They are sold commercially in late fall, to be forced, for fragrant indoor winter blooms.  Betty waits until January to plant hers, bringing sweet flowers inside in midwinter.  I've never grown them before, so I didn't think to save them til midwinter. 

 

That's ok, the directions also said that I can plant the bulbs outside after they finish blooming.  They need full sun in order for the leaves to make food for the bulbs.  I have the perfect spot all ready when the ground thaws in spring, right next to my Rain lilies.  They bloom at different times, but like the same conditions. 

 

They all make me smile and think of my friends, the Bridges.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I hope you don't mind, I'm having fun with the snow pictures!

 

This is the dogwood tree at the end of Pete and Nancy's driveway.  I noticed last week that it had already dropped all its leaves, AND set flower buds for spring.

 

Look how pretty it was in the snow.  

 

I used to think that winter wouldn't be pretty: no flowers, no leaves, no color.  How WRONG I was.  There is beauty everywhere!!  Flowers (in the bud stage) leaves waiting to pop out in the spring, and colors that are different than other times of the year.  Just look around.  

 

HAPPY WINTER!!

 

Speaking of fun snow pix.  This is the burning bush at Mark and Karen's.  

 

A couple weeks ago it was screaming hot, and bright red; and now look at it in the snow.  What a great branch structure.  It will be pretty all winter.  I love how it has been allowed to grow naturally, since it has plenty of room to spread out.  

 

I hope you got to enjoy the snow; it was BEAUTIFUL!!

 

 

HAPPY WINTER!!

 

No gardening today!!!   Lots of pictures though.  We all love taking snow pix.

 

And look how well the kale held up.  Guess what we're having for supper.  There are about a dozen plants out there that didn't seem to mind the snow at all.  Kale, onions, leeks, and parsnips are all OK.  Arugula, chard, and mustard, not so much!!

 

That's OK with me, we love kale, cooked or raw, potato and leek soup is great, and parsnips just get better as winter progresses.  

 

Check the recipe section for interesting uses for kale, leeks, and other winter comfort foods.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!

 

 

 

Wow!!  This is in the same yard as the Camellia.  Roxanne must have great conditions in her yard, or she's a magician.  That's what I think.  She's got the touch!

 

I'm not sure if this is an unusual occurrence, or if it's one of those Encore azaleas that bloom in spring and again in the fall.  I'll check with her to be sure.  Even so, December is a little late for azaleas to be blooming.  The best bloom time for them is spring along with the dogwood trees.

 

Azaleas are in the genus Rhododendron.  Lots to blooming shrubs there.  Most are evergreen shrubs, however there are some deciduous azaleas, native azaleas.  We see them on the hillsides in early spring, blooming yellow to deep orange.  They are called flame azaleas. 

 

Most rhododendrons, and azaleas prefer partial shade and acid soil.  Great under the pine trees.

 

I'm looking forward to spring for the best display, but it was fun seeing these bold blossoms in December.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!

 

What an unexpected pleasure to see a Camellia blooming in December.  They normally bloom late winter into spring.

 

This beauty is Camellia japonica, variety unknown to me.  I took this picture on Thursday, December 7th, before the big snowfall.  The bush will be fine, but the blossoms may have gotten burned by the cold.  We might have to wait a while to see more blooms.

 

Camellias are evergreen shrubs with glossy green leaves.  They grow well here in North Carolina.   They love acid soil and our warm, humid weather.  They don't really love full sun, their leaves get burned.  They do best when planted in partial shade.  I've seen beautiful hedges of Camellias, used to screen a parking lot, or unsightly building.  

 

Camellias have been grown in China and Japan for centuries.  And there are about 100 species, and hundreds of cultivated varieties.  The ones we see most often are Camellia japonica, with large leaves and large flowers, and Camellia sasanqua, with smaller leaves and smaller flowers.  Another species of value is the Camellia sinensis, whose leaves are used to make tea (like Lipton Tea.)

 

I hope to see more Camellias in bloom this winter;  they always make me smile.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!

 

 

 

 

I took this picture and wrote this article on Thursday, December 7th.  Overnight it snowed, so I'm not sure it's STILL alive, but the information didn't change.  Thanks for reading anyway.

 

 

Swiss chard is still alive in the garden!!  I planted it last February from seeds, and raised it in the basement until it was big enough to hold its own in the garden.  It's been doing great ever since.  I hope it lasts through the winter, but I don't know if it will survive the upcoming frost.  We've certainly gotten our money's worth out of that $2 pack of seeds.

 

Swiss chard is in the same family as spinach and beets.  The leaves get to be huge, and the stems can be different colors.  Some are white, pictured;  some are red, golden, orange, some are even pink!!  It is SO beautiful with the sunshine coming through it.

 

We use young chard leaves raw in salads, and larger leaves we cook like spinach.  Some people throw away the thick stems, but they are edible too.  The stems just take a little longer to cook.

 

I've read that swiss chard is high in nutrients:  vitamins K, C, A, B, and the M minerals: magnesium and manganese, along with potassium and iron.  There are traces of copper, calcium, and tryptophan.  That's a lot of punch for almost no calories!  Oh, wait, let's cook it in butter, add feta cheese and serve it with pasta.  

 

However you serve it, Swiss chard is good for you, and a joy in the garden.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the arugula this morning!!!!  What a beautiful surprise!

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!