|
|
This deciduous native vine can be seen blooming at this time of year with orange trumpet-shaped flowers near the ends of the new growth. Trumpet vine is notorious for climbing fences, over walls and up into trees. It attracts hummingbirds. Unfortunately, this plant is quite aggressive and requires a lot of room to grow. There are several cultivars and hybrids available that have been bred to be better behaved. |
|
Kudzu topiaries abound all through the state where this "vine that ate the South" has climbed over trees, abandoned cars and sheds to completely hide what's underneath. Some of the more interesting specimens can be found on I-75 between Atlanta and Chattanooga. If you want to get revenge on this vine - eat it! All parts are edible and with the exception of the older leaves (which are leathery), the entire plant has a rather pleasant taste. Use younger leaves and flowers in salads and prepare the bean pods as you would snap beans. Click here for other kudzu recipes. |
|
July is the height of the sourwood blooming season. This plant is one of the few native summer flowering trees. Although they are seen sporadically at the edge of woods around metro Atlanta, they are extremely abundant in the upper Piedmont and north Georgia mountains. Sourwood honey is a favorite of beekeepers and can be bought from various roadside vendors. In the fall, the tree will have crimson red foliage offset by showy cream-colored seed heads. |
|
This Eurasian native is a noxious weed throughout the US. QAL is easy to spot with its 3-4 inch flat clusters of flowers that resemble doilies atop 2-5 foot stems. Often found in wildflower mixes, it becomes a thug wherever it occurs. QAL, a biennial relative of the carrot, germinates the first year and flowers the second year after which it sets seed and dies. Click here to see a picture of our native Hairy Angelica (Angelica venenosa) which has a striking resemblance to QAL. Hairy Angelica has superior attributes: also hosts swallowtail butterflies, has larger flowers, is perennial and native. |
|
Mimosa trees can now be seen in bloom with their feathery pink flowers. This tree is native to Asia and has escaped cultivation to invade and disturb a wide range of ecosystems. The trees don't live long due to a fatal wilt disease but manage to produce copious amounts of seeds. Mimosa is a Category 1 invasive plant in Georgia. Despite its attractive flowers, intentionally cultivating this tree is environmentally irresponsible. |
|
It's hard to miss our native elderberry when it comes into bloom. The gangly open shrubs can reach 12 or more feet tall and wide. These plants are often seen on road sides, disturbed soils and open fields. The flowers and fully-ripe fruit are edible. This plant is a favorite of birds who will scarf down the berries as they become ripe. This plant is not what I would call domesticated enough for a typical garden, but in a large open native plant area, it's a fine plant. I have seem some nice specimens that were trained into tree-form. |
|
On my trip to Savannah Mother's Day weekend, I noticed the median and shoulders of I-75 near Macon and I-16 the entire way were covered with this 6-inch groundcover in full bloom. I've also seen patches of it around metro Atlanta, especially south of the city. Unfortunately, this South American native is aggressively pushing out other roadside native plants. I would much prefer to see our native groundcover verbena (Verbena canadensis 'Homestead Purple') taking up that space. |
|
Our continuing severe drought seems to have invigorated some of our worst invasives. Chinese privet and Japanese honeysuckle seem to be having a banner year - unfortunately. Both are in bloom currently. Privet has long spires of white flowers and Japanese honeysuckle is covered with white to yellow flowers down the length of the vine. BOTH OF THESE PLANTS ARE HORRIBLE PESTS (NUMBERS 1 & 3 ON GEORGIA'S INVASIVE LISTS). PLEASE REMOVE THEM IF THEY ARE IN YOUR LANDSCAPE. THE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY THESE PLANTS IS IN THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR IN GEORGIA. |
|
Last year's drought seems to have encouraged this roadside native. I've never seen such a proliferation of this plant especially near where I live in Suwanee. The cloverleaf entrance ramp from Old Peachtree Road to I-85 North is covered with this plant. Although some consider it a weed, I find it to be attractive and fairly well-behaved. The tiny yellow daisy-like flowers are atop stems 18-24 inches tall. This plant forms a tidy clump and spreads by seed. Although somewhat short-lived, the seedlings will make up for the loss of older plants. |
|
This native groundcover is often used by the DOTs of various states because of its ability to survive in extremely hostile roadside conditions. The plant can be seen blooming along side various highways throughout the state with its bright pink 2-inch flowers that are barely 6 inches above the ground. Although native, this plant can be a bully in rich garden soil. |
|
The black locust is a Georgia native tree that reaches 80 feet tall and produces white flowers that hang down in 6-10 inch clusters that resemble grapes or white wisteria. There is an impressive stand along I-285 on the north side near the junction with I-75. It appears that some of these were intentionally planted. Although very attractive in bloom, the trees tend to become infested with leaf miners in summer. It can also aggressively colonize areas and therefore should not be planted outside of its native range (central and southeastern U.S.). |
|
Re-seeding annual weed that is often found on roadsides where it was planted by the D.O.T., sometimes used as a cover crop and occasionally found in "wildflower" seed mixes. Can be a problem in landscapes that are adjacent to areas that were seeded with this plant. It is listed as a non-native invasive by the USDA, U.S. Forest Service and the University of Georgia. |
|
Trees are in full bloom this week with finger-like clusters of white flowers. Usually at this time of year, the trees are also home to the infamous Eastern tent caterpillar and their webs. Perhaps a combination of last year's late freeze and drought seems to have reduced their numbers dramatically. The cherries produced are edible, but bitter and best left to wildlife. |
|
If you look alongside some of our highways and roads, you will notice patches of tiny blue flowers very low to the ground. These are especially true in areas that were closely mowed in the fall. Early spring marks the time when the bluets are in bloom. There are several species native to Georgia. Upon closer inspection, you will see small four-petaled flowers that are about 1/4 inch wide and about an inch tall. The flower color ranges from deep blue/purple to light blue to almost white. These plants are usually seen growing in large groups of several hundred to several thousand plants. |
|
As pretty as these flowers may appear, they are death to whatever plants get in their way. The Asiatic Wisterias (sinensis and floribunda) are among the worst invasive plants in the Southeast. I cannot stress strongly enough what a bad idea it is to put these in your landscape. Plant cultivars of our native Wisteria frutescens (ie. Amethyst Falls) which are much better behaved. In fact, Amethyst Falls Wisteria was a Georgia Gold Medal winner in 2006. |
|
As forecasted back in late February, the redbuds have begun to bloom. This is one of our showiest early blooming native trees and I think makes a fine replacement for ornamental cherries. Wild stands of redbuds usually indicate the presence of limestone, so an annual application of lime will be of some benefit. By late summer, the trees are covered with brown seed pods which resemble snap beans. There are several weeping cultivars and one with purple leaves. A white-blooming sub-species also exists. |
|
Once again, these trees are about to get caught with their buds having out. All over town, the saucer magnolias (sometimes called tulip trees) are budding and blooming. Forecasted lows for Sunday in north metro Atlanta are to be in the mid-20's. Perhaps a bit warmer in town. With temperatures this low, many of the flowers will change from their lovely lavender-pink to medium-well toast brown after the hard freeze. I don't think there is anything you can do. However, I would cover my hydrangeas. |
|
The red maple is the earliest native tree that I can recall to flower. Flowers have been visible for several weeks now giving the leafless trees a reddish tinge. The flower color varies from bright to a more muted brick red. Pollinated flowers will give way to "helicopter" winged seeds that will twirl to the ground in summer. Red maples are extremely adaptable forest and landscape trees. |
|
I start getting calls and emails every year about this time from people wondering what these pinkish-purple trees are. Most people think or are told that they are redbuds (Cercis canadensis), but the redbuds won't be in bloom for several more weeks. Okame cherries are slightly more pink than redbuds and their flower color reminds me of Pepto-Bismol. |
|
While driving out to Athens earlier this week, I noticed the typical stands of purple flowers growing on short weeds down the median of 316. Henbit is beginning to bloom along roadsides and in landscapes that were not treated with pre-emergents in the fall. This annual weed will be dead by late spring but will drop many, many seeds. |
|
Young beech trees and the lower branches of older beeches will often retain their brown leaves through the winter until they are "pushed" off in the spring by the emerging foliage. Several species of oaks, particularly the pin oak, do the same. Beech leaves are lighter brown than oak leaves and continue to lighten through the winter becoming an almost translucent tan by early spring. On a breezy day, the leaves make a pleasant rattling sound. |
|
This outstanding Japanese maple has year round interest with its flaming red bark during the winter which is covered with light green, almost chartreuse leaves in spring. Growing about 15-20 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide, it's one of the few Japanese maples I feel comfortable placing in full sun. With good soil prep and sufficient mulch, it will be quite drought tolerant once established. |
|
This native shrub is commonly associated with the Holidays, but it has a fascinating life cycle beginning with its sticky white berries which are consumed by birds (and then "dropped" by birds onto other branches). The mistletoe germinates on the limbs of various hardwoods extending its roots through the bark of the host tree from which it derives water and nutrients. However, mistletoe performs its own photosynthesis making it only partially parasitic. Although it's often said the plant doesn't harm its host, I think infestations of it can weaken trees and cause harm on trees already stressed. It can be removed by spraying with certain chemicals or manually removing it. Don't use a shotgun to get it out of the trees! All parts are toxic. |
|
As a result of the drought, leylands around town have been showing signs of this fungal canker since spring. Although there are other fungal canker diseases of leylands, this disease tends to show scattered dead branches usually towards the top and exterior. Upon closer examination you will find elongated sunken cankers with a considerable amount of oozing along and/or at the base of the affected branches. The only treatment is to prune out the affected limbs. Be sure to sterilize your pruners between each cut with rubbing alcohol or you'll spread the disease. |
|
This native warm season grass is very common in much of the state where it can be found in open fields and disturbed areas. Once cold weather hits, the 3-4 foot tall spikes turn a golden yellow. This grass is an important pioneer species and is one of the first native plants to colonize open disturbed areas. Although considered a weed by many, it's an important plant for wildlife as well as for soil stabilization. It makes a good plant for erosion control. Learn more... |
|
It's the first Saturday of the year which I now officially deem as "Invasive Plant Awareness Day" for the Lawn and Garden Show. This picture shows the variegated form of Chinese Privet being taken over by Japanese Honeysuckle - a sort of Clash of the Titans. If you don't see a problem with non-native invasive plants, then visit this link: Plant Invaders |