Problem Solved South
PROBLEM? SOLVED.
PROBLEM? SOLVED.
Every zone has its own unique needs. Just like every gardener has their own special take on making the most of their outdoor spaces. In warmer climates, First Editions® Shrubs and Trees, you can turn your hypotheticals into reality with a collection and selection of plants designed to take the hard work out of yard work.
There’s no question or concern too outrageous or mundane, First Editions® can handle it all.
Look for
the Purple Pot
at a garden center
near you
Look for the
Purple Pot at a
garden center
near you
Purple Magic Crapemyrtle
When a fence just isn’t fancy enough, let Purple Magic Crapemyrtle work it’s charm. Topping out a eight feet tall, Purple Magic makes a great garden hedge. And this blooming beauty features dark purple flowers that cover the rounded, dense shrub from base to tip.
Eclipse® Bigleaf Hydrangea
Eclipse® Hydrangea is the first mophead hydrangea with dark leaves that come back just as dark next season. The striking foliage, paired with gorgeous amethyst or cranberry-colored blooms, will pair perfectly with anything in the garden and are sure to make a dramatic impact. Maturing at 3-5 feet tall and wide, Eclipse® stands out.
Little Hottie® Panicle Hydrangea
An instant garden favorite, Little Hottie® is a compact panicle hydrangea that’s ideal for smaller landscapes where traditional panicle hydrangeas won’t fit. Standing at just 3–5 feet tall and wide, Little Hottie® also stands up to heat. Its brilliant blooms can handle the warm summer sun without burning.
Cinnamon Girl® Distylium
Hardy from Zones 7-9, Cinnamon Girl® Distylium is one of the most cold-tolerant varieties of its species, and an excellent alternative to other evergreen plants threatened by insects and diseases in the south. For a shrub that’s evergreen and ever reliable, Cinnamon Girl® Distylium is your gal.
Crimson Fire™ Fringe Flower
Crimson Fire™ Fringe Flower brings couture to your courtyard. Bright pink flowers in spring are highlighted by the dark foliage. It’s a truly compact red-leaf fringe flower with proven cold tolerance for season-long style and controlled growth.
Flip Side® Chastetree
A strong rebloomer, both you and your garden pollinators will enjoy the flowers from Flip Side® Chasetree all season long. Named for the unique leaves that are greyish olive-green on one side and dusky purple on the other, Flip Side® is a superb focal point plant for warm climate gardens.
GARDEN GAB
When questions crop up, Garden Gab has your answer. Get valuable tips and answers to common questions or ask your own.
Are you watering the top of the plant, including the leaves, or watering the soil? If you are getting the leaves wet when watering, it can cause problems as can poor drainage. Poor drainage will cause both the leaves to yellow and buds to drop off. Another cause of yellow leaves is soil with a high pH. Too high, and the gardenia isn’t able to take in nutrients including magnesium and iron, resulting in yellow leaves. Buds dropping off can also be caused by low humidity. It’s easily solved by placing the container on a tray of pebbles with water. One more thought, if the evenings have been cool, the buds will react by dropping off. I hope these tips help and you are able to get your gardenia healthy again.
When you start seeing leaves and the forecast looks like spring has really arrived in your area, it’s time to prune. First, prune out any dead branches by cutting them back to the base. The tops of the remaining branches can be trimmed back a bit. If a rose bush got too large last year and you want to cut it way back, do it. This is the best time of year for a hard pruning. Again, start by trimming out any dead branches. Then, cut back about 1/3 of the top or more.
Try cutting branches at a 45-degree angle, just above a bud that is facing out. Luckily, a healthy flowering shrub is pretty forgiving about a pruning error or two. The most important rule when pruning is to be careful and prune the plant, not yourself!
If the leaves are curling, it’s probably aphids. You can tackle aphids with drenching the leaves with dish soap and water. If there are holes in the leaves, it could be beetles. Pesticides may be effective, but picking them off and dropping them in a pail of soapy water works too. If something is eating just the new leaves, look for signs of slugs. To battle them, pour some beer in a shallow dish and place it in the garden next to the plant.
Try cutting branches at a 45-degree angle, just above a bud that is facing out. Luckily, a healthy flowering shrub is pretty forgiving about a pruning error or two. The most important rule when pruning is to be careful and prune the plant, not yourself!
