Offshoots

My life in plants

2011-04-29T18:14:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhh, Spring. It's the best season of the year. Autumn could be, if it wasn't the season that precedes winter.

Windows open, music up, hair down. Birds singing, wind blowing, flowers growing.

Here's what I've been doing. It's work, but it's so good.

SCOUTING NURSERIES. This is the time of year when I think, "I made a really good decision to go into horticulture". The weather is perfect and plants really put on a show. These rose standards are at Parson's Nursery in Georgetown.

TEACHING CLASS. I'm in the midst of teaching a 10-week class in Sustainable Agriculture for Trident Tech. I've got a class of great students who keep me on my toes. Here's Catherine McGuinn, the coordinator of the program, teaching a propagation lab last night:
Last week, we took a field trip to Joseph Field's Farm on John's Island. He's certified organic and grows everything from collard greens to heirloom tomatoes to pea shoots.

Here he is with his apprentice, Ella (she's also in my class). I have a lot I could say about Mr. Fields if I had more energy to devote to this tonight. He's just so good. In all ways.

CONSULTING. I had the pleasure of going out to a client's house on Wadmalaw last week. They have a beautiful home on the intracoastal waterway. Their view is to die for, but this poppy field that they planted across from their house was the real scene-stealer. Can you imagine?! It was perfection.

So tired. All for now.

I caught a black vulture!!

2011-04-16T07:59:00.001-07:00

This journal has well established that I am obsessed with birds. That being said, I never thought that I would ever capture a wild Black Vulture. My adrenaline has only recently subsided.

I saw this young vulture walking down my dirt road, dragging her wing. So I stopped and called The Center for Birds of Prey to let them know so that they could come a get her. The nice lady at the center asked, in a perfectly normal tone, "Do you think that you could catch it and put the bird in a box?". Assuming this was what you were supposed to do, I said okay.

Her response? "Wow! No one ever says yes!". Oh, gawd.

Being a closeted people-pleaser, I told her I'd at least try and I'd get back to her. Only on the inside I was saying, Shut up! Tell her it's a huge bird with a flesh-tearing beak!

Armed with a beach towel and a deep bucket, I chased the lame bird around until I was able to trap her between me and a long fence. Tossing the towel in the direction of the bird, it landed on her and I was able to pick her up. Now fearing the inevitable eye-poking-out that was sure to follow, I quickly draped the towel over her head and placed her in the bucket.

I'm happy to say that although I'm totally shocked, no bird attack occurred. And the Center for Birds of Prey was able to pick her up from Coastal Expeditions and take her for treatment. They're going to call when they have an update on her wing. I'll let you know how she's doing.

Springtime is for Aphids

2011-04-16T07:40:00.001-07:00

If you have new growth on a succulent plant, aphids are interested. And I'm seeing aphids (and other insects) everywhere-- roses, oleander, spirea, river birch. It's unending.

So why now? Aphids are fairly delicate insects with thin exoskeletons (compared to say, a beetle) so when we get into brutal summer temperatures, their numbers dwindle. Water is more scarce, plants have hardened off...I call it "summer dormancy" and it seems that all of our temperate plants (and people) slow down and just focus on survival when the Fahrenheit stays in the 90's and above.

Aphids feed on plant sap, the high sugar liquid found in the phloem (and elsewhere) of plants. Phloem (for those that haven't been in botany class recently) transport carbohydrates produced by the leaves down to the roots, flowers and fruit.

How do you keep from having aphids? For one, don't overfertilize with nitrogen. Plants that are pushed with synthetic fertilizers often have higher aphid populations (it's like junk food for aphids and they are addicted). If you promote slower, more sustained growth, you often have less insect pests.

Second, diversity your garden and work to attract birds and beneficial insects into your garden. A garden with habitat for birds, native plant species incorporated into the landscape and high plant diversity will avoid outbreaks and epidemics.

And remember that I said that aphids have thin skins? That means that without a steady diet of sugary liquid, they dry up pretty quickly. If you just have a plant or two with aphids, spray them with a steady stream of water and knock them off your plant. They'll die before they ever have the change to climb back onto the host plant. It's an epic hike back to the tips of an oleander branch if you're a tiny aphid.

Self-Proclaimed Underground Railroad for Birds

2011-02-10T10:03:00.000-08:00

I've heard that Cedar Waxwings are back in town. If they don't come back to my weeping yaupon tree this year, I may weep myself.

For the last two years, I've watch the spectacle from my office window as they descend upon this tree and strip every last berry from its branches. And all in a matter of hours.

Waxwing with her cool black mask

I'm starting to stress that either they are going to skip their annual stopover on their way back north or that I'm going to come home from a trip to the market (or worse, work) and see the tree without its berried ornamentation.

Come on, Waxwings! Keep me on your official/unofficial underground railroad. And come when I'm home.

The luxury of doing without

2011-02-07T10:50:00.000-08:00

Remember when it was actually a big deal when watermelons arrived in the stores and farmer's markets in the summers? I can remember being really excited about eating ice-cold slices of sweet watermelon right about the fourth of July- and the anticipation of it was as good (or almost as good) as the watermelon itself. That absence of melons in the fall, winter and spring enhanced the olfactory experience when they came into season. Now, because melons apparently ship well from warm climates (the thick rind and relatively long shelf life assist with this), watermelon tastes pretty good year round. And as a result, it lost some of its magic.

Thankfully, we haven't figured out how make winter tomatoes taste like summer tomatoes. And although I'm all for horticultural innovation, I hope that breeders and growers never figure this out. There's nothing I dream of more than a tomato sandwich on white bread made with tomatoes ripened in the southern summer sun. Tomato sandwiches should only be eaten when you're wearing a short-sleeved shirt while in the shade of a porch. I don't think a tomato sandwich (no matter how good the tomatoes) would taste as good while wearing a sweater sitting by the buck stove.

So there's my plea. No good tomatoes in the winter. Keep them mealy and tasteless.

This idea transfers into the landscape as well. I'm tired of azaleas the bloom in the spring and fall. I don't want a garden where every plant blooms all the time. If all plants flowered year round, they'd lose their magic. Just like watermelon did.

I think we've forgotten than doing without can actually be luxurious. The anticipation makes it something to be acknowledged and savored when they come into our worlds, much like a vine-ripened tomato.

Native Replacement for Leyland Cypress

2011-02-06T08:05:00.000-08:00

It's time to embrace an evergreen for screening other than Leyland Cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) or Giant Arborvitae (Thuja plicata 'Green Giant'). Both of these trees have longevity issues in the southeast and pest problems (particularly with Leylands) abound. Needle blight, root rot, lodging and cankers plague these plants.

And they get too big for many urban landscapes. And quickly.

My replacement choice is 'Hillspire' Redcedar, Juniperus virginiana 'Hillspire'. You can get these commercially from Green Meadow Nursery in Yonges Island, South Carolina (containers) or Auckland Trees in Walterboro, South Carolina (field-grown).

Native tree with a narrow, upright growth habit, this tree will only get 20-30 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. Much better for a garden than the imposing 60-80 feet of a Leyland Cypress.

Hillspire is a handsome plant that will work easily within your landscape- It's an underused, underutilized native with great potential.

So true.

2011-02-05T07:17:00.000-08:00

Mary Jo

2011-02-01T16:00:00.001-08:00

Already February first and I haven't really acknowledged my little blog (I don't like that word) in the new year. I had high hopes about a daily entry. It just wasn't meant to be.

I'm in a hotel room at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education tonight in the great Athens, Georgia. It's strange to be here as a professional, within eyeshot of my old dorm (Rutherford Hall for you Georgia grads). During my time at Georgia, I may have entered the Continuing Ed Center three or four times, with the first time being my most memorable.

I was seventeen or eighteen and my grandmother, the epic Mary Jo Whitley, drove me to "the university" as she called it to allow me to register. The parking deck was full. After a couple of rounds through the parking deck, my able-bodied grandmother pulled into a handicapped spot and proceeded to limp across the garage, gently holding onto my elbow. I was mortified. Here I was, at the University of Georgia, with all of these cool college kids walking around. And my otherwise dignified grandmother was faking an injury to avoid searching for a spot. (She couldn't remember which leg she had been limping on when we returned to the car. Hilarious.)

And here I am 15 years later, preparing to give a talk that the program says is titled "Going from Good to Great: How to Design, Install and Maintain Color Displays." And unbeknownst to the people attending the conference tomorrow, I retitled it "Lessons from a Walled City: Using the Gardens of Charleston as Inspiration for Color Displays". It's a very Mary Jo move.

It's been a week of Mary Jo.

Me and my grandmother

On Thursday, Chris and I drove to Callaway Gardens so that I could give a workshop and talk at the Southern Gardening Symposium. At the banquet and live auction Friday night, we chose a table at the back of the room where four people were sitting. One couple was from Tucker, Georgia (where I grew up), one lady-who was a real firecracker and insisted I introduce myself the next morning as "The Plant Whisperer"- was from St. Petersberg, and the other lady was from Columbus, Georgia. Their average age was probably around 80.

I mentioned that my grandparents lived in Columbus and wondered if she knew of Dr. Whitley and Mary Jo. She gasped, put her hand to her heart and said, "Your grandmother was one of my very best friends." I couldn't believe it.

She came over, held my hands and told me that seeing me brought her back to when she was young and friends with my grandma. They lived around the corner from each other and had children the same age. And during one of the summers in the 1950's, they decided to entertain their children by taking day trips to each of the state parks in Georgia.

Mary Jo Whitley, 1940's

I remember my grandmother telling me about those trips. They'd pack food for the day, load the kids in the car and take off. When she told me about these adventures she'd laugh her devilish laugh and talk about all of the trouble they'd get in (trouble in a very 1950's kind of way).

There were so many great things that happened on this trip. My mentor, Dr. Michal Dirr was there when I gave my talk, as were my parents. When I told my jokes in the talk, I could always pick out Chris' laugh in the crowd. The people at the conference were wonderful. The weather was perfect. But I still can't get over meeting Mrs. Betty Turner.

My sister Kelley, Grandma and me at Middleton Place

Focus.

2011-01-09T17:10:00.000-08:00

The new year. I'm anxious to create some sort of calm. Closets have been cleaned out, the computer was taken to the computer doctor to fix (it's hopeless), I've made list after list of things-to-do. And yet, here I am feeling very December.

I want to refocus and get Scout's compass calibrated.

My business resolutions:
1. Give my nursery clients high-quality work and continue to be relevant to their teams.
2. Get through the five lectures that I am doing between now and March. While this is my favorite component of Scout, it is the most stressful and time-consuming.
3. Visit local farmers in preparation of the Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture class that I am teaching in April.
4. Write more. I'd like to update this site with plant problems I'm seeing, excellent cultivars and other information I'm learning more often. I want to keep passing it all on.

That's all I've got for now....although it's a short list, it's a long list.

So happy new year! Say a little prayer for me that I'm becoming more January and less December.
Kari

New Year.

2011-01-03T07:24:00.000-08:00

finish each day and be done
with it. you have done what you
could. some blunders and
absurdities have crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
tomorrow is a new day. you shall
begin it serenely and with too
high a spirit to be encumbered
with your old nonsense.
-emerson

Sustainable Agriculture Class

2010-12-17T04:46:00.000-08:00

I can't wait to be a part of this experience, learning from those that know more than me, teaching those that want to be a part of the land. Class starts in April!

Just had to re-post this.

2010-12-06T06:25:00.000-08:00

I love this planting of 'Mine No Yuki' Camellias. I wrote about them last year, but I wanted to share it again. 'Mine No Yuki' continues to be one of the very best Camellias available.
Kari

I love this.

2010-12-05T17:39:00.000-08:00

I drive all the time. Plants can't come to me, so I go to them. That means that within the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia I know every inch of road, every clean bathroom and every decent (and not-so-decent) place to get a bite to eat.

And I get to see the quirky, off-the-beaten-path places that make the South great. One of my favorites is this building on the way to Bishopville, South Carolina. I'm guessing it was some sort of speakeasy- I don't think people go there anymore because I've never seen a car nearby and it's nothing but cotton fields for miles.Every time I drive by, I think, What drove someone to ban people under the age of 35? Was he sick of hearing the trivial banter of those between the ages of 21 and 34?
Do they card?

I can't imagine the crowd that used to hang out at the "35 and Over" club. I don't think anyone would dare enter without a previous invitation. Cinder block, barred windows, gated door. No thank you.

Still, I've driven past it at least once a month for six years and it makes me smile every time. I'd love to know the back-story.

Baby!

2010-12-02T16:57:00.000-08:00

Next spring, I think I'm going to try to imprint either a fledgling Chickadee or Puffin.

Going to Carolina In My Mind

2010-12-02T14:51:00.000-08:00

My first real job (by real, I mean I had made the leap from hourly to salaried) was at Carolina Nurseries in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. I loved it.

I was 24 and new to the Lowcountry. Just a month before, I had finished by master's degree at the University of Georgia and I was long overdue to get my hands in the dirt. It was the hardest work I have ever done and I learned how to drive tractors, fix irrigation pipe and manage the most unruly group of employees that you could imagine.

I worked so hard that between September and Christmas, I lost a noticeable amount of weight and when I returned home for the holidays my dad accused me of having developed an eating disorder. My pudgy grad student body had turned into a lean farmer's physique (oh, to have it now!).

In sadness, I went back to the place that sprouted my career on their last day of operation. I wasn't going to go but the pull of that 700-acre farm was too great and I made the 45-minute drive from James Island to "The Monkey" one last time.

I thought I'd share some memories from my time at the farm. They were the most carefree of my life and I don't know if I've ever laughed and enjoyed myself more.

Scouting Plants.

Jimmy Altman with his prized Hydrangeas.

Perfection, in plants.

Me, driving the biggest tractor on the farm. That's right.

Gorgeous 'Twice as Nice' Daylilies.

My BFF Mindy in her "office" doing paperwork

I'm good at growing plants now because of what I learned then. Graduate school was good, but it wasn't practical. It took three years of dust-covered sweat to understand how to grow all different types of plants. I have much to learn, but my education started at Carolina.

Adventures in Agriculture

2010-11-20T07:55:00.000-08:00

Okay, y'all! I'm teaching the Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture program in the spring so I'd love a full class. If you are interested, more information is on my website.

A rose is not a rose is not a rose

2010-11-19T09:21:00.000-08:00

While I am a total sucker for a dozen roses*, I am fairly ambivalent about roses in the garden.

It's not that I don't love them. When climbing 'New Dawn' is in bloom, I covet those rambling vines. But overall, I keep my distance. Roses are a group of plants that are more susceptible to diseases and insects than other flora. A plant pathologist's nightmare.

Listen up cause I've found a good one: Rosa 'Julia Child.'

Keep in mind that these pictures we taken in late October. Does your rose have flowers and foliage this beautiful in October? No.The young flowers are a delicious golden yellow with the fragrance of cloves or licorice.
As they age, the flowers open and fade to light yellow with pink-flushed edges. The scent changes to a softer, romantic rose scent
I think they are much more interesting than Knockout Roses.

Dark green foliage, good pest resistance, gorgeous flowers and a spicy fragrance. Ten out of ten.

If you are a horticultural professional, you can get them at Dudley Nursery in Thomson, Georgia.

*If you want some long-stemmed roses, try organicbouquet.com. The 'Crown Majesty' roses last forever and have the longest stems imaginable.

Sustainable Agriculture in the Lowcountry

2010-10-31T10:32:00.000-07:00

Last week, I had the privilege to teach a class of up-and-coming sustainable agriculture farmers and activists through the Lowcountry Local First/Trident Tech continuing education class. It was a treat for me- and made me feel like I was making a contribution to the community. So good.

Growing New Farmers in the Lowcountry of SC from OPP on Vimeo.

Pods and seeds

2010-10-28T04:04:00.000-07:00

Even though Rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis) is a weed in our part of the world, I can't help but have some appreciation for it.

Native to India, this yell0w-flowering plant becomes covered with intriging, bladder-like pods this time of year. It grows along the side of the road or in areas that have been disturbed. It is important to note that Rattlebox is very poisonous to livestock and should be removed from grazing pastures.
Each young seed is attached to the pod by its own little umbilical cord.

Once the seeds mature, they harden and release from the inflated outer pod. These seeds shake around in the dried pod, hence the name Rattlebox.

Aren't the seeds unbelievable? To think that for years, I have walked by this plant without looking inside these pods. These seeds are beautiful enough to be made into jewelry. Spectabilis, indeed.

I finished the day with another podded plant, Okra. My friend Cindy (from Las Vegas!) introduced me to roasted Okra. As with any other vegetable, just toss them in olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and cook under the broiler. When the pods begin to brown and split (exposing the seeds), they are ready. I crave this.

A sound only a mother could love....or maybe not

2010-10-11T14:16:00.000-07:00

I ran across this video I made of Baby eating crickets the other day. I had forgotten that she was totally demanding and voracious. And young Blue Jays are not what you would call "songbirds."

More like miniature Velociraptors.

Butterfly Wing Magnified (a.k.a. Procrastination)

2010-10-05T04:14:00.000-07:00

Wow, right? I was thinking that if I was a textile designer, I'd just take objects from nature, magnify them and pass them off as my own brilliant designs.

Fall Update: Baby Jay

2010-10-04T05:12:00.000-07:00

Although she doesn't come when I call her anymore, I still see Baby fairly often in a nearby pine tree or at the feeder by my porch. I'm so glad that she has that distinctive habit of rubbing her beak on small branches because it makes it easy for me to spot her.

Saturday morning, while eating a sinfully lazy breakfast on the screened porch, she came to the feeder to get some seeds and flew to the closest pine tree. We watched her give the seed to another Blue Jay! It was so tender and sweet that I instinctively put my hand over my heart like a proud mother.
I still call for her sometimes when I see her in hopes that she will snap out of her rebellion and fly to my finger. So silly, I know.

P.S. Here are the biscuits I made. I know, right?

Beach Sunflower

2010-10-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

I was at Waterfront Park last week (to watch my friend Nathalie Dupree announce her write-in campaign for U.S. Senate!). While waiting for her to arrive and give her stump speech, I noticed that they have used at really great native plant, Helianthus debilis, in the landscape. And it works. Here it is in the background:

Photo Credit: Andy Brack

In fact, Ive noticed that this species has been used in several municipal landscapes around Charleston and it has been a workhorse through the epic summer heat. It's good to see a bedding plant other than Petunias and Impatiens being planted. This spreading perennial is drought and salt tolerant, perfect for non-irrigated or beach locations. The continuous carpet of flowers will draw in the butterflies, too.

In Charleston, you'll find it at the garden centers like Hyam's and Abide-A-While. And if they don't have it, ask for it. They can buy it from the wholesale perennial nursery Church Creek Nursery on John's Island.

******
It's been too long since I've posted any new information! It's been a hot summer and I had to take a little break from the southern heat.

Late Summer Pest: Foliar Nematodes

2010-09-01T05:49:00.000-07:00

As disturbing as it may sound, there are microscopic roundworms called nematodes all around our natural environment. They live in the soil, on roots, in leaves and in many other unexpected places. The ones that I always think about as unbelievable and icky are the nematodes that can be found in bottles of unpasteurized pepper vinegar. They are benign to you and me, but just the idea that they could be there makes me cringe. (Are y'all now going to reconsider before you sprinkle your collards with pepper vinegar this fall? I'm still going to use it.....it's like thinking about sharks when you are swimming in the ocean. You just can't think about it.)

My favorite nematodes (as we've established, I am a geek) are the Foliar Nematodes. Each nematode swims into a stomate in a film of surface water and feeds on the leaves within a leaf cell. Once they have eaten all of the carbohydrates from within an area, they swim out of the stomate and into another area of the leaf (They can't chew through the tough leaf veins).

I found nematodes last week on Hostas while I was scouting a nursery. Here is what the damage looks like:The darker areas are show where the nematodes have already been. The lighter yellow-green areas are where they are now.

Hostas are monocots, so the leaf veins run parallel to each other. This explains the pattern of damage that they cause on Hostas.
On dicots the damage is different, as seen on this Viburnum leaf. The injury has more of a stained glass effect because of the netted vein pattern. To diagnose foliar nematodes, you simply cut out a tiny square from an area that is discolored (not brown) and put it in a glass dish with some water. I use a watch glass.

When you look through a dissecting scope, you will see clear nematodes swimming out of the leaf edges and into the water.So what's the big deal about nematodes? Well, foliar nematodes cause leaf damage, stunting and impact the overall health and vigor of the plant. And they are hard to treat.

If you have a nursery or greenhouse, throw away badly infested plants. Spray the rest of the crop with Pylon at the high rate (2 applications, one week apart).

If you are a homeowner, do not buy plants with this type of damage. These nematodes have the ability to live for several years in a state called anhydrobiosis where they dry down completely and go dormant. As soon as moisture returns and conditions are right, they revive themselves and infest plants. You could put an infested leaf in an envelope, file it on a shelf and rehydrate the nematodes years later! Not exactly fair, yet very interesting.

Making your yard into a garden

2010-08-28T06:56:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what you house would look like with a new landscape? When you are going to be doing most of the work yourself, it may seem like an out-of-reach luxury to have a landscape plan drawn by a designer or architect.

While hiring a designer or architect is often the way to go- especially if you are changing the grade or building structures- sometimes just some guidance is enough.

Conceptual landscape plans allow you to see the overall picture at an affordable price using computer-generated images.

This house is simply amazing. Even without a plant in the surrounding landscape, it is a showpiece. The dramatic eves, the paint color, the view-framing windows- absolutely stunning. Love love love it.

Using computer imaging, we can digitally place the landscape, giving you an idea of how it will look with trees and shrubs in place. We take the information you provide about the plants you love and the way you want to enjoy your yard to create a landscape that is you. Conceptual plans are good for new landscapes, landscape revitalizations, specific areas of the garden, and basic layouts (i.e. driveway placement). While they do not replace a landscape plan, they are a helpful way to begin.

Call or e-mail us for more information about how to get started and pricing. All it takes is a few photographic images of your house and the process can begin. And most landscapes can be designed and in your hands within 1-2 weeks!

Remember: If you want a gorgeous spring garden, you need to plant this fall!

Scout Horticultural Consulting
(843)568-1102
info@gardenscout.com

2010-08-22T12:52:00.000-07:00

For more information, check out our website!

Remembering

2010-08-20T05:18:00.000-07:00

I saw this picture this morning on Jenks Farmer's Twitter page and it reminded me of picking vegetables with my Grandpa Whitley. Did you notice the homemade buckets made from Bluebell ice cream containers? My grandpa also made his own buckets, only his were from old milk jugs. I still make them today.

While ridiculously easy to make, I never see them lying around any of my friends' houses. So I'm going to assume that none of you know about this trick and show you how.

Just cut where I marked with the Sharpie using a knife (Cindy, I know you are cringing right now at the thought of me using my dull knives) or a sturdy pair of scissors. If you follow the bend at the top of the jug, you'll get it right.Here's what you get. It's simple and it works. And the position of the handle makes it comfy (some people call that "ergonomically correct" I believe).What's more, like the re-purposed Blue Bell containers, it fulfills the "reuse" part of the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" mantra we all claim to follow. Fill them with berries, okra, figs, shells, pecans or anything else you like to pick up off the ground or off a plant.

Rose Budworms

2010-08-19T18:01:00.000-07:00

Seeing a flurry of small moths around your rose bushes? You may be on the verge of a Rose Budworm infestation. These moths aren't collecting nectar from the flowers; They're laying eggs near the flower buds.

Once the eggs hatch, tiny caterpillars (called budworms) crawl to developing flower buds and bore into the petals. They're using the petals as their food source.

The budworms create perfectly round perforations as they chew through the flower buds.
And as the petals unfurl, the caterpillar will have already moved on to another flower or pupated. The rose petals will look like they've been peppered with bird shot and you'll say to yourself, "I've worked on these roses all summer long through the brutal heat and now their flowers all look like this? Just Great."I wouldn't worry about trying to prevent this pest. They are only around for a couple of weeks so it's not worth the hassle. If you do decide to treat, use a biological product like Dipel (a.k.a Bacillis thuringiensis).

Side Note: Something I've noticed over the last few days is that they favor 'Sunny Knockout' over other types of roses. They still get into the other Knockout roses, but they are definitely more attracted to the yellow cultivar.

What I learned today

2010-07-25T12:33:00.000-07:00

First of all, it's really hot. Soul-grabbing hot.

PROOF
This is Darado (a.k.a. the Luck Dragon) and he's my favorite dog in the world. What's he doing in this picture?He's pushing himself into the floor and making himself as flat as he can get because I just asked him if he wants to go outside. It's that hot.

The second thing I learned today is that Elephant Ears (Colocasia esculenta) aren't great cut flowers. Here are some I cut this morning:What's really interesting is that they have a clear sap that turns the water the color of weak tea. I looked it up, and they are high in oxalic acid; I'm going to assume that's what's causing this reaction.

I was curious to know if there was any way to keep these leaves turgid (I used to grow flowers for wholesale florists in Georgia), so I checked my copy of Specialty Cut Flowers (Allan Armitage) to see if he had any information about it. Nope.

Some flowers have to be handled in a certain way to extend the post-harvest life. This includes searing the cut end with a lighter, plunging in hot water or splitting the stem. I decided to try to seal the ends with a lighter and hot water- it was obvious that they were losing turgidity quickly.And here's what I found. The jar on the top shelf is the original container. I just cut those and put them in regular water. The jar on the bottom left had their stem ends seared with a lighter, closing off the vascular system and holding in the sap. And the stems on the bottom right were put into hot water. I think the water was too hot though cause it made the stems mushy like overcooked asparagus.
The water became a little stained in the two "treatments," but not like the original jar. They didn't wilt as fast either. Next time, I'm going to submerge the stem ends in hot water for 30 seconds, then put into room temperature water.

That's all! Nothing ground-breaking.

I love the South. It's so cute.

2010-07-19T19:03:00.001-07:00

I pulled into a parking lot a couple of weeks ago to look at a map as I was cutting across South Carolina. And as luck would have it, it was the parking lot of this restaurant: It made me smile. So cute.

It's happening again: Southern Blight

2010-07-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

After a long week of scouting in the blistering heat, I'm exhausted. Under-hydrated and wilted. I'm like a newly planted Hydrangea in full sun.

I don't have it in me to write anything, but I'm re-posting my information about Southern Blight 'cause I'm seeing it everywhere. For all you nurseries growing hostas: You need to be checking for this disease. If you have it, carefully dispose of the plants (and pots) and drench with the fungicide Prostar (flutolanil).

Southern Blight

Blue Jay Update: The Final Chapter

2010-07-11T17:59:00.000-07:00

I have a classic Aries personality. This means I have a fiery streak that sometimes can't be managed. I like to think of myself as pretty laid back.....but push me to the limit and I can boil over. Therefore, I have had to use my label maker (aren't they the best?!) to create a note that says, "When in doubt, don't." It is taped above the screen on my laptop so that I don't send regrettable e-mails. I highly recommend it.

But today, I'm going to ignore my own advice and post this last picture of Baby. I haven't shown it before because it's just not a good idea to have a bird loose in the car. But this is how Baby got into my life. She was a fledgling in need and she arrived by car, squawking the entire time. When Chris turned the steering wheel, she simply rode the wheel around until it was returned to center. She insisted that she sit on the wheel and it is impossible to argue with a hungry bird!

I'm happy/sad to say that Baby has become a wholly independent Blue Jay.

I still see her occasionally along the edge of the woods. She's easy to recognize because she has a distinguishable habit of rubbing her beak back and forth on pine branches, as if she is sharpening a knife on a whetstone. And she still answers with a distinctive "Meh" when I call her. But she doesn't come to me anymore.

It's good. The chances of a car-riding, hand-fed bird surviving in the wild are slim, but she's doing it. Blue Jays are tenacious like that. I think Baby must be an Aries, too.

You want this plant: Supergreen Giant Liriope

2010-07-10T05:43:00.000-07:00

If you've been battling to keep 'Evergreen Giant' Liriope alive the last few years, you probably have a disease called Phytophthora Crown Rot. This disease has become a major problem in the coastal areas of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Each summer, right about now, these plants begin to turn yellow and collapse at the soil line. Here is a picture from a nursery:Once a Liriope is infected, it is not likely to recover. We suffer from this at nurseries year after year and have yet to find a reliable or economical cure.

Fortunately, there is a replacement on the market called 'Supergreen Giant.' Dark green foliage, upright habit and evergreen- this plant has all of the great characteristics of 'Evergreen Giant' and it is disease resistant.

You will pay a little more for this plant because it has been patented and therefore there are royalty fees. But it is worth every penny! The amount of money you will save on fungicides and labor and replacements make this a no-brainer.Landscapers/Landscape Architects/Landscape Designers: You can get this plant in 1's and 4-inch pots at Parson's Nursery in Georgetown. If you are specifying 'Evergreen Giant' on landscape plans, start making the switch to 'Supergreen Giant.' It is a superior cultivar.

Nurseries: You need to start offering this plant.

Homeowners: You need to ask for this by name at your local garden center.

Ahhhh, summer.

2010-07-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I've baited the crab trap with menhaden I caught last year. These oily bait fish have been in the freezer since I caught them with my aunt's cast net.
And tonight, we're having fresh local shrimp, squash and onions (or maybe a squash casserole), creamed corn and tomatoes. Lazy Girl peach cobbler for dessert. I love summer.

While it may be hard to work this time of year, I must admit this is when I feel most alive. Long days, warm water, shrimp jumping. It's the only time of year when it's okay to be barefoot and a little dirty. Clothing and conversation seem so much more casual and easy. It's good.

Working outside as I do, I have a different summer experience than most. For one, I wear long pants and huge straw hats to work, shying away from the tank tops and shorts everyone else has on. And any exposed skin is coated with three distinctive layers: sunscreen, perspiration and a final dusty layer of potting soil. While at times this is absolutely unbearable, most days I secretly love it. You know how great a shower feels after you've been camping for a few days? I get that experience every day in the summer.

If you're in the neighborhood, stop by and I'll teach you how to throw the cast net! I'm not that good at it (one time I threw the whole thing in the water and forgot to attach it to my wrist first. Not good!), but I plan to be a pro by summer's end.

How very southern

2010-07-08T16:04:00.000-07:00

I think we can all agree that the New York Times is a pretty sophisticated newspaper. So I was beyond excited when I read that you can make your own perfume using a mason jar, some fragrant flowers and a splash of Everclear. After all, if the NYT is going to give detailed instructions for do-it-yourself tinctures, it's gonna work. Right?

Picture from NYT article

THE ARTICLE

So, it all happened like this. I was on a Beechcraft airplane (I really was. Amazing.) and someone had thoughtfully put an array of the day's newspapers on the seats. On the front page of the Home section of the NYT was an article called "A Fragrant Harvest: Summer's Pleasures, to Inhale Anytime." As coincidence would have it, I had just seen an exhibition at Longwood Gardens about perfumes and scented flowers. Fate!

The article was well-written and witty, profiling natural perfumers from across the United States. It talked about the process of making botanical perfumes and the scents these people were creating. Very Etsy of them.

So, anyway, on page eight of that section, they had a side bar with instructions on how to make perfumed tinctures. Using a mason jar and pure grain alcohol. I was hooked.

FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND
Armed with this new information and a sister up for an adventure, I asked for the keys to my dad's convertible and told him that we were off for the liquor store over in Walnut Grove. When asked why I plainly stated that I was going to make perfume. After receiving the obligatory rolling of eyes from my parents, Kelley and I set off for a bottle of 190-proof with the top down.

It was about the hottest day of the year (I think this fact my my story all the more southern) and by the time we got to the store, my wind-whipped hair was the texture of garden twine. We did a once-over and couldn't find the Everclear, so I was forced to talk to the lady behind the counter.

Me: "Do you sell Everclear?"
Lady: "Yes, we keep it behind the counter."
Me: "I would like some, please."
Lady: "You want Golden Grain instead? It's a dollar cheaper and it's the same thing. You makin' Hunch Punch?"
Me: "No, I'm makin' perfume. The cheaper one'll work."
[Note: It was around $9.00 for 750 ml bottle.]

At this point, all was quiet in the store and the lady gave me a look like I was out of my mind. I'm sure as soon as I left she said, "Now that's just country."

Kelley and I laughed all the way back to my parents' house in Jersey. We took the long way home.

I won't bore you with the details of the perfume experiment. I tried Magnolia root (as per Jenks Farmer's suggestion), Rosemary and Gardenia. Kelley tried Lemon peel. And it all smelled like "Possession of Alcohol by a Minor." That's what I've decided to name it.
As it turns out, when you mix Golden Grain with anything, it sucks. And I don't know if this is just further proof that I'm getting old, but after seeing the warning label on front of the bottle, I don't know that it should be legal for consumption.This stuff is so toxic, it's illegal in 14 states.

Well, that's the story of how I tried to make perfume. Although it didn't yield the results I had imagined, it was a lot of fun to do. Here's the link to the New York Times article from June 10, 2010: Making Flowers into Perfume. I'm sure that I just didn't take the time to do it right- one of y'all should try it and let me know. My guess is that I should have splurged for the Everclear! Next time.

P.S. Etsy is a really great website that sells handcrafted things. It's worth a look. www.etsy.com

Cercospora Leaf Spot on Crinum

2010-06-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

I'm giving a talk on pests at a Crinum Workshop later this week at Moore Farms. When asked to do it, I think I declared, "Crinums don't really have any pest problems." But in putting this talk together, I've been reminded that they do have a scant few. This is not an overly troublesome bulb.

If you're not familiar with this plant, Crinums are old-fashioned Southern bulbs that are often found around old homesteads. Their bulbs can get really big- bowling ball size- and will form large clumps over time. My grandmother called them Milk-and-Wine Lilies; other names include Cemetery Lilies, Spider Lily, Cape Lily and Poison Lily. Poison Lily. I'd love to know the back story on that name.

One of the common diseases is caused by the fungus Cercospora. The spots are circular with a yellow halo. As the disease progresses, these spots coalesce and cause entire leaf dieback. While it doesn't kill the plant, Cercospora Leaf Spot does impact the beauty and vigor of this bold-textured plant.How do you manage this disease? By keeping the leaves dry.

Fungal plant pathogens need about 8 hours of continuous leaf wetness. If you have an overhead irrigation system that runs late in the day, the leaves will stay wet overnight.....and your chances of leaf spots (and other problems) will increase.

If you have this leaf spot, cut off infected leaves, increase air circulation (to decrease humidity) and keep the irrigation off the leaves.

If you want to know where to get this pass-along plant, check out this month's Southern Living and read about South Carolina native Jenks Farmer and his Lush Life nursery. Their article shows the more beautiful side of this plant.

M.J.

2010-06-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

Today is the one-year anniversary of my grandmother's death. She was my best friend and confidante- I miss her every day. While not the whole reason I am in horticulture, she certainly had a significant impact.

I can remember her working in her garden all through my life. There was a bank of creeping phlox by her driveway that would bloom around Easter and I loved it. To a five-year-old, the bank seemed to go on forever, and I was taken by the blanket of deep pink flowers. I think that was the spark that started the flame.

She gave me this picture a couple of years ago from one of her many albums. On the back she wrote "Kari's first horticulture lesson."She and my grandfather were tied to the earth. I lived with them in the summers during college and we would spend the cool evenings picking vegetables, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. And from this harvest, we canned and froze what we could not eat fresh. This time of year, she would often make a cobbler of peaches, blackberries and raspberries which she called "Mixed Berry Cobbler." It was the best (Hey Kelley- you want to try to replicate it next time we are home?).

And her flowers. She favored old-fashioned plants like Bearded Iris, Flowering Almond, Queen Anne's Lace, Money Plant and Phlox. Her flower arrangements were often a combination of these flowers that she seemed to effortlessly collect from her garden. I have a few of the vases she commonly used, although my arrangements are much simpler.

All in all, she was a special women and I just wanted to share that today.

(My God. When did this journal go from plant disease to birds and tears? Soon it will refocus, I promise.)

Baby jay update

2010-06-20T04:14:00.000-07:00

I think it's official: she's a real bird now.

When I came back from Delaware, I saw a big change in Baby. While she stills comes for crickets, I now only see her about once a day, sometimes less. She'll fly to the porch railing and begrudgingly get on my finger, but once I give her a cricket or half a grape (she loves them), she quickly flies to a nearby pine tree to eat it.What conflict I feel! The naturalist side of me wants her to be a successful and independent blue jay while the maternal side of me wants her to need me forever! I know that as she continues to become a better forager, she'll come around less and less.

How do I know that she's now good at finding food? Well, she's still alive and I've been out of town 11 of the last 14 days (I know. I'm exhausted). That means she's doing something right.

The night I got home from Delaware, her feathers were stained red. Of course, my first thought was that she had narrowly escaped attack by a bird of prey while I was gone (what is wrong with me?). It was berry juice.

Since I have gotten home, I've watched her attack insects on the ground that she spots from her favorite pine branch. And I've scolded her for bullying a pair of cardinals in the weeping yaupon holly outside my office window. Like Pinocchio with his strings cut, Baby has become a real bird.

I've been gone for three days now. I wonder if she'll come around at all when I get back. The thought just made my mouth turn down at the corners and my eyes glimmer a bit. I'm not sure if she will.

P.S. The picture is from my first week with Baby. She looked so pathetic when she held her wings like that. It still pulls at my heartstrings to see that!

Love this.

2010-06-14T17:57:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Drori: Every pollen grain has a story | Video on TED.com

"There is an invisible beauty all around us."

Stewardship

2010-06-10T17:20:00.000-07:00

I just got back from an amazing trip to the gardens of the Delaware Valley (Mt. Cuba, Longwood, Chanticleer, Winterthur). I'll write about it once I've had a chance to think about it for a few days. You know those experiences that pull you out of your creative/professional/personal rut? This was one of those experiences.

Throughout the trip, I had an ongoing discussion about stewardship with Jenks Farmer. If you know me, you realize that I am have a heightened awareness about our diminishing wild spaces and the impact it has on dependent plant and animal species. And it's sometimes hard to convey my position without making people think that I am a "native plants only" kind of person. And I'm not. I'm glad that tomato and basil have come together. And I can't imagine a garden without hydrangeas.

So here are my guidelines for good horticultural stewardship in the garden:

1. Never plant anything that has been identified as an invasive plant (regardless if you've never personally seen it be invasive....you must trust the experts on this). And remove invasive plants that are currently on you property.

2. Create a landscape that is mostly native trees, shrubs and perennials. You will have a bird and butterfly paradise if at least 60% of the plants are native to your region. The rest of the plants can be exotics. Make it diverse.

3. Limit the size of your lawn. I'll explain why in another post. You don't have to eliminate it (they are often important in a garden), but don't have more than you need.

4. Do not use pesticides. I make exception for ant bait and limited herbicide use.

5. If you have a large property, allow areas to be wild (i.e. left alone). This will provide shelter for birds, bees and other beneficial species.

6. Only use the irrigation system when absolutely necessary. Once a landscape is established, turn it off and let it fend for itself. So all of this discussion of stewardship made me think of my interaction with Baby Jay. Am I wrong to have a wild bird that allows me to hold her? Probably.

Although she lives in a nearby wooded area and can find her own food (she proved she can live 4 days without me....I'm so proud), she's not completely independent. She'd rather eat bait store crickets if given the option, so several times a day she sits on the railing of my porch and begs for food. And this puts her a risk to be eaten by a Red-Tailed Hawk.

Am I going to ever imprint another bird? No.
Am I going to keep feeding Baby? Yes. I'm too attached.

I did the math, and based on the volume of insects she has eaten over the last few weeks (not including the Red Wiggler worms that she didn't like), I'm looking at about $12 per week. That's about $650 a year. For a 3-ounce bird that lives in the woods.

I'm registered at the Folly Beach Tackle Shop if anyone would like to chip in on some crickets.

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectibility" -Sam Keen

2010-05-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

I found this picture somewhere on the internet and thought it was perfect.

The Blue Jay Chronicles

2010-05-28T05:48:00.000-07:00

As it turns out, Baby is a smart bird and is really working me. She has learned that when a light turns on in a room that I'm in that room. She promptly flies to the window to let me know that she would like a cricket. Immediately.

When I go into another room and flip that light on, she moves too. It's amusing and pulls at my material heartstrings....but it also makes me think, "What have I gotten myself into?".

The bait store employees are amused that I have bought at least 500 crickets over the last week. I've tried to alleviate this expense by showing Baby the cache of insects in the compost pile, but she has developed expensive taste.

You should see me pointing out all of the insects to her as she sits on a nearby branch. With her back to me.She ain't no dumpster diver.

Lace Bugs are Active Now

2010-05-26T04:52:00.000-07:00

For all of you nursery and landscape professionals, be on the lookout for Lace Bugs on Azaleas and Lantana. If this pest has been a problem for you historically, now is the time to treat. If you have never had an issue with this pest, do not apply an insecticide; As members of the Green Industry, we should never haphazardly "spray and pray."

This is an easy insect to identify: large lacy wings (hence the name), black-and-white coloration and a tendency to stay in groups on the undersides of the leaves.

The black dots on the undersides of the leaves are a combination of their varnish-like excrement and egg masses. The mommas guard their eggs, keeping predators away.Damage to the leaves is a bleaching effect. On susceptible cultivars, they can turn the plants white, severely impacting their vigor and aesthetic value.Want to avoid insecticides all together? Choose a cultivar that is resistant to infestations by Lace Bugs. There are too many azalea cultivars for me to get into, but I will say that the Southern Indica cultivar 'Delaware Valley White' is very tasty to a Lace Bug.

Nobody puts Baby in the corner

2010-05-25T13:46:00.001-07:00

Okay, so it's gone beyond a little wildlife stewardship and turned into true love. I have officially imprinted this young Blue Jay.

And I've named her after my favorite character in the epic film Dirty Dancing. Baby. (Well, not really. But Baby it is.)

I know she's just using me for my seemingly endless supply of crickets (she goes through at least 50 a day!), but I pretend that she has developed some level of affection for me. When I go out onto the porch, she talks to me for a few minutes from her perch in the pines- and I know it's her! Seriously, I'm smitten.

When shes wants a cricket, she flies to the porch railing or my outstretched finger. Very Zip-a-dee-doo-dah. From there, we begin the ritual of me supplying live crickets and her gulping them down. After about five to seven, she settles down, hangs out on my hand for a couple of minutes, and then flies back to the pines.

I know it won't last (alas, these types of relationships fade quickly) and I can already sense that she's building confidence. Jays are independent birds and I'm sure she'll follow nature over nurture.In the meantime, I'm happy to have her around.

Blue Jay Love

2010-05-23T05:26:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I had the chance to help with a little Blue Jay fledgling. Even after they've learned to fly, young birds have very high protein needs (i.e. insects) and rely on their parents to locate food. So basically, he needed a temporary stand-in parent to get this done. I gladly volunteered (a.k.a. begged).

He taught me very quickly how to recognize when he was hungry by squawking and flapping his wings. It reminds me of when a 2-year-old has a meltdown and can't calm down!I bought crickets at a bait store for food which the Blue Jay loved. It was intense.He had an aversion to the legs and would quickly pull them off each cricket before he'd eat them.
Remember that movie Jurassic Park and the really scary Velociraptors? That's exactly how this bird eats crickets. Only he was fuzzy and much cuter.

Realizing the volume of insect protein this one bird needed for one day made me think about our responsibilities as stewards of this earth and the creatures that inhabit it.

In an effort for perfection, a real effort is made to eliminate insects from our lawns and gardens with grub killers, insecticides, miticides and other "cides."

When we sterilize our collective landscape, we make it harder for birds like my little Blue Jay to make it into adulthood. It doesn't matter how many bird feeders you provide if there aren't insects for the nestlings and fledglings to eat.

A true gardener should embrace all components in the garden, not just the plants. Trust that a healthy garden can and should support a wide range of birds, insects, spiders, mammals, amphibians and other creatures.

A great book on this topic is Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallemy. I read this book about six months ago, and it has changed everything for me. You know how Food, Inc. and Michael Pollan have made you think differently about how you eat and where food comes from? Doug Tallemy has made me think differently about how I garden and the impact I have on the world around me.

In other words, what is the nutritional content of my garden?

Not about plants:: Heartpaths

2010-05-20T10:32:00.000-07:00

If you were able to peer into my brain, it would look like someone's garage that's being used for pointless storage. You know what I'm talking about? When the garage door opens and from floor to ceiling, random items fill every square inch in a haphazard fashion because they are afraid they might need it someday? Yep. I'm a hoarder.

As a result, I often have to rely on well-organized brains. And the person who wrote the following article, Robbin, has a the skills to say some things I think about a lot but have a hard time conveying.

I thought this article had some valid points. Points I think about a lot. My dear friend calls it the "heartpath." As in, "Does what I am about to do in my business or life have a heartpath, or is it void of soul and true purpose?"

Anyway, I hope you'll check out this article from Brains on Fire (a company with a definite heartpath).

CLASSY PEOPLE NEVER LET YOU DOWN

Occasional pest on River Birch

2010-05-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

This probably isn't a new pest, but it is new to me. Over the last few weeks, I've seen this pest at several nurseries in North and South Carolina.

Woolly Birch Aphid. This species, Hamamelistes spinosus, causes the leaves of River Birch (Betula nigra) to pucker and distort. Very cool.

NORMAL LEAVES:APHID-INFESTED LEAVES:
The distortion creates gall-like pockets where the aphids feed and reproduce.
Thankfully, the Woolly Birch Aphid only has one generation per year.
If you are a homeowner, the best course of action is no action at all. While the affected leaves cannot be cured, subsequent leaves that are formed will emerge without damage.

If you are a horticulturist and your trees have a history of this pest, you can apply a systemic insecticide at budbreak to prevent infestation and damage.

Vertical Gardening on the Cheap

2010-05-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

Last year, I posted an entry about Vertical Gardening using common products like gutters and canvas shoe holders. Inspired, I decided to create one an herb garden using a canvas shoe holder this spring. And it is really cute! As the herbs are getting bigger, they are starting to cover their little pouches (which I like).Last night at the meeting of the Charleston Horticultural Society, Jim Martin did an amazing job demonstrating some different ways to incorporate vertical gardens into our landscapes. If you missed the lecture, you missed a lot.
The canvas shoe holder is a good way to introduce yourself to the concept of vertical gardening because it is inexpensive ($10 plus soil and plants) and simple. I cut the bottom two rows off the bottom of mine so that it would work on my porch railing.

TIPS

Leave a 1-inch gap between the soil and the lip of each pouch. This will make watering easier because otherwise the water will just run over the edge without being absorbed.
Fill every pouch and water it well before you plant the first plant. I didn't do this and it caused me to get dirt all over the herbs I had planted at the bottom of of the holder.
Put plants that need more water at the bottom of the holder and those that need less at the top. The herbs on my top row dry out constantly, but the ones at the bottom stay hydrated.
Choose plants that like similar types of conditions and that stay the right size. Vegetables would be too big for this, so stick with smaller herbs or bedding plants. Ferns and other shady perennials would be beautiful if you have a shady spot.

What I love about this simple trick is that it only takes about an hour to make it complete. It's easy to put off the creation of a new garden because of the work it involves. But this is a fun Sunday afternoon project that even your kids would love to help create.

Things I did ths week

2010-05-07T05:06:00.000-07:00

1. Tasted Honeysuckle nectar.
I know that I am on the board of the South Carolina Exotic Plant Pest Council but I can't help loving this plant when it flowers! That scent signals the onset of summer for me. Bare feet, windows down, lightning bugs, screen doors. This is my time of year.2. Found 10 Killdeer Eggs.
Three nests and three shrieking momma birds. These birds love the gravel roadways of nurseries and they lay their eggs directly on the ground. You know that you are near a Killdeer nest because the mother will try to distract you by running from the nest dragging her wing. They are good actresses, playing the role of an injured bird.
3. Scouted a few nurseries.
This is best time of year to do what I do. Plants are flowering, trucks are being loaded and shipped to the garden centers and the weather is perfect. This wasn't one of the nurseries I scouted this week, but I love the way the different types of plants created a floral quilt across the hillside in this picture.

So, wow, I'm not that exciting!
But I'll take it.

View from my porch this evening

2010-05-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

What a life.

You want this plant

2010-05-04T15:42:00.000-07:00

I bought this little treasure at Plantasia last week (the fundraising plant sale for the Charleston Horticultural Society). It was grown by Father Guerric at Mepkin Abbey in their native plant nursery. The label didn't offer much information:The succulent gray-green foliage forms a mound about 6-8" high.
And the sweet little flowers open in the evening and are closed by the next morning. They form at the tips of slender stalks that are about 12" high.
This is one of those great plants that we need to see more of in the nursery industry. It looks great in a container and would be easy to propagate.

Let me know if you know the species-
Kari

Local color

2010-04-28T14:53:00.000-07:00

Many of you in Charleston know (or know of) Jim Martin. As the director of the Charleston Parks Conservancy, he can be found planning and planting throughout the city. On Friday, Jim donated his time to create a container garden for the Charleston Horticultural Society's Plantasia preview party, FETE.

Here is what Jim looks like on a typically Friday morning (during set-up for the plant sale):And here he is on an untypical Friday night:Needless to say, his alter ego was a real charmer. It takes real skill to garden, make daiquiris and wear high heels all at once and Jim (Jamie?) did it with finesse.If you missed Friday night's festivities, you'll have another chance to experience Jim Martin on May 10 at 6:30 (Charleston Museum on Meeting Street). He's the speaker for May meeting of the Charleston Horticultural Society and he'll be talking about and creating vertical gardens.

This is not to be missed. I'm serious.

Garden-worthy native

2010-04-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

I love this selection of Coneflower, Echinacea paradoxa x purpurea. Given the cultivar name, 'Paranoia,' this plant has strappy yellow petals that arch down from the central cone. I think it would look great planted with a native grass like Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris).
Or you could plant a mass of these Coneflowers near a native Trumpet Honeysuckle Vine (Lonicera sempervirens) for a beautiful combination.
Unlike the invasive Japanese Honeysuckle, this vine behaves itself and nicely contributes to the local ecosystem. The rich red flowers attract the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird* and is a larval plant for the Spring Azure Butterfly.

Ozark Coneflower seems to be taller than Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), so plan accordingly. Parson's Nursery in Georgetown, South Carolina sells this selection (wholesale only).
____________________________________
*When I worked at Carolina Nurseries, we used to grow this plant by the hundreds (if not thousands). When they flowered, I would stand in the middle of the field and watch 30-50 hummigbirds at a time zoom from flower to flower and fight for territory. It was amazing to be that close to so many birds. They were so engrossed with the flowers that they didn't notice me there at all.

My landscape orange

2010-04-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

I've heard that when tattoo artists are in training, they practice on oranges before they permanently ink someone's skin. Good idea.

In the world of landscape design, your parents' yard is your practice orange. Better to mess up their garden than a stranger's. Thankfully, I designed a very Southern traditional landscape for my parents' Victorian House (circa 1900) so I don't cringe every time I pull in the driveway. It has matured into a lovely garden (mainly because of the sweat equity that my sweet mom and dad have put into it over the last ten years!).

Are there things I would change about it? Absolutely. But as my friend Nathalie Dupree says, "Life is not perfect."

Side of house with 'Natchez; Crape Myrtle, Loropetalum, and 'Gulf Stream' Nandina:
Front of house with Boxwood, Tea Olive, Iris, Spiraea and Gumpo Azalea. When I get around to updating it, I'll remove the Gumpos and add in a coarser texture. And I want to remove the Tea Olive at the corner, too.
Other side of house with Chinese Fringetree, Southern Indica Azalea, Loropetalum and Hydrangea. When the Blue Hydrangeas bloom, they are spectacular against the soft green house.
Thank God the house is gorgeous and the yard is full of mature Oaks, Pecans and Dogwoods. Having these elements to work off of made my novice design look a lot better than it really is.

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Mepkin Abbey Natives

2010-04-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

Mepkin Abbey has been doing incredible things with native plants:
Growth and Renewal

Love Love Love.

Plantasia

2010-04-23T11:03:00.000-07:00

You are a Charleston gardener who cares where their plants are grown. And how their plants are grown. And you want to support the nurseries and people who work at these nurseries by buying their plants whenever you can. Am I right?

You can buy these plants tomorrow at the Charleston Horticultural Society's annual plant sale, Plantasia.

I just spent a couple of hours helping to set up with a faithful group of volunteers for the big sale (Saturday 8-12) and it is an amazing floral symphony of annuals and perennials, herbs and vegetables, shrubs and trees. Plant growers include Carolina Nurseries, Church Creek Nursery, Sea Island Savory Herbs, Mepkin Abbey and Nurseries Caroliniana.

The native plant selection is better than ever (all of the plants from Mepkin Abbey are natives) and I have my eye on a gorgeous native Sedum (with deep purple flowers).

If you are a plant lover, this is an event that can't be missed. In the morning, put on some grubby clothes, pour a cup of coffee to go, and come downtown to the lawn of the Gaillard Auditorium (on Calhoun Street).

And leave your guilt at home! This is a fund-raiser for the Charleston Horticultural Society so I want you to spend with abandon. We're not asking you to buy candy bars or donuts. No sir.

We're selling earth-friendly, home-improving, curb-appealing, waist-whittling plants that increase your personal quality of life.

So, I'll see you there?

The bottom line

2010-04-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

I read somewhere that you should only keep things in your life that are beautiful, useful, or that bring you joy. I live by this. In my mind, if it doesn't fit into at least one of these categories, it must go. Holding onto something that you don't love or use simply because it was given to you makes no sense to me. A cluttered home makes a cluttered mind.

If you apply this to your daily consumerism, you'll find that you buy a lot less of the things that are quasi-disposable. Instead, you will wait and buy things that you truly love when they become available to you.

This applies to the garden as well. Don't be afraid to edit when appropriate. Just because it is green and growing does not mean that it has earned the right to take up valuable garden real estate. If there is a shrub or plant that seems out of place or is not attractive, you will notice it and hate it every time you see it. As long as the plant will be composted and replaced with another plant, you can remove it without a twinge of guilt.

Remember, your landscape plants should be beautiful, useful and bring you joy.

The Rules of Good Gardening

2010-04-10T05:52:00.000-07:00

#2 Texture and structure are more important than flower color.

Colors are very personal. For some, fiery reds, oranges and yellows dominate their accent pillows and perennial borders. For others, like me, the cool greens, whites, blues and lavenders are woven through our personal spaces.

When selecting the furniture for inside our homes, we seem have a good understanding of how colors and textures play off of each other. For example, if we fall in love with a patterned upholstered chair, we will select a more neutral couch. We make sure that the Persian rug that dominates the living room doesn't compete with wallpaper and the surrounding upholstery. A saturated color, like red or turquoise, is often used as an accent, not as the primary hue.
In this living room, neutrals dominate. The wall color, couch and chairs hold the room together. Remove the flower arrangements and it is still a welcoming and useful room. Change the color of the throw pillows to match the sofa and the room continues to work.

Even though the rug and pillows are the most interesting and eye-catching parts of the room, without the tables, chairs and sofa they don't make a room.

It is not color that holds this room together, it is texture and structure.

In our gardens, we often abandon this principle and let color rule.

A room full of decorative pillows, paintings and flower arrangements does not make a living room! It makes a yard sale.

And a haphazard mixture of whatever was flowering at the garden center that day does not make a garden! It must have structure and texture first.

When I lecture, I often use this garden image as an example. Tucked into a courtyard behind one of the houses South of Broad in Charleston is this sublime garden. Why does this garden work? First, there is structure. Even during the winter months, when this garden is dormant, it is held together by a brick wall, the fountain and two Palmetto trees. Second, there are different textures. The smooth finish of the fountain and walkway, the rough bark of the Palmettos, the large leaves of the banana and coleus and small, fine leaves of the Weeping Willow and Mexican Heather.

The true test of a garden is whether it looks as good in black-and-white as it does in color. And this garden passes with an A+.
Do you have an area of your landscape that just won't come together? Take a black-and-white picture and see if you are missing the crucial element of texture. Hint: If it all kind of blurs together, then you have overlooked the principle of texture. Identify where to add an accent plant or two and watch it all come together.

Peppermint Peach

2010-04-09T18:24:00.000-07:00

What an eye-catcher.

Horticultural Locavore

2010-04-08T18:27:00.000-07:00

Hey landscapers......You know how you've made a conscious decision to support local restaurants that use produce, meats and cheeses from sources that are close to home? And how you've started shopping a the farmer's market more often?

Are you making the same decisions about the plants you are buying for your landscape jobs?

I'm not opposed to plants that are "from off," but when you have a local option I think you should use it!

In Charleston, there are many wholesale nurseries that grow everything from ground-hugging herbs to towering trees. Are these nurseries the first that you call when it's time to place an order?

If you are looking for perennials (including regular and creeping Rosemary, people), look to Parson's Nursery, just south of Georgetown. It's the horticultural equivalent of farm-fresh produce.

I saw a neat Columbine there this week called "Winky Double." (I think a Brit must have named this plant. I don't think that Americans use the work "Winky" very often!)

The website needs lovin' too!

2010-04-04T11:19:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out the Scout Horticultural Consulting website for information regarding upcoming lectures, articles and services offered for all things horticultural.

www.scouthort.com

A plant's natural beauty

2010-04-04T08:02:00.000-07:00

Loropetalum has become one of the most popular landscape plants in the southeastern United States over the last ten years. Cultivars like 'Plum Delight,' 'Ever Red,' 'Ruby,' and 'Daruma' are available at every garden center.

Most often, these plants are sold as small shrubs and are used as foundation plantings. I don't think that shearing this plant and keeping it small allows this plant to really strut its stuff.

Did you know that most of these cultivars will naturally grow 15-feet tall if left unpruned? It is a beautiful specimen tree if you allow it to be itself:

Not only it is an incredible sight when it flowers in the spring but the evergreen leaves are a rich, deep burgundy color.What do you think?

Local nursery with native trees

2010-03-31T13:50:00.001-07:00

As an advocate for more native plants in our landscapes, I am often asked, "Where can I find these plants you are talking about?" And often, I am at a loss. Most of the plants for sale at the garden center, while beautiful, are not native to the southeastern United States. And while these exotic plants have many exceptional attributes- shade creation, aesthetics, erosion reduction, bird cover- they are not adequate hosts for many of the insects that our bird species need to complete their life cycles. Natives are important.

Well, I have a great nursery for y'all to go visit- Specialty Trees. A good portion of the trees available are natives and I've listed them below:

Southern Red Maple....Acer rubrum 'Drummondii'
Red Buckeye....Aesculus pavia
Bottlebrush Buckeye....Aesculus parviflora
Sweetshrub....Calycanthus floridus
Eastern Redbud....Cercis canadensis
Texas Redbud....Cercis texensis
Kentucky Coffeetree....Cladrastis kentukea
Swamp Cyrilla....Cyrilla
Loblolly Bay....Gordonia lasianthus
Carolina Silverbell....Halesia tetraptera
Spicebush....Lindera benzion
Tuliptree....Liriodendron tulipifera
Large-leaf Magnolia....Magnolia acuminata
Southern Magnolia....Magnolia grandiflora 'D.D. Blanchard'
Black Gum....Nyssa sylvatica
Sourwood....Oxydendrum arboreum
Swamp White Oak....Quercus bicolor
Overcup Oak....Quercus lyrata
Chinkapin Oak....Quercus muehlenbergii
Nutall Oak....Quercus nuttalli
Live Oak....Quercus virginiana
Bald Cypress....Taxodium distichum
Weeping Bald Cypress....Taxodium distichum 'Cascade Falls'
Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum....Viburnum 'Rusty Blackhaw'

Now, I have a plan for your trip to Specialty Trees (you need to make an appointment before you go to make sure Tony is there). The nursery is off of Highway 174 on the way to Edisto Beach, south of Charleston. Call 843-324-1437 or e-mail specialtytrees@mac.com to schedule a trip to this wonderful nursery.

I recommend meeting with Tony around 10 or 11. If you don't have a truck, he'll deliver your tree to town later.

Afterward, head towards Edisto and eat lunch at Po' Pigs BBQ; It's so delicious. On your way back, stop at King's Market for some cut flowers, chicken salad, tomato pie and double-yolk eggs for later. Once you get home, consider a nap.

Trust me on all of this....I have done this itinerary before.

Here are some of the Redbuds that are currently flowering at the nursery:Mexican White Oak, just leafing out. The new growth is pink and downy:

Hope y'all will listen to me and visit Specialty Trees. If you go, be sure to tell Tony that you heard about it here.

Happy Spring!
Kari

"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe." -John Muir

2010-03-31T06:13:00.000-07:00

I love my job

2010-03-29T21:09:00.000-07:00

Over the last two weeks, I had the privilege to teach a 3-day workshop for the Charleston Parks Conservancy. We met for two evenings in a classroom at Hazel Parker Playground (on lower East Bay Street) and spent our final class in the spectacular garden of CPC Executive Director, Jim Martin.
Being able to really interact with eager gardeners on such an intimate level (5 participants) was really a treat for me. I hope that they got as much out of it as I did.....

Leslee Johnson-Allen of the Charleston Examiner was a faithful participant of the class and I think that she captured the feel of the workshop perfectly: Secret gardens reveal gardening secrets in Parks Conservancy workshop. Be sure to check out the slide show at the end of the article.

Leslee wrote another article about the class as well (Charleston Parks Conservancy sows the seeds for beautiful, healthy gardens) and has a collection of other nature-based articles that are worth checking out. She has a wonderful perspective.

On life and death

2010-03-25T12:33:00.001-07:00

It is the new year (in my book), a time of renewal and rebirth. Bees are in a frenzy, trying to visit many flowers as they possibly can. Pollen is falling in lazy drifts from the pine trees. Lawn mowers are clogging the air with the sounds of their motors.

DEATH
Spring is not a time you expect death but it was at my doorstep yesterday afternoon. It is the second songbird that has fallen prey to my windows. The first was a Yellow-Rumped Warbler. This time, one of my beloved Cedar Waxwings.
They have been devouring the berries off of the Eleagnus growing along the woodline over the last few days.

After admiring her beauty, I gave her a proper burial and said a little prayer.
I love that yellow color of their underbellies.

LIFE
On a brighter note (literally), I have a Painted Bunting frequenting my feeder. Amazing.

“In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.” -Mark Twain

2010-03-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

And it was all yellow

2010-03-21T15:26:00.000-07:00

My favorite color may well be yellow. I try to tell myself that it is a turquoise-ish shade of blue, but when I step back and look at the colors that dominate my home, it seems to be a golden hue. I think that I once read that yellow is predominately the favorite color of people with mental issues.....so I have been reluctant to adopt it as my own!

But I'm accepting it for now! This first weekend of spring was a weekend of bright, sunlit yellow and I am happy.

The equinox began with 30 stems of daffodils which I bought for a mere $5. Possibly the best $5 I have ever spent.
My golden-themed weekend continued during a kayaking excursion on the Wambaw River Saturday when a Sulfur butterfly landed on my hand. It was a very "Snow White" moment.
Ahhhhhh, Spring. Thank you for returning. I was worried you had abandoned us.

Underutilized Native Plant- Inkberry

2010-03-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

Last week I gave a lecture to the Charleston Horticultural Society about nonnative invasive plants and the impact they have on habitats in our area. The feedback was very good- most attendees were not aware that when invasive plants are allowed to "naturalize" and escape from our gardens that it harms the established ecosystem.

It's a complicated issue because you can't talk about invasive plants without then addressing the need for more native plants in our gardens.

One that should be used more is Inkberry, Ilex glabra. This native evergreen holly is an excellent alternative to Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) and Japanese Boxwood (Buxus microphylla)in the landscape. Indigenous from Nova Scotia to Florida, this plant is found in coastal plains and pine forests and is well-adapted to wet soils.

In the animal world, Inkberry can be considered a "superfood." According to an article in American Nurseryman (March 2010), the fruit are eaten by birds and mammals in the spring- including wild turkey and quail. Thirty-four species of moth and butterfly larvae are able to forage the leaves. In turn, these caterpillars become an important food source for many of our songbirds.

In addition to supporting birds, mammals and herbivorous insects, Inkberry is an important nectar and pollen source for honeybees. The nectar that is collected from Inkberry contains high levels of a particular enzyme that prevents the honey from crystallizing. A prominent botanist and beekeeper from the 1920's, John H. Lovell, referred to Inkberry as "the most valuable honey plant" (Root and Root, The ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture).
Incidentally, due to development, Ilex glabra is becoming more scarce, particularly in the Northeast. As we inhabit larger areas of the United States, our gardens become the natural habitat for birds, insects and other animals; We can no longer pretend that our personal landscapes are not part of the bigger picture. Incorporating great plants like Inkberry into our gardens can help sustain our native fauna.

For more information about this great native shrub, check out the article by Emma Van de Water and Dr. Tomasz Anisko ("An Adaptable Shrub for a Changing Environment) in this month's American Nurseryman.

The Rules of Good Gardening

2010-03-12T07:01:00.000-08:00

#1 Do not buy mulch from the gas station.

Butterbutt

2010-03-04T15:39:00.001-08:00

A small dead bird was on my door mat this afternoon, presented almost as if it was a gift. I had hoped she was still alive when I picked her up, but her eyes were lifeless and her feet were curled up towards her heels.

I took her inside to check her out. While I don't know for sure, I think she died from flying into one of my windows.

She was about the size of a wren or chickadee, but I didn't know what kind of bird I was holding. Her colors were muted, dominated by browns and blacks, so I assumed it was a female. The most telling mark was a bright gold patch at the base of her body, right above her tail. This yellow dollop made her really easy to identify (with help from Peterson's Guide Book)- Yellow-Rumped Warbler. Birders call them "Butterbutts."Later in the day, I peeked out my kitchen window into the Weeping Yaupon Holly and saw her lonely mate. I wonder if he knew what happened to her. Or if he thought she was just off on a short trip. It broke my heart to see him waiting patiently for her to return. It must be hard to lose your mate.

Upcoming Lecture

2010-03-01T16:09:00.000-08:00

"The Nonnatives are Restless: Preventing the Spread of Invasives in the Lowcountry"

Charleston Horticultural Society: Charleston Museum March 8, 2010 6:30-7:30

Knowing which plants are invasive in our area is a challenge because many exotic species have established themselves in our landscapes decades ago. To make things more complicated for the gardener, many plants that are designated as invasive are still sold at garden centers and nurseries. This lecture will explain the real impact of invasive species on our natural areas and dependent animal species. In addition to identifying the plants that are invasive in the Lowcountry, suitable alternatives to these plants will be covered. Plant alternatives will not be limited to native species, but the benefits of natives will be a focus of this presentation.

This lecture will be useful to homeowners trying to make conscientious decisions in their personal gardens, hunters who are concerned about natural habitats and food plots, landowners who are battling invasive plants on their property and naturalists who are concerned about preserving our indigenous plants.

A free copy of the book Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests: A Field Guide for Identification and Control (James H. Miller) will be available to each attendee. This 93-page, full-color book has images and descriptions of invasive plants and detailed instructions for their control. It is a useful addition to any gardener's or naturalist's library.

I promise to have all of you out of there by 7:30! And if you come, you have a chance to win some great plants- I'm going to bring some flowering natives for the giveaway. Hope to see you there!

Certification Complete

2010-02-22T10:10:00.000-08:00

Kari Whitley, Certified Arborist
#SO-6773A
International Society of Arboriculture
February 22, 2010

Food for thought, thought for food (2)

2010-02-20T06:58:00.000-08:00

"While it is true that many people simply can't afford to pay more for food, either in money or time or both, many more of us can. After all, just in the last decade or two we've somehow found the time in the day to spend several hours on the internet and the money in the budget not only to pay for broadband service, but to cover a second phone bill and a new monthly bill for television, formerly free. For the majority of Americans, spending more for better food is less a matter of ability than priority."

-Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto

Americans now spend less than 10% of our disposable income on food, a percentage that is disproportionate with the rest of the world. While this may seem good, it is really a reflection of the quality and type of food we are buying. Watch this: Cost of Food

A day in the life of a plant pathologist

2010-02-17T15:22:00.000-08:00

Other than, "How tall are you?, " the question I get asked most is, "What is a plant pathologist?".

I guess that "plant pathologist" conjures up images of a person in a white lab coat dissecting a dead plant on a cold, metal table. A forensic pathologist....only for trees.

Most of the time, I'm not playing the role of a coroner (sometimes, though!) but rather studying the diseases and insects that interact with and affect the health of landscape plants. As a field plant pathologist, most of my time is spent at nurseries or in landscapes looking for signs and symptoms of fungi, bacteria, viruses and insects.

It is a lot like CSI most of the time. I have to asked a lot of questions to find out what happened prior to illness. How often was it watered? When was the last time it was fertilized? When did you notice it was in decline? Have you done anything to this plant recently?

CASE STUDY
A few weeks ago, I started seeing this on the Camellias at a few nurseries and in gardens:I had been told a few years ago by another pathologist that it was a virus called Camellia Ringspot Virus. Although the leaf spots look very viral, something about it didn't add up (you have to go with your gut a lot), so I took a second look when it appeared this winter.

The circular leaf spots occur on older foliage following cold weather. As soon as the new leaves emerge in the spring, these diseased leaves fall to the ground.

As it turns out, this ring-spotting is caused by a fungus. And this fungus overwinters on the infected leaves that fall to the ground beneath the Camellias. After a week or two on the ground, a large brown lesion will develop on the leaf.
If conditions are right, the fungus will sporulate and fruiting bodies will become evident on the leaves. This is an image of the fruiting bodies though a dissecting microscope:The black squiggly stuff is actually masses of spores that are being pushed out of the fruiting bodies. Plant pathologists call these spore tendrils. It's kind of like a really bad pimple.

When you look at these spore tendrils under a microscope the spores are visible.

This is how I am able to diagnose the disease that is affecting a plant- by the spores. Just like a flower is the definitive way to determine the species of a plant, spores are the way you determine the species of a fungus. In this case, Phyllosticta (the asexual phase of Guignardia).

Case closed!

And that's what a plant pathologist does (sort of). Wow, right?

If you are a bit geeky, this article has all the information you'll ever need: A New Leaf Spot Disease of Camellias caused by the Fungus Guignardia.

Rare Charleston Snow

2010-02-15T12:39:00.000-08:00

I awoke to this wonderland on Saturday. It was spectacular.

Birds & Squirrels

2010-02-10T13:19:00.000-08:00

The Cedar Waxwings are back!!! I just saw a flock of them in my leafless River Birch (Betula nigra) by the creek. I hope they find the Yaupon Holly that's just outside my office window again this year. It was an amazing sight with all of those birds covering the tree. And loud!

It was this time last year that a Waxwing got intoxicated and passed out on my porch. I loved her.

Later today, when I went outside to see if they were still around, I saw that the squirrel is back into my bird food.In his defense, one of my feeders is just an old harrowing disk from a tractor that is nailed to the railing. The cardinals and some of the larger birds seem to prefer this to the feeder.

But dammit, bird seed is expensive and I'm not interested in feeding greedy squirrels!

So I went outside and dumped ground red pepper all over the seed again to keep him out of it.I did this for the first time last week and it works great. I watched from the window as the squirrel began to gorge on seeds (I'm pretty sure I was wringing my hands with anticipation as I did this). The heat from the pepper hit him all at once and he straightened up like he had been hit by lightning. Then he let out a yelp and scurried away in a zigzag pattern....it was great.

Now I know you are thinking I am mean. But really it's no worse than eating some spicy buffalo wings to you or me.

As for the birds, they don't even notice. They don't have the neural receptors that recognize the heat from peppers. In fact, birds have co-evolved with peppers to eat the fruit and spread the seed! And if you don't want to use up your kitchen spices, you can always buy seed that is pre-coated with red pepper.

It's nicer than a pellet gun, right?

Stay warm!
Kari

Viburnum obovatum 'Reifler's Dwarf'

2010-02-09T09:33:00.000-08:00

There a many reasons why we need to start looking at native plants as replacements for many of our standard landscape plants. From a pest pressure standpoint, natives are often more tolerant of indigenous insects and fungi because they have co-evolved with these pests. It stands to reason that a pest would not kill it's host because they want an ongoing source of food.

Birds and other animals have also co-evolved with these plants are are dependent upon these native species. The diversity of songbirds in natural areas far exceeds the populations in cultivated gardens dominated by exotic plants.

One of my new favorite native shrubs is Small-leaf Viburnum, Viburnum obovatum. Endemic to the coastal plain from South Carolina down to Florida and across to Alabama, this evergreen shrub is perfectly acclimated to our area.

The cultivar 'Reifler's Dwarf' is a small, rounded selection that would be a great substitute for Abelia, Indian Hawthorn or Japanese Hollies in the landscape. It grows to an ultimate height of 4-5' high and wide, but responds well to shearing.

Look at this greenhouse of perfect 'Reifler's Dwarf' Viburnums at Dudley Nursery:The flower buds are a deep rose pink and are formed in the late summer and fall. Around February, the buds open to reveal small white flowers that cover the entire plant. After flowering, purple-black fruit (that the birds happen to love) are formed.

It is like a Yaupon Holly with bigger flowers and a softer texture.

Should I list the attributes of this plant?

Small, rounded growth habit
Evergreen leaves
Multi-season interest (buds, flowers and fruit)
Native plant
Easily sheared
Bird attractant
New(ish) cultivar for an updated plant palette (are you as tired of Japanese Hollies and Indian Hawthorns as I am?)

Indian Hawthorn Choices

2010-02-08T06:41:00.000-08:00

I hesitate to endorse an Indian Hawthorn (Raphiolepis indica). Whenever I declare a cultivar to be completely resistant to the dreaded Entomosporium Leaf Spot, I am proved wrong within a week or two.

But I've got my eye on a new cultivar call 'Spring Sonata.' Not only does it look great from a disease-resistance standpoint, but it the foliage is a soft blue-green. This selection, from the Southern Living plant collection, has white flowers in the early spring. Growing to a maximum size of about 5-feet high and wide, this plant is suitable for most gardens. Over the next year, I'm going to evaluate this plant in both the nursery and landscape to see if it is, in fact, a good replacement for 'Alba' and some of the other selections that dominate the market. ('Alba' is a good cultivar as long as you purchase disease-free plants, space them properly and keep the leaves dry.)
The only nursery I know in the area that is growing this cultivar is Parsons Nursery in Georgetown, South Carolina (wholesale only).

I've also got my eye on a couple of cultivars called 'Snow White' and 'Snow.' I've seen some beautiful 'Snow White' plants at Dudley Nursery in Thomson, Georgia and I am hopeful that they are going to perform as well.

I'll keep you posted,
Kari

Into the Mystic

2010-02-01T13:24:00.000-08:00

I spent the weekend at my family's farmhouse in South Georgia (in a remote unincorporated town called Mystic) with my sister Kelley, cousin Lauren and aunt Maggie. It was a great girl's getaway, complete with bonfires, meals around the farmhouse table and red wine.

My sister, the Norwegian Princess, happens to be a talented photographer and she documented our weekend with her new camera. Here are a few of her images:

HORTICULTURAL NOTE: I was really excited to see the Red Maples (Acer rubrum) flowering. This is the Robin of the plant world- the harbinger of spring. Red Maples are one of the first native trees to flower each year and are a sign that winter won't last forever:

Upcoming Lectures

2010-02-01T06:38:00.000-08:00

Those of you who know me know that there is nothing I love more than lecturing. It is exciting to talk about the up-and-coming cultivars, emerging plant pests and other horticultural topics. This week, I'll be speaking at two conferences in South Carolina. I'd love to see you there!

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON INVASIVE SPECIES
Seabrook Island, South Carolina
"The Impact of the South Carolina Nursery & Landscape Industry on the Spread of Invasive Plants"
February 2, 2010 8:45
A brief background on the nursery and landscape industry and our past role in the introduction and spread of invasive plants. The overview will discuss the impact of our industry and the steps we are taking to prevent future use of non-native invasive plants.
SOUTH CAROLINA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
"Phasing Out Non-Native Invasive Plants from Our Landscapes"
February 4, 2010 1:30-230
Each year in the United States, we suffer from over $100 billion in economic losses due to the impact of invasive species. Many plants that are commonly grown and used in the horticultural industry have a significant impact on the decline of native populations. This lecture is designed to identify the major invasive plant species in South Carolina and explain the environmental and economic impact of these plants. Non-invasive plants with similar growth habits and design characteristics will be discussed (both native and non-native) to provide landscape alternatives. In addition, this lecture will address ways to eradicate or prevent the spread of invasive plants landscapes and other natural areas.

A free copy of the book Non-Native Invasive Plants of Southern Forests: A Field Guide for Identification and Control (James Miller, U.S. Forest Service) will be given to each attendee.

"Installing and Maintaining Landscapes that Thrive"
February 6, 2010 9:00-10:00
Many problems can occur in a landscape each year-and it's frustrating when a lawn does not green up in the spring or when a plant suddenly dies. This talk will focus on how to identify problems in the landscape, when they usually happen and what to do when you see a problem. Focusing on plant diseases, insects and good horticultural practices, Kari will explain how to predict and prevent landscape mistakes.

For more information about upcoming lectures, visit my website, Scout Horticultural Consulting.

You Want This Plant: 'Lady in Red' Hydrangea

2010-01-25T05:46:00.000-08:00

As an added benefit of scouting nurseries, I get to really study cultivar differences within plant species. For example, over the course of a year, I see hydrangeas grown at nurseries and landscapes at many locations in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Over a month, I may examine twelve "crops" of Hydrangeas at twelve different nurseries.

What has been fascinating about this for me is noticing the differences in vigor, disease resistance and flowering is very consistant from nursery to nursery. So even with the variables of soil, fertilizer, irrigation and hardiness zones, certain cultivars always outperform the others. This is not just true for Hydrangeas- I see this in Camellias, Hostas, Roses and all of the other species we favor with wide cultivar selections.

Of the Hydrangeas, there is one cultivar that has been terribly overlooked by gardeners and landscape designers. I think that it never took hold because consumers have come to associate Hydrangeas with blue, volleyball-sized mopheads. 'Lady in Red' does not satisfy that description.

Introduced by Dr. Michael Dirr from the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lady in Red' has many qualities that make it unique and superior to many Hydrangeas on the market.

DISEASE RESISTANCE: Most Hydrangeas are susceptible to Powdery Mildew and leaf spots caused by Colletotrichum and Cercospora. These diseases not only impact the aesthetics of the plants, but also the overall vigor. Plants that become infected with these diseases tend to lose their leaves earlier in the season and have reduced flower size (over time).

'Lady in Red' is resistant to Powdery Mildew. If a 'Lady in Red' Hydrangea is growing in the center of a group of Powdery Mildew-laden Hydrangeas (let's say 'Claudie' which is one of the worst), it will not get diseased. The same holds true for the leaf spots.

The foliage alone is reason to grow this plant.

FORM: The stems, which are a gorgeous wine-red, are sturdy and upright. This plant does not flop and fall apart like some of the traditional mopheads. The flowers are smaller, so they do not pull the stems down to the ground.

That being said, understand that 'Lady in Red' does not have the LARGE flowers like a blue mophead. And I just know that this is the reason it did not become the blockbuster that 'Endless Summer' has become. We are not a nation of subtleties.

USE IN THE LANDSCAPE: 'Lady in Red' should not be planted alone. This plant is going to be most effective when planted en masse. Trust me on this. Just looking at this pictures taken at a North Carolina nursery (Fair View Nursery) and you see what I mean. You really want five or ten to really make an impact.

And these pictures were taken in late October! Just look at that strong foliage; Hydrangeas are usually slowing down and turning yellow by this time of year. (The fall coloration on this cultivar is a deep, velvety reddish-purple. Divine.)

I could see this plant growing in front of a thick evergreen screen or planted near the foundation of a grey or stone building. Plant a large sweep of Black-eyed Susans or 'Autumn Joy' Sedum in front of the 'Lady in Red' Hydrangeas and I think it would be really impressive.

It is time to re-examine this cultivar.

I think it is a shame that it is not used more in the industry because it has all of the qualities we tell breeders we want: compactness, multi-season interest, flower, disease resistance. Fact is, if it wasn't a Hydrangea, we would all be using it. We've just got an image in our heads of what a Hydrangea is supposed to look like.....and 'Lady in Red' doesn't fit that image.

Love, love, love this plant. And you should, too.

"At the end of life, our questions are very simple: Did I live fully? Did I love well?" -Jack Kornfield

2010-01-17T06:37:00.000-08:00

I have a not-so-secret desire to imprint a songbird. I know better than to actually do it, but it doesn't quell the want. Is the underlying reason that I was initially attracted to horticulture actually a quest to control nature?

This little wren flew into my window and knocked herself out. I didn't cage her; She flew away shortly after I took this picture.

Pelican Rescue and the Center for Birds of Prey

2010-01-15T05:28:00.000-08:00

It's been cold here. So cold that for the first time since I have lived in Charleston, there was ice on the marsh. So cold that the windowboxes, hanging baskets and citrus trees in the downtown gardens have been covered with trash bags and blankets for weeks.

So cold that Pelicans are getting frostbite.

Last weekend, I was at Garris Landing (where the ferry leaves for Bull Island) in Awendaw. As it turns out, it was so cold that the ferry didn't run that day.

Before we left, we came across a Brown Pelican along the edge of the Marsh; she had ice on her beak and was dormant.
The naturalists from Coastal Expeditions called the Center for Birds of Prey and they instructed us to bring her in to the medical center. Chris Crolley and Ian Sanchez were able to easily drape her in a towel and pick her up for transport to the center. The medical team checked in our poor Pelican and told us that they would contact us in a few days to tell us her prognosis. So far, they've brought in at least six pelicans during this cold spell!

From there, we went to the exhibit area and went on a tour with Steven and Monty. We saw several species of owls, buzzards, vultures. Amazing!

Following the tour, they did a flight demonstration with a Swallowtail Kite, Eurasian Owl, and Common Buzzard.
All in all, a great day. If you've never been to the Center for Birds of Prey, you must go. It's only $12 dollars and they do flight demonstrations twice a day (Thursday-Saturday).

Industry Outlook for 2010

2010-01-04T12:24:00.000-08:00

"For the first time in 18 months, the majority of landscape architecture company leaders reported normal or above levels of work compared to the previous quarters, according to the latest American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Business Quarterly survey.

For the third quarter of 2009, 51.3 percent of landscape architecture companies reported average or above billings compared to 32 percent during the second quarter of 2009. Additionally, 55.4 percent of companies reported average or above inquiries for the same time frame, up from 32.2 percent the previous quarter."

-American Nurseryman, January 2010

Thai Exhibition Garden

2009-12-31T09:59:00.001-08:00

SITE EVALUATION AND PLANNING
2005 was the inaugural year of the Charleston Garden Festival at Middleton Place Plantation. As a fledgling entrepreneur and young Charleston Horticultural Society Board Member, I was eager to participate.

I enlisted Chip Chesnutt of Other Side of the River to be my co-conspirator and we blindly entered the world of display gardening.

In the spring of 2005, we selected our site- a vast 60x80 foot green space with a view of the Ashley River. If you've ever done a display garden, you know this is an enormous space to fill. We simply didn't know any better.
Over the summer, we drew and submitted plans to the CGF powers-that-be, ambitiously deciding to build a tea house and create meandering paths into several well-designed rooms. Mixing hardy Lowcountry plants like Oleander and Viburnum with exotic orchids, gingers, bananas and palms, we designed a tropical garden that would thrive in the Southern landscape.

We bought a book on how to build bamboo fences. Chip and his crew spent the summer in a forest with machetes, harvesting invasive bamboo. The canes were held together with intricately woven black rope, as seen below:SET-UP
Set-up began on a Monday and we had four days to complete our garden. Plants were delivered on loan from local wholesale nurseries. A disturbingly heavy Buddha statue was borrowed from Hyam's Garden Center. Twenty-foot tall bamboo was cut from the forest and hauled to the site. We were overwhelmed to say the least!

I coordinated the layout of the site, with a crew of Americorps volunteers and Middleton Place Plantation employees.
Because the plants stayed in their pots, we had to water them every day to keep them from drying out:
Pine straw was artfully arranged around the bases of the plants to give the appearance that they were actually planted in the landscape:
Chip and his crew built a surprisingly sturdy tea house with a bamboo thatch roof (there was no plan and he had never constructed anything before....though he told me over and over that it was "to code"). He surrounded the boards with bamboo:
Then, Chip and his crew took the cut timber bamboo and created a "forest" around the perimeter. They did this by driving a piece of rebar 2-feet into the ground, removing the rebar and inserting a piece of bamboo. They did this over and over until the desired affect was achieved. It was really ingenious....I wish I had picture of the process. You can see the bamboo in this image:COMPLETED
Somehow, it all came together. I lost 8 pounds that week and my feet were so swollen that I had to soak them in Epsom Salts before the garden party. But it was worth it.

On Monday, we dismantled the garden and returned the plants, stone and borrowed items. The pine straw was used on a landscape installation later that week and the fence became a screen in Chip's backyard.

I had about 10 meltdowns that week, but looking back, I'm glad we chose to tackle the entire 60x80' space. It was quite an experience.

New Year, New Website

2009-12-30T12:19:00.000-08:00

Check out my new website at www.scouthort.com!

Prepare to be wowed. Or underwhelmed!
Kari

You want this book

2009-12-29T06:45:00.000-08:00

Even though I'm a warm-weather gal, I love having a week of cold, short days between Christmas and New Years. In between reconciling my books (quite a task) and finishing up chores, I am feasting on Michael Pollan's book, Second Nature: A Gardener's Education.
You've heard of him if you are at all interested in the food that you eat. His books The Botany of Desire, The Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food are all at the top of my list of faves. He writes the way that I think, combining science with a back story. If I ever get the chance to develop my own college course (!), it will be on the social implications of agricultural advancement (and the historical impact of plant diseases). Pollan is an expert on these topics.

Here's an except from the introduction of Second Nature:

"For soon I also came to the realization that I would not learn to garden very well before I'd also learned about a few other things: about my proper place in nature (was I within my rights to murder that woodchuck that had been sacking my vegetable garden all spring?); about the somewhat peculiar attitudes toward the land than an American is born with (why is it that the neighbors have taken such a keen interest in the state of my lawn?); about the troubled borders between nature and culture; and about the experience of place, the moral implications of landscape design, and several other questions that the wish to harvest a few decent tomatoes had not prepared me for."

Love this.

Well, back to my bookkeeping. But first, I'm going to stash my new book in the storage room under my house to alleviate the temptation to curl up on the couch and keep reading.....

Happy New Year!
Kari

These may be my favorite trees in Charleston

2009-12-15T16:28:00.000-08:00

If only you could have walked down King Street today in Charleston. Not the shopping district (absolutely not),but just above Broad Street. That is where you would have found a pair of Ginkgos flanking the entrance to the Charleston Library Society at the peak of their fall display.

And they are two of the grandest trees in Charleston.

They go fairly unnoticed through the year; We are a city that worships the Live Oak. But every year, just as everyone is hanging wreaths and stringing lights, the Gingkos command all the attention.

I particularly love the two Gingkos on King Street because of their surrounding architecture and landscape. There is something to be said for a strong, simple design supported by a Podocarpus hedge, two Gingko trees and a manicured lawn.

And the heavy dose of Spanish Moss hanging from the branches just makes me love them more. (How is that possible?!)

I could go on for days, but I'll let the pictures make you jealous that you weren't here to see it for yourself.Perfection.

Re-thinking Natives

2009-12-10T04:36:00.000-08:00

When "native plants" are mentioned, what do you envision?

A free-flowing meadow of grasses and wildflowers? An informal hodgepodge of fruit-bearing trees and shrubs that attract songbirds? An overgrown, impenetrable mixture of vines, shrubs and trees?

..........Well, what about this?

No, this garden is not all natives. But the unifying element, a Yaupon Holly hedge, is indigenous. By tightly shearing it, this evergreen plant becomes a integral part of the design.

Could you have used Boxwoods instead? In my experience they don't do well on the barrier islands (this garden is on the Isle of Palms). Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) has greater salt tolerance and therefore is more vigorous in this situation.
Wow, right?

2009-12-08T14:09:00.000-08:00

When the sun rises, I go to work.
When the sun sets, I take my rest.
I dig the well from which I drink,
I till the soil from which I eat.

Kings can do no more.

-Chinese Proverb

Perfection

2009-12-02T16:57:00.000-08:00

For all of you landscape contractors that are looking for consistency and quality in large, containerized trees, look to Casey Nursery in Goldsboro, North Carolina. These trees, in 15 and 25 gallon pots, are specimen plants. They have the well-developed canopies of field-grown trees with the convenience of container-grown trees. It's a hard-to-find combination.

I love my job

2009-11-30T07:56:00.000-08:00

While scouting Dudley Nurseries in Thomson, Georgia last Wednesday and full from a plate of fried turkey (thanks for lunch, y'all!), I took a few minutes to be thankful for the wonderful opportunity I have to work with great people at beautiful nurseries.

I'm one of the lucky people in this world that truly loves what they do for a living. When it's icy and windy or hot and muggy, I may question my decision to become a horticulturist.....but most of the time I'm happy as a lark.

After all, not many people get to stand in a greenhouse full of Fragrant Tea Olives (Osmanthus fragrans) that are in full bloom. If you've ever smelled one Tea Olive, then you'd know that over a hundred in an enclosed greenhouse will send you over the moon:
And the fragrance of Mahonia coupled with the glowing yellow flowers will make you pause for a moment in gratitude:
Lastly, everyone always asks what is my favorite flower. This time of year, it has to be Camellia. When the Camellias are in bloom, I get to wander through greenhouses and shade frames surrounded by these flowering shrubs.

Look at this Camellia japonica 'Pink Icicle'. The flowers are absolutely amazing. That pink flower set against a dark Charleston-green leaf is stunning. It has been my favorite cultivar for the last two years.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Kari

Tried and True: 'Mine No Yuki' Camellia

2009-11-23T12:07:00.000-08:00

Can you imagine a more heavenly sight? On my way from Goldsboro to Charlotte last week I drove past this row of Sasanqua Camellias, turned my car around and stopped to admire. Each shrub is about 6-7 feet high and wide, collectively making an impressive display.

The skirt of petals surrounding each plant adds to the beauty, like a dusting of snow. The flowers of Camellia sasanqua "shatter" into individual petals as they fall from the stems (alternatively, Camellia japonica flowers stay whole).
This cultivar, 'Mine No Yuki,' was selected in the 19th century and the name literally translates to 'Snow on the Mountain.' The white peony-form flowers occur in late fall.

I love this plant.

Nursery Note: Southern Red Mites are back

2009-11-19T05:15:00.001-08:00

If you have a nursery and you are growing Japanese Hollies, Azaleas, Japanese Camellias or Magnolias, scout for Southern Red Mites.

They are easy to manage if they are caught early. If you wait, they can cause leaf damage and defoliation.

If you are planning on covering these crops with frost blanket or plastic through the winter, make sure that you have properly managed the mites before you cover the plants.

-Kari

Tar Spot on Maple

2009-11-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

I love when I find this disease on Red Maple (Acer rubrum).
It doesn't show up until late summer or early fall and it usually only affects a small portion of the leaves. But the spots are large and very distinctive- and they look like tar, hence the common name.

The fungus is Rhytisma acerinum. The specific epithet indicates that the fungus will only infect the leaves of Maple.

When you run your fingers over the leaf, it feels rubbery, as if a dollop of tar dried on the leaf.

Tar Spot can cause premature defoliation, but unless the infection is bad you won't notice.

If your Maple has this disease, the best way to manage it is to rake up the leaves in the fall so they can't cause reinfection the next year. I wouldn't bother unless the trees are being grown for sale.

Wow, right?

Boron Toxicity

2009-11-16T17:52:00.000-08:00

We've got an interesting water situation in certain areas of the Lowcountry- excess boron. It was a surprising discovery for me and it took me a long time to figure out. When a landscape is being irrigated from a municipal source, you don't expect a toxicity problem.....so I never tested.

Well, finally I did. And as it turned out, the aquifer that a certain municipality pulls water from has high boron levels (it is safe for human consumption) . I have found excessive boron in the well and municipal water in Mount Pleasant, Meggett, Edisto and John's Island.

Boron toxicity is fairly easy to diagnose, but it requires a water or foliar test for confirmation.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
1. It occurs on the older growth. It takes a while for the element to accumulate in the leaves, so only the older leaves will show injury.

See how the new growth on these Sago Palms is unaffected? This is a typical injury pattern:

2. A marginal "burn" shows up on the leaves of dicots, while a "tip dieback" happens on monocots. The excessive boron accumulates at the very ends of the leaf veins. In a monocot, the veins run parallel and straight to the tips of the leaves. A good example is shown on 'Evergreen Giant' Liriope:It can also be seen at the tips of palms, like this Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei):
When a dicot like a Hydrangea is suffering from excessive boron in the water, the edges become burned. The necrosis will sometimes look wavy:
Magnolia is extremely sensitive to high boron levels and the injury is very distinctive. In fact, I commonly use this species as my "indicator plant" in a landscape if I suspect high boron.3. It generally doesn't persist in the soil. If the pH is high or there is a lot of calcium in the soil, boron can be bound to the soil. But generally, boron easily leaches from the soil profile. Once the contaminated water is removed as the irrigation source, the plants will recover.

4. Contaminated soil and certain fertilizers can be responsible for excessive boron levels. In my experience, this has never been the source, but it should not be overlooked. If you have fertilized with potassium chloride or amended the soil with marine sediment or animal manure, this may be the cause of the toxicity.

5. Some plants are more sensitive than others. Magnolia, Hydrangea, Palm, Liriope, Cycads and Viburnum show substantial leaf burn. Other plants, like Fatsia and some Camellia cultivars become slightly "off color", but don't have distinctive symptoms. And then there are a few species like Ligustrum and Cleyera (Ternstroemia gymnanthera) that don't seem to be affected at all.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
The take-home message is that soil and water tests are a good idea- they eliminate a lot of guess work. As you can imagine, boron toxicity is often mistaken for drought or fertilizer burn.

If the tests confirm that boron is to blame, the best option you have is to limit irrigation. Turn off the irrigation system in the dormant season and run it no more than once per week during the summer.

Use a rain barrel to collect rain water for supplemental irrigation (this is very important for house plants).

Not about plants

2009-11-12T10:37:00.000-08:00

I've been missing my grandmother, Mary Jo, so much...and with Thanksgiving coming up, I've got a lump in my throat thinking about celebrating a holiday with the matriarch of my family gone.

Well, last week, I went to Florida for a meeting concerning the development of a USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative (SCRI) grant. On my way home, I stopped for the night at my family's farmhouse in Mystic, Georgia. It serves as a rustic weekend retreat and I felt that a night alone in the country would do me some good.
Of course, everything in the house reminded me of my grandmother. I hadn't been to South Georgia in years, but it was just as I had remembered. That night, I saw a short note on the fireplace mantel in Mary Jo's handwriting. Broke my heart!
Naturally, I went through every drawer and closet that evening. In the kitchen I found the instructions my grandfather wrote concerning the opening-and-closing of the house. I love the contrast...it is so telling of their personalities.
Grandpa was always so orderly and practical. And Mary Jo just loved a good fire.

Love this lawn

2009-11-11T10:04:00.000-08:00

A lawn is so tricky. It is often the element that pulls the entire landscape together....or tears it apart.

Like a wine stain on an area rug, a less-than-perfect lawn distracts the eye. Even if every other part of the landscape is gorgeous, a dead spot in the lawn will command all of the attention.

St. Augustine, the lawn of choice in the Lowcountry, can be a total nightmare to maintain. The list of pests is long, with Brown Patch and Chinch Bugs causing the most damage.

Plus, we have come to think of St. Augustine as "shade-loving" rather than "shade-tolerant." While it will take some shade, it prefers the sun.....yet people are always shocked with the grass under the deep shade of Live Oaks is thin and underwhelming.

My new grass choice for this area is 'Zeon' Zoysia. Prepare to be wowed:

This lawn, installed by Islandscape Landscaping, is perfection. It is lush, thick and wonderful. If you did a survey of landscape professionals in the area, they'd choose this grass as their preferred selection.

Low pest pressure, some shade tolerance, and island-friendly (this Glen Gardner-designed landscape is on Sullivan's Island), 'Zeon' Zoysia is worth the extra cost.

And want to know the best part? Chinch bugs aren't pests of 'Zeon' Zoysia. I'm sold.

Plant Pest: Cast-Iron Plant Scale

2009-11-09T16:52:00.000-08:00

Cast-Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) is one of those plants that you don't expect to have any problems. It can grow in areas of deep shade, drought and poor soils, filling a very specific niche in the garden.

Over the last couple of years, I have seen an increase of scale on this species- both in nurseries and landscapes. And it seems to reproduce and establish quickly. This brown insect covers the leaves like braille and is easily detected.

Don't use Horticultural Oil on Cast-Iron plant because it can be absorbed by the leaves and result in a water-soaked mottling.

The best management is to remove any leaves that have scale.