Made in the Shade

Shade Plant Bed

The phrase, "Made in the Shade", has many bloviated explanations; yet, it simply means living comfortably.

Typically, when I design plant beds for sun-loving plants, particularly for a home's foundation, there may be some symmetry (not always, at all), but never just one or two plants types alternated or otherwise.

If it is to be an independent or what I call an island plant bed, in the middle of the lawn, I definitely kick up the mix of plants...much more interesting, appealing. Designing plant beds depends on back-drop, the intended appeal or pizazz, and the desires of the property owner. Yes, there is more to consider.

You may wish to read "Wow! She Nailed It!", before I ramble on.

I have been restoring and maintaining the plant life on this property for over two years. I conferred with the customer about my plan to install several plants in this area saying it may seem random, with no two plants being the same. She agreed. Planning this wasn't random, but I wanted it to look natural as this is not a formal plant bed, simply a natural area her lawn service keeps edged.

Shade plants typically aren't as showy and colorful as their sun-loving cousins, particularly in regard to blooms (if any) and foliage. But, with the proper location, they do live quite comfortably. And, most are simply pleasing to view.

Fortunately, via nature and some cultivators (plant breeders), there are many which are colorful or interesting by texture or form...very attractive shade plants.

Most of the following plants (in this location) receive some filtered sun in the morning and a little bit more in the afternoon...a month later, all are doing well and growth has been noticed.

• Heart Throb Dwarf Hydrangea
• Gold King Aucuba
• Foxtail Fern
• Sum and Substance Hosta
• Tiki Pieris
• Goshiki Holly
• Hosta (Unknown - there are only 300 species - I can't know them all)

Hopefully soon, and definitely next year and many to come, the owner will look out upon this area, enjoying, living comfortably.

Fall is soon upon us and it is a wonderful time to do so much with your landscape (more to come in later articles), particularly planning, designing and installing new plants and plant beds.

As we don't live in North Dakota, many of the plants you will enjoy, will be much happier in the ground on your property rather than struggling in a pot in a nursery. 

So, plan now, plant sooner and enjoy earlier, and avoid the spring chaos. 

Beautiful Arbequina Olive Tree for Sale

 

The Arbequina Olive Tree produces its wonderful fruit and also does very well as an ornamental plant.

The photo of this girl was taken a little over a month ago...as of this posting she is beginning to produce olives.

If you are interested in having this wonderful plant as is or wish to consider finding a place for it planted on your property, please contact me.

You can learn more about her at https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/products/arbequinaolivetree?variant=13940803207220. 

She is available for $146.00, in pot, plus delivery, and installation if desired.

The promise of fresh, healthy olives with the authentic taste of Spain. Arbequinas are popular because of their flavor, but they also have a high concentration of healthy, antioxidant-rich oils. You can get up to 20 pounds of olives each year to enjoy in your salads and add to your favorite recipes - and even make your own olive oil at home!

Plus, they grow nearly anywhere. They're seldom bothered by pests and will grow organically, no matter where you live. Even better? Arbequinas grow indoors year-round. These trees are semi-deciduous, meaning they only drop their leaves in extreme cold and tolerate 20-degree weather. Grown indoors, they'll keep their leaves throughout the winter.

Please call or text me, Doug Ingbretsen, at 803-553-5757 or use the Contact Us tab above if you are interested.

Thank you.

 

That Amaryllis...My Love

I had seen her before, long ago...a wall flower, I thought, not a wild flower.

She was and is beautiful; yet, she's unaware of such.

I plodded and trodded by her so many times as I hoped to learn more of her. 

There were conversations we had, none more than we should have. Many left un-ended and plenty left unanswered. Her beauty became more intriguing...it lingered. It still does. 

Simply being near her was comforting, whether in full-bloom or otherwise. There was a sense of compassion, content, an easiness not felt since my youth.

She will always be there. I hope, and I have...

...Hope she will always be near me.

 

Linebacker Distylium: A Wonderful Screen Shrub

Linebacker Distylium

I love Distyliums as they are such a versatile, low-maintenance and attractive shrub.

I have planted and/or pruned all the most common Distyliums; yet, I only recently became familiar with this one, the Linebacker.

Many property owners find the need for a screen between themselves and neighbors, traffic, a commercial property, an eyesore or simply for some privacy.

The linebacker offers the solution with little mess and maintenance.

And, he is a tough one - no known pest or disease issues and virtually drought tolerant once established.

This a wonderful alternative to Cherry Laurel, Arborvitae, and definitely Red Tips and Leyland Cypress, among many other troublesome screening plants.

Its new foliage transitions from red to deep green while it also produces tiny red flowers during late winter or early spring.

If you need a little defense from your adjacent surroundings, the Linebacker may be your perfect player in the right position.

Yes, we can design a layout and install these for you. So please call me, Doug, at 803-553-5757, if need be.

God, You and Me

God’s breath, he breathed in thee.

 

The trees swayed

 

The birds sang

 

God’s son, he lived and died for thee.

 

The sun shone

 

The streams, they flowed.

 

God’s child, you and me.

 

The flowers bloomed

 

In soil turned by you and me.

 

God grows it all with grace and glory

 

As, with you and me.

 

Thus, let it be.

 

Amen.

Plant of Interest - Distylium

 

Blue Cascade Distylium

Winter is an opportune time, as a homeowner, to consider new or different plants to install on your property in the coming season.

The following, in a series of articles, is to introduce you to a few plants of interest, perhaps ones for which you are unfamiliar.

The Distylium is an evergreen, low-maintenance, more open-format shrub which serves as a wonderful alternative or replacement for boxwoods, laurels, hollies, indian hawthorns, just to name a few.

Depending on species, a Distylium can be used as a foundation bed plant, a screen, a specimen plant, in an island plant bed, around a mailbox, or elsewhere. They possess varying mature heights and widths so you have great flexibility for placement.

Typically, the name of a Distylium lends itself to a tint of color the foliage will have as it develops new leaves or perhaps longer. All have very small reddish-maroon flowers which usually appear in late winter to early spring.

The rarely need pruning except to perhaps reduce height or prevent encroaching upon another plant or structure. Or, you can install a mass planting and simply allow them to grow into one another.

These need to be hand pruned properly. DO NOT take hedgers or trimmers to them to cut them back, reduce their size or shape them. The resulting mess will not resemble the original beautiful plant. I have rehabbed many whereas the homeowner or their lawn service decided to make little round shapes out of them. If anything, leave them alone.

I am providing a link which provides more detail on several Distyliums, but there are a few more which will suit most any application.

In recent years I have installed Cinnamon Girl, Blue Cascade, Vintage Jade and Emerald Heights Distyliums with great success.

You can learn more at https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/distyliums/.

If you are considering creating a new plant bed, restoring an existing one or simply placing a few new plants on your property, please contact me, Doug, at 803-553-5757. 

We can begin planning and/or establishing new plant beds now to get a jump on the Spring rush.

Flourish

I stumbled upon this gorgeous plant the other day.

Doing so was not so unusual; yet, something was amiss.

The location, the dense clay soil, the lack of true sunlight and near-drought conditions bode not well for this beautiful creation of nature.

She was surrounded by struggling grasses of yellowing and brown blades.

Yet, she was thriving, beautiful, flourishing.

Taken aback, I considered her unyielding environ, the struggle to survive. Perhaps she endured all the consequences, the adversity and still chose to flourish, regardless - her fortitude.

For then, I began to remember and cherish all the family, friends and acquaintances whom have occupied my life.

Those who have endured, overcome and flourished among harsh conditions - the unsettled foundations, lack of love or care, droughts of praise and confidence. Me included, along with many, many others.

Many were astray spiritually and emotionally by evaluation and admittance, their own, not mine, nor anyone else's. Often such circumstances beget the fortitude to flourish.

Fortitude can be a taught, learned or experienced leverage of positive living often shared by those who once lacked the same along their way.

While fortitude usually deals with overcoming adversity, with hope and visualization, we may begin to flourish.

Share.

The preceding was inspired by a church men's club meeting I attended this morning, at which a member recounted his experiences and feelings from a retreat he attended recently whereas other men were brought together to discuss their experiences, emotions and so many other thoughts regarding the abuse they received as children.

We all deeply thanked the member, who is a wonderful person and dedicated member of our church, for sharing this experience. He has, or is, overcoming so much.

Fortitude is not a gift. I wish it were.