January 2025

Curated by Jennifer Kline, Slightly Symmetrical Art & Design

January Show Stopper

American Holly, Ilex Opaca ,

The American Holly is an Iconic symbol of the holiday season, with wreaths of Holly adorning doors and halls, bringing joy and color to the holidays.

With its evergreen leaves and beautiful red berries, this native tree provides birds with food and protection through the winter months. The Cedar Waxwing and the American Robin will swarm to the Ilex Opaca and strip them clean in just a few days during their migration.

A larval host plant for the Henry's Elfin butterfly, the American Holly provides nectar for adult butterflies and other insects. The fruit is eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys, quail, white-tailed deer, squirrels, and other small mammals. Honeybees and butterflies are attracted to its tiny white flowers in the early spring.

The male trees do not produce fruit but are necessary for pollinating the female trees. aThe fruit will often hang onto the tree throughout the winter if it isn’t eaten first. Holly berries are poisonous to humans but are an important source of food for many species of wildlife.

This tree can stand alone in a sunny spot, or as an understory tree in a wooded area. Note the more sun it gets the more berries it will produce.

Camellias, Camellia japonica

A longtime Lowcountry favorite, Camellias are, in fact, native to Asia, although they have been a staple of many southern gardens since the late 17th century.

The first camellias were brought to South Carolina by explorer and nurseryman Andre Michaux, who established a botanic garden outside Charleston in 1786. That same year, Michaux gifted camellia specimens to Henry Middleton for his garden at Middleton Place. You can still see one of these original camellias, known as “Reine des Fleurs” or “Queen of Flowers” if you visit today.

Different varieties bloom throughout the winter, and mature plants offer breathtakingly beautiful showers of pinks of all shades.

Camellias are versatile; they can be grown singly as shrubs or hedging plants, espaliered against a fence or building, or even pruned into small trees.

Ultimately, most camellias will grow to about 12 to 14 feet tall and wide, but they can be controlled with yearly pruning.

Make sure to prune in late winter after flowering to encourage new growth that will produce the next season’s flowers.

You heard it here first!

Speaking of camellias (and I know you love them as much as I do), did you know the kickoff of the HORT's 25th anniversary year is finally here and it is a celebration of all things camellia?

The beloved Yeamans Luncheon, a HORT tradition, will be even more festive this year. Mark your calendar for February 25 for a celebration that’s all about camellias (and more) —think a fascinating speaker, amazing workshops, a delightful luncheon, and a few surprises to celebrate the HORT's quarter century of bringing beautiful gardens, and people, together.

Spots are limited, so don’t wait—sign up now. You don't want to miss it!

Tasks To Tackle

Testing and Amending the Soil - This is a great time of year to see what is going on in your soil by sending a soil sample to Clemson for analysis. You can never go wrong with simply adding compost to your soil throughout, especially in areas looking weak or that you know you will be planting in soon. Don’t forget about using that leaf litter as mulch in the beds.

Start Thinking about Seeds - Seeds have a shelf life so pull out your stash and see what you have stored away. Now is the time to start considering where to sow and when. Take inventory and start planning!

Plant Bare-rooted Roses and Fruit Trees - These are usually available at local nurseries starting in January. Have you wanted a fruit tree or rose bush somewhere special? This is a good time to get them into the ground so they will be ready for the spring.

Cut back Liriope. - You can cut all the way down to the ground using a mower set on high or a hedge trimmer but be mindful not to damage the crown as this is where new growth will emerge.

Prune Most Broadleaf Evergreens - Time to tackle pruning abelia, boxwood, Cleyera, Elaeagnus, Nandina, and holly. Wait until after flowering for spring bloomers.

Add Ornamental Structures - Winter, when most things are dormant, offers an opportunity to be creative with form. Lots of things will work for interest in the garden - statues, bird baths, trellises of various sorts. I like watching as plants grow up and through structures throughout the season.

For The Birds

Protecting our Night Skies for Birds

January is a good time to check your outdoor lighting. First, read up on how floodlights and landscaping lights adversely impact our nocturnal neighbors. Then, take a walk around your property at night.

Could lights be on less often?
Are they shining into an oak or palm that could be occupied by bats, owls, or moths?

Reducing outdoor lighting can help also keep all our neighbors happy.

Participating in Global Backyard Bird Count

Bird counting is a great way to get to know your feathered neighbors.

Take 15 minutes between February 14- 17, 2025, to participate in the backyard bird count. Take the time watch and record your backyard birds .It is a great way to start the day. Learn more here.

Giving Natives Their Day

Winterberry, Ilex verticillata

A seasonal favorite for people and birds alike, this native, deciduous shrub is a showstopper during the fall and winter months when its bright red berries are the most abundant.

Requires both male and female varieties for pollination.

Winterberry grows wild in acidic soils in forested wetlands or along edges of ponds, lakes, and marshes.

It can be used as a property border or to screen views. Plant several shrubs in a mass for wildlife food and habitat or as a group of plants in the landscape.

Curator's Corner

Hello Fellow HORT Members.

Happy New Year, and welcome to 2025!

As a proud Hort Business Partner and the owner of Slightly Symmetrical Art and Design, LLC, I'm thrilled to have curated January's Vine Online.

Hopefully, you found a tip or two to help you get your gardening juices flowing for the new year.

Don't forget, 2025 marks 25 years since the founding of the Charleston Horticultural Society. Let's celebrate all year long.

Here's what you need to know about me:

I am a lover of life and a believer in miracles.
I have been crawling around in plants and catching bugs and snakes for as long as I can remember.
I feel it is an honor to be able to work with plants in various garden settings.
I recently lost my horticulture teacher of three-plus years, Mrs. Vivian Whorley, from whom I loved learning. I still hear her speaking to me whenever I am in the garden.

My goals for 2025 include working with more natives and herbs. Having recently completed Charleston County's Master Naturalist Program (which I highly recommend), I am pursuing advanced training and other opportunities to help me learn to better care for plants and their environment.

I look forward to seeing you in the garden or at an upcoming Hort program.

Jennifer

P.S. Aren't we lucky to have the HORT to bring us all together to learn about plants and our environment?

Jennifer pictured doing what she loves most.

Be sure to reach out to Jennifer here and

share your thoughts on this issue of The Vine Online.

Just for Hort Members

The Vine Online offers members Lowcountry-specific, horticultural advice, following in the tradition of the HORT's printed publication The Vine.

This monthly gardening e-guide is sent exclusively to HORT members. Thanks for being a member.

As Board Chair, Madeleine McGee is eager to hear your ideas and learn what's helpful and what's missing.

Our Mission: To provide quality educational programming that:

supports efforts, both big and small, to create beautiful, sustainable green spaces;
fosters community partnerships; and
preserves the Lowcountry's horticultural legacy.

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