June - July 2025

Pineapple Lily, Eucomis

This member of the asparagus family is a native of South Africa. It is one of those perennials that you tend to forget about until mid-April when its thick, strappy, red leaves begin to appear. Then in June, stalks begin to emerge with spikes of florets topped by a tuft of petals that resemble a pineapple, thus its common name, pineapple lily. 

• The leaves can reach a height of 20”-24” or so, while the stalks will get a bit taller, reaching up to 30”. 
• Flowers come in an array of colors and hues of white, chartreuse, or pinks to purples. 
• This plant is perfect for the Lowcountry as it prefers our moist, hot climate and will tolerate full sun to partial shade. According to Jenks Farmer, Eucomis is also salt-tolerant. Its hardiness zone is 7-10. 
• By August, the plant tends to look a little ragged from the heat, and at this time, it is fine to cut it back to the ground. The clump will increase in width with age and can be divided and shared with others or moved to additional places in the garden. 
• Give Jenks Farmer's 2023 interview with Margaret Roach a listen. It's all about Eucomis.

Varieties that work well in the Lowcountry:

• 'Sparkling Burgundy’ is one of the most popular varieties with dark burgundy leaves and pink florets on a deep burgundy stalk. They also do well in containers and make excellent cut flowers.
• ‘Coco’ has a deep burgundy, almost dark brown stem, with lighter pink flowers with a dark pink center.
• ‘Tugela Gem’ has deep green leaves with a 28” spike of rosy pink flowers. After flowering, the seed pods will turn a deep purple.

Lily of the Nile, Agapanthus,

A Regal Star of the Summer Garden - Native to South Africa, Agapanthus has long been prized for its architectural form and vibrant flowers. ‘Queen of the Nile’ is one of the most beloved cultivars, cherished for its generous clusters of deep blue-violet blossoms and strong, upright stems. Flowering from midsummer into early autumn, it offers a welcome splash of color during the hottest months of the year.

Why Gardeners Love It:

• Long Bloom Time: Flowering from June through September, ‘Queen of the Nile’ delivers months of garden interest and makes excellent cut flowers
• Low Maintenance: Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and thrives with minimal care.
• Versatile: Equally suited to garden beds, containers, and patio pots.
• Pollinator Magnet: Its nectar-rich blooms are irresistible to bees and butterflies.

How to Grow:

• Full sun encourages the most prolific flowering, but it will tolerate partial shade.
• Prefers well-drained soil. Avoid heavy, waterlogged areas.
• Water regularly during the growing season but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
• Feed in spring with a balanced fertilizer to support flowering.
• Deadhead spent blooms to tidy up the plant and encourage reblooming.
• Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor.

Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus) may not be a true lily, or from the Nile, but it earns its name with bold, exotic blooms that light up summer gardens. It thrives in borders, containers, coastal spots, and Mediterranean-style plantings, and pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses, salvias, and lavender. Easy to grow and low-maintenance, it's a stunning, fuss-free addition to any sunny garden. 

Hydrangeas

Nothing says summer like the iconic blooms of the Hydrangea. Here in the Lowcountry, we are graced with a wide range of hydrangea types to choose from, thanks to our relatively mild winters and long growing season.

In last month’s edition of the VINE, we addressed the evergreen hydrangea and the native Oakleaf hydrangea. This month, let's look at some of the many other types of hydrangeas and how they perform in our Zone 9 gardens.

Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

• These are the classic “florist hydrangeas”. Varieties include Mophead and Lacecap types
• Flower colors range from blue to pink to purple and some whites, depending on soil pH
• Prefer morning sun, afternoon shade
• Traditional varieties bloom only on old wood. Some newer reblooming varieties like ‘Endless Summer’, BloomStruck’ and the ‘Let’s Dance’ and 'Twist-N-Shout' series bloom on both old wood and new wood and are great for longer flowering seasons

Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)

• Typically grow in Zones 3–8 but some varieties can be used in Zone 9 with protection
• Flowers are white turning to pink to shades of red, flower color is not pH dependent
• Blooms mid to late summer and into the fall
• Tolerates more sun than other types of hydrangeas however, will need more water and protection from hot afternoon sun in our Zone 9 gardens.
• Popular varieties include ‘Limelight’, ’Pinky Winky’ ,‘Little Lime’, ‘Vanilla Strawberry’ and ‘Bobo’

Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)

• Flowers are white or pale green
• Morning sun to part shade
•  ‘Annabelle’ and ‘Incrediball’ are the most famous varieties.
• Performs well in Zone 9 if kept moist and shaded during the hottest part of the day

Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris)

• Produces large white lacecap-style flowers in late spring to early summer. Flowers have a slightly sweet fragrance 
• Uses aerial rootlets to adhere to surfaces such as stone, brick or wood. Once established they anchor themselves quite securely.
• Require full to partial shade, grow best in dappled light
• Needs consistently moist well draining soil
• Takes a few years to establish but once rooted in they really take off. Vines can grow 30 to 50 feet tall and quite wide so give them plenty of room to grow

General Growing Tips for Hydrangeas in Zone 9

• Avoid full afternoon sun—most hydrangeas will wilt or suffer leaf burn.
• Mulch well to retain moisture and regulate root temperature.
• Hydrate consistently, especially during dry spells.
• Consider pH adjustments for blue/pink flower control with macrophylla types.
• To encourage blue flowers: Acidify soil with aluminum sulfate or elemental sulfur.
• To encourage pink flowers: Raise pH with lime and avoid aluminum-containing fertilizers.

Understanding whether a hydrangea blooms on old wood, new wood, or both is essential for proper pruning and ensuring you don’t accidentally cut off next season’s flowers.

The following is a simple guideline to help you navigate the various types of hydrangeas:

Want to up your native plant game? Here are two combinations that have worked for other Lowcountry gardeners.

For Sun

• Sweetgrass, crinum 'Sangria',' purple cone flower, frog fruit and powderpuff mimosa

For Shade

• Sensitive fern, Louisianna Iris, maidenhair fern, native violet and native ginger and Indian Pink (spigelia)

Resources to Help:

• Designing Native Plant Landscapes, Homegrown National Park
• Native Ground Covers for Shade Gardens, SC Native Plant Society

Water Features

There’s something truly magical about water in the garden—its movement, sound, and shimmer create a sense of peace. From a simple birdbath to a bubbling fountain, water features add beauty and tranquility. With a little planning, even the smallest space can become a calming retreat inspired by nature.  

Benefits of Water Features

• Adds elegance, texture, and a dynamic element to the garden.
• Provides soothing ambient noise; masks traffic or neighborhood sounds.
• Draws birds, butterflies, frogs, and beneficial insects.
• Can create cooler zones in hot gardens.
• Promotes relaxation and mindfulness; ideal for meditative spaces.

Getting Started

• Thinking about adding a water feature? Start small with a birdbath or container water garden. Pre-formed pond kits and freestanding fountains are also great beginner-friendly options to bring soothing sounds and movement to your space.
• Complex features (like natural ponds or integrated waterfalls) may require professional installation.
• Consider visiting local gardens or nurseries like long-time HORT Business Partner, Hyams Garden Center, for inspiration.
• Try an online search for ideas utilizing sites such as Pinterest or Gardenize. Don’t be afraid to experiment—water features are as flexible as they are beautiful. 

Installation Considerations

• Choose a visible spot—near a patio, seating area, or window
• Consider sun exposure and access to power for pumps
• Match the size of the feature to the garden’s dimensions.
• Avoid overwhelming or underwhelming a space
• Use pumps and filters to prevent stagnation and algae buildup.
• Consider solar-powered options to reduce energy use and simplify installation.

Maintenance Considerations

• Once installed, maintaining a water feature is relatively easy. Clean or replace pump filters as needed, especially if you have overhead or surrounding vegetation, such as deciduous trees or shrubs. Leaf debris will frequently clog the filter, so expect to clean the filter every 4-5 days.
• Try adding hydrogen peroxide, barley straw extractors, or any of a variety of commercial water treatment products to prevent the formation of algae. 
• Be sure you check the instructions beforehand to ensure they are safe for use around pets and children.
• If you utilize aquatic plants in your water feature, periodically prune them to prevent overgrowth.
• Water levels must be kept above the pump to prevent burn-up.  Plan to add water regularly or purchase a pump with an automatic shut-off if water drops below the critical level. It is always wise to turn off water features when on vacation.
• If your water feature has no pump or movement (like a birdbath or lily container), use mosquito dunks or refresh the water every 4–5 days to prevent larvae.

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

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