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Farfugium, (Farfugium japonicum)
Previously classified as Ligularia kaempferi and often incorrectly referred to as the tractor seat plant because of the unique shape of its leaves, this beautiful shade-loving perennial, like so many plants native to East Asia, thrives in our Lowcountry gardens.
- The rounded leaves come in a variety of sizes and color variations.
- If foliage is damaged, cut back at the crown; new leaves will soon appear.
- It grows best in well-drained soils with even moisture and doesn't tolerate drought.
- In the Fall, its tall, daisy-shaped yellow blooms are visited by many beneficial insects.
Varieties that work well for us include:
Companion plants that pair well visually and enjoy the same environment in our Zone 9 gardens include:
- Ajuga
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Aspidistra (try the variegated)
- Begonias
- Caladiums
- Camellias
- Fatsia
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Ferns (especially our native Maidenhair)
- Heuchera
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Hostas (in pots)
- Hellebores
- Impatiens
- Tricyrtis
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March is a prime gardening month for us as the weather warms and the risk of frost is minimal.
Maintenance & Care
- Check your irrigation system for leaks and cracks. This winter’s freeze may have impacted water lines and timers.
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Apply an organic, balanced fertilizer (we love Hollytone) to lawns, flower beds, and vegetable gardens. Citrus and fruit trees benefit from feeding now.
- Consider restorative pruning that can be safely done in March. The longer days and warmer temps stimulate the growth hormones in our plants, and pruning (with cuts just above a leaf node) pushes out that new growth even faster. However, remember: "If it blooms before June, don't prune."
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Remove spring weeds by hand; limit the use of toxic chemical herbicides like glyphosate for only the invasive, impossible-to-contain weeds (like dollar weed).
Pest & Disease Management
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Watch for aphids (and the sticky sap they excrete, which leads to sooty mold), spider mites, and soft-bodied scale and treat with recommended organic solutions (Neem Oil).
- Evaluate plant areas to determine if congestion and poor air circulation are causing the problem and prune accordingly. Dispose of diseased cut material; do not compost it.
- Apply compost to plants in your beds and top dress with a 2” layer of mulch to suppress weeds and conserve moisture.
Lawn Care - No Mow March
- England introduced the No Mow May initiative five years ago to encourage homeowners to wait until the pollinators, beneficial insects, and birds had completed critical stages of their life cycle before cutting and disturbing lawns, fields, and meadows.
- The nectar and seeds produced by the spring plants growing in the lawn grass are essential food sources of energy-producing sugars for our native wildlife.
- In the Lowcountry, March is for us what May is for the UK.. So, let's wait till April to pull out the lawn mowers.
- With ecosystems facing such catastrophic losses of pollinators, insects, and birds, we at the HORT are strongly urging our members to join in this initiative and spread the word to our neighbors and friends.
- Also, please reconsider applying pre-emergent herbicides and chemical fertilizers.
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Instead, we recommend organic nutrients such as Milorganite or Cotton Burr and training our eyes to tolerate less-than-perfect lawns.
BTW, look for more maintenance suggestions, including ways to reduce lawns in our April issue.
In the meantime pull out a chair and enjoy watching those busy and grateful 🐞🪲🐛.
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Asiatic Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum)
This fast-growing, evergreen ground cover, native to East Asia, is popular for its dense, low-maintenance growth and tolerance to both drought and shade.
Unfortunately, you may soon regret introducing it to your garden. Why?
- It grows so fast that it requires constant maintenance and trimming, even in winter. And, when it encounters a vertical structure, up it grows.
- Air, water, and light have difficulty working through its dense, aggressive foliage to service plants sharing its growing area, even large trees.
- Repeated applications of herbicides are required for removal. (If using, please follow directions precisely.)
While not yet on the list of plants invasive to SC, we're betting it will be in time.
Save yourself the nightmare of removal and select a different plant, like mondo grass, liriope muscari, ajuga, ajania, or stemodia. Also, consider native ground covers, reviewed in the August 2024 issue of The Vine Online.
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Flower Garden Combinations
- Salvias, Lantana, and Coneflowers - These perennial selections are drought-tolerant and colorful; they attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Zinnias, Cosmos, Gomphrena, and Pentas - These heat-loving annuals attract pollinators and bloom vibrantly.
Vegetable Garden Combinations
- Peppers, Onions, and Oregano - Peppers love warm soil and grow well alongside onions. Oregano acts as a natural pest deterrent.
- Cucumbers, Dill, and Nasturtiums - Cucumbers love the warmth of March planting. Dill attracts pollinators and improves cucumber growth. Nasturtiums deter pests like aphids.
- Carrots, Radishes, and Lettuce - Radishes mature quickly, loosening the soil for carrots. Lettuce provides ground cover to retain moisture.
Herb Garden Combinations
- Rosemary, Thyme, and Sage - These Mediterranean herbs thrive together in well-drained soil.
- Mint, Chives, and Parsley - Best grown in containers to control mint’s spreading nature.
- Basil, fennel, rosemary, dill, oregano, and parsley thrive when planted now. Try mixing these herbs into your flower garden to add texture, scent, and color when you use the bronze fennel.,
- Swiss chard's colorful red, orange, and yellow stems also add a nice splash of color to any garden, and its leaves are a wonderful addition to any garden salad.
- Avoid lavender as it simply doesn’t thrive in our hot summers.
- March is a great time to plant citrus, figs, blueberries, strawberres, and blackberries.
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Fringe Tree, (Chionanthus virginicus)
This small deciduous tree or large shrub is native to the southeastern US and makes a great choice for ornamental landscaping and native gardens alike.
- With delicate, fragrant, white fringe-like flowers that bloom in late spring, the female trees also produce small, dark blue berries that support both pollinators and birds
- While slow to start, mature trees are 12-20 feet tall and wide.
- Its dark green, oval-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall.
- They prefer full sun to partial shade, and do best in well-drained, moist, and slightly acidic to neutral soil.
- Once established, they are drought-tolerant, require little maintenance and are resistant to most pests and diseases.
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Taking Inspiration from Our Members | |
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Looking to add an element of interest to your garden?
Make use of a well-placed snag.
Snags are dead or dying trees that have begun to disintegrate, leaving openings in the trunk that offer perches, nesting sites, storage areas, and living spaces for birds, insects and other mammals.
The one pictured above from Rene Miles's creekside garden in Mt. Pleasant serves as a striking focal point
Surrounding the base with native shrubs or grasses helps integrate it naturally into the landscape, as Rene has done with the adjacent marsh.
Use them to support climbing plants like clematis, native Carolina jessamine, or the native honeysuckle. Arrange smaller snags artistically as natural barriers or edging for garden beds. Be sure they are placed safely away from structures and high-traffic areas to prevent potential hazards.
Properly utilized, snags can transform a garden into a haven for wildlife while adding unique aesthetic elements.
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Let the Learning Continue | |
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The City of Charleston has recently published a Pollinator Garden Guide full of great tips.
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The SC Native Plant Society, in conjunction with Clemson, is creating a terrific searchable directory of native plants that grow well across the state.
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Here's another directory: NameThatPlant.net! - A storehouse of information about native and naturalized plants of the Carolinas and Georgia.
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We love the sharing happening in I Dig Charleston, the gardening Facebook group that Jo Cannon leads.
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The Vine Online offers members Lowcountry-specific, horticultural advice, following in the tradition of the HORT's original 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.
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Continue learning and sharing with the Hort on Facebook and Instagram. | | | | |
