By Arlene Marturano SCGardenLearning | April 25, 2024
The first sighting of ruby-throated hummingbirds signals the start of spring for gardeners. Rubythroats head to nectar in the red tubular flowers of the eastern red columbine, Aquilegia canadensis, and red buckeye, Aesculus pavia, in my garden. Flowers and feeders are two methods to attract hummingbirds who require a diet of 80 percent insects and spiders (protein) and 20 percent... READ MORE >
By Arlene Marturano SCGardenLearning | April 11, 2024
In January we introduced readers to Angelonia augustifolia, aka summer snapdragon, selected as the annual of 2024 by members of the National Garden Bureau. As you plan your sizzling summer plant palette, we revisit angelonia from the perspective of the breeder, greenhouse grower, and home gardener. Although snapdragons and angelonia are in the same plant family, Plantaginaceae or Plantain, these... READ MORE >
By Arlene Marturano SCGardenLearning | March 28, 2024
According to horticulturist and garden designer Holly Shimizu, “Herbs are defined as plants (trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, biennials or annuals) valued historically, presently, or potentially for their flavor, fragrance, medicinal qualities, insecticidal qualities, economic or industrial use, or in the case of dyes, for the coloring material they provide.” Shimizu is a former curator of the National Herb Garden at... READ MORE >
By Arlene Marturano SCGardenLearning | March 14, 2024
Trees, shrubs, vines and bulbs are broadcasting the arrival of spring with bodacious blossoms— Japanese cherry, peach, forsythia, quince, Carolina jessamine, cherry laurel, saucer and star magnolias, daffodils, tulips, and irises. Camellia japonica flowers skirt winter and spring. On March 22 and 23 Columbia Ikebana International Chapter 182 will celebrate its 50th anniversary with an exhibition of 40 floral arrangements... READ MORE >
By Arlene Marturano SCGardenLearning | February 29, 2024
Each year from November 1 to April 30 individuals, families, nature centers, and classrooms participate in a winter census of birds at feeders in backyards, schoolyards, parks, and natural areas. The citizen science project collaboration between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada has been ongoing since 1997, and your data helps scientists track winter bird populations. FeederWatch encourages... READ MORE >
By Arlene Marturano SCGardenLearning | February 15, 2024
Everyone loves camellia flowers and the evergreen shrub loves our Southern climate. Midland gardeners appreciate the shrub’s continuous bloom from fall through winter to spring. We are fortunate to live in the geographical area known as “the Camellia Belt.” Take a camellia walk through the USC campus, Historic Columbia gardens, or Heathwood, Shandon, Rosewood, Melrose Heights, and Wales Garden neighborhoods,... READ MORE >
By Arlene Marturano SCGardenLearning | February 01, 2024
Irrespective of the groundhog’s prediction on February 2, hydroponic gardeners are growing food and flowers year-round indoors. Hydroponics is the science of growing plants in a substrate other than soil and supplying them with necessary nutrients dissolved in water. The basic ingredients include water, oxygen, root support, nutrients, and light. Gardeners in the Midlands know the challenges of growing plants... READ MORE >
By Arlene Marturano SCGardenLearning | January 18, 2024
Gardeners, landscapers, farmers, growers, and researchers rely on many tools to ensure success with plants in their respective occupations. One important tool all use is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Gardeners use the map as a general guide for selecting perennials, vines, shrubs, and trees that will survive and thrive during the coldest winter temperatures.... READ MORE >
By Arlene Marturano SCGardenLearning | January 04, 2024
Annually the National Garden Bureau (NGB), a non-profit dedicated to educating, encouraging, and inspiring the public to use plants in homes, schools, public gardens, and workplaces, selects an annual, perennial, shrub, bulb, houseplant, and edible to showcase in “The Year of the Crop” program. Plants featured are easy to grow and propagate, adaptable and durable in a variety of growing... READ MORE >
By Arlene Marturano SCGardenLearning | December 21, 2023
For last minute shoppers, consider giving gifts that grow all year long. For colorful blossoms and leaves during and after the holidays, ten easy to care for houseplants are portrayed below. Cyclamen is the Greek word for “circular form,” a reference to the round tuber. The shape of the green foliage varies with the species from heart-shaped, to round, to... READ MORE >
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