Gardening
Good Things Growing… In The Gardens
Fred Spicer, Executive Director
Starting in mid- to late September, visitors to The Gardens will be caught by surprise by a heavy, sweet and fruity perfume wafting through Blount Plaza. Looking everywhere, they will wonder where that delicious smell is coming from. That is, unless they step up into the Hill Garden. There, tucked in the niche in the limestone stairs that climb to the belvedere, they will find the source of the delightful aroma, the orange-flowered tea olive, Osmanthus fragrans ‘Aurantiacus’ (above left). This broadleaf evergreen shrub (over time a small tree) might surprise with its fall flowers unless you’re familiar with other Osmanthus, many of which offer similarly-timed treats. In many parts of China, tea olive is a mainstay ornamental whose flowers have been long been used to flavor dumplings, jams and soups. A version of the latter sampled in a hotel restaurant in Xian was pleasantly fragrant, with a chicken-y flavor and a slightly congealed texture. Most famously, this species is “the olive for tea” and black and green teas are infused with its flowers. In Hangzhou, tea olive is the official city flower and the Hangzhou Botanical Garden has seven acres devoted solely to the plant (above right). It’s hard to imagine just how intense the smell at peak bloom must be. Scores of local and regional cultivars were on display; many bore names of cities and colors, typically white, yellow and orange, but occasionally red, which we learned was a particularly deep orange.
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‘Aurantiacus’ is much slower to set flower buds than other cultivars we have grown here. 5-gallon plants installed in the Hulsey Woods in 2006 took five years to flower, so be patient. (For the record, ‘Fudingzhu’ is by far the most precocious variety I know.) It is also on the early end of the Osmanthus bloom spectrum, introducing the season very well. Like its brethren, the flowers of ‘Aurantiacus’ are rather small, about ¼” wide (lower right). They are, however, numerous on mature plants and of course, pack a big fragrance that carries nicely on the wind. Exposed plants sometimes suffer slight leaf burning during extreme cold snaps, but recover quickly with new growth. Check out this cultivar and other tea olives at our Fall Plant Sale on October 19 and 20.
Garde ning Tips for September & October
September •
SHRUBS-Study landscape to determine plant needs. Check early varieties of camellias. You may want to replace those damaged in spring by late freezes. After fall growth is completed, spray all shrubs with a fungicide.
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LAWNS-Plant seed of winter grasses where situation prevents planting permanent grasses. Winter seeds will appear soon. Stop fertilization three weeks before frost.
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ROSES--Protect fall crops of blossoms from aphids and thrips. Keep plants healthy.
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ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS-Last chance for planting perennials and biennials. Old clumps of perennials may be divided. Plant peonies.
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BULBS-Spring-flowering bulbs may be planted late this month in North Alabama. Delay planting in South Alabama.
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MISCELLANEOUS--Clean up infestations of insects on azaleas, camellias, boxwoods, gardenias, hollies, etc. If oil spray is needed, don’t use in freezing weather. Build compost bin or box;. leaves will be falling soon. Move houseplants indoors.
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VEGETABLE SEED-Plant hardy vegetables and root crops.
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VEGETABLE PLANTS-Plant cabbage, collards, cauliflower, celery, Brussels sprouts, and onion sets.
October •
SHRUBS-Shrub plantings can be made. Water when needed. Note varieties of camellias in bloom. Start mulching all shrubs that do not have a mulch.
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LAWNS--Continue to mow lawns until no new growth is noticeable.
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ROSES-Continue insect and disease control practices. New rose catalogs will be coming in. Study closely; add some new varieties to your list.
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ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS-Visit flower shows and gardens. List desirable varieties of mums. Clean up flower beds immediately after first killing frost.
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BULBS--Plant tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, crocuses, Dutch irises, anemones, and ranunculuses. Watch planting depth. Dig caladiums; clean and store in warm place.
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MISCELLANEOUS-Renew mulch around shrubs and rose beds. Loosen mulches that have packed down. Spray with oils before freezing weather to kill scale, mites, etc. Remove all dead stems and trash from flower beds. Transplant into small pots any cuttings taken earlier.
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VEGETABLE SEED-Plant turnips, mustard, kale, rape, spinach, and onion sets. Courtesy of
www.aces.edu
For more information, see www.aces.edu or call the Plant Hotline at 800.644.4458.