Autumn Olive: Invasive Elaeagnus Umbellata

The beautiful red berries displayed on Autumn Olive are delicious to birds and other wildlife. Easy to grow, Autumn Olive will plant itself all over your neighborhood after just one season of berries.

Invasive plants such as Autumn Olive should never be planted in the Southeastern United States. Our temperate climate makes it easy for these plants to take over, crowding out native plants that are needed by wildlife.

If it is red berries in fall that you're looking for, there is more than 1 non-invasive alternative for you. I'll list just a few:

• Holly - there are many forms of holly, both native and non-native. Most hollies are evergreen, but there are some deciduous species available. Berries are usually red, but orange or bluish black berries can be found.
  
• Viburnum - Cranberry Bush exhibits bright red berries in fall and also bright red foliage!
• Callicarpa americana - Native American Beauty Berry certainly looks exotic with its vibrant purple berries in September, but surprisingly it is a native plant found growing in the Southeast. Yes, I know, purple is not red, but I had to throw that one into the list, since American Beauty Berry is always my favorite.

Invasive plants such as Autumn Olive should really be removed from the garden at first sight. I wish I'd known this years ago, since I'm still trying to eradicate the thugs surrounding Shady Gardens. For a closeup look at the berries, follow this link to see the Autumn Olive image.

For help in choosing plants for your Georgia garden, take a look at this great chart I found, Native Plants for Georgia.

Aesculus pavia: Red Buckeye Bloom in October!

Speaking of climate change, this crazy weather causes unusual phenomenon in the garden!

Take a look at the photo of our Red Buckeye Tree blooming today--October 16, 2009.

The Red Buckeye normally blooms in March here. This particular tree has a few other bloom buds getting ready to open within the next few days. I hope that doesn't mean it won't bloom in March, when I will be searching for signs of spring.

Rhododendron colemanii: Red Hills Azalea Discovered Growing Wild in Alabama

Recently I learned of a newly discovered deciduous azalea native to Georgia and Alabama called the Red Hills Azalea. Rhododendron colemanii 'Red Hills' is a wild azalea that grows in the Red Hills region of South Alabama and eastward barely into Georgia along the Chattahoochee River. This newly discovered species is one of the tallest, most richly colored, and most fragrant of all the native azaleas. The late blooming flowers (usually May) can be any color from pure white to deep pink or even yellow or orange.

Red Hills azalea seems to prefer cooler bottomlands near creeks and streams. I'd suggest siting this plant in the shade of tall hardwoods and providing regular water.

If you're looking to add to your collection of rare native azaleas, you'll want to check out this one. To purchase this plant, click here.

Florida Anise: Evergreen, Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant!

One of my favorite native shrubs is Florida Anise. Illicium floridanum actually makes a tree about 10 feet tall.

The evergreen leaves are dark and shiny. Very unusual red flowers appear in spring and have star-like petals. Once flowers fade, large star-shaped seed pods develop--very unusual.

Drought tolerant once established, Florida Anise is a good choice for the southern garden. Native to Florida and Louisiana, Illicium Floridanum is too tender for northern gardens as it is hardy in USDA Zones 7-10 only.

Plant in partial shade. Enjoys wet soil, if you have some, and can take more sun if planted in a boggy area.

If you find one growing in the wild, do not dig it up to move it to your garden since Florida Anise is a threatened native species.

Illicium floridanum is not the culinary Anise used as a spice--Florida Anise is poisonous if ingested, which is why deer won't eat it.

Enjoying the same growing conditions as azaleas, camellias, and gardenias, Florida Anise is a good companion for them.If you've been searching for something a little less common than a camellia or gardenia, Florida Anise is perfect.

Red Buckeye - Native Plant for Hummingbirds

Dwarf Red Buckeye, Aesculus pavia, is one of the most showy native plants in our garden. Blooming very early in late winter or early spring, the large red panicle blooms are visible from a great distance, attracting hummingbirds as they return from their trip down south.

The Red Buckeye is among the first of the woodland plants to reawaken in spring, sending out tender new leaves as early as February. Lavish flowers appear early too, usually sometime in March for us.

The large luscious blooms attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators to the early spring garden. The Red Buckeye begins blooming at a young age when only about 3 feet tall. Red panicle blooms are up to 6 inches long!

This deciduous tree is the perfect specimen for the edge of a woodland, offering a focal point to draw you into the garden. It is especially lovely when underplanted with early spring blooming wildflowers.

The palmately compound leaves are deep green and keep their attractive tropical look all season long.

Red Buckeye is very easy to grow. You will enjoy this lovely little tree in your woodland garden!