Horticulture Hotline 12/16/24
By Bill Lamson-Scribner
I should start by writing that I have large pine trees in my yard that trap the heat of the earth, so my yard does not frost as easy as some. Ted Beckett taught me about this a long time ago after he had left Magnolia Plantation and had his own nursery on John’s Island – Beckett’s Nursery. These trees create a great microclimate. Right now, 12/16/2024, I have cassia, bottlebrush, pentas, milkweed, sunflowers, sasanqua camellias, japonica camellias, Little Gem Magnolia, lantana, and hibiscus all blooming. I also have great color from the leaves of a Japanese Maple and the needles of a Bald Cypress. Suppose to be in the 70’s this week – crazy!
Alright, this is when I might get in trouble with the male readers of the Horticulture Hotline. I am willing to do this for the sake of the Lowcountry’s landscape. Ladies, you know how your male friend, significant other, or husband has purchased your lingerie in the past. A gift for you, no doubt, and a gift for him as well. This year you (the ladies) could purchase a gift certificate from Possum’s or another local garden center for your significant other. He might come home with a beautiful pot, a custom program to follow to maintain your yard all year, a beautiful tree, some cotton burr compost – the possibilities are endless! Like the lingerie, you will both get to enjoy the gift! They say it is the thought that counts, just a thought.
Every season, certain plants really strut their stuff. This year with the mild fall, the many varieties of Japanese Maples have caught my eye. The different sizes, shapes, and colors have been spectacular. If you get the urge to plant one, be sure to plant it where it is protected from the sun, especially the afternoon sun.
Fall / winter is for transplanting or planting. With either one of these plantings, it is best to get it in the ground before the spring flush of growth, so the plant can establish itself.
Preparing the planting areas with Nature’s Blend, Fairball, SeaHume, 04-04-04 Bolster and a wetting agent will help reduce the plant’s water needs, and the plants should not dry out so quickly. The plants should quickly establish a massive root system; therefore, require less water.
Fire ants, moles, large patch fungus, roaches, and rats seem to be the pests of the month.
Many of you have taken advantage of Possum’s soil test and custom programs to help let you know what to do and when (win) for your soil. Some of the you purchased several months of product in advance, so when you were ready to spread, the product was waiting in the garage for you. Yardwork made simple!
Have you taken a soil test recently? The time is now!
Always read, understand, and follow product label. The product label is a Federal Law.
Bill Lamson-Scribner can be reached during the week at Possum’s Landscape and Pest Control Supply. Possum’s has three locations 481 Long Point Rd in Mt. Pleasant (971-9601), 3325 Business Circle in North Charleston (760-2600), or 606 Dupont Rd, in Charleston (766-1511). Bring your questions to a Possum’s location, or visit us at possumsupply.com. You can also call in your questions to “The Garden Clinic”, Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, or listen to the replay of Saturday’s show, Sundays from 11:00 to noon on 1250 WTMA (The Big Talker). The Horticulture Hotline is available 24 / 7 at possumsupply.com.
