In the Garden

Matt Whiddon writes In the Garden for Columbus and the Valley Magazine. Following are examples of recent articles. Contact Columbus and the Valley Magazine at www.columbusandthevalley.com to subscribe.

Reprinted with permission from Columbus and the Valley Magazine:

In the Garden

Gardening with Daylilies
by Matt Whiddon

My grandfather was an avid daylily gardener. He had endless
varieties and would always show them with pride every time we would visit. I must say that I haven’t seen anything like the quantity he grew until meeting with master gardener Larry Miller. Larry is a local retiree who has been growing daylilies for six years. He’s not an ordinary gardener, though. Larry grows over two hundred varieties on two acres of land at his Harris County home. He is past-president of the Chattahoochee Valley Daylily Society and is a regular at local garden club meetings. A gracious host, Jerry had me out for a tour and I was not disappointed.

My first impression of the garden was how beautiful it was for so early in the year. My visit was in early April before the daylilies bloomed. Although the garden centers on daylilies, Larry has done a masterful job of supplementing with colorful perennials and ornamental foliage. The likes of columbine, iris, daffodils, native azaleas, camellias and quince offer seasonal flowers. I love the use of loropetalum, anise and sweet shrub, which offer contrast and interest to the garden. Small flowering trees such as dogwood, Japanese magnolia and fringe tree complement the smaller plantings.

Despite all of the variety, it’s clear that Larry is focused on daylilies. Although he doesn’t have a favorite, he prefers tall varieties with large blooms. A few that stand out in his mind are “Dixie Land Band,” “Rainbow Over Georgia,” “Spider Miracle,” “Carefree Sunset,” “Olivia Coyote” and “Gold Dusting.” Even though individual daylily blooms only last one day, Larry points out that one stalk may produce numerous blooms so that the plant is colorful for a long time.

Daylilies are also tough and thrive under varying soil and environmental conditions. They come in many sizes and shapes and offer every color except pure white and pure blue. Depending upon variety they bloom at various times through the spring and summer, although most flourish in early summer. With tens of thousands from which to choose, even the most particular of gardeners can find some they’ll love.

Larry has important advice in planting and caring for daylilies. He recommends watering them at least 1.5 inches per week. Deep watering less frequently is preferred as is drip irrigation to keep water off of blooms. Full sun, at least six hours per day, is optimum. Fertilize in spring when they begin to grow with 18- 6-12 and again in the fall when the temperatures start to cool down.
As daylilies mature they should be divided in the spring or fall. Space them 18-24 inches apart for large bloomers and about half that for miniatures. Daylilies don’t have many pest problems but one should be on the lookout for insects such as aphids, spider mites, slugs and snails and possible daylily rust.

The Chattahoochee Valley Daylily Society will host a show and sale at Callaway Gardens on Saturday, June 4, at the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center. Daylilies will be judged in a number of categories. A wide variety will also be available for purchase. This is a terrific opportunity to further explore daylilies. For information on the Chattahoochee Valley Daylily Society visit their website at cvds.8k.com.

Matt Whiddon is a graduate of the University of Georgia school of horticulture and is the owner of Columbus in Color Landscape Group and PlantWorks Professional Horticultural Services.

In the Garden
Green Island Masterpiece

by Matt Whiddon

Sally Foley’s garden is a southern treasure. With the help of renowned garden professional P. Allen Smith, Mrs. Foley created a garden with many rooms and countless windows. The visitor is rewarded with a diverse and timeless collection of plants. Rather than attempting to take you on a detailed tour of the garden, I would like to focus on what stood out in my mind as I toured. First, let me say that I visited on a 100-degree day in August when the garden was past peak season. I knew, however, that even during such a difficult time of year, I would have no trouble finding much to write about in this treasured garden.

The drive up to the Foley home is adorned with winter jasmine. This shrub-like jasmine blooms with profuse, small yellow flowers in late winter. Very showy along the drive during my visit were Tardiva hydrangeas. These panicle hydrangeas are a stunning white and thrive in sunny locations. Noteworthy, as well, are prominent crape myrtles.

Upon reaching the home, the visitor is greeted with a formal garden of hedges. I immediately noticed Boston ivy, used to soften brick walls. What a refreshing change from more common climbers such as English ivy and jasmine. Although Boston ivy is susceptible to pests, it is such a welcome addition to any garden with its large and unusual foliage.

Descending into the garden I noticed two familiar plants, yaupon holly and loropetalum. While we tend to take a shearing approach to lower and level such plants, Mrs. Foley’s gardeners allow them
to grow large and take a more natural form. I particularly like how loropetalum is grown in tree form and set as the backdrop for statuary. It is obvious that careful consideration has been taken over the years to prune all plants with a specific purpose and grand plan in mind.

Continuing my tour, I was struck by the contrast of large formal trees and hedges with soft herbaceous plantings. Italian cypress and hollies are among the staple trees while boxwoods provide the foundation for low hedges. Perennial plantings are anchored by rudbeckia, phlox, lamb’s ear, sage and patrinia.

Hardscape elements add to the character of the garden. A flowing water feature runs down the central core to the base of the drive. Designers softened rock with mass plantings of wood fern and hydrangeas. Italian statues are also placed strategically throughout and lend character. In addition, trellises with akebia, wisteria, and “New Dawn” roses, soften the winding landscape.

While an entire article could be devoted to the various rooms of the garden, I must mention the white room which was in full glory during my visit. Assorted plant varieties make a peaceful, yet bold statement in solid form.

Columbus is fortunate to be home to such a masterful and well-known garden.

Matt Whiddon is a graduate of the University of Georgia school of horticulture and is the owner of Columbus in Color Landscape Group and PlantWorks Professional Horticultural Services.

In the Garden

Gardening with the Masters
by Matt Whiddon

The idea for a Master Gardener program goes back over 35 years to Washington State University. Extension agents, overwhelmed by requests for information from the community, enlisted the help of home gardeners in return for training. Today, similar programs exist throughout the world. In fact, Georgia and Alabama have thriving programs statewide. The mission of the Master Gardener program is to assist the Cooperative Extension Service by providing research-based horticultural information to the community through volunteer service in educational gardening projects.

Among the benefits of the Master Gardener program is that individuals get specialized training and become certified in horticulture. Courses offered by both Georgia and Alabama programs vary slightly. Core courses common to both include soil science, weed control, annuals and perennials, vegetable gardening, plant identification and selection and turf maintenance. Additional courses are offered, including some that may be taken as electives. In all, Master Gardeners receive over 40 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction. Classes are taught by extension agents, local horticulturists and veteran Master Gardeners. I have had the privilege of instructing a couple of classes and am inspired by the enthusiasm of the group. They are truly passionate about plants and service to others.

Muscogee County Master Gardener Gayle Dean says that Master Gardeners are a variety of people, each with their own expertise. “Some know roses inside and out, others daylily. Some are bee keepers, while others are organic gardeners. I don’t know much about plants, variety, names. What I am good at is communication and helping to keep us connected. So we each bring different skills, but we are willing to share and help each other.”

Muscogee County Master Gardeners are regularly involved in community service. To maintain Master Gardener status, 50 hours of community service are required the first year and 25 each consecutive year. Columbus Master Gardeners work with each of the following:

• Columbus Botanical Garden
• Columbus State University Environmental Learning Center at Oxbow Meadows
• Junior Master Gardener Program
• Walker-Peters-Langdon Garden
• Columbus Museum
• Linwood Cemetery
• WaterSmart Program
• Keep Columbus Beautiful Garden Tour

Jennifer Davidson, agricultural extension agent for Muscogee County, is excited about an upcoming program this spring. “Gardening with the Masters is a series of courses being offered by Master Gardeners at the Columbus Botanical Garden. This collaboration between the Muscogee County Extension Service and the Columbus Botanical Garden is the first of its kind as Master Gardeners will be teaching,” says Davidson. The series will include weekly courses on a variety of horticultural topics in March and April. Call 706-327-8400 for more information or to register.

Russell County Master Gardeners are also actively involved in their community. A minimum 40 hours of service is required within one year of the date of their training. Master Gardeners who wish to maintain active status must serve a minimum of 20 hours each subsequent year, and it is recommended that they obtain at least 10 hours of continuing education credits.

Vivian Brockway, president of the Green Gloves Garden Club of Master Gardeners in Russell County, says their major accomplishment to date is planting and maintaining the landscape at the Phenix City-Russell County Library. Other projects have included the removal of overgrown shrubbery and re-landscaping at the Phenix City Art Center and working with Phenix City Beautiful to plant trees. The group has also been active at various government and school sites and has planted a spring bulb garden at Idle Hour Park. Russell County Master Gardeners meet monthly January-November on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Phenix City-Russell County Library. Visitors are welcome.

The Master Gardener program is a great way for gardening enthusiasts to grow in their knowledge of horticulture while serving their community. For further information, contact Jennifer Davidson of the Muscogee County Extension Office at 706-653-4200 or Ted Gilbert of the Russell County Extension Office at 334-298-6845.

Matt Whiddon is a graduate of the University of Georgia school of horticulture and is the owner of Columbus in Color Landscape Group and PlantWorks Professional Horticultural Services.

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