I read recently that ancient Greece–inspired and Mediterranean décor was the next big thing in interior design. Perhaps many of you will feel inspired to add a marble bust to your fireplace mantle. But what about Mediterranean plants? In the Southeast, plants that prefer a Mediterranean climate are not always at home. Humidity and wet winters—not just the cold—are normally the downfall of these plants. But there are some Mediterranean staples that we can grow very well in our region. They are not always extremely long-lived but can be enjoyed in the garden while they last.
One of my favorite long-lasting Mediterranean plants for the Southeast is rosemary (Salvia sosmarinus syn. Rosmarinus officinalis, Zones 8–11). This is a beautiful plant for the landscape and has been used for hundreds of years in the kitchen for its unique flavor profile. I consider rosemary a subshrub in our region. Most cultivars reach 2 to 4 feet tall over time. Few other plants can offer the combination of evergreen foliage, attractive blooms, and fragrance you find with rosemary.
Because rosemary is on the edge of hardiness for many of us, plant it in late spring in the Southeast. This gives the plant the entirety of the growing season to get established. For most, the month of May is ideal. Cool, wet soil and temperature fluctuations can be hard on unestablished plants. Good drainage and full sun are the key ingredients to growing rosemary. Plant rosemary slightly above grade, mounding soil up to the roots. This will help with drainage, especially during winter. If you have a sunny hillside, this is an ideal location.
If you want to grow rosemary for culinary use, know that the very light pruning required to grab a few sprigs won’t hurt the
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The biggest epiphany of my horticultural career was learning about plant survival strategies. Like most gardeners, I was accustomed to classifying plants as annuals, biennials, or perennials. But dividing them into groups based on their survival strategies instead got me thinking about how they evolved to grow, which in turn helped me to cultivate them more successfully in my garden in Texas.
Botany should feature more heavily in the school curriculum, and be a greater focus of educational policy, a new study in the Journal of Biological Education says.
Chances are it will take a while for you to notice any parlor palm problems, because these plants are so relaxed and easygoing. Capable of thriving in low light and sometimes crowded conditions, Neanthe Bella palms (as they are also known) are relatively unfussy and well adapted to indoor culture. If you give them a little care now and then, they won’t cause you much trouble.
A is for annual membership of one of Ireland’s world class great gardens open to the public. Examples include Blarney Castle in Co Cork (12-month adult pass, €100, blarneycastle.ie); Mount Usher in Co Wicklow (€40, mountushergardens.ie); Killruddery in Co Wicklow; (killruddery.com from €60-€100); and Mount Congreve in Co Waterford (from €70, mountcongreve.com).