I have always been enamored with shrubs and trees that bloom during the fall months. Partly for the pollinators in search of sustenance during this season, but mostly for me who can’t accept the impending arrival of winter.
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow 15 to 30 feet tall in the sun or shade. It blooms in late October and November. The gorgeous spikes of creamy-white flowers exude a pleasing fragrance that wafts in the cool air. As a backdrop to these off-season flowers is its coarsely textured leaves that impart a markedly tropical effect. The thick 6 to 9 inch–sometimes 12-inch-long leaves—sport a wrinkled lustrous surface and wooly grayish-brown hairs on the undersides. Even the bark is beautiful year-round as it sheds puzzle-like pieces to reveal a colorful patchwork pattern of grays and browns.
The flowers and fruit can be injured or killed by low wintertime temperatures of 27° F (the tree itself is hardy to about 7 degrees F), but it’s a risk I’m willing to take. I look forward to the round- to pear-shaped yellow to orange fruits that ripen in the spring. Loquat fruits are about the size of plums and have white to yellow flesh and one or more large seeds.
If they were grown from seed, the flavor would be unpredictable. The most delicious loquats are grafted cultivars whose fruits are juicy, sweet, and tangy. If you’re not fond of surprises and delectable fruit is at the top of your list, consider growing named, grafted cultivars such as ‘Big Jim’, ‘Champagne’, ‘Gold Nugget’, ‘Premiere’, and ‘Thales.’
Loquats are susceptible to fireblight, a bacterial disease that infects flowers in the fall, or young succulent shoots in the spring. You can manage this disease by promptly
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Bloomcore, also known as flowercore, is an aesthetic trend that is just right for gardeners. It embraces the natural world, and most importantly, flowers. Putting nature first, it creates a pretty, flowery look both indoors and outside in the garden.
A cherry plum, sweet, thin-skinned and very prolific (you’ll also find it sold under ‘Red Grape Sugar Plum’). It was in the top three of our recent taste test and everyone liked it for its strong tomato flavour that’s sweet but not overly so, and its firm not mushy texture. It has a slight acidity running through it which all sweet tomatoes need. It ripens quite late compared to ‘Sungold’ and produces for a long period of time. It’s lovely in a mixed salad with the larger varieties.
Welcome to the wild ride known as parenting teens! If you’ve ever found yourself caught between eye-rolling moments and heartwarming instances of wisdom, these quotes about parenting teenagers will definitely hit the spot.
As the country begins taking stock of the damage caused by hurricane Ophelia and works to restore power to much of Scotland and Northern England, gardeners throughout the country are lamenting the destruction of their gardens.
No food signifies summer more than watermelon. We’re so sweet on the hot pink (or yellow) fruit that we designed an entire watermelon bar party showcasing the many ways to snack on, sip, and even centerpiece-ify the hydrating produce item.
No other plant native to South Carolina has such fragrant and beautiful spring blooms and stunning fall color as the witch-alders. Fothergilla was named after Dr. John Fothergill, an English physician and gardener who funded the travels of John Bartram through the Carolinas in the 1700’s. These beautiful shrubs have been planted in both American and English gardens for over 200 years, including gardens of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
Are you frustrated because there are dandelions and other weeds in your lawn? Did you know that dandelion flowers provide one of the first springtime sources of pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects?
As temperatures drop and summer leaves change colors, outdoor physical activity becomes enjoyable. There are many ways you and your family can get active during the fall season.