Southern Gardening

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The Little Gem southern magnolia has been chosen as a 1997 Mississippi Medallion award winner. This is the first woody ornamental to win the award.

This southern magnolia will fit into almost any landscape and bloom continuously throughout the growing season. The southern magnolia is one of the South's prized trees, but they are very large. The National Champion is in Mississippi and is more than 122 feet tall and has a crown width of 63 feet.

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

As vegetable gardening season rapidly approaches, it's time to decide whether to use transplants or direct seed. If you are as anxious as I am to get under way, then you might consider growing transplants.

Almost everything can be sown directly into the garden, but there are some vegetables that do better when transplanted. These include several of the most popular vegetables.

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Magazines and catalogs have been pouring in all encouraging us to plant this and that. The gorgeous pictures make you dream about a rose garden at your home.

Nurseries and garden centers currently are getting bare-root roses in that can be planted with good success.

Roses are graded with 1 being the best, so look for those that are 1 to 1 1/2 to ensure getting a rose you will be happy with.

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Winter seems like an odd time to mention waves and surfing, but two new petunias will have you humming Beach Boys music at your local garden center this spring.

Petunias have come a long way in the past couple of years. Two of the newest varieties -- Surfinia and Purple Wave -- will delight you in how they perform.

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Bark can play an important role in winter landscapes if we choose the right trees. As deciduous trees loose their leaves, their bark is exposed to make a dramatic impact in the landscape. We can certainly make our garden more interesting in the winter by planting trees and shrubs that offer striking bark.