Southern Gardening from 2025

While many people think of poinsettias as short-lived holiday decor, with proper care, these beautiful plants can thrive long after the holidays and even bloom again the following year.

This is great news for me, as poinsettias have always been one of my favorite holiday plants. The process takes a little extra attention, but the results are rewarding.

I recently visited The Flower Bed Nursery in Lumberton, Mississippi, where I admired a magnificent Sweet Olive tree that stood gracefully at the entrance.

Known scientifically as Osmanthus fragrans, it is often called the fragrant tea olive. This plant is one of my favorite evergreen shrubs or small trees, cherished for its intensely sweet, jasmine-like fragrance and its polished, sophisticated appearance.

While searching for colorful evergreen shrubs to enhance my landscape, I discovered two exceptional options at The Flower Bed Nursery in Lumberton, Mississippi: Juliet Cleyera and Miss Lemon Abelia.

Throughout the year, I often receive calls from concerned individuals about gray, fuzzy growths appearing on plants that seem to be causing harm. The culprit that raises the alarm is usually lichen.

Philodendrons are indoor plants that seem to tell their own story with unique colors, textures and shapes. I recently felt inspired by varieties that made me imagine how they could enhance different spaces in my home and garden.

As we approach Valentine’s Day, you may be searching for the perfect gift for your plant-loving Valentine. I recommend you consider a Bleeding Heart vine celebrated for its beautiful flowers, which perfectly symbolize love and passion.

While it is fun to include seasonal color and exciting annuals, perennials make up the backbone of a landscape. Some are dependable but not eye-catching, while others do it all.

Heuchera, commonly known as Coral Bells or alumroot, is one of my favorite perennials for adding a striking combination of color, texture and year-round interest to the garden.