| Recently I relocated to Jacksonville NC where the climate is much different than I'm accustomed to. With the warmer winters I am hoping that I will be able to have a landscape that is green and lush year round. Is this possible in the area I am in? Also, do you have suggestions for shrubs, plants and/or flowers that will be good for multiple seasons? Thank you for your help! |
| Below is an excerpt from "Gardens of Historic Charleston" by James R. Cothran: "Usually by the first of March, the short winter is over and Spring pre-empts the city. This is a dramatic invasion, starting with the waxy perfection of the camellia bloom and a spray or two of yellow jessamine. While the nights are still frosty it seems to hang poised and then descends, sweeping the parks and gardens with a tidal wave of color and perfume. Climbing roses foam over old garden walls. Wisteria hangs like purple clouds in ancient pine and oak, and everywhere the azalea seems to spend itself in a short breathing burst of color." Charleston is located in USDA Zone 8; you are in Zone 7. You are on the northern border of camellia's hardiness zone, even with some winter protection, so you might skip those. However, you should be able to grow Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), climbing roses, wisteria, and azaleas. You might consider adding some saucer magnolia, rhododendrons, trumpet honeysuckle, and clematis too. There are literally thousands of perennials to choose from for your climate. Here is a web site that might interest you: North Carolina State University's Plant Fact Sheets at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/... I hope this helps with your planning. |
