Everyone, everyplace, every year probably says there’s no place more beautiful in the springtime than right here. But come on. Augusta must be the winner, or at least in the top 10 this year.
It looked like the azaleas would be bloomed out by the week of Masters, but that last cold day must have slowed everything down just enough. While there might not be as many azaleas showing their stuff this week, there’s plenty. The TV broadcast captured some of the drifts of stunningly huge Aztec azaleas this week that were bright enough to hurt your eyes.
The azaleas, snowball viburnum, dogwood – and geez Louise – the crabapple trees that have just started blooming are outstanding. And the camellias still have enough flowers to nudge their way into your heart.
If all the beauty has you ready to sneak off with the credit card, the one the spouse doesn’t see the statement for, planning ahead will save you some heartache this summer.
Unlike some professional landscapers who have worked in a certain area of Augusta recently, you need to plant camellias, azaleas, dogwoods and the redbud trees in shade. Sure, you can force them into the sun but you will get sickly plants eventually no matter how much you baby them. In the North, gardeners might get away with it, although with constant pampering, but they cannot stand up to the brutal sun of the South in the summer.
Put them under pine trees or any other large trees, or in the shade of a structure. That may make it harder to dig the holes, but the plants will thrive with regular watering. Do check out the plants’ tags before buying because mature size matters. We made that mistake when we fell in love with the neighbor’s huge Aztec azalea garden. Nearly every year they must be brought down several feet or they would overwhelm the driveway. But, man, are they something in bloom.
Although most of our spring bloomers insist on shade, the crabapple trees and the snowball viburnum will enjoy the sun. Both can get deceivingly large so be prepared and get ready to be dazzled.
Springtime is a great time for planting, and it’s also a good time for looking to see what you love in other gardens. Although there be more about these events in the next couple of columns, mark your calendars for the Garden City Festival at Sacred Heart April 22-23, and the Pendleton King Park Plant Sale and Swap on May 7. It’s been a long pandemic, and it’s time to celebrate and share the love of gardening again.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.Â
