Don't give up on Mexican Petunia

Taxonomists have assigned several botanical names to what most gardeners call Mexican petunia. But no matter the appellation - Ruellia brittoniana, R. simplex or R. malacosperma, this shrubby perennial is a summer-blooming plant that folks either love or hate. While some of us have grown weary with the way this ubiquitous, sometimes obnoxious "intruder" from Brazil has a propensity to hog flower beds, if assigned an appropriate place in the garden, Mexican petunia becomes an asset.

This is because Mexican petunia is good at “fixing” problem spots where nothing else thrives. It has a remarkable nonchalance toward growing conditions. Well, in Charleston gardens, anyway. It withstands searing heat and brief periods of sub-freezing temperatures plus, it doesn’t mind standing in an occasionally-flooded yard. It’s content in full sun or partial shade and scoffs at less-than-perfect soil. This is definitely a plant with a positive attitude.

However, something happened to Charleston’s Mexican petunia this past summer. Its leaves and stems became oddly fuzzy and blotchy and remained looking bedraggled throughout the season. Fortunately, the appealing purple/periwinkle blue blossoms (there are also pink and white varieties) were never compromised, but the overall attractiveness was certainly diminished. It wasn't bad enough to make gardeners yank out their plants, but I doubt any ever made it into a bouquet.

I first noticed this affliction in my backyard garden in early summer, except I blamed this Jackson-Pollock-effect it on my house painters. (Sorry, guys.) I thought they were flinging watery paint-soaked brushes in the direction of my stand of Mexican petunia while cleaning up at the end of the day. However, this wasn’t enough to make me complain because I figured the “artwork” was temporary and would eventually fade away.

But shortly after, I noticed the same blotchy patterns on swaths of Colonial Lake’s Mexican petunia that grow near Rutledge and Broad Streets. That was when I realized that marauding house painters were not to blame, and I began looking for the similar evidence in nearby landscapes. This was an easy and pleasant assignment because I see plenty of Mexican petunia during my morning runs around the lower Charleston peninsula. I never encountered a single, blemish-free plant all summer.

Although I initially thought this botanical disorder was caused by a fungus, this is not the case. A native microscopic mite is the culprit. Also known as gall mite, these little buggers were the cause of these unsightly streaks that greatly diminished the appearance of Mexican petunia’s stems and leaves. This fuzzy blotchiness is simply the result of the plant’s defensive reaction against Eriophyid’s invasion into its cell tissues.

I’m cutting back my Mexican petunia this week (mid-December). Usually, I wait until mid-February to perform this chore but, because this past growing season was not kind to this plant from Brazil, I’m willing to risk an early cut-back. The stems and leaves are not going into my compost pile, however. I’ll bag them and set out this debris for the city’s yard-waste pickup.

Here are three reliable websites that discuss Mexican petunia and Eriophyid:

https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/INVERT/gallblistermites.html

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/horticultural-oils-for-ornamental-plants

https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2023/08/02/my-mexican-petunias-are-fuzzy/

A Gardener's Guide to Cuba (Part 2)

When croton (Codiaeum variegatum) was introduced into the Lowcountry many years ago, I assumed that these outrageously colorful plants would run a short-lived course and then disappear. This is because gardeners seem to suffer from some sort of horticultural attention deficient disorder and, as a result, flit from one botanical fad to the next.

However, a lot of Charleston gardeners continue to replant croton each spring and eventually end up in yet another garden design rut. Please, no more croton commingled with bright orange Chinese hibiscus or—worse yet—snuggled next to a couple of vinca.

Poor croton. Like many other plants (privet and Japanese yew come to mind), it’s easy to turn them horticultural clichés. But just when I was about throw in the trowel over croton, I discovered a delightful ensemble of this tropical plant in a garden on James Island. Instead of mixing it with additional color, this croton was allowed to compliment a swath of established dark green shrubbery. Doing so made green hues, as well as textures, come alive. Plus, it gave croton the chance to become a point of interest instead of a gaudy distraction.

No matter my opinion on the frequent ill treatment of croton, I’ve always wanted to see it in its full glory. My recent trip to Cuba finally afforded me this opportunity.

Grown as an annual in USDA Hardiness Zones lower than 10b in the US—because the first frost promptly turns it to toast—the croton we know never grows much taller than 3 feet, perhaps 5 if you’re lucky. But because this Indian and Malaysian native loves year-round megadoses of heat and humidity, it feels at home in the southern regions of Florida and Cuba where it’s not uncommon to see 12-feet tall specimens. But guess what? Croton is shrub du jour in Havana and is rarely given much design consideration. It looks just as silly as it does at home.

But with that said, there is nothing more spectacular than coming upon mass of yellow, green, orange and burgundy leaved croton growing with seemingly wild abandon on a steep Cuban hillside.

 The above photos were taken at the Soroas Orchid Garden, which is situated in Cuba’s most western province, Pinar del Río.

 

 Text and photos are copyrighted by PJ Gartin; all rights reserved.

A Gardener's Guide to Cuba (Part I)

I recently returned from a ten-day excursion to Cuba. Yep, Cuba—like in Ricky Ricardo, cigars, Babalu and mile after mile of tropical flora. Although one still can’t take a spur-of-the-moment flight to Havana's José Martí International Airport just yet—because the US embargo is far from over—I traveled with a group organized by Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.

Our purpose was somewhat horticultural, but mostly agricultural because Cuba is still trying to figure out how to feed her city dwellers (seventy-five percent of the island's population is urban) without using industrially manufactured fertilizers or pesticides. However, the politics of hunger will have to wait until later because my photo files are overflowing with an amazing array of ornamentals.

Flamboyant tree (Delonix regia) is ubiquitous in Cuba. This tree's USDA Hardiness Zone rating is 9b–10a, which means that it will cheerfully grow in Miami or the Florida Keys. However, it is not common in South Carolina Lowcountry landscapes because most of us garden in chillier zones 8b or 9a. (By the way, Cuba's USDA Hardiness Zone ratings are 11a and 11b, which means that their coldest winter temperature rarely, if ever, falls below 40º F.)

If you don't live in Florida, yet can't resist wrapping your green thumbs around a Flamboyant tree, you'll probably have to drag a containerized version into your house during cold weather. But with that said, Tom Johnson, Executive Director at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, which is located about 12 miles northwest of peninsular Charleston, SC, has one planted on the property. Although a hard freeze always kills Magnolia's Flamboyant tree to the soil-line each winter, it rebounds and becomes a flowering shrub during the summer months.

Flamboyant tree's blossoms are orchid-like.

Cubans use dried Flamboyant tree pods to make maraca-like instruments, and local arts and crafts folk sometimes paint and dress them up to resemble children’s dolls.

This photo was taken from inside a moving bus. We were on our way to Viñales, a small town west of Havana, located in the north-central province of Pinar del Río. The hillsides were dotted with Flamboyant trees.

 Leaves are reminiscent of ferns, especially the Southern shield fern, which is found throughout the southeast.

Don't expect to see exceptionally large pods like these in Carolina gardens. Cuba has a much longer growing season because it never freezes.

For more information about growing Flamboyant tree in the southeast US, go to http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/News%20columns/Royal.Poinciana.htm

Text and photos are copyrighted by PJ Gartin; all rights reserved.

The Old Charleston Musuem at Cannon Park

Whenever I walk through Cannon Park with my camera, I invariably stop to take another picture of the four remaining Corinthian columns that once graced the entrance to the old Charleston Museum.  Although this structure caught fire sometime in the late 1970s or early 80s, the city decided to let the columns stand. (In case anyone's wondering, the building was empty when it burned and its contents had already been moved to the "new" museum that's still located at the corner of Mary and Meeting Streets.)

I always wondered what this structure originally looked like.  Finally, thanks to an article written by Post and Courier writer, Robert Behre, on Sunday, August 26th, titled "Preservation Remains Big Business Here," I have a better idea.

It seems that a woman named Frances Benjamin Johnston traveled to Charleston during the mid-1930s to photograph "endangered Southern architecture." Ms. Johnston's pictures are now part of the Library of Congress archives, and the old museum is included in this collection.


My favorite photo is posted below. It's taken facing west from across the street on Rutledge Avenue.

 Frances Benjamin Johnston

I usually shoot from the opposite direction, or from the western edge of the park, looking east.

Historic Charleston Foundation 'Eat and Run' Lecture, March 29, 2012

The Heat Is On: Ovenproof Flora for Southern Gardens. Plants That Thrive In Hot and Humid Weather. . .Even When You Can't

Hello,

Not all of my slide show pictures are posted below, although every one of the photo numbers and their titles are included.

If you wish to see a particular plant’s complete picture ensemble, please contact me at askamg@hotmail.com. If you have a gardening question or simply want to make a remark, you’re welcome to use the "Comments” section at the bottom of this page.

Thanks for supporting the Charleston Historic Foundation.

Horticulturally yours,

PJ Gartin

Slide 1. Title (sunflower)

Slide 2. 1990 USDA Hardiness Zone Map

Slide 3. 2005 USDA Hardiness Zone Map              Both Hardiness Zone maps are available at

http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/

Slide 4. How to add interest to hot summertime gardens? Start with trees and shrubs.

Slides 5. White loropetalum (L. chinense). USDA Hardiness Zones 7–9.

Slide 6–7. Pink fringe-flower (L. chinense var. rubrum). USDA Hardiness Zones 7–9.

Dr. Michael Dirr suggests that 'Zhuzhou Fuchsia' might be the hardiest—perhaps as far north as Cincinnati (6a-6b). 'Zhuzhou Fuchsia' is usually rated 7–9.

            "Changed the market for purpleleaf shrubs in Zones 7 to 9." (Dirr) Has replaced purple-leaved barberries. Comes in all sizes from 1 to 2' up to 25'.

Slide 8. Purple-leaved barberry (Berberis spp.) particularly Japanese barberry (B. thunbergii) has become invasive is some areas. USDA Hardiness Zones 4–8.

Slides 9–11. Nandina or heavenly bamboo (N. domestica) USDA Hardiness Zones 6–9.

Slide 12. Abelia x grandiflora USDA Hardiness Zones 6–9.

Grandiflora is perhaps the most popular abelia. It is cold hardy in Chicago (6a).

Slide 13. American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) (Picture used with permission. © F. Brian Smith, 2004). USDA Hardiness Zones 7–11.

Slide 14. According to Dr. Michael Dirr, C. dichotoma or Korean beautyberry might be the most cold hardy (Picture used with permission. © F. Brian Smith, 2004). USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9a.

Also, "treat as [a] cut-back shrub to stimulate vigorous shoot growth." Dirr

Slides 15–16 Mahonia japonica ‘Bealei’. USDA Hardiness Zones 5–8.

Slides 17–18 Viburnum tinus. USDA Hardiness Zones 6–12. Two varieties: ‘Compactum, which grows 4–6 ft. tall and ‘Robustum’, which grows to 6–12 feet tall. It is difficult to tell them apart. Based on its height, the one in the photo below is probably ‘Robustum’.

Slides 19–20. Doublefile viburnum (V. plicatum tomentosum). USDA Hardiness Zones 5–8.

Slide 21. Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.) USDA Hardiness Zones (6)7–9.

Flowering shrub or small tree

Slide 22. Crape myrtle ‘Natchez’

All crape myrtles bloom on new growth from about June into September. However, the white 'Natchez' (to 35 ft. tall) sometimes flowers in Charleston as early as late May or early June.

The Early Bird(™) series (5–8 ft. tall) might blossom as early as mid-May, depending on location. Early Bird comes in white, lavender, and purple. (Zones 7–10) Available from southernlivingplants.com.

Slides 23–24. Crape myrtle

Interesting bark

Interesting shape

Crape myrtle can survive winter in parts of St. Louis, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and Long Island.

Slide 25. Crape “murder"

Slide 26. Correctly grown crape myrtle

Slides 27–29. Pomegranate (Punica granatum). USDA Hardiness Zones 7–11. Double flowered pomegranates produce less fruit than single varieties (pictured).

Perhaps hardy to Washington, DC (7a). Growers usually rate it between Zones 7–11.

Use as a container plant in cooler areas and haul it indoors during winter. Drought tolerant. Full sun, well-drained soil.

The standard variety grows to about 10 ft. tall. The dwarf variety, called ‘Nana, is only 3 ft. tall.

Slides 30–32. Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) USDA Hardiness Zones 5–11.

50–90 ft. tall; 15–25 wide. Fast grower. Full sun. To read my article about dawn redwood, go to 

http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/carolinas/articles/dawn_redwood/

            Too cold for dawn redwood? Grow its cousin, Larix spp. (L. occidentalis or Western larch grows to 150 ft. tall and 30 ft. wide.)

Slide 33. Dawn redwood ‘Ogdon’ is bright lime green.

Slide 34. Accessories: Annuals and perennials

Slides 35–37. Gaillardia (Gaillardia spp.) Sometimes called blanket flower. USDA Hardiness Zones 2–5. 

Slides 38–41. Garden phlox (P. paniculata). USDA Hardiness Zones 2-8.

Summer-blooming tall phlox needs moist, well-drained soil. Full sun to part shade.

Three native species: P. caroliniana, P. maculata, and P. paniculata

Slide 42. "House"Plants. Indoor Flora For Outdoor Southern Gardens.

Slides 43–46. Creeping fig (Ficus pumila). USDA Hardiness Zones 8–11. 

Slides 47–48. Asparagus fern (A. densiflorus). USDA Hardiness Zones 8–12 (est.) From South Africa. Not a fern, but a member of the lily family. Invasive is some parts of the US. 

Slides 49–52. ‘Grand Duke of Tuscany’ jasmine (Jasminum sambac). USDA Hardiness Zone 10.  To read my story on 'Grand Duke of Tuscany', go to http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/newsletters/stories/grand_duke_of_tuscany/

Slides 53–59. Musical note plant (Clerodendrum incisum). USDA Hardiness Zone 10. Treat as an annual or grow it in a container and haul it indoors during cooler months.

Slide 60. Gartin on Gardening

http://Pgartin.blogspot.com

askamg@hotmail.com

City Garden Club

MY FAVORITE PLANTS

By PJ Gartin

Slide List Note: To see numbered pictures with captions, go to https://picasaweb.google.com/113986865352391439206/MyFavoritePlants

1	Title page	My Favorite Plants
2	Dawn redwood	Metasequoia glyptostroboides. Read my "Carolina Gardener" story about dawn redwood  at http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/carolinas/articles/dawn_redwood/
3	Dawn redwood	M. glyptostroboides
4	Ginkgo	Ginkgo biloba
5	Ginkgo	G. biloba
6	Dawn redwood	M. glyptostroboides
7	Ginkgo	G. biloba
8	Bald cypress	Taxodium distichum
9	Arizona Cypress	Cupressus arizonica 'Carolina Sapphire'   This link offers excellent information about this stunning tree: http://nassau.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/urbantrees/arizonacypress.html
10	Arizona Cypress	C. arizonica 'Carolina Sapphire'
11	Cherokee rose	Rosa laevigata
12	Cherokee rose	R. laevigata
13	Cherokee rose	R. laevigata
14	Musical note plant	Clerodendrum incisum
15	Musical note plant	C. incisum
16	Musical note plant	C. incisum
17	Musical note plant	C. incisum
18	Musical note plant	C. incisum
19	Musical note plant	C. incisum
20	Musical note plant	C. incisum
21	Stiff bottlebrush	Callistemon rigidus
22	Stiff bottlebrush	C. rigidus
23	Stiff bottlebrush	C. rigidus
24	Stiff bottlebrush	C. rigidus
25	Lemon bottlebrush ‘Little John’	Callistemon citrinus ‘Little John’
26	Cardboard palm	Zamia furfuracea
27	Cardboard palm	Z. furfuracea
28	Cardboard palm	Z. furfuracea
29	Cardboard palm	Z. furfuracea
30	Leather leaf mahonia	M. bealei
31	Leather leaf mahonia	M. bealei
32	Leather leaf mahonia	M. bealei
33	Shrimp plant	Justica brandegeana
34	Shrimp plant	J. brandegeana
35	Shrimp plant	J. brandegeana

Suggested Web Sites and References

Clemson’s Home and Garden Information Center

http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/

North Carolina State’s “Horticulture on the Internet”

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/hortinternet/

The Gardeners’ Guide for Charleston and the Lowcountry. The Garden Club of Charleston.

Garden Guide to the Lower South. Trustees’ Garden Club, Savannah, Georgia.

http://Pgartin.blogspot.com • askamg@hotmail.com

 

1

Title page

My Favorite Plants

2

Dawn redwood

Metasequoia glyptostroboides. Read my "Carolina Gardener" story about dawn redwood  at http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/carolinas/articles/dawn_redwood/

3

Dawn redwood

M. glyptostroboides

4

Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba

5

Ginkgo

G. biloba

6

Dawn redwood

M. glyptostroboides

7

Ginkgo

G. biloba

8

Bald cypress

Taxodium distichum

9

Arizona Cypress

Cupressus arizonica 'Carolina Sapphire'  
This link offers excellent information about this stunning tree: http://nassau.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/urbantrees/arizonacypress.html

10

Arizona Cypress

C. arizonica 'Carolina Sapphire'

11

Cherokee rose

Rosa laevigata

12

Cherokee rose

R. laevigata

13

Cherokee rose

R. laevigata

14

Musical note plant

Clerodendrum incisum

15

Musical note plant

C. incisum

16

Musical note plant

C. incisum

17

Musical note plant

C. incisum

18

Musical note plant

C. incisum

19

Musical note plant

C. incisum

20

Musical note plant

C. incisum

21

Stiff bottlebrush

Callistemon rigidus

22

Stiff bottlebrush

C. rigidus

23

Stiff bottlebrush

C. rigidus

24

Stiff bottlebrush

C. rigidus

25

Lemon bottlebrush ‘Little John’

Callistemon citrinus ‘Little John’

26

Cardboard palm

Zamia furfuracea

27

Cardboard palm

Z. furfuracea

28

Cardboard palm

Z. furfuracea

29

Cardboard palm

Z. furfuracea

30

Leather leaf mahonia

M. bealei

31

Leather leaf mahonia

M. bealei

32

Leather leaf mahonia

M. bealei

33

Shrimp plant

Justica brandegeana

34

Shrimp plant

J. brandegeana

35

Shrimp plant

J. brandegeana