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  • Home
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    • Careers
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    • Landscape Design
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  • Garden Center
    • Brownswood Grown
    • Learning Center >
      • The Gardener's Corner
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  • (843) 559-3425

Plant Care Before and After a Freeze

1/1/2023

 
Although our Winters are usually mild here in Charleston, we do occasionally experience a hard freeze that can damage or even kill landscape plants. We've put together a few tips for avoiding plant damage and caring for plants after a freeze event.
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​Preventing Cold Damage

The first and best way to guard against cold damage is to select plants that are appropriate for our growing region. Nearly all of the varieties we grow and stock at our Nursery fall into this category. If temperatures are expected to be at or below freezing for an extended period - one or more hours - precautions taken to protect hardy landscape plants will lessen the likelihood of wilted or brown leaves and damaged flower buds. Prior to the arrival of freezing temperatures, add mulch to cover plant roots, water if there's been a lack of rainfall (be careful to water the root zone, not the foliage), and cover plants with a "frost cloth." Frost cloth can be purchased or fashioned from a bed sheet or thick black plastic. Be sure to cover plants to the ground and secure to prevent plants from being exposed to cold air/wind.

Of course, it's hard to deny the beauty of certain colorful tropicals such as the Tropical Hibiscus. Tender plant varieties are often treated as annual container plantings throughout the warm season with the expectation that they may not survive a cold Winter. However, these and other annual flowers can be protected from freezing temperatures by bringing them into a covered area such as a garage. If containerized plants are too heavy to move, water them in place and cover with a frost cloth. Note: Containerized plants left outside may not survive hours of cold exposure even if watered in and covered.

​Plant Care After a Freeze

​After a cold snap has passed, allow ice or snow to melt away naturally. It can take days or longer for cold damage to become visible. Freeze damage will likely present itself as wilted or brown leaves, browned and/or fallen flower buds, or splitting/cracks in the bark of shrubs and trees. 

Clean up cold damage on hardy perennial plants by removing any mushy, wilted foliage immediately. You may also strip crispy, brown foliage from deciduous woody ornamentals and trees at this time if desired.

Resist pruning damaged shrubs and trees right away. Instead, wait until warmer weather arrives and temperatures have stabilized to prune away dead wood. This will prevent stimulating the plants to produce new growth too soon.
Questions? The Nursery Professionals at our Garden Center are here to help! Email us at sales@brownswoodnursery.com. Please include any photos that may be helpful in answering your specific inquiry.

PLANTING FOR FALL & WINTER INTEREST

11/1/2022

 

10 SHRUBS, TREES, AND GRASSES FOR FALL AND WINTER INTEREST

​Thankfully, the gardening season here in Charleston is not limited to the warmer months of the year. Planting can continue throughout the Fall and Winter months, allowing new plantings to get settled in before the first flush of Spring growth appears.

Not only can we continue to plant, but there are many trees, shrubs, and grasses that offer seasonal color and blooms during our Fall and Winter months. As the warm-season landscape goes to sleep, the show goes on!
Fall and Winter Landscape Shopping Tip:
​
Visit the Garden Center during the Fall and Winter seasons to get a good idea of how landscape plants you've been considering look during cooler weather. You'll discover that the form of some trees and shrubs can be just as interesting in the landscape after they've lost their leaves as they are leafed out in Spring and Summer. For those shrubs that bloom in the Fall and Winter, you'll  also be able to see flower colors and forms in person. And, last but not least, you'll have the opportunity to choose some new favorite evergreens!
Camellia - Queens of the Fall and Winter garden!
​
Both of our most popular Camellia shrub species have lustrous green foliage all year long, but there are key differences such as:
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Camellia sasanqua
​Fall/Winter-blooming.

Camellia sasanqua has smaller leaves and blooms than Camellia japonica. Depending on variety, you will see blooms appear as early as September and continue into December. This species can tolerate part sun to shade, preferring a break from too much direct afternoon sunlight during the Summer months. Can mature to tree height with age, but maintainable on average at 5-10' tall.
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Camellia japonica
​
Winter/Spring-blooming.

Camellia japonica has large leaves and large flowers. Blooms of this species begin appearing in December and can bloom all the way into April. Like Camellia sasanqua, exact bloom time will depend on variety. Prefers shade to dappled light or gentle morning sunlight. Can mature to tree height with age, but maintainable on average at 6-12' tall.
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Yaupon Holly
​For the birds!
​
Our native Yaupon holly comes in various forms. As an upright shrub or tree, it provides loads (LOADS!) of fruit for songbirds. These bright red candy-colored berries contrast beautifully with the small leaves of this evergreen. An excellent landscape addition for Fall/Winter interest. Our upright shrub grows to approximately 10-15' tall. Deer non-preferred.
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Encore® Azaleas
​
3 seasons of bloom, including Fall!

Encore® Azaleas come in dwarf (approximately 3' tall x 3' wide) and intermediate (approximately 4-5' tall x 4-5' wide) sizes and an array of colors. When given enough sunlight (4+ hours), these multi-season, evergreen bloomers will reward you with flowers Spring, Summer, and Fall.
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Oakleaf Hydrangea 
​Suprisingly brilliant Fall color!

Not only will you get large, cone-shaped white blooms that stand tall against a backdrop of lush green foliage in the Summer, but you'll also enjoy the Oakleaf Hydrangea's show well into the cooler months with bright red Fall color. A break from the sun during the hottest part of the day is appreciated, but this shrub can be adapted to full sun if properly irrigated. Non-dwarf varieties mature to approximtely 6-8' tall and wide.
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Japanese Maple
​
Colorful is an understatement!
​
Japanese Maples offer brilliant foliage displays in Spring and Fall. Warm and cool season leaf color depends on variety, but none will disappoint. In addition, these trees offer Winter interest after leaves fall to reveal colorful bark and an array of forms from weeping to mounding to upright. In our climate, Japanese Maples are happiest if given a break from afternoon sunlight. ​
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​Green Giant Arborvitae
​
Rich green foliage all year!

Fall and Winter is prime time for showcasing evergreens in your landscape. While attractive planted as a specimen or in a small grouping, Green Giant Arborvitae is also an excellent choice for fast-growing privacy along your property line. Matures to approximately 30-50' tall x 12-15' wide. Deer non-preferred.
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​Carolina Sapphire Cypress
​
As beautiful as its name suggests!

Silvery blue-green, fragrant foliage makes this evergreen stand out from the crowd. While it can also be used for privacy, it's certainly showy enough to grow as a specimen.  Matures to approximately 20-30' tall x 15-20' wide. Part to full sun. Deer non-preferred.
Holiday Decorating Tip: 
​
Evergreen trees such as Green Giant Arborvitae and Carolina Sapphire Cypress can also be used as living Christmas trees. Choose a size that makes sense for your indoor or outdoor living space, add your favorite decorations and lights, and enjoy the tree during the Christmas season. Your tree can then be planted in its forever home after the holidays. The fragrant foliage of these trees can also be used in wreaths, swags, and other Winter arrangements!
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Sweet Grass (Muhly Grass) 
​THE pink grass seen blooming all over the Lowcountry in Fall!

We LOVE Sweet Grass. And we grow it here at the Nursery from seed that has been collected locally. Maturing to 3-4' tall and wide, Sweet Grass prefers 6+ hours of direct sunlight and well-draining soil. Deer non-preferred.
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Maiden Grass (Miscanthus)
​
Beautiful on its own or combined with Sweetgrass!
​
Maiden Grass offers silvery cream blooms in Fall that shimmer in the breeze. Size varies depending on variety, but all have beautiful blooms. On average, matures to 3-4' tall x 3-4' wide. Deer non-preferred.

​FOR PLANTING SUCCESS:

We highly recommend amending the soil in your planting area with Brownswood Premium Planting Mix as well as a starter fertilizer such as Espoma Organic Bio-tone® Starter Plus to give your new plants their best start. You can find our Planting Guide at the link below. It provides planting instructions and helpful information about watering and getting new plants established. We look forward to seeing you at the Garden Center!
Download Our Planting Guide

Tropical Plants for a Lush Charleston Landscape

8/1/2022

 

Tropicals for Sun & Shade

A landscape infused with the vibrant colors and lush foliage of tropical plants takes enjoying Summer activities outdoors with family and friends to the next level. Tropical plants make great additions to containers or garden beds that set the stage for fun times around the pool, patio, or pergola. They can even be used to create privacy around the perimeter of your yard.
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A Charleston favorite! Philodendron selloum offers large, bright green leaves, a unique texture, and a mounded habit to shady spots. Evergreen. Mature size: 6-10' tall x 8-10' wide. Prefers shade.
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A pop of color for low light spots. Shell Ginger provides excellent contrast to greens often found in  the shade. Mature size: 4-5' tall x 4-5' wide. Prefers Part Sun to Shade.
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Hardy Hibiscus offer colorful blooms throughout the Summer. Shades vary from white to blush to dark pink with magenta centers. Once dormant, they benefit from being cut back in preparation for the next season's growth. Mature size: 3-5' tall x 3-4' wide. Prefers Part to Full Sun.
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One of our most popular plant types! It goes without saying that Palms fit right into the tropical landscape. We have different varieties available in all sizes, including some that would be great for large pots! Mature size: Varies depending on variety. Prefers Part to Full Sun.
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Are you seeking a taste of the tropics with the added benefit of privacy? Clumping Bamboo will do the trick! Bamboo grows fast to form a dense screen with feathery foliage that dances in the breeze. Mature size: Varies depending on variety. Prefers Part to Full Sun.
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A Charleston garden mainstay. Fatsia has proven itself a durable, evergreen favorite offering shiny green (classic variety) and variegated (shown: Spider's Web variety) palmate leaves. Mature size: Varies depending on variety. Prefers Shade.
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Colorful blooms (orange, red, or yellow) and foliage (green, red, or variegated)! Canna lilies are rugged performers, tolerating adverse conditions such as soggy soils. Cut away old foliage ahead of new Spring growth. Mature size: 3-5' tall x 3-4' wide. Prefers Part to Full Sun. 
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A multi-purpose problem solver! Papyrus is an ideal choice for spots with wet soil. Use in large containers for height or plant in the back of a border to add privacy to the landscape. Mature size: 6-8' tall x 4-5' wide. Prefers Part to Full Sun.
Lucky for us here in Charleston, mild Fall and Winter temperatures allow many of the tropical plants that are available at our Garden Center to thrive without special protection during cold weather. This means that the plants you see this Summer, although some will need to be cut back before the next Spring, will survive the Winter to flourish again year after year.

Not sure where to start in selecting plants for your landscape? Our Nursery Professionals will be happy to assist! Or, if you're ready for a full makeover with a tropical theme (or other theme of your choosing), book an at-home design consultation today!

Ready to Transform Your Yard?

The first step is booking a consultation with a Design Consultant. $150 reserves your spot on our Consultation schedule. ​
BOOK NOW

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