A quick appreciation post for Camellias!

 In my previous post at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay, I gave the tropical greenhouse a lot of appreciation, but they have a really cool greenhouse (literally, it's chilly!) filled with gorgeous temperate camellias. 

Long Island is mild enough to grow a variety of camellias outside as you can see below. Getting blooms in January though ... that's pretty challenging up here! Compared to the camellias growing in the south, I've found that NY camellias don't bloom for as long and aren't as floratious. The buds occasionally suffer cold damage because of the very windy weather we experience in the winter. 

Inside the greenhouses though, these camellias are thriving! Check out my favorite, Debutante! 

I love the symmetry of these white and pink ones too. 

I'm not familiar with Camellia synaptica. I love the blooms though. It almost reminds me of a white poppy in a way. 

I wish the Solandra Maxima was in bloom when I was there. I'll have to visit again soon. The golden trumpet flowers are a SIGHT TO SEE! The fragrance will knock you off your feet. 

Speaking of gorgeous fragrances, how about these winter blooms! Edgeworthia are a beautiful ornamental that are so fascinating in the winter landscape

A tropical escape on the north shore of Long Island

 Gardening is a year-long passion for me. When the ground isn't frozen, I'll always find something to do outside and my 100+ tropical plants keep me busy inside the house during the wintertime. Still, there are some winter days that have me longing for something more & that's when greenhouses like the ones at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay, NY come to the rescue. This place is a GEM! 

When you walk into the tiny brick entry you might not expect a lot, but there are gigantic greenhouses hidden in the back with plants you didn't even know you wanted to grow! 

Did you know vanilla comes from an orchid? Oh and that orchid grows like a vine? It's a very difficult plant to grow, but clearly, the staff at Planting Fields have it down to a science. This is by far the largest one I have seen. I have tried to grow vanilla in the past and it was truly a struggle. 

Are you a chocolate person? There are those too! Chocolate is the main ingredient in so many desserts (all the good ones anyway!) and I wouldn't be surprised if most people didn't even know how they grow. To be honest, I think it's the first time I've ever seen a cacao tree in person. The pods look so cool on the trunk. 

Their orange tree is beautiful and loaded with fruit. I hope someone is bringing them home to enjoy! 

During Christmas time, a pine tree is draped with Spanish moss. And a bromeliad was the tree topper. What a cool idea. 

They love their bromeliads - and I do too! 

Of course, my eyes gravitated toward the palms. Adondila take the center stage & it's no surprise since they're so easy to grow indoors. I was much more impressed to see a gigantic Bismarkia & triangle palm. Unfortunately, they'll outgrow the space one day, It was impossible to take a photo of the huge ponytail palm hiding behind the Bismarkia, but you'll have to trust me on that one.

Bougainvilleas and succulents have a place here too.

I vissited in late October and was so impressed by their outdoor collection. I feel inspired to grow Dahlias of my own this spring. And I am growing a calla lily and just really hope it survived the winter so it can look this beautiful some day. 

Stay tuned for a post on Camellias later this month! 

Gardening in the DEAD of winter

It's my first winter back in New York, zone 7 and I have to say it's been a weird one. Temperatures here on Long Island dropped to 7F, our coldest low temperature in nearly 3 years. Here we are 1 week later enjoying an 8-day stretch of days in the 50s! 

This is my first year growing Hellebores and I am so impressed with them. They're green all winter and blooming in January. It's incredible! 

Tassle ferns are a MUST. They look incredible all year long and have never had problems in zone 7. This one is in full shade, but they can handle some sun too. 

I brought my camellias and variegated ivy into the garage during last week's cold. They can survive single-digit temperatures, but I didn't want to add any unnecessary stress or lose the blooms on the camellia.

One week ago, evergreens like rhododendrons and aucuba shriveled in the cold. It's a natural defense mechanism to prevent freeze damage. Fortunately, these plants bounced right back! 

ON STATEN ISLAND

Unfortunately, the Fatsia japonica at my parent's house was not so lucky. I was really surprised to see the damage from a zone 7 hardy plant after such a brief burst of single-digit cold. I've been told they perform better in shade protected from the winter wind. It should easily resprout in the spring, but it won't look great for the rest of the winter. 

Much better news to share about my Sabal Minor. It looks great with no supplemental protection!