Horticulture 2012

I've asked Becky Edwards, our club horticulturist to do a guest blog this week on the plantings that were completed this season on the grounds.  For those of you that are home gardeners, you know how challenging this year was trying to keep your plants alive from the severe heat and drought.  Becky has done an exceptional job with our landscape plantings this year from the ordering and growing of the plants that took place at the end of winter and early spring to the new plantings in front of the clubhouse as a part of the Pierson Memorial project.  This does not include the planting of all the material as well as the extra hand-watering that takes place, as well as managing the weed population, etc........................


Hooray for rain (it only took a hurricane)!  We're all very thankful (plants, people & wildlife) for the respite, regardless of the source.  I've taken a few photos of some of the plants/plant combinations that seemed to have thrived in our less than idyllic climate this summer. Also included are plants that I frequently get asked about by members, staff & guests. I've taken some of your great suggestions for plantings & always welcome your plant success/crisis stories/questions!

Variegated Tapioca tree underplanted w/pink Dragon Wing begonias

Dwarf Fountain Palm w/double impatiens

Purple Fountain grass 'Princess Caroline' w/Pink Pentas

Colocasia esculenta (giant elephant ear) Could be enough roughage in just 1 of those ears for your weekly  dietary fiber allowance.

Upright Elephant Ears with Double Pink Impatiens

Improved pool entrance beds include Cannas, Elephant ears, Lamb's ears, Coreopsis, Oakleaf  Hydrangeas, Boltonia 'Jim Crockett'

Improved parking lot bed includes 'Adagio' ornamental grass, Cleome 'Senorita Rosalita', Coreopsis 'Creme Brulee' & Boltonia 'Jim Crockett'

Pool urn plantings: 'Pretty Much Picasso' Petunias, Calibrachoas, dwarf  banana trees and  Perilla magilla

Gaillardia 'Oranges & Lemons' paired happily w/ 'Karl Foerster' Ornamental grasses

A tropical look to the patio lawn area w/variegated red banana trees, cannas, lantana & 'Hot  Lips' salvia

Front of Clubhouse new permanent plantings getting a boost from some annuals like Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost' & Angelonia in multi colors.

The new
Bonfire Patio Peach tree underplanted w/several pink shades of Lantana @ the  Field Bar

Lantana in all its glory - BRING ON THE HEAT!

Lantana paired w/variegated ginger

A new bed for 2012 on Hole #13! The plants loved the leaf much amendments that the crew added before installation.
Plants include: 'Thailand Giant' Elephant Ear, Pentas, Hawaiian snow bush, Lantana, Cleome 'Senorita Rosalita'  Zinnias 'Tequila Lime' & 'Queen Red Lime' (excuse the powdery mildew), 'Marguerite' sweet potato vine, dwarf bananas, Angelonia & Perilla magilla.

Improved plantings @ the women's tee box on #9 include perennial Hibiscus 'Luna Rose', Castor Bean, Cannas,  Perovskia, Coreopsis, & 'Princess Caroline' Purple Fountain Grass

Hibiscus 'Luna Rose' seem happy acclimating to their new home on Hole #9