Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’ is a highly popular, low-growing evergreen conifer prized for its versatility in landscaping and bonsai. It forms a dense, compact mat of prickly, blue-green needle-like foliage that spreads horizontally
Growth Habit: A slow-growing, prostrate shrub that forms a dense, sprawling matt.
The creeping branches tend to layer and twist, flowing elegantly over obstacles like rocks or walls.
It typically reaches a height of 6 to 12 inches and can spread 4 to 6 feet wide over time.
Foliage: The needle-like leaves are short, spiny, and a striking blue-green color.
During winter months, the foliage often adapts a distinct purplish or bronze hue.
Appearance: Features dense, trailing branches covered in intense silver-blue foliage.
In the winter, the needles shift to a unique purplish or plum tone.
As a female cultivar, it produces fleshy, blue-black seed cones that resemble berries.
Size: It grows very flat, staying only 4 to 6 inches tall,
but spreads rapidly to cover a width of 6 to 8 feet (sometimes reaching up to 10 feet).
Hardiness: Highly adaptable and cold-hardy across USDA Zones 3 through 9.
Azaleas bloom profusely in spring (and sometimes rebloom in fall). They feature trumpet-shaped or funnel-shaped blossoms in shades of pink, red, purple and white, thriving best in partial shade and acidic, well-draining soil
The ideal planting window for Azaleas grown in this area (zone 7b) is fall (Mid-September to October). This gives the shrubs time to establish roots in the milder weather with less heat stress and while the soil is warm.
Quick Planting tips for Zone 7 b: Pick a spot with filtered morning sun and afternoon shade. Ensure soil is loose, rich, and highly acidic with a pH between 4.5 and 6.0. Keep the top of the root ball slightly above the ground level, as azaleas have shallow roots that rot if buried too deep. Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of pine straw or pine bark to keep roots moist and cool all season.
So they need warm temperatures to grow well. In climates that experiences freezing winter temperatures, you should bring them indoors during winter.
Zonal geraniums are named for the different zones of color in their leaves.
The flowers are usually white, pink, salmon, or red.
Geraniums grow best in full sun but will tolerate some shade, especially at the hottest part of the day.
They should get 4 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. In the recent scorching heat of South Carolina, it’s best to give them a bit of afternoon shade. When growing indoors, geraniums need lots of light for blooming but will tolerate moderate light conditions.
For outdoor plants, water geraniums when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry. In hot weather, outdoor potted plants may need daily watering. Geraniums tolerate dry soil better than wet, so avoid overwatering.
If growing geraniums indoors, water deeply once the soil feels dry.
Geraniums require very little maintenance to grow well. Deadheading the spent flowers will encourage new blooms.
