Horticulture Tips
Columbia Garden Club members are dedicated to horticultural experiences and sharing that knowledge and passion with others. Horticultural hints are provided in our newsletter, The Grapevine, our Yearbook and at meetings. Gardening Notes for South Carolina, written by club members, is available to the community. Occasionally, seeds, cuttings and plants from members’ yards are offered for sale at general meetings to benefit the Memorial Rose Garden. In addition, the club supports the SC Botanical Garden and the Riverbanks Botanical Gardens with annual donations.
January
Prune plants damaged by freezes. Remove dead or crossed branches on summer flowering shrubs and deciduous trees. Apply pre-emergent herbicides on laws to kill winter weeds.
February
Cut or mow mondo grass and liriope. Plant tulip bulbs and dormant bare-root roses. Fertilize perennials.
March
Continue to feed pansies every two weeks. Divide perennials that have become too large and share with friends at the Plant Exchange. Fertilize trees and shrubs with slow release fertilizer.
April
Plant warm season grasses. Prune and fertilize azaleas after bloom. Plant summer flowering bulbs and annuals.
May
Stake and support perennials as they grow tall. Watch for insects and fungus and spray as needed. Deadhead perennials as flowers fade.
September
Plan for fall planting. Dig deeply into soil and enrich with soil amendments. Make notes for pruning, transplanting and bedline redefinition. Keep notes on sun exposure for proper placement of plant material.
October
Use marking paint to draw new beds. Arrange plants for optimal performance.
November
After leaf fall, plant and transplant trees and shrubs. Cut back newly planted and transplanted plants to compensate for root loss. Cut perennials back to 4-5 inches except ornamental grasses.
December
When cutting greenery for holiday decorations, remember that you are pruning the plant. Remove a branch at its base where it intersects another limb rather than snipping it in half