November Gardening & Planting Tips

Enjoy Now: Glass Gardens 
Terrariums are an easy way to grow plants indoors. Start by choosing a clear glass container with a wide opening. Gently add fine gravel to your container. Top with a thin layer of aquarium charcoal. (Both of these items can be purchased at a pet store.) Then add moist potting soil. These miniature landscapes can hold a collection of colorful plants for display or just show off one plant. Good choices include ferns, peperomias, succulents, begonias, Irish moss, miniature orchids, kalanchoes, and African violets. Do not place the terrarium in direct sun; most plants will do better in diffused light. Plants will grow toward the source of light, so rotate the terrarium occasionally. Be careful not to overwater. For an interesting assortment of terrarium containers, visit shopterrain.com.

Try Fruit
Fall is the ideal time to establish blueberries in your yard. Northern highbush blueberries are best for the Upper and Middle South. Try selections such as ‘Bluecrop,’ ‘Blueray,’ and ‘Liberty.’ Rabbiteye blueberries grow best in the Lower and Coastal South. Try selections such as ‘Brightwell,’ ‘Austin,’ and ‘Premier.’ Plant two or more selections for lots of fruit. Blueberries prefer a sunny location and acid soil. Mulch plants to help retain soil moisture. Buy at your local nursery, or order online from petalsfromthepast.com or johnsonnursery.com.

Add Shrubs
Newer selections of nandinas, such as ‘Flirt,’ add color to the garden. ‘Flirt’ holds its reddish foliage even through summer and provides a low, evergreen mound 11⁄2 to 2 feet tall. Another new compact nandina to consider is ‘Blush Pink,’ which offers pink new growth on a plant that is 2 feet tall and wide. ‘Obsession’ nandina is an upright, compact plant with bright red foliage and is 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. All thrive in full sun or partial shade. Nandinas require little water once established and can tolerate a wide range of soils. All of these new nandinas are part of the Southern Living Plant Collection (southernlivingplants.com). Look for them at your local nursery.

Choose Crotons
Crotons are colorful houseplants that echo the shades of the season with their green, red, yellow, and orange leaves. Use them to brighten a room or to dress up an entry to your garden or home. They prefer bright light. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Their brilliant colors mix well with pumpkins and winter squash if you want a bigger seasonal display. Also, cut a few stems to add to your fall arrangements.

Plant Mums
Old-fashioned mums are some of the best perennials available for Southern gardens. Purchase now for the best selection. Available in soft pinks, apricots, whites, and yellows, they will steal the show in your fall border. Good choices include ‘Emperor of China,’ ‘Ryan’s Pink,’ ‘Hillside Sheffield,’ and ‘Venus.’