{"id":2953,"date":"2025-04-28T06:26:55","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T13:26:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/28\/steves-springtime-in-atlanta-fine-gardening\/"},"modified":"2025-04-28T06:26:56","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T13:26:56","slug":"steves-springtime-in-atlanta-fine-gardening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/28\/steves-springtime-in-atlanta-fine-gardening\/","title":{"rendered":"Steve\u2019s Springtime in Atlanta – Fine Gardening"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Happy Monday, GPODers!<\/p>\n

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and that spring is coming to life in your gardens even a fraction as vividly as what Steve Schmidt has experienced over the past month. We got our first tour of Steve\u2019s garden in Atlanta, Georgia, back in December (check out that post here: Steve Says Goodbye to Summer in Atlanta<\/a>), where we were introduced to his fabulous combinations and lush designs. Steve is back today to share the beautiful blooms and vibrant colors that fill his garden before the real heat of the peak season sets in.<\/p>\n

Steve Schmidt in Atlanta submitting some new pictures. Here are a few of my better pictures from mid-March to mid-April as spring rapidly transitions in Atlanta. We\u2019re now experiencing well-above average temperatures . . .<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a>Flowering of the matsuzaki stachyurus<\/em> (Stachyurus praecox<\/em> var. matsuzakii,<\/em> Zones 8\u201310).<\/p>\n

\"close<\/a>Nuccio\u2019s Gem camellia<\/em> (Camellia<\/a> japonica<\/em> \u2018Nuccio\u2019s Gem\u2019,<\/em> Zones 8\u201310). Always iffy in February & March, because if the temp gets around freezing or below the flowers turn brown and drop.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"spire<\/a>\u2018Vancleave\u2019 buckwheat tree<\/em> (Cliftonia monophylla<\/em> \u2018Vancleave\u2019,<\/em> Zones 7\u201310) flowering.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"white<\/a>Bicolor epimedium<\/em> (Epimedium<\/em><\/a> \u00d7 versicolor<\/em> \u2018Sulphureum\u2019,<\/em> Zones 5\u20139) and star of Bethlehem<\/em> (Ornithogalum umbellatum,<\/em> Zones 4\u20139).<\/p>\n

\"shrub<\/a>Prague viburnum<\/em> (Viburnum<\/a><\/em> \u00d7 pragense,<\/em> Zones 5\u20138) with Dream Catcher\u00ae<\/sup> beauty bush<\/em> (Kolkwitzia<\/a> amabilis<\/em> \u2018Maracdo\u2019,<\/em> Zones 4\u20138) behind.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"bright<\/a>Formosa azalea<\/em> (Rhododendron<\/a> indica<\/em> \u2018Formosa\u2019,<\/em> Zones 6\u20139)\u2014from one I have propagated a few more to populate the yard\u2014with star of Bethlehem.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"shrub<\/a>Jake\u2019s Red Oconee azalea<\/em> (Rhododendron<\/a> flammeum<\/em> \u2018Jake\u2019s Red\u2019,<\/em> Zones 6\u20139). Phone camera not good at dealing with intense reds and pinks, and to some extent orange. This is a young shrub so look forward to it gaining more size.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"shrub<\/a>\u2018Rising Sun\u2019 Florida azalea<\/em> (Rhododendron austrinum<\/em> \u2018Rising Sun\u2019,<\/em> Zones 7\u20139). This particular native azalea gets the most sun and does better than 4 of the 5 other varieties (Jake\u2019s Red also gets more direct sun, so outperforms the other four). A work in progress getting the siting right.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"lush<\/a>Some of the plants filling in around the eventual sunken garden: \u2018Asian Beauty\u2019 linden viburnum<\/em>\u00a0(Viburnum dilatatum<\/em> \u2018Asian Beauty\u2019,<\/em> Zones 4\u20138), Florida Sunshine illicium<\/em> (Illicium<\/a> parviflorum<\/em> \u2018Florida Sunshine\u2019,<\/em> Zones 8\u20139), red buckeye<\/em> (Aesculus<\/a> pavia,<\/em> Zones 4\u20138), volunteer maroon acer, and hemlock. In the broken pot used as part of stacked stone retaining wall around the sunken garden is American ipecac<\/em> (Gillenia stipulata,<\/em> Zones 4\u20138) (lower right). A new addition last year so looking forward to seeing it grow and flower this year.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"plant<\/a>Lastly, can\u2019t resist a picture of one of the critters\u2014a Carolina anole<\/em> (Anolis carolinensis<\/em>) on the leaf of \u2018Georgia Peach\u2019 heuchera<\/em> (Heuchera<\/em><\/a> x \u2018Georgia Peach\u2019,<\/em> Zones 4\u20139). The seed heads of one of the native weeds I encourage, ragwort, is in the foreground.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you so much for sharing your vibrant spring garden with us, Steve! Your thoughtful plant selections and design choices always spark intrigue and inspiration, I hope we get to see more from your garden this year.<\/p>\n

While Steve has been enjoying big blooms and fabulous foliage for the past month, I know many spring gardens are just starting to pick up speed. No matter what stage your garden is in right now, we\u2019d love to see what\u2019s growing and glowing.\u00a0Follow the directions below to submit photos of your spring garden via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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We want to see YOUR garden!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Have photos to share? We\u2019d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!<\/p>\n

To submit, send 5\u201310 photos to [email\u00a0protected]<\/span><\/a>\u00a0along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We\u2019d love to hear where you are located, how long you\u2019ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.<\/p>\n

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on\u00a0Facebook,<\/a>\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0with #FineGardening!<\/p>\n

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet?\u00a0Sign up here.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Fine Gardening Recommended Products<\/p>\n

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DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw with 6-Piece Saw Blade Set<\/p>\n

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n

You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It\u2019s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
\n– 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
\n– 1-1\/8-inch stroke length
\n– Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm
\n– DW4856 Metal\/Woodcutting Reciprocating Saw Blade Set, 6-Piece<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Scotts Cordless Grass-Shear\/Shrub-Trimmer Combo<\/p>\n

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n

With a built-in 7.2-volt lithium-ion battery, this little guy weighs less than 2 lb. and can zip through all your minor pruning tasks quickly and easily.
\n– 13.5 x 3 x 5 inches
\n– Uses a 7.2-Volt 2Ah high-capacity built-in lithium-ion battery; Includes a fast charger \n<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner<\/p>\n

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n

Telescopes from 4 to 7′. Cut and Hold (160) Blades. Drop forged blades for unsurpassed long lasting sharpness. Lightweight, 2.3 lbs., for continued use. Perfectly balanced for easy pruning.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n