Garden Photo of the Day

Johanna’s South Carolina Garden

From cacti to gardenias

By GPOD Contributor
shrub with glossy leaves and white flowers

Today we’re in Aiken, South Carolina, visiting with Johanna Smith.

front of house with lots of evergreen shrubs
Lots of evergreen shrubs make for a landscape that looks good all year and requires minimal work to maintain.

cactus covered in yellow flowers
These prickly pear cacti (Opuntia sp.) were started from three pads from our son in Georgia. We decided that since the area is surrounded by two pines and an oak and is very dry, so we would give the desert look a shot. We actually have seven large cacti and are able to use the fruit to make jam and sangria.

large yucca next to a cactusA yucca joins the cacti to add to the desert look in this part of the garden.

shrub with glossy leaves and white flowers
This gardenia looked like a goner a couple of years ago, but after a severe cutback it has been a nonstop bloomer.

light blue hydrangea flowers
This hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla, Zones 6–10) is planted in acidic soil, so we get flowers in this blue color.

small garden patio surrounded by foliage plants
This flagstone sitting area was created after a tulip poplar tree (Liriodendron tulipifera, Zones 4–9) was removed. We wanted to hide the shed and have a better view from the kitchen window.

 

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5-10 photos to gpod@taunton.com along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

If you want to send photos in separate emails to the GPOD email box that is just fine.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

You don’t have to be a professional garden photographer – check out our garden photography tips!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Morvat Heavy Duty Brass Y-Valve

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

- Instantly create two tap outlets with this ultra-durable Y hose splitter. The dual-valve design features built-in shut-off valves.
- Fitted with US Standard NH 3/4" threads for use with most water source fittings
- Screw the 2 way splitter adapter by hand or wrench with the updated hexagonal top connection. The 360° rotatable swivel connection attaches to any water source.
Buy at Amazon

SHOWA Atlas 370B Nitrile Palm Coating Gloves, Black, Medium (Pack of 12 Pairs)

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Lightweight and close-fitting for excellent dexterity. Machine washable. Breathable back of hand to reduce perspiration. Designed for easy movement and continuous wear. Ideal for aerospace, assembly, automotive, construction, final fix, gardening, manufacturing, operating machinery, packaging, precision handling, tiling, warehousing.
Buy at Amazon

Scotts Cordless Grass-Shear/Shrub-Trimmer Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

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.
- 13.5 x 3 x 5 inches
- Uses a 7.2-Volt 2Ah high-capacity built-in lithium-ion battery; Includes a fast charger
Buy at Amazon
X
View 5 comments

Comments

  1. User avater
    user-7007816 08/30/2021

    I like your gardens very much, particularly the front with the use of evergreens. Great job.

  2. gardendevas 08/30/2021

    What a lush oasis you have created! Welcoming and lovely, with such beautiful evergreens. Thanks for sharing.

  3. btucker9675 08/30/2021

    Love the clear yellow blooms on those very healthy prickly pear cacti - so pretty! You've made such good use of the various "zones" of your property, the right plants for the right areas.

  4. Cenepk10 08/30/2021

    Wow !!! So interesting- love those cacti & sangria fruit bonus !

  5. User avater
    simplesue 08/30/2021

    Great use of evergreens in your garden!
    Love your stone patio it's got character!
    You have the most amazing Yucca I've ever seen!

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Related Articles

The Latest

Design
Gardening: The Original Outdoor Living | Letter from the Editor

Let’s talk about a phrase that never fails to make me laugh: “outdoor design and living.” As if gardening isn’t, at its core, the ultimate act of designing an outdoor…
Design
Is No Mow May a Good Idea?

No mow may, a movement that started in 2019 in the U.K., has challenged how we think about lawns. For at least one month of the year, we are encouraged…
How-To
Easy Ways to Make Any Lawn More Eco-Friendly

Replacing your lawn with a matrix of native plants might not be an option for you, but you can still move the ecological needle in the right direction in your…

Video

View All Videos
Design

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping—not because you’re likely to trip on something, but because you might be dive-bombed by a pair…
Design

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder's Garden
How-To

4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 179: Most Beautiful Flowers  
Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

Episode 178: Best Interview Moments from Let's Argue About Plants