Tips for Growing a Chaste Tree

Have you been considering an update to your yard or garden? How about growing a chaste tree? Not only are they beautiful, but they have numerous other benefits that civilizations have been taking advantage of for thousands of years. Best of all, they are really easy to grow, so even if you’re new to the whole gardening thing, you should be successful.

What is a Chaste Tree?

The Chaste is known for its large blooms of bright blue flowers (although some varieties may be purple, pink, or even white). When first planted it takes the shape of a large hardy bush, but quickly grows into a multi-trunked tree about 15-20 feet high. It’s seeds and leaves have a long history of being used as an herbal remedy to support women’s health, digestive issues, and even as a potion to help curb the libido (hence the name)!

Where to Plant a Chaste

Growing a chaste tree is simple in comparison to many other blooming options. They are the perfect front yard addition, beautiful to look at, easy to maintain and can serve a variety of different purposes depending on how you plant them:

●      As a single focal point in your yard.

●      Grouped closely together to create a natural border or hedge. Just keep it pruned low to your desired height.

●      Used to line a driveway or road onto your property.

What the Chaste Needs:

●      Full Sun (at least 6 hours a day)

●      Well-drained soil

●      Regular moisture until established

Directions for Growing a Chaste Tree

●      Dig a hole at least 3 times as wide and deep as the root ball

●      Mix a healthy amount of the dug up native soil with some nutrient rich topsoil. Line the bottom of the hole with a shovel full of the mixture.

●      Drench the root ball thoroughly with water and carefully loosen the feeder roots so they take to the ground easier.

●      Place the root ball into the hole and begin filling the space around it with the soil mixture.

●      Once the tree is planted, water it well and keep it moist daily until established. Avoid overwatering or letting water pool around it.

●      Cover the planting area with mulch or pinestraw to conserve moisture and discourage weeds to grow there.

When growing a chaste tree, you can promote optimal blooms by keeping it well-pruned. In the winter cut back the limbs close to trunk to encourage regrowth in the summer. Are you growing a chaste in your yard? Tell us your tips for keeping it in top shape in the comments below!

###

Photo by Neslihan Gunaydin on Unsplash

Spring in the South: What to Start Growing in Your Garden

Spring has officially sprung in the South and that means it’s time to get going on your garden! If you live in Tennessee, Georgia, the Carolinas, or one of those other wonderful southern states, the adage “April showers bring May flowers” couldn’t be more true this season. Whether you’re building a foundation for summer landscaping or want a simple springtime garden to enjoy, there are a host of plants that you can start growing now to make the most of the season.

Plants to Kickoff Your Spring Garden

Grass

Believe it or not, not all grasses are created equal … especially when it comes to planting in the South. States like South Carolina, Tennessee and others are in what’s called the “transition zone,” which means lawns in these states may need a mix of grasses that will tolerate both warm and cool seasons. For warm-season grass, bahia grass is tough and well-suited to the heat and humidity of the South, while bermuda grass is excellent for weed resistance and heavier wear and tear. There’s also centipede grass, which grows best in the acidic soil of lower Southern states or St. Augustine, which is the grass of choice in these states as well because it grows well with sandy soil. When it comes to cool-season grasses, anything from the fescue family is good for your spring garden, as is perennial ryegrass.

Trees

If you’ve ever driven by a tree with downy white flowers or bright pink blossoms, you’re probably in the South. Lucky for those of us who live in the lower half of the U.S., you have some pretty awesome options when it comes to planting trees in your springtime garden. Here are some of our favorites:

●      Cornus florida otherwise known as the flowering dogwood is one of the most popular Southern trees. The state flower of both North Carolina and Virginia, the downy white flowers on this dogwood look just like snow when they fall from their trees, giving your garden the illusion of a springtime winter wonderland!

●      From every movie based in the South to Joanna Gaines, magnolia trees have become synonymous with Southern living. The magnolia is the state flower of Mississippi and Louisiana and it’s not hard to wonder why – deep green leaves combine with bright white flowers with stunning results on these blossoming beauties!

●      If you’re looking for an easy, no-fuss tree to plant in your Southern garden, go for the crepe myrtle. These bright trees thrive in full sun and bloom in a variety of shades from bright pink to deep purple, and even the occasional red.

●      Forsythia is also a great choice for an easy spring garden. The bright yellow buds that blossom on these easy-to-grow trees will give your garden the pop of color it needs through the spring.

●      Although they aren’t known to last very long, cherry blossom trees remain an immensely popular choice for spring gardens in the South. Take a walk around the cherry tree-lined Capitol Basin the next time you’re in Washington, D.C. and you’ll see why – they are stunning and smell amazing!

Flowers

No garden is complete without some bright and sunny flowers! Plant some of these beauties in the spring and enjoy them all through the summer and even into fall.

●      Want a bright pop of color that’s easy to grow and maintain? Start with the Mandevilla Vogue. Known for its red and pink petals, the mandevilla is perfect for containers and baskets that get lots of sun.

●      Looking for the perfect filler-flower to complement your standout roses or hydrangeas? Try the ‘Blue Sue’ setcreasea. These delicate pink flowers surrounded by purple-green leaves grow low on the ground, making them the perfect ground cover for other flowers.

●      Want a sturdy flower that still looks beautiful? Go with the ‘Azure Skies’ heliotrope. No matter how hot or humid your summer gets, this light purple powerhouse will stand the test of time.

●      Want to welcome the birds and bees? The ‘Stars and Stripes’ pentas flower is your new best friend … not to mention all the butterflies and hummingbirds that love this scarlet bud.

●      Don’t even know what you’re looking for? Let the ‘Cajun Blue’ scaevola come to the rescue and ease your indecisive mind! The simple purple blossoms on this flower complement pretty much every other color.

How Does Your Garden Grow? These Tips Will Help!

Now that you know what to plant, here are a few quick tips to help you get started on your road to a beautiful springtime garden in the South!

1. Make sure you’re ready.

Before you plant anything, make sure your garden and all the tools you need are ready to go. Clean out any leftover foliage or dead plants from last year’s garden, prune any remaining trees or bushes and make sure all your tools like clippers and shovels are in good shape.

2. Fertilize your soil.

Your spring garden will only be as good as the soil underneath it. Be patient with your new flowers and trees and make sure your soil is new, clean, and most importantly, fertilized.

3. Plant properly.

It may be a surprise to know, but not all flowers and trees are planted the same way. Make sure you follow the instructions on how to plant each type of flower in your garden.

4. Water well … but not too much!

Of course, watering is important for every flower and tree, but did you know that it is possible to water too much? Make sure you read the guidelines for each item you plant so you know how much water (not to mention, sunlight!) it should get.

Are you ready to start building your springtime garden in the South? Let us know what you’re dreaming up in the comments below!

###

Photo by Christian Allard on Unsplash