Category: fall blooming plants

It’s A Brand New Year! Why Not Plan to Grow a New Fall Flower?

On By durhammastergardenersIn Chrysanthemums, fall blooming plants, Heirloom Chrysanthemums, Uncategorized

by Wendy Diaz, Durham NC Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer or Durham County

You may have more time to contemplate something new to grow during this cold January. I have a suggestion. Last year, I decided to grow dis-bud (axillary shoot removed) Chrysanthemums for the first time. As I continued to develop my flowering native pollinator and woodland gardens, I couldn’t help but admire and wish I could grow the large spectacular blooms of the East Asian native of Heirloom Chrysanthemums (genus) which I saw exhibited each November outdoors during A Festival of Fabulous Mums at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. This floral display is hosted by members of the Central Carolina Chrysanthemum Society (CCCS) at the Ruth Mary Meyer Japanese Garden in the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum.

Spray form of Chrysanthemum in the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum,
traditional Japanese red color of the Meyer Bridge in the background (Image credit: Wendy Diaz)

The opportunity presented itself when I was notified by an email from Pana, Master Gardener Program Assistant, that if I showed my Master Gardener nametag to a CCCS member at the State Farmer’s Market in Raleigh on May 4th, I could pick two free rare ‘disbud’ type chrysanthemums (and I bought a third one). I decided to finally experiment and plant these rare ‘mums’; after all, it was nearly 10 years ago when in July, 2016, I attended an educational lecture during a Master Gardener membership meeting and first learned about these plants. I was impressed with the shear variety of size, shape and color of these flowers.

Exhibit of display mums that were grown by local gardeners beside the
Durham-Toyama Sister Cities Pavilion in the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum. (Image credit: Wendy Diaz)

Joan Matthews is known as Raleigh’s fairy godmother of mums. She has given many talks to master gardeners and the general public. Her mission is to preserve our ‘grandmother’s mums‘ because they can’t be mass produced and as a result are not commercially viable and may disappear.

I never considered planting them until last May because in 2016 I was a novice Master Gardener and these mums seemed to take a lot of effort. At the time, I was more interested in native plants and clearing my yard of invasive species. Then I picked up three small mum plants in 4-inch pots from the State Farmer’s Market. I was handed a little booklet entitled ‘How to Grow Great Big Heirloom Chrysanthemums’ . I used it regularly during the summer and it was very helpful.

Left: My ‘Vegas Showgirl’ 4 inch pot plant at the State Farmer’s Market in Raleigh; Right: Cover of tiny handbook on the care and instructions for growing disbud mums (drawn by Lillian Jones and Malcolm Carroll). (Image credit: Wendy Diaz)

Skeptical at first that these small plants would produce buds which would grow into large flowers, I patiently cared for these plants and slowly buds appeared in late summer and grew into larger buds.

Left to Right: Two buds of Amateur J.F. Fournier Class 2A R/B (Reflex); Bud of ‘Vegas Showgirl’ Class 11A P (Spider) and Luxor Class 1 (Irregular Incurve) (Image credit: Wendy Diaz)

To my surprise, I had several colorful large blooms to enjoy every time I walked down my front steps in the fall. I had to remove the small extra buds that continuously developed after the terminal bud formed on each stem so the maximum size flower would develop. The rule is only one bud per stem can be allowed to develop.

Page of instructions on how to prepare plant for maximum size blooms from CCCS handbook. (Image credit: Wendy Diaz)

My first attempt was successful and I was richly rewarded in my novice year growing heirloom chrysanthemums. I attribute my success last year to following the CCCS’s easy instructions and to the more extreme weather which was timed just right for these late bloomers: an unusually high
rainfall in September (over 13 inches) and a warm October and November. The worm castings I applied while they were growing helped too!

Blossom of ‘Amateur J.F. Fournier Class 2A; Blossom of ‘Vegas Showgirl’ Class 11A with a small beetle in the center; (Image credit: Wendy Diaz)

Aerial view of globular blossom of Luxor Class 1; Side view of ‘Luxor’ blossom (Image credit: Wendy Diaz)

During the summer, I kept several stems on the Class 11 Spider mum, even though it is recommended to restrict this cultivar to 3 stems for large blooms, because I could not decide on which equally healthy stems to pull off and as a result my blossoms were smaller but still pretty and I had a long-lasting cut flower.

A total of 5 ‘Vegas Showgirl’ blossoms (one hidden). Circled area denotes an auxiliary bud that I missed during disbudding. (Image credit: Wendy Diaz)

I had no problem with disease or pests. I used twist ties and tied each stem to about a 4 foot long narrow bamboo stake (which I had left over after making a bamboo wattle screen for my compost bin). I fertilized them twice a month. To be honest, I don’t think I would have been able to keep up with the disbudding if I hadn’t planted these mums where I pass by every day.

The two tone (red and bronze) color of the ‘Amateur J.F. Fournier’ mum looked great next to the golden fall color of my native amsonia hubrichtii. (Image credit: Wendy Diaz)

One can grow them in a pot or in the ground, although, I am a little worried I did not mulch them heavily enough for the sustained below freezing temperatures of this particular January even though many of these cultivars are perennial in central North Carolina. As recommended, I did not cut back old stems so hopefully they will have survived this cold winter.

There are 13 classes of exhibit mums and over 1000 cultivars in the United States. The letter symbol are keys to the class of bloom size (AA = the largest bloom cultivars and are grown as disbuds; A = large and should be grown as disbuds; B = medium size and normally grown as disbuds; C = smallest blooms and are usually grown in spray form. The letters refer to color P= pink and R/B = red bronze).

Above: Photo of the classes of mums on display at The Festival of Fabulous Mums, Duke Gardens; Below: The reverse side of the book mark given to visitors at the festival showing the 13 classes of display mums. (image Credit: Wendy Diaz)

The three classes of disbud chrysanthemums that I planted in the perennial bed along my front concrete steps, which had good drainage, full sun and organic soils, were: ‘Vegas Showgirl’ Class 11A P (Spider class); Amateur J.F. Fournier Class 2A R/B (Reflex class) and Luxor Class 1 (Irregular Incurve class). Heights of each cultivar can vary a lot but most types are tall growers.

Tall Quill class 10 blossoms on display during the festival. (Image credit: Wendy Diaz)

Chrysanthemum cuttings of a limited number of cultivars can be obtained when the CCCS have their sale around the beginning of May in Raleigh, North Carolina at the State Farmer’s Market. The CCCS members propagate these cuttings themselves. More information on growing and care of dis-bud chrysanthemums is provided in the King’s Mums catalogue which contains 160 different mum cuttings but they sell out fast in January.

If you are not interested in growing these spectacular flowers in your own garden and you want to see the different 13 classes of exhibit mums in their prime, mark your calendar for early November and enjoy their beauty with a visit to Duke Gardens during A Festival of Fabulous Mums or if you
are in Pennsylvania, Longwood Gardens hosts the Chrysanthemum Festival in late October. Enjoy gardening this coming year whether you choose to plant dis-bud Chrysanthemums or not!

Wendy Diaz admiring and photographing disbud chrysanthemums at the Festival of Fabulous Mums at Duke Gardens. (Image credit: Wendy Diaz)

Additional Readings and Resources

Longwood Gardens has a page dedicated to the history, care and research related to mums. https://longwoodgardens.org/gardens/our-plants/signature-plants/chrysanthemums

For more information on the Wonderful World of Chrysanthemums visit the Duke Gardens website. https://gardens.duke.edu/wonderful-world-of-chrysanthemums/

The National Chrysanthemum Association is a non project organization that helps you care for and grow your mums and network with other gardeners across the United States. https://mums.org/

Short Link: https://wp.me/p2nIr1-5yz

From the Mountains to Sea: Identifying & Protecting Endemic Plants of North Carolina

On By durhammastergardenersIn carnivorous plant, coastal goldenrod, conservation, Durham NC, ecological sustanability, ecology, endemic plants, fall blooming plants, gardening, Gardening information, gardening NC, goldenrod, Heller's blazing star, native azaela, native plant list, native plant list for Piedmont NC, native plants, Native plants of NC, Natives, NC, NC biodiversity, NC conservation, NC Native Plants, NC Venus fly trap, near-endemic plants, North Carolina endemic plants, Perennial, Pink-shell azaela, protect endemic plants, protect NC endemic plants, protecting native plants, sustainability, sustainable gardening, sustanability, Uncategorized, Venus flytap

By Ariyah Chambers April, North Carolina Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County

North Carolina’s newest specialty license plate celebrates one of the state’s most iconic plants, the Venus flytrap, native only to a 80-mile radius around the Wilmington area. Beautiful vistas from Grandfather Mountain and Emerald Isle illustrate the state’s diverse ecosystems. (Image credit: Melinda Heigel)

One thing I love most about North Carolina is its natural wonders. Stretching from Appalachia to the Atlantic, our state is teeming with biodiversity. More incredible is that some of our natural flora–like the world-famous Venus flytrap–are found nowhere else on earth. Called “endemic,” these plant species are native to a specific region and are found naturally only in that region.

Remarkable Plants that Call NC Home

North Carolina’s endemic plants are integral to our state’s ecological identity. These rare species evolved over many millennia by adapting to our region’s climates, soils, and elevations—creating unique ecosystems that are both fragile and fascinating.

Endemic plants are the building blocks of their habitats. They provide food and shelter to a range of wildlife, including essential pollinators. They also contribute to soil health and water retention, helping maintain ecological balance. The importance of biodiversity can’t be overstated. 

So… which species are endemic to the Tarheel State, you ask? Let’s dig in! 

In 2022, the NC Natural Heritage Program published this list of all plant taxa1 (including subspecies) that naturally exist within our state’s borders: 31 taxon in all. Take a look.

Plants, of course, don’t recognize state borders like humans do. “Near-endemic” refers to species that thrive mainly in North Carolina while brushing another Southern state or two. In 2014, ncpedia.org assembled a list of North Carolina’s 42 endemic and near-endemic plants that’s worth a read. 

A Few Fine Examples of NC Endemics

(Left) You can spot Heller’s blazing star (Liatris helleri) on ledges of precipitous cliffs in northwestern North Carolina, especially Grandfather Mountain’s southeastern slopes. (Right) The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is one of the most well-known carnivorous plants. The NC Heritage Program names the primary threats to Venus flytraps as loss of habitat, fire suppression and lack of appropriate habitat management, and poaching. (Image credit: Keith Bradley/NC Botanical Garden; Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0)

I hope these endemic and near-endemic species give you an idea of how enamoring North Carolina’s rare, native flora can be:

Heller’s Blazing Star (Liatris helleri s.s.) – one of about 40 species in the genus Liatris
  • Description: A perennial wildflower that blooms striking purple flowers in late summer to early fall.
  • Range: Found primarily in the southern Appalachians. Only eleven known populations, all occurring in North Carolina’s Burke, Caldwell, Mitchell, Avery, Watauga and Ashe counties. 
  • Habitat: Shallow acidic soils on high elevation rock outcrops and ledges.
  • Fun Fact: Heller’s blazing star is considered fire-adapted, meaning that it does not benefit from the suppression of natural fire. (This makes sense for a native plant that acclimates to its natural environment.)
  • Conservation: Listed as NC Status T (Threatened). The NC Botanical Garden conserves this rare species. Learn more on The Center for Plant Conservation site and see the US Fish & Wildlife’s recovery plan.
  • Info source (search for species name) or this source for what’s written above
    • T means Threatened. A taxon that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range (Public Law 93-205 87 Stat. 884) source
Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) – near-endemic to North Carolina
  • Description: World-famous carnivorous plant that supplements its diet with insects and arachnids. Its “trap” consists of two hinged lobes at the tip of each leaf. Hair-like structures (trichomes) trigger the lobes to close when they sense prey.
  • Range: Endemic to an area in about an 80-mile arc around Wilmington, NC, which stretches into two counties in South Carolina.
  • Habitat: Acidic, sandy soil that seems very dry but the water table is not far below the plant.
  • Fun Fact: While illegal to collect from the wild, Venus flytraps can be ethically purchased from The NC Botanical Garden and other conservation organizations.
  • Conservation: Listed as NC Status T (Threatened). Read about the NC Heritage Program’s conservation efforts, as well as the “story map” created with NASA, a “remote sensing” project that identifies sustainable habitats for the Venus flytrap.
  • Info source: NC Plant Toolbox or this source (search for species name) 

(Left) Pink-shell azalea (Rhododendron vaseyi) was discovered in 1878 in western North Carolina by G. R. Vasey, the plant’s namesake. (Right) Coastal goldenrod (Solidago villosicarpa) was first collected in 1949, misidentified for several decades, and described as a new species in 2000. (Image credit: Tim Waters CC BY-NC-ND 2.0; CHarrier CC BY)

Pink-shell Azalea (Rhododendron vaseyi) – member of the heath family
  • Description: Deciduous shrub that shows pink flowers in spring. Typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall and has narrow, lance-shaped leaves.
  • Range: Endemic to the Appalachian highlands of North Carolina with a main center of distribution west of Asheville.
  • Habitat: Prefers moist, acidic soils in forested areas, often near streams and in the understory of hardwood forests.
  • Fun Fact: Pink-shell azalea was found growing in the wild in Massachusetts. While it’s not native to that state, it naturalized on the site of an abandoned nursery.
  • Conservation: Listed as NC Status SR-L (Significantly Rare–Limited), which means that “their fate depends largely on conservation here” in North Carolina.
  • Info Source: Center for Plant Conservation and Natural Heritage Program (use search)
Coastal Goldenrod (Solidago villosicarpa) – always found within 1,000 feet of an estuary
  • Description: This perennial plant has hairy stems and narrow leaves, producing bright yellow flower heads in late summer to fall.
  • Range: Only four known populations in Onslow and Pender counties of North Carolina; between 100 and 1400 individual plants comprise each population.
  • Habitat: Grows in wet, sandy soils, often in salt marshes, coastal grasslands, and disturbed areas.
  • Fun Fact: coastal goldenrod is currently found on sites that were previously logged. Three of the four known populations are located on the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in Onslow County, NC.
  • Conservation: Listed as NC Status S1 (Critically Imperiled), at very high risk of extirpation in North Carolina. Read more about conservation efforts on the Center for Plant Conservation site.
  • Info source: Natural Heritage Program (use search function), Center for Plant Conservation, NC Botanical Garden

Conservation of NC’s Endemic Plants

Endemic taxa are resilient, having adapted to their specialized environments over time. But because they’re rare–some species presenting only a few individuals or small populations–they can easily be wiped out. Threats to our native plants include:

  • Habitat loss to recreational and residential development
  • Trampling by hikers, climbers, and sightseers
  • Natural succession to invasive species
  • Collection and illegal poaching
  • Acid precipitation and other forms of atmospheric pollution that have been found to be concentrated at higher elevations in the southern Appalachians
  • Climate change

Here in North Carolina, we don’t yet know the damage incurred to our endemic plants (or animals) in October 2024 by Hurricane Helene. Some populations might have been devastated by storm damage or flood water. Other populations might spring back stronger; coastal goldenrod, for example, is documented to thrive where trees have been knocked down by hurricanes.

Conservation efforts are critical to preserving these unique plants. By protecting their habitats and raising awareness, we can help ensure that North Carolina’s endemic flora continues to flourish. Through conservation initiatives, botanical gardens, and community engagement, we can foster a deeper appreciation for these remarkable plants and the ecosystems they inhabit.

These organizations are just some that are active in conservation and education efforts:

North Carolina Plant Conservation Program (NCPCP), part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, works with partners like the NC Natural Heritage Program to protect rare and endangered plant species, including many endemic plants.

North Carolina Botanical Garden, located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, emphasizes the conservation of native and endemic plants through education, research, and horticultural practices. NCBG partners with The Center for Plant Conservation, whose plant database incudes many of our state’s rare endemic taxon.

US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) collaborates with state and local agencies to protect endangered species, including endemic plants in North Carolina.

Conservation alliances like the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and The Nature Conservancy work on broader conservation that includes endemic plants.

Citizen science initiative programs like the North Carolina Native Plant Society engage the public in monitoring and documenting plant species can help conservation practices.

Research and educational programs at universities and research institutions like Duke, the University of North Carolina, and NC State University, conduct studies focused on endemic plants and how to increase the sustainability of their ecosystems.

How You Can Help Protect NC’s Endemic Plants

Your individual efforts can make a difference. Here’s a list of actionable to-dos for local gardeners and plant lovers:

  1. Educate Yourself
    • Research our region’s endemic flora to understand their characteristics, habitats, and conservation status.
    • Attend workshops or seminars focused on native and endemic plants.
    • Use the NC Botanical Garden’s “Flora App” to identify species in the wild.2
  2. Incorporate Native Plants in Your Garden
    • When and where possible, choose an endemic plant like Heller’s blazing star for your garden to support local biodiversity.
    • Create a design that mimics natural ecosystems, combining various native species for a balanced environment.
    • Consider these Recommended Native Plant Species from the NC Native Plant Society. Remember to choose the right plant for the right place in your landscape.
  3. Create a Pollinator-Friendly Space
    • Plant a variety of native flowering plants to attract and support pollinators, essential for the reproduction of many endemic species.
    • Provide nesting sites and water sources for pollinators in your garden.
  4. Participate in Local Conservation Efforts
    • Join local organizations (like the ones named above) or volunteer for projects aimed at restoring native habitats.
    • Participate in plant rescues or reforestation efforts organized by conservation groups.
  5. Promote Native Plant Awareness
    • Share information about endemic plants with friends, family, and neighbors through social media or community events.
    • Organize or participate in local gardening clubs (like the Durham Garden Forum) that focus on native and endemic plants.
  6. Create Educational Signage
    • Label endemic species in your garden with informational signs to educate visitors about their importance and ecological roles.
    • Provide facts about their rarity, uses, and conservation needs.
  7. Practice Sustainable Gardening
    • Avoid the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers that can harm native plants and wildlife.
    • Use organic gardening practices to maintain soil health and biodiversity.
  8. Monitor and Document Plant Growth
    • Keep records of the endemic plants you grow, noting their growth patterns, challenges, and successes.
    • Share your observations with local conservation groups to contribute to broader studies on plant health. 
    • Contribute photos and notes from your wilderness hikes to iNaturalist.
  9. Host Workshops or Community Events
    • Organize events to teach about the importance of endemic plants, including gardening tips and plant identification workshops.
    • Collaborate with local schools to create educational programs focusing on native flora.
  10. Support Local Nurseries and Plant Sales
    • Buy endemic plants from local nurseries that prioritize sustainable practices and conservation; confirm that the plants were not collected from the wild.
    • Advocate for more native plant sales in your community.

Conclusion

North Carolina’s endemic plants are ecological treasures. They are rare, increasingly at risk, and worth protecting. Let’s ensure these plant species thrive for generations to come.

Notes

1–A taxon (plural is taxa) is a group of one or more populations of an organism scientists called taxononmists define as a unit. These organisms usually share characteristics.

2–Editor’s note: When this article was first published, this app was free. It is now fee-based.

Resources and Additional Information

2022 “PLANT TAXA ENDEMIC TO NORTH CAROLINA,”  NC Natural Heritage Program, https://ncnhp.org/documents/2022-rare-plant-list-endemic-species-table/open 

2014 “North Carolina Endemic and Near-endemic Plants,” https://ncpedia.org/environment/endemic-and-near

Regarding an endemic species’ conservation status: if you want to better understand what a conservation code, like T or E, stands for: 2022 “EXPLANATION OF STATUS AND RANK CODES: North Carolina Natural Heritage Program List of Rare Plant Species of North Carolina,” https://ncnhp.org/documents/2022-rare-plant-list-status-and-rank-codes/open 

Species Database Search of the NC Natural Heritage Program, https://ncnhp.org/data/speciescommunity-search – comprehensive database for finding the counties, conservation status, etc. of each plant

Flora of the Southeastern United States, created by Alan S. Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team (NC Botanical Garden) – excellent plant database https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/main.php?pg=index.php 

The Native Plant Trust’s database https://plantfinder.nativeplanttrust.org/Plant-Search 

2016 “Venus Flytraps Need Protection From Poachers in North Carolina,” NYT https://nytimes.com/2016/11/28/us/venus-flytraps-poaching-north-carolina.html 2020 “An ‘Extinction Hotspot’ in Appalachia,” Scientific American – The discovery of a lost plant species highlights the need to protect other endangered species in one of the most biodiverse regions in the US https://scientificamerican.com/article/an-extinction-hotspot-in-appalachia

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Editor’s Note: We’ll be taking next week off for Thanksgiving. We’ll see you again in December with more gardening goodness!