Charlotte NC Plants and Flowers

A little spring primer (I know, it's taken me a while to write this one!) about plants and flowers in North Carolina. In working with many folks who relocate to Charlotte NC and surrounding areas, one of the subjects we discuss are plants. (You know, Realtors DO wear a lot of hats, don't we?).

Our climate is very friendly to the gardener-as long as you know what kind of soil you've got and how to manage it! Around the Charlotte NC area, the predominant soil is red clay. You've heard all about it-and it's all true. It stains everything it touches, turns hard as concrete when we need some rain, but is incredibly good at retaining moisture deep below the surface-necessary for our plants to survive the periodic droughts we get.

Of course, hydrangeas are ever popular. Once you get them going (or if you're lucky enough to purchase a house with existing plants), they're quite resilient and don't require much maintenance (my kind of plants!). Amend the soil to get just the shade you want and have some fun with them.

Azaleas are arguably my favorite landscape plant. Again, they're low maintenance (unless you insist on shaping them-there are two schools of thought for azaleas, the wild ones (that's me) and the shapers (why would you want to make them squared off?)). Different hybrids will bloom at different times, so if you plan properly, you can have a gorgeous array of blooms from early spring til late summer. Azaleas are also quite smart plants and are drought-resistant once established. When the blooms are off, you'll have nice green shrubs.

Recognize this glossy leaf? The glorious magnolia is probably the one plant most often associated with the South of past and present. If you find a home with a large magnolia tree, celebrate! They are relatively slow growth plants, so it takes quite some time to reach the heights you might desire. The blooms are incredibly fragrant (but don't breathe on those flowers, you'll kill them), and they're out right about now in our area.

The Carolina jasmine is one of my favorites for mailboxes or trellises. Sweet smelling with blooms that last for a long time, plus quickly growing, it's a great way to get started on your North Carolina gardening. We talk about resale the whole time you're buying a home, so don't forget small pieces of the curb appeal like mailbox landscaping.

Gerbera daisies are probably the only high maintenance plant you'll find in my landscape plan. They need daily water (and at this time of year, that's only guaranteed to come from the spigot!), but the bright colors are all the reward I need. Our climate is mild enough that they'll come back in subsequent years if you're lucky.

You'll find nurseries and garden centers all over Charlotte NC, Concord NC and Harrisburg NC. My personal favorite is Norwood Garden Center, located on Albemarle Road in east Charlotte. They're not the cheapest but the staff is so friendly and helpful, and the selection is so good, I'm glad to pay a premium.

Once you get settled here in the Charlotte NC area, feel free to email me or give me a call. Planning some smart landscaping could make all the difference when the time comes to resell your home for top dollar. Dig in and enjoy the opportunity to improve the environment around you!