LEAN ON ME: PLANTS NEED SUPPORT IN THE SOUTHERN GARDEN
"Lean on me," sang Bill Withers in his R&B hit from 1972, "when you're not strong/And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on." One of my new dahlias, enjoying the support of a metal arbor As Withers knew, everyone needs someone to lean on. No matter how strong we appear, there are times when we could all use some sturdy support. That's true for people, and it's even truer for plants, especially in my garden at this time of year. Although our corner of upstate South Carolina is closer to the Blue Ridge Mountains than the Low Country, meaning snow and ice in January are to be expected, we still have torrid summers (like this one!), and an extremely long growing season. Add a generally abundant rainfall average to the climate, and summer conditions approach semi-tropical, with vines and foliage appearing to grow before one's eyes, and decomposition, in the form of several species of root rot, flourishing. Now that I'm experienced wi...
