Southern Lily Garden Club

06/10/2026

Club members received a tour of Madison Citrus Nursery in Ray City, GA, which is rumored to hold the title for the most certified citrus varieties under one roof in the world, cultivating over 515 distinct varieties

06/10/2026

🌿 Five houseplants that root fast in water:

- Pothos — cut just below a node (the small brown bump on the stem where roots emerge). Set in water with the node submerged. Roots appear within a week or two. The easiest plant to propagate — if you've never tried water-rooting, start here

- Coleus — pinch off a top stem, strip the lower leaves, and set in water. Roots develop quickly and the cutting often continues growing new leaves while still in the glass. The colors stay true to the parent plant

- Spider plant — snip one of the hanging babies from the mother plant and set the base in water. Once the roots are a couple of inches long, transplant to soil. One mother plant produces enough babies to fill a shelf

- Tradescantia — snap a piece of stem at any point, submerge the lowest node. Fine roots appear within days. One of the fastest rooters on this list — and the trailing habit means every trim gives you a new cutting to root

- Monstera — cut below an aerial root or a visible node. Use a heavy glass or jar — monstera cuttings are large and tip lightweight containers. Roots develop more slowly than the others but the payoff is a full-sized plant from a single leaf and stem

🌱 What makes the difference between rooting and rotting:

- The node must be underwater — that's where the roots grow from. A cutting without a node submerged won't root no matter how long you wait
- Change the water every few days. Cloudy water means bacteria, which kills new roots
- Bright indirect light — not direct sun, which heats the water and cooks the cutting
- Transplant to soil once roots are a few inches long. Water roots are fragile and adapt better when they're still short

One cutting. One glass. One node underwater. That's the whole method 🌱

06/02/2026

🌿☀️ Perennial Planting Made Easy! ☀️🌿

Not sure what to plant in your garden? The secret isn't guessing—it's choosing plants based on the amount of sunlight your garden receives!

🌞 Full Sun (6+ hours) – Coneflowers, Lavender, Peonies, Black-Eyed Susans, and Sedum thrive in bright sunshine.
🌤️ Partial Sun (3–6 hours) – Astilbe, Bleeding Hearts, Coral Bells, Foxglove, and Hydrangeas enjoy a mix of sun and shade.
🌥️ Partial Shade – Hostas, Ferns, Columbine, Lungwort, and Primrose flourish with bright indirect light.
☁️ Full Shade – Hellebores, Trillium, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Lily of the Valley, and Solomon’s Seal are perfect for those darker garden spaces.

Before your next trip to the garden center, take a few minutes to observe how much sunlight your planting area gets each day. Matching plants to their preferred light conditions means healthier plants, more blooms, and less frustration!

🌸 What are your favorite perennials to grow in your garden? Share them in the comments! 🌿👇

05/29/2026

The Southern Lily Garden Club members met today at the historic courthouse for our last meeting until September! Our club president, Laurelee, shared fresh-from-the-farm cabbage, squash, okra, and tomatoes with club members.

We are so thankful for the fellowship, friendships, and community we continue to grow together. Wishing everyone a wonderful summer, and we look forward to gathering again in September!

05/25/2026

05/20/2026

🌿🪴 Houseplant friends, this one’s for you!

Keeping your plants happy doesn’t have to be complicated, and the secret is to water by the soil, not just the calendar! 🌱💧 Different plants need different amounts of water, and overwatering is one of the biggest reasons houseplants struggle.

✔️ Always check the soil first
✔️ Yellow leaves can mean overwatering
✔️ Drooping leaves can mean under-watering

Save this guide for later and share it with your fellow plant lovers! 🌿✨

05/14/2026

What started as a rocky field more than 40 years ago is now becoming one of the biggest attractions for daylily growers across the country. 🔗👇

05/06/2026

🌱 Nature Tip of the Week: Grow Seeds in Water First! 💧

Did you know you can start many fruit seeds right in water before ever planting them in soil? It’s a simple, low-mess way to watch nature work its magic up close!

Seeds like avocado, lemon, apple, cherry, peach, and even pomegranate can begin germinating in just a glass of water. This method lets you clearly see roots develop, helping you know exactly when they’re ready to be transferred into soil.

✨ How to try it:
Rinse your seeds thoroughly
Suspend larger seeds (like avocado) with toothpicks over water
Keep smaller seeds submerged in a shallow container
Place in a warm, sunny spot
Change the water every few days

🌿 Pro Tip: Wait until you see strong roots (and even a small sprout!) before moving your seed to soil for the best success.

It’s a fun, educational way to grow plants, and perfect for windowsills, classrooms, or garden lovers of any age!

05/03/2026

Laurelee is showing off her green thumb and we are in awe! 🌿🍋

From thriving squash to lemons bigger than your hand, her garden is nothing short of amazing. It’s a true testament to the love, care, and dedication she puts into everything she grows.

We are so proud to have such talented and passionate members in our garden club; thank you, Laurelee, for inspiring us all! 🌼

04/28/2026

🌿 Stop Spraying — Start Attracting! 🐞

Did you know your garden already has built-in pest control? Instead of reaching for chemicals, invite nature to do the work for you!

✨ Here are a few powerful garden allies:
• Lady beetles & lacewings – devour aphids and soft-bodied pests
• Hoverflies – control pests and help pollinate
• Praying mantis & spiders – natural predators that keep insect populations in check
• Birds like wrens, chickadees, and bluebirds – snack on caterpillars, beetles, and larvae
• Frogs, toads & bats – nighttime pest control pros
• Earthworms – improve soil health and plant strength

🌸 How to attract them:
• Plant a variety of flowers (especially native plants)
• Provide water sources like shallow dishes or birdbaths
• Add birdhouses or bat boxes
• Leave a little natural habitat (mulch, logs, or leaf cover)

💚 The result?
✔ Healthier plants
✔ Stronger soil
✔ Fewer pests—naturally
✔ Zero chemical costs

Let nature handle the hard work while you enjoy the beauty 🌼