We are often asked about the exotic-looking plants included in several of the plantings at Oakland. Are they hardy? Are they appropriate for a historic garden? The answers are yes and yes. In fact, bananas are one of the few…
Camellias have bloomed in Southern gardens since the late 1700s. Native to eastern Asia, their popularity dates back many centuries for their beauty and as the source of tea. They arrived in Europe by the mid-1700s, and the earliest camellias…
Oakland’s mature trees are an integral part of Oakland’s character. They are the only living link that remains of what Oakland was. They've seen many funerals and family picnics and you can’t help but wonder what stories they could tell.…
Fall colors are starting to fill the gardens, and gold is the color of the season. You’ll find it abundantly in Oakland's flowers, fruits, and foliage right now. The many shades of yellow are catching everyone’s attention, and some are…
It’s almost that time again! Temperatures are cooling down just a little and it's time to get out into the garden. Oakland’s Fall Plant Sale is the perfect place to find a few exciting additions (have you reserved your shopping…
Director of Gardens Sara Henderson discusses how she and her team determine period-appropriate landscaping for a lot when there are so few photos of what was there before. When Oakland was founded in 1850, the lots were sold, and the…
Lily season is here. The buds are already visible atop their tall stems, ready to burst open. The show is fleeting, but it brings a level of beauty few flowers can match. True lilies are members of Liliaceae family and…
Dogwoods come in all shapes and sizes, from shrubs with brightly colored winter stems to our native flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) with it’s beautiful white and pink spring flowers. The flowering dogwood is a classic of southern springs, but you…
Our winter-blooming camellia, Camellia japonica, is coming into full bloom throughout Oakland’s gardens. Its habit of blooming during the coldest months is one reason it has been loved in southern gardens for many generations. The white, pink, red, or patterned…
January is cold and gray. That is until you look closely. Hidden under the remaining leaves are the first signs of spring. Look carefully and you will see daffodils and other bulbs sending up new shoots. Give these a few…