Gardening Wisdom

December 27, 2025 By Hyams Garden Center

2026 Tree of the Year: The Live Oak

The Grand Guardian of the Lowcountry

Some trees grow.
Some trees survive.
But the Southern Live Oak — Quercus virginiana — endures.

Standing like quiet sentinels across historic avenues, churchyards, coastal marsh edges, and Charleston gardens, the Live Oak is more than a species. It is a companion to time — a living archive of stories whispered through Spanish moss.

Why the Live Oak Is a Tree Worth Honoring

The Live Oak earns its laurels through:

Strength and longevity — many live for centuries, some older than the cities that surround them
Canopies of majesty — branches that stretch horizontally, offering cathedral-like shade
Ecological devotion — a single oak can support hundreds of species: insects, birds, squirrels, owls, fungi, and more
Salt and storm resilience — a tree built for Lowcountry winds and brackish whispers from the Atlantic

If the landscape had a backbone, it might very well be oak.

Symbolism: What the Oak Teaches Us

Throughout history and across cultures, oak trees symbolize:

Strength that does not need to shout
Wisdom earned through seasons
Protection, like a grandmother’s quilt
Endurance, both quiet and unwavering

If delphiniums inspire us to reach upward,
the oak reminds us gently to stand our ground.

A Brief Botanical Lesson (Disguised as Poetry)

The Live Oak keeps its leaves — thus the name — evergreen in spirit, even when winter sighs.
It roots deeply, but its branches stretch wide — a lesson in balance if ever a gardener needed one.

To help one flourish:

Plant where roots may spread and air may wander
Water deeply in youth — so age may be prosperous
Mulch well, and it will answer with shade

This is not a tree you plant for your lifetime alone —
but for the next generation who will sit beneath it.

Whimsy Worth Remembering

If the Live Oak could send a postcard, it might read:

“I have stood here long before you.
I will stand long after.
But today — today I am glad you noticed me.”

And somewhere, under a bowing branch,
a squirrel nods knowingly.

December 27, 2025 By Hyams Garden Center

Shrub of the Year 2026

2026 Shrub of the Year: The Azalea

Where Southern Charm Meets Botanical Brilliance

Every year, a few plants step out of the wings and onto center stage. For shrubs — 2026 belongs wholeheartedly to the Azalea. Chosen as the National Garden Bureau’s “Year of the Azalea,” this flowering shrub is finally getting the spotlight it has always deserved.

Beloved across the American South — from manicured Charleston gardens to woodland borders glowing in spring — the azalea isn’t just a shrub. It is a season unto itself.

What Makes the Azalea 2026-Worthy?

A Symphony of Spring Color — blooms in coral, salmon, lavender, fuchsia, snow-white and everything in between

A Masterclass in Versatility — thrives in containers, woodland gardens, foundation beds, and formal borders

A Gift That Keeps Growing — many varieties return faithfully year after year, rewarding patient gardeners with decades of blossoms

Symbolism: The Poetry of the Azalea

Historically, azaleas have symbolized home, warmth, and abundance — the floral equivalent of a front-porch welcome and a pitcher of sweet tea.

They’ve also been associated with temperance and elegance, making them the perfect addition to gardens that want not only beauty, but grace.

A Whisper of Botanical Instruction

Azaleas prefer:

Dappled light — like sunbeams filtered through oak branches

Acidic soil — add peat moss or pine needles for a happy plant

Mulched roots — think of it like a cozy quilt for your shrub

A gardener who tends an azalea is really tending patience. Plant them, care for them just a little — and they will reward you exuberantly.

A Dash of Whimsy

If azaleas could speak, they would say:

“We bloom when we’re good and ready…

and when we do, we intend to be unforgettable.”

And that — dear gardener — is precisely why the azalea is our 2026 shrub of honor.

December 27, 2025 By Hyams Garden Center

Flower of the Year and Plant of the Year

2026 Flower of the Year: Delphinium — A Symbol of Aspiration & Hope

As we welcome the new year, we’re excited to highlight the Delphinium as the 2026 Flower of the Year! Selected by floral trend experts for its beauty, striking form, and meaningful symbolism, delphiniums are poised to be one of the most talked-about blooms of the season.

A Flower That Reaches for the Sky

Delphiniums are instantly recognizable for their tall, elegant flower spikes and jewel-like colors — especially ethereal blues, rich purples, soft pinks, and creamy whites. This vertical growth naturally draws the eye upward, which isn’t just visually stunning — it’s symbolic. These flowers represent aspiration, growth, and hope, making them perfect for celebrating life milestones or lifting someone’s spirits.

Symbolism to Inspire

In floral language, delphiniums are often associated with:

Ambition & aspiration — their soaring stems reach skyward, inspiring us to grow and reach higher

Hope & positivity — they evoke a sense of calm optimism, perfect for new beginnings

Celebration & encouragement — beautiful in bouquets for graduates, new homeowners, or anyone entering a fresh chapter

Garden & Design Tips

Delphiniums make a dramatic focal point in:

Garden borders — their vertical structure brings contrast and texture

Vase arrangements — they pair beautifully with soft peonies, roses, or airy grasses

Seasonal displays — use cooler tones for winter serenity or mix pastels for spring freshness

Whether you’re choosing them for a cutting garden or a statement bouquet, delphiniums are a *flower that says more than beauty; it says possibility.*

2026 Plant of the Year: Money Tree — Prosperity, Balance & Good Fortune

This year’s Plant of the Year takes us indoors with the beloved Money Tree (Pachira aquatica) — a houseplant that not only adds lush greenery to your space but carries a rich tradition of symbolism and wellbeing.

Why the Money Tree?

Chosen for its striking appearance and meaningful associations, the money tree has become a favorite among plant lovers and gift givers alike. Its braided trunk and vibrant green leaves offer both visual charm and layers of symbolic meaning:

Prosperity & abundance — widely associated with good fortune in East Asian cultures

Balance & harmony — the five leaflets on each leaf are often said to represent the five elements in feng shui (wood, water, earth, fire, metal)

Stability & growth — its robust nature reflects resilience and wellness

These symbolic qualities make the money tree an especially thoughtful plant to bring into a home or workplace at the start of a fresh year.

Caring for Your Money Tree

One of the reasons the money tree is so popular — beyond its beauty and symbolism — is its approachable care:

Bright, indirect light keeps its leaves vibrant

Water only when the topsoil dries to prevent overwatering

Enjoys consistent indoor temperatures (moderate & cozy)

Whether gifted for luck or chosen simply to enhance your interior with green vitality, the money tree brings both meaning and beauty into everyday spaces.

—

Final Thought

At Hyams Garden Center, we love sharing plants and flowers that brighten your garden and your life — not just your landscape. The delphinium and money tree speak to what many of us hope for in 2026: growth, beauty, balance, and positive energy.

August 31, 2025 By Hyams Garden Center

It is Pre-Emergent Season in Charleston

It’s Pre-Emergent Season in Charleston!

Now is the perfect time to protect your lawn from unwanted weeds before they even have a chance to sprout. In Charleston’s Lowcountry climate, applying a pre-emergent weed control in late summer through early fall is essential for keeping your grass looking lush and healthy all season long.

Why Apply Pre-Emergent Now?

Pre-emergent herbicides don’t kill existing weeds—they stop new ones from germinating. That means timing is everything. Once temperatures begin to drop from summer highs but before fall weeds germinate, your lawn is most vulnerable. Treating now helps prevent cool-season invaders like annual bluegrass, chickweed, henbit, and other broadleaf weeds from taking root.

Tips for Best Results:

Apply early: Don’t wait until you see weeds—it will be too late. Apply while soil is still warm, typically late August through September in Charleston.

Water it in: A light watering (or a good rain) after application activates the product and ensures it penetrates the soil surface.

Mow before, not after: Mowing before application helps the herbicide reach the soil without interference.

Reapply if needed: For longer protection, a follow-up treatment in 6–8 weeks may be recommended, depending on the product.

Protect Your Lawn Investment

Healthy lawns don’t happen by accident—they’re cared for season by season. A well-timed pre-emergent application saves you the frustration of battling weeds later and keeps your grass thriving through the cooler months.

Stop by Hyams Garden Center to find the right pre-emergent for your specific lawn type and get expert advice on application. Let’s keep Charleston lawns beautiful together!