To grow pansies successfully, follow this four- step program. Start with: Purchasing healthy plants Planting by mid-October or earlier Watering in the fall and winter as needed Fertilizing monthly through the winter and spring months. Shop for vigorous dark green plants at local greenhouses and garden centers. Closely inspect for lots of white growing roots. […]
Franklinia (Franklinia alatamaha) is a wonderful small tree or large multi-trunked shrub with fragrant white camellia- like flowers. Franklinia is related to world-class flowering shrubs like camellia and stewartia. Its white 3 – 3 ½ inch camellia-like flowers appear from early August thru late September. Franklinia is winter hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA […]
Posted in Featured, Franklinia, Trees & Shrubs 
Comments Off on Franklinia – Native Tree Lost in the WildFor better garden performance and different textural look around a home foundation, plant the dwarf shrub forms of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica). Dwarf cryptomeria is an excellent substitute for Japanese yews (Taxus spp.) or ‘Helleri’ hollies (Ilex crenata) which often struggle in heavy clay soils, particularly those poorly drained. ‘Globosa Nana’ (photo) has a “cookie-cutter” […]
The seasonal theme at garden centers is “Fall is for Planting”. Plant sales are everywhere. If you have recentlypurchased a home and your budget is tight, buy yourself an early, but practicable holiday gift- a deciduous shade tree planted on the southwest side of the home. In a few short years, this tree will reward […]
Coppicing is a form of renewal pruning because the entire shrub is lopped off to the ground. It is a drastic pruning technique primarily used on shrubs that flower and fruit on new or summer wood, those that flower in late June or later. Coppicing is renewal pruning but is so simple that gardeners is […]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Garden Maintenance, Ilex (hollies), Mountain laurel (Kalmia), Pieris japonica, Pruning, Rhododendrons, Southern Appalachian Region Comments Off on Coppicing – Renewal Pruning for Old RhododendronsPhoto: daylily proliferations on old floral scape in late August Proliferations are small plants which grow on the spent floral scapes of daylilies (Hemerocallus spp.). Not all daylily varieties produce proliferations. Propagating and growing proliferations is a simple way to increase the number of new daylily plants quickly. Prune off each plantlet from the old […]
Posted in Uncategorized Comments Off on Rooting Proliferations on Daylilies
Several camellias bloom reliably either in the fall and or early spring in most areas of Tennessee within USDA hardiness zone 6. In the colder higher elevations above 2000 feet, hardy camellias require some additional shelter to successfully bloom over 6 – 8 weeks. Flower colors range from white, many shades of pink, and red. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Camellia, Evergreens, Featured, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Regional, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter flowering 
Tags: Camellia Comments Off on Hardy Camellias for Southern Appalachian RegionWinterizing Your Garden Garden Tools and Equipment Maintenance Clean tools and coat with oil to prevent rust. Scrape off all dirt with a wire brush or steel wool. Store all tools off the ground in a dry spot. Sharpen and lubricate all pruning tools. Drain water from hoses and irrigation equipment. Disconnect all hoses and […]
Posted in Camellia, Flowering, Garden Maintenance, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Winterizing Your Garden
Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean your trees and shrubs are. Plants, particularly those planted this year, still depend on some love and care from you. Watering is crucial during the hot, dry summer months. If Mother Nature doesn’t supply adequate rainfall, you must. Plants should receive at least 1” of water each week, […]
It is usually quite difficult to determine why a shrub or tree fails to bloom. Most often the problem is the plant’s health, related to weather or environmental factors. Sometimes, the gardener has grown the plant poorly. Here are the seven leading causes: High much nitrogen? The nitrogen to carbohydrate ratio (C:N) is a common […]
Posted in Failure to Bloom, Featured, Garden Maintenance, Garden Problems Comments Off on Failure of Shrubs and Trees to Bloom
