Blue star (Amsonia hubrichtii) exhibits one of nature’s finest autumn foliar displays. This Arkansas native is a long-lived perennial and prospers here in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). After its initial year in the garden, amsonia exhibits good heat and drought tolerances. Its fine textured needle -like foliage is very soft and airy. In the […]
Archive for October, 2010
Arkansas Bluestar Great In Spring, Summer and Fall
Posted by Hugh on October 27th, 2010
Posted in Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Perennials, Planting tips, Pruning, Spring flowering, watering tips 
Comments Off on Arkansas Bluestar Great In Spring, Summer and FallGinkgo -Sex Education 101
Posted by Hugh on October 22nd, 2010
Surviving an autumn season with a heavily fruited ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) tree is a foul smelling experience. The odorous yellow fleshy fruits ripen in October and drop onto public streets and home lawns. Several times I have witnessed the Jonesborough Tennessee Fire Department raking up fallen fruit and hosing down a sidewalk too treacherous to walk […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Autumn foliage color, Deer resistant, Gardenia, Ginkgo biloba, Large Shade trees, Propagation (Seed), Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Ginkgo -Sex Education 101Plant Lovely Camassia for the Spring Garden
Posted by Hugh on October 18th, 2010
Camassia is native to the mountains and prairies of western North America, where it is called Indian quamash. In earlier times several native North Americans tribes commonly cooked this edible bulb, particularly of species C. quamash. Camassia tolerates moist wet soils. It may be planted along the edges of ponds or in the front of […]
Posted in Camassia, Featured, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Native Plant, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region Comments Off on Plant Lovely Camassia for the Spring GardenGather Acorns To Become Mighty Oaks
Posted by Hugh on October 16th, 2010
Several species of oaks (Quercus spp.) make their home here in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Every 3 – 5 years, a majestic oak bears a heavy crop of acorns. Squirrels and gardeners gather acorns (seeds) to plant oaks for future generations. Oaks are divided into two groups. White, swamp, and bur oaks, with rounded […]
Posted in Large Shade trees, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized 
Tags: Quercus spp. Comments Off on Gather Acorns To Become Mighty OaksDeadline Approaching for Seeding/Renovating Lawns
Posted by Hugh on October 12th, 2010
Early fall is the “spring-time” for establishing a new lawn or renovating a tired weed infested turf. In the fall most of the weed infestation, particularly from annual pest grasses like crab and goose-grasses, is over. You have another week (until October 20th) to wind up this chore. To completely seed a sunny area, choose a quality blend (two or […]
Posted in Garden Maintenance, seeding lawn Comments Off on Deadline Approaching for Seeding/Renovating LawnsNew Intersectional Peonies Deserve A Wow!
Posted by Hugh on October 9th, 2010
Itoh or Intersectional Hybrid Peonies (Paeonia spp.) represent a huge breakthrough in tissue culture propagation. Inherited from the tree peony is attractive dissected foliage. They are extremely winter hardy like the herbaceous types. Plants grow two to three feet tall and wide. Strong sturdy stems support the huge flowers which size up to 10″ across. […]
Tips on Planting Peonies
Posted by Hugh on October 6th, 2010
Peonies (herbaceous types) are old-fashioned perennial favorites garnering new attention from 21st century gardeners. Their gorgeous spring flowers stand tall above the lush shrubbery growth. This fall, plant dormant bare-root divisions of herbaceous peonies purchased from a mail-order nursery or a nearby garden center. Each division must exhibit 3 to 5 eyes (buds). Space plants […]
Goldenrod –Set Off Some Fireworks This Fall
Posted by Hugh on October 6th, 2010
Rough-stemmed goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) grows in low woods, meadows and bogs in the eastern half of North America. ‘Fireworks’ (USDA zones 4–8) has a more compact plant habit than the species. This early blooming cultivar provides a long floral display starting in mid-August and lasting through Thanksgiving, weather permitting. Flowers spikes are numerous and held in […]
Posted in Autumn flowering, deadheading, Goldenrod (Solidago), Native Plant, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region Comments Off on Goldenrod –Set Off Some Fireworks This Fall
