Hiba or false arborvitae (Thujopsis dolobrata) is a slow to moderate growing evergreen shrub or tree. It is also called elkhorn cedar and deerhorn cedar, referring to the shape of its scale-like leaves. Tall 50-80 feet tall tree forms arefound in the forests of Japan. This native of Japan and China has a pyramidal form and beautiful dense foliage, similar […]
Archive for November, 2011
Thujopsis: Semi-Dwarf Evergreen Shrub
Posted by Hugh on November 28th, 2011
Posted in acidic soil, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreen, Evergreens, Landscape ideas, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Thujopsis, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, Winter Protection 
Comments Off on Thujopsis: Semi-Dwarf Evergreen ShrubAutumn Colors Conclude with Callery Pears
Posted by Hugh on November 23rd, 2011
Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) has been declining in planting popularity. But its scarlet red leaf color is both sensational and reliable every autumn in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Most people identify the tree by its cultivar name, e.g. ‘Bradford’, Aristocrat®, ‘Cleveland Select’, ‘Redspire’ pear. There are many other cultivars. Callery pears are tough reliable medium sized trees which […]
Posted in Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bradford Pear, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Heat Tolerance, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Autumn Colors Conclude with Callery Pears‘Nellie R. Stevens’ Holly Sets A High Standard
Posted by Hugh on November 20th, 2011
‘Nellie R. Stevens’ (‘NRS’) is a tall growing red fruited female holly, a cross between the English (Ilex aquifolium) and Chinese (I. cornuta) hollies. ‘NRS’ comes highly recommended for Southern Appalachian landscapes (USDA zones 6 and 7). Hollies are dioecious, requiring both male and female parents for fruit production. ‘NRS’ holly produces small numbers of seedless parthenocarpic […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Garden Maintenance, Green Privacy Screen, Ilex (hollies), plant nutrition, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ Holly Sets A High StandardEuropean Beech Prefers Cool Climes
Posted by Hugh on November 18th, 2011
European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is native to the cool temperate regions of Europe. In the U.S. it is more at home in the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Northwest regions (USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 7) where summers are cool. European beech grows in full sun and moist, well-drained soils, ranging from mildly acidic to low basic. The tree suffers in […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Disease prone, European beech (F. sylvatica), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on European Beech Prefers Cool ClimesFor Lovers and Tree Huggers – American Beech
Posted by Hugh on November 15th, 2011
Mighty as an oak pretty much describes American beech (Fagus grandifolia) as well. Enjoy all four seasons of American beech: spring/summer dark green leaves, dark tan colored fall foliage, long pointed winter buds, and bluish gray bark. It is a large 50-70 foot woodland tree and tolerates incredible amounts of shade. Slow growing beeches are long-lived and best planted on […]
Posted in acidic soil, American Beech (F. grandifolia), Attracting birds, Disease prone, Heat Tolerance, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant Comments Off on For Lovers and Tree Huggers – American Beech‘Morgan’ Oriental Arborvitae
Posted by Hugh on November 12th, 2011
Among dwarf conifer collectors, ‘Morgan’ Oriental arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis) has become one of the most sought out evergreens over the past decade. Its oval form and seasonal coloration makes Morgan a standout. It performs well in part sun, but its chartreuse-yellow foliage appears more vibrant in direct sunlight. Its dense foliage grows in vertical layers. Andy Pulte at the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), compost, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreens, Heat Tolerance, Platycladus orientalis 'Morgan', Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering evergreens, Winter Garden Interest Comments Off on ‘Morgan’ Oriental ArborvitaeReference Conifer Gardens in the Southeastern U.S.
Posted by Hugh on November 7th, 2011
The American Conifer Society (ACS) supports public conifer gardens around the U.S. Reference Gardens offer plant professionals and home gardeners an opportunity to evaluate conifers growing in a landscape or garden setting within their geographic region. You can compare the unique foliage colors, shapes, and growth habits which conifers offer. You can select conifer(s) which work as […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Christmas trees, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreen, Evergreens, Gardens to Visit, Leyland cypress, Microbiota, Mugo pine (Pinus mugo), Pines (Pinus spp.), Southern Appalachian Region, Spruces (Picea spp.), Uncategorized, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness 1 Comment »Making A Case for Mugo Pine
Posted by Hugh on November 4th, 2011
Mugo pine (Pinus mugo) is a slow growing needle evergreen shrub of variable heights ranging from 5 feet to 20 feet and more. Mature height depends on the cultivar planted and environmental conditions on site. Mugo pine is native over many hundreds of miles of alpine climes across Europe. It is winter hardy in USDA zones […]
Posted in compact shrub, Disease resistant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreens, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Mugo pine (Pinus mugo), mulching, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Making A Case for Mugo Pine
