Fall planting of many kinds of bulbs is a worthwhile long term investment of your time. Many bulbs (and corms) like daffodils and crocuses will naturalize where you plant them. They also bloom for long periods from late winter into spring. Bulbs bloom nice their first spring; flower heavier the second year; and multiply each […]
Archive for October, 2013
Willow Oak Very Reliable As Street Or Park Tree
Willow oak (Quercus phellos) is medium to large, deciduous tree, part of the red oak group. It is noted for willow-like oak foliage and growth rate after a 2 year establishment period is moderate (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Willow oak grows 50-75 feet tall and 30-35 feet wide with a rounded top or canopy. Young […]
Fall Is Spring Bulb Planting Time
If you love spring flowering tulips, daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs, some planning and planting chores should be set into motion this fall. Spring flower bulbs should be planted when cool soil temperatures (below 55 °F) return. For gardeners living in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7), bulb planting begins in […]
ShiShi Gashira Camellia So Far Holding Up to Zone 6-b Winters
Camellias bloom at a time when most trees and shrubs are not flowering. Growing them is no longer a dream for gardeners who do not live in the deep South. A number of “designated zone 6 hardy” cultivars prosper in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). ‘ShiShi Gashira’ camellia (Camellia hiemalis) […]
Three New Hardy Fall Blooming Camellias
Three Zone 6 winter hardy camellias are becoming more available. A recent visit to a local camellia grower found these three fall bloomers: ‘Long Island Pink’, ‘Londontowne Blush’, and ‘Sweet October’ in full floral regalia. The first two are reliably hardy in USDA zone 6 and a third nearly so. ‘Long Island Pink’ was found […]
Timing Fall Leaf Color Of Red Maple Cultivars
Red maple (Acer rubrum) is one of the most popular large street and shade tree in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). Most cultivars average 40-60 feet tall in height. Tiny red flowers burst open early, often before the official first day of spring. Flowers give way to reddish double winged […]