Fairy wings, aka barrenwort (Epimedium spp.) thrive in shady spots. Fairy wings continue to be a plant collector’s dream. There are over 70 cultivars to choose and new hybrid selections coming along every year. No two cultivars are alike in flowering, foliage size and color. Species will vary from 6 to 20 inches in height […]
Archive for February, 2015
Fairy Wings (Epimediums) Carefree Shady Groundcovers
Posted by Hugh on February 26th, 2015
Posted in acidic soil, Barrenwort (Epimedium), Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Perennials, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Fairy Wings (Epimediums) Carefree Shady GroundcoversPest Alert: Japanese Maple Scale Becoming A Serious Problem
Posted by Hugh on February 24th, 2015
Japanese maple scale is a new pest in Tennessee and surrounding states. It infests many more plant species than just Japanese maple. The insect’s small size and ability to blend in naturally with tree bark makes it challenging to detect until populations are high and it has infested large landscape and neighborhoods. Japanese maple scale […]
Posted in Burning bush (Euonymus), Camellia, Cotoneaster, Crabapple, Dogwood (Cornus), Elms (Ulmus), Green ash (Fraxinus), Ilex (hollies), Japanese maple, Linden (Tilia), Maples (Acer), Pear (Ornamental), Pesticide recommendations, Pests, Purchasing Plants, Pyracantha (firethorn), Regional, Scale, Southern Appalachian Region, Stewartia pseudocamellia, Styrax, Trees & Shrubs, Willows (Salix), Yellowwood, Zelkova Comments Off on Pest Alert: Japanese Maple Scale Becoming A Serious ProblemYoYo Winter Temperatures– Expect Flower Losses On BigleafHydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on February 21st, 2015
In the Southeastern U.S. region, wildly fluctuating temperatures this winter will likely destroy or delay spring and summer blooming on bigleaf (mophead) hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) (USDA hardiness zones 6 – 9). Other hydrangea species, such as smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens), panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata), and oakleaf hydrangeas, should not be affected. Bigleaf hydrangeas are […]
Posted in acidic soil, Failure to Bloom, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on YoYo Winter Temperatures– Expect Flower Losses On BigleafHydrangeasGetting Your Greenhouse Ready For Spring
Posted by Hugh on February 18th, 2015
Before starting new spring vegetable and flower plants, first take some time to make sure that the greenhouse is clean. Follow these three basic rules: #1 – Repair or replace rotten or decayed wooden structural beams or posts, including benches. Be certain that water does not puddle on floors causing disease and insect breeding areas, mold, […]
Posted in Bacterial diseases, Garden Maintenance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Sanitation, Weed control Comments Off on Getting Your Greenhouse Ready For SpringVersatile Corona Lopper/Hand Pruners
Posted by Hugh on February 16th, 2015
When stepping out in my garden, a pair of hand pruners (shears) is the first tool in my pocket or belt pouch. A good pair of pruning shears is indispensable for snipping off old spent flowers and growth from perennials such as hostas, daylilies, peonies, et al; shrubs […]
Posted in Garden Maintenance, Garden Tools, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Versatile Corona Lopper/Hand PrunersGrowing Zone 6 Hardy Camellias 101
Posted by Hugh on February 13th, 2015
Drs. William L. Ackerman with the USDA (deceased) developed bred a series of interspecific crosses between C. oleifera and C. sasanqua, C. hiemalis, or C. vernalis selections. Many, not all, are identified as the Winter series because they bloom in the fall into very early winter. Dr. Clifford […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Camellia, compost, Disease resistant, Evergreen, mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Growing Zone 6 Hardy Camellias 101Bergenias (Pigsqueak) Gaining More Respect
Posted by Hugh on February 8th, 2015
Heart-leaved bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia) is a clump-forming perennial indigenous to Russia (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). It has been coined the name “pig squeak” because of the noise produced by rubbing a leaf between your thumb and finger. Bergenias are planted most effectively enmasse as a ground cover. They spread slowly by rhizomes and tends to seed-in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bergenia (pigsqueak), deadheading, Disease resistant, Ground cover, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Shade Gardening, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Bergenias (Pigsqueak) Gaining More RespectSupport Tomato Plants
Posted by Hugh on February 6th, 2015
University research demonstrates that yields are lower for staked tomatoes. Staking tomatoes is not absolutely necessary, but harvesting tomatoes on the ground becomes more difficult. Dirt and disease blemishes on fruits laying on the ground necessitate grading, cleaning, and disposing of culls. Most tall growing indeterminate varieties are best supported off the ground in some manner to prevent […]
Posted in Edible fruits, Fruits & Vegetables, Harvest Time, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Tomato Comments Off on Support Tomato Plants‘Biokova’ Cranesbill Dependable Year-Round Ground Cover
Posted by Hugh on February 5th, 2015
Biokova is not a new geranium, aka cranesbill (Geranium x cantebrigiense ‘Biokova’). Its exceptional landscape performance has earned the 2015 Perennial Plant of the Year designation. Cranesbills are highly dependable perennial ground cover for partial sun to partial shade landscape sites (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Among the better choices of cranesbills, ‘Biokova’ has proven exceptionally reliable here […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Cranesbill (Geranium), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Perennials, Planting tips, Pruning, Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Biokova’ Cranesbill Dependable Year-Round Ground CoverPositive Facts About Tree Of Heaven
Posted by Hugh on February 2nd, 2015
Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a hated tree and tagged noxious and invasive across the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). This aggressive species is indigenous to China and seems almost without limits as to where it takes root across the U.S. It has numerous nicknames, including “trash can tree”. It is the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental issues, Heat Tolerance, Invasive species, Large Shade trees, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus), Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Positive Facts About Tree Of Heaven
