Viburnum Leaf Beetle is gradually coming to the Southeastern U.S. It was first found in upstate New York in 1996. This pest has been on the move, eating its way through native viburnums from upstate New York to northern Pennsylvania to western Maryland. It feeds only on viburnum species. Preferred species include native arrowwood viburnum (V. dentatum), […]
Archive for August, 2016
Pest Alert: Viburnum Leaf Beetle May Be Invading
Posted by Hugh on August 30th, 2016
Posted in Bee Favorite, Garden ecology, Native Plant, Pesticide recommendations, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Viburnum beetles, Viburnums 
Comments Off on Pest Alert: Viburnum Leaf Beetle May Be Invading‘Furman’s Red’ Sage For Long Blooming Period
Posted by Hugh on August 28th, 2016
Texas sage (Salvia greggii) is a low bushy native perennial or woody shrub. It is native to Texas south to Mexico and varieties come in white, red and purple. It has proven to be exceptionally cold hardy (USDA hardiness zones 5b-9). Furman’s Red sage is a superior cultivar here in the Southern Appalachian region.Flowering is best in spring, less […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Texas Sage (Salvia), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Furman’s Red’ Sage For Long Blooming PeriodLate Summer Bulbous Beauties – Spider Lily and Fall Crocus
Posted by Hugh on August 26th, 2016
Spider lilies (Lycoris radiata) go by a number of colloquial names including resurrection flower, surprise lily, and naked ladies. Naked 1-2 foot tall flower scapes bear 4-6 bright coral-red flowers. Each 2- inch long flower exhibit reflexed tepals and long protruding stamens resembling spider legs (common name “spider lilies”). Almost overnight, the leafless flower spikes […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Lycoris (Spider lily), Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Late Summer Bulbous Beauties – Spider Lily and Fall Crocus“Plant It Pink” Planting Program
Posted by Hugh on August 23rd, 2016
To build awareness and show support for those affected by breast cancer, over 40 volunteers filled public gardens and surrounding areas with pink plants in downtown Haslett, a suburb of Lansing, MI. The Invincibelle® Spirit II hydrangeas are a beautiful reminder that we are not alone in our hopes and prayers for a cure. […]
Posted in acidic soil, compact shrub, Container growing, container shrub, Disease resistant, Flower Arranging, Hydrangeas, mulching, Native Plant, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering hydrangeas, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on “Plant It Pink” Planting ProgramSeeding Shady Areas Of Your Property
Posted by Hugh on August 21st, 2016
How many times have you been told: “you can’t grow lawn grass in shady areas”. Most lawn grasses perform best in full sunlight. Red or chewings fescues (Festuca rubra) perform under as little as 2-3 hours of direct or dappled sunlight. Shade fescues are relatively easy to maintain. Mowing height should be 2 inches high in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing, Herbicide management, Irrigation, Kentucky bluegrass, Landscape ideas, Lawn Care, Mowing, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Red fescue, seeding lawn, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips Comments Off on Seeding Shady Areas Of Your PropertyFlowering Cabbage and Kale For Autumn Gardens
Posted by Hugh on August 18th, 2016
Creating both edible and ornamentally pleasing vegetables has been a goal of plant breeders. Flowering cabbage and kale (Brassica oleracea) are a new landscaping niche in the autumn garden. Plants develop huge leafy rosettes and eventually form heads. Color patterns on leaves include white, cream, red and purple shades. The […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Butterflies, Cabbage, Cold tolerance, Container growing, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, kale, Landscape ideas, organic gardening, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips, Winter flowering, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Flowering Cabbage and Kale For Autumn GardensBroadleaf Weed Control Starts In Late Summer
Posted by Hugh on August 15th, 2016
Broadleaf weed control takes center stage for chores to tackle in home lawns and gardens in late summer. Many winter annuals like henbit and chickweed, common inhabitants in the early spring garden start to germinate on the early days of autumn. Perennial dandelions are poking their heads up after summer dormancy. Spring […]
Posted in Broadleaf weeds, Fertilizing, Herbicide management, Irrigation, Lawn Care, Mowing, Tall Fescue, Uncategorized, Weed management Comments Off on Broadleaf Weed Control Starts In Late SummerJapanese Asters (Kalimeris) Are Summer-blooming Gems
Posted by Hugh on August 12th, 2016
Double Japanese asters (Kalimeris pinnatifida) are not true asters. They bloom in summer unlike the more popular fall blooming asters (Symphyotrichum spp.). Essentially, the genus Kalimeris (from Asia) and Boltonia (U.S. native) are closely related and used interchangeably. ‘Pinnatifida’ is without question the best known cultivar. In August the plant is smothered with 1-inch diameter semi-double white daisy flowers […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Container growing, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Kalimeris (Japanese aster), mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Japanese Asters (Kalimeris) Are Summer-blooming GemsNew PG Hydrangeas Excel In Performance
Posted by Hugh on August 10th, 2016
Panicle, PeeGee or PG hydrangeas (Hydrangea panculata) brighten up the July and August garden landscape. They’re native to China and Japan. They grow and bloom almost anywhere in the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 3 – 8). Unlike mophead hydrangeas (H. macrophylla), that often fail in full day sun, PGs excel in 6 hours or more of sun. PG hydrangeas are vigorous growers with upright branching and coarse textured […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, compact shrub, Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Hydrangeas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on New PG Hydrangeas Excel In PerformanceGarden Phlox – Select Mildew Resistant Varieties
Posted by Hugh on August 7th, 2016
Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), aka summer phlox, is native from New York to Iowa south to Georgia, Mississippi and Arkansas (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8(9)). They are valued for their long beautiful floral display and fragrance. In the wild phlox grow it in moist, rich open woodlands, […]
Posted in acidic soil, deadheading, Disease resistant, Downy mildew, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Mites, mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, Soil pH, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant Comments Off on Garden Phlox – Select Mildew Resistant Varieties
