Rain Lilies (Zephyranthes), aka Zephyr lily, fairy lily, Atamasco lily, et al. are small perennial bulbs that are native to the southeastern United States, Central and South America (USDA hardiness zones 7-10). In the U.S., these bulbous members of the Amaryllis Family (Amaryllidaceae) grow in low woods and wet meadows. Rain lilies bloom from spring to […]
Archive for March, 2023
Rain Lilies
Posted by Hugh on March 29th, 2023
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Bulb Crops, Butterflies, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Flower arrangments, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Rain lilies (Zephyranthes), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Rain LiliesStop The Chop
Posted by Hugh on March 24th, 2023
Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a species of small, beautiful tree native to Asia, and are popular in Southern U.S. gardens (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). Before planting a tree or shrub form, do your homework first. So many landscapes wind up with severe and senseless pruning. Crape myrtles wind up with weak shoots and poor […]
Posted in acidic soil, compact shrub, compact tree, Container growing, container shrub, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Crape myrtle aphid, Crape myrtle bark scale, Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia), Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flowering shrub, Landscape ideas, Large shrub, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Street tree, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Stop The ChopGrowing Crapemyrtles In Containers
Posted by Hugh on March 17th, 2023
Gardeners who live in USDA zones 6 -10 can grow dwarf (shrubby) crapemyrtles either in the ground or in containers. In northern areas of the U.S., a few crape myrtle varieties are tender perennials and grown in containers. They’re overwintered in an unheated garage, shed or pots are dug into the ground. These dwarf varieties […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compact shrub, Container garden, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Crape myrtle aphid, Deciduous, Flowering shrub, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Growing Crapemyrtles In Containers‘Ogon’ Spirea Is A Standout
Posted by Hugh on March 12th, 2023
Spireas (Spiraea spp.) represent a large number of mostly non-native flowering landscape shrubs. Most are not U.S. natives, indigenous to China and Japan. Baby’s breath spirea (S. thunbergii) is also called Thunberg spirea and Breath of Spring spirea. It is a showy, graceful shrub that grows 3 to 5 feet high and wide with many […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compact shrub, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Flowering, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spirea (Spiraea), Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter blooming, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Ogon’ Spirea Is A StandoutFalse Solomon Seal
Posted by Hugh on March 7th, 2023
False Solomon’s seal (Maianthemum racemosum) is a native woodland plant. It earns its common name because it looks very similar to Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum spp.). Both are in the lily family (Liliaceae) and are often seen growing together and easy to distinguish apart by the placement of the flowers on the plants. Formerly classified Smilacina racemosa, this […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, False Solomon’s seal (Maianthemum), Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Solomon's seal, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on False Solomon SealBlue Flowering Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2023
Most associate the color BLUE with the sky, the sea, and an endless horizon. Blue colors evoke feelings of tranquility, calm, and a peaceful state of mind. “Blue Skies” brings out happiness and smiles in people, particularly after consecutive days of dreary weather. Contrarily, a blue mood may elicit feelings of sadness and depression. The […]
Posted in acidic soil, Althea (Hibiscus), Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla), Blue mist (Caryopteris), Buddleia (Butterfly bush), Deciduous, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Hibiscus syriacus, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, Large shrub, Lavender (Lavandula), Lilac (Syringa), mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Rhododendrons, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Vitex (Chaste tree), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Blue Flowering Shrubs
