Chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) is an 8–10-20-foot deciduous shrub or tree form. Branching habit is dense and vase-shaped (upright). Without question, ‘Shoal Creek’ is a very popular Vitex variety that measures around 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide (USDA hardiness zone 6 – 8). So… so many varieties that grow large and should not be […]
Archive for July, 2026
Dwarf Vitex Cultivars
Posted by Hugh on July 22nd, 2026
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowering shrub, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Street tree, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Vitex (Chaste tree), winter hardiness 
No Comments »Chalkbark Maple
Posted by Hugh on July 16th, 2026
Chalkbark Maple (Acer leucoderme), formerly A. saccharum ssp. leucoderme), is classified as a subspecies of the Sugar Maple (USDA zones 5b – 8). Also called whitebark maple and chalk maple, it grows in full sun to light shade, 20-30 feet height and 15-25 feet wide. It is classified as a large shrub or small tree, […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bees and other pollinators, Chalkbark maple (A. leucoderme), Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness No Comments »Award Winning Phlox ‘Jenna’
Posted by Hugh on July 9th, 2026
‘Jeana’ phlox was found and named by Jeana Prewitt along the Harpeth River in Nashville, TN. ‘Jeana’ phlox is discovered by Jeana Prewitt along the Harpeth River in Nashville, TN. Jeana phlox grows vigorously to 4-5 feet in height and 2-3 feet in spread. Stems are sturdy and well-branched to support the sweetly scented 6-inch soft lavender-pink flowers […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, deadheading, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flower Arranging, Fragrant, Honey bees, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Phlox, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Summer phlox (P. paniculata), watering tips, winter hardiness No Comments »America’s Happy 250th Tree- Franklinia
Posted by Hugh on July 2nd, 2026
Franklinia (Franklinia altamaha) is a uniquely different large shrub or small tree. Although rated hardy in USDA hardiness zones 5-8, I’ve never seen a landscape quality specimen in zone 5 and find that the tree performs best in zones 7. Success with growing franklinia hinges on purchasing a quality nursery plant, proper siting, and annual care, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Deciduous, Fertilizing plants, Franklinia, Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Phytophthora ramorum, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness No Comments »
