Western sunflower (Helianthus occidentalis) is actually native to eastern and central North America, not western North America (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). It is one of the shortest of the many sunflowers found in the U.S. You have seen this Midwest native growing in glades, prairies, dry meadows, fields and rocky open woodlands. It grows equally […]
Archive for the ‘Autumn flowering’ Category
Western Sunflower
Posted by Hugh on May 16th, 2023
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flower arrangments, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Sunflower (Helianthus), watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Western SunflowerRain Lilies
Posted by Hugh on March 29th, 2023
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 […]
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 LiliesGrowing Jewel Orchids
Posted by Hugh on January 12th, 2023
Jewel Orchids (Ludisia discolor) are native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. Compared to the tree-climbing epiphytic Phalaenopsis and Cattleya orchids, Jewel Orchids are terrestrial plants that grow on tropical forest floors. Jewel orchids are grown primarily for their spectacular dark and colorful veined ovate foliage and secondarily for their flowering. Jewel orchids grow in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Humidity, Interior (house) Plants, Jewel orchid (Ludisia), Landscape ideas, Orchids, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Root rotting, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, Winter flowering Comments Off on Growing Jewel OrchidsSalvias – Nature’s Last Hurrah
Posted by Hugh on September 1st, 2022
Salvias are native to central South America. Some species may surprising survive here in Tennessee/Virginia (zone 7) as tender perennials. In the early days of autumn, salvias seem to revitalize – vegetatively and flower numbers. Salvias are both reliable nectar and pollen sources for butterflies and hummingbirds and are seldom damaged by deer. Listed here […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Flower arrangments, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Sage (Salvia), Salvia, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Salvias – Nature’s Last HurrahGrowing Rain Lilies
Posted by Hugh on August 22nd, 2022
Rain lilies (Zephyranthes), aka Zephyr lily, Atamasco lily, fairy 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 shady woodlands and wet meadows where they peek out along […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Fall Garden Interest, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Rain lilies (Zephyranthes), Rain lilies (Zephyranthes), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing Rain LiliesCelebrate Summer Growing Colorful Perennial Hibiscus
Posted by Hugh on August 3rd, 2022
Perennial hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is commonly known as rose mallow or dinner plate size hibiscus. Blooms measure a huge 7-9 inches across. Plants are exceptionally hardy, and can withstand winters as cold as zone 4 (-20°F to -30°F) in Minnesota (zone 4) and the heat of zone 9 (20°F -30°F) in Florida. Each flower lasts […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Hardy hibiscus, Heat Tolerance, Hibiscus moscheutos, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Celebrate Summer Growing Colorful Perennial HibiscusMini Reblooming Smooth Hydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on July 31st, 2022
Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) generally grow 6 -7 feet high, and some wild forms upwards of 10 feet (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). The exceedingly popular Invincibelle® series grow 5-6 feet high. Three recently introduced mini-types (listed below) are perfect for a small garden or in a large container. Shrubs in the series reach full size in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, compact shrub, compost, container shrub, deadheading, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Flowering, Fragrant, Hydrangea arborescens, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Native Plant, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Mini Reblooming Smooth HydrangeasA Late Season Blooming Tree
Posted by Hugh on July 10th, 2022
Seven Son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides) is a large, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that grows 15-20 feet tall and 10-12 feet wide at maturity. This rare unique specimen is catching on in the U.S. because of its year-round appeal (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). It is an excellent choice for a lawn specimen or plant several in a […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fall Garden Interest, Flowering, Flowering shrub, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching trees, Non-native, Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Seven son flower (Heptacodium), Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Trumpet vine (Campsis), watering tips, Weak branching, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on A Late Season Blooming TreeLion’s Tail
Posted by Hugh on May 11th, 2022
Lion’s tail (Leonotis leonurus) is a tropical plant native to south Africa (USDA hardiness zones 8-11). I have seen used as a late summer – fall blooming annual in public gardens. Lion’s tail’s bright burnt orange flowers are standouts and receive great notice. The common name “Lion’s Ear” comes from the flowers resembling the color […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Lion's Tail (Leonotis), mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Lion’s TailHardy Zone 6 Camellias
Posted by Hugh on February 21st, 2022
In the Southern U.S., camellias are treasured for their showy flowers in the fall-winter landscape. Their glossy evergreen foliage looks great all year long. Hardy varieties are now available for zone 6 northern gardens (-10 to 0 °F). Essentially, gardeners can raise camellias in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and in most coastal cities along the East […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Butterflies, Camellia, Cold tolerance, compact shrub, compost, Container garden, container shrub, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Flowering shrub, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Hardy Zone 6 Camellias
