Phlox (Phlox spp.) are popular perennials that are also U.S. natives. A multitude of species and hybrids are available to landscapers and gardeners for almost any type of garden environment, including containers. Here is a list of the intermediate garden species: Border phlox (Phlox paniculata), Meadow phlox (P. maculata), Carolina phlox (P. carolina), Smooth phlox […]
Archive for the ‘Container garden’ Category
Garden Phlox Attract Pollinators
Posted by Hugh on May 21st, 2020
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Container garden, deadheading, Disease prone, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Phlox, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Summer phlox (P. paniculata), Weed control, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Garden Phlox Attract PollinatorsCalibrachoas (Million Bells*)
Posted by Hugh on May 16th, 2020
Gardeners have discovered Million Bells* (Calibrachoa x hybrida), a small flowering cousin of the petunia. Million Bells are prolific bloomers and produce one-inch mini-blossoms. They were first marketed to home gardeners in the 1990’s. They’re native to Peru, Brazil, and Chile, and are commonly grown as annuals in the U.S. Over the past twenty years […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Calibrachoa (Million bells), Chlorosis (yellowing), compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Calibrachoas (Million Bells*)Growing Coneflowers
Posted by Hugh on May 6th, 2020
No question, coneflowers have changed greatly over the past quarter century. Varieties are now available in many color shades and plants demonstrate improved longevity. Current cultivars grow alot shorter. However, some hybrid forms have been disappointing, barely surviving 1-2 years. When choosing coneflowers, Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is my #1 favorite for dependability (USDA hardiness […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering iris, Wildflowers, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing ConeflowersWet And Wonderful
Posted by Hugh on April 21st, 2020
Two outstanding summer flowering perennials are Rodgersia (two forms) and Ligularia. Both are grown for their broad foliage and showy flowers. They share one special need: consistent soil moisture through the spring and summer months. Don’t attempt to grow either one of these awesome plants unless their water needs will be satisfied. These plants prefer wet, boggy feet (roots). Rodgersias […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Farfugium, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Ligularias, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Rodgersia, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Wet And WonderfulNew Weigelas Keep Coming
Posted by Hugh on April 16th, 2020
Native to Japan, Korea, and China, flowering weigelas (Weigela florida) are reliable old-fashioned shrubs bearing pink or rose colored blooms in mid-spring. This deciduous shrub has an arching branch habit. New weigelas are now appearing at local garden centers. Older cultivars, typically 6 to 9 feet in height, are being replaced with compact 2 – 5 feet […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compact shrub, Container garden, Container growing, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Re-Bloomers, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Weigela, winter hardiness Comments Off on New Weigelas Keep ComingLoads Of Hybrid Baptisias Available
Posted by Hugh on April 11th, 2020
Wild indigo or Baptisia (Baptisia spp.) are a wonderful group of U.S. native perennials (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). A few species have remained outside the gardening scene until recent years. Breeders are creating several hybrids that offer a grand color palette and superior plant form. Baptisia, belong to the Pea family, new growth emerges in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Baptisia (wild indigo), Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowering, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Loads Of Hybrid Baptisias AvailableSix Perennials For Dry Shade
Posted by Hugh on March 6th, 2020
Many of the following perennials tolerate dry shade but flourish in moist, well-drained soil. Each typically displays the richest foliage colors with a couple of hours of direct sunlight a day. All hold up well to dry conditions and are deer and rabbit resistant. Barrenworts (aka Bishop’s cap, Fairy Wings) (Epimedium spp.) represent over 70 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Barrenwort (Epimedium), Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Bugleweed (Ajuga), Container garden, Cranesbill (Geranium), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Geranium, Ground cover, Hellebores, Landscape ideas, Lenten rose (Hellebore), Liriope, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Sacred Lily (Rohdea), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Six Perennials For Dry ShadeRhododendrons You Should Be Growing
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2020
“A healthy plant in the right place with proper maintenance” is a rhododendron that has few problems. Rhododendrons and azaleas are acid loving plants meaning plants should be planted in humus-rich slightly acidic soil (pH 5.2 -6.5). If the soil is not well amended, rhododendrons will have trouble surviving long term. Once planted, water during […]
Posted in acidic soil, Azalea (deciduous), Azaleas (evergreen), Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Container garden, Evergreen, Flower arrangments, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, plant nutrition, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Purchasing Plants, Rhododendrons, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Rhododendrons You Should Be GrowingSome Conifers Don’t Like Summer Heat And Clay Soils
Posted by Hugh on February 16th, 2020
Most conifers are best grown in deep, moist, well-drained, acidic loamy soils and in full sun. In the deep South evergreen conifers are challenged by warm soils, poor soil drainage, and humidity. Humidity increases their susceptibility to diseases. Once established they are drought tolerant, but most fail in poorly drained wet soils. Many pine species […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Bagworms, Balled and Burlapped (b&b), Borers, Caterpillars, Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus), Cercopora leaf spot, Christmas tree, Container garden, Deer resistant, Deodara cedars (Cedrus), Disease prone, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Firs (Abies), Heat Tolerance, Hemlock (Tsuga), Hemlock adelgid, Insect (Pest) Problems, Juniper, Korean fir (Abies koreana), Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Norway spruce (Picea), Oriental spruce (Picea), Pine (Pinus spp.), Pines (Pinus spp.), Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Scale, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spruces (Picea spp.), Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Umbrella pine (Sciadopitys), watering evergreens, Wildlife attractant, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Some Conifers Don’t Like Summer Heat And Clay SoilsChanging Garden Soil pH
Posted by Hugh on February 6th, 2020
In general, the garden soil pH fluctuates only slightly unless you accidentally spilled fertilizer or limestone. Soil pH is also affected by rainfall patterns, decomposing organic matter, and bacterial activity in the ground. In the eastern U.S. rain water is slightly acidic. Acid rain is the result of these pollutants (mostly sulfate and nitrate) from […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, alkaline soil, applying sulfur, Azalea (deciduous), Azaleas (evergreen), Birch (Betula spp.), Chlorosis (yellowing), Container garden, Ferns, Fertilizing, Hellebores, Hydrangeas, Landscape Construction, Landscape ideas, Mountain laurel (Kalmia), mulching, Perennials, pin oak, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Rhododendrons, river birch, Soil pH, Soil Testing, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized Comments Off on Changing Garden Soil pH
