Finding slug resistance among hosta varieties is relative. By late summer, you will find some holes in leaves in almost every variety, some a lot worst than others. There are ways to reduce slug injury in your host plantings. Weather is a key factor. Wet summers means higher slug and snail populations. Dry summers is […]
Archive for the ‘Container garden’ Category
Avoiding Slug Problems On Hostas
Posted by Hugh on September 6th, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Foliage plant, Fragrant, Hosta, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sanitation, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips, Weeds 
Comments Off on Avoiding Slug Problems On HostasNew 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 PerformanceSpider Flowers Excel In Summer’s Heat And Humidity
Posted by Hugh on July 21st, 2016
Spider flowers (Cleome x hybrida) are top performing summer flowering annuals. Each year plant breeders introduce compact varieties to beautify flower beds and container gardens. Select among vegetative and seed produced types. Spider flowers ask for weekly watering and full day sunlight (best) to achieve maximum blooming potential. They will grow in a partially shaded beds but bloom less and the plants tend to […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowers, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spider flower (Cleome), Spring flowering, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Spider Flowers Excel In Summer’s Heat And HumidityDo Not Call Them “Weeds” Any Longer
Posted by Hugh on July 18th, 2016
Some plants deserve more respect. Over the years several U.S. native species have been tamed or domesticated. Yet, they retain their common name “weed”. Four popular former “weeds” are: butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) ironweed (Vernonia lettermannii ‘Iron Butterfly’), sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale), and Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium spp.). Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Container garden, deadheading, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Eupatorium 'Gateway', Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', Fertilizing plants, Helenium, Ironweed (Vernonia), Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Do Not Call Them “Weeds” Any LongerLate Summer Planting of Vegetables
Posted by Hugh on July 15th, 2016
Mid to late summer is the second season for planting many (not all) kinds of vegetables and herbs in many parts of the U.S. There is still 3 months or more of great growing weather ahead to harvest veggies planted now. You’ll enjoy great harvests for the Thanksgiving and perhaps the Christmas/winter holiday table (USDA zones 5-7). Start with leafy greens for […]
Posted in acidic soil, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, Harvest Time, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Swiss chard, Weed control, Weeds, winter hardiness Comments Off on Late Summer Planting of Vegetables‘Silk Tassel’ Sedge Shimmers In Shady Gardens
Posted by Hugh on July 1st, 2016
‘Silk Tassel’ Japanese sedge (Carex morrowii var. temnolepis) is an ornamental sedge from Japan (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9). It is grown in shady areas for its narrow, variegated foliage. It grows slowly as a dense, grass-like clump to 12 -15 inches high and up to 2 feet spread. Foliage bubbles up like a shimmering […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Carex (Sedges), Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Ground cover, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Sedges (Carex), Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Silk Tassel’ Sedge Shimmers In Shady GardensMedical Benefits Derived From Gardening
Posted by Hugh on June 16th, 2016
For hundreds of years, home gardeners have realized that growing plants is good for you both physically and mentally. A story recently published in British tabloid The Guardian reports that many patients suffering with cancer, dementia and mental health problems can benefit from gardening. Doctors are more and more prescribing gardening for patients with cancer, […]
Posted in Container garden, Edible fruits, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Flowering Bulb, Flowering house plant, Horticultural Therapy, Interior (house) Plants, Orchids, Purchasing Plants, Raised bed Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering bulbs, Uncategorized Comments Off on Medical Benefits Derived From GardeningSix Summer Annuals Your Grandma Did Not Know About
Posted by Hugh on May 24th, 2016
Angelonia (“summer snapdragon”)… are outstanding performers in the summer flower garden, yet so many gardeners have never heard of them. Angelonias demonstrate outstanding heat and humidity tolerances. Serenita™ (12-14 inches high), Serena™ (15-18 inches high), and Archangel™ (12-14 inches tall high) series, are available in purple, lavender, pink, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Angelonias, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Begonia, Butterflies, Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Euphorbias, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Pentas (Egyptian star flower), Planting tips, Scaevola, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Torenia (wishbone flw.), winter hardiness Comments Off on Six Summer Annuals Your Grandma Did Not Know AboutHold In Confinement
Posted by Hugh on May 18th, 2016
Some plants are incredibly aggressive. Herbicides like Roundup™ won’t phase them. They often escape and take over other areas of your garden or neighborhood. Four notorious examples are ditch lilies (Hemerocallus fulva), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana), and pink evening primrose (Oenothera speciosa). You can grow these four weedy offenders in confinement. All will survive […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Container garden, Daylilies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental issues, Evening primrose (Oenothera), Heat Tolerance, Invasive plant, Milkweeds (Asclepias), Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Ruellia (Mexican petunia), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Weeds, winter hardiness Comments Off on Hold In ConfinementSlender Deutzia Is Versatile Landscape Shrub
Posted by Hugh on March 28th, 2016
Most gardeners have never heard of deutzias (Deutzia spp.) which is very unfortunate. There are many species of deutzias. They bloom in spring and grow into many shapes and sizes. Slender Deutzia (Deutzia gracilis) is a small densely branched deciduous shrub with upright to slightly arching branching (USDA zones 5-8). […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Bee Favorite, compact shrub, Container garden, container shrub, Deutzia, Heat Tolerance, Leaf miner, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Slender Deutzia Is Versatile Landscape Shrub
