Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is a tough, tall-growing grass that forms dense, substantial clumps (tussocks) featuring arching, finely serrated, narrow green leaves that are topped in fall by huge, feathery, silvery white plumes. First introduced into the U. S. in 1848, this giant ornamental grass is indigenous to southern South America. It has been a […]
Archive for the ‘Fall Garden Interest’ Category
A Look At Pampas Grass
Posted by Hugh on March 19th, 2026
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Flower arrangments, Landscape ideas, Non-native, Ornamental Grasses, Pampas Grasss (Cortaderia), Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on A Look At Pampas GrassBaker’s Dozen Of My Favorite Redbuds
Posted by Hugh on March 14th, 2026
Redbuds (Cercis canadensis) are small flowering landscape tree. Most varieties grow up to 20 to 30 feet tall and 20 to 35 feet wide, but there are a number of compact patio forms. It is generally a small understory tree that is often found growing beneath taller trees. Redbuds may tolerate full sun to part shade, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Flower Arranging, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Redbud, Small landscape tree, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Baker’s Dozen Of My Favorite RedbudsStunning Midwinter Fire Dogwood
Posted by Hugh on January 22nd, 2026
‘Midwinter Fire Bloodtwig dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) is a multi-season deciduous shrub that is native to Europe and western Asia. It is an upright, round-topped, spreading, twiggy, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that typically matures to 8-15 feet tall and as wide. It is native to northern Europe and northwestern Asia (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). ‘Midwinter Fire’ is […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Cornus sanguinea, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Erosion control, Fall Garden Interest, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Flowering, Flowering shrub, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Ornamental bark, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Stunning Midwinter Fire DogwoodDaphniphyllum
Posted by Hugh on November 27th, 2025
Daphniphyllum macropodium is a rounded understory broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree native to forested lands in Japan, Korea and China. Daphniphyllum, aka “false daphne”, is recognized for its attractive foliage and unique flowering habit. It stands out for its bold rhododendron-like leaveage. It typically grows to 15-25 feet tall in cultivation; add on 5-10 feet if plant […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Daphniphyllum macrophyllum, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Fall Garden Interest, Flower Arranging, Flowering, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on DaphniphyllumElephant Ears Seasonal Care
Posted by Hugh on October 3rd, 2025
Elephant ears (Colocasia) and close botanical cousin (Alocasia) is also called ornamental taro. Plants take off and grow rapidly after spring planting, once all threats of spring freeze injury have passed. In moderate zones 6-7-like climates, elephant ears are special garden tropicals are stunningly beautiful over 7 months before declining for its long winter dormancy. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Colocasia, Container garden, Elephant ears (Colocasia), Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing, Foliage plant, Landscape ideas, Light requirement, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Elephant Ears Seasonal CareHardy Cyclamen
Posted by Hugh on August 1st, 2025
Hardy cyclamens are tuberous perennial that bloom according to species. They are native to Europe, around the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia and Africa. Two popular hardy species in U.S. gardens are spring-blooming Cyclamen coum and fall-flowering ivy-leaf Cyclamen hederifolium. Leaves remain evergreen through much of the winter season. Non-hardy florist cyclamens (C. persicum) […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Cyclamen, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Ground cover, Hardy cyclamen, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Root rotting, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Hardy CyclamenFirecracker Plant (Cuphea)
Posted by Hugh on July 10th, 2025
Planting Cupheas should set off fireworks in your summer flower garden. Cupheas are dependable, low-maintenance flowers that easily cope with the heat and humidity of the South. They’re exceptionally long blooming, attract bees, wasps, butterflies and hummingbirds like magnets, and are versatile enough for container plantings or in-ground beds. (See list below). Currently, the most […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Cupheas, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Flower Arranging, Ground cover, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Thrips, White flies, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Firecracker Plant (Cuphea)Vincas/Annual Periwinkle Thrive In Hot Summer Gardens
Posted by Hugh on May 26th, 2025
Annual vinca or periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), aka Madagascar vincas, is a summer flowering annual popular in Southern and Midwest gardens (USDA hardiness zones 9-11). Before setting out spring transplants, wait until soils have warmed up and all threats of frost have passed. The arrival of summer heat and humidity is when vincas bloom heaviest. Vincas […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Catharanthus (Vinca), Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowers, Fruits poisonous, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Vincas/Annual Periwinkle Thrive In Hot Summer GardensTall Sedums In Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on April 23rd, 2025
Sedums are clumping, perennial succulents in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) and are mostly native to China and Korea. Depending on variety, plants discussed in this blog are tall-growing mound forms that grow 1 to 2 feet high and wide. Botanical nomenclature has changed and is a bit confusing. Sedum genus, now Hylotelephium, contains many of the […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sedum (Shrub type), Soil drainage, Staking, Stonecrop sedums, Stonecrops (Sedum), Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Tall Sedums In Your GardenOakleaf Hydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on April 11th, 2025
Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is an upright, broad-rounded, suckering, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub. In the wild oakleafs may grow 20 feet tall, but popular landscape cultivars typically grow 4-8 feet) tall. It is a wonderful shrub with multi-season interest. This Southeastern U.S. native shrub tolerates hot, humid weather and is not as winter hardy as some […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compact shrub, Container garden, container shrub, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowering, Hydrangea, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, Large shrub, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia), Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Oakleaf Hydrangeas
