Northern catalpa or Indian cigar tree (Catalpa speciosa) has enormous presence in any landscape setting (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Finding a 70 – 80 foot tree with a massive trunk and thick sinuous limbs is not unusual from Ohio south thru Tennessee. In summer its huge heart –shaped, pale green leaves may be easily reach […]
Archive for the ‘Flowers’ Category
Catalpa Both Loved And Hated
Posted by Hugh on June 8th, 2010
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Catalpa Both Loved And HatedDreaded Rose Rosette Disease
Posted by Hugh on May 24th, 2010
No rose is resistant to this deadly virus disease. Symptoms of rose rosette disease (photo) vary greatly from the species or cultivar planted. Leaves may be small, distorted, and exhibit a conspicuous red pigmentation. Diseased canes may also be noticeably thicker than others around them, and/or may grow in a spiral pattern. Multi-flora roses, a […]
Posted in multi-flora rose, rose rosette disease, rose virus Comments Off on Dreaded Rose Rosette DiseaseNo-Spray Shrub Roses
Posted by Hugh on May 17th, 2010
Photo: Carefree Sunshine Rose at UT Gardens in Knoxville, TNOver the past decade the Knockout®, Carefree® and Home Run® series of shrub roses have altered the appearance of residential and commercial properties. From 2006 -08, no-spray rose trial was conducted at two University of Tennessee Research and Education Centers in Jackson and Crossville, TN and […]
Best of the Climbing Roses So Far– ‘White Dawn’
Posted by Hugh on May 15th, 2010
Since its introduction in the rose world over 60 years ago, ‘White Dawn’ has proven to be a top garden performer among climbing roses. The dark green, glossy foliage is very blackspot disease resistant. This very vigorous climber (hardiness zone 5 – 9) grows to 12 to 20 feet. Pure white double flowers are medium-sized […]
Posted in climbing roses, pruning climbing roses Comments Off on Best of the Climbing Roses So Far– ‘White Dawn’Growing Blueberries
Posted by Hugh on May 5th, 2010
Both the highbush and rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) are hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (zone 6-b to 7-a). A hot summer is a nemesis for highbush and an extremely cold winter limits where you can grow rabbiteye within zone 6-b. Blueberry bushes grow 8-15-feet tall, requiring annual pruning. Its dark green foliage turns brilliant […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Bees and other pollinators, Blueberries, Container garden, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering Comments Off on Growing BlueberriesTry ‘Fireworks’ Gomphrena in Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on April 16th, 2010
‘Fireworks’ gomphrena was a sensation in the University of Tennessee Gardens at both the Knoxville and Jackson locations in 2009. Gomphrena (globe amaranth) is a great summer annual that asks for very little care. It is heat, humidity and drought tolerant. Gomphrena hold up to the wind, blooming from day of planting in May (after […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowers, Globe amaranth (Gomphrena), Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Try ‘Fireworks’ Gomphrena in Your GardenLo and Behold ‘Blue Chip’ Buddleia Is Late Summer Gem
Posted by Hugh on March 21st, 2010
photo taken at JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC in June 2009 Lo & Behold® ‘Blue Chip’ is a very dwarf butterfly bush (buddleia) for the summer garden. Its compact 3 x 4 foot height and width is an excellent choice planted in a garden bed or in a container on a sunny patio deck or patio. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Buddleia (Butterfly bush), Butterflies, compact shrub, Container growing, container shrub, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Lo and Behold ‘Blue Chip’ Buddleia Is Late Summer GemBest of Perennial Veronicas for Gardens
Posted by Hugh on March 17th, 2010
Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG) has published the results of a 10-year study of speedwells (Veronica and Veronicastrum) in its 33rd issue of Plant Evaluation Notes, “A Comparative Study of Veronica and Veronicastrum“. Seven speedwells received good-excellent ratings for their overall performance, including Veronica ‘Fairytale’, V. ‘Giles Van Hees’, V. austriaca ‘Ionian Skies’, V. longifolia ‘Blue […]
Posted in acidic soil, Fertilizing plants, Perennials, Propagation (Cuttings), Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Veronica (speedwells), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Best of Perennial Veronicas for GardensU.S. Native Viburnums And Viburnum Beetle Susceptibility
Posted by Hugh on February 16th, 2010
photo -Arrowwood viburnum in late summer A trip to Carolina Native Plants Nursery in Burnsville, NC gave me this idea to list those viburnums which are U.S. natives (USDA Hardiness zones 6 and 7). All are worthy for planting in your landscape in full sun except where noted. All attract birds and other wildlife to […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Insect (Pest) Problems, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Pesticide recommendations, Privacy Screen, Rabbit/deer Protection, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Viburnum beetles, Viburnums Comments Off on U.S. Native Viburnums And Viburnum Beetle SusceptibilityBig Begonias
Posted by Hugh on January 4th, 2010
The Benary ‘Big Begonia’ series are a hit, “begonias on steroids”, some gardeners may say. Individual flowers are twice that of other bedding begonias. Colors are vivid with three cultivars currently available . ‘Big Rose Bronze Leaf’ is my personal favorite. (pictured) Begonias grow best in well drained, humus-rich garden soil. Provide tender -loving care […]
Posted in Begonia, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowers, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Big Begonias
