Here come the heucherellas (x Heucherella), also called “foamy bells”. Heucherellas are hybrids that result from crossing two U.S. native genera: foamflower (Tiarella spp.) and coral bell (Heuchera spp.). Terra Nova Nurseries, a wholesale grower in Oregon, were the first to develop these hybrids. They possess the awesome foliage from both species parents. One […]
Archive for the ‘Flowers’ Category
Spice Up Dark Garden Spots With Heucherellas
Posted by Hugh on July 10th, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Heucherella (foamy bells), mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Spice Up Dark Garden Spots With HeucherellasDreaded Japanese Beetles Are Back
Posted by Hugh on July 4th, 2016
In many areas of the Eastern U.S. Japanese beetles (JB) devastate the foliage, fruits and flowers of more than 300 plant species, particularly those in the rose family (Rosaceae). Adult beetles are approximately 3/8 inches in length with a dark metallic green head and metallic dark tan wings. In the soil JB grubs appear “C” […]
Posted in Hibiscus moscheutos, Insect (Pest) Problems, Japanese beetle, Japanese beetles, Lawn Care, Linden (Tilia), Pesticide Recommendations, Pesticide recommendations, Rose insects, Roses, shrub roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Strawberries, Uncategorized Comments Off on Dreaded Japanese Beetles Are Back‘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 GardensNandinas Are Never Old-fashioned
Posted by Hugh on June 25th, 2016
Aka “heavenly bamboo”, nandinas (Nandina domestica) are broadleaf evergreen shrubs with several landscape attributes that include white spring flowers, color changing leathery foliage, and enormous clusters of colorful berry fruits in fall and winter (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). This member of the Barberry family (Berberidaceae) is native to Japan, China […]
Posted in compact shrub, container shrub, Evergreen, Fruits poisonous, Nandina, Ornamental fruit, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Nandinas Are Never Old-fashionedButterfly Weed – Long-lived Flowering Perennial That Nourish Monarchs
Posted by Hugh on June 21st, 2016
Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), aka butterfly weed, is a tuberous rooted perennial native in the Eastern and southern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9). It grows in dry/rocky open woodlands, prairies, farm fields, and along roadsides. Individual plants typically grow as a clump to 1- 3 feet high and 1 ½ feet wide. Unlike many of […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Milkweeds (Asclepias), Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (Seed), root injury, Rust diseases, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on Butterfly Weed – Long-lived Flowering Perennial That Nourish MonarchsCelebrate National Pollinator Week
Posted by Hugh on June 19th, 2016
June 20 – 26 is National Pollinator Week. National Pollinator Week is a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what you can do to protect them. Nine years ago the U.S. Senate unanimous approved and designated a week in June as “National Pollinator Week”. National Pollinator Week is […]
Posted in Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Garden ecology, Ground nesting bees, Native Plant, Planting tips, Pollination needs, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Uncategorized, Wildlife attractant Comments Off on Celebrate National Pollinator WeekMedical 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 GardeningButtonbush Offers Year-round Interest
Posted by Hugh on June 13th, 2016
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), aka Button-willow or Honey Bells, is a medium to large native shrub with many fine landscape attributes. This unique flowering shrub is a favorite in attracting beneficial wildlife. It populates bogs, swamps and pond areas, as well as dry limestone bluffs in the eastern U.S. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Buttonbush (Cephalanthus), Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Flowering, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Buttonbush Offers Year-round InterestJapanese Snowbells Worth A Try
Posted by Hugh on June 10th, 2016
Japanese snowbells (Styrax japonicus) is a graceful, slow growing, low branched spring flowering tree. At present snowbells are not popular with U.S. gardeners , mostly because of unavailabliity (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Snowbells are lovely understory trees, similar to our native dogwoods (Cornus florida). Small, pendulous, slightly fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers appear in May. Small white […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compact tree, Fertilizing plants, Firewood, mulching, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Styrax, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness, winter injury Comments Off on Japanese Snowbells Worth A TryThree Native Landscape Grasses To Try
Posted by Hugh on June 7th, 2016
These three native grasses are easy to establish in average, dry to medium moist, well-drained soils and in full sun. They tolerate a wide range of soils including dry rocky sites, and are exceptionally drought tolerant. Figure on 1 to 2 years for each to become fully established. Blue Lyme Grass (Leymus arenarus ‘Blue Dune’) is a vigorous spreading cool […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Blue Lyme grass (Leymus), Cold tolerance, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella), Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Sand Dune Protection, Soil Conservation, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Three Native Landscape Grasses To Try
