Over the past decade, the zonal or bedding class of geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum) have become summer favorites in northern gardens (USDA hardiness zones 3-7). Geraniums thrive in cool weather, but are also widely planted in zones 9-10 gardens where winter temperatures are moderate. Increasing numbers of colorful varieties beautify flower beds and container gardens. Leaves are […]
Archive for the ‘Flowers’ Category
Bedding Geraniums Excel In Cool Weather
Posted by Hugh on March 24th, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Botrytis disease, Container garden, Container growing, deadheading, Disease prone, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Geranium, mulching, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips 
Comments Off on Bedding Geraniums Excel In Cool WeatherCarolina Allspice Sweetshrub
Posted by Hugh on March 22nd, 2016
Carolina allspice sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus), aka strawberry bush, bubby bush, sweet Betsy, et al., is a trouble-free medium size spring flowering shrub. This dense rounded deciduous shrub is native to Eastern North America (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). As its common name hints, flowers emit a sweet fruity fragrance. Intensity of floral fragrance is highly variable […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, container shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Green Privacy Screen, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Sweetshrub (Calycanthus), Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Carolina Allspice SweetshrubNew Cannova® Cannas Worth A Try
Posted by Hugh on March 18th, 2016
Cannova® Cannas (Canna x generalis) are one of a new series of seed produced hybrid cannas. In addition to profuse flowering, they’re highly rated for their compact bushy plant habit and ability to form multiple shoots. They bloom earlier and continue nonstop through summer up to first frost. Their bold, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Botrytis disease, Canna lily, Canna lily, compost, Container garden, Container growing, deadheading, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Mites, Perennials, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Thrips, Virus diseases, Water Gardens, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on New Cannova® Cannas Worth A TryFothergillas Are Topnotch
Posted by Hugh on March 17th, 2016
In the Eastern U.S. two species, dwarf fothergilla (F. gardenii) and large fothergilla (Fothergilla major), are native. They are also labeled “witch alder”. Both species appear almost identical, except for flower and leaf size, and overall shrub size. Large fothergilla is indigenous to the mountain and Piedmont Regions […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, compact shrub, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowering, Fothergilla, Fragrant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fothergillas Are TopnotchThree Easy Care Native Woody Plants
Posted by Hugh on March 15th, 2016
Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is a nearly perfect small native tree for either a full or part sun site. Decorative 5 to 9 inches long reddish flower candles form on tips of branches in late April and May (USDA hardiness zones 6 – 8). Hummingbirds will seek out the […]
Posted in Azalea (deciduous), compact shrub, compact tree, Fertilizing plants, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Plumleaf azalea, Pruning, Rhododendrons, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Virginia sweetspire Comments Off on Three Easy Care Native Woody PlantsPatio Peach Blooms In Early Spring
Posted by Hugh on March 12th, 2016
For small garden spaces patio peach (Prunus persica) is a gem. This miniature tree bears long narrow lush green (or reddish) foliage. Site selection is crucial to ward off potential disease and insect problems. Patio peach is a genetic dwarf and may be grown in a large container on your deck or patio. Tree height averages 6-8 feet tall […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Bacterial diseases, Bee Favorite, Disease prone, Fertilizing plants, Flowering peach (Prunus), Fragrant, Insect (Pest) Problems, Mites, Peach, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Rabbit/deer Protection, Scale, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Patio Peach Blooms In Early SpringSlow Release Fertilizers Save Money
Posted by Hugh on March 3rd, 2016
On garden center shelves in the spring are slow-release fertilizers. Trade names include Scotts®, Osmocote®, Fertilome®, Hi-Yield®, and Vigoro®. Many are formulated for lawn use. Cost for these products are more than traditional granular fertilizers but prices have dropped over the years and they are better to use environmentally. How do you compare and […]
Posted in Bulb Crops, Fertilizing plants, Garden Maintenance, Gladiolus, Lily (Lilium), plant nutrition, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant Comments Off on Slow Release Fertilizers Save MoneyAttracting Monarchs To Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on February 21st, 2016
From Canada to Mexico, gardeners are being recruited to halt the decline of the Monarch butterfly populations across North America. One way you can help is to fill your garden with Monarch’s favorite flowering nectar plants and milkweeds (Asclepias spp.). Plants should be sited in open full sun and […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aster, Attracting Butterflies, Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Blazing star (Liatris), Buddleia (Butterfly bush), Butterflies, Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Caterpillars, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Eupatorium 'Gateway', Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', Heat Tolerance, Ironweed (Vernonia), Lantana, Marigold, Mexican sunflower (Tithonia), Native Plant, Pentas (Egyptian star flower), Perennials, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Salvia, Sedum (Groundcover types), Southern Appalachian Region, Star zinnia, Stonecrop sedums, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness, Zinnia Comments Off on Attracting Monarchs To Your GardenLittle Girl Hybrid Magnolias
Posted by Hugh on February 18th, 2016
Star (Magnolia stellata) and tulip (M. soulangeana) magnolias are early flowering magnolias. Early spring frosts destroy open flowers. In the mid-1980’s the U.S. National Arboretum released 8 shrub-type cultivars as a series called the “Little Girl Magnolias”. They are hybrid crosses between M. liliiflora and M. stellata. Four cultivars- […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Magnolia liliiflora, Magnolia stellata, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (layering), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Little Girl Hybrid MagnoliasChanging Bigleaf Hydrangea Flower Color
Posted by Hugh on February 14th, 2016
Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), aka “hortensia” hydrangeas, bear pink flowers in low acidic and alkaline soil and blue flowers in mildly acidic soil. Some tips about regulating soil pH and flower color in bigleaf hydrangeas follows. First, a short review about soil pH. Soil pH measures soil […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, alkaline soil, Bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla), Container growing, container shrub, Fertilizing plants, Hydrangeas, mulching, plant nutrition, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Changing Bigleaf Hydrangea Flower Color
