Hybrid distyliums (Distylium myricoides × racemosum) are compact evergreen shrubs for full sun to partial shade USDA hardiness zones 7 to 9. They are heat and drought tolerant, and are not fussy, growing in average soil with subpar drainage. Distyliums are members of the witchhazel family (Hamamelidaceae). Their tiny reddish-maroon flowers appear in late January through March, but offer little ornamental value in the […]
Archive for the ‘Flowers’ Category
Distyliums As Cherry Laurel Or Holly Substitute
Posted by Hugh on February 11th, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Boxwood (Buxus), Cherry Laurel (Prunus), compact shrub, Container growing, container shrub, Disease resistant, Distylium, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Ilex (hollies), Juniper, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Distyliums As Cherry Laurel Or Holly SubstituteColeus Thrive In Summer Heat And Humidity
Posted by Hugh on February 1st, 2016
Coleus (Plectranthus scutellariodes) is a summer annual treasured for its colorful foliage. Plants thrive in summer’s heat and humidity (USDA hardiness zone 11). Coleus is a member of the nettle family Lamiaceae. You can create dazzling beds of color using coleus alone or mixed with flowering annuals. Modern day coleus grow more compact and better branched. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Coleus, Container garden, deadheading, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Foliage plant, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Shade Gardening, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Coleus Thrive In Summer Heat And HumidityList Of Dioecious Trees And Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on January 29th, 2016
Some tree species are dioecious, that is produce single sex flowers (either male and female). Male flowers produce pollen and no fruits. Female flowers bear seeds or fruits. You may purchase male clones to avoid picking up messy seed pods or capsules in the fall. If you are allergic to certain tree pollens, avoid […]
Posted in Autumn Fruiting, Bayberry (Myrica), Cork Tree (Phellodendron), Failure to Bloom, Fringetree (Chionanthus), Ginkgo biloba, Green ash (Fraxinus), Honeylocust (Gleditsia), Ilex (hollies), Juniper, Katsura tree (Cercidophyllum), Kentucky coffeetree, Maples (Acer), Native Plant, Persimmon (Diospyros), Poplar (Populus spp.), Propagation(grafting), Smoketree (Cotinus), Southern Appalachian Region, Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Willows (Salix) Comments Off on List Of Dioecious Trees And ShrubsPetunias For Nearly Every Garden
Posted by Hugh on January 21st, 2016
Petunias (Petunia x hybrida) are top performing summer flowering annuals. There are hundreds of colorful varieties to beautify any flower bed or container garden. Petunias are divided into three basic types: Grandiflora petunias grow 8-12 inches tall and 8-10 inches spread; they start out upright branched and bear large size 4 to 5 inch wide blooms. Ideal for flower […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Container garden, deadheading, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Ground cover, Mowing, Petunias, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Petunias For Nearly Every GardenWatering Tips When Away On Vacation
Posted by Hugh on January 15th, 2016
Summer annuals: Hot July – August weather may demand daily or twice-daily watering for container-grown annuals. A trustworthy neighbor may have to handle these chores. Flowers and vegetables: When there is no rain within a week, water deeply any vegetables that are bearing fruits like tomato, peppers, and squash. Plants will keep producing far into […]
Posted in Astilbe (false spirea), Bermuda, Blackberry Lily (Belamcandra), Bulb Crops, Caladium, Canna lily, Canna lily, Container garden, Crocosmia (Montbretia), Dahlia, Ferns, Ferns, Fruits & Vegetables, Garden Maintenance, Herbs, Interior (house) Plants, Kentucky bluegrass, Lily (Lilium), Pineapple lily (Eucomis), Planting tips, Roses, Tall Fescue, watering tips, Zoysia Comments Off on Watering Tips When Away On VacationFall Anemone 2016 Perennial Plant of The Year
Posted by Hugh on January 3rd, 2016
Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida), popularly called “fall anemone”, are long-lived, fall-flowering perennials for cottage and open woodland gardens. They start to flower in late summer in many parts of the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 7). Several colorful varieties are available. Fall anemones make great additions to cut floral […]
Posted in acidic soil, Anemone, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fall Anemone 2016 Perennial Plant of The YearInvincibelle Spirit Hydrangea Raises Money For The Cure
Posted by Hugh on December 31st, 2015
Since the introduction of the Invincibelle Spirit® hydrangea in 2009, sales from this special plant have raised funds for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF). At the end of 2015, fundraising efforts reached over $900,000 toward its million dollar goal. In addition to donating one dollar for every plant sold, it serves as the heart […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, compact shrub, container shrub, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Hydrangeas, Native Plant, Propagation (Cuttings), Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Invincibelle Spirit Hydrangea Raises Money For The CureCare of Holiday Cactus
Posted by Hugh on December 25th, 2015
Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) and Christmas cactus (S. bridgesii) are popular fall- and winter-flowering houseplants. Flower colors (by variety) include red, purple, lavender, cream, and white. Holiday cacti thrive in hanging baskets. The scalped stems and foliage start out growing vertically and weeks later begin to spill over the edge of the pot. Plants flourish for many years if […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera), Container garden, deadheading, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering house plant, Foliage plant, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, Wind protection, Winter flowering, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Care of Holiday CactusAmerican Holly For Year-round Interest
Posted by Hugh on December 22nd, 2015
American Holly (Ilex opaca) is a pyramidal evergreen tree that deserves to be planted more for multiple reasons. It is native to the eastern and central U. S. and is easily identified by its spiny green leaves (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9). It grows slowly to 15 to 35 feet, sometimes taller. The leathery, deep […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Ilex (hollies), Leaf miner, Mites, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, Wind protection, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on American Holly For Year-round InterestGrowing Calamondin Orange
Posted by Hugh on December 18th, 2015
Calamondin (Citrofortunella mitis) hails from China and is hardy to 20 ºF in temperate regions. It prospers outdoors in Florida, central and southern Texas, and Southern California gardens. Its sweetly fragrant flowers develop into edible ornamental fruits beginning in late fall. Small 1-2 inch diameter orange fruits are highly decorative as an indoor house plant. Calamondin can be […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Bee Favorite, Calamondin Orange, Container garden, Container growing, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Mealy bugs, Mite susceptible, Mites, Ornamental fruit, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Scale, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Growing Calamondin Orange
