Combine two popular garden trends: climbing vines and vertical gardening. Vines may grow on a trellis or allow them to weave through an existing shrub or tree. In a small garden this can be a space saver. In the world of clematis, the cultivar Rooguchi, aka Roguchi, (Clematis integrifolia x C. reticulata) has become increasingly […]
Archive for the ‘Flowers’ Category
Rooguchi Clematis: Let It Ramble
Posted by Hugh on May 12th, 2014
Posted in Clematis 'Rooguchi', Heat Tolerance, mulching, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer flowering, watering tips 
Comments Off on Rooguchi Clematis: Let It RambleRoseshell Azalea Thrives In Cool Mountain Woodlands
Posted by Hugh on May 9th, 2014
Roseshell azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum, formerly R. roseum) is native from New England, a number of Midwestern states, south to Texas. In its natural habitat it is commonly grows on wooded, north-facing slopes, shaded ravines, or nearby a cool mountain stream. The plants are not stoloniferous. Roseshell azalea grows best in organically rich, acidic, well-drained, and […]
Posted in acidic soil, Azalea (deciduous), compost, mulching, Native Plant, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Roseshell Azalea Thrives In Cool Mountain WoodlandsEnjoy Moonvine In The Evening Garden
Posted by Hugh on May 5th, 2014
Moonvine (Ipomoea alba)is a fast growing tropical vine. Its dark green heart shaped leaves stay clean and pest-free the entire growing season. Pure white 6-inch wide flowers open non-stop from early summer until frost. Each showy white flower lasts one day, opening in late afternoon and withering late the following morning. Plants may be purchased […]
Posted in Butterflies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Moonvine (Ipomea), Planting tips, Poisonous plant, Propagation (Seed), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Vine Comments Off on Enjoy Moonvine In The Evening GardenBlackberry Lily Is Easy Summer Perennial
Posted by Hugh on May 3rd, 2014
Blackberry Lily (Belamcanda chinensis) is a summer flowering perennial native to China and Japan (USDA hardiness zones 5 -10). Don’t be fooled by its name. It is not a “lily” as it belongs to the Iris family. The iris sword-like leafy stalks stand 2 to 3 feet high. Blackberry lily blooms in early to mid-summer […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Blackberry Lily (Belamcandra), Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Ornamental fruit, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Blackberry Lily Is Easy Summer PerennialIce Plant – A Cool Plant For Dry Sunny Spots
Posted by Hugh on May 1st, 2014
From the extreme heat and dry climates of east and Southern Africa come the hardy ice plants (Delosperma spp.). There are two popular species, Purple ice plant (D. cooperi) and Orange-yellow iceplant (D. nubigenium), plus hybrid cultivars galore. Ice plants are dependable zone 6 winter hardy succulents. They’re excellent candidates for roof top and rock […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Ice Plant (Delosperma), Perennials, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Ice Plant – A Cool Plant For Dry Sunny Spots‘Summer Gold’ Kousa Dogwood
Posted by Hugh on April 27th, 2014
Get ready to alter your mindset with ‘Summer Gold’ Chinese (kousa) dogwood (Cornus kousa) (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Its diminutive size, 8 to 10 feet high and 4 to 5 feet wide, makes it a great fit for a small city garden. Branching is distinctly upright, which partially accounts for its narrow space needs. ‘Summer […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Chinese (kousa) dogwood, compact tree, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Ornamental fruit, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Summer Gold’ Kousa DogwoodDon’t Shy Away From Annual Vincas (Periwinkles)
Posted by Hugh on April 23rd, 2014
Annual vinca or periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is a summer flowering annual popular in Southern and Midwest gardens (USDA hardiness zones 9-11). When summer’s heat and humidity soars, vincas look their best and bloom the heaviest. Vincas sparkle in containers, in flower beds, or in front borders around building foundations. Transplants are set out in mid-spring […]
Posted in acidic soil, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Periwinkle (annual vinca), plant nutrition, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Don’t Shy Away From Annual Vincas (Periwinkles)Growing Sunflowers Fun Family Activity
Posted by Hugh on April 20th, 2014
Growing sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are the current rage. Sunflowers are native to Central America and have been cultivated for thousands of years. Sunflowers are classified as annuals, living one growing season, and often returning the following spring from seeds dropped the previous fall. Some gardeners put out large beds to feed the birds. Sunflowers come […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowers, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Sunflowers, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing Sunflowers Fun Family Activity‘Miss Kim’ Lilac Tackles Southeast U.S. Heat and Humidity
Posted by Hugh on April 17th, 2014
When northerners move south, they insist on growing lilacs (Syringa spp.). Southern U.S. heat and humidity often take their toll on these lovely fragrant and colorful spring flowering shrubs (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). One very popular and exceptionally reliable lilac is ‘Miss Kim’ lilac (S. pubescens ssp. patula ‘Miss Kim’). A cultivar of Manchurian lilac, […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fragrant, Hummingbird, Lilac (Syringa), Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on ‘Miss Kim’ Lilac Tackles Southeast U.S. Heat and HumidityMighty Rodgersias For Your Shade Garden
Posted by Hugh on April 14th, 2014
In a shade garden the large palmately compound foliage of rodgersias (Rodgersia spp.) make a bold statement (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). In recent years rodgersias are becoming more available at garden centers in the U.S. Three of five species are listed below. Hybrid forms are also available. Rodgersias thrive in moist, organically rich soils. They […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Rodgersia, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Mighty Rodgersias For Your Shade Garden
