Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), aka lily of the valley tree, is one of the most beautiful U.S. native flowering trees (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). However, attempting to establish one in your landscape may prove challenging. The tree grows in sparse populations from eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, and Georgia Piedmont. It grows naturally to 20-30 feet […]
Archive for the ‘Flowers’ Category
Challenging Sourwood Worth A Try
Posted by Hugh on February 25th, 2014
Posted in Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Fragrant, Medium sized Tree, Native Plant, Planting tips, Sourwood (Oxydendrum), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Challenging Sourwood Worth A TryTips On Growing Sourwood Trees
Posted by Hugh on February 22nd, 2014
Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is one of the most beautiful flowering trees in the U.S. Trying to establish one in your landscape can prove quite challenging. In the wild sourwood grows in shallow soils on steep craggy or rocky ground. Dry ground seems to be the rule. It grows either multi-stemmed (shrub-like) to 20-30 feet or […]
Posted in acidic soil, Fertilizing plants, Medium sized Tree, Native Plant, Sourwood (Oxydendrum), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Tips On Growing Sourwood TreesPrune to Rejuvenate Old Foundation Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on February 18th, 2014
Eventually, old foundation shrubs around your home grow too tall and spindly and need to be started over. Rather than digging them up, most deciduous and a few broadleaf shrubs respond to rejuvenation pruning. Sorry, evergreen conifers do not respond to this form of pruning. Get started with a sharp pair of pruning loppers or tree […]
Posted in acidic soil, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Nandina, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Prune to Rejuvenate Old Foundation ShrubsGive Edgeworthia A Try In Your Winter Garden
Posted by Hugh on February 16th, 2014
To begin, I must thank South Carolina nurseryman, Mr. Ted Stephens, who gifted me a Chinese paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha) 12 years ago. Most plant authorities rate its winter hardiness to USDA zones 7 and 8, but no one told this to my edgeworthia in zone 6-b. People who see it blooming in my early March […]
Posted in acidic soil, compact shrub, compost, Disease resistant, Edgeworthia, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Give Edgeworthia A Try In Your Winter GardenHepaticas Bloom In The Early Spring Garden
Posted by Hugh on February 12th, 2014
Hepatica (Hepatica spp), from the Latin word “Hepaticus” meaning liver, is sometimes cataloged as “Liverleaf” or “Liverwort” (USDA hardiness zones 4 – 9). It is one of the first spring wildflowers to bloom (March-April). H. americana, native to the eastern U.S. and Canada, bear showy white flowers that are sometimes tinged pink or blue. H. […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Disease resistant, Hepatica, Native Plant, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Wildflowers, winter hardiness Comments Off on Hepaticas Bloom In The Early Spring Garden2014 Plant Winners Announced
Posted by Hugh on February 8th, 2014
At the start of each year the Motion Picture Industry awards their Golden Globes and Oscars. The Music Industry has the Grammys. Gardening associations also announce the award-winning plants. The National Garden Bureau (NGB) has declared 2014 Year of the Echinacea (coneflower) in the perennial category. NGB declared the mighty cucumber as Vegetable of The […]
Posted in Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Cucumbers, Daylilies, Hosta, Iris (Tall bearded), Ivy (Hedera), Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Petunias, Switchgrass (Panicum) Comments Off on 2014 Plant Winners AnnouncedNativars – New Cultivars Of Native Plants
Posted by Hugh on January 20th, 2014
Nativar is a new term coined by Dr. Allan Armitage, Professor Emeritus from the University of Georgia. It combines the words “native” and “cultivar”. Nativar refers to a cultivar of a native plant. It attempts to excite the horticultural marketplace about new cultivars of native perennial plants, such as blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.), purple coneflower […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Flowers, Native Plant, Perennials, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (layering), Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, winter hardiness Comments Off on Nativars – New Cultivars Of Native PlantsAre Your African Violets Looking OK?
Posted by Hugh on January 14th, 2014
African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are easy to grow flowering house plants. Modern day varieties sold at supermarkets and plant shops often bloom 8-9 months a year. Lighting needs are minimal, either from indirect sunlight from an east-facing window or under special “grow lights” 12 hours daily. African violets prefer water at room temperature (65-75 °F). […]
Posted in African violet (Saintpaulia), Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Insect (Pest) Problems, Interior (house) Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips Comments Off on Are Your African Violets Looking OK?Past Winners of the Perennial Plant of The Year Award
Posted by Hugh on January 1st, 2014
Each year PPA members choose a Perennial Plant of the Year™. Since 1990 24 great plants have been selected. Some of the selection criteria include: • Suitable to a wide range of climatic conditions • Low Maintenance • Pest and disease resistant • Availability at garden centers • Multiple seasons of color (beauty) The list […]
Posted in Astilbe (false spirea), Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Brunnera 'Jack Frost', Calamagrostis, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Coreopsis, Cranesbill (Geranium), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Heuchera (coralbells), Perennials, Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer phlox (P. paniculata) Comments Off on Past Winners of the Perennial Plant of The Year Award2014 Perennial Plant Of the Year: ‘Northwind’ Switchgrass
Posted by Hugh on December 29th, 2013
Northwind switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’) is a 4 to 5 feet tall native prairie grass (USDA hardiness zones 4–9). There are many fine switchgrass varieties, but its Northwind’s vertical form and steel blue foliage that makes it a standout. Northwind switchgrass has been selected the 2014 Perennial Plant of the Year. By mid-summer its lacy soft pinkish […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Sand Dune Protection, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Switchgrass (Panicum), watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on 2014 Perennial Plant Of the Year: ‘Northwind’ Switchgrass
