Esperanza or Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans) is a 6 foot tall perennial shrub that grows in South Texas and Mexico (USDA zones 8-10). Esperanza means “hope” and it is destine to become a popular flowering annual in more U.S. Southeastern gardens. It demands a well drained soil […]
Archive for the ‘Spring flowering’ Category
Something New to Grow – Esperanza, Yellow Bells
Posted by Hugh on March 22nd, 2013
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Esperanza (Tecoma), Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Planting tips, Repotting plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips 
Comments Off on Something New to Grow – Esperanza, Yellow BellsFall Color Calendar For Red Maple
Posted by Hugh on March 20th, 2013
Red maple (Acer rubrum) is commonly planted as a 40-60 feet tall street or shade tree (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Tiny red flowers burst open early, often in early March throughout the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). Flowers give way to reddish double winged samaras. Its glossy dark green 3-5 lobed […]
Posted in acidic soil, Heat Tolerance, Large Shade trees, Maples (Acer), Native Plant, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fall Color Calendar For Red MapleLittle Girl Magnolias Avoid Early Spring Frosts
Posted by Hugh on March 17th, 2013
The early flowering deciduous magnolias, namely star (Magnolia stellata) and tulip (M. soulangeana) magnolias, are often susceptible to late winter-early spring frosts. In the 1980’s the U.S. National Arboretum released the series of 8 shrub-type cultivars called the “Little Girl Magnolias”. They were crosses between M. liliiflora and M. stellata. Over ten years these deciduous […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Garden Maintenance, Magnolia liliiflora, Magnolia stellata, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (layering), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Little Girl Magnolias Avoid Early Spring FrostsVirginia Bluebells – An Early Spring Wildflower
Posted by Hugh on March 15th, 2013
In early spring Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) is an ephemeral woodland wildflower. In early April their lovely presence is to be enjoyed for a short 8-10 week period. Clusters of pinkish-blue nodding buds burst forth into soft pastel blue flowers. Gradually, the bell -shaped flowers age to pale pink hues. The lovely blue flowers are […]
Posted in acidic soil, Butterflies, Hummingbird, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Virginia bluebell (Mertensia), watering tips Comments Off on Virginia Bluebells – An Early Spring WildflowerEarly Blooming Cornelian Cherry In The March Garden
Posted by Hugh on March 9th, 2013
Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) is a multi-stemmed, low-branched dogwood tree or shrub. It typically grows 20-25 feet tall and slightly less in overall width (USDA hardiness zones 4-7). Tiny, golden yellow flowers appear in late winter, around March 1st in my east Tennessee garden, and remain in bloom through most of the month despite cold […]
Posted in Attracting birds, compact tree, Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Ornamental fruit, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Early Blooming Cornelian Cherry In The March GardenEpimediums Excel As Dry Shade Groundcovers
Posted by Hugh on March 7th, 2013
Epimediums, aka barrenwort or fairy wings, are slow-growing groundcovers which are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. Foliage varies by species, variety, and the season of the year. Most are deciduous, but some evergreen in the Southern Appalachian region (zones 6 and 7). The leaves of some may be chartreuse in spring, green in summer, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Barrenwort (Epimedium), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Hummingbird, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Epimediums Excel As Dry Shade Groundcovers‘White Shield’ – New Thornless Osage Orange
Posted by Hugh on February 26th, 2013
Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) has been declawed and neutered. Also called Bois D’Arc (pronounced “bow-dark”) by native Americans, this tough native prairie tree species (USDA Zones 5-8) produces large 4-6 inch diameter yellowish green fruits (“hedge apples”) which may weigh 2 to 3 pounds. They fall from the tree in October to create a maintenance […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Osage Orange (Maclura), Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark Comments Off on ‘White Shield’ – New Thornless Osage OrangeMore Winter Hardy Encore Azaleas Now Available
Posted by Hugh on February 21st, 2013
For spring 2013, 22 of 32 Encore™ Azalea varieties are cold hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). Thirteen (13) varieties are reliably cold hardy throughout Zone 6-a&b. They are: Autumn Amethyst, Autumn Carnation, Autumn Cheer, Autumn Jewel , Autumn Lilac, Autumn Lily, Autumn Royalty, Autumn Ruby, Autumn Sangria, Autumn […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Autumn flowering, Azaleas (evergreen), Evergreen, Flowers, mulching, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on More Winter Hardy Encore Azaleas Now AvailableLungworts- Perfect Shade Companion With Hostas
Posted by Hugh on February 18th, 2013
The lungworts (Pulmonaria spp.) are very popular in shade gardens with hostas, astilbes, Solomon seals, and ferns (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Their green or silver-colored foliage may be dusted with green, silver or white spots. Lungworts are divided into two distinct foliage forms: narrow long-leaf (P. longifolia) and silvery or speckled oval leaves (P. saccharata). […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Downy mildew, Flowers, Ground cover, Hummingbird, mulching, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Pulmonaria, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Lungworts- Perfect Shade Companion With HostasGrowing Pear Trees Too Challenging For Southeast Gardeners?
Posted by Hugh on February 15th, 2013
For many reasons growing pears in the Southeastern U.S. is very challenging. First, European (Pyrus communis) and Asian (P. pyrifera) pears are susceptible to fireblight (Erwinia amylovora). This bacterial disease is very difficult to manage. Two of the leading European pear varieties, ‘Bartlett’ and ‘Bosc’, are highly susceptible to fireblight. Varieties found to be fire […]
Posted in acidic soil, Biennial bearing, Disease prone, Failure to Bloom, Fruits & Vegetables, Harvest Time, Pear (Pyrus spp.), Planting tips, Pollination needs, Pruning, Root suckering, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering Comments Off on Growing Pear Trees Too Challenging For Southeast Gardeners?
