Botrytis Disease in Marigolds Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) have been long time favorite summer annuals in Southern Appalachian gardens (USDA zones 6 and 7). Marigolds come in three sizes: 18-36 inch tall “African” marigolds, 12-18 inch medians and 8 -12 inch “French” border types and in two color choices- orange and yellow. Begin planting in April or May after […]
Archive for the ‘Spring flowering’ Category
Botrytis Disease in Marigolds Can Be Avoided
Posted by Hugh on April 10th, 2012
Posted in Disease prone, Drought tolerant, Flowers, Garden Problems, Heat Tolerance, Marigold, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips 
Comments Off on Botrytis Disease in Marigolds Can Be AvoidedBloomerang™ Lilac For Non-Stop Flowering
Posted by Hugh on April 8th, 2012
In most Northeast and Midwestern states, lilacs (Syringa spp.) are the classic spring-flowering shrub, treasured for their beautiful and fragrant flowers. Lilacs are vigorously growing shrubs and are utilized in the landscape as single specimens or as multiple hedging shrubs for privacy. Further south, in the warmer Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, deadheading, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Lilac (Syringa), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant Comments Off on Bloomerang™ Lilac For Non-Stop FloweringRe-blooming Iris For Twice (and More) Flowering
Posted by Hugh on April 6th, 2012
Gardeners who desire more flowering from garden iris (Iris spp.) should be planting re-blooming types. Some cultivars may re-bloom up to three times in one growing season. The re-blooming trait is found both in bearded and beardless irises (I. germanica). Re-bloomers need to be well established for one year, sometimes two, to bloom multi-seasonly. Some […]
Posted in Autumn flowering, compost, Fertilizing plants, Iris, Iris (Tall bearded), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, watering iris Comments Off on Re-blooming Iris For Twice (and More) FloweringComplete Care of Tall Bearded Iris
Posted by Hugh on April 4th, 2012
Most gardeners plant tall bearded iris from late August through October to insure good root development before winter sets in. Spring planting is another option as iris may be purchased in containers. Bare root rhizomes need to soak overnight in water before planting. Bearded irises prefer a sunny location and a slightly acidic well-drained soil. […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, deadheading, Disease prone, Garden Maintenance, Iris (Tall bearded), Mite susceptible, mulching, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, watering iris, winter hardiness Comments Off on Complete Care of Tall Bearded IrisPiedmont Azalea
Posted by Hugh on March 30th, 2012
Piedmont Azalea (R. canescens) at Callaway Gardens Early flowering Piedmont azalea (Rhododendron canescens) is one of the most common native deciduous azaleas in the southeastern U.S. It is frequently confused for pinxterbloom azalea (R. periclymenoides) which blooms 3-4 weeks later. Piedmont azalea is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9. Piedmont azalea reaches a mature height between […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Azalea (deciduous), Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compost, Insect (Pest) Problems, mulching, Native Plant, Piedmont azalea, Pruning, Root suckering, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Piedmont AzaleaEvergreen Kousa Dogwood? – Depends on Where You Garden
Posted by Hugh on March 28th, 2012
Chinese (kousa) dogwood (Cornus kousa) is a small spring flowering dogwood. Kousa blooms about 2 – 3 weeks after our native flowering dogwood (C. florida) has finished. Lustrous dark green leaves begin to emerge a week or two before the lovely pointed 3- inch white bracted flowers. Fall leaf color is purplish red and not quite as vibrant […]
Posted in Chinese (kousa) dogwood, Disease resistant, Evergreens, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Evergreen Kousa Dogwood? – Depends on Where You GardenContorted Filbert Offers Great Fall And Winter Interest
Posted by Hugh on March 23rd, 2012
Contorted filbert (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’), aka Harry Lauder’s walking stick, is an 8-10 foot tall shrub. It grows in average well-drained acidic or mildly alkaline soil and thrives either in full or partial (6 hours) sunlight. Contorted filbert is usually sold in a grafted form. It is also called corkscrew hazelnut because most branches, twigs and leaves display […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Contorted filbert (Corylus), Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Root suckering, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Weeping habit Comments Off on Contorted Filbert Offers Great Fall And Winter InterestEvaluating The Weeping Redbuds
Posted by Hugh on March 21st, 2012
There are so many fine redbuds (Cercis spp.) which are hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7) and elsewhere. Through research and breeding efforts at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC, Southeast U.S. gardeners can grow several more cultivars of our native Eastern redbud (C. canadensis and subspecies texensis) and […]
Posted in acidic soil, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Redbud, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, Weeping habit, winter hardiness Comments Off on Evaluating The Weeping RedbudsProtect Fruit Trees and Bee Population
Posted by Hugh on March 19th, 2012
Cedar rust infection spot Warm weather in early spring means scab, cedar apple rust and powdery mildew diseases are upon the new leaves as they start to emerge. Preventative spraying for leaf diseases will result in management of additional fungi diseases through the growing season. Fungicides are protectants and not cure-alls. A light rain shower (as […]
Posted in apple orchard, Apple tree, apple varieties, Disease prone, Disease resistant, Fruits & Vegetables, Insect (Pest) Problems, Pear (Pyrus spp.), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Uncategorized Comments Off on Protect Fruit Trees and Bee PopulationEfforts To Solve Japanese Barberry Invasive Problem
Posted by Hugh on March 11th, 2012
Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is a very popular landscape shrub. Japanese barberry is indigenous to Eastern Europe and Asia and is commonly planted in USDA hardiness zones 4-8. There is justified concern over the invasive nature of Japanese barberry. A number of states have declared most barberry species (Berberis spp.) to be invasive and have […]
Posted in acidic soil, Barberry (Berberis), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Invasive plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Efforts To Solve Japanese Barberry Invasive Problem
