Peaches grow in other places besides Georgia, USA. A decade long period of mild winters in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7) have increased gardener confidence about growing peaches. Peaches (Prunus persica) tend to flower in early spring when the threat of spring frosts is still high. In many years spring frost may kill 80% of […]
Archive for the ‘Spring flowering’ Category
Key Points Whether To Grow Peaches
Posted by Hugh on February 6th, 2012
Posted in Dwarf rootstocks, Fruits & Vegetables, Peach, Planting tips, Pollination needs, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Key Points Whether To Grow PeachesTree and Berry Fruit Pollination Chart
Posted by Hugh on February 3rd, 2012
A frequent question of newbie fruit gardeners is what will pollinate what. Do I need many varieties or can all be the same variety? The four common terms are used: Self-pollinated: transfer of pollen occurs within the same variety. Cross-pollinated: transfer of pollen occurs between two varieties. Self-unfruitful: low fruit set unless the blossoms […]
Posted in apple orchard, Apple tree, Bee Favorite, Blueberries, Elderberry (Sambucus), Flowering, Fruits & Vegetables, Grapes, Peach, Pear (Pyrus spp.), Plum, Pollination needs, Raspberries, Spring flowering, Strawberries, Uncategorized Comments Off on Tree and Berry Fruit Pollination Chart‘Little King’ Birch For Small Gardens
Posted by Hugh on January 12th, 2012
Little King, aka Fox Valley™, (Betula nigra ‘Little King’) is a 10-12 foot tall shrubby river birch, which fits into small landscapes. Simple minimal pruning can shape it into a lovely small tree. Little King possesses the desirable traits of large river birches, including an oft-white exfoliating bark. River birch exhibits good heat tolerance in the Southeastern U.S. (USDA zones 4-8) and has […]
Posted in acidic soil, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Purchasing Plants, river birch, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on ‘Little King’ Birch For Small GardensFoster Holly Has It All
Posted by Hugh on December 25th, 2011
Foster holly (Ilex x attenuata) is an old holly favorite which has not lost its sizzle. While many new holly cultivars have entered the landscape scene, do not assume that Foster holly is now passé. It is utilized in a number of landscape options in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7), including in containers in zones […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Container growing, container shrub, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Foster Holly (Ilex), Ilex (hollies), Ornamental fruit, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Foster Holly Has It AllTrifoliate Orange –The Barbed Wire of the Plant World
Posted by Hugh on December 12th, 2011
Trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) is a hardy citrus native to China. T-orange is hardy to -15° F. This strong growing large shrub or small tree can reach 15 to 20 feet in height. Its foliage is deciduous and compound, compared to citrus trees with single simple evergreen leaves. T-orange prefers full day or partial (minimum of 6 hours) […]
Key Points About Growing Peaches
Posted by Hugh on December 8th, 2011
People think peaches grow only in Georgia. A decade long period of mild winters in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7) have increased gardener confidence in growing peaches. Peaches (Prunus persica) tend to flower in early spring, when the threat of spring frost is high across the region. In many years spring frost […]
Posted in Bee Favorite, Fruits & Vegetables, Peach, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Key Points About Growing PeachesDisease Free Apple Varieties
Posted by Hugh on December 6th, 2011
Over the past 30 years, the goal has been to develop good eating and storing apples which are not susceptible to four major diseases. The first 3 cultivars released were ‘Prima’, ‘Priscilla’, and ‘Sir Prize’, but they lacked great flavor and storage quality. Apples are susceptible to four serious diseases: apple scab, cedar-apple rust, fireblight, and powdery mildew. Scab, rust and mildew […]
Posted in apple orchard, Apple tree, apple varieties, Disease prone, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fruits & Vegetables, Insect (Pest) Problems, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering Comments Off on Disease Free Apple VarietiesEuropean vs Asian Pears
Posted by Hugh on December 4th, 2011
Growing pears in the Southeastern U.S. is both challenging and rewarding. Both the European (Pyrus communis) and Asian (P. pyrifera) pears are susceptible to fireblight (Erwinia amylovora), a bacterial disease with no satisfactory cure. Two popular European pear varieties, ‘Bartlett’ and ‘Bosc’, are highly susceptible to fireblight. Varieties found to be fire blight resistant are: ‘Warren’, […]
Posted in Biennial bearing, Disease prone, Disease resistant, Failure to Bloom, Fruits & Vegetables, Pear (Pyrus spp.), Pollination needs, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering Comments Off on European vs Asian PearsGrowing Elderberries in the Garden
Posted by Hugh on December 2nd, 2011
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is native to eastern North America, commonly found growing in open fields, thickets, fence rows, and along roadsides. Elderberry has pinnate leaves with toothed leaflets. Large flat clusters of small white flowers are evident by early summer, followed by large clusters of round purple-black fruit in late summer and fall. The fruits are […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compost, Disease prone, Elderberry (Sambucus), Fruits & Vegetables, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Pruning, Root suckering, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Growing Elderberries in the GardenAutumn Colors Conclude with Callery Pears
Posted by Hugh on November 23rd, 2011
Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) has been declining in planting popularity. But its scarlet red leaf color is both sensational and reliable every autumn in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Most people identify the tree by its cultivar name, e.g. ‘Bradford’, Aristocrat®, ‘Cleveland Select’, ‘Redspire’ pear. There are many other cultivars. Callery pears are tough reliable medium sized trees which […]
Posted in Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bradford Pear, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Heat Tolerance, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Autumn Colors Conclude with Callery Pears
