The late winter / early spring period are ideal times for pruning many (not all) flowering shrubs. At this time, shrubs are leafless, and you are better able to see the overall shape of the shrub and easily identify dead, damaged, diseased wood, and structural defects. Pruning also stimulates new growth. Spring flowering shrubs (those […]
Archive for the ‘Spring flowering’ Category
Pruning Times for Flowering Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on February 7th, 2023
Posted in Azalea (deciduous), Azaleas (evergreen), Barberry (Berberis), Beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.), Bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla), Blue mist (Caryopteris), Burning bush (Euonymus), Camellia, Clethra, common boxwood, Container garden, Deciduous, Evergreen, Flowering shrub, Forsythia, Fothergilla, Fringe flower (loropetalum), Hedges, Hibiscus syriacus, Honeysuckle (Lonicera), Kerria, Landscape ideas, Ligustrum (Privet), Lilac (Syringa), Native Plant, Non-native, Pearlbush (Exochorda), Pieris japonica, Planting tips, Plumleaf azalea, Pruning, pruning climbing roses, Purchasing Plants, Rhododendrons, Roses, Roses (Shrub type), shrub roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Spirea (Spiraea), Spring flowering, Sumac (Rhus), Summer flowering, Summersweet (Clethra), Sweetshrub (Calycanthus), Trees & Shrubs, Weigela 
Comments Off on Pruning Times for Flowering Shrubs2023 Triple Crown Winner: ‘American Gold Rush’ Black-eyed Susan
Posted by Hugh on January 6th, 2023
For 2023, three leading organizations, All-America Selections, National Garden Bureau and Perennial Plant Association, have awarded a cultivar of black-eyed Susan their highest plant award in the U.S. For the U.S plant Industry this is the first time ever. Currently, garden interest in rudbeckias is at an all-time high. All-America Selections judges evaluated ‘American Gold […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Environmental Conservation, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Landscape ideas, Leaf/needle spots, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on 2023 Triple Crown Winner: ‘American Gold Rush’ Black-eyed SusanLarge Bulbous Alliums
Posted by Hugh on November 21st, 2022
The huge ornamental ball-types flowering onions (Allium spp.) are standouts in the late spring/early summer garden (Zones 5-9). Bulbous alliums are both architectural and colorful wonders. Bulbs are planted in the fall. Bulbous alliums require full sun for best growth. They make stunning garden borders, beds, and cottage gardens. They have a major visual impact […]
Posted in acidic soil, Allium, Alliums (onion), Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Bulb Crops, Butterflies, Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flower Arranging, Flowers, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Large Bulbous AlliumsHeuchera ‘Melting Fire’
Posted by Hugh on October 28th, 2022
‘Melting Fire’ is a seed produced variety of heuchera (coral bells) from Kieft Seed, Inc., a division of Ball Hort. Seed-produced heucheras are something new as most current varieties were propagated from tissue culture. (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). In mid-spring Melting Fire forms a low mound (clump), 8-10 inches tall and 10-12 inches wide. New […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Breeding Plants, Bumble bees, Butterflies, Container garden, Evergreen, Garden paths, Ground cover, Heuchera (coralbells), Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Heuchera ‘Melting Fire’Deciduous Hollies Dazzle In Your Winter Landscape
Posted by Hugh on October 1st, 2022
While deciduous hollies (Ilex spp.) are well-known among home gardeners and landscapers, surprisingly few grow them (USDA hardiness zones 3-9 variable by species). In the fall, their branches and twigs are covered in bright red berries. Orange and yellow berried varieties are also available. Birds love them as a winter food source. Deciduous hollies do […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Deciduous holly, Deer resistant, Dioecious, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Ilex (hollies), mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Root suckering, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, Wildlife attractant, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Deciduous Hollies Dazzle In Your Winter LandscapeThree Hybrid Oaks Grow Tall And Narrow
Posted by Hugh on September 20th, 2022
Where space is limited, such as along a narrow thoroughfare or snuggled up near a downtown building, here are three (plus two others pictured here) columnar oaks that you can depend upon. Beacon® is a hybrid swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) discovered by famed plantsman Dr. Michael Dirr and introduced by J. Frank Schmidt Nursery in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Deciduous, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Oaks (Quercus spp.), Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Shade tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Street tree, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Three Hybrid Oaks Grow Tall And NarrowBigroot Cranesbill
Posted by Hugh on September 10th, 2022
Bigroot Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum) is a favorite, easy to grow plant that forms a dense weed-resistant ground cover with attractive foliage and flowers. (USDA zones 4 – 8). This “cranesbill” is a true perennial geranium. It is a rhizomatous semi-evergreen perennial, native to southern Europe, typically grows to 12 inches tall and to 24 inches or […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Cold tolerance, Container garden, Cranesbill (Geranium), Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Bigroot CranesbillFour Gold Leaf Landscape Trees
Posted by Hugh on August 17th, 2022
Deciduous trees that flaunt gold foliage in the spring and summer months are a rare sight in U.S. landscapes. Listed below are four tree species/cultivars that possess bright gold foliage, particularly when sited in full sun. Under partial shade, leaf color may eventually turn lime green to chartreuse. All four species are winter hardy in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Black locust (Robinia), Deciduous, Disease resistant, Fall Garden Interest, Fragrant, Katsura tree (Cercidophyllum), Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Redbud, Shade tree, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Street tree, Summer heat tolerant, Sweetgum (Liquidambar), Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Four Gold Leaf Landscape TreesNew Annual Vincas ‘Kawaii Soiree’ Series
Posted by Hugh on June 26th, 2022
Sun-loving vincas (Catharanthus) are annual periwinkles. This may confuse gardeners who also grow perennial periwinkles (Vinca spp.) that are grow in shady groundcovers. New from Proven Winners (PW)!! Soiree Kawaii® series of vincas (C. roseus) are bred by Suntory and entered the market around three years ago. I highly recommend that you include them to […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Catharanthus (Vinca), Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Mites, mulching, Periwinkle (annual vinca), Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Thrips, watering tips, White flies Comments Off on New Annual Vincas ‘Kawaii Soiree’ SeriesGrowing Healthy Blackberries in Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on June 19th, 2022
Yummy blackberries from the garden excel in flavor compared to store-bought. To get the most out of a blackberry planting, select a full sun location with well-drained organically rich loamy soils. The site should be close to a water supply to get the planting off to a good start and to maximize berry size and […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Blackberries, compost, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Edible fruits, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, Harvest Time, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Root suckering, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Virus diseases, watering tips, Weed control, Weeds, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Growing Healthy Blackberries in Your Garden
