Summersweet clethra (Clethra alnifolia), aka sweet pepperbush, is a deciduous summer blooming shrub that ranges from coastal Maine to Florida (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). This delightful shrub grows 3-6 feet, although some cultivars grow 8 feet or higher. Flower colors (depending on variety) range from white, pink, and rose pink. The sweetly fragrant flower clusters ( 4- 6 inches […]
Archive for the ‘Summer flowering’ Category
Summersweet Shrub – Underplanted And Underappreciated
Posted by Hugh on June 11th, 2019
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compost, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Summersweet (Clethra), Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Summersweet Shrub – Underplanted And UnderappreciatedGrow Crocosmias In Your Summer Garden
Posted by Hugh on June 6th, 2019
Crocosmias are bulbous summer blooming flowering perennials that are closely related to gladiolas, also called montbretia and sword lilies. They’re actually corms, not bulbs, and are indigenous to South Africa (USDA hardiness zones 5b to 9). Crocosmias enjoy lots of sun, soil moisture, and hot temps to produce flowers. Plants prefer nutrient-rich, slightly acidic, moist, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Bulb Crops, Container garden, Corms, Crocosmia (Montbretia), Disease resistant, Flower Arranging, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Insect (Pest) Problems, Landscape ideas, Mites, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Thrips, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Grow Crocosmias In Your Summer GardenBest of The Oakleaf Hydrangeas (So Far)
Posted by Hugh on May 26th, 2019
More than 30 available oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) cultivars, you can select the perfect specimen to complement any size garden USDA hardiness zones 5 -9). Oakleaf hydrangea is a native plant that delights gardeners with four seasons of distinct features. In spring, oak-shaped leaves are followed by summer’s white-panicled flowers. When it sheds its colorful […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia), Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Best of The Oakleaf Hydrangeas (So Far)Black Mondo Grass
Posted by Hugh on May 11th, 2019
Black mondo grass or black lilyturf (Ophiopogon planiscapus) is sold as a number of cultivars – ‘Arabicus’, ‘Black Dragon’, ‘Nigrescens’, or ‘Ebony Knight’. This stoloniferous grass-like perennial belongs to the lily family (Liliaceae) (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). Its blackish-purple foliage (3/16 inch wide leaf blades) forms lush arching clumps. For the patient gardener, know that […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Cold tolerance, Container garden, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Mondo grass (Ophiopogon), mulching, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sanitation, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Black Mondo GrassAnnual Geraniums Make Garden Comeback
Posted by Hugh on May 6th, 2019
Once popular annual geraniums (Pelargonium x) are making a comeback with U.S. gardeners. Geraniums are also planted in window boxes or hanging baskets. Three types of geraniums are sold at garden centers: zonal or bedding geraniums (P. x hortorum), ivy-leaf geraniums (P. peltatum), and Martha Washington geraniums (P. x domesticum). Color choices include red, pink, rose, salmon, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Autumn flowering, Botrytis disease, Cercopora leaf spot, Container garden, deadheading, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Geranium, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, Leaf diseases, mulching, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Re-Bloomers, Sanitation, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Annual Geraniums Make Garden ComebackEnjoy Two Kinds Of Stachys In Your Summer Garden
Posted by Hugh on April 26th, 2019
Many gardeners are acquainted with the wooly leaf perennial called lambs ears (Stachys byzantina). But the genus Stachys is also home to betony (S. officinalis) / (S. monieri). Alpine betony (Stachys monieri) is native to Europe and Asia (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). ‘Hummelo’ betony is very different in appearance from its gray velvety leaf relative […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Betony (Stachys), Butterflies, compost, Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Lamb's ears (Stachys), Landscape ideas, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Re-Bloomers, Sanitation, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Enjoy Two Kinds Of Stachys In Your Summer GardenThree New Summer Annuals You’ll Get Excited Over
Posted by Hugh on April 15th, 2019
Here are three new annuals which should delight: Striking Senecio ‘Angel Wings’ has silky, silvery white foliage. Angel Wings senecio is beautiful to add to mixed containers or use it solitary on patio or deck planters. Warning: you can’t resist touching the long, broad velvety leaves. Angel Wings grows 10-12 inches high and about as wide. Plant Angel Wings […]
Posted in acidic soil, Angelonias, Annuals, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, deadheading, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Euphorbias, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Flowers, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Senecio, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Three New Summer Annuals You’ll Get Excited OverHybrid Wax Begonia Revolution
Posted by Hugh on April 1st, 2019
Wax begonias (Begonia x semperflorens) are popular summer annuals in public and private gardens. Begonias are excellent for mass bedding, in mixed borders, and in large containers. Plants hold up to summer heat, humidity, and moderate dry spells. The foliage stays mostly pest and disease free. A few years back, two series of interspecific hybrids (Begonia […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Begonia, Butterflies, Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Hybrid Wax Begonia RevolutionTemperamental Big Leaf Hydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on March 25th, 2019
Get use to it… big leaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), also called hortensia hydrangeas, are temperamental (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). After a long winter of sub-freezing temperatures, these blue (or pink) flowering shrubs should be stunningly beautiful in spring. However, if the late winter- early spring temps flucuate wildly, grab your pruning shears. Too most gardeners, myself included, […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla), Cold tolerance, compact shrub, compost, Container garden, container shrub, Disease resistant, Environmental issues, Fertilizing plants, Hydrangea, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Re-Bloomers, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Temperamental Big Leaf HydrangeasGrowing Nasturtiums
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2019
Old-fashioned nasturtiums never lose their appeal, whether in the garden or as a garnish on a salad, or added to stir-fries, or favorite pasta dishes. Depending on the variety, some may be grown as climbers on fences and trellises or as bushy plants in a window boxes and containers. Around the world there are several […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Culinary, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Edible fruits, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Nasturtium, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing Nasturtiums
