Hostas are the most popular shade perennial in the U.S. They prefer a moist, compost-rich, well-drained soil. In northerly areas (USDA hardiness zones 4-5), where summers are cooler, most hardy cultivars grow in full sun. In warmer zones those in full sun must be irrigated frequently. Blue leaf cultivars look their best only in shady areas; the white waxy coating, responsible […]
Archive for the ‘Summer flowering’ Category
Basic Hosta Facts
Posted by Hugh on March 8th, 2015
Posted in acidic soil, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Ground cover, Hosta, Irrigation, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Rabbit/deer Protection, Sanitation, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Voles, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness, Winter Protection 
1 Comment »Rose Care Starts With A Good Planting Site
Posted by Hugh on March 4th, 2015
Roses should be planted 4 feet apart on a garden site that receives 6 to 8 hours of sun. The garden soil must be well-drained and pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Prevent disease problems by providing good air movement between plants and not crowd them. Spring thru mid- summer is an ideal period to plant roses to allow […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compost, container shrub, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Flowers, Fragrant, mulching, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Pruning, Roses, shrub roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Rose Care Starts With A Good Planting SiteYoYo Winter Temperatures– Expect Flower Losses On BigleafHydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on February 21st, 2015
In the Southeastern U.S. region, wildly fluctuating temperatures this winter will likely destroy or delay spring and summer blooming on bigleaf (mophead) hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) (USDA hardiness zones 6 – 9). Other hydrangea species, such as smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens), panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata), and oakleaf hydrangeas, should not be affected. Bigleaf hydrangeas are […]
Posted in acidic soil, Failure to Bloom, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on YoYo Winter Temperatures– Expect Flower Losses On BigleafHydrangeasGrowing Zone 6 Hardy Camellias 101
Posted by Hugh on February 13th, 2015
Drs. William L. Ackerman with the USDA (deceased) developed bred a series of interspecific crosses between C. oleifera and C. sasanqua, C. hiemalis, or C. vernalis selections. Many, not all, are identified as the Winter series because they bloom in the fall into very early winter. Dr. Clifford […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Camellia, compost, Disease resistant, Evergreen, mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Growing Zone 6 Hardy Camellias 101Positive Facts About Tree Of Heaven
Posted by Hugh on February 2nd, 2015
Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a hated tree and tagged noxious and invasive across the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). This aggressive species is indigenous to China and seems almost without limits as to where it takes root across the U.S. It has numerous nicknames, including “trash can tree”. It is the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental issues, Heat Tolerance, Invasive species, Large Shade trees, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus), Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Positive Facts About Tree Of HeavenTree Of Heaven Grows Almost Everywhere (Unfortunately)
Posted by Hugh on January 30th, 2015
Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is one of the most aggressive trees on planet Earth (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). This large tree, indigenous to China, was introduced in North America in 1748 and brought to New York City in 1820 as a street tree and a food source for silkworm caterpillars. The tree […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Invasive species, Large Shade trees, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus), Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Tree Of Heaven Grows Almost Everywhere (Unfortunately)2015-16 Hosta Awards Announced
Posted by Hugh on January 28th, 2015
Chosen by American Hosta Growers*, the winners are… 2015 Hosta of the Year Victory is an impressive plant. It forms giant vase-shaped clumps with large, shiny leaves with green centers and margins that change from greenish yellow in the spring to creamy white by early summer. Victory is big hosta that grows 30 inches high […]
What Roses Need
Posted by Hugh on January 13th, 2015
A goal of most rose gardeners (rosarians) is to grow them almost maintenance free. The improved shrub roses introduced almost two decades ago have brought this too reality. Rose series such as Knockout®, Home Run®, Drift®, OSO Easy®, Carefree® and Meidiland™ are among the best. No matter the pedigree of the rose, selecting a […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease prone, Disease resistant, Environmental issues, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Insect (Pest) Problems, mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, rose rosette disease, Roses, shrub roses, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Weeds, Winter Protection Comments Off on What Roses NeedTips On Crape Myrtles In Fall And Winter
Posted by Hugh on November 24th, 2014
Hardy cultivars of crape myrtles are best left alone in the fall. Light pruning to remove a broken branch or the seed capsules is ok, but major pruning should wait until early spring. “Crape murder” is a common practice in the Southeast U.S. and is not recommended any time or place. It involves lopping […]
Posted in Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease resistant, Failure to Bloom, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Tips On Crape Myrtles In Fall And WinterBee Bee Tree (Tetradium) Rarely Seen In U.S. Landscapes
Posted by Hugh on November 3rd, 2014
Native to Korea and southwestern China, bee bee tree (Tetradium daniellii) is a deciduous tree with a spreading umbrella-shaped habit and rounded canopy (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). It was formerly named Evodia daniellii. Bee bee tree typically grows to 25-30 feet tall and wide. In July-August small […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn Fruiting, Bee Bee Tree (Tetradium), Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Fragrant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Bee Bee Tree (Tetradium) Rarely Seen In U.S. Landscapes
