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 […]
Archive for the ‘Summer flowering’ Category
Tree Of Heaven Grows Almost Everywhere (Unfortunately)
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 […]
2015-16 Hosta Awards Announced
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
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 […]
Rebuilding A Storm Damaged Young Tree
An enormous 60 foot white pine toppled over several smaller trees. The aftermath was a severely damaged 3- year old sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana). Replacing the 3 1/2 inch diameter tree would have cost the homeowner over $300. My recommendation to the homeowner was to cut back the magnolia trunk to approximately 12 inches from the ground in […]
Tropical Looking Big Leaf Magnolia
Bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) is native to the southeastern United States as far north to Ohio (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). A mature tree attains heights of 30 to 40 feet and develops an irregular pyramidal form. In the northern areas the tree is deciduous and semi-evergreen in the southeastern U.S. Its enormous size foliage makes […]
Wingstem Common Along Roadsides In Late Summer
In late summer several wildflowers, golden rods (Solidago spp.)and ironweeds (Vernonia spp.) to name two, start blooming along many Midwestern and Eastern U.S. roadsides. Wingstems (Verbesina alternifolia) are another 4-8 feet tall native perennial wildflower that grows nearby (USDA hardiness zones 4-7). Many people ask what they are. Sturdy stems, mostly unbranched, stand tall and […]
Swamp Milkweed Is Monarch Butterfly’s Favorite
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is an erect, clump-forming, U.S. native plant indigenous to swamps, bottomlands and wet meadows (USDA hardiness zones 3 to 6). Obviously, it prefers moist soils but grows equally well in average, well-drained garden soils. Full sun is best, but copes with some light shade. As its common name indicates, it makes […]

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