Not all crape myrtle cultivars are alike. Some are more susceptible to diseases and insect pests more than others. Overall, the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) hybrid crapemyrtles are more disease and insect resistant, but not to all problems. Some cultivars are susceptible to aphids, usually in the spring. Their sugary excretions over leaves and stems […]
Archive for the ‘Summer flowering’ Category
Crape Myrtle Diseases And Pests
Posted by Hugh on July 23rd, 2014
Posted in Cercopora leaf spot, compact shrub, compact tree, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease prone, Disease resistant, Insect (Pest) Problems, Japanese beetles, Pesticide recommendations, Powdery mildew, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs 
Comments Off on Crape Myrtle Diseases And PestsVersatile Long-blooming Catmints
Posted by Hugh on July 20th, 2014
Catmint (Nepeta spp.) is a favorite of cats who like to roll around in it, sometimes to the detriment of the plant(s) (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). There are several species of catmint. Most popular are the gray-green leafed N. x faassenii and hairy gray heart-shaped leafed N. racemosa. Depending on the cultivar selected, this versatile […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Ground cover, Nepeta (catmint), Perennials, Planting tips, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Versatile Long-blooming CatmintsDisease Resistant Crape Myrtle Cultivars
Posted by Hugh on July 17th, 2014
‘Apalachee’ crape myrtle trunk Hybrid crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica x L. faurei) are popular landscape trees in the southeast and along the coastal areas of the U. S. Over the past decade plant pathologists in Louisiana (Louisiana State University), Alabama (Auburn University), South Carolina (Clemson University), and Georgia (University of Georgia) have tested the disease […]
Posted in acidic soil, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease resistant, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark Comments Off on Disease Resistant Crape Myrtle CultivarsDesigning With Crape Myrtle
Posted by Hugh on July 14th, 2014
Undeniably, crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica x L. faurei ) thrive in the southern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). You see them planted on practically every street. Their showy summer flowers are spectacular. Many cultivars exhibit colorful autumn foliage, and their smooth patterned trunks and architecture grace the winter landscape. “The right crape myrtle for the […]
Posted in acidic soil, compact shrub, compact tree, container shrub, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Failure to Bloom, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Winter bark, winter hardiness, winter injury Comments Off on Designing With Crape MyrtleBecome Immersed In Swamp Hibiscus
Posted by Hugh on July 11th, 2014
Swamp mallow, aka swamp hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) is native to marshes and swamps in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida (USDA hardiness Zones 6 to 9). Vibrant red flowers cover the tall 4–8-foot plant(s) from June through September. Space plants 3 feet wide apart. Deeply cut maple-like foliage presents a lush tropical look and the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Hardy hibiscus, Hibiscus coccineus, Hummingbird, Insect (Pest) Problems, Japanese beetles, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Root suckering, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Become Immersed In Swamp HibiscusJapanese Pagoda Tree Becoming Popular In U.S. Cities
Posted by Hugh on July 1st, 2014
U.S. east coast cities are finally planting Japanese Pagodatree (Styphnolobium japonicum). This medium-sized tree grows to 50 feet high, but 75 feet is not uncommon in the southeastern U.S. Pagodatree is native to eastern Asia (USDA hardiness zones 4 –8) where it is more known as Scholar tree. In the early 20th century it was […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Japanese Pagoda Tree (Styphnolobium), Medium sized Tree, Planting tips, Pruning, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Japanese Pagoda Tree Becoming Popular In U.S. CitiesBlazing Star– Electric Summer Flowering Perennial
Posted by Hugh on June 27th, 2014
Blazing star (Liatris spp.) is a popular summer flowering perennial. Also called gayfeather, it belongs in the aster family. This tall, upright, clump-forming perennial is found in moist meadows and at the edge of a marsh. (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Liatris makes an excellent addition to a rain garden. Its distinctively reddish-purple flower spikes win […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Blazing star (Liatris), Butterflies, deadheading, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Rabbit/deer Protection, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Blazing Star– Electric Summer Flowering PerennialGladiolas Are Wonderful Cutflowers
Posted by Hugh on June 21st, 2014
Across most regions of the U.S., planting gladiola corms (they’re not really “bulbs”) begins a week before the probable frost-free date has passed in the spring. Stagger individual plantings every 2-3 weeks through mid- July. Many people opt to grow them as cutflowers for their homes. Purchase large or premium sized corms that measure 1 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, compost, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Gladiolus, Insect (Pest) Problems, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Thrips, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Gladiolas Are Wonderful Cutflowers‘Going Bananas’ Daylily Blooms Continuously
Posted by Hugh on June 15th, 2014
‘Going Bananas’ is an extended-blooming daylily. This diploid cultivar flowers a three month long continuous blooming cycle (rather than stopping and starting again) from early summer into fall. Each bloom stays open longer, at least 16 hours per day. Each trumpet-shaped flower opens wider, a new genetic trait in daylilies. Going Bananas features slightly fragrant, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compost, Container growing, Daylilies, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Ground cover, mulching, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on ‘Going Bananas’ Daylily Blooms Continuously‘Stella D’Oro’- First And Last Daylily To Bloom
Posted by Hugh on June 13th, 2014
For over a quarter of a century, wherever daylilies (Hemerocallus spp.) grow, you will find the very popular gold-flowered ‘Stella d’Oro’ daylily (USDA hardiness zones 2-9). It’s one of a few daylilies that blooms 3 out of 4 seasons. Its small size makes it an ideal choice as a ground cover. This short clump growing […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Daylilies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Ground cover, mulching, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Stella D’Oro’- First And Last Daylily To Bloom
