Growing sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are the current rage. Sunflowers are native to Central America and have been cultivated for thousands of years. Sunflowers are classified as annuals, living one growing season, and often returning the following spring from seeds dropped the previous fall. Some gardeners put out large beds to feed the birds. Sunflowers come […]
Archive for the ‘Summer flowering’ Category
Growing Sunflowers Fun Family Activity
Posted by Hugh on April 20th, 2014
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowers, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Sunflowers, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Growing Sunflowers Fun Family ActivityMighty Rodgersias For Your Shade Garden
Posted by Hugh on April 14th, 2014
In a shade garden the large palmately compound foliage of rodgersias (Rodgersia spp.) make a bold statement (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). In recent years rodgersias are becoming more available at garden centers in the U.S. Three of five species are listed below. Hybrid forms are also available. Rodgersias thrive in moist, organically rich soils. They […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Rodgersia, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Mighty Rodgersias For Your Shade GardenAttracting Monarch Butterflies To Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on April 1st, 2014
From Canada to Mexico, gardeners are called upon to halt the decline of the Monarch butterfly populations across North America. The best way you can help is to fill your garden with Monarch’s favorite flowering nectar plants and milkweeds (Asclepias spp.). Plants should be sited in open full sun and moist well-drained soil. Avoid spraying […]
Posted in Aster, Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Buddleia (Butterfly bush), Butterflies, Cosmos, Drought tolerant, Eupatorium 'Gateway', Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Lantana, Liatris, Marigold, Milkweeds (Asclepias), Monarda (Beebalm), Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Star zinnia, Stonecrop sedums, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Zinnia Comments Off on Attracting Monarch Butterflies To Your Garden‘Blackout’ Heuchera Exceptionally Vigorous Type
Posted by Hugh on March 18th, 2014
A floral bouquet full of tiny flowers stand tall above the high gloss ebony foliage of Blackout coralbells (Heuchera x ‘Blackout’) (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). The foliage holds its color and sheen most of the summer. The foliage is evergreen through the winter in zones 6 thru 8. Airy spikes of cream colored […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Heuchera (coralbells), mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Potting Mix, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Blackout’ Heuchera Exceptionally Vigorous TypeHypearls® St. John’s Wort Worth The Hype
Posted by Hugh on March 15th, 2014
St. John’s Wort’s (Hypericum spp.) are terrific landscape shrubs and ground covers with bright yellow flowers in late spring and colorful berry fruits starting in late summer (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Bees and birds are attracted to flowers and fruits respectively. Hypearls® are a new series of hypericums. Cultivars are available in four compact growing […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, compact shrub, Container growing, container shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Ornamental fruit, Southern Appalachian Region, St. John's Wort (Hypericum), Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Hypearls® St. John’s Wort Worth The HypeChallenging Sourwood Worth A Try
Posted by Hugh on February 25th, 2014
Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), aka lily of the valley tree, is one of the most beautiful U.S. native flowering trees (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). However, attempting to establish one in your landscape may prove challenging. The tree grows in sparse populations from eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, and Georgia Piedmont. It grows naturally to 20-30 feet […]
Posted in Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Fragrant, Medium sized Tree, Native Plant, Planting tips, Sourwood (Oxydendrum), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Challenging Sourwood Worth A TryTips On Growing Sourwood Trees
Posted by Hugh on February 22nd, 2014
Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is one of the most beautiful flowering trees in the U.S. Trying to establish one in your landscape can prove quite challenging. In the wild sourwood grows in shallow soils on steep craggy or rocky ground. Dry ground seems to be the rule. It grows either multi-stemmed (shrub-like) to 20-30 feet or […]
Posted in acidic soil, Fertilizing plants, Medium sized Tree, Native Plant, Sourwood (Oxydendrum), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Tips On Growing Sourwood TreesPrune to Rejuvenate Old Foundation Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on February 18th, 2014
Eventually, old foundation shrubs around your home grow too tall and spindly and need to be started over. Rather than digging them up, most deciduous and a few broadleaf shrubs respond to rejuvenation pruning. Sorry, evergreen conifers do not respond to this form of pruning. Get started with a sharp pair of pruning loppers or tree […]
Posted in acidic soil, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Nandina, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Prune to Rejuvenate Old Foundation ShrubsPast Winners of the Perennial Plant of The Year Award
Posted by Hugh on January 1st, 2014
Each year PPA members choose a Perennial Plant of the Year™. Since 1990 24 great plants have been selected. Some of the selection criteria include: • Suitable to a wide range of climatic conditions • Low Maintenance • Pest and disease resistant • Availability at garden centers • Multiple seasons of color (beauty) The list […]
Posted in Astilbe (false spirea), Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Brunnera 'Jack Frost', Calamagrostis, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Coreopsis, Cranesbill (Geranium), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Heuchera (coralbells), Perennials, Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer phlox (P. paniculata) Comments Off on Past Winners of the Perennial Plant of The Year Award2014 Perennial Plant Of the Year: ‘Northwind’ Switchgrass
Posted by Hugh on December 29th, 2013
Northwind switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’) is a 4 to 5 feet tall native prairie grass (USDA hardiness zones 4–9). There are many fine switchgrass varieties, but its Northwind’s vertical form and steel blue foliage that makes it a standout. Northwind switchgrass has been selected the 2014 Perennial Plant of the Year. By mid-summer its lacy soft pinkish […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Sand Dune Protection, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Switchgrass (Panicum), watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on 2014 Perennial Plant Of the Year: ‘Northwind’ Switchgrass
