Downy mildew in impatiens (Plasmopara obducens) infects garden impatiens, double impatiens and balsam. However, New Guinea impatiens, SunPatiens™, and most annual summer flowering plants are not susceptible. Impatiens are the favorite flowering annual used in shady garden areas. Double impatiens and balsam are favorites in hanging pots and other types of containers. U.S. greenhouse growers […]
Archive for the ‘Summer flowering’ Category
Pest Alert – Gardeners Should Avoid Planting Garden Impatiens
Posted by Hugh on May 23rd, 2013
Posted in Disease prone, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Downy mildew, Flowers, Garden Problems, Impatiens, New Guinea impatiens, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Sunpatiens, Torenia (wishbone flw.) 
Comments Off on Pest Alert – Gardeners Should Avoid Planting Garden Impatiens‘Thailand Giant’ Elephant Ears A Tropical Wonder
Posted by Hugh on May 7th, 2013
In many areas of the U.S.’Thailand Giant’ elephant ears (Colocasia gigantea) is classified as an annual (USDA hardiness zone 8-10). It grows best in full to partial sunlight (6-hours minimum) and planted in a compost-rich well-drained garden soil or good container potting media. A young plant should be moved outdoors and brought back indoors when […]
Posted in Colocasia, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on ‘Thailand Giant’ Elephant Ears A Tropical WonderSummer Flowering Heleniums Should Not Make You Sneeze
Posted by Hugh on April 18th, 2013
Helenium, named for Helen of Troy from Greek mythology, is U.S. prairie perennial. In times past powdered disk flowers and leaves of some heleniums were used as snuff, hence the common name. It’s difficult to sell ‘sneezeweed” and many garden catalogs now list it as “helenium”. A number of good hybrid selections have been introduced […]
Posted in Butterflies, deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Helenium, Native Plant, Perennials, Pruning, Rabbit/deer Protection, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Summer Flowering Heleniums Should Not Make You SneezeA Marigold Revival
Posted by Hugh on April 14th, 2013
Over the past 2-3 years marigolds are regaining their popularity. Marigolds are easy to grow and come in vibrant shades of yellows and oranges. Tall African type marigolds grow 24-42 inches tall and belong in garden beds. Intermediate (15-24 inch height) and dwarf French types (10-12 inch height) are suited for both bedding and container plantings. Plant marigolds in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Disease prone, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Marigold, Mites, mulching, plant nutrition, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, watering tips Comments Off on A Marigold RevivalCool Blooming Osteospermums
Posted by Hugh on April 11th, 2013
Osteospermums (Osteospermum x hybrida ) are members of the daisy (Asteraceae) family, commonly called African Daisy, Blue-eyed Daisy, or Cape Daisy. Osteos are cool season annuals that excel in northern and less so in southern U.S. gardens. Osteos bloom more profusely in full sun, but want some cooling relief during the summers. Osteos have always […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Failure to Bloom, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Osteospermum, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Cool Blooming OsteospermumsHardy or Not– Grow Agapanthus
Posted by Hugh on April 8th, 2013
Lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus praecox orientalis) is native to South Africa (USDA Zones 8–11), and is not reliably hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zone 6 and 7). However, many gardeners are successfully growing it as a “tender perennial”. Agapanthus grows in an outdoor flower bed or in a container. The ball shaped light blue or white […]
Posted in acidic soil, Agapanthus (Lily of-the Nile), deadheading, Heat Tolerance, Mite susceptible, Mites, Perennials, Planting tips, Repotting plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Hardy or Not– Grow AgapanthusGolden Hakone Grass Is Worth The Extra Care
Posted by Hugh on March 29th, 2013
Awaken dark zones in your shade garden with this wonderful golden treasure from Japan. Golden hakonegrass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) grows 12-18 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide in a cascading mound form. Very thin green stripes (veins) line the mid-rib of the ½ inch wide golden leaf blades. Tiny, relatively ininsignificant, floral spikes (inflorescences) appear for […]
Posted in acidic soil, Deer resistant, Ground cover, Hakone grass, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Golden Hakone Grass Is Worth The Extra CareSomething New to Grow – Esperanza, Yellow Bells
Posted by Hugh on March 22nd, 2013
Esperanza or Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans) is a 6 foot tall perennial shrub that grows in South Texas and Mexico (USDA zones 8-10). Esperanza means “hope” and it is destine to become a popular flowering annual in more U.S. Southeastern gardens. It demands a well drained soil […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Esperanza (Tecoma), Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Planting tips, Repotting plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Something New to Grow – Esperanza, Yellow BellsColorful Pentas Bloom In Summer’s Heat And Humidity
Posted by Hugh on March 3rd, 2013
Pentas, aka Egyptian starflower, (Pentas lanceolata) excel in the summer flower garden. Only a few years ago, pentas were only found decorating window boxes and other containers. Today, they have becoming a popular bedding plant in geographic areas where summer temps get hot. Pentas grow best in full to part sun (6-hours minimum), and preferably, […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Pentas (Egyptian star flower), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Colorful Pentas Bloom In Summer’s Heat And HumidityBlue Mist (Caryopteris) Sparkles in Late Summer Garden
Posted by Hugh on October 31st, 2012
Blue mist spirea or bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandodensis) is not commonly planted in U.S. landscapes. In mid- to late- summer, pale blue flowers open above the gray-green foliage. Leaves and stems are mildly aromatic to the touch. There are now several good hybrid forms, thanks to plant breeders’ efforts to improve garden performance. Caryopteris (I prefer this name) grows in average soil, […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Blue mist (Caryopteris), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Blue Mist (Caryopteris) Sparkles in Late Summer Garden
