Gardeners who desire more flowering from garden iris (Iris spp.) should be planting re-blooming types. Some cultivars may re-bloom up to three times in one growing season. The re-blooming trait is found both in bearded and beardless irises (I. germanica). Re-bloomers need to be well established for one year, sometimes two, to bloom multi-seasonly. Some […]
Archive for the ‘Summer flowering’ Category
Re-blooming Iris For Twice (and More) Flowering
Posted by Hugh on April 6th, 2012
Posted in Autumn flowering, compost, Fertilizing plants, Iris, Iris (Tall bearded), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, watering iris 
Comments Off on Re-blooming Iris For Twice (and More) FloweringAwaken Overwintering Tropical Plants
Posted by Hugh on March 5th, 2012
If you live in USDA zones 6 and 7, early March is usually the proper time to re-awaken containers of tender tropicals stored in your garage or moved in to join your house plants last fall. Likely, they’ve already begun to sprout. Specifically, angel trumpets (Brugmansia spp.), elephant ears (Colocasia spp. and Alocasia spp.), cannas […]
Posted in Angel trumpet (Brugmansia), Banana (Ensete spp.), Banana (Musa spp.), Canna lily, Canna lily, Colocasia, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Pruning, Repotting plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), Uncategorized Comments Off on Awaken Overwintering Tropical PlantsPrickly Pear Is Easy Care
Posted by Hugh on December 17th, 2011
There are over 200 species of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.) worldwide. Several make great container plants in the garden or inside the home. Prickly pear cacti may grow to heights of 10 feet or more in the arid regions of the Southwestern U.S. Eastern prickly pear (Opuntia compressa var. ‘humifusa’) grows 12- 18 inches tall and 30-36 inches wide. […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreens, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Prickly cactus, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Prickly Pear Is Easy Care‘Duet’ – A New Variegated Beautyberry That Is Stable
Posted by Hugh on October 13th, 2011
‘Duet’ is a variegated leaf cultivar of white fruited Japanese beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Albifructus’). It was discovered at Tennessee Technological University in 2000 by Dr. Gary Bachman and Mr. W. Edgar Davis. ‘Duet’ beautyberry was released jointly by the U.S. National Arboretum and Tennessee Technological University. […]
Virginia Creeper – A Question of Place
Posted by Hugh on October 10th, 2011
Autumn foliage color is upon us in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). On a weekend drive through the Smoky Mountains, vivid red Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) foliage draped highway fences and tree branches. Virginia creeper foliage peaks 2 to 3 weeks ahead of most woodland trees and shrubs. Lots of gardeners […]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Virginia creeper, winter hardiness Comments Off on Virginia Creeper – A Question of PlaceFall Color in U.S. Native Azaleas
Posted by Hugh on October 4th, 2011
Finally, Americans are paying closer attention to our wonderful native plants. In the Southern Appalachian region, there are 16 and more species of deciduous azaleas which may be grown here. In addition, there are numerous natural hybrids growing in the mountains. I asked Jay Jackson, owner of Appalchian Native Plants, Inc. in Laurel Bloomery, TN […]
Posted in acidic soil, Azalea (deciduous), Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Fall Color in U.S. Native AzaleasFranklinia Will Survive If…
Posted by Hugh on September 22nd, 2011
Franklinia (Franklinia altamaha) is admittedly a very finicky large shrub or small tree. Pure white, five-petal, 2 ½ – 3 inch camellia-like flowers bloom sporadically from August thru mid-October. Flowers are slightly fragrant. In the fall glossy green leaves gradually transition to blends of red, orange and burgundy hues. Franklinia grows best on an eastern exposure […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Autumn flowering, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Franklinia, Japanese beetles, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Franklinia Will Survive If…Re-Bloomers Need Your Help
Posted by Hugh on September 10th, 2011
Re-blooming is an unusual plant trait. Selected cultivars return this time of year for a repeat floral show. In my garden Encore™ azaleas (Rhododendron spp.), re-blooming irises (Iris spp.), and re-blooming daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are back for second round of flowering in late summer and early fall. The gardener/landscaper must supply needed soil moisture and nutrition (primarily nitrogen) so that plants don’t struggle […]
Posted in Autumn flowering, Azaleas (evergreen), Daylilies, Fertilizing plants, Iris, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Re-Bloomers Need Your Help‘Chocolate’ White Snakeroot Is A Better Choice
Posted by Hugh on September 7th, 2011
White Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum) is native to moist woodland areas in most eastern and midwestern states (U.S.). It grows in average, moist, well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. It is a long-lived and an aggressive perennial. ‘Chocolate’ (E. rugosum ‘Chocolate’) earns its namesake for its chocolaty or burgundy tinted foliage. ‘Chocolate’ white […]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', plant nutrition, Poisonous plant, Root suckering, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Chocolate’ White Snakeroot Is A Better Choice‘Autumn Bride’ Started A Heuchera Evolution
Posted by Hugh on September 1st, 2011
Autumn Bride heuchera (Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’) is blooming now. This native ground cover, aka “hairy alumroot”, displays wide lime-green foliage which is not as colorful as many new H. villosa hybrids introduced in recent years. However, the white flowers on Autumn Bride are showier and more numerous. Heucheras prefer a moist, well-drained, compost-rich soil. Plants are heat and humidity […]
