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 […]
Archive for the ‘Summer flowering’ Category
Virginia Creeper – A Question of Place
Posted by Hugh on October 10th, 2011
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 […]
Gaillardia Survival Depends On Winter Soil Drainage
Posted by Hugh on August 29th, 2011
In recent years several hybrid cultivars of blanket flowers (Gaillardia x grandflora) have been introduced. Some are annuals and others perennials. This North American prairie native is hardy in USDA zone 5 hardy. Gaillardias should thrive in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7), but they don’t! Soggy winter clay soil is their […]
Posted in Blanket flower (Gaillardia), Butterflies, Disease resistant, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Perennials, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips Comments Off on Gaillardia Survival Depends On Winter Soil DrainageSunpatiens Worth The Hype
Posted by Hugh on August 26th, 2011
Sunpatiens™ live up to all their hype, with a caveat. They are still impatiens, which means they love (and can’t go without) water. In the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7), Sunpatiens prosper in direct full day sun to part shade, but can’t go without weekly watering. The flower bed should be mulched […]
Posted in compost, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Sunpatiens, watering tips Comments Off on Sunpatiens Worth The Hype‘Gateway’ Joe-Pye Fits Most Gardens
Posted by Hugh on August 22nd, 2011
On hot clammy August days, towering 6-8 feet in height, there is Joe-Pye* weed (Eupatorium purpureum) to enjoy. It is visually hard to miss when driving along rural roads in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Joe-Pye’s flowering sends me a timely message that autumn is only six weeks away. For gardens the cultivar […]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Eupatorium 'Gateway', Fertilizing plants, Native Plant, Perennials, Root suckering, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on ‘Gateway’ Joe-Pye Fits Most GardensThe Challenge and Reward of Harlequin Glorybower
Posted by Hugh on August 17th, 2011
Harlequin Glorybower (Clerodendron trichotomum) is a rambling 15 foot tall shrub, and can be easily shaped into a multi-stemmed 10-12 foot small tree. Glorybower shines in the late summer and early fall landscape. Its sweetly scented, very showy flowers attract the attention of gardeners as well as hummingbirds and butterflies. Glorybower reaches its northern- most hardiness limit here […]
