Japanese clethra (Clethra barbinervis) is a large, upright, deciduous shrub or small tree (USDA 5-8). As a small tree it generally grows 10-20 feet tall and features horizontally drooping, terminal racemes (4-6 inches long); the white flowers are pleasantly fragrant. Its bloom period continues over several weeks from mid to late summer. In autumn, its […]
Archive for the ‘Summer flowering’ Category
Cinnamon Clethra
Posted by Hugh on May 27th, 2022
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Clethra, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowering, Flowering shrub, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Cinnamon ClethraAdding Compact Summer Flowering Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on May 24th, 2022
Yes, to reduce annual garden maintenance some gardeners are switching to space-saving flowering shrubs. Patio gardeners are popping compact shrubs into containers such as spireas, hydrangeas, crape myrtles, chaste tree, weigelias, and buddleias. They’re looking to add color and reduce their maintenance workload. Numerous new [rose] varieties have been created that are relatively resistant to the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Buddleia (Butterfly bush), Container garden, container shrub, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Deciduous, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Hummingbird, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Roses, Roses (Shrub type), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spirea (Spiraea), Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Vitex (Chaste tree), Weigela Comments Off on Adding Compact Summer Flowering ShrubsWhale’s Tongue Agave
Posted by Hugh on May 21st, 2022
Whale’s Tongue Agave Over the past 10-15 years, interest in growing agaves has really caught fire, whale’s tongue agave (Agave ovatifolia) in particular. It grows to 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide in 5 to 8 years, especially with summer water. Like many agaves, whale’s tongue blooms after 15-20 years, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Agave, alkaline soil, Bees and other pollinators, Cold tolerance, Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Perennials, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Whale’s Tongue AgaveLion’s Tail
Posted by Hugh on May 11th, 2022
Lion’s tail (Leonotis leonurus) is a tropical plant native to south Africa (USDA hardiness zones 8-11). I have seen used as a late summer – fall blooming annual in public gardens. Lion’s tail’s bright burnt orange flowers are standouts and receive great notice. The common name “Lion’s Ear” comes from the flowers resembling the color […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Lion's Tail (Leonotis), mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Lion’s Tail10 Drought Tolerant Perennials
Posted by Hugh on May 1st, 2022
Once established, these ten drought-tolerant plants can cope with hot sun and humidity with low amounts of supplemental water. If you garden in a drought-prone area, or growing in fast-draining raised beds, these drought-resistant plants are a great choice for your garden. Perhaps you wish to reduce your water bills. Plan to keep plantings adequately […]
Posted in acidic soil, Agastache (Hyssop), Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Calamagrostis, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Lavender (Lavandula), mulching, Native Plant, Pennisetum spp., Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Red hot Poker (Kniphofia), Russian sage (Perovskia), Sedum (Groundcover types), Sedum (Shrub type), Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Switchgrass (Panicum), watering tips, winter hardiness, Yarrow (Achillea) Comments Off on 10 Drought Tolerant PerennialsHeartleaf Iceplant (Aptenia)
Posted by Hugh on April 26th, 2022
The world of succulents is a treasure trove for many cool garden plants that attract many collectors, including house plant enthusiastics. Heartleaf iceplant (Aptenia cordifolia), also called Baby sun rose, is a non-hardy succulent or evergreen ground cover. This herbaceous subshrub is indigenous to South Africa and favors a Mediterranea- like climatic conditions (in USDA […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Ground cover, Heartleaf aptenia, Heat Tolerance, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Heartleaf Iceplant (Aptenia)Three Standout Panicle Hydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on April 6th, 2022
For over a decade the cultivar ‘Limelight’ has been among the best selling panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). It bears large greenish-white floral trusses on 6- 8 feet tall branches; beautiful for use as cut (fresh or dried) flowers. Here are three panicle hydrangeas that are also very popular. Vanilla Strawberry™ hydrangea […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, container shrub, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Flowering, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Panicle hydrangea, Planting tips, Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sand Dune Protection, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Three Standout Panicle Hydrangeas2022 Perennial Plant of the Year® Announced
Posted by Hugh on March 31st, 2022
2Since 1990 The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) has showcased a perennial that is a standout among its competitors! Perennials chosen for this honor are suitable for a wide range of growing climates, require low maintenance, have multiple-season interest, and are relatively pest/disease-free. Each year PPA members look at four nominated perennials and vote for their […]
Posted in Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Ground cover, Landscape Construction, Landscape ideas, Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium), Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year® AnnouncedConeflower Variety Trials At MT. Cuba Center
Posted by Hugh on March 26th, 2022
Coneflowers (Echinacea spp) are immensely popular native flowering perennials prized for their summer floral beauty. Nine species of Echinacea are native in North America and are found primarily in the central and southeastern U.S. Additionally, some populations of Echinacea angustifolia extend from the U.S. northwards into southcentral Canada. Since the 1990s, a boom in Echinacea breeding has resulted in large numbers of new […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Bumble bees, Butterflies, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Container garden, deadheading, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Honey bees, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildflower, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Coneflower Variety Trials At MT. Cuba CenterEight Colorful Annuals Thrive In Shade
Posted by Hugh on March 20th, 2022
1. Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) are excellent shade plants, traditionally planted in hanging baskets and window boxes. Asparagus fern (Asparagus springeri) is also nice additions to shady areas. 2. Coleus (Solenostemon) are known for their colorful foliage is nice in a pot or around trees or shrubs. For moderately shady areas, select the Mosaic™ or Kong™ series. 3. Begonias […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Bee Favorite, Begonia, Begonia boliviensis, Butterflies, Caladium, Coleus, Container garden, Ferns, Flowers, Foliage plant, Fuchsias, Impatiens, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Torenia (wishbone flw.), watering tips Comments Off on Eight Colorful Annuals Thrive In Shade
