Cryptanthus bromeliads are more commonly known as “Earth Stars” and “Starfish plant”, a name they received because of the shape of their foliage. These mostly tropical plants are found in humid forested areas. Over 1,200 different varieties are cataloged worldwide and make great terrarium plants. Many flaunt beautiful foliage ranging from dark green, bright reds, […]
Archive for the ‘acidic soil’ Category
Earth Stars (Cryptanthus)
Posted by Hugh on February 18th, 2025
Posted in acidic soil, Bromeliads, Container garden, Cryptanthus, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Humidity, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, Non-native, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness 
No Comments »Snake Plant – Ideal House Plant For Home & Office
Posted by Hugh on February 14th, 2025
Snake plants, aka mother-in-law plant, mother-in-law’s tongue, (Sansevieria trifasciata) are one of the most popular houseplants. (USDA hardiness zones 9-11). Native to Africa, the Asian subcontinent, and Madagascar, these hard to kill plants are beloved for their architectural shape, tolerate neglect, and filter stale room air (NASA study). Snake plants are remarkably drought- and low […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Interior (house) Plants, Mites, Non-native, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Scale, Snake plant (Sanservieria), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy) No Comments »Chinese Paperbush (Edgeworthia)
Posted by Hugh on February 10th, 2025
If you garden in winter hardiness zones USDA zones 7 -10, Chinese paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha) should be a must-have winter flowering shrub. In my zone 6-b garden, my shrub struggled through its first winter and spring, but paperbush has never disappointed over its past 20 + years. A few gardeners living near me are also […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compact tree, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Edgeworthia, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Winter Protection No Comments »Lots of Choices Growing Monstera
Posted by Hugh on February 2nd, 2025
In recent years, Monstera plants have become wildly popular house plants. They’re indigenous to tropical areas of Central and South America. Approximately 50 different species are available at plant shoppes or online. It is an understory plant that grow in the shade of tropical trees and other vegetation. Plants prefer filtered indirect light and avoid […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Humidity, Interior (house) Plants, Monstera (Split leaf Philo), Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips No Comments »Slipper Orchids (Paphiopedilum)
Posted by Hugh on January 28th, 2025
Slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum spp.) are a type of terrestrial orchid known for their pouch-shaped petals that resemble a dainty slipper. Paphs are low light tropicals. Unlike epiphytic orchids, which grow in trees in the humid tropics, these orchids grow on the floor of forests in their native Southeastern Asia. Paphs are relatively easy to grow […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Disease resistant, Failure to Bloom, Fertilizing plants, Flowering house plant, Interior (house) Plants, Lady slipper orchid (Paphiopedilum), Landscape ideas, Mealy bugs, Non-native, Orchids, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Scale, Slugs, Soil drainage, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy) No Comments »2025 Hosta OF The Year: ‘Skywriter’
Posted by Hugh on January 26th, 2025
Hosta ‘Skywriter’ has been selected as the 2025 Hosta of the Year. by the American Hosta Growers Association. ‘Skywriter’ is a blue hosta with a semi-upright habit that shows off the white undersides of the leaves and the purple stems (scapes). (USDA Hardiness Zones 3 -8). It is a medium-sized hosta, that grows approximately 18 inches […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Deciduous, Hosta, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, rabbit damage, Rabbit/deer Protection, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness No Comments »Other Wild Gingers For Your Landscape
Posted by Hugh on January 13th, 2025
Although wild gingers, Asarum and Hexastylis species, can be found the world over, most are indigenous to the shaded woodlands of Asia, Europe, and North America. Wild gingers are members of the Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort family). Several species of Hexastylis and Asarum grow exceptionally well in the Southern Appalachian region (Zones 5b-7b). New varieties continue the marketplace. Wild gingers are frequently planted as […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Deciduous, Evergreen, Fragrant, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Snails, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wild ginger, winter hardiness Comments Off on Other Wild Gingers For Your LandscapeWild Ginger
Posted by Hugh on January 6th, 2025
Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is a U.S. native spring wildflower which grows in rich garden and woodland soils. Wild ginger is a stemless 4-8-inch-tall plant (8 -10 inches wide) which features distinctive downy, basal, dark green foliage. Leaves are heart-shaped to kidney-shaped, and delicately veined, and up to 6 inches wide. Cup-shaped, purplish brown, 3 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wild ginger, winter hardiness Comments Off on Wild Ginger2025 Perennial Plant Of The Year – Clustered Mountainmint
Posted by Hugh on January 1st, 2025
Clustered mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum), aka “blunt mountain mint” or “short-toothed mountain mint”, is a tough and adaptable perennial native to meadows and open woodlands across much of the eastern U.S. west to Texas. (USDA Hardiness Zones 4 – 8) (AHS Heat Zones 4 -10). It is not a true mint (Mentha spp.) but belongs to […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, Mountain mints (Pycnanthemum), mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on 2025 Perennial Plant Of The Year – Clustered MountainmintChristmas Rose
Posted by Hugh on December 22nd, 2024
Christmas roses (Helleborus niger), aka Christmas roses, are early winter flowering lenten roses. They bloom around Christmas time if winter temps are generally still mild. Based on the severity of winter temps, start of bloom date will vary considerably between H. niger and the more popular Helleborus x hybridus (H. x orientalis). (USDA hardiness zones […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aphids, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Christmas rose (H. niger), Cold tolerance, Container garden, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Flower arrangments, Fruits poisonous, Ground cover, Honey bees, Landscape ideas, Leaf/needle spots, Lenten rose (Hellebore), Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, root injury, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Wind protection, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Christmas Rose
