Elephant ears (Colocasia esculenta) and their aroid cousins have become commonplace in not only hot, humid southern gardens, as well in temperate landscapes. Gardeners grow them in large containers and overwinter them indoors in a non-freezing environ. Also, my neighbors in zone 6 blanket in-ground plantings with several inches of loosely packed leaves overwinter. Colocasia […]
Archive for the ‘acidic soil’ Category
Elephant Ears In Motion
Posted by Hugh on July 21st, 2021
Posted in acidic soil, Alocasia, Attracting birds, Colocasia, Container garden, Disease resistant, Elephant ears (Colocasia), Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowering Bulb, Foliage plant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection 
Comments Off on Elephant Ears In MotionMallow Plant Breeders Developing Resistance To Hibiscus Sawfly
Posted by Hugh on July 16th, 2021
Mallows, hardy hibiscus, and perennial hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) are vigorous shrub-like growers on sturdy 4-5 feet tall (and 2-4 feet wide) stems. The species is native to wetland areas from Ontario and Massachusetts south to Ohio, Indiana, Alabama and Florida. Huge colorful 4-6(9) inch wide flowers have five overlapping petals with reddish-purple to dark crimson […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Hardy hibiscus, Hibiscus (mallow) sawfly, Hibiscus moscheutos, Insect (Pest) Problems, Japanese beetle, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Mallow Plant Breeders Developing Resistance To Hibiscus SawflyGrowing Shasta Daisies
Posted by Hugh on July 11th, 2021
Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum) is a European native that has naturalized in most areas of North America (zones 5-9). Truly low care perennials, Shasta daisies come back every spring and bloom reliably from early summer into early fall (if deadheaded). Some varieties, ‘Becky’ for example, are multi-year top performers. Shasta daisies tend to form clumps, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Botrytis disease, Container garden, deadheading, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Heat Tolerance, Japanese beetles, mulching, Overcrowding, Perennials, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum), Soil drainage, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing Shasta DaisiesSummer Blooming Amur Maackia
Posted by Hugh on July 7th, 2021
Amur maackia (Maackia) is a small deciduous tree with a broad, rounded canopy. Typically, it grows in cultivation at a slow-to-moderate rate to a height of 20-30 feet (to 60 feet in wild). This compact growing tree is an ideal fit in smaller landscapes. A botanical member of the Pea family (Fabaceae), it grows in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compact tree, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Maackia amurensis, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Summer Blooming Amur MaackiaBlack Snakeroot (Bugbanes) For Woodland Beauty
Posted by Hugh on July 1st, 2021
The bugbanes (Actae spp.) represent a varied botanical genus. In my opinion, the most attractive and easy to grow perennial form is black cohosh or snakeroot (Actaea racemosa), formerly (Cimicifuga racemosa). It is a tall growing U.S woodland native (USDA hardiness zones 4 – 8). Bugbanes are beloved for their tall architectural floral spikes. Small, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Bugbane (Actae), compost, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Flower arrangments, Fragrant, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Black Snakeroot (Bugbanes) For Woodland BeautySeven Picks For Your Summer Shade Garden
Posted by Hugh on June 26th, 2021
1. Coleus (Solenostemon) are known for their colorful foliage in containers around trees or shrubs. For shady areas select the Kong Mosaic™ or Wizard™ series. 2. Begonias, as a group, represent lots of variety series. Most garden begonia varieties should do well in beds, planters and pots. Begonia types like the Rex and Angel Wing are grown […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Begonia, Breeding Plants, Caladium, Coleus, Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Flower Arranging, Flowers, Fuchsias, Impatiens, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Summer heat tolerant, Torenia (wishbone flw.), watering tips Comments Off on Seven Picks For Your Summer Shade GardenAttracting Hummingbirds
Posted by Hugh on June 16th, 2021
In early spring many area gardeners rush to set out hummingbird feeders filled with a sugary solution to encourage these feathery critters to visit. However, the sugary drink also attracts ants, bees, and wasps. The solution does not furnish vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids that hummingbirds pick up from pollinating flowers and eating insects. In addition, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Agastache (Hyssop), Annuals, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Campsis grandifolia 'Morning Calm', Canna lily, Climbing honeysuckle (Lonicera), Container growing, container shrub, Cupheas, Daylilies, Environmental Conservation, Flowering, Foxglove (Digitalis), Hibiscus syriacus, Hummingbird, Impatiens, Landscape ideas, Lantana, Lobelia (cardnial flower), Monarda (Beebalm), Morning glory (Ipomoea), Native Plant, Native Plant, Nepeta (catmint), Penstemon, Pentas (Egyptian star flower), Perennials, Phlox, Purchasing Plants, Rhododendrons, Sage (Salvia), Salvia leucantha, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Summersweet (Clethra), Trees & Shrubs, Trumpet vine (Campsis), Weigela, Wildlife attractant, Zinnia Comments Off on Attracting HummingbirdsShorter Version Of Six Landscape Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on June 11th, 2021
Sugar Shack™ Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis Sugar Shack™) – Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours). 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. cut the size in half and added colorful red fruit and glossy foliage. Add in cool looking, fragrant white flowers and you’ve got a delightful plant […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Buddleia (Butterfly bush), Butterflies, Buttonbush (Cephalanthus), Chokeberry (Aronia), compact shrub, compost, Container garden, Container growing, container shrub, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spirea (Spiraea), Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Summersweet (Clethra), Trees & Shrubs, Virginia sweetspire Comments Off on Shorter Version Of Six Landscape ShrubsThree Cool Sedges (Carex)
Posted by Hugh on June 6th, 2021
Over the past decade Japanese Sedges (Carex spp.) have become popular in U.S. gardens. Uncertain which ones to plant – here are three that are easy to grow and require little maintenance. The following three clump-forming evergreen Japanese sedges flaunt arching, green and white variegated grass-like foliage. Tiny insignificant, brown flower spikes arise on long stems […]
Posted in acidic soil, Carex (Sedges), Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness, winter injury Comments Off on Three Cool Sedges (Carex)Growing Cosmos
Posted by Hugh on May 26th, 2021
Cosmos are native to Mexico. In the U.S. these old-fashion annuals bloom throughout the summer months and attract birds, bees, and butterflies to your garden. They produce colorful 2- to 4-inch wide daisy-like flowers that sit atop 3-5 feet tall slender stems. Cosmos make excellent cut flowers and dwarf forms are ideal in containers. Annual cosmos […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Aphids, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Container garden, Container growing, Cosmos, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Insect (Pest) Problems, Landscape ideas, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildflowers, Wind protection Comments Off on Growing Cosmos
