If you are searching for a tall evergreen conifer as a privacy screen, the four most popular in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7) are: # 1 is Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) which rapidly grows 40-50 feet tall and 20-25 feet wide in less than 25 years…if they live long […]
Archive for the ‘acidic soil’ Category
Ranking Four Popular Evergreens As Privacy Screens
Posted by Hugh on November 25th, 2013
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Cryptomeria (Japanese cedar), Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Evergreens, Green Privacy Screen, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Ranking Four Popular Evergreens As Privacy ScreensMexican Feather Grass
Posted by Hugh on November 21st, 2013
The ultra-fine soft foliage of Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) will grab your interest. Just a slight breeze will create wave movement in your garden (USDA hardiness zones 7 to 10). It grows 1½ feet high (2 feet tall in flower) and 1½ to 2 feet in width. Mexican Feather Grass is a cool season […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Invasive plant, Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella), Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Mexican Feather GrassPyramidal Forms Of Cryptomeria
Posted by Hugh on November 19th, 2013
Cryptomeria, aka Japanese cedar, (Cryptomeria japonica) is an evergreen conifer native to China and Japan. It rated to be very long-lived (USDA hardiness zones 6 to 10). Some cultivars may be hardy in 5-b as well. There are many forms of cryptomerias, ranging from dwarf globe-shaped shrubs to narrow pyramidal trees. Needle foliage may be […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bagworms, Cryptomeria (Japanese cedar), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreens, Privacy Screen, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Pyramidal Forms Of CryptomeriaStaghorn Sumac’s Reliable Fall-Winter Assets
Posted by Hugh on November 12th, 2013
Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is known by several names, including velvet sumac and hairy sumac. This large shrub or small tree is native to northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). Staghorn sumac often arrives uninvited into a landscape and its aggressive suckering root system makes it difficult to eradicate. For landscape use […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Autumn foliage color, Autumn Fruiting, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Southern Appalachian Region, Sumac (Rhus), Summer flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Staghorn Sumac’s Reliable Fall-Winter AssetsChina Fir Deserves A Look
Posted by Hugh on November 9th, 2013
To begin, China fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is not a true fir (genus: Abies). Branches are broadly pyramidal when young, and open up to become slightly pendulous as the tree ages. China fir grows broad at the base and spire-like on top. The tree often grows multi-stemmed to 75 feet in height and 20 to 30 […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, China fir (Cunninghamia), Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on China Fir Deserves A LookThree New Spreading Junipers Waking Up Landscapes
Posted by Hugh on November 9th, 2013
In times past Chinese junipers (Juniperus chinensis) were popular foundation shrubs and ground cover (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). They were popular choices in sunny locations for erosion control and around seashore areas. Three exciting cultivars have arrived on the landscape scene and should bring junipers back in vogue. Angelica Blue Chinese juniper (J. chinensis ‘Angelica […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bagworms, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Ground cover, Insect (Pest) Problems, Juniper, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Three New Spreading Junipers Waking Up LandscapesKentucky Coffee A Superior Large Native Tree
Posted by Hugh on November 4th, 2013
Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is a large native tree found in 18 states, from New York west to Nebraska and from central Minnesota south to Oklahoma (zones 4 through 7). It reaches a mature height of 70 feet (some greater than 90 feet) with a spread of 50 feet. Established in 2-3 years, annual growth […]
Posted in acidic soil, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Kentucky coffeetree, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Kentucky Coffee A Superior Large Native TreeBurning Bush Turns Fire Engine Red In The Fall
Posted by Hugh on November 1st, 2013
Be cautioned from the start that planting dwarf burning bush (Euonymus alata var. compactus) in some states in the U.S. is prohibited. This deciduous shrub is known for its awesome fire engine red fall foliage color (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). In shady areas fall leaf color tends to be more pinkish. Fall leaf […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Bee Favorite, Burning bush (Euonymus), compact shrub, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Scale, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Burning Bush Turns Fire Engine Red In The FallInvite These “Bells” To Next Spring’s Garden Ball
Posted by Hugh on October 30th, 2013
Fall planting of many kinds of bulbs is a worthwhile long term investment of your time. Many bulbs (and corms) like daffodils and crocuses will naturalize where you plant them. They also bloom for long periods from late winter into spring. Bulbs bloom nice their first spring; flower heavier the second year; and multiply each […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Disease resistant, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Southern Appalachian Region, Spanish bluebells, Spring flowering bulbs, Summer snowflake (Leucojum), winter hardiness Comments Off on Invite These “Bells” To Next Spring’s Garden BallWillow Oak Very Reliable As Street Or Park Tree
Posted by Hugh on October 28th, 2013
Willow oak (Quercus phellos) is medium to large, deciduous tree, part of the red oak group. It is noted for willow-like oak foliage and growth rate after a 2 year establishment period is moderate (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Willow oak grows 50-75 feet tall and 30-35 feet wide with a rounded top or canopy. Young […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Large Shade trees, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, Willow oak (Quercus), winter hardiness Comments Off on Willow Oak Very Reliable As Street Or Park Tree
