Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida), popularly called “fall anemone”, are long-lived, fall-flowering perennials for cottage and open woodland gardens. They start to flower in late summer in many parts of the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 7). Several colorful varieties are available. Fall anemones make great additions to cut floral […]
Archive for the ‘compost’ Category
Fall Anemone 2016 Perennial Plant of The Year
Posted by Hugh on January 3rd, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Anemone, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Fall Anemone 2016 Perennial Plant of The YearArrowhead Vine- Easy Care House Plant
Posted by Hugh on December 27th, 2015
Arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum), often called nephthytis, is a easy to grow trailing or vertical climbing house plant. It is indigenous to the Central and South America tropics and is botanically related to philodendron. Its 5-7 inch long leaves are arrowhead shape, with a dull pointed tip (apex) and two basal lobes. Foliage of modern day varieties come in more color […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arrowwood (Syngonium), compost, Fertilizing plants, Planting tips, Poisonous plant, Potting Mix, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on Arrowhead Vine- Easy Care House PlantWhat’s In Your Garden Soil
Posted by Hugh on December 10th, 2015
There are two basic rules in gardening: 1. the right plant in the right place, and 2. properly feeding the soil that nourishes the plants. Many problems in lawns and gardens can be avoided if the gardener knows what the fertility and pH of the soil is. What is soil pH? It is a measure of the soil acidity […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, alkaline soil, applying sulfur, compost, Fertilizing plants, Garden Maintenance, mulching, organic gardening, plant nutrition, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Soil Testing, Southern Appalachian Region Comments Off on What’s In Your Garden SoilCare Of Staghorn Ferns
Posted by Hugh on December 4th, 2015
Staghorn fern (Platycerium bifercatum) is an epiphyte from the forests of Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia. In temperate regions, it is a popular house plant. In their natural habitat, it prefers to grow attached to tree trunks or rock outcroppings for support. It draws no nutrients from the tree. Two very different types of fronds (leaves) […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Container growing, Disease resistant, Ferns, Foliage plant, Interior (house) Plants, Mealy bugs, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Repotting plants, Scale, Southern Appalachian Region, Staghorn fern, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Care Of Staghorn FernsFall Leaf Gathering Turns Into “Black Gold”
Posted by Hugh on November 7th, 2015
In autumn the cool crisp air paints the land with a colorful array from tree and shrub foliage. As days turn into weeks, leaves fall away and pile up on rooftops, walkways, lawns and gardens. Instead of just raking and tossing them curbside, gather and put them to good use. Fallen leaves (and grass clippings) can be […]
Posted in compost, Fertilizing, Garden Tools, Green Recycling, Mulch Quality, mulching, mulching trees, organic gardening, Planting tips, Sanitation, Soil drainage, Winter Protection Comments Off on Fall Leaf Gathering Turns Into “Black Gold”Foxtail Lilies Are Uniquely Different
Posted by Hugh on October 2nd, 2015
Foxtail lilies or desert candles (Eremurus spp.) are beginning to find an audience with U.S. gardeners. Foxtail lilies are indigenous to the grasslands and semi-arid parts of Iran, Turkey, and Afghanistan (USDA hardiness zones 5–8). Tall spires of brightly colored flowers emerge in late spring; small individual flowers are densely packed together. Each showy […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, compost, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Eremurus (desert candles), Flowers, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Spring flowering, Voles, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Foxtail Lilies Are Uniquely Different‘Victory’ Chosen Hosta Plant Of The Year For 2015
Posted by Hugh on September 15th, 2015
The Hosta Growers Association has selected ‘Victory’ the Hosta of the Year for 2015 (USDA Zones 3–9). ‘Victory’ is a large hosta cultivar with gold edged variegated leaves and an upright vase-shaped plant habit. Victory hosta is a sport of H. nigrescens ‘Elatior’, distinctive also for its beautiful, upright form. Plant develops into a broad 3 – […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, compost, Container growing, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Hosta, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Victory’ Chosen Hosta Plant Of The Year For 2015Mid-Summer Blooming ‘Happy Days’ Sunflower
Posted by Hugh on September 4th, 2015
The cheerful golden yellow flowers of Happy Days sunflower (Helianthus ‘Happy Days’) should brighten your garden during the waning days of summer (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). This perennial sunflower has a long 4 to 6 week blooming period. In its first season new plants grow 24-30 inches tall and almost as wide. In subsequent years, tack on an additional 12-18 inches in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compost, Container growing, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Sunflower (Helianthus), Sunflowers, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Mid-Summer Blooming ‘Happy Days’ SunflowerFall Planting of Peonies
Posted by Hugh on September 1st, 2015
Fall is the perfect time to plant peonies either from bare-root plants or from pre-potted plants at garden centers. Fall planted peonies will adapt to their new garden spot over the winter and usually will bloom in the spring. There are three types of peonies: herbaceous, tree, and intersectional (hybrids of herbaceous and tree types). […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, mulching, Peony, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Spring flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fall Planting of PeoniesBloodroot Is Wonderful Woodland Beauty
Posted by Hugh on August 27th, 2015
Bloodgood (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a long-lived rhizomatous native woodland wildflower. All plant parts exude a bright reddish-orange sap when cut, hence the common name. Indians utilized as a dye and sap is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. Roots are poisonous if ingested (USDA hardiness zone 3 -9). In very […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bloodgood (Sanguinaria), compost, Disease resistant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Wildflowers, winter hardiness Comments Off on Bloodroot Is Wonderful Woodland Beauty
