Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), and like garden mint, it spreads easily by rhizomes and easily self-seeds; the plant is not “obedient” in behavior. It is called “obedient plant” because each tubular flower will, upon being pushed in any one direction, stays in its new position. It grows in […]
Archive for the ‘deadheading’ Category
Obedient Plant – A Native Autumn Favorite
Posted by Hugh on September 20th, 2024
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, deadheading, Fall Garden Interest, Flower Arranging, Landscape ideas, Mites, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Obedient plant (Physotegia), Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Rust diseases, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Obedient Plant – A Native Autumn FavoriteGroundcover Sedums In Containers
Posted by Hugh on July 14th, 2024
Low creeping sedums (stonecrops) are super nice groundcover plants. Consider planting stonecrops in border fronts, on moderate slopes, containers and rock gardens. Plant in the partial to full sun, although many species grow well in light shade. The site should have good soil drainage. Sedums are also planted on “green roof” and “green wall” systems. I […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Container garden, deadheading, Deciduous, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Landscape Construction, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sedum, Sedum (Groundcover types), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Groundcover Sedums In ContainersRed Hot Pokers /Exceptional Summer Performers
Posted by Hugh on June 21st, 2024
Red-hot Pokers (Kniphofia spp.) are easy to grow long-lived perennials from South Africa. (USDA hardiness zones 5b-9). They go by a number of common names including torch lilies and tritoma. Colorful floral spikes (with a little imagination) resemble sizzling pokers or fiery torches, visited often by hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Modern day cultivars are mostly […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Light requirement, mulching, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Red hot Poker (Kniphofia), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Red Hot Pokers /Exceptional Summer PerformersPerennial Salvias Getting Better
Posted by Hugh on June 14th, 2024
Perennial salvias (Salvia × sylvestris) represent a number of hybrid crosses between S. nemorosa and S. pratensis but may include S. × alpestris, S. × asperula, S. × collina, and S. × superba. Most cultivars are branched, upright, clump-forming, perennials with opposite, oblong to lanceolate, medium green leaves and showy spikes of tiny, tubular, two-lipped flowers (each to 1/2” long). Flower color choices range from blue to lavender to purple, depending […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, deadheading, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Honey bees, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sage (Salvia), Salvia, Salvia nemorosa, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Perennial Salvias Getting BetterIndian Pinks
Posted by Hugh on June 7th, 2024
Indian Pinks (Spigelia marilandica) is a strikingly beautiful native wildflower throughout central and southeastern U.S. It is sometimes called “woodland pinkroot”. This perennial grows well in many parts of the U.S. (Zones (5b-9). Plants emerge in mid-spring. Sometime in June, depending on locality, their bright red tubular flowers flare open, crowned by five sharply pointed […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, deadheading, Disease resistant, Heat Tolerance, Indian pink (Spigelia), Landscape ideas, Light requirement, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Indian PinksCranesbills (Hardy Geraniums)
Posted by Hugh on February 19th, 2024
Cranesbills (Geranium spp.) comprise a large genus of super hardy herbaceous perennials. (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). These are not your annual geraniums which is the genus Pelargonium. They grow happily in partial sun to full shade and in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Cranesbills tolerate full sun in cool northerly areas. Plants may produce fewer flowers in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Cranesbill (Geranium), deadheading, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Cranesbills (Hardy Geraniums)About Penstemons
Posted by Hugh on August 30th, 2023
Some 40 years ago, Dr. Dale Lindgren, plant breeder at the University of Nebraska released ‘Husker Red’ penstemon (Penstemon digitalis). This pioneering variety has purple-green foliage and white flowers. New penstemon varieties continue through the breeding pipeline with larger and colorful blooms, more compact habit, or dark foliage. (Z 3-8). Penstemons (Beardstongue) belong to the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Beardstongue (Penstemon), Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Bumble bees, deadheading, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Native Plant, Penstemon, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on About PenstemonsColorful Bugleweed As A Groundcover
Posted by Hugh on June 29th, 2023
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans), aka “carpetweed” and “carpet bugle”, is a fast-growing evergreen perennial ground cover in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. The species name “reptans” means creeping. It is native to Europe, northern Africa, and southwestern Asia. Cultivars are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 (unless otherwise noted). Most bugleweed cultivars demonstrate aggressive plant vigor that helps to […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Bees and other pollinators, Bugleweed (Ajuga), Bumble bees, Butterflies, Container garden, deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Hummingbird, Invasive plant, Landscape ideas, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, rabbit damage, Root rotting, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Weed control, Weeds, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Colorful Bugleweed As A GroundcoverBergenia Or Pigsqeak For Sun Or Shade
Posted by Hugh on June 9th, 2023
Bergenia (Bergenia spp), aka “pigsqeak”, is a herbaceous perennial with distinctive glossy, rounded leaves. Bergenias are native to the forest and alpine zones of China and Siberia. Eight species are available including heartleaf Bergenia (B. cordifolia), leather bergenia (B. crassifolia), and fringed bergenia (B. ciliata). Hybrid selections are also available. (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Bergenia’s […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Bergenia (pigsqueak), Butterflies, Container garden, deadheading, Deer resistant, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sanitation, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Bergenia Or Pigsqeak For Sun Or Shade2023 Triple Crown Winner: ‘American Gold Rush’ Black-eyed Susan
Posted by Hugh on January 6th, 2023
For 2023, three leading organizations, All-America Selections, National Garden Bureau and Perennial Plant Association, have awarded a cultivar of black-eyed Susan their highest plant award in the U.S. For the U.S plant Industry this is the first time ever. Currently, garden interest in rudbeckias is at an all-time high. All-America Selections judges evaluated ‘American Gold […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Environmental Conservation, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Landscape ideas, Leaf/needle spots, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on 2023 Triple Crown Winner: ‘American Gold Rush’ Black-eyed Susan
