Wax begonias (Begonia x semperflorens) are popular summer annuals in public and private gardens. Begonias are excellent for mass bedding, in mixed borders, and in large containers. Plants hold up to summer heat, humidity, and moderate dry spells. The foliage stays mostly pest and disease free. A few years back, two series of interspecific hybrids (Begonia […]
Archive for the ‘Disease resistant’ Category
Hybrid Wax Begonia Revolution
Posted by Hugh on April 1st, 2019
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Begonia, Butterflies, Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips 
Comments Off on Hybrid Wax Begonia RevolutionTemperamental Big Leaf Hydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on March 25th, 2019
Get use to it… big leaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), also called hortensia hydrangeas, are temperamental (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). After a long winter of sub-freezing temperatures, these blue (or pink) flowering shrubs should be stunningly beautiful in spring. However, if the late winter- early spring temps flucuate wildly, grab your pruning shears. Too most gardeners, myself included, […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla), Cold tolerance, compact shrub, compost, Container garden, container shrub, Disease resistant, Environmental issues, Fertilizing plants, Hydrangea, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Re-Bloomers, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Temperamental Big Leaf HydrangeasThe Fragrant Viburnums
Posted by Hugh on March 15th, 2019
Fragrance is a wonderful trait to include in your landscape. Although most viburnum species are not odorous, these 7 stand out for their spring floral fragrance. Bloom dates mentioned here are for zones 6-7 (TN, VA, NC and KY). Burkwood Viburnum (V. x burkwoodii) is semi-evergreen, 7 to 8 feet tall and wide, with glossy dark green leaves that turn […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Ornamental fruit, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Viburnum beetles, Viburnum x bodnantense, Viburnums, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on The Fragrant ViburnumsEasy To Care Siberian Iris
Posted by Hugh on March 6th, 2019
Siberian iris (called beadless iris) are favorites of gardeners and landscapers. Why? – ease of maintenance, plant longevity, and trouble free. Their flowers are smaller than the bearded iris blooms, but their grass-like foliage stays attractive all season long. They are more cold hardier. Siberian irises are mostly hybrids of two southwest Asian species, I. sibirica […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Borers, Container garden, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Iris, Iris sibirica, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering iris, watering tips, Weed control, winter hardiness Comments Off on Easy To Care Siberian IrisGrowing Nasturtiums
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2019
Old-fashioned nasturtiums never lose their appeal, whether in the garden or as a garnish on a salad, or added to stir-fries, or favorite pasta dishes. Depending on the variety, some may be grown as climbers on fences and trellises or as bushy plants in a window boxes and containers. Around the world there are several […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Culinary, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Edible fruits, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Nasturtium, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing NasturtiumsSaucer Magnolias
Posted by Hugh on February 25th, 2019
Saucer magnolias (M. x soulangeana) are deciduous hybrid magnolias (M. denudata x M. liliiflora) as broad shrubs or small trees. They typically grow 20-30 feet in height and width. Saucer magnolias are often called tulip magnolias because of the shape of the colorful blooms. Flower colors range from white, pink, rose, purple, magenta, and burgundy. Flowers […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Magnolia, Magnolia liliiflora, Magnolia x soulangeana, Medium sized Tree, mulching trees, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Shade tree, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wind protection, Winter blooming, winter hardiness Comments Off on Saucer MagnoliasEarly Flowering Magnolias
Posted by Hugh on February 20th, 2019
If you live (and garden) in the northern climes of the U.S. and Canada, Magnolia ×loebneri Leonard Messel is an excellent choice of a flowering yard tree. It is a hybrid deciduous magnolia (M. kobus x M. stellata) (zones (4)5-9). Other similar crosses include ‘Ballerini’ and ‘Merrill’. Leonard Messel magnolia grows to 20-30 feet tall with a rounded crown. It is […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compact tree, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, Magnolia, Magnolia stellata, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wind protection, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Early Flowering MagnoliasKnow About Liriopes
Posted by Hugh on February 10th, 2019
Monkeygrass (Liriope muscari) and creeping lilyturf (L. spicata) are native to Asia. They are known by several names including lilyturf, monkeygrass, spider grass and liriope (USDA hardiness zones 6-10). Some varieties are hardier than others. In general, L. muscari have more narrow leaves. Depending on variety, spikes of lavender, purple, or white flowers arise in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Environmental issues, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Invasive plant, Invasive species, Landscape ideas, Liriope, Mowing, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Know About LiriopesAmerican Hornbeam – Versatile Small U.S. Native Tree
Posted by Hugh on February 5th, 2019
American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), aka ironwood or muscle wood, grows primarily in moist, slightly acidic soils along woodland rivers and streams (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). This native hornbeam adapts to either wet or dry ground as long as soil moisture drains off, and it does not flood over long periods. This durable small tree copes with […]
Posted in acidic soil, American hornbeam, Cold tolerance, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Hornbeam (Carpinus), Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Seed), Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on American Hornbeam – Versatile Small U.S. Native TreeWinter Honeysuckle Totally Ignored In The landscape
Posted by Hugh on January 6th, 2019
Winter honeysuckle, aka fragrant honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) is a treasured heirloom shrub (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). Plantings of this late winter blooming large woody shrub are still found in historical (older) urban neighborhoods and city parks planted prior to the 1960’s. This tough, durable shrub can reach 10+ feet tall and wide. You may opt to limb up its shaggy lower […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Honeysuckle (Lonicera), Invasive species, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Scale, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, White flies, Winter bark, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Winter Honeysuckle Totally Ignored In The landscape
