Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepsis) is one of the finest warm season grasses native to the Western U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9). Initially, this clump-forming perennial grass grows at a slow to medium rate. By early summer its fine textured deep green leaves form an arching fountain habit. Prairie dropseed inhabits prairies, meadows, open […]
Archive for the ‘Disease resistant’ Category
Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus) – A Durable Ornamental Grass
Posted by Hugh on August 20th, 2017
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Mowing, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus) – A Durable Ornamental GrassBlonde Ambition® Blue Grama Grass
Posted by Hugh on August 17th, 2017
Looking for something a little different, plant Blonde Ambition® blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’). It was discovered and introduced by David Salman of High Country Gardens. This prairie species is native from Manitoba Canada, south through the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, and Midwestern states, to Mexico. It is exceptionally heat and cold hardy […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, Blue Grama Grass, Container garden, Container growing, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Mowing, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Blonde Ambition® Blue Grama GrassAvoid Dreaded Tulip Fire Disease
Posted by Hugh on August 14th, 2017
For over a one-half century Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio has been widely known for their fabulous tulip displays every spring. Over the past few years Kingwood’s garden staff had noted a decline in bloom because of a disease identified as “Tulip Fire” (Botrytis tulipae). This fungal botrytis disease tends to accumulate in the soil […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Botrytis disease, Container garden, Crop rotation, Disease prone, Disease resistant, Environmental issues, Flowering Bulb, Hyacinth, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Tulips, Voles Comments Off on Avoid Dreaded Tulip Fire DiseaseComparing Encore™ and Bloom-A-Thon™ Azaleas
Posted by Hugh on August 4th, 2017
Hey gardeners, how about azaleas that bloom nearly 5 months a year. Flowering lasts for 4-6 weeks in spring and another 12-16 weeks in summer and fall. Check out Encore™ and Bloom-A-Thon™ series of azaleas (USDA hardiness zones 6-10). The main differences between these two azaleas is the Bloom-A-Thon series tend to bloom more abundantly in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Azaleas (evergreen), Bees and other pollinators, Cold tolerance, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Encore azaleas, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Comparing Encore™ and Bloom-A-Thon™ AzaleasPineapple Lilies For Summer Garden
Posted by Hugh on July 25th, 2017
Pineapple lilies (Eucomis spp.) are native of South Africa and are easy to grow (USDA hardiness zones 7-10). Several hybrid cultivars are winter hardy in zone 6 if provide a protective layer of mulch or loose leafy compost. Plants have basal rosette of strap-like, wavy-edged, purple-spotted, dark green leaves which spread upward and outward to […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Pineapple lily (Eucomis), Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Pineapple Lilies For Summer GardenDistyliums Substitute For Cherry Laurels and Hollies
Posted by Hugh on July 22nd, 2017
Distyliums (Distylium x), aka Isu tree, are being billed as “the best new plants you’ve never heard of”. Get accustomed to seeing these boxwood-like shrubs in local garden centers, e.g., if you live within USDA hardiness zones 6b-9. Distyliums are the result of selective breeding efforts to improve an evergreen shrub native to China at […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compact shrub, Container garden, Container growing, container shrub, Disease resistant, Distylium, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Distyliums Substitute For Cherry Laurels and HolliesFour Top Rated Coreopsis You Should Know About
Posted by Hugh on July 19th, 2017
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) are flowering perennials (and annuals) native to the eastern U.S. In 2016, MT Cuba Center* in Greenville, Delaware reported on the overall garden performance of 13 species and related cultivars and hybrids in the Mid-Atlantic region. Over a period of 3 years, the MT Cuba staff evaluated habit, floral display, disease resistance, […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Coreopsis, Coreopsis 'Flower Tower', Coreopsis 'Gold Standard, Coreopsis 'Last Dance', deadheading, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness 1 Comment »Thistle-like Bear’s Breeches
Posted by Hugh on July 13th, 2017
Spiny bear’s breeches (Acanthus spinosa) is a clump-forming perennial treasured for its attractive thistle-like foliage and architecturally bold flower spikes (USDA hardiness zones 5b-9). Plant requires little maintenance and is long-lived. Deeply-cut, arching, glossy green, spiny, thistle-like leaves attain 2-3 feet in length on older plants and remain attractive through the growing season. Leaves bear mostly hidden spines on […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Attracting Butterflies, Bear’s breeches (Acanthus), Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Thistle-like Bear’s BreechesBest of MT Cuba Center 2017 Monarda Study*
Posted by Hugh on July 10th, 2017
Monarda, commonly known as bee balm or wild bergamot, is a popular summer flowering perennial. Their large, brightly colored flower clusters brighten the season. Flowers attract many types of wildlife, including hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, moths, and seed-eating birds. Unfortunately, many cultivars are susceptible to powdery mildew disease which causes defoliation and plant loss. Over the past three […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Container garden, Disease resistant, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Monarda (Beebalm), mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Best of MT Cuba Center 2017 Monarda Study*Ground Cover Types Of Flowering Abelias
Posted by Hugh on July 4th, 2017
Flowering abelias (Abelia x grandiflora) come in all shapes and sizes (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). Over the past decade the ground cover types have become very popular. They’re also utilized as accent plants in large containers. In zones 7 -8, they are evergreen. The term “ground cover” is used here to emphasize cultivars that grow low, mostly […]
Posted in Abelia, acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Autumn foliage color, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compact shrub, Container growing, container shrub, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Ground Cover Types Of Flowering Abelias
