Vernal witchhazel (H. vernalis) is a dense growing 8 to 12 foot native shrub which blooms in mid-winter in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). It is winter hardy to zone 4. Small ½ inch wide yellow flowers, flushed red at the base, emit a pleasant witchhazel aroma in the February […]
Archive for the ‘Disease resistant’ Category
Vernal Witchhazel and New Cultivar ‘Quasimodo’
Posted by Hugh on January 24th, 2013
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, compact shrub, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Root suckering, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness, Witchhazel (Hamamelis) 
Comments Off on Vernal Witchhazel and New Cultivar ‘Quasimodo’‘Otto Lukyen’ Cherry Laurel Exhibits Better Winter Hardiness
Posted by Hugh on January 17th, 2013
Otto Luyken (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’) is a very compact form of cherry laurel. It produces showy, fragrant, erect white spike flowers primarily in the spring, and repeats with light blooming thru the summer months. Its fragrant white flowers are showy racemes which rise several inches above the foliage in mid-spring. Its glossy pointed tip […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, Cherry Laurel (Prunus), compact shrub, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreens, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Planting tips, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Otto Lukyen’ Cherry Laurel Exhibits Better Winter HardinessWitchhazels Invent Their Own Season
Posted by Hugh on January 7th, 2013
Witchhazels (Hamamelis spp.) are medium to large shrubs which can be shaped into small trees by judicious pruning. In general, all witchhazels grow in full sun but can prosper with moderate amounts of shade. Other than pruning, they require little extra care. Plant in any soil type as long as it is adequately drained and mildly acidic. Species native to the Eastern […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, compact shrub, compact tree, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Pruning, Root suckering, Summer heat tolerant, Winter flowering, winter hardiness, Witchhazel (Hamamelis) Comments Off on Witchhazels Invent Their Own SeasonLong-Lived Cedar of Lebanon – A Record Of Human History
Posted by Hugh on January 1st, 2013
Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) is a tree aristocrat among conifers. Among the true evergreen cedars it is rated the cold hardiest (USDA zone 5). Its broad horizontal branching and dark green needles defines this tree. The bright green tufted needles are less than 1 inch long and not as showy as the more popular […]
Posted in Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Heat Tolerance, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Long-Lived Cedar of Lebanon – A Record Of Human HistoryAdd A Little Muscle To Your Landscape
Posted by Hugh on December 28th, 2012
Underutilized and underappreciated. That’s American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), aka ironwood or muscle wood. It grows primarily in moist, slightly acid soils along woodland rivers and streams. Our native hornbeam possesses the ability to adapt to a range of landscape situations. It grows equally well in full sun or partial shade. Its dark green summer foliage is rarely troubled […]
Posted in acidic soil, American hornbeam, Autumn foliage color, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Add A Little Muscle To Your LandscapeTwo Native Sedges Excel In Dry Shade
Posted by Hugh on December 14th, 2012
Sedges (Carex spp.) are becoming popular groundcovers with gardeners! Most demand a moist, well drained soil. Two native forms, Appalachian sedge (Carex appalachica) and Pennsylvania sedge (C. pensylvanica) excel in dry woodland shade in the eastern U.S. and Canada (USDA hardiness 3-8). Their fine textured grassy foliage and a fountain-like growing habit make them excellent […]
Posted in Carex (Sedges), Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Mowing, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Two Native Sedges Excel In Dry ShadeAmur Maple Excellent Medium Sized Tree For Urban Landscapes
Posted by Hugh on December 13th, 2012
Amur maple (Acer ginnala) (now A. tataricum ssp. ginnala) is a lovely small sized tree from China, Manchuria and Japan. It has long been popular in residential areas in the Midwest and Eastern U.S. and is slowly being planted in the mid-South (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). Extreme summer heat may limit its use. […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Amur maple (A. ginnala), Bee Favorite, compact tree, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Amur Maple Excellent Medium Sized Tree For Urban LandscapesDeer Don’t Feed On Plum Yews
Posted by Hugh on December 10th, 2012
Plum yews (Cephalotaxus harringtonia) are evergreen needle conifers which flourish in the heat and humidity of the Southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). Likely, the groundcover forms are hardier to zone 5-b if protected by snow cover or surrounding vegetation from dry winter winds. Plum yews are native to China, Korea and Japan. Many people […]
Posted in acidic soil, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreen, Evergreens, Ground cover, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Deer Don’t Feed On Plum YewsFranky Boy Arborvitae
Posted by Hugh on December 5th, 2012
Franky Boy oriental arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis ‘Franky Boy’ [syn Thuja orientalis]) is a dwarf evergreen conifer currently in hot demand among collectors. What immediately catches your eye is its thread-like foliage which changes color from one season to the next. Its evergreen foliage adds a fine textured look to the landscape. The new spring growth […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), compact shrub, Disease resistant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreen, Evergreens, Heat Tolerance, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Franky Boy Arborvitae‘Sweet Tea’ Heucherella Offers Year-round Foliage Color Splash
Posted by Hugh on November 24th, 2012
Heucherella or foamy bells is a hybrid derived from crossing U.S. native foamflower, (Tiarella spp.), with coral bell (Heuchera villosa), another U.S. native. Terra Nova Nurseries, a wholesale grower in Oregon, has introduced several of these hybrids. Heucherellas bring out the best traits of both parents. Their small creamy white, bell-shaped flowers open in late […]
Posted in acidic soil, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Heucherella (foamy bells), Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on ‘Sweet Tea’ Heucherella Offers Year-round Foliage Color Splash
