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 […]
Archive for the ‘Drought tolerant’ Category
Winter Honeysuckle Totally Ignored In U.S. Landscapes
Posted by Hugh on March 10th, 2025
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, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, White flies, Winter bark, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness 
No Comments »Haworthias – Fun Care-Free Houseplants
Posted by Hugh on February 25th, 2025
Let’s look at haworthias (Haworthia spp.). Plant hobbiests rate them as fun collectables and ask for very little care. Haworthias have dark green leaves arranged in a rosette. Leaves are thick and fleshy and end in a pointed tip. Leaves feel leathery to the touch. These succulents are frequently sold as cacti at garden centers. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Desert environ, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Haworthia, Heat Tolerance, Interior (house) Plants, Native Plant, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness No Comments »Snake Plant – Ideal House Plant For Home & Office
Posted by Hugh on February 14th, 2025
Snake plants, aka mother-in-law plant, mother-in-law’s tongue, (Sansevieria trifasciata) are one of the most popular houseplants. (USDA hardiness zones 9-11). Native to Africa, the Asian subcontinent, and Madagascar, these hard to kill plants are beloved for their architectural shape, tolerate neglect, and filter stale room air (NASA study). Snake plants are remarkably drought- and low […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Interior (house) Plants, Mites, Non-native, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Scale, Snake plant (Sanservieria), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy) Comments Off on Snake Plant – Ideal House Plant For Home & OfficeChristmas Rose
Posted by Hugh on December 22nd, 2024
Christmas roses (Helleborus niger), aka Christmas roses, are early winter flowering lenten roses. They bloom around Christmas time if winter temps are generally still mild. Based on the severity of winter temps, start of bloom date will vary considerably between H. niger and the more popular Helleborus x hybridus (H. x orientalis). (USDA hardiness zones […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aphids, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Christmas rose (H. niger), Cold tolerance, Container garden, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Flower arrangments, Fruits poisonous, Ground cover, Honey bees, Landscape ideas, Leaf/needle spots, Lenten rose (Hellebore), Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, root injury, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Wind protection, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Christmas RoseTemple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower
Posted by Hugh on October 21st, 2024
Few woody plants can matched for year-round beauty of Seven son flower. Temple of Bloom® is an outstanding selection from Proven Winners™ (PW) is a beautiful, easy to grow this deciduous small tree or large shrub. It grows 10 -20 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. In spring, the handsome leaves emerge, each sporting dramatically deep […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Seven son flower (Heptacodium), Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest Comments Off on Temple of Bloom® Seven Son FlowerAmerican Beautyberry
Posted by Hugh on September 26th, 2024
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), also called French mulberry, is a fast-growing deciduous shrub native to the southeastern U.S. It grows 4-6 feet tall and has an open branching form with arching branches. The genus name Callicarpa comes from Greek words meaning “beautiful fruit”. Starting in July, the plant bears clusters of small, pale pink flowers […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.), Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Flower arrangments, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on American BeautyberryHarlequin Glorybower
Posted by Hugh on September 11th, 2024
Harlequin Glorybower (Clerodendron trichotomum) is a rambling 15-foot-tall rambling shrub which can be easily shaped into a multi-stemmed 10-to-20-foot small tree. Glorybower shines in the late summer and early fall landscape. Its sweetly scented, very showy flowers attract the attention of gardeners as well as hummingbirds and butterflies. (USDA hardiness zones 7-10). Where I garden in Northeast Tennessee […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Cold tolerance, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Harlequin glorybower, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Harlequin GlorybowerSurprise / Resurrection lilies
Posted by Hugh on September 4th, 2024
The beautiful colorful large flowers of Spider lilies (Lycoris spp.) pop up overnight in summer (July and August). In the Southeast and mid-Atlantic states, Spider lilies are popular passalong plants. They are known by a number of colloquial names such as “surprise lilies”, “resurrection lilies”, “hurricane lilies”, “Equinox Lily”, and “naked ladies”. They are members of […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Landscape ideas, Lycoris (Spider lily), Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Surprise / Resurrection liliesSummer – Fall Care Of Oakleaf Hydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on August 25th, 2024
Oakleaf hydrangea is an upright, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that is native in the Southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Oakleaf hydrangea should be planted in a sheltered location and winter protection (e.g., mulch, burlap wrap) in northerly areas USDA Zone 5, particularly when not fully established. Oakleaf grows in moist, fertile, well-drained soil in sun […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia), Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Summer – Fall Care Of Oakleaf HydrangeasTen Powerhouse Summer Flowering Perennials
Posted by Hugh on August 14th, 2024
For many years of floral beauty in your perennial garden, get off to a good start. Plant in an area in full or partial sun along with good air circulation to avoid mildew and leaf spot disease problems. Before planting, generously amend soil with compost and well-drained ground. Irrigate the first year to establish the landscape planting. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Agastache (Hyssop), alkaline soil, Aralia 'Sun King', Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Eupatorium 'Gateway', Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Honey bees, Hummingbird, Joe Pye (Eutrochium), Landscape ideas, Liatris, Lobelia (cardnial flower), Monarda (Beebalm), mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Phlox, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Ten Powerhouse Summer Flowering Perennials
