Archive for the ‘Drought tolerant’ Category

Erosion Control – Try Weeping Lovegrass

  Weeping Lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) is a warm season, perennial bunchgrass.  It grows to a height of 2-4 feet and the long narrow 1/4 inch wide leaves (10 to 20 inches in length)  suggest the grass is “weeping”.  Seed heads may be erect or drooping and produce small very numerous seeds (1.5 million per lb.).  Weeping […]

‘Alleghany’ Viburnum Is A Four Season Gem

Alleghany viburnum (Viburnum x rhytidophylloides ‘Alleghany’) aka lantanaphyllum viburnum, is a large easy to grow semi-evergreen (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). It will grow to about 10-12 feet tall and a spread of 12 feet at maturity. This low maintenance shrub is a hybrid cross between V. rhytidophyllum and V. lantana ‘Mohican’. The cross was made in […]

Uniquely Different Spider Azalea

Although rarely seen, spider azalea (Rhododendron stenopetalum  ‘Linearfolium’) will be a pleasing addition to your woodland garden (USDA hardiness zones 6-8). Few people would ever guess that it is an azalea. This airy shrub grows 3-4 feet tall and a whole lot wider. It is slow growing, but is worth the wait. This unique semi- evergreen azalea hails from Japan. The very narrow […]

Growing Celosia In The Summer Garden

  Celosias (Celosia argentea), aka cockscomb, feather, and plume amaranths, are summer flowering annuals in most of the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 10-11). Mature plant height varies by cultivars, generally between 6 inches and 3 feet in height, taller types grown for the florist market. Celosia plants are classified into three groups: a crested type (C. […]

Landscape Ideas Using Crape Myrtles

If you live in zone 7 and points southward, you are likely growing crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei). Additional hybrid cultivars (varieties) are hardy in zone 6. Crape myrtles are loved for their spectacular summer flowers, colorful fall foliage, and exquisite peeling bark over trunks and branches. Cultivars range in size from dwarf selections […]

Four Large Street Trees With A Narrow Vertical Look

There is an old saying that they’re not making more land. This is particularly true in urban downtown areas where room to grow street trees is very limited. Here are four tall trees that also have a striking vertical accent. Their branching is upright. Because of their tall stature, they are particularly suitable planted along wide […]

Favorites For The Shade

Here are ten of my favorite perennial plants for shady areas (USDA hardiness zones 4-7). All prosper in 1-2  hours of early morning sunlight and in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil.  Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Hosta – unquestionably the shade favorite of  U.S. gardeners.  A low maintenance plant that returns every spring with lush […]

Native Serviceberry

Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) is a medium-sized native tree. Its native range stretches from Ontario to the Gulf Coast (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). However, it performs well across the Western and Central U.S. Serviceberry is regionally known by many names, including shadbush, shadblow, sarvisberry, sarvis tree, and Juneberry. The latter refers to the small greenish-blue, ripening […]

Jazz Up Shady Garden Areas

From brilliant green to rich gold hues, fabulous foliage and flowers can wake up any dark or colorless, shade area. See below a list of great plants that wake up a blah area of your shade garden. Plant list is suitable for gardens in plant hardiness zones 5-8. Exciting colorful and/or tropical-like foliage or showy flowers. Hostas, […]

Baptisias – Long-Lived Native Perennials

Wild indigos or Baptisias (Baptisia spp.) are long-lived native perennials. Baptisias are tap rooted perennials that will reward you for many years. They’re sometimes mistaken for Carolina lupine (Thermopsis caroliniana). Modern day cultivars are hybrids of 4 Baptisia species: purple (B. australis), lavender blue (B. minor), white (B. alba), bright yellow (B. sphaerocarpa). Several bicolors are also […]