Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is one of the most aggressive trees on planet Earth (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). This large tree, indigenous to China, was introduced in North America in 1748 and brought to New York City in 1820 as a street tree and a food source for silkworm caterpillars. The tree […]
Archive for the ‘Drought tolerant’ Category
Tree Of Heaven Grows Almost Everywhere (Unfortunately)
Posted by Hugh on January 30th, 2015
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Invasive species, Large Shade trees, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus), Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Tree Of Heaven Grows Almost Everywhere (Unfortunately)Winter Blooming Flowering Apricot
Posted by Hugh on January 28th, 2015
Flowering apricot (Prunus mume) is native to southeastern Asia(USDA hardiness zones 6-8). It is primarily grown for its mid to late winter bloom of pink flowers. This small 15-20 feet tall tree grows in average well-drained, acidic soils in full sun to partial shade. Avoid planting in heavy or wet soils. Most abundant flowering occurs in full sun. In the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, compact tree, Disease prone, Drought tolerant, Edible fruits, Flowering, Flw. apricot (Prunus mume), Fragrant, Harvest Time, Heat Tolerance, Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter flowering, winter flowering tree, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Winter Blooming Flowering ApricotSycamore Maple Performs In Cooler Regions
Posted by Hugh on January 21st, 2015
Sycamore maple, aka planetree maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) is indigenous to northern and central Europe where it is a popular landscape tree. Very commonly planted in the northeastern U.S. in the early 20th century, this large 50-60 foot tree is rarely found today (USDA zones 4 and 7). A mature specimen in Jonesborough, Tennessee (zone 6) is over […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Invasive species, Large Shade trees, Maples (Acer), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Sycamore Maple Performs In Cooler RegionsBlue Atlas Cedar Becoming Very Popular In Urban Landscape
Posted by Hugh on January 10th, 2015
Blue Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica ) hails from the Atlas Mountains in northern Morocco and Algeria (USDA hardiness zone 6). The cultivar ‘Glauca’ has been the popular choice because of its blue green foliage. Blue Atlas grows to 40-60 feet in height, but individuals over 70 feet are hard to find. Mature forms, those 50 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Atlas cedar (Cedrus), Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreens, Heat Tolerance, Large Shade trees, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Blue Atlas Cedar Becoming Very Popular In Urban LandscapeMany Shapes and Sizes Of Cryptomerias
Posted by Hugh on January 7th, 2015
Japanese cedar, aka cryptomeria, (Cryptomeria japonica) is the national tree of Japan and is also indigenous to China (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8). Cryptomeria cultivars vary greatly from very dwarf to rounded shrubs to large tree forms. Needle-like foliage may be dark green, medium green, golden or contorted leaves. Cryptomerias tolerate hot humid summers and […]
Posted in acidic soil, Cryptomeria (Japanese cedar), Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreen, Landscape ideas, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Many Shapes and Sizes Of CryptomeriasNellie R. Stevens Holly
Posted by Hugh on December 16th, 2014
Hollies and the winter season work well together. Female hollies with bright red fruits (yellow-fruited forms also) contrast with their glossy evergreen foliage. ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ holly (NRS), a female form, is a cross between English (Ilex aquifolium) and Chinese (I. cornuta) hollies. NRS is the popular holly choice in Southern landscapes (USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9). Hollies are dioecious, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Green Privacy Screen, Ilex (hollies), Landscape ideas, mulching, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Nellie R. Stevens HollyProvide Space For Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar
Posted by Hugh on December 13th, 2014
Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) hails from the Atlas Mountains in northern Morocco and Algeria (USDA hardiness zone 6-9). ‘Glauca Pendula’ is a popular weeping form with blue green needle foliage. It is found in limited quantities at full service garden centers. Mature forms of weeping blue atlas cedars take up lots of space. When young its natural weeping form perform as a […]
Posted in acidic soil, Atlas cedar (Cedrus), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Heat Tolerance, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Provide Space For Weeping Blue Atlas CedarSpecies Tulips Thrive in Tough Spots
Posted by Hugh on November 27th, 2014
Species tulips (mini-tulips) are tough! In the wild they grow in the winter environs and dry soils of Central Asia, the Middle East, and China (USDA hardiness zones 3-7). In gardens they prosper for many years in full to partial sun and in average soil with good drainage. Over the centuries mini-tulips have been improved. […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowers, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Tulips, Voles, Voles, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Species Tulips Thrive in Tough SpotsTrees And Shrubs That Grow In Poorly Drained Soils
Posted by Hugh on November 17th, 2014
If a section of your landscape is poorly drained, there are a number of trees and shrubs that will adapt over time to short periods of wet or soggy soils. Plant roots must survive in low oxygen soils. Your choices of plants are not lengthy; few landscape plants will not tolerate root suffocation for even […]
Posted in Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Bald cypress (Taxodium), Beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.), Black gum (Nyssa), Dogwood shrubs (Cornus), Drought tolerant, Elms (Ulmus), Green ash (Fraxinus), Hackberry (Celtis), Hemlock (Tsuga), Large Shade trees, Magnolia virginiana, Native Plant, Ninebark, Pawpaw (Asimina), Planting tips, river birch, root injury, Silver maple (Acer saccharinum), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summersweet (Clethra), Sweetgum (Liquidambar), Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, Willow oak (Quercus), Willows (Salix), Witchhazel (Hamamelis) Comments Off on Trees And Shrubs That Grow In Poorly Drained SoilsBetter Choices Than Leyland Cypress For Privacy Screen
Posted by Hugh on November 12th, 2014
For homeowners in a rush to establish a tall green privacy screen from the neighbor(s), perhaps a 12-foot tall green fence may be your better option. Among the choices of evergreens to plant, Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyperus leylandii) is fastest growing, but is plagued by any of three serious disease problems. An established leyland cypress planted 12 feet apart completely […]
Posted in Bagworms, Cryptomeria (Japanese cedar), Disease prone, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Leyland cypress, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering iris, winter hardiness Comments Off on Better Choices Than Leyland Cypress For Privacy Screen
