On a woodland hike in the eastern U.S., lush colonies of evergreen Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) flourish along the moist slopes (USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8). This native perennial fern favors either a deep or light shade environment. A vigorous clump may grow 18 – 24 inches in height and width. Set new plants […]
Archive for the ‘Drought tolerant’ Category
Christmas Ferns Are Easy To Grow
Posted by Hugh on February 1st, 2014
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Ferns, Ground cover, Native Plant, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Christmas Ferns Are Easy To GrowEuropean Hornbeams Serve As Great Garden Sentinels
Posted by Hugh on January 17th, 2014
Upright European hornbeams (Carpinus betulus cvs.) are versatile small to medium-sized deciduous trees that fit most landscape settings. Depending on which cultivar you select, the tree stands with a narrow vertical profile. It grows 35-40 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide. It’s cookie cutter by design as a street tree or tall narrow hedge. Hornbeams […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Hornbeam (Carpinus), plant nutrition, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark Comments Off on European Hornbeams Serve As Great Garden SentinelsFor Dry Sites Try Arizona Cypress
Posted by Hugh on January 11th, 2014
Arizona cypress (Cupressus glabra) is silvery blue needled medium-sized evergreen (USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9). This southwest U.S. native demands full sun and excels in droughty, infertile, and well-drained soils. Conversely, Arizona cypress does not tolerate shade, poor air circulation and flooded soil. Arizona cypress is mostly disease and pest free unless too crowded […]
Posted in acidify soil, alkaline soil, Cupressus (cypress), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on For Dry Sites Try Arizona CypressShagbark Hickory
Posted by Hugh on January 8th, 2014
Most tree lovers don’t plant U.S native shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Instead, they often inherit one when purchasing property. Shagbark hickory is notoriously difficult to transplant and grows very slowly in its early years. Like oaks (Quercus spp.) and beeches (Fagus spp.), hickories are long-lived, often standing tall in an open […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Butterflies, Drought tolerant, Hickory (Carya spp.), Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Nut Producer, Propagation (Seed), Southern Appalachian Region, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Shagbark HickoryPast Winners of the Perennial Plant of The Year Award
Posted by Hugh on January 1st, 2014
Each year PPA members choose a Perennial Plant of the Year™. Since 1990 24 great plants have been selected. Some of the selection criteria include: • Suitable to a wide range of climatic conditions • Low Maintenance • Pest and disease resistant • Availability at garden centers • Multiple seasons of color (beauty) The list […]
Posted in Astilbe (false spirea), Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Brunnera 'Jack Frost', Calamagrostis, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Coreopsis, Cranesbill (Geranium), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Heuchera (coralbells), Perennials, Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer phlox (P. paniculata) Comments Off on Past Winners of the Perennial Plant of The Year Award2014 Perennial Plant Of the Year: ‘Northwind’ Switchgrass
Posted by Hugh on December 29th, 2013
Northwind switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’) is a 4 to 5 feet tall native prairie grass (USDA hardiness zones 4–9). There are many fine switchgrass varieties, but its Northwind’s vertical form and steel blue foliage that makes it a standout. Northwind switchgrass has been selected the 2014 Perennial Plant of the Year. By mid-summer its lacy soft pinkish […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Sand Dune Protection, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Switchgrass (Panicum), watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on 2014 Perennial Plant Of the Year: ‘Northwind’ Switchgrass‘Summer Cascade’ Is A Very Different Weeping River Birch
Posted by Hugh on December 22nd, 2013
Summer Cascade is a new weeping river birch (Betula nigra Summer Cascade™ (PPAF). Its pendulous branching habit represents a unique change for river birch. Its strong weeping nature creates a divine focal point planted next to a pond, deck, or patio. Left unstaked, Summer Cascade’s strong pendulous habit naturally grows into a shrub mound or […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, compact tree, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Planting tips, Pruning, river birch, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Summer Cascade’ Is A Very Different Weeping River Birch‘Grey Owl’ Juniper Is Tough Carefree Evergreen
Posted by Hugh on December 18th, 2013
Some people rate junipers as over-planted or bygone landscape plants. Juniperus virginiana ‘Grey Owl’ is a cultivar of our native Eastern Red Cedar (USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9). Eastern red cedar is actually a juniper. This flat spreading evergreen develops into a reliable ground cover not plagued with disease and pest problems observed on […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Ground cover, Juniper, mulching, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Grey Owl’ Juniper Is Tough Carefree Evergreen‘Ogon’ Dawn Redwood Offers 4-Seasons Interest
Posted by Hugh on December 9th, 2013
Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Ogon’ (aka ‘Gold Rush’) is a stunning foliage color variant (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8). Metasequoia was thought to be extinct until the mid-1940’s when rediscovered in China. Its leaves were commonly found imprinted in fossil rocks. When developing your landscape plan, place Ogon where it will become a focal […]
Posted in acidic soil, Dawn redwood (Metasequoia), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Ogon’ Dawn Redwood Offers 4-Seasons InterestMexican Feather Grass
Posted by Hugh on November 21st, 2013
The ultra-fine soft foliage of Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) will grab your interest. Just a slight breeze will create wave movement in your garden (USDA hardiness zones 7 to 10). It grows 1½ feet high (2 feet tall in flower) and 1½ to 2 feet in width. Mexican Feather Grass is a cool season […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Invasive plant, Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella), Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Mexican Feather Grass
