Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) is a 60-90 feet tall shade tree with structurally strong branches. Fast growing zelkova may grow 2 feet or more in a single year. Belonging to the elm family (Ulmaceae), zelkova exhibits several elm-like features, including a vase shaped branching habit. Its very different exfoliating mottled bark distinguishes it from elms. […]
Archive for the ‘Drought tolerant’ Category
Zelkova Becoming Dominant Urban Street Tree
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2013
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Large Shade trees, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, Zelkova 
Comments Off on Zelkova Becoming Dominant Urban Street Tree‘White Shield’ – New Thornless Osage Orange
Posted by Hugh on February 26th, 2013
Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) has been declawed and neutered. Also called Bois D’Arc (pronounced “bow-dark”) by native Americans, this tough native prairie tree species (USDA Zones 5-8) produces large 4-6 inch diameter yellowish green fruits (“hedge apples”) which may weigh 2 to 3 pounds. They fall from the tree in October to create a maintenance […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Osage Orange (Maclura), Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark Comments Off on ‘White Shield’ – New Thornless Osage Orange‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae: A Terrific Green Privacy Screen
Posted by Hugh on February 23rd, 2013
Western arborvitae (Thuja plicata) is a large native evergreen tree from the Western U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-7). As many as 30 cultivars are available among dwarf, weeping, and variegated leaf forms. One of the most popular selections is ‘Green Giant,’ a hybrid between T. plicata and T. standishii, a Japanese arborvitae. In its native […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Native Plant, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae: A Terrific Green Privacy Screen‘Vanderwolf Pyramid’– Reliable Mid-sized Limber Pine
Posted by Hugh on February 6th, 2013
Limber pine (Pinus flexilis), native to the Rocky Mountain region, has proven to be a reliable landscape evergreen tree in the Midwest and is gaining new fans in mid-South gardens (USDA hardiness zone 7-a). ‘Vanderwolf Pyramid’(VP) is a beautiful dwarf pine being planted by conifer collectors. It is hardy in USDA zone 5, and displays […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Native Plant, Pine (Pinus spp.), Privacy Screen, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Vanderwolf Pyramid’– Reliable Mid-sized Limber PineVernal Witchhazel and New Cultivar ‘Quasimodo’
Posted by Hugh on January 24th, 2013
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 […]
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 LandscapeAmur 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 Landscapes
