Heucherella or foamy bells is a hybrid derived from crossing U.S. native foamflower, (Tiarella spp.), with coral bell (Heuchera villosa), another U.S. native. Terra Nova Nurseries, a wholesale grower in Oregon, has introduced several of these hybrids. Heucherellas bring out the best traits of both parents. Their small creamy white, bell-shaped flowers open in late […]
Archive for the ‘Drought tolerant’ Category
‘Sweet Tea’ Heucherella Offers Year-round Foliage Color Splash
Posted by Hugh on November 24th, 2012
Posted in acidic soil, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Heucherella (foamy bells), Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips 
Comments Off on ‘Sweet Tea’ Heucherella Offers Year-round Foliage Color Splash‘Morgan’ Oriental Arborvitae
Posted by Hugh on November 20th, 2012
When dwarf conifer hobbiests visit one another’s gardens, they discover new plants, some which later show up in their own landscape. Morgan oriental arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis ‘Morgan’) has become very popular among collectors living in the southeast and mid-Atlantic regions. Morgan arb is a fairly slow-growing, typically 5 inches or less per year. It provides […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), compact shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering hydrangeas, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Morgan’ Oriental ArborvitaePromising New American Chestnuts Arriving
Posted by Hugh on November 17th, 2012
Chestnut blight (Diaporthe parasitica Murrill) was first discovered in the Bronx Zoo in 1904. By 1911 the headline in The New York Times read – “All Chestnut Trees Here Are Doomed”. Over the next half century, the pandemic eliminated four billion trees. Today, the airborne bark fungus still persists in the soil and on diseased […]
Posted in acidic soil, Chestnut, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Promising New American Chestnuts ArrivingAutumn Best Planting Time For Spring-blooming Dogwoods
Posted by Hugh on November 13th, 2012
“Autumn is the season to plant dogwoods”, according to the University of Tennessee Dogwood Research Team. Newly planted dogwoods (Cornus spp.) can establish their roots in the still warm soil and be ready to handle next spring and summer’s heat and dry spells. Over the past 20 years the UT Dogwood Team has released six […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Drought tolerant, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Autumn Best Planting Time For Spring-blooming DogwoodsAmerican Elm Is Back
Posted by Hugh on November 2nd, 2012
American elm (Ulmus americana) once lined America’s city streets until the deadly Dutch elm disease (DED) mostly eliminated it. DED is still present today. Outstanding disease resistant cultivars are truly making a difference, and American elm is on the comeback. American elm is native to the eastern and central regions of the U. S. and […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Elms (Ulmus), Native Plant, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter flowering Comments Off on American Elm Is BackBlue Mist (Caryopteris) Sparkles in Late Summer Garden
Posted by Hugh on October 31st, 2012
Blue mist spirea or bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandodensis) is not commonly planted in U.S. landscapes. In mid- to late- summer, pale blue flowers open above the gray-green foliage. Leaves and stems are mildly aromatic to the touch. There are now several good hybrid forms, thanks to plant breeders’ efforts to improve garden performance. Caryopteris (I prefer this name) grows in average soil, […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Blue mist (Caryopteris), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Blue Mist (Caryopteris) Sparkles in Late Summer GardenVariegated Solomon’s Seal Designated 2013 Perennial Plant of the Year
Posted by Hugh on October 30th, 2012
Variegated Solomon’s seal ( Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’) is one of the finest perennials for the shade or woodland garden. It is the Asian cousin of U.S. native Solomon seal (P. commutatum). Both species are long- lived garden inhabitants. Variegated Solomon’s Seal handles 2-3 hours of direct morning sunlight in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Ground cover, Perennials, Slugs, Solomon's seal, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Variegated Solomon’s Seal Designated 2013 Perennial Plant of the YearTake Redtip Photinia Off Your Planting List
Posted by Hugh on October 24th, 2012
Some 30-40 years ago redtip photinia (Photinia x fraseri) was commonly planted as a broadleaf evergreen hedge in the Southeast U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 6 -8). This dense growing 15 foot tall and wide shrub sports firey red new leaves in spring and summer. The red leaf tint fades to green within a few weeks. Many homeowners desire a fast […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease prone, Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Photinia, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Take Redtip Photinia Off Your Planting ListPignut Hickory: What’s In A Name
Posted by Hugh on October 21st, 2012
Pignut hickory (Carya glabra) is a medium to large tree that you may fortunately inherit when purchasing property. Pignut deserves a better name like “smooth bark hickory”. The species is commonly found in upland forests. Pignut hickory prefers fertile well-drained soil and in full sun to partial shade. A young seedling trees start off slowly from a large […]
Posted in Butterflies, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Nut Producer, Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Pignut Hickory: What’s In A NameSeven-Son Flower Is Flowering Again
Posted by Hugh on October 10th, 2012
Back in bloom for a second time in two months! This is my way of describing seven-son flower (Heptacodium miconioides), a small 15-20 foot tree or large shrub from China. Seven-son’s creamy white petals open in late August and finish up in early September. By late September, the petals have fallen, and the small green sepals (calyces) have […]
Posted in Autumn flowering, Drought tolerant, Pruning, Root suckering, Seven son flower (Heptacodium), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant Comments Off on Seven-Son Flower Is Flowering Again
