Cryptanthus bromeliads are more commonly known as “Earth Stars” and “Starfish plant”, a name they received because of the shape of their foliage. These mostly tropical plants are found in humid forested areas. Over 1,200 different varieties are cataloged worldwide and make great terrarium plants. Many flaunt beautiful foliage ranging from dark green, bright reds, […]
Archive for the ‘Fertilizing plants’ Category
Earth Stars (Cryptanthus)
Posted by Hugh on February 18th, 2025
Posted in acidic soil, Bromeliads, Container garden, Cryptanthus, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Humidity, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, Non-native, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness 
No Comments »Snake Plant – Ideal House Plant For Home & Office
Posted by Hugh on February 14th, 2025
Snake plants, aka mother-in-law plant, mother-in-law’s tongue, (Sansevieria trifasciata) are one of the most popular houseplants. (USDA hardiness zones 9-11). Native to Africa, the Asian subcontinent, and Madagascar, these hard to kill plants are beloved for their architectural shape, tolerate neglect, and filter stale room air (NASA study). Snake plants are remarkably drought- and low […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Interior (house) Plants, Mites, Non-native, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Scale, Snake plant (Sanservieria), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy) No Comments »Lots of Choices Growing Monstera
Posted by Hugh on February 2nd, 2025
In recent years, Monstera plants have become wildly popular house plants. They’re indigenous to tropical areas of Central and South America. Approximately 50 different species are available at plant shoppes or online. It is an understory plant that grow in the shade of tropical trees and other vegetation. Plants prefer filtered indirect light and avoid […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Humidity, Interior (house) Plants, Monstera (Split leaf Philo), Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips No Comments »Slipper Orchids (Paphiopedilum)
Posted by Hugh on January 28th, 2025
Slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum spp.) are a type of terrestrial orchid known for their pouch-shaped petals that resemble a dainty slipper. Paphs are low light tropicals. Unlike epiphytic orchids, which grow in trees in the humid tropics, these orchids grow on the floor of forests in their native Southeastern Asia. Paphs are relatively easy to grow […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Disease resistant, Failure to Bloom, Fertilizing plants, Flowering house plant, Interior (house) Plants, Lady slipper orchid (Paphiopedilum), Landscape ideas, Mealy bugs, Non-native, Orchids, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Scale, Slugs, Soil drainage, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy) No Comments »Winter-blooming Snowdrops
Posted by Hugh on November 26th, 2024
Snowdrop (Galanthus spp.) are grown in both cold and moderate winters. In the U.S. snowdrops thrive where winters are cool (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). There are about 19 species of Galanthus – in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). They’re native to the cool woodland and mountainous regions of southern Europe and Asia Minor. They tend to struggle in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Galanthus (snowdrops), Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Snowdrops (Galanthus), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering bulbs, watering tips, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Winter-blooming SnowdropsToad Lilies Shine In The Autumn Garden
Posted by Hugh on October 3rd, 2024
Toad lilies (Tricyrtis spp.) are late season flowering perennials in the shade garden. Most summer perennials have finished blooming as their flower buds are just forming. They’re native to moist woodsy environs of eastern Asia and are botanical members of the lily (Liliaceae) family (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). When properly sited, toad lilies are long-lived […]
Posted in acidic soil, Anthracnose, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Toadlily (Tricyrtis), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Toad Lilies Shine In The Autumn GardenSummer – Fall Care Of Oakleaf Hydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on August 25th, 2024
Oakleaf hydrangea is an upright, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that is native in the Southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Oakleaf hydrangea should be planted in a sheltered location and winter protection (e.g., mulch, burlap wrap) in northerly areas USDA Zone 5, particularly when not fully established. Oakleaf grows in moist, fertile, well-drained soil in sun […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia), Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Summer – Fall Care Of Oakleaf HydrangeasTen Powerhouse Summer Flowering Perennials
Posted by Hugh on August 14th, 2024
For many years of floral beauty in your perennial garden, get off to a good start. Plant in an area in full or partial sun along with good air circulation to avoid mildew and leaf spot disease problems. Before planting, generously amend soil with compost and well-drained ground. Irrigate the first year to establish the landscape planting. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Agastache (Hyssop), alkaline soil, Aralia 'Sun King', Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Eupatorium 'Gateway', Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Honey bees, Hummingbird, Joe Pye (Eutrochium), Landscape ideas, Liatris, Lobelia (cardnial flower), Monarda (Beebalm), mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Phlox, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Ten Powerhouse Summer Flowering PerennialsCelebrate Three New Summerific® Hibiscus Varieties
Posted by Hugh on July 31st, 2024
Summerific® is a trademarked series of Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) from Walters Gardens Inc. in Zeeland, Michigan. It is a native perennial hibiscus that emerges from the soil in late spring and grows rapidly. Both their huge flowers and foliage are natural focal points in the summer garden. This long-lived perennial can be utilized as […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Hibiscus (mallow) sawfly, Hibiscus moscheutos, Hummingbird, Japanese beetle, Landscape ideas, Light requirement, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on Celebrate Three New Summerific® Hibiscus VarietiesGroundcover Sedums In Containers
Posted by Hugh on July 14th, 2024
Low creeping sedums (stonecrops) are super nice groundcover plants. Consider planting stonecrops in border fronts, on moderate slopes, containers and rock gardens. Plant in the partial to full sun, although many species grow well in light shade. The site should have good soil drainage. Sedums are also planted on “green roof” and “green wall” systems. I […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Container garden, deadheading, Deciduous, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Landscape Construction, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sedum, Sedum (Groundcover types), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Groundcover Sedums In Containers
