Rex begonia vine (Cissus discolor), also called tapestry vine, is a colorful tropical vining plant that is native to Southeast Asia. This vine flaunts a similar leaf shape and color as rex begonias plants; however, it is tropical vine that belongs in the grape family (Vitaceae). If a 1-gallon plant is set out mid-June may […]
Archive for the ‘Fertilizing plants’ Category
Rex Begonia Vine
Posted by Hugh on April 20th, 2026
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Cissus discolor (Rex vine), Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, Mealy bugs, Mites, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), Vine, watering tips 
No Comments »Sunfinity™ Sunflowers
Posted by Hugh on April 15th, 2026
Sunfinity™ Sunflowers are clearly a generational change in U.S. gardens. Compare them with single huge old-fashioned 9-12 foot ‘Mammoth’ sunflowers that bloomed in mid- to late summer and done by fall. Sunfinity sunflowers are sturdy stemmed, multi-branched flowers. After 9 to 12 weeks in the garden, flowering rates begin to decrease, and eventually the plant […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Butterflies, deadheading, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Sunflowers, watering tips No Comments »Tuff Stuff™ Lacecap Hydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on April 7th, 2026
Tuff Stuff™ Mountain Hydrangeas (H. serrata) are a stunning lacecap series of Mountain Hydrangea). This species is indigenous to the cooler mountainous altitudes of Korea and Japan. They produce almost nonstop blooms from early summer right into autumn. Tuff Stuff are exceptionally cold hardy compared to big-leaf hydrangeas (H. macrophylla) (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). Their […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compact shrub, Container garden, container shrub, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowering, Hydrangea arborescens, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, Mountain hydrangea (H. serrata), mulching, Native Plant, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness No Comments »Superior ‘Wolf Eyes’ Kousa Dogwood
Posted by Hugh on March 31st, 2026
Kousa dogwood is indigenous to eastern Asia (Korea, China, and Japan) (USDA hardiness zones 5 – 8). ‘Wolf Eyes’ Kousa dogwood is an exceptional small landscape tree with variegated leaf color. Tree grows 15 – 20 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Hundreds of cream and green flowers appear in spring. Its narrow leaves are […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Balled and Burlapped (b&b), Bees and other pollinators, Borers, Chinese (kousa) dogwood, compact tree, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness No Comments »Golden Shadow Dogwood
Posted by Hugh on March 24th, 2026
Alternate leaf dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), aka Pagoda dogwood, is a small native deciduous tree or large multi-stemmed shrub (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). This U.S. native species is indigenous to central and eastern Canada and central and the eastern and central areas of the U.S. Pagoda dogwood typically grows 15-25 feet high with distinctive tiered/layered horizontal branching. The […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Borers, Canker disease, Cercopora leaf spot, Chlorosis (yellowing), Container garden, Cornus alternifolia, Deciduous, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Large shrub, Leaf miner, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Root rotting, Scale, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Sun scald, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Golden Shadow DogwoodRosebay Rhododendron
Posted by Hugh on March 7th, 2026
Luxuriant and bold, rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) is a stunning broad-leaved evergreen for a large garden or naturalized in the woodland landscape. This multi-stemmed, upright spreading shrub typically grows 8 to 15 feet tall… but can reach to 30 feet in Appalachian Mountains where it is native. In early summer, mature branches produce large floral […]
Posted in acidic soil, Anthracnose, Attracting birds, Azalea (deciduous), Bees and other pollinators, Botrytis disease, Christmas fern, Columbine (Aquilegia), Evergreen, Ferns, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Heuchera (coralbells), Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Phytophthora ramorum, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rosebay Rhododendron (R. Maximum), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Tiarella (foam flower), Trees & Shrubs, Uvularia (bellwort), Wild ginger Comments Off on Rosebay RhododendronNew Redbuds From Dr. Dennis Werner
Posted by Hugh on January 7th, 2026
Despite his retirement from NC State University, Dr. Werner, the redbud breeder of varieties like ‘Flamethrower’ and ‘Ruby Falls’, has introduced two more new varieties. Both cultivars are the beginning of the new compact redbud series. The two newest redbud releases from NCSU are ‘Pom Poms’ and ‘Amethyst’ are two new compact redbud trees. (Zone […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Cold tolerance, compact tree, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Redbud, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on New Redbuds From Dr. Dennis WernerRestart Your Amaryllis Bulb
Posted by Hugh on December 27th, 2025
Amaryllis is native to Cape Province in South Africa, and as with other bulbs native to this region. They benefit from a period of dry dormancy before reblooming again. In the autumn season, many temperate zone gardeners bring potted amaryllis bulbs indoors and dry out potting soil to induce dormancy. By withholding water, amaryllis leaves […]
Posted in acidic soil, Amaryllis, Amaryllis (Bulb), Container garden, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering Bulb, Forcing, Light requirement, Non-native, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Root rotting, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, watering tips, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest Comments Off on Restart Your Amaryllis BulbRe-Blooming Clivia House Plant
Posted by Hugh on December 12th, 2025
Chase away any winter blahs with colorful flowers of clivia (Clivia miniata). This sub-tropical plant should brighten your home. Start by purchasing a plant already budded or in flower. Clivia lives a long time as a potted house plant. An older plant will grow 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Grow in a large, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Clivia, Clivia, Container garden, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Mealy bugs, Mites, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Re-Blooming Clivia House PlantAll About Snake Plants
Posted by Hugh on December 1st, 2025
Snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) are one of the most popular houseplants and for good reason. It is incredibly drought-tolerant, able to go for weeks without water, and in low and medium lighting conditions. A majority of species are native to Western and Southern Africa and the Asian subcontinent. They are known under a number of […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Container garden, Disease resistant, Dracaena, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, Mealy bugs, Mites, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Scale, Snake plant (Sanservieria), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, White flies Comments Off on All About Snake Plants
