At one time, growing orchids was a hobby that only rich doctors, lawyers and fictional detectives could afford. Today, the very affordable “moth orchids” (Phalaenopsis spp.) are commonly available at supermarkets and big hardware chain stores at reasonable prices. They’re easy to grow and produce large showy flowers which bloom for two or more months. Moth […]
Archive for the ‘Fertilizing plants’ Category
Phalaenopsis Orchids Easy To Grow
Posted by Hugh on January 8th, 2012
Posted in Fertilizing plants, Garden Maintenance, Interior (house) Plants, Orchids, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips 
Comments Off on Phalaenopsis Orchids Easy To GrowFoster Holly Has It All
Posted by Hugh on December 25th, 2011
Foster holly (Ilex x attenuata) is an old holly favorite which has not lost its sizzle. While many new holly cultivars have entered the landscape scene, do not assume that Foster holly is now passé. It is utilized in a number of landscape options in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7), including in containers in zones […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Container growing, container shrub, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Foster Holly (Ilex), Ilex (hollies), Ornamental fruit, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Foster Holly Has It AllTrifoliate Orange –The Barbed Wire of the Plant World
Posted by Hugh on December 12th, 2011
Trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) is a hardy citrus native to China. T-orange is hardy to -15° F. This strong growing large shrub or small tree can reach 15 to 20 feet in height. Its foliage is deciduous and compound, compared to citrus trees with single simple evergreen leaves. T-orange prefers full day or partial (minimum of 6 hours) […]
Everbearer Raspberries Harvest from July To Frost
Posted by Hugh on December 5th, 2011
Raspberry Production at Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC Everbearer raspberries are easier to grow compared to the June-bearer types. Everbearer types are often called “fall bearers” because they produce berries from very late July to late September. Pruning becomes a simple chore – in late winter simply cut down all canes (shoots) to the ground. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, compost, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, mulching, Pruning, Raspberries, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, watering tips Comments Off on Everbearer Raspberries Harvest from July To FrostAutumn Colors Conclude with Callery Pears
Posted by Hugh on November 23rd, 2011
Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) has been declining in planting popularity. But its scarlet red leaf color is both sensational and reliable every autumn in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Most people identify the tree by its cultivar name, e.g. ‘Bradford’, Aristocrat®, ‘Cleveland Select’, ‘Redspire’ pear. There are many other cultivars. Callery pears are tough reliable medium sized trees which […]
Posted in Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bradford Pear, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Heat Tolerance, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Autumn Colors Conclude with Callery Pears‘Snow Flurry’ Zone 6 Hardy Camellia
Posted by Hugh on October 31st, 2011
‘Snow Flurry’ camellia is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with good plant vigor. It was one of the first zone 6 cold hardy camellias hybridized by Dr. William Ackerman and released by the U.S. National Arboretum in 1986. Snow Flurry grows into a 4 feet tall by 6 feet wide shrub over a 10 year […]
Natural Evergreen Needle Drop in Autumn
Posted by Hugh on October 25th, 2011
Some needle loss on evergreens in the fall is natural. As night time temperatures cool, needles in the interior of many evergreen trees or shrubs regularly turn brown (or golden yellow) and drop off. Needle loss is most obvious on pines (Pinus spp.) and arborvitae (Thuja spp.) in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). The […]
Posted in Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Pines (Pinus spp.), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, watering evergreens, winter injury Comments Off on Natural Evergreen Needle Drop in AutumnOctober Starts Out With Fall Sunflowers
Posted by Hugh on September 26th, 2011
I thank the person who gave me a native swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolia). This long-lived perennial appears to have its own internal clock for blooming around the first day of October. Its long narrow rough-textured leaves average 6 inches in length. The 2-3 inch wide flowers appear first on top of the tall 6 to 7 foot plants, and […]
Posted in Autumn flowering, deadheading, Fall sunflower (Helianthus spp.), Fertilizing plants, Native Plant, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on October Starts Out With Fall SunflowersFranklinia Will Survive If…
Posted by Hugh on September 22nd, 2011
Franklinia (Franklinia altamaha) is admittedly a very finicky large shrub or small tree. Pure white, five-petal, 2 ½ – 3 inch camellia-like flowers bloom sporadically from August thru mid-October. Flowers are slightly fragrant. In the fall glossy green leaves gradually transition to blends of red, orange and burgundy hues. Franklinia grows best on an eastern exposure […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Autumn flowering, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Franklinia, Japanese beetles, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Franklinia Will Survive If…Ornamental Peppers Sizzle In Autumn
Posted by Hugh on September 19th, 2011
Some gardeners call them “Christmas peppers”. In the late summer garden all eyes turn away from most flowering annuals and to the colorful fruits of ornamental peppers (Capsicum annuum). Many are dwarf red hot chili peppers. (No!…not the rock band). Fruits are cylindrical or ball shaped and the brilliant colors range from white, yellow, […]
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