Thunderhead Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii ‘Thunderhead’) is compact form of Japanese black pine. At maturity it may reach 20 to 25 feet high and 15 to 20 feet wide (USDA hardiness zones 5b-8). Expect this slow-growing conifer to grow 5 feet height and 4 feet width in 10 years. By mid-winter its very long […]
Archive for the ‘Heat Tolerance’ Category
Thunderhead Japanese Black Pine For A Different Look
Posted by Hugh on September 27th, 2015
Posted in acidic soil, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreens, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Japanese Black Pine, Privacy Screen, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs 
Comments Off on Thunderhead Japanese Black Pine For A Different LookCrape Myrtles With Awesome Bark
Posted by Hugh on August 24th, 2015
Many cultivars of crape myrtles are hybrids that combine the large, colorful flowers of common crape myrtle (L. indica) with the mildew-resistance and cold hardiness of Japanese crapemyrtle (L. faurei). Many U.S. National Arboretum hybrid releases excel with beautiful year-round ornamental bark. Among the tree forms are ‘Natchez’ (my favorite), ‘Apalachee’, ‘Lipan’, ‘Muskogee’, and Tuscarora’. Natchez possesses extraordinary cinnamon brown winter […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Crape Myrtles With Awesome BarkColorful Oleanders For Hot Summer Climes
Posted by Hugh on July 9th, 2015
Oleander (Nerium oleander) is an attractive evergreen shrub for warm climates. Indigenous to the Mediterranean region, it is popular in warm regions of the U.S., namely in western, coastal, and southern states (USDA hardiness zones 8-11). Oleander prefers moist, well-drained soil and a sunny landscape site. Established shrubs withstand dry and windy conditions along coastal areas. Brightly colored […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Aphids, compact tree, container shrub, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Oleander (Nerium), Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Scale, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering evergreens, watering tips, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Colorful Oleanders For Hot Summer ClimesObedient Plant For Late Summer Blooming
Posted by Hugh on June 21st, 2015
Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) is native from the Central to Southern U.S. and northern Mexico (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). It is called “obedient plant” because each tubular flower will, upon being pushed in any one direction, stays in new position. From July to September obedient plant is valued for its late season pink or white […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compost, deadheading, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Obedient plant (Physotegia), Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Obedient Plant For Late Summer BloomingSwamp Azalea Deserves More Garden Space
Posted by Hugh on June 12th, 2015
Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum, formerly R. serrulatum) is very different among deciduous azaleas. Most rhododendrons (azaleas) do not care for soppy, poorly drained soils. This U.S. native is an exception, indigenous to swamps, bogs, stream edges and wet lowlands from southern Maine to northeastern Ohio south to Florida and […]
Posted in acidic soil, Azalea (deciduous), Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Pruning, Rhododendrons, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Swamp Azalea Deserves More Garden Space‘Short and Sassy’ Helenium (Sneezeweed)
Posted by Hugh on May 21st, 2015
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) is a bee/butterfly friendly perennial that blooms heavily from mid-summer into early fall. Helenium (“sneezeweed”) does not cause hayfever or irritate sinus passages. The genus Helenium is named for Helen of Troy. Its dried leaves were once crunched to make a snuff to promote sneezing. This tough prairie native thrives in full […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, deadheading, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Helenium, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Short and Sassy’ Helenium (Sneezeweed)Million Bells (Calibrachoa)
Posted by Hugh on April 8th, 2015
Among gardeners “million bells” or “callies” are common names for calibrachoas (Calibrachoa x), spring-summer-fall flowering annuals; they’re closely relative of petunias (Petunia spp.). Low spreading plants are blanketed with small petunia-like flowers from spring until frost. Blooms hold up well to rain showers and do not need to be deadheaded. Plants are heat-tolerant and disease […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Calibrachoa (Million bells), Container growing, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, mulching, Petunias, Planting tips, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Million Bells (Calibrachoa)‘Blizzard’ Pearlbush Is Superior Choice
Posted by Hugh on April 5th, 2015
Once upon a time pearlbush (Exochorda spp.) was a popular old-fashioned spring flowering shrub. Its flurry of white flowers followed forsythia in early spring bloom cycle (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8, excel in 7 & 8). New on the garden scene is ‘Blizzard’ (E. x […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, compact shrub, Container growing, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Pearlbush (Exochorda), Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Blizzard’ Pearlbush Is Superior ChoiceNew Redbuds With Striking Foliage Abound
Posted by Hugh on March 21st, 2015
Over the past decade Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) has undergone a real facelift. This native spring flowering tree can no longer be solely identified by its green heart-shaped leaves. New foliage color choices will decidedly catch your eye and win you over. With some reservations most redbud cultivars fall within USDA hardiness zones 5-9. […]
Posted in acidic soil, compact tree, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Redbud, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on New Redbuds With Striking Foliage AboundFairy Wings (Epimediums) Carefree Shady Groundcovers
Posted by Hugh on February 26th, 2015
Fairy wings, aka barrenwort (Epimedium spp.) thrive in shady spots. Fairy wings continue to be a plant collector’s dream. There are over 70 cultivars to choose and new hybrid selections coming along every year. No two cultivars are alike in flowering, foliage size and color. Species will vary from 6 to 20 inches in height […]
Posted in acidic soil, Barrenwort (Epimedium), Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Perennials, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fairy Wings (Epimediums) Carefree Shady Groundcovers
