Growing Blackberries Blackberries (Rubus spp.) are among the easiest fruit crops to grow in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 5 and 7), but are not as hardy as raspberries. A blackberry planting has a productive life between 8-10 years. A sturdy trellis system, composed of strong posts and wire, will make harvest chores […]
Archive for the ‘Heat Tolerance’ Category
Better Blackberry Varieties Available
Posted by Hugh on September 18th, 2013
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Blackberries, Disease resistant, Fruits & Vegetables, Heat Tolerance, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips 
Comments Off on Better Blackberry Varieties AvailableDivide Irises In Late Summer
Posted by Hugh on August 17th, 2013
Irises (Iris spp.) are beloved spring flowering perennials. Perhaps some fans and clumps flowered poorly this spring. There are several reasons for this, including: old clumps in need of dividing, weather issues, poorly drained soil, inadequate nutrition, too much nitrogen fertilizer, heavy shade, and pest and disease problems. Irises do not compete well for space […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Drought tolerant, Failure to Bloom, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Iris, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Uncategorized, watering iris, Weed control, Winter Protection Comments Off on Divide Irises In Late SummerRecommended Tall Fescue Cultivars
Posted by Hugh on August 15th, 2013
Tall fescue is considered one of the best cool season lawn grasses around homes and on public and commercial lands in the eastern and midwestern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5 thru 7). The cultivar K-31 is still an old standby, but so many better performing cultivars have now within reach. They feature improved color, plant […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing, Heat Tolerance, Irrigation, Lawn Care, Mowing, Southern Appalachian Region, Tall Fescue Comments Off on Recommended Tall Fescue CultivarsNew ‘Big’ Begonias Showier Alternative To Wax Begonias
Posted by Hugh on August 6th, 2013
Wax begonias (Begonia x semperflorens) continue to be dependable a summer flowering annual for gardens and container use. They also hold up to summer’s heat, humidity, and dry spells and foliage remains mostly pest and disease free. Begonia benariensis are a relatively new introduction by the Benary Seed Co. and are trademarked as Big™ begonias […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Begonia, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Planting tips, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on New ‘Big’ Begonias Showier Alternative To Wax Begonias‘Sun King’ Golden Aralia Brightens Up Any Garden Spot
Posted by Hugh on August 3rd, 2013
Plants with golden foliage can brighten up a drab green garden patch. Sun King golden aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’) is no exception, hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. The golden compound foliage emerges in mid-spring and retains its bright color throughout the summer. This herbaceous perennial grows 4 to 6 feet high and 3 […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aralia 'Sun King', Bee Favorite, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Sun King’ Golden Aralia Brightens Up Any Garden SpotSmall (Dwarf) Crape Myrtles Becoming The Vogue
Posted by Hugh on July 27th, 2013
‘Tightwad Red’ Crape Myrtle Over the past quarter century crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.) have become the quintessential flowering shrubs of summer along with hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.), altheas (Hibiscus syriacus), and chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus). Crape myrtles are grouped into four distinct size categories: trees, large shrubs, medium shrubs and dwarf sizes. A spate of new dwarf […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compact shrub, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Heat Tolerance, mulching, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering tips Comments Off on Small (Dwarf) Crape Myrtles Becoming The VogueRussian Sage More Shrub-like Than Perennial
Posted by Hugh on July 21st, 2013
Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is low maintenance woody-based perennial. It grows in a dry to medium moist average soil and, first and foremost, in full sun. It’s a long-lived perennial which stands up to summer’s heat and humidity (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Branches tend to flop or take on a droopy appearance in late summer. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Perennials, Pruning, Russian sage (Perovskia), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Russian Sage More Shrub-like Than PerennialHeat Tolerant Annuals That Create Their Own Heat
Posted by Hugh on July 18th, 2013
In some parts of the U.S. summer is sizzling, and it may also be very dry. Several colorful annuals cope with summer heat and humidity better than others. Northeast U.S. cities are sweltering near 100°F. A sure bet is that every summer will be hot and humid in Savannah, GA. Near a popular restaurant is […]
Posted in Acalypha spp., Begonia, Coleus, Drought tolerant, Fan flower (Scaevola), Globe amaranth (Gomphrena), Heat Tolerance, Irrigation, Marigold, Moss rose (Portulaca), Pentas (Egyptian star flower), Salvia, Star zinnia, Summer flowering, Sweet potato vine, Tapioca plant (Manihot), watering tips Comments Off on Heat Tolerant Annuals That Create Their Own HeatLong Blooming Colorful ‘Kaleidoscope’ Flowering Abelia
Posted by Hugh on July 15th, 2013
Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) is a popular shrub in the Southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 6–9). Foliage is evergreen in USDA Zone 7 and south. The cultivar ‘Kaleidoscope’ is a form of abelia that can be utilized as a 2 to 3 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide compact shrub or low spreading […]
Posted in Abelia, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compact shrub, Drought tolerant, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Long Blooming Colorful ‘Kaleidoscope’ Flowering Abelia“Red Sells”: Red Flowering Crape Myrtles
Posted by Hugh on July 1st, 2013
In the Southern U.S. crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.) provide summer long flowering. In the garden center business there is a popular saying: “red flowers sell”. Among crape myrtles red flowering cultivars generally outsell all others. Probably the most popular red variety is Dynamite®, a Carl Whitcomb introduction. Dr. Whitcomb followed with other red introductions of different […]
Posted in acidify soil, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compact shrub, compact tree, container shrub, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Winter bark Comments Off on “Red Sells”: Red Flowering Crape Myrtles
