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. […]
Archive for the ‘Heat Tolerance’ Category
Russian Sage More Shrub-like Than Perennial
Posted by Hugh on July 21st, 2013
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 MyrtlesStop Ignoring And Start Planting Hophornbeam
Posted by Hugh on June 28th, 2013
Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) is a medium sized tree native to the eastern half of North America (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). The tree is practically ignored by landscape designers and installers. Few nurserymen grow it. Hophornbeam is often confused with the true hornbeams (Carpinus spp.). Both are called “ironwood”, referring to the hard muscular wood of […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Hophornbeam (Ostrya), Medium sized Tree, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Stop Ignoring And Start Planting HophornbeamSummer Chocolate™ Mimosa Tree Worth A Try
Posted by Hugh on June 12th, 2013
Mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) is treasured as a four month landscape tree for its tropical-like foliage and flowering. This small deciduous tree grows 20 to 25 feet tall and its horizontal branching reaches out widely. Mimosa leafs out in late May with lush green, tropical-looking pinnately compound foliage and growth is very rapid. From mid-June […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Disease prone, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, plant nutrition, Pruning, Soil Conservation, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Summer Chocolate™ Mimosa Tree Worth A TryWhy Some Vines Do Not Bloom
Posted by Hugh on June 1st, 2013
Why doesn’t my wisteria (Wisteria spp.) or climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris) vine bloom? There are primarily four (4) reasons why these vines have not flowered. In order of importance they include: 1. The flower buds, which usually formed on the previous summer’s wood, may have been pruned off. Do not prune vine after […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Climbing hydrangea (H. anomala), Failure to Bloom, Heat Tolerance, Hydrangeas, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Vine, winter injury, Wisteria Comments Off on Why Some Vines Do Not Bloom‘Bikini-tini’ Colocasia Creates Movement in The Garden
Posted by Hugh on May 15th, 2013
Colocasia (Colocasia esculenta), aka taro, ape plant, and elephant ear, among other names, is marginally hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). The 2011 colocasia introduction ‘Bikini-tini’ has garnered high praise from neighbors and friends visiting my garden in the summer. Bikini-tini is a strong stemmed thick-leaved plant that grows 4 to 5 feet in height. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Colocasia, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Perennials, plant nutrition, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on ‘Bikini-tini’ Colocasia Creates Movement in The GardenAustralian Fanflower A Hot Choice in U.S. Southern Gardens
Posted by Hugh on May 12th, 2013
Fanflower (Scaevola aemula) is a relatively new annual bedding plant choice. This Australian native thrives in tough environmental conditions, including the hot, humid summers in the Southern U.S. Fanflower grows well in hanging baskets, containers or garden beds. It grows in average, moderately acidic, well-drained soil and prefers full or partial sunny areas in the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fan flower (Scaevola), Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant Comments Off on Australian Fanflower A Hot Choice in U.S. Southern GardensChenille Plant Hot For The Summer Garden
Posted by Hugh on May 4th, 2013
Chenille plant (Acalypha hispida), aka firetails and redhot cattail, is a hot tropical plant which has jumped from house plant to garden plant use. Their pendulous vibrant red (other colors are available) tassel-like flowers mimic the furry tails of pets. Its lush dark green foliage is heart-shaped. Stems arch downward under the weight of the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Chenille plant (Acalypha), deadheading, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips Comments Off on Chenille Plant Hot For The Summer Garden
