Archive for the ‘Heat Tolerance’ Category

Lion’s Tail

Lion’s tail (Leonotis leonurus) is a tropical plant native to south Africa (USDA hardiness zones 8-11). I have seen used as a late summer – fall blooming annual in public gardens. Lion’s tail’s bright burnt orange flowers are standouts and receive great notice. The common name “Lion’s Ear” comes from the flowers resembling the color […]

Heartleaf Iceplant (Aptenia)

The world of succulents is a treasure trove for many cool garden plants that attract many collectors, including house plant enthusiastics. Heartleaf iceplant (Aptenia cordifolia), also called Baby sun rose, is a non-hardy succulent or evergreen ground cover. This herbaceous subshrub is indigenous to South Africa and favors a Mediterranea- like climatic conditions (in USDA […]

Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena)

Three important objectives of area gardeners are: 1. Inviting more pollinators, 2. Growing more natives, and 3. Reducing garden maintenance. Gomphrenas, aka Globe amaranths, are becoming more recognized as outstanding annual flowering plants for Tennessee/Virginia/North Carolina gardens. Gomphrenas are North American natives (Texas, New Mexico, and northeastern Mexico) and are blooming machines in the heat, the […]

Four Tree Conifers Which Should Be Planted More

Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana), aka Caucasian fir, is native to the Caucasus Mountains (USDA hardiness zones 4-6). This dense pyramidal conifer grows to 50 feet tall and 20 feet wide and are typically branched to the ground. Their flat dark green shiny needles (up to 1 ¼ inches long) feature two white bands on the […]

So Many Great Amsonias

Amsonias, commonly called blue star, are a group of easy-to-grow, long-lived native perennials. These highly dependable plants offer three-seasons of landscape interest: showy, long-lasting blooms in spring (mostly in May); threadlike green foliage in summer; and yellow foliage in fall. Amsonias are native primarily to North America and belong to the dogbane plant family (Apocynaceae). This clump-forming perennial has […]

2022 Perennial Plant Of the Year – Little Bluestem

The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) has named its 2022 Perennial of the Year — Little Bluestem (Schizachrium scoparum) (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). This ornamental grass was chosen because it is suitable for a wide range of growing climates, is low maintenance, and offers multiple-season interest. This North American prairie native grass is adaptable to many […]

2022 Perennial Plant Of the Year – Little Bluestem

2022 Perennial Plant Of the Year – Little Bluestem The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) has named its 2022 Perennial of the Year — Little Bluestem (Schizachrium scoparum) (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). This ornamental grass was chosen because it is suitable for a wide range of growing climates, is low maintenance, and offers multiple-season interest. This North […]

Empress Tree (Paulownia)

Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa) is a fast-growing shade tree, in some years adding 4-5 feet of new growth, eventually to reach heights of 40-50 feet and width of 20-30 feet in less than 20 years.  In the first 3-4 years, juvenile trees develop enormous size leaves. Once trees start producing flowers (adult stage), leaves are […]

2020 Evaluation of Russian Sages By CBG

Russian sage (Perovskia spp.) is a popular garden and landscape plant valued for its lavender-blue flowers and long bloom period. Leaves are silvery green leaves. Long cultivated as an herbaceous perennial, Russian sage is technically a subshrub, a plant with a woody base that produces herbaceous stems. Perovskia spp. has recently renamed Salvia yangii and is a member […]

Bald Cypress For A Small Landscape

Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is well-known as a deciduous conifer native to the southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Pyramidal in form, bald cypress towers over 70 feet tall with a spread up to 50 feet. Bald cypress is naturally found in southeast U.S. swamps, marshlands, lakes, ponds, and other wetlands. On marshy ground, you […]