Common sage (Salvia officinalis), a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), is the culinary sage familiar to most cooks (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8). The species grow 1.5 – 3 feet high and wide. Multitudes of showy two-lipped, 1-inch long, violet-blue flowers arise on short, upright spikes in late spring. Flowers attracts numerous bees […]
Archive for the ‘mulching’ Category
Berggarten Salvia Favors Both Gardeners And Culinary Afficiendos
Posted by Hugh on May 13th, 2018
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Container garden, Culinary, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Foliage plant, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Herb, Honey bees, Mealy bugs, Mites, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sage (Salvia), Salvia, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, White flies, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Berggarten Salvia Favors Both Gardeners And Culinary AfficiendosOur Native Bigleaf Magnolias
Posted by Hugh on May 9th, 2018
Bigleaf magnolias are represented by four species: (M. macrophylla), umbrella magnolia (M. tripetala), Fraser magnolia (M. fraseri), and Ashe magnolia (M. ashei). All are medium-size trees with huge leaves and large flowers that appear after the leaves unfurl. All are native to the southeastern United States as far north to West Virginia and Ohio (USDA hardiness zones […]
Posted in acidic soil, Ashe magnolia (M. ashei), Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, Magnolia, Magnolia macrophylla, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Umbrella magnolia (M. tripetala), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Our Native Bigleaf MagnoliasThe Next Generation of Weigelas
Posted by Hugh on May 5th, 2018
Weigela (Weigela florida) is old-fashioned shrub with rose colored blooms and arching branching habit in mid-spring. This shrub is native from Japan, Korea, and China (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). New hybrids of weigelas are arriving at garden centers this spring. Compared to previous cultivars that were 6-9 feet tall, new introductions grow only 2-5 feet […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Weigela, winter hardiness Comments Off on The Next Generation of Weigelas‘Alleghany’ Viburnum Is A Four Season Gem
Posted by Hugh on April 25th, 2018
Alleghany viburnum (Viburnum x rhytidophylloides ‘Alleghany’) aka lantanaphyllum viburnum, is a large easy to grow semi-evergreen (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). It will grow to about 10-12 feet tall and a spread of 12 feet at maturity. This low maintenance shrub is a hybrid cross between V. rhytidophyllum and V. lantana ‘Mohican’. The cross was made in […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental issues, Fertilizing plants, Green Privacy Screen, Landscape ideas, Large shrub, mulching, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Viburnum 'Alleghany', Viburnums, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Alleghany’ Viburnum Is A Four Season GemBenefits Of Mulching
Posted by Hugh on April 22nd, 2018
Mulching benefits garden soil and enhances the landscape appearance. Here is how: Prevents weed seeds from germinating, thereby reducing hand weeding. Mulching keeps plant roots moist and cool in summer. Fall mulching acts like a thermal blanket and aids newly set plants to establish their roots quickly. Reduces the need to water the garden as often. […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, alkaline soil, Azalea (deciduous), Azaleas (evergreen), Camellia, Garden Maintenance, Mountain laurel (Kalmia), Mulch Quality, mulching, mulching trees, Native Plant, organic gardening, plant nutrition, Rhododendrons, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Stewartia pseudocamellia, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Benefits Of MulchingUniquely Different Spider Azalea
Posted by Hugh on April 19th, 2018
Although rarely seen, spider azalea (Rhododendron stenopetalum ‘Linearfolium’) will be a pleasing addition to your woodland garden (USDA hardiness zones 6-8). Few people would ever guess that it is an azalea. This airy shrub grows 3-4 feet tall and a whole lot wider. It is slow growing, but is worth the wait. This unique semi- evergreen azalea hails from Japan. The very narrow […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, compact shrub, compost, container shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spider aalea (R. stenopetalum), Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Uniquely Different Spider AzaleaGrowing Celosia In The Summer Garden
Posted by Hugh on April 16th, 2018
Celosias (Celosia argentea), aka cockscomb, feather, and plume amaranths, are summer flowering annuals in most of the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 10-11). Mature plant height varies by cultivars, generally between 6 inches and 3 feet in height, taller types grown for the florist market. Celosia plants are classified into three groups: a crested type (C. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Bees and other pollinators, Celosia, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Mites, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Growing Celosia In The Summer GardenSimple Care of Crape Myrtles
Posted by Hugh on April 13th, 2018
Crape Myrtle Hardiness: Know how hardy the cultivar is. USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9). Site Location: Crape myrtles love sunlight. Flower numbers decline in light to medium shade. Plant in average soil that is well-drained. Select the right cultivar that fits the allotted planting space. Mulch plant and water as needed the first growing season. […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Cercopora leaf spot, compact shrub, compact tree, Container garden, Container growing, container shrub, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Crape myrtle aphid, Crape myrtle bark scale, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Landscape ideas, mulching, mulching trees, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Street tree, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Simple Care of Crape MyrtlesLandscape Ideas Using Crape Myrtles
Posted by Hugh on April 10th, 2018
If you live in zone 7 and points southward, you are likely growing crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei). Additional hybrid cultivars (varieties) are hardy in zone 6. Crape myrtles are loved for their spectacular summer flowers, colorful fall foliage, and exquisite peeling bark over trunks and branches. Cultivars range in size from dwarf selections […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Butterflies, compact shrub, Container garden, Container growing, container shrub, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Landscape Ideas Using Crape MyrtlesWhen To Cut Back Foliage Of Spring Flowering Bulbs
Posted by Hugh on April 7th, 2018
Once your tulips, daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs have bloomed, don’t be in a hurry to cut off the stems and leaves. Plant foliage serves an valuable role in the health and growth of bulbous plants. The green leaves absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide as a part of the process of photosynthesis. The spent blossoms […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Alliums (onion), Bee Favorite, Beneficial insects, Butterflies, compost, Container garden, Daffodil (Narcissus), deadheading, Dianthus (Pinks), Diascias, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Hyacinth, Landscape ideas, mulching, Pansies, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Siberian Wallflower (Cheiranthus), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Summer heat tolerant, Tulips, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on When To Cut Back Foliage Of Spring Flowering Bulbs
