In any season visitors to your garden should immediately take notice of ‘Silberlocke’ korean fir. Korean fir (Abies koreana) is a densely branched pyramidal evergreen tree. Growth is slow in the beginning, eventually reaching 50 feet or more in mature height. The wide 3/4 inch long needles are dark green and glossy above and silvery […]
Archive for the ‘mulching’ Category
‘Silberlocke’ Korean fir Gets Lots of Favorable Comments
Posted by Hugh on June 16th, 2013
Posted in acidic soil, compact shrub, container shrub, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Korean fir (Abies koreana), mulching, Planting tips, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Winter Protection 
Comments Off on ‘Silberlocke’ Korean fir Gets Lots of Favorable Comments‘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 GardenA Marigold Revival
Posted by Hugh on April 14th, 2013
Over the past 2-3 years marigolds are regaining their popularity. Marigolds are easy to grow and come in vibrant shades of yellows and oranges. Tall African type marigolds grow 24-42 inches tall and belong in garden beds. Intermediate (15-24 inch height) and dwarf French types (10-12 inch height) are suited for both bedding and container plantings. Plant marigolds in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Disease prone, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Marigold, Mites, mulching, plant nutrition, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, watering tips Comments Off on A Marigold Revival‘Appalachian Spring’ Dogwood Highly Disease Resistant
Posted by Hugh on April 1st, 2013
This may be old news, but definitely worth repeating. Twenty five years ago a dreaded dogwood disease threatened to eliminate our beautiful spring flowering tree from our gardens. Appalachian Spring flowering dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Appalachian Spring’) was found at the Camp David Presidential Retreat atop Catoctin Mountain in Maryland. Currently, Appalachian Spring is the only dogwood cultivar […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Dogwood borer, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Ornamental fruit, plant nutrition, Spring flowering, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Appalachian Spring’ Dogwood Highly Disease ResistantShredded Umbrella Plant Handles Dry Shade
Posted by Hugh on March 27th, 2013
Shredded umbrella plant (Syneilesis aconitifolia) is a non-aggressive woodland ground cover which is native to dry hillsides in China, Japan, and Korea (USDA hardiness zones 4 thru 8). It has a medium green lacy foliage which you will treasure in the shade garden. While its flowers may be tiny and inconspicuous, the circular umbrella foliage […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Disease resistant, Ground cover, mulching, Perennials, Shredded umbrella (Syneilesis), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Shredded Umbrella Plant Handles Dry ShadeLittle Girl Magnolias Avoid Early Spring Frosts
Posted by Hugh on March 17th, 2013
The early flowering deciduous magnolias, namely star (Magnolia stellata) and tulip (M. soulangeana) magnolias, are often susceptible to late winter-early spring frosts. In the 1980’s the U.S. National Arboretum released the series of 8 shrub-type cultivars called the “Little Girl Magnolias”. They were crosses between M. liliiflora and M. stellata. Over ten years these deciduous […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Garden Maintenance, Magnolia liliiflora, Magnolia stellata, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (layering), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Little Girl Magnolias Avoid Early Spring FrostsTreat Colorful Caladiums As Tender Annuals
Posted by Hugh on March 12th, 2013
Caladiums at Yewdell Gardens in Crestwood, KY (near Louisville) Caladiums (Caladium bicolor) are tropical foliage plants which are grown as annuals. Caladiums brighten up shady to sunny spots. Their brightly colored foliage is either heart and lanced shaped in color combinations ranging from red, rose, pink, chartreuse, green, and white. Caladiums absolutely prefer a warm, […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Caladium, compost, Deer resistant, Flowers, Foliage plant, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Irrigation, mulching, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Treat Colorful Caladiums As Tender AnnualsMore Winter Hardy Encore Azaleas Now Available
Posted by Hugh on February 21st, 2013
For spring 2013, 22 of 32 Encore™ Azalea varieties are cold hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). Thirteen (13) varieties are reliably cold hardy throughout Zone 6-a&b. They are: Autumn Amethyst, Autumn Carnation, Autumn Cheer, Autumn Jewel , Autumn Lilac, Autumn Lily, Autumn Royalty, Autumn Ruby, Autumn Sangria, Autumn […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Autumn flowering, Azaleas (evergreen), Evergreen, Flowers, mulching, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on More Winter Hardy Encore Azaleas Now AvailableLungworts- Perfect Shade Companion With Hostas
Posted by Hugh on February 18th, 2013
The lungworts (Pulmonaria spp.) are very popular in shade gardens with hostas, astilbes, Solomon seals, and ferns (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Their green or silver-colored foliage may be dusted with green, silver or white spots. Lungworts are divided into two distinct foliage forms: narrow long-leaf (P. longifolia) and silvery or speckled oval leaves (P. saccharata). […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Downy mildew, Flowers, Ground cover, Hummingbird, mulching, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Pulmonaria, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Lungworts- Perfect Shade Companion With Hostas‘Pink Lemonade’ Blueberries Will Delight Your Taste Buds
Posted by Hugh on February 12th, 2013
Pink Lemonade blueberry (Vaccinium x ‘Pink Lemonade’) is a new variety introduction from the USDA. It combines the benefits of growing a beautiful landscape plant and one that produces a tasty crop of pinkish red blueberries. Pink Lemonade is also very winter hardy (USDA hardiness zone 4). Select a sunny location, preferably with an […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Blueberries, compost, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Uncategorized, watering tips, Wildlife attractant Comments Off on ‘Pink Lemonade’ Blueberries Will Delight Your Taste Buds
