‘Winter Star’ camellia (pale pink- photo on left) is the first camellia to bloom in the Conlon garden this fall season. My 8 year-old camellia has 50 or more flowers currently opened and promises to continue blooming through most of November. Other hardy fall blooming cultivars are heavily budded and will open thru mid- December, weather permitting. A few […]
Archive for the ‘Garden Maintenance’ Category
Hardy Camellias Re-Awaken the Autumn Season
Posted by Hugh on November 1st, 2010
Posted in Camellia, Flowering, plant nutrition, Pruning 
Comments Off on Hardy Camellias Re-Awaken the Autumn SeasonArkansas Bluestar Great In Spring, Summer and Fall
Posted by Hugh on October 27th, 2010
Blue star (Amsonia hubrichtii) exhibits one of nature’s finest autumn foliar displays. This Arkansas native is a long-lived perennial and prospers here in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). After its initial year in the garden, amsonia exhibits good heat and drought tolerances. Its fine textured needle -like foliage is very soft and airy. In the […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Perennials, Planting tips, Pruning, Spring flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Arkansas Bluestar Great In Spring, Summer and FallGinkgo -Sex Education 101
Posted by Hugh on October 22nd, 2010
Surviving an autumn season with a heavily fruited ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) tree is a foul smelling experience. The odorous yellow fleshy fruits ripen in October and drop onto public streets and home lawns. Several times I have witnessed the Jonesborough Tennessee Fire Department raking up fallen fruit and hosing down a sidewalk too treacherous to walk […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Autumn foliage color, Deer resistant, Gardenia, Ginkgo biloba, Large Shade trees, Propagation (Seed), Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Ginkgo -Sex Education 101Deadline Approaching for Seeding/Renovating Lawns
Posted by Hugh on October 12th, 2010
Early fall is the “spring-time” for establishing a new lawn or renovating a tired weed infested turf. In the fall most of the weed infestation, particularly from annual pest grasses like crab and goose-grasses, is over. You have another week (until October 20th) to wind up this chore. To completely seed a sunny area, choose a quality blend (two or […]
Posted in Garden Maintenance, seeding lawn Comments Off on Deadline Approaching for Seeding/Renovating LawnsGoldenrod –Set Off Some Fireworks This Fall
Posted by Hugh on October 6th, 2010
Rough-stemmed goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) grows in low woods, meadows and bogs in the eastern half of North America. ‘Fireworks’ (USDA zones 4–8) has a more compact plant habit than the species. This early blooming cultivar provides a long floral display starting in mid-August and lasting through Thanksgiving, weather permitting. Flowers spikes are numerous and held in […]
Posted in Autumn flowering, deadheading, Goldenrod (Solidago), Native Plant, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region Comments Off on Goldenrod –Set Off Some Fireworks This FallTruly, Fall Is For Planting
Posted by Hugh on September 22nd, 2010
The seasonal theme at garden centers is “Fall is for Planting”. Plant sales are everywhere. If you have recentlypurchased a home and your budget is tight, buy yourself an early, but practicable holiday gift- a deciduous shade tree planted on the southwest side of the home. In a few short years, this tree will reward […]
Coppicing – Renewal Pruning for Old Rhododendrons
Posted by Hugh on September 14th, 2010
Coppicing is a form of renewal pruning because the entire shrub is lopped off to the ground. It is a drastic pruning technique primarily used on shrubs that flower and fruit on new or summer wood, those that flower in late June or later. Coppicing is renewal pruning but is so simple that gardeners is […]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Garden Maintenance, Ilex (hollies), Mountain laurel (Kalmia), Pieris japonica, Pruning, Rhododendrons, Southern Appalachian Region Comments Off on Coppicing – Renewal Pruning for Old RhododendronsHardy Camellias for Southern Appalachian Region
Posted by Hugh on September 10th, 2010
Several camellias bloom reliably either in the fall and or early spring in most areas of Tennessee within USDA hardiness zone 6. In the colder higher elevations above 2000 feet, hardy camellias require some additional shelter to successfully bloom over 6 – 8 weeks. Flower colors range from white, many shades of pink, and red. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Camellia, Evergreens, Featured, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Regional, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter flowering 
Tags: Camellia Comments Off on Hardy Camellias for Southern Appalachian RegionWinterizing Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on September 8th, 2010
Winterizing Your Garden Garden Tools and Equipment Maintenance Clean tools and coat with oil to prevent rust. Scrape off all dirt with a wire brush or steel wool. Store all tools off the ground in a dry spot. Sharpen and lubricate all pruning tools. Drain water from hoses and irrigation equipment. Disconnect all hoses and […]
Posted in Camellia, Flowering, Garden Maintenance, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Winterizing Your GardenSummer Care of Trees and Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on September 8th, 2010
Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean your trees and shrubs are. Plants, particularly those planted this year, still depend on some love and care from you. Watering is crucial during the hot, dry summer months. If Mother Nature doesn’t supply adequate rainfall, you must. Plants should receive at least 1” of water each week, […]
