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 FallThe 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 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 Rhododendrons
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 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 Garden
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, […]
It is usually quite difficult to determine why a shrub or tree fails to bloom. Most often the problem is the plant’s health, related to weather or environmental factors. Sometimes, the gardener has grown the plant poorly. Here are the seven leading causes: High much nitrogen? The nitrogen to carbohydrate ratio (C:N) is a common […]
Posted in Failure to Bloom, Featured, Garden Maintenance, Garden Problems Comments Off on Failure of Shrubs and Trees to BloomPhoto: Fall anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’ The end of summer does not mean that other perennials aren’t beginning their blooming season. Three fall flowering perennials- reblooming daylilies, remontant iris, and fall anemones- thrive here in the Southern Appalachian (USDA zones 6 and 7). Early fall is a great time to again enjoy a lovely bed of […]
Leaf raking is a major chore this month. I’m still a bit old fashioned and rake by hand. Most modern folks have switched to leaf blowers, but protect those ears with plugs or headphones. Compost is called “black gold” and is created from garden trash that the intelligent gardener collects, a natural process of enriching […]
A generation of gardeners have extolled the benefits of mulching around trees and flower beds. Sometimes, mulching is not a good practice. Often, a heavy clay soil retains too much moisture over the winter months. Some dryland perennials, such as cheddar pinks (dianthus), euphorbia, and delospermum, prefer dry to moderately wet winter soils. Amending with […]
Posted in Garden Problems, mulching, Pests, poor quality mulch Comments Off on Mulching- Not Always a Good Practice
