American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), also called French mulberry, is a fast-growing deciduous shrub native to the southeastern U.S. It grows 4-6 feet tall and has an open branching form with arching branches. The genus name Callicarpa comes from Greek words meaning “beautiful fruit”. Starting in July, the plant bears clusters of small, pale pink flowers […]
Archive for the ‘Garden Maintenance’ Category
American Beautyberry
Posted by Hugh on September 26th, 2024
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.), Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Flower arrangments, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on American BeautyberryObedient Plant – A Native Autumn Favorite
Posted by Hugh on September 20th, 2024
Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), and like garden mint, it spreads easily by rhizomes and easily self-seeds; the plant is not “obedient” in behavior. It is called “obedient plant” because each tubular flower will, upon being pushed in any one direction, stays in its new position. It grows in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, deadheading, Fall Garden Interest, Flower Arranging, Landscape ideas, Mites, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Obedient plant (Physotegia), Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Rust diseases, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Obedient Plant – A Native Autumn FavoriteHarlequin Glorybower
Posted by Hugh on September 11th, 2024
Harlequin Glorybower (Clerodendron trichotomum) is a rambling 15-foot-tall rambling shrub which can be easily shaped into a multi-stemmed 10-to-20-foot small tree. Glorybower shines in the late summer and early fall landscape. Its sweetly scented, very showy flowers attract the attention of gardeners as well as hummingbirds and butterflies. (USDA hardiness zones 7-10). Where I garden in Northeast Tennessee […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Cold tolerance, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Harlequin glorybower, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Harlequin GlorybowerSurprise / Resurrection lilies
Posted by Hugh on September 4th, 2024
The beautiful colorful large flowers of Spider lilies (Lycoris spp.) pop up overnight in summer (July and August). In the Southeast and mid-Atlantic states, Spider lilies are popular passalong plants. They are known by a number of colloquial names such as “surprise lilies”, “resurrection lilies”, “hurricane lilies”, “Equinox Lily”, and “naked ladies”. They are members of […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Landscape ideas, Lycoris (Spider lily), Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Surprise / Resurrection liliesSummer – Fall Care Of Oakleaf Hydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on August 25th, 2024
Oakleaf hydrangea is an upright, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that is native in the Southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Oakleaf hydrangea should be planted in a sheltered location and winter protection (e.g., mulch, burlap wrap) in northerly areas USDA Zone 5, particularly when not fully established. Oakleaf grows in moist, fertile, well-drained soil in sun […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia), Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Summer – Fall Care Of Oakleaf HydrangeasTen Powerhouse Summer Flowering Perennials
Posted by Hugh on August 14th, 2024
For many years of floral beauty in your perennial garden, get off to a good start. Plant in an area in full or partial sun along with good air circulation to avoid mildew and leaf spot disease problems. Before planting, generously amend soil with compost and well-drained ground. Irrigate the first year to establish the landscape planting. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Agastache (Hyssop), alkaline soil, Aralia 'Sun King', Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Eupatorium 'Gateway', Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Honey bees, Hummingbird, Joe Pye (Eutrochium), Landscape ideas, Liatris, Lobelia (cardnial flower), Monarda (Beebalm), mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Phlox, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Ten Powerhouse Summer Flowering PerennialsHosta Garden Companions
Posted by Hugh on August 7th, 2024
Consider planting a colorful array of low shrubs, perennials, annuals, ground covers and spring bulbs with hostas. Additions must prefer partial sun to shade and moderate moist soil. Choose varieties with brightly colored foliage, structure, size, texture and color for contrast. Avoid aggressive vegetative companions. Hosta companions can include anemone, assorted ferns, astilbe, lenten roses (Helleborus), […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aralia 'Sun King', Astilbe (false spirea), Autumn fern (Dryopteris), Barrenwort (Epimedium), Bees and other pollinators, Bergenia (pigsqueak), Brunnera 'Jack Frost', Bugleweed (Ajuga), Butterflies, Carex (Sedges), Cranesbill (Geranium), Dead nettle (Lamium), Deciduous, Disease resistant, Ferns, Ground cover, Hakone grass, Heuchera (coralbells), Hosta, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Pulmonaria, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Solomon's seal, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uvularia (bellwort), watering tips, winter hardiness, Woodland phlox Comments Off on Hosta Garden CompanionsCelebrate Three New Summerific® Hibiscus Varieties
Posted by Hugh on July 31st, 2024
Summerific® is a trademarked series of Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) from Walters Gardens Inc. in Zeeland, Michigan. It is a native perennial hibiscus that emerges from the soil in late spring and grows rapidly. Both their huge flowers and foliage are natural focal points in the summer garden. This long-lived perennial can be utilized as […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Hibiscus (mallow) sawfly, Hibiscus moscheutos, Hummingbird, Japanese beetle, Landscape ideas, Light requirement, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on Celebrate Three New Summerific® Hibiscus VarietiesMimosa Tree – A Different Option
Posted by Hugh on July 20th, 2024
Over the hot spring and summer months, weedy Mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) stand beautiful along U.S roadsides. During the rest of the year, people pay very little attention to this arboreal Asian beauty that inhabit a vast area from Iran to China (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). YES, this tree can be invasive. Read on. From […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Mimosa tree (Albizia), mulching, Non-native, Phytophthora ramorum, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Root suckering, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Weak branching, winter hardiness Comments Off on Mimosa Tree – A Different OptionGroundcover Sedums In Containers
Posted by Hugh on July 14th, 2024
Low creeping sedums (stonecrops) are super nice groundcover plants. Consider planting stonecrops in border fronts, on moderate slopes, containers and rock gardens. Plant in the partial to full sun, although many species grow well in light shade. The site should have good soil drainage. Sedums are also planted on “green roof” and “green wall” systems. I […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Container garden, deadheading, Deciduous, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Landscape Construction, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sedum, Sedum (Groundcover types), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Groundcover Sedums In Containers
