Over the years castor bean (Ricinus communis) plants have been a common sight in public gardens. These tall ornamental annuals are cherished for both their colorful flowers and seed capsules, and bold foliage. The species, a botanical member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), is indigenous to the southeastern Mediterranean region, Eastern Africa, and India. Unlike many spurges, the […]
Archive for the ‘Garden Maintenance’ Category
Growing Castor Bean Plant
Posted by Hugh on August 10th, 2018
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Castor bean, Castor bean (Ricinus), compost, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Fruits poisonous, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Ornamental vegetables, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips 
Comments Off on Growing Castor Bean PlantKorean Sweetheart Tree
Posted by Hugh on August 1st, 2018
The late Dr. J. C. Raulston, N.C. State University horticulture professor emeritus, discovered Korean sweetheart tree (Euscaphis japonica) in 1985 on the Korean Peninsula while participating in a U.S. National Arboretum collection expedition (USDA hardiness zones 6-8). Dr. Raulston brought seeds back to the N.C. State Arboretum for assessment and evaluation. The species common name “sweetheart […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, mulching, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Sweetheart tree (Euscaphis), Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Korean Sweetheart TreeNative Plumleaf Azalea Blooms In Late July
Posted by Hugh on July 28th, 2018
Plumleaf azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium) is a native deciduous azalea that grows in the Chattahoochee River Valley on the Georgia-Alabama line (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). It is one of the signature plants of Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Their bright orange-red flowers surprise in late July into early Augusta and blooms may last for 2 weeks or […]
Posted in acidic soil, Azalea (deciduous), Bees and other pollinators, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Plumleaf azalea, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rhododendrons, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Native Plumleaf Azalea Blooms In Late JulyVery Rare Chinese Emmenopterys Tree
Posted by Hugh on July 25th, 2018
Chinese Emmenopterys (Emmenopterys henryi) is rare in the wilds of China, and may be even rarer in cultivation (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Discovered in 1907 by renowned botanist and plant hunter, Ernest H Wilson. He described it as: “…one of the most strikingly beautiful trees of Chinese forests.” It should grow 30 + feet tall, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Emmenopterys tree, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, Large Shade trees, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Very Rare Chinese Emmenopterys TreeNew Angelface Angelonias Produce Larger Flowers
Posted by Hugh on July 20th, 2018
Angelonias, aka summer snapdragons, (Angelonia angustifolia) hail from Mexico. Angelonias are top performing summer flowering annuals (USDA zones 9 -11). The AngelFace® series were recently developed by Proven Winners (PW). Plants are covered with snapdragon-like blooms up and down the floral stems, 18-24 inches high and 12-18 inches wide. Angelface series boast slightly larger green leaves and bigger blooms than […]
Posted in acidic soil, Angelonias, Annuals, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compost, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowers, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on New Angelface Angelonias Produce Larger FlowersColorful ‘Sugar Tip’ Althea ( Rose Of Sharon)
Posted by Hugh on July 15th, 2018
Rose of Sharon or shrub althea (Hibiscus syriacus) is a vigorous, upright, multi-branched, deciduous shrub that generally grows 8-12 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide. Althea is native from eastern to central Asia (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Sugar Tip® is a patented variety that features variegated creamy-white and blue-green foliage and soft pink double flowers. Leaf […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Hibiscus syriacus, Japanese beetle, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Scale, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, White flies, winter hardiness Comments Off on Colorful ‘Sugar Tip’ Althea ( Rose Of Sharon)Fill Summer Flower Beds With Annual Rudbeckias
Posted by Hugh on July 10th, 2018
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a native wildflower. Annual or biennial forms are also called gloriosa daisy and brown-eyed Susan. In recent years public urban gardens are growing annual types. From summer into early autumn, brown-eyed Susans produce showy daisy-like blossoms up to 3-inches across with light or deep yellow rays and brownish-purple centers (“buttons”). Their cut flowers will decorate households. This coarse weedy […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annual rudbeckia (R. hirta), Annuals, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Biennial, compost, Container garden, deadheading, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Flowers, Landscape ideas, Leaf/needle spots, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rust diseases, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fill Summer Flower Beds With Annual RudbeckiasHeat Loving Annuals For Containers
Posted by Hugh on July 6th, 2018
Not all annuals grow well in containers. An aggressively growing annual may not be a suitable companion plant in containers. Small containers dry out quickly. Large containers, a minimum of 16 inches across, should be your beginner size. For an eye-catching container garden, utilize plants that require the same care but differ in colors, heights, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Angelonias, Annuals, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compost, Container garden, deadheading, Dichondra, Disease resistant, Euphorbias, Fan flower (Scaevola), Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Globe amaranth (Gomphrena), Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Lantana, Marigold, Mexican sunflower (Tithonia), mulching, Overcrowding, Pentas (Egyptian star flower), Persian shield (Strobilanthes), Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Scaevola, Setcreasea 'Purple Heart', Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Sweet potato vine, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Heat Loving Annuals For ContainersSmaller Alternatives To Limelight® Panicle Hydrangea
Posted by Hugh on July 2nd, 2018
Beautiful panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) are among the best hydrangea choices for the summer garden (USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8). Flowers of some cultivars age gracefully with floral heads turning lightly pink. They are perfect for use in containers or in groupings or masses, shrub borders, hedges, and screens. Panicle hydrangeas are suitable as fresh […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compact shrub, Container garden, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Green Privacy Screen, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, Large shrub, mulching, Panicle hydrangea, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Smaller Alternatives To Limelight® Panicle HydrangeaPest Alert – Giant Hogweed
Posted by Hugh on June 29th, 2018
Giant hogweed plant (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a large, invasive plant that can cause severe burns, blisters and rashes and vision loss in humans. As its name suggests, giant hogweed plant is enormous growing invasive species that originated from the Caucasus region of Eurasia. It produces large, towering purple stalks of white flower clusters. Don’t pick these […]
Posted in Environmental Conservation, Environmental issues, Giant hogweed, Invasive species, Landscape ideas, Mowing, Pests, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Sanitation, Summer flowering, Weed management, Weeds Comments Off on Pest Alert – Giant Hogweed
