Carolina allspice sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus), aka strawberry bush, bubby bush, sweet Betsy, et al., is a trouble-free medium size spring flowering shrub. This dense rounded deciduous shrub is native to Eastern North America (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). As its common name hints, flowers emit a sweet fruity fragrance. Intensity of floral fragrance is highly variable […]
Archive for the ‘Garden Maintenance’ Category
Carolina Allspice Sweetshrub
Posted by Hugh on March 22nd, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, container shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Green Privacy Screen, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Sweetshrub (Calycanthus), Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Carolina Allspice SweetshrubNew Cannova® Cannas Worth A Try
Posted by Hugh on March 18th, 2016
Cannova® Cannas (Canna x generalis) are one of a new series of seed produced hybrid cannas. In addition to profuse flowering, they’re highly rated for their compact bushy plant habit and ability to form multiple shoots. They bloom earlier and continue nonstop through summer up to first frost. Their bold, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Botrytis disease, Canna lily, Canna lily, compost, Container garden, Container growing, deadheading, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Mites, Perennials, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Thrips, Virus diseases, Water Gardens, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on New Cannova® Cannas Worth A TryFothergillas Are Topnotch
Posted by Hugh on March 17th, 2016
In the Eastern U.S. two species, dwarf fothergilla (F. gardenii) and large fothergilla (Fothergilla major), are native. They are also labeled “witch alder”. Both species appear almost identical, except for flower and leaf size, and overall shrub size. Large fothergilla is indigenous to the mountain and Piedmont Regions […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, compact shrub, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowering, Fothergilla, Fragrant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fothergillas Are TopnotchThree Easy Care Native Woody Plants
Posted by Hugh on March 15th, 2016
Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is a nearly perfect small native tree for either a full or part sun site. Decorative 5 to 9 inches long reddish flower candles form on tips of branches in late April and May (USDA hardiness zones 6 – 8). Hummingbirds will seek out the […]
Posted in Azalea (deciduous), compact shrub, compact tree, Fertilizing plants, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Plumleaf azalea, Pruning, Rhododendrons, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Virginia sweetspire Comments Off on Three Easy Care Native Woody PlantsPatio Peach Blooms In Early Spring
Posted by Hugh on March 12th, 2016
For small garden spaces patio peach (Prunus persica) is a gem. This miniature tree bears long narrow lush green (or reddish) foliage. Site selection is crucial to ward off potential disease and insect problems. Patio peach is a genetic dwarf and may be grown in a large container on your deck or patio. Tree height averages 6-8 feet tall […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Bacterial diseases, Bee Favorite, Disease prone, Fertilizing plants, Flowering peach (Prunus), Fragrant, Insect (Pest) Problems, Mites, Peach, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Rabbit/deer Protection, Scale, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Patio Peach Blooms In Early SpringPopular Tomato Varieties In U.S.
Posted by Hugh on March 9th, 2016
Many people who have “retire” from gardening still plant a patch of tomatoes every spring. Tomatoes don’t ask for a lot of care. There is nothing better than a thick slice of tomato with a burger or tuna salad sandwich. Every region across the U.S. has their favorite varieties. The gardener’s favorite appears to be a meaty […]
Posted in Disease prone, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Edible fruits, Fruits & Vegetables, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tomato Comments Off on Popular Tomato Varieties In U.S.Growing Tomatoes 101
Posted by Hugh on March 6th, 2016
Tomato plants are at their best grown in full sun, adequately fertilized and spaced, and staked or caged for support. Have a backup disease control plan in case. Most tomato plants are set out as transplants, since it takes several weeks longer to harvest those direct seeded into garden soil. Transplanting means earlier harvests. Those gardeners […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Tomato, watering tips Comments Off on Growing Tomatoes 101Slow Release Fertilizers Save Money
Posted by Hugh on March 3rd, 2016
On garden center shelves in the spring are slow-release fertilizers. Trade names include Scotts®, Osmocote®, Fertilome®, Hi-Yield®, and Vigoro®. Many are formulated for lawn use. Cost for these products are more than traditional granular fertilizers but prices have dropped over the years and they are better to use environmentally. How do you compare and […]
Posted in Bulb Crops, Fertilizing plants, Garden Maintenance, Gladiolus, Lily (Lilium), plant nutrition, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant Comments Off on Slow Release Fertilizers Save MoneyAutumn Fern Changes With The Seasons
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2016
Ferns are fine textured lacey-leaf groundcovers. Many kinds of ferns add a tropical accent to the shade garden. Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora), aka Japanese wood fern, has evergreen or semi-evergreen arching foliage, depending how cold it gets in winter (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8). Its common name is misleading. Best frond colors are in spring; the fronds unfurl […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn fern (Dryopteris), Autumn foliage color, Disease resistant, Ferns, Ground cover, mulching, Native Plant, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Autumn Fern Changes With The SeasonsNative Partridgeberry
Posted by Hugh on February 28th, 2016
Partridge berry (Mitchella repens) is cherished for its evergreen foliage, spring flowers and fall-winter colorful berries (USDA Zones 4–8). This native groundcover is frequently spotted in moist woodlands along banks of streams and on dry slopes in the eastern and central North America as far west as Minnesota and south to northern Texas and Florida. This […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Edible fruits, Evergreen, Fragrant, Ground cover, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Partridge berry, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Southern Appalachian Region, Vine, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Native Partridgeberry
