Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), aka “hortensia” hydrangeas, bear pink flowers in low acidic and alkaline soil and blue flowers in mildly acidic soil. Some tips about regulating soil pH and flower color in bigleaf hydrangeas follows. First, a short review about soil pH. Soil pH measures soil […]
Archive for the ‘Garden Maintenance’ Category
Changing Bigleaf Hydrangea Flower Color
Posted by Hugh on February 14th, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, alkaline soil, Bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla), Container growing, container shrub, Fertilizing plants, Hydrangeas, mulching, plant nutrition, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips 
Comments Off on Changing Bigleaf Hydrangea Flower ColorDistyliums As Cherry Laurel Or Holly Substitute
Posted by Hugh on February 11th, 2016
Hybrid distyliums (Distylium myricoides × racemosum) are compact evergreen shrubs for full sun to partial shade USDA hardiness zones 7 to 9. They are heat and drought tolerant, and are not fussy, growing in average soil with subpar drainage. Distyliums are members of the witchhazel family (Hamamelidaceae). Their tiny reddish-maroon flowers appear in late January through March, but offer little ornamental value in the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Boxwood (Buxus), Cherry Laurel (Prunus), compact shrub, Container growing, container shrub, Disease resistant, Distylium, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Ilex (hollies), Juniper, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Distyliums As Cherry Laurel Or Holly SubstitutePeace Lily And Anthurium Plants Around Home Or Office
Posted by Hugh on February 8th, 2016
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) and anthurium are near perfect foliage plants in poorly lit areas around your home or office. They’re native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Both plants are shade-lovers in their native habitats. Direct sunlight for more than one hour will likely burn leaves. They’re members […]
Posted in acidic soil, Anthurium, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Mealy bugs, Mites, Peace lily (Spathiphyllum), Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Poisonous plant, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Repotting plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Peace Lily And Anthurium Plants Around Home Or OfficeGrowing Orchids Is A Great Hobby
Posted by Hugh on February 6th, 2016
At one time growing orchids was an elitist hobby for the very rich in our society. Orchids were expensive to purchase. Today, local greenhouses and garden centers sell orchids at affordable prices. Moth (Phalaenopsis) and lady slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum) are the simplest to grow. Here are some easy tips to […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Fertilizing plants, Interior (house) Plants, Orchids, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), Wind protection Comments Off on Growing Orchids Is A Great HobbyColeus Thrive In Summer Heat And Humidity
Posted by Hugh on February 1st, 2016
Coleus (Plectranthus scutellariodes) is a summer annual treasured for its colorful foliage. Plants thrive in summer’s heat and humidity (USDA hardiness zone 11). Coleus is a member of the nettle family Lamiaceae. You can create dazzling beds of color using coleus alone or mixed with flowering annuals. Modern day coleus grow more compact and better branched. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Coleus, Container garden, deadheading, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Foliage plant, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Shade Gardening, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Coleus Thrive In Summer Heat And HumidityList Of Dioecious Trees And Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on January 29th, 2016
Some tree species are dioecious, that is produce single sex flowers (either male and female). Male flowers produce pollen and no fruits. Female flowers bear seeds or fruits. You may purchase male clones to avoid picking up messy seed pods or capsules in the fall. If you are allergic to certain tree pollens, avoid […]
Posted in Autumn Fruiting, Bayberry (Myrica), Cork Tree (Phellodendron), Failure to Bloom, Fringetree (Chionanthus), Ginkgo biloba, Green ash (Fraxinus), Honeylocust (Gleditsia), Ilex (hollies), Juniper, Katsura tree (Cercidophyllum), Kentucky coffeetree, Maples (Acer), Native Plant, Persimmon (Diospyros), Poplar (Populus spp.), Propagation(grafting), Smoketree (Cotinus), Southern Appalachian Region, Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Willows (Salix) Comments Off on List Of Dioecious Trees And ShrubsConsumer Gardening Trends For 2016*
Posted by Hugh on January 26th, 2016
The Garden Media Group (GMG) has released its annual Garden Trends Report for 2016. The report, titled “Syncing With Nature,” identifies eight consumer trends that the group predicts will shake up the garden and outdoor living industry this coming year. The report finds “gardening” has transformed into a connected lifestyle in 2016, with a rising […]
Posted in Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Blackberries, Blueberries, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Elderberry (Sambucus), Environmental issues, Grapes, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Ornamental vegetables, Peach, Pear (Pyrus spp.), Planting tips, Raspberries, Southern Appalachian Region, Strawberries, Tomato, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest Comments Off on Consumer Gardening Trends For 2016*Petunias For Nearly Every Garden
Posted by Hugh on January 21st, 2016
Petunias (Petunia x hybrida) are top performing summer flowering annuals. There are hundreds of colorful varieties to beautify any flower bed or container garden. Petunias are divided into three basic types: Grandiflora petunias grow 8-12 inches tall and 8-10 inches spread; they start out upright branched and bear large size 4 to 5 inch wide blooms. Ideal for flower […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Container garden, deadheading, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Ground cover, Mowing, Petunias, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Petunias For Nearly Every GardenSoil pH- What’s It All About
Posted by Hugh on January 18th, 2016
Soil pH is an indicator of the relative abundance of hydrogen (H⁺) ions and hydroxyl (OHˉ) ions in garden soils (Table 1). These ions play a very important part of soil fertility and a plant’s ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. The pH scale runs from 1 (highest acidity) to 14 […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Blueberries, Fertilizing plants, Garden Maintenance, plant nutrition, Rhododendrons, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region Comments Off on Soil pH- What’s It All AboutWatering Tips When Away On Vacation
Posted by Hugh on January 15th, 2016
Summer annuals: Hot July – August weather may demand daily or twice-daily watering for container-grown annuals. A trustworthy neighbor may have to handle these chores. Flowers and vegetables: When there is no rain within a week, water deeply any vegetables that are bearing fruits like tomato, peppers, and squash. Plants will keep producing far into […]
Posted in Astilbe (false spirea), Bermuda, Blackberry Lily (Belamcandra), Bulb Crops, Caladium, Canna lily, Canna lily, Container garden, Crocosmia (Montbretia), Dahlia, Ferns, Ferns, Fruits & Vegetables, Garden Maintenance, Herbs, Interior (house) Plants, Kentucky bluegrass, Lily (Lilium), Pineapple lily (Eucomis), Planting tips, Roses, Tall Fescue, watering tips, Zoysia Comments Off on Watering Tips When Away On Vacation
