Fall (late August to mid-October) is the “springtime” for lawn care. Most weeds have stopped growing and the cooler weather is a more comfortable time to work outdoors. If your home lawn is in horrible condition, now (not spring) is the best time of the year to take on lawn renovation. First, here are a few […]
Archive for the ‘Garden Maintenance’ Category
Seven Step Lawn Renovation Program
Posted by Hugh on August 21st, 2015
Posted in Broadleaf weeds, Crabgrass control, Fertilizing, Irrigation, Kentucky bluegrass, Landscape ideas, Lawn Care, Purchasing Plants, seeding lawn, Tall Fescue, watering tips, Weed control 
Comments Off on Seven Step Lawn Renovation ProgramCalamint: Tough Reliable Perennial Ground Cover
Posted by Hugh on August 18th, 2015
Calamint (Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta) is low mounding subshrub or perennial native to southern Europe; its primary use is as a low growing ground cover (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). It is a member of the Lamiaceae family. Foliage grows only 15-18 inches tall. The subspecies, var. nepeta, is the preferred choice because it produces more flowers per inflorescence. Calamint tolerates most soil […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Calamint, deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fragrant, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, Perennials, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Calamint: Tough Reliable Perennial Ground CoverPurple Heart Tradescantia
Posted by Hugh on August 15th, 2015
Purple Heart tradescantia (Setcreasea pallida ‘Purple Heart’), formerly Tradescantia purpurea), is an annual trailing groundcover with purple stems and violet-purple foliage. This flowering vine is primarily grown for its vibrant foliage. Purple Heart is utilized in garden beds, large containers or hanging baskets. By summer’s end individual plants may grow 8-12 […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aphids, Container garden, Container growing, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Ground cover, Interior (house) Plants, Mites, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Setcreasea 'Purple Heart', Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), Virus diseases, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Purple Heart TradescantiaRebloomers Need Your Help
Posted by Hugh on August 12th, 2015
Re-bloomers are specific cultivars that bring on a repeat floral show – two and sometimes three in one season. In my garden re-blooming iris and re-blooming daylilies return for another round of bloom in late summer and fall. Also, deadheading some perennials will cause them to flower again. You, the gardener, must supply needed […]
Posted in Autumn flowering, Azaleas (evergreen), Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Coreopsis, Daylilies, deadheading, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Iris, Iris (Tall bearded), Liatris, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Pruning, Re-Bloomers, Red hot Poker (Kniphofia), Sempervivens, Southern Appalachian Region, Stokesia, Summer flowering, Summer phlox (P. paniculata), Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Rebloomers Need Your HelpBlackberry Lily
Posted by Hugh on August 9th, 2015
Blackberry lily (Belamcanda chinensis), aka leopard lily, is native to Central Asia, China, Japan and India (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). It derives its name from clusters of shiny black seeds clearly in view as individual seed capsules split apart as they ripen. Its common name is misleading as it is not […]
Posted in acidic soil, Blackberry Lily (Belamcandra), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Edible fruits, mulching, Ornamental fruit, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Blackberry LilyBeware! Yellow Jackets
Posted by Hugh on August 6th, 2015
Most humans fear and hate yellow jackets. They are actually wasps and important predators of several harmful insects. They’re easily identified by their distinctive markings along their abdomen. They tend to dart about rapidly, in a side-to-side flight pattern. Female yellow jackets are the ones capable of stinging. Wasps (Vespula spp.) are not bees; they’re brightly colored […]
Posted in Beneficial Insects, Garden Problems, Insect (Pest) Problems, Pesticide recommendations, Pests, Pollination needs, Southern Appalachian Region, Wasps, Yellow jackets Comments Off on Beware! Yellow JacketsAll About Thistles
Posted by Hugh on July 30th, 2015
Some weeds are very nasty and on top of my list are the dreadful thistles. Learn the lifecycles of those in your region and the proper method to eliminate them. Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a perennial species found in many areas of the eastern U.S. Other thistles in my region are bull and […]
Posted in Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Garden Problems, Invasive plant, Invasive species, Mowing, Pesticide recommendations, Southern Appalachian Region, Weed control, Weeds, Wildflower Comments Off on All About ThistlesLong Blooming Tennessee Coneflower
Posted by Hugh on July 27th, 2015
Dependable Tennessee coneflowers (Echinacea tennesseensis) bloom almost all summer (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). That’s three months long. Plants are covered with pale pink, flat ray flowers; blooms measure 2 to 3 inch across with greenish-brown centers or cones. It is a great addition to hot dry sites, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Container growing, deadheading, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Tennessee Coneflower, watering tips, Wildflowers, winter hardiness Comments Off on Long Blooming Tennessee ConeflowerSensuous Begonia boliviensis
Posted by Hugh on July 24th, 2015
Bolivian begonias (Begonia boliviensis) are tuberous rooted types indigenous to the Andes Mountains in Bolivia and Argentina (USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11). Plants grow rapidly and bloom non-stop from late spring to early fall. No deadheading of spent flowers is necessary. Bright red to orange flowers feature four […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering bulbs, Begonia, Begonia boliviensis, Container garden, Container growing, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Hummingbird, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (Cuttings), Repotting plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Sensuous Begonia boliviensisNew Compact Russian Sages Arriving
Posted by Hugh on July 21st, 2015
Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a long-lived easy care summer flowering perennial or sub-shrub. It grows in dry to medium moist, well-drained soil and, first and foremost, in full sun. It holds up to summer’s heat, drought, and humidity (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). The Perennial Plant Association designated Russian Sage as the Perennial Plant of the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compact shrub, Container growing, container shrub, deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Russian sage (Perovskia), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on New Compact Russian Sages Arriving
