On a woodland hike in the eastern U.S., lush colonies of evergreen Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) flourish along the moist slopes (USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8). This native perennial fern favors either a deep or light shade environment. A vigorous clump may grow 18 – 24 inches in height and width. Set new plants […]
Archive for the ‘Garden Maintenance’ Category
Christmas Ferns Are Easy To Grow
Posted by Hugh on February 1st, 2014
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Ferns, Ground cover, Native Plant, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Christmas Ferns Are Easy To GrowUrban Trees Reap Cleaner Air
Posted by Hugh on January 30th, 2014
U.S. Forest Service scientists with the Center for Urban Forest Research report that planting and nurturing street trees in Indianapolis, IN returned 500 percent in benefits from storm water reduction, energy conservation, cleaner air and increased property values. The researchers evaluated more than 117,000 trees the city’s Parks and Recreation Forestry Section manages. It found […]
Posted in Environmental issues, Large Shade trees, Maples (Acer), Soil Conservation, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized Comments Off on Urban Trees Reap Cleaner AirWinter Sap Bleeding From Trees Not Harmful
Posted by Hugh on January 28th, 2014
Winter can be a cruel period for trees. Day-night temperatures may wildly fluctuate and drying winds tend to injure tender buds. Maples (Acer spp.), flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida), birches (Betula spp.), yellowwoods (Cladrastis kentukea), walnuts (Juglans spp.) and elms (Ulmus spp.) are “bleeders”. The sap pressure inside branches is highest during the winter months. If any […]
Posted in Birch (Betula spp.), Dogwood (Cornus), Elms (Ulmus), Maples (Acer), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Walnut, watering tips, Yellowwood Comments Off on Winter Sap Bleeding From Trees Not HarmfulSoil Sampling Is Good Insurance
Posted by Hugh on January 25th, 2014
Do you know what your soil needs to grow a great lawn, flower, or vegetable garden? If you haven’t analyzed the soil in the past five years, get it done in any season. Most gardeners do it in late winter when university, state, and private soil labs are busiest. The local Extension office or a […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, applying sulfur, compost, Fertilizing, Fruits & Vegetables, Garden Maintenance, Lawn Care Comments Off on Soil Sampling Is Good Insurance“Death By Mower” Disease
Posted by Hugh on January 22nd, 2014
“Mower disease” is a totally preventable human malady caused by permitting lawn grasses and weeds from growing near the crown of trees and shrubs. The problem is commonly seen on large properties such as church grounds, cemeteries and public parks. Large gang mowing machines (with many reels) cut 95-98% of the turf area. Workers follow […]
Posted in Disease prone, Dogwood (Cornus), Garden Problems, Insect (Pest) Problems, Mowing, mulching, mulching trees, Pruning, Weeds, Weeds, winter injury Comments Off on “Death By Mower” DiseaseNativars – New Cultivars Of Native Plants
Posted by Hugh on January 20th, 2014
Nativar is a new term coined by Dr. Allan Armitage, Professor Emeritus from the University of Georgia. It combines the words “native” and “cultivar”. Nativar refers to a cultivar of a native plant. It attempts to excite the horticultural marketplace about new cultivars of native perennial plants, such as blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.), purple coneflower […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Flowers, Native Plant, Perennials, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (layering), Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, winter hardiness Comments Off on Nativars – New Cultivars Of Native PlantsEuropean Hornbeams Serve As Great Garden Sentinels
Posted by Hugh on January 17th, 2014
Upright European hornbeams (Carpinus betulus cvs.) are versatile small to medium-sized deciduous trees that fit most landscape settings. Depending on which cultivar you select, the tree stands with a narrow vertical profile. It grows 35-40 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide. It’s cookie cutter by design as a street tree or tall narrow hedge. Hornbeams […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Hornbeam (Carpinus), plant nutrition, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark Comments Off on European Hornbeams Serve As Great Garden SentinelsAre Your African Violets Looking OK?
Posted by Hugh on January 14th, 2014
African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are easy to grow flowering house plants. Modern day varieties sold at supermarkets and plant shops often bloom 8-9 months a year. Lighting needs are minimal, either from indirect sunlight from an east-facing window or under special “grow lights” 12 hours daily. African violets prefer water at room temperature (65-75 °F). […]
Posted in African violet (Saintpaulia), Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Insect (Pest) Problems, Interior (house) Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips Comments Off on Are Your African Violets Looking OK?For Dry Sites Try Arizona Cypress
Posted by Hugh on January 11th, 2014
Arizona cypress (Cupressus glabra) is silvery blue needled medium-sized evergreen (USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9). This southwest U.S. native demands full sun and excels in droughty, infertile, and well-drained soils. Conversely, Arizona cypress does not tolerate shade, poor air circulation and flooded soil. Arizona cypress is mostly disease and pest free unless too crowded […]
Posted in acidify soil, alkaline soil, Cupressus (cypress), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on For Dry Sites Try Arizona CypressShagbark Hickory
Posted by Hugh on January 8th, 2014
Most tree lovers don’t plant U.S native shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Instead, they often inherit one when purchasing property. Shagbark hickory is notoriously difficult to transplant and grows very slowly in its early years. Like oaks (Quercus spp.) and beeches (Fagus spp.), hickories are long-lived, often standing tall in an open […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Butterflies, Drought tolerant, Hickory (Carya spp.), Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Nut Producer, Propagation (Seed), Southern Appalachian Region, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Shagbark Hickory
