‘Fireball’ hibiscus (Hibiscus x moscheutos ‘Fireball’) is a vigorous hardy perennial with burgundy tinted cutleaf foliage and huge 10-12 inch clear red flowers from mid-summer to late summer. Plant height is 4 – 5 feet and 2 – 3 feet in width. A strikingly beautiful plant, ‘Fireball’ thrives on heat and humidity. It wants full […]
Archive for the ‘plant nutrition’ Category
Flaming ‘Fireball’ Hibiscus Quite A Summer Show
Posted by Hugh on June 18th, 2011
Posted in compost, Flowers, Hardy hibiscus, Hibiscus moscheutos, Perennials, plant nutrition, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips 
Comments Off on Flaming ‘Fireball’ Hibiscus Quite A Summer Show‘Janet Blair’ Rhododendron
Posted by Hugh on May 13th, 2011
Here in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7) rhododendrons can be challenging. Of critical importance is to choose a good garden spot and to plant a hardy cultivar. Over the past 25 years ‘Janet Blair’ has been one of the most reliable varieties in my Northeast Tennessee garden. ‘Janet Blair’ bears medium-sized […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, deadheading, mulching, plant nutrition, Rhododendrons, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, water garden maintenance, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on ‘Janet Blair’ RhododendronGrowing Azaleas in Outdoor Containers Year-Around
Posted by Hugh on May 10th, 2011
In the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7), if you desire to grow azaleas in above ground containers year around, you must select winter hardy cultivars. Two of the best for containers are ‘Elsie Lee’ (2½- inch wide semi-double light lavender blooms) and ‘Herbert’ (1 ¾- inch wide bright purple with dark blotch). […]
Posted in acidic soil, Azaleas (evergreen), Container growing, mulching, plant nutrition, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing Azaleas in Outdoor Containers Year-AroundRe-Blooming Your Poinsettia: Winter thru Summer Care
Posted by Hugh on January 27th, 2011
Part III: By late January your poinsettia plant may look droopy and the leaves pale green. Some flowers (colorful bracts) and leaves may have dropped. To revive the plant and to program it to flower again next winter requires additional care from you starting now. Move the plant to an east or south exposure window, […]
Posted in Interior (house) Plants, plant nutrition, Poinsettia, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips Comments Off on Re-Blooming Your Poinsettia: Winter thru Summer CareHardy Camellias Re-Awaken the Autumn Season
Posted by Hugh on November 1st, 2010
‘Winter Star’ camellia (pale pink- photo on left) is the first camellia to bloom in the Conlon garden this fall season. My 8 year-old camellia has 50 or more flowers currently opened and promises to continue blooming through most of November. Other hardy fall blooming cultivars are heavily budded and will open thru mid- December, weather permitting. A few […]
Posted in Camellia, Flowering, plant nutrition, Pruning Comments Off on Hardy Camellias Re-Awaken the Autumn SeasonSalt Damage on Trees
Posted by Hugh on February 1st, 2010
Winter 2010 lingers on across Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina. The white coating of de-icing salts over streets and highways can damage many trees and shrubs. Salt spray and salt deposits may also leach into the soil and become equally damaging. Plant species vary in their sensitivity to salt injury.Browning of the tips of needle […]
