Archive for the ‘Planting tips’ Category

Russian arborvitae (Microbiota)

Russian arborvitae, aka Siberian cypress (Microbiota decussata), is a conifer ground cover that originates from frigid Siberia; it is exceptionally cold hardy to -40° F (USDA hardiness zones 2-7). Microbiota prospers in the cooler parts of the Mid-South (Kentucky, East Tennessee, Virginia, and Western North Carolina). Growth rate is slow to medium. This amazing groundcover shows […]

Winter-blooming Snowdrops

Snowdrop (Galanthus spp.) are grown in both cold and moderate winters. In the U.S. snowdrops thrive where winters are cool (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). There are about 19 species of Galanthus – in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). They’re native to the cool woodland and mountainous regions of southern Europe and Asia Minor. They tend to struggle in […]

Summer Snowflakes (Leucojum)

Summer snowflakes originate from Europe and northern Africa and are carefree spring-blooming bulbs. They belong to the Amaryllis (Amaryllidaceae) botanical family and are critter proof. (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Flowers and foliage are similar to snowdrops, but snowflakes grow twice as tall and bloom about 2-3 months later, usually just after most daffodils. Pure white, […]

Container Design – List Of Spillers

Spiller plants are species that trail over the edge of the pot with a cascading growth habit. Combined with erect-growing “thriller” plants as the focal point in container gardens, spillers bring texture, color, and visual interest to the rest of the pot. Trailing plants provide a “full look”, draping over edges of hanging baskets and […]

Native Sedum (Three-leaved Stonecrop)

Three leaved Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum), aka mountain stonecrop, whorled stonecrop), is a small, spreading, Eastern U.S. perennial (USDA hardiness zone 4 to 8). In its natural habitat, this native sedum is found in damp sites along stream banks, bluff bases and stony ledges. Stonecrops are in the Crassulaceae family. Mountain stonecrop grows 2-6 inches high […]

Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower

Few woody plants can matched for year-round beauty of Seven son flower. Temple of Bloom® is an outstanding selection from Proven Winners™ (PW) is a beautiful, easy to grow this deciduous small tree or large shrub. It grows 10 -20 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. In spring, the handsome leaves emerge, each sporting dramatically deep […]

Triggering Holiday Cactus To Bloom

Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti are not desert plants. They’re indigenous to the tropical rain forest environment in South America. Holiday cacti thrive in bright indirect sunlight along with other house plants. Set them near an east-facing window when indoors over fall and winter or shaded under trees outdoors in the spring and summer months. Indoors, […]

Toad Lilies Shine In The Autumn Garden

Toad lilies (Tricyrtis spp.) are late season flowering perennials in the shade garden. Most summer perennials have finished blooming as their flower buds are just forming. They’re native to moist woodsy environs of eastern Asia and are botanical members of the lily (Liliaceae) family (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). When properly sited, toad lilies are long-lived […]

American Beautyberry

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), also called French mulberry, is a fast-growing deciduous shrub native to the southeastern U.S. It grows 4-6 feet tall and has an open branching form with arching branches. The genus name Callicarpa comes from Greek words meaning “beautiful fruit”. Starting in July, the plant bears clusters of small, pale pink flowers […]

Obedient Plant – A Native Autumn Favorite

Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), and like garden mint, it spreads easily by rhizomes and easily self-seeds; the plant is not “obedient” in behavior. It is called “obedient plant” because each tubular flower will, upon being pushed in any one direction, stays in its new position. It grows in […]