Willow oak (Quercus phellos) is medium to large, deciduous tree, part of the red oak group. It is noted for willow-like oak foliage and growth rate after a 2 year establishment period is moderate (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Willow oak grows 50-75 feet tall and 30-35 feet wide with a rounded top or canopy. Young […]
Archive for the ‘Planting tips’ Category
Willow Oak Very Reliable As Street Or Park Tree
Posted by Hugh on October 28th, 2013
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Large Shade trees, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, Willow oak (Quercus), winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Willow Oak Very Reliable As Street Or Park TreeFall Is Spring Bulb Planting Time
Posted by Hugh on October 18th, 2013
If you love spring flowering tulips, daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs, some planning and planting chores should be set into motion this fall. Spring flower bulbs should be planted when cool soil temperatures (below 55 °F) return. For gardeners living in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7), bulb planting begins in […]
Posted in Camassia, Container growing, Crocus, Daffodil (Narcissus), Flowers, Lily (Lilium spp.), Pansies, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Tulips, Violas, Winter flowering, Winter Protection Comments Off on Fall Is Spring Bulb Planting TimeThree New Hardy Fall Blooming Camellias
Posted by Hugh on October 10th, 2013
Three Zone 6 winter hardy camellias are becoming more available. A recent visit to a local camellia grower found these three fall bloomers: ‘Long Island Pink’, ‘Londontowne Blush’, and ‘Sweet October’ in full floral regalia. The first two are reliably hardy in USDA zone 6 and a third nearly so. ‘Long Island Pink’ was found […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Camellia, compact shrub, Container growing, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter flowering, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Three New Hardy Fall Blooming CamelliasToo Early Fall Color A Telltale Signal Of Tree In Trouble
Posted by Hugh on October 6th, 2013
Early leaf color or premature leaf drop often tells a property owner that their tree(s) may not be healthy. Photo above, taken in front of a new subdivision, says alot. Large red maples show leaf color weeks ahead of their natural timeline. Notice the narrow median where the trees are planted. The cause of early […]
Posted in American hornbeam, Autumn foliage color, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Elms (Ulmus), Garden Problems, Hornbeam (Carpinus), Maples (Acer), Pear (Ornamental), Planting tips, Regional, Soil drainage, Sweetgum (Liquidambar), Trees & Shrubs, Yellowwood Comments Off on Too Early Fall Color A Telltale Signal Of Tree In TroublePaperbark Maple Offers 4- Seasons Landscape Interest
Posted by Hugh on October 4th, 2013
In the winter some gardeners get excited about tree bark, particularly if you own a paperbark maple (Acer griseum). This small 25-30 foot tall tree has an upright spreading branching habit. The cinnamon-colored bark flakes off naturally in thin strips or chips. Horticulturists call this “exfoliating”. The sturdy branches are not prone to breakage […]
Posted in Acer griseum, acidic soil, compact tree, Disease resistant, Maples (Acer), mulching, Paperbark maple, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Paperbark Maple Offers 4- Seasons Landscape Interest‘Halloween Hocus Pocus’ Daylily For Garden Goblins
Posted by Hugh on October 1st, 2013
On a pleasant July morning I saw my first ‘Halloween Hocus Pocus’ daylily (Hemerocallus x ‘Hocus Pocus’) in a friend’s garden. The 5 ½ inch flowers stand on 26 inch tall stems (scapes) and the foliage is semi-evergreen. The cultivar name describes it best. Its creamy orange color with a triangular black throat and wide […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Daylilies, Hummingbird, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on ‘Halloween Hocus Pocus’ Daylily For Garden GoblinsWhy Some Crapemyrtles Do Not Flower
Posted by Hugh on September 23rd, 2013
There are several probable reasons why your crape myrtle did not flower this summer. The two leading reasons are lack of adequate daily sunlight and planting depth. Crape myrtles should be planted in full sun. They don’t flower well in locations receiving less than 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. If the leaves are […]
Posted in compact shrub, compact tree, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Failure to Bloom, Fertilizing plants, plant nutrition, Planting tips, root injury, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark Comments Off on Why Some Crapemyrtles Do Not Flower‘Guacamole’ Hosta An Outstanding Garden Performer
Posted by Hugh on September 14th, 2013
Guacamole (Hosta plantaginea ‘Guacamole’) is rated one of the top performing hostas in the Northeast and mid-South U.S. gardens. Guacamole is a hybrid and one of its parents is H. plantaginea ‘Fragrant Bouquet’. In 2002 it was selected Hosta of the Year by the American Hosta Society. Guacamole is a medium-sized hosta. It matches its […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, compost, Disease resistant, Fragrant, Hosta, Hummingbird, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Rabbit/deer Protection, Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Guacamole’ Hosta An Outstanding Garden PerformerDaylilies Not Blooming?
Posted by Hugh on August 29th, 2013
Gardeners become disappointed when their daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are not bloom. There may be reasons for this including: old clumps in need of dividing, inadequate nutrition, too much nitrogen fertilizer, too much shade, and pest and disease issues. Daylilies may be shaded or crowded out by overgrown trees, shrubs, ground covers, or weeds. Heavy amounts […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compost, Daylilies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Failure to Bloom, Hummingbird, mulching, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Sanitation, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on Daylilies Not Blooming?Divide Irises In Late Summer
Posted by Hugh on August 17th, 2013
Irises (Iris spp.) are beloved spring flowering perennials. Perhaps some fans and clumps flowered poorly this spring. There are several reasons for this, including: old clumps in need of dividing, weather issues, poorly drained soil, inadequate nutrition, too much nitrogen fertilizer, heavy shade, and pest and disease problems. Irises do not compete well for space […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Drought tolerant, Failure to Bloom, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Iris, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Uncategorized, watering iris, Weed control, Winter Protection Comments Off on Divide Irises In Late Summer
