According to the American Dahlia Society there are 18 classes of dahlias, from the popular small flowered dahlietta types to the large flowered dinner plate type. Dahlias hail from South of the Border, down Mexico Way, and are not reliably winter hardy north of USDA zone 7-b. Dahlias are easy to grow. They want a compost […]
Archive for the ‘Planting tips’ Category
Easy To Grow Dahlias
Posted by Hugh on June 16th, 2012
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, compost, Dahlia, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips 
Comments Off on Easy To Grow DahliasTorenia (Wishbone Flower) Blooms In Part Shade
Posted by Hugh on June 14th, 2012
The list of summer flowering annuals for shady spots in the garden is not long. Garden impatiens (Impatiens x wallerana) is the first choice, seconded by begonias (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum). Today, wishbone flower (T. fournieri) is now available. Torenia blooms from spring to frost. It is best grown in a moist, organically rich, well-drained soil and […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Flowers, mulching, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Torenia (wishbone flw.), watering tips Comments Off on Torenia (Wishbone Flower) Blooms In Part ShadePowdery Mildew: The Bane of Beebalm
Posted by Hugh on June 9th, 2012
Beebalm (Monarda spp.) is one of our great native perennials and herbs. Native Americans used beebalm as a tea, brewing it for colds, minor bronchial and digestive complaints, and also as a poultice to soothe insect stings. During the Boston Tea Party, rebellious colonists utilized beebalm as a tea substitute, calling it “Oswego tea”. […]
Posted in Bee Favorite, Butterflies, deadheading, Disease prone, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Herbs, Hummingbird, Monarda (Beebalm), Native Plant, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Powdery Mildew: The Bane of Beebalm‘Lady Francis’ Ivy Wakes Up A Shady Patch
Posted by Hugh on June 6th, 2012
On a recently trip to the Ohio State University Horticultural Gardens in Columbus, I discovered ‘Lady Frances’, a relatively tame miniature ivy. The American Ivy Society classifies Hedera helix ‘Lady Frances’ as non-invasive, and it received the first “Ivy of the Year” award in 2001. It grows slowly and works as a ground cover or topiary […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Ground cover, Interior (house) Plants, Ivy (Hedera), Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Uncategorized, Vine, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Lady Francis’ Ivy Wakes Up A Shady PatchAdd Hardy Begonia To Your Shade Garden
Posted by Hugh on May 28th, 2012
Hardy begonia (Begonia grandis) is the only species of begonia which is winter hardy in USDA zones 6-9 (zone 5 with protection). This shade-loving perennial grows 18 -24 inches high and wide, and displays a well-branched mounding habit. Foliage is medium to olive green above and reddish green with red veining beneath. Leaf shape is […]
Posted in compost, Disease resistant, Hardy begonia (B. grandis), mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Add Hardy Begonia To Your Shade GardenNorthern Maidenhair Fern Appear Delicate But Grow Tough
Posted by Hugh on May 23rd, 2012
Their leaves (called “fronds”) appear delicate, but maidenhair ferns (Adiantum spp.) are reliable long-lived perennials. Northern maidenhair (A. pedatum) thrives in most gardens within USDA zones 3-8, while the Southern counterpart, (A. capillus-veneris), predominates in warmer USDA 7-10. Unfortunately, planting of maidenhairs are not utilized in the Southern Appalachian gardens (USDA zones 6-8). Fronds average 18-24 inches in […]
Posted in alkaline soil, compost, Disease resistant, Foliage plant, Maidenhair fern (Adiantum), mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Northern Maidenhair Fern Appear Delicate But Grow ToughGrowing Mountain Laurels in Your Landscape
Posted by Hugh on May 14th, 2012
Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a U.S. native evergreen broadleaf shrub (USDA hardiness zone 5). Mature sizes range from 5 feet (dwarf cultivars) to 12 feet in height and with equal spread. Over the past 30 years, mountain laurels have so improved, thanks to breeding efforts of Dr. Richard Jaynes*. He has released several dozen […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreens, Mountain laurel (Kalmia), Native Plant, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing Mountain Laurels in Your LandscapeFirethorns Make Good Utility Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on May 6th, 2012
Firethorn (Pyracantha spp.) is an old- fashion shrub that is making a comeback. Its white flowers makes a lovely presence in spring, followed by dark green leaves in summer, and bright orange or red fruits (berry clusters) in fall and winter. Firethorn tolerates close clipping and is often utilized as a short 6-8 foot tall privacy screen. White clusters […]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Evergreen, Firethorn (Pyracantha), Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, Winter Garden Interest Comments Off on Firethorns Make Good Utility ShrubsVariegated Tapioca Plant Thrives In The Summer Heat
Posted by Hugh on May 3rd, 2012
Add some tropical flair to your garden with variegated tapioca plant (Manihot esculenta ‘Variegata’), aka Cassava. Variegated tapioca is a spectacular foliage plant (zone 8 – 11) which excels as summer’s heat and humidity arrives and lingers. Tapioca plant is not likely to be sold in every garden center and you’ll likely need to order one or more on-line. […]
Posted in Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tapioca plant (Manihot), Tropical Plants (non-hardy), Uncategorized, watering tips Comments Off on Variegated Tapioca Plant Thrives In The Summer HeatPest Alert- Boxwood Blight
Posted by Hugh on April 27th, 2012
Boxwood blight is a disease caused by a fungus (Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum) which is a serious threat to most boxwood (Buxus) and related species such as sweetbox (Sarcococca spp.). To date there is no evidence of resistance to boxwood blight in any Buxus species. Plant pathologists in England first identified the disease in the mid-1990’s. It […]
Posted in Boxwood (Buxus), Disease prone, Disease resistant, Planting tips, Pruning, Sweetbox (Sarcococca) Comments Off on Pest Alert- Boxwood Blight
