Boxwoods (Buxus spp.) are the quintessential shrubs, primarily utilized as a foundation plant, a formal medium hedge, or for low privacy screening. Over the past half century, many new boxwood varieties have been introduced into nursery commerce. Boxwoods work in most landscape situations and are deer resistant. Only a few years ago, boxwood production at […]
Archive for the ‘Propagation (Cuttings)’ Category
Purple Beautyberry
Purple beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma) is a compact, deciduous, woody shrub with showy ornamental fruits that may last long after the shrub has dropped its leaves in fall. Beautyberry is among the finest ornamental fruiting shrubs and easy to care for. Purple beautyberry is a native of China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam and is in the […]
Success With Succulents
Succulents are beautiful, low maintenance plants that are popular among plant addicts who grow them outdoors and as indoor house plants. Most are indigenous to desert or dryland conditions. They hold water in their fleshy leaves, stems and roots. Overwatering succulent plants is their nemesis. Adequate soil drainage and light are of key importance. These […]
Three Standout Pfitzer Junipers
Pfitzer junipers (Juniperus x pfitzeriana) are standouts in the winter landscape (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Many varieties are utilized as groundcovers. Pfitzers are easy care, low maintenance plants when properly sited in full sun and well drained. Around coastal areas, pfitzers are moderately resistant to salt injury. Give pfitzers lots of space. Their plume-like evergreen […]
Rose of Sharon – A Summer Delight
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), aka althea, is a vigorous, upright, vase-shaped, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that typically grows 8-12 feet tall with some exceptions. Altheas may also be trained as small trees or espalier. Showy 5-petaled flowers appear over a long summer period and sometimes into early fall. The center of each flower has prominent […]
New Annual Vincas ‘Kawaii Soiree’ Series
Sun-loving vincas (Catharanthus) are annual periwinkles. This may confuse gardeners who also grow perennial periwinkles (Vinca spp.) that are grow in shady groundcovers. New from Proven Winners (PW)!! Soiree Kawaii® series of vincas (C. roseus) are bred by Suntory and entered the market around three years ago. I highly recommend that you include them to […]
Growing Healthy Blackberries in Your Garden
Yummy blackberries from the garden excel in flavor compared to store-bought. To get the most out of a blackberry planting, select a full sun location with well-drained organically rich loamy soils. The site should be close to a water supply to get the planting off to a good start and to maximize berry size and […]
Ten Native Flowering Vines
Trees and shrubs are not the only woody landscape plants to invite into your landscape. Check out these ten native vines. But first do some homework. Some of these vines grow aggressively which can mean more maintenance work for you. Vines are a part of the vertical landscaping trend. They are also space-savers. Native flowering […]
Cinnamon Clethra
Japanese clethra (Clethra barbinervis) is a large, upright, deciduous shrub or small tree (USDA 5-8). As a small tree it generally grows 10-20 feet tall and features horizontally drooping, terminal racemes (4-6 inches long); the white flowers are pleasantly fragrant. Its bloom period continues over several weeks from mid to late summer. In autumn, its […]
10 Drought Tolerant Perennials
Once established, these ten drought-tolerant plants can cope with hot sun and humidity with low amounts of supplemental water. If you garden in a drought-prone area, or growing in fast-draining raised beds, these drought-resistant plants are a great choice for your garden. Perhaps you wish to reduce your water bills. Plan to keep plantings adequately […]