Summerific® Hibiscus are all Perennial Hibiscus, primarily tracing their parentage back to Hibiscus moscheutos. This species is native to North America, specifically the central and eastern regions of the U.S. Perennial Hibiscus are hardy from zones 4-9 and dieback to the ground each year. They produce exceptionally large flowers in an increasingly wide color range. All […]
Archive for the ‘Propagation (dividing)’ Category
Growing Rose Mallow (Hardy Hibiscus)
Posted by Hugh on August 6th, 2025
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Hardy hibiscus, Hibiscus (mallow) sawfly, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Growing Rose Mallow (Hardy Hibiscus)Hardy Cyclamen
Posted by Hugh on August 1st, 2025
Hardy cyclamens are tuberous perennial that bloom according to species. They are native to Europe, around the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia and Africa. Two popular hardy species in U.S. gardens are spring-blooming Cyclamen coum and fall-flowering ivy-leaf Cyclamen hederifolium. Leaves remain evergreen through much of the winter season. Non-hardy florist cyclamens (C. persicum) […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Cyclamen, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Ground cover, Hardy cyclamen, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Root rotting, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Hardy CyclamenChartreuse In Summer Shade – ‘Sun King’ Aralia
Posted by Hugh on July 28th, 2025
Plants with golden foliage can brighten up almost any drab garden patch. Sun King golden aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’), called Japanese spikenard and mountain asparagus, is no exception (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Under ideal conditions this thornless, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial starts out slowly to reach 3-5 feet tall and wide in its third summer. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Aralia 'Sun King', Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Chartreuse In Summer Shade – ‘Sun King’ AraliaTall Growing Daylilies
Posted by Hugh on July 1st, 2025
Tall daylilies (Hemerocallis altissima) are a group of late season fragrant daylilies that are native to southwest China, singled out for their tall 5-6 feet floral spikes. Blooms open in late afternoon and are classified as “nocturnal bloomers”. In spring, this deciduous perennial starts out with 2-feet tall grass-like foliage. In summer they produce tall flower spikes 4 – […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Daylilies, Deciduous, Drought tolerant, Flower Arranging, Fragrant, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Tall Growing DayliliesGauras For Summer Flower Power
Posted by Hugh on June 24th, 2025
Lots of TN, VA, and KY gardeners don’t know Gauras, a tough beautiful Texas native perennial that performs equally well in our area. After countless trips to Biltmore Estates and the NC Arboretum in Asheville, I have gained an appreciation for its long summer blooming habit. Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri) is a low-maintenance perennial native to […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aphids, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Gaura, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rust diseases, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, White flies, winter hardiness Comments Off on Gauras For Summer Flower PowerGrowing Ajuga
Posted by Hugh on May 12th, 2025
If you’re looking for an attractive perennial groundcover to quickly fill in small or large patches in your garden, you can’t go wrong with ajuga (Ajuga reptans), also called as carpet bugleweed. This creeping evergreen plant spreads quickly and thickly. Plant it on moderate slopes for erosion control. A vigorous clump should smother out weeds […]
Posted in Bees and other pollinators, Bugleweed (Ajuga), Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Light requirement, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, rabbit damage, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing AjugaHardy Begonias
Posted by Hugh on May 8th, 2025
Hardy begonia (Begonia grandis) is an herbaceous perennial flowering plant native to Southern China, Japan, and Malaysia. It is a member of the Begonia (Begoniaceae) family (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). From summer into early fall, hardy begonia displays loose arching clusters of bright pink fragrant blooms. It is monoecious, e.g. both male and female flowers are […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Begonia, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Ground cover, Hardy begonia (B. grandis), Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Hardy BegoniasMayapples
Posted by Hugh on April 27th, 2025
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) is a native herbaceous perennial wildflower that forms dense mats. It is an early spring riser in the shade garden (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). Mayapples are exceptionally hardy woodland plants found in most of eastern North America and as far south as the State of Texas. They’re typically found in colonies in open woodlands, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, Mayapple (Podophyllum), mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on MayapplesFountain Grass
Posted by Hugh on March 24th, 2025
Fountain grasses (P. alopecuroides) are perennial warm season grasses that are native to meadows and open woods of Eastern Asia (mainly China and Japan) and Western Australia. Cultivars hardiness ranges from zone 4 (5) – 10. These ornamental grasses have finely textured deep green foliage and elegant form. Leaves and flower spikes sway in the breeze, […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Fertilizing plants, Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)), Landscape ideas, Non-native, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fountain GrassHaworthias – Fun Care-Free Houseplants
Posted by Hugh on February 25th, 2025
Let’s look at haworthias (Haworthia spp.). Plant hobbiests rate them as fun collectables and ask for very little care. Haworthias have dark green leaves arranged in a rosette. Leaves are thick and fleshy and end in a pointed tip. Leaves feel leathery to the touch. These succulents are frequently sold as cacti at garden centers. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Desert environ, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Haworthia, Heat Tolerance, Interior (house) Plants, Native Plant, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Haworthias – Fun Care-Free Houseplants
