Wax begonias (Begonia x semperflorens) are popular summer annuals in public and private gardens. Begonias are excellent for mass bedding, in mixed borders, and in large containers. Plants hold up to summer heat, humidity, and moderate dry spells. The foliage stays mostly pest and disease free. A few years back, two series of interspecific hybrids (Begonia […]
Archive for the ‘Propagation (Seed)’ Category
Hybrid Wax Begonia Revolution
Posted by Hugh on April 1st, 2019
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Begonia, Butterflies, Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips 
Comments Off on Hybrid Wax Begonia RevolutionGrowing Nasturtiums
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2019
Old-fashioned nasturtiums never lose their appeal, whether in the garden or as a garnish on a salad, or added to stir-fries, or favorite pasta dishes. Depending on the variety, some may be grown as climbers on fences and trellises or as bushy plants in a window boxes and containers. Around the world there are several […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Culinary, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Edible fruits, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Nasturtium, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing NasturtiumsMonkey Puzzle Tree
Posted by Hugh on February 15th, 2019
Monkey puzzle tree or Chilian pine (Araucaria araucana) is an evergreen conifer that is indigenous to forested volcanic slopes in the Andes Mountains in Chile and Argentina (USDA Zone 7b-11). It is the national tree of Chile. It typically grows 60-70 feet tall and 30-35 feet wide, but frequently reaches 100 feet or more in height […]
Posted in acidic soil, Container growing, Deer resistant, Dioecious, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Leaf retention, Leaf/needle spots, Mealy bugs, Monkey Puzzle Tree, mulching, Norfolk Island Pine, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Scale, Soil drainage, Summer heat tolerant, Thrips, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Monkey Puzzle TreeAmerican Hornbeam – Versatile Small U.S. Native Tree
Posted by Hugh on February 5th, 2019
American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), aka ironwood or muscle wood, grows primarily in moist, slightly acidic soils along woodland rivers and streams (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). This native hornbeam adapts to either wet or dry ground as long as soil moisture drains off, and it does not flood over long periods. This durable small tree copes with […]
Posted in acidic soil, American hornbeam, Cold tolerance, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Hornbeam (Carpinus), Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Seed), Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on American Hornbeam – Versatile Small U.S. Native TreeOutdoor Holiday Decorating With Poinsettias and Cyclamens
Posted by Hugh on December 6th, 2018
If you live in U.S. hardiness zones 3-7, December weather is ordinarily is too frigid to grow poinsettias and cyclamen outdoors. Southeastern U.S. cities like Charleston, SC, Savannah, GA, and northern parts of FL like Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando enjoy mild December temperatures 50 º F. lies in zone 8 as well as most of the Dallas […]
Posted in acidic soil, Cyclamen, Deer resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering house plant, Heat Tolerance, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, Planting tips, Poinsettia, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, Winter flowering, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Outdoor Holiday Decorating With Poinsettias and CyclamensSpring Star Flowers (Ipheion)
Posted by Hugh on November 28th, 2018
Spring star flowers (Ipheion uniflorum), native to Argentina and Uruguay, feature grass-like foliage and 6-petaled star-shaped flowers on 3-6 inches tall stems in early spring (April). Each bulb produces multiple flowering stems. Flowers range in color from almost white to violet blue and emit a mild spicy fragrance. In addition the grassy foliage gives off an oniony […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bees and other pollinators, Bulb Crops, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Star flower (Ipheion), winter hardiness Comments Off on Spring Star Flowers (Ipheion)Fall Lawn Care Tips
Posted by Hugh on September 15th, 2018
The fall season is “spring-time” for home lawn care. This is a great opportunity to apply grass seed, fertilize, and eliminate weeds in cool season lawns. In Tennessee (USDA hardiness zones 6-7), cool season grasses (fescue, bluegrass and perennial rye) are fertilized in mid-September with a high nitrogen-based fertilizer, available at most garden centers. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bermuda, Broadleaf weeds, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Fertilizing, Fertilizing plants, Garden ecology, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Herbicide management, Irrigation, Kentucky bluegrass, Landscape ideas, Lawn Care, Mowing, Pesticide Recommendations, Pesticide recommendations, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Red fescue, Ryegrass, seeding lawn, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tall Fescue, watering tips, Weed control, Weed management, Weeds, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fall Lawn Care TipsSuccess In Growing Franklinia Tree
Posted by Hugh on September 10th, 2018
Franklinia (Franklinia altamaha) is a uniquely different large shrub or small tree. Great plant for the “I can grow anything crowd”. Rated hardy in USDA hardiness zones 5-8, I’ve never seen a landscape quality specimen in zone 5 and find that the tree performs best in zones 6 to 7. Success with growing franklinia hinges on […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compact tree, compost, Environmental issues, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Fragrant, Franklinia, Landscape ideas, Large shrub, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Root rotting, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Success In Growing Franklinia TreeGrowing Morning Glories
Posted by Hugh on August 28th, 2018
Morning glory vines (Ipomoea tricolor) add a dash of old fashion charm to today’s gardens. YES! these aggressive vines demand a high degree of attention. Their funnel or tubular-shaped flowers open in the morning and close late in the afternoon. In a single growing season, vines may grow 6 to 12 feet and more (depending on variety). Morning […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Annuals, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Failure to Bloom, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Landscape ideas, Morning glory (Ipomoea), mulching, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), Vine, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing Morning GloriesGrowing Castor Bean Plant
Posted by Hugh on August 10th, 2018
Over the years castor bean (Ricinus communis) plants have been a common sight in public gardens. These tall ornamental annuals are cherished for both their colorful flowers and seed capsules, and bold foliage. The species, a botanical member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), is indigenous to the southeastern Mediterranean region, Eastern Africa, and India. Unlike many spurges, the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Castor bean, Castor bean (Ricinus), compost, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Fruits poisonous, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Ornamental vegetables, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips Comments Off on Growing Castor Bean Plant
