Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus) When in bloom in mid-spring (May), the fringetrees (Chionanthus spp.) definitely will catch your eye. Chinese fringetree (C. retusus), is one of the finest small to medium sized flowering trees, not to be confused with the U.S. native fringetree (C. virginicus) (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Both produce spectacular white lacy flowers […]
Archive for the ‘Propagation (Seed)’ Category
Chinese Fringetree Gains In Popularity And Availability
Posted by Hugh on May 9th, 2015
Posted in acidic soil, compact tree, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowers, Fragrant, Fringetree (Chionanthus), Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Chinese Fringetree Gains In Popularity And AvailabilityAmerican Fringetree – A Spring Flowering Treasure
Posted by Hugh on April 28th, 2015
American fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) is one of the finest spring flowering trees (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). Individual flower heads are large and billowy, snowy white, and very fragrant in the early evening hours. Flower panicles peak through the large leaves, and are large and showy compared to Chinese fringetree (which I also like). Leaf sizes […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Fringetree (Chionanthus), Irrigation, mulching trees, Native Plant, Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on American Fringetree – A Spring Flowering TreasureBetter Disease Resistance With Mountain Tomato Series
Posted by Hugh on March 24th, 2015
Tomatoes are attacked by several diseases and insects. Most serious diseases are early blight, spotted wilt virus (TSWV), fusarium wilt (FW), Stemphylium Gray Leaf Spot (St), Alternaria leaf spot (A), and root knot nematodes (N). Major insect problems are aphids, thrips, stink bugs, blister beetles, fruit worms, horn worms, leaf miners, fruit flies, and […]
Posted in Disease prone, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Edible fruits, Fruits & Vegetables, Insect (Pest) Problems, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Tomato, Virus diseases, watering tips Comments Off on Better Disease Resistance With Mountain Tomato SeriesLittle Bluestem – Beautiful And Environmentally Correct
Posted by Hugh on March 12th, 2015
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) grows in old fields, meadows and prairies, and along roadsides across the United States and Eastern Canada (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). It forms dense clumps 2- 3 feet tall and 12 -18 inches wide. This warm season grass prefers a well-drained soil and […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Butterflies, Caterpillars, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Little Bluestem, Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Little Bluestem – Beautiful And Environmentally CorrectSpicebush – The Native Plant And The Butterfly
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2015
U.S. native spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is a beautiful landscape plant (USDA hardiness zones 4-9) for an open or woodland garden. Spicebush matures into a 12-15 feet tall and wide large shrub or small tree over many years. Light green deciduous leaves, 3 to 5 inches long, are delightfully fragrant when-crushed. Leaves is the preferred food for the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Edible fruits, Fragrant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Southern Appalachian Region, Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Spicebush – The Native Plant And The ButterflyBergenias (Pigsqueak) Gaining More Respect
Posted by Hugh on February 8th, 2015
Heart-leaved bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia) is a clump-forming perennial indigenous to Russia (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). It has been coined the name “pig squeak” because of the noise produced by rubbing a leaf between your thumb and finger. Bergenias are planted most effectively enmasse as a ground cover. They spread slowly by rhizomes and tends to seed-in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bergenia (pigsqueak), deadheading, Disease resistant, Ground cover, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Shade Gardening, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Bergenias (Pigsqueak) Gaining More RespectSupport Tomato Plants
Posted by Hugh on February 6th, 2015
University research demonstrates that yields are lower for staked tomatoes. Staking tomatoes is not absolutely necessary, but harvesting tomatoes on the ground becomes more difficult. Dirt and disease blemishes on fruits laying on the ground necessitate grading, cleaning, and disposing of culls. Most tall growing indeterminate varieties are best supported off the ground in some manner to prevent […]
Posted in Edible fruits, Fruits & Vegetables, Harvest Time, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Tomato Comments Off on Support Tomato PlantsSycamore Maple Performs In Cooler Regions
Posted by Hugh on January 21st, 2015
Sycamore maple, aka planetree maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) is indigenous to northern and central Europe where it is a popular landscape tree. Very commonly planted in the northeastern U.S. in the early 20th century, this large 50-60 foot tree is rarely found today (USDA zones 4 and 7). A mature specimen in Jonesborough, Tennessee (zone 6) is over […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Invasive species, Large Shade trees, Maples (Acer), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Sycamore Maple Performs In Cooler RegionsWhat A Plant Costs
Posted by Hugh on January 1st, 2015
I overheard a customer complain about the “outrageous” prices for plants, particularly the newly introduced ones. Here is some of the whys: Certain plants are difficult to reproduce. Occasionally, stores may stock some expensive items like paperbark maple (Acer griseum) and fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus). These […]
Posted in Landscape ideas, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Uncategorized Comments Off on What A Plant CostsLacebark Pine Is An Arboreal Gem
Posted by Hugh on December 1st, 2014
Lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana) is an arboreal gem which few gardeners are privileged to own (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Hopefully, this will change. Lacebark is a lovely 3-needle pine with exquisite exfoliating bark which becomes more attractive as it ages. Bark mottling begins after 8-10 years, that’s worth the wait if you’re a young patient […]
Posted in acidic soil, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Lacebark pine (P. bungeana), mulching trees, Pine (Pinus spp.), Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Lacebark Pine Is An Arboreal Gem
