Gardeners are waking up to the tough as nails Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus). (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). It has gorgeous foliage, showy snow-white flowers in the spring, and exfoliating bark. Native to Korea, China, and Japan, this low maintenance multi-stemmed large shrub or small deciduous tree is becoming easier to purchase at U.S. garden centers […]
Archive for the ‘Pruning’ Category
Chinese Fringetree
Posted by Hugh on April 7th, 2024
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Dioecious, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Fragrant, Fringetree (Chionanthus), Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Street tree, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness 
No Comments »Lacebark Pine – A Year-round Treasure
Posted by Hugh on April 1st, 2024
Native to China, lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana) is an excellent, low-maintenance evergreen treasure. Winter-hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4-8, this specimen pine struggles in the summer heat and humidity of the Southern U.S. Best specmens are found growing in arboretums and botanical gardens north of zone 8. This 3-needle pine offers 4-seasons of ornamental interest. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fall Garden Interest, Lacebark pine (P. bungeana), Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Non-native, Pine (Pinus spp.), Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness No Comments »Three Native Azaleas That Should Be Included In Mid- Atlantic and Southern Gardens
Posted by Hugh on March 25th, 2024
About Native Azaleas: Flowers appear from April to September depending on species. Flower clusters (called “trusses”) appear just before the leaves emerge. Each truss may bear 3 – 12 blooms, which open 1.5 – 2 inches wide. Flower colors vary among native species from white, pink, orange and red shades. In many spring blooming species, the open petals […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Balled and Burlapped (b&b), Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Container garden, Deciduous, Deciduous Azaleas, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rhododendrons, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Three Native Azaleas That Should Be Included In Mid- Atlantic and Southern GardensTen Favorite Viburnums
Posted by Hugh on March 18th, 2024
Viburnums are versatile landscape shrubs that flower, fruit, and fall color. Several species have fruit that attracts birds and may persist most of the winter. To have the best cross-pollination and fruit display plant in groups rather than as specimens. Viburnums tend to prefer slightly acid soil. They have few pest or disease problems and need […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arrowwood (V. dentatum), Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Viburnum beetles, Viburnums, winter hardiness Comments Off on Ten Favorite ViburnumsWonderful Carolina Silverbells
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2024
To start, the botanical literature is a little confusing regarding the two silverbell species. Mountain silverbell (Halesia tetraptera; formerly H. carolina) and two-winged silverbell (H. diptera) are native to the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. (Zones 6-9). Silverbells are either small- to medium-sized deciduous trees or large, multi-stemmed shrubs. It blooms in the spring (late-March […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Chlorosis (yellowing), Deciduous, Deer resistant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Silverbell (Halesia), Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Wonderful Carolina SilverbellsFoamflowers For Your Shade Garden
Posted by Hugh on February 6th, 2024
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) is a low-growing, clump-forming woodland perennial groundcover. It grows naturally in moist forests, coves, and well-drained bottomlands where it spreads by slender runners (stolons) to form dense, 1-2 feet wide clumps of foliage or colonies. Small spikes of creamy white spring flowers and its attractive bright green foliage are solid pluses in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, plant nutrition, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Tiarella (foam flower), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Foamflowers For Your Shade GardenWhy Newly Planted Trees Die
Posted by Hugh on January 26th, 2024
The loss or decline of a newly planted tree or shrub is usually a result of multiple factors. One of the worst mistakes is planting trees or shrubs too deeply – whether they are planted by a home gardener or a landscape professional. I’ve witnessed both. Surface roots are deprived of oxygen the deeper trees […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Deciduous, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Garden Maintenance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Non-native, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Street tree, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Why Newly Planted Trees Die‘Jeana’ Phlox 2024 PPOY
Posted by Hugh on January 1st, 2024
The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) has selected ‘Jeana’ the 2024 Perennial Plant of the Year (PPOY). This exceptional garden phlox is recognized for its impressive flower show, tall sturdy plant habit, and pollinators’ delight. (USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8). Dense, domed lavender-pink flowers stand atop long sturdy stems from midsummer to early fall. Individually, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Flower arrangments, Fragrant, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Phlox, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on ‘Jeana’ Phlox 2024 PPOYGrowing The True Christmas Cactus
Posted by Hugh on December 25th, 2023
Despite its name, the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera buckleyi) is an epiphytic plant that grows on trees and rocks in habitats that are generally shady with high humidity. This tropical member of the Cactus family (Cactaceae) is not a true cactus. Tiny roots may cling to the plant or rock that it’s growing on. It is […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera), Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, Light requirement, Mealy bugs, Non-native, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Thanksgiving cactus, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest Comments Off on Growing The True Christmas CactusVines Worth Growing
Posted by Hugh on December 19th, 2023
Vines add a vertical dimension in your garden. With many vines, you don’t need to construct expensive arbors and trellises for them to climb. Borrowing an idea from nature, vines love to ramble or attach readily onto shrubs and trees. Some vines like periwinkle (Vinca minor) and English ivy (Hedera helix) make attractive ground covers […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Clematis 'Rooguchi', Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera), Crossvine (Bignonia), Deciduous, Disease resistant, Dutchman's pipe, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Vine, Vine, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Vines Worth Growing
