There is lots of interest in this shrub group. Anise shrubs (Illicium spp.) are fast growing, evergreen shrubs (USDA zones 7 to 10). They exhibit a multi-stemmed, upright, compact growth habit. The green foliage of Florida anise (I. floridanum) is quite attractive and aromatic, smelling similar to anise spice when crushed. Their shiny, leathery leaves are […]
Archive for the ‘Pruning’ Category
Anise (Illicium) Shrubs Coming To Mid-South Gardens
Posted by Hugh on November 16th, 2019
Posted in acidic soil, Anise tree (Illicium), Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compact shrub, compact tree, Container garden, Container growing, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Fragrant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Large shrub, mulching, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering evergreens, watering tips 
Comments Off on Anise (Illicium) Shrubs Coming To Mid-South GardensNew ‘Chastity’ Ornamental Pear
Posted by Hugh on November 11th, 2019
Before you totally give up on ornamental pear trees (Pyrus calleryana) as invasive, a decision that I would never argue against, take a look at the new Chastity pear. NEW! NEW! NEW! on the market is Chastity pear, a triploid hybrid that is both very ornamental and highly infertile (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Chastity™ Pear was specifically […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Environmental Conservation, Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Ornamental fruit, Pear (Ornamental), Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Street tree, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on New ‘Chastity’ Ornamental PearShort Forms Of Cryptomerias
Posted by Hugh on November 6th, 2019
Japanese cedar, aka Sugi or Cryptomeria, (Cryptomeria japonica) is the national tree of Japan and also flourishes in China (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8). It is one of the most variable conifers ranging from very dwarf rounded shrubs to large tree forms with golden or contorted leaves. It tolerates hot humid summers and prefers […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Balled and Burlapped (b&b), compact shrub, Cryptomeria (Japanese cedar), Disease resistant, Environmental Conservation, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Leaf/needle spots, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Short Forms Of CryptomeriasMarcescence (Retaining Leaves Fall And Winter)
Posted by Hugh on October 31st, 2019
Through the fall and winter seasons, certain landscape and woodland trees retain their dead brown leaves on branches. Beech (Fagus spp.) and oak (Quercus spp.) are two common examples. Winter winds and precipitation will eventually force leaves to drop. Plant scientists term the retention of leaves as “marcescence”. There are many theories as to why […]
Posted in Bald cypress (Taxodium), Beech (Fagus spp.), Birch (Betula spp.), Dawn redwood (Metasequoia), Deciduous, Deer resistant, Environmental Conservation, Evergreen, Evergreens, Firs (Abies), Ginkgo biloba, Hemlock (Tsuga), Landscape ideas, Leaf retention, Maples (Acer), Marcescence, Native Plant, Oaks (Quercus spp.), Pines (Pinus spp.), Poplar (Populus spp.), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spruces (Picea spp.), Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, Wildlife attractant Comments Off on Marcescence (Retaining Leaves Fall And Winter)Inkberry Holly Substitute For Boxwood
Posted by Hugh on October 16th, 2019
Ilex glabra ‘Densa’ Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra), also called gallberry, is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen shrub (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). It grows to 5-8 feet tall and can spread by root suckers and form colonies. Inkberry is native from the eastern coast of Canada south to Florida, west to Louisiana. The shrub is at home in sandy […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Chlorosis (yellowing), compact shrub, Container garden, Container growing, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Green Privacy Screen, Ground nesting bees, Honey bees, Ilex (hollies), Inkberry Holly (Ilex), Landscape ideas, Leaf diseases, Mites, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Root rotting, Root suckering, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Inkberry Holly Substitute For BoxwoodEmerald Ash Borer Update
Posted by Hugh on October 6th, 2019
Emerald Ash borer (EAB) is confirmed to infest in many areas of the U.S. Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in 2002. EAB adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The beetle larvae (immature stage) feed on the inner bark of […]
Posted in Ash (Fraxinus), Emerald ash borer, Environmental Conservation, Firewood, Insect (Pest) Problems, Landscape Construction, Landscape ideas, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Native Plant, Pests, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sanitation, Shade tree, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized Comments Off on Emerald Ash Borer UpdateUltra Dwarf Korean Fir
Posted by Hugh on October 1st, 2019
Korean fir (Abies koreana) is slow-growing compact fir species with a mature height between 15 to 30 feet tall and 6 to 15 feet wide. Its tiny needles are ½- to 1- inch long, green on top and two white stripes on the underside. It bears 2-3 inches long erect purple cones almost annually that […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreen, Fall Garden Interest, Firs (Abies), Korean fir (Abies koreana), Landscape ideas, mulching, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Ultra Dwarf Korean FirFall Garden Chores
Posted by Hugh on September 21st, 2019
Fall is the perfect time to take on a few of the many spring garden chores. Here is a list of ten of the most important tasks: Weeding– get rid of newly emerging winter annual weeds now before they flower and set seeds. Perennial weeds such as dandelions, plantains, and thistles can be sprayed and eliminated in the […]
Posted in acidify soil, Attracting birds, Azaleas (evergreen), Bees and other pollinators, Bulb Crops, Camellia, Common witchhazel (H. virginiana), compost, deadheading, Deer resistant, Edgeworthia, Fall Garden Interest, Flowering Bulb, Green Recycling, Hellebores, Hyacinth, Landscape Construction, Landscape ideas, lenten rose, Lenten rose (Hellebore), mulching, Ornamental Grasses, Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Tulips, Violas, watering tips, Winter Protection, Winterhazels (Corylopsis), Witchhazel (Hamamelis) Comments Off on Fall Garden ChoresFall Planting And Dividing Iris
Posted by Hugh on September 11th, 2019
Tall bearded (Iris x hybrida), Japanese iris (I. ensata), Siberian irises (I. sibirica) are very popular with U.S. gardeners and are favorites in my spring flower garden (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). The period from late August through mid-October is the ideal time to plant and/or divide irises. Don’t procrastinate…the earlier the better. Give plants enough […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bacterial diseases, Bees and other pollinators, Borers, Butterflies, Container garden, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Insect (Pest) Problems, Iris, Iris (Tall bearded), Iris sibirica, Landscape ideas, mulching, Overcrowding, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Re-Bloomers, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fall Planting And Dividing IrisPeony Care in the Fall
Posted by Hugh on September 6th, 2019
October and November are ideal for fall herbaceous peony bed cleanup and to get ready for winter. Fall is the ideal time to dig up and divide old clumps of peony roots and to plant new plants. Old yellow and brown foliage comes off easy with hand clippers. Don’t pull or yank off the foliage! […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, applying sulfur, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Container garden, Deciduous, Downy mildew, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Landscape ideas, mulching, Peonies, Peony, Perennials, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sanitation, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Soil Testing, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Uncategorized, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Peony Care in the Fall
