People think peaches grow only in Georgia. A decade long period of mild winters in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7) have increased gardener confidence in growing peaches. Peaches (Prunus persica) tend to flower in early spring, when the threat of spring frost is high across the region. In many years spring frost […]
Archive for the ‘Pruning’ Category
Key Points About Growing Peaches
Posted by Hugh on December 8th, 2011
Posted in Bee Favorite, Fruits & Vegetables, Peach, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection 
Comments Off on Key Points About Growing PeachesEverbearer Raspberries Harvest from July To Frost
Posted by Hugh on December 5th, 2011
Raspberry Production at Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC Everbearer raspberries are easier to grow compared to the June-bearer types. Everbearer types are often called “fall bearers” because they produce berries from very late July to late September. Pruning becomes a simple chore – in late winter simply cut down all canes (shoots) to the ground. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, compost, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, mulching, Pruning, Raspberries, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, watering tips Comments Off on Everbearer Raspberries Harvest from July To FrostEuropean vs Asian Pears
Posted by Hugh on December 4th, 2011
Growing pears in the Southeastern U.S. is both challenging and rewarding. Both the European (Pyrus communis) and Asian (P. pyrifera) pears are susceptible to fireblight (Erwinia amylovora), a bacterial disease with no satisfactory cure. Two popular European pear varieties, ‘Bartlett’ and ‘Bosc’, are highly susceptible to fireblight. Varieties found to be fire blight resistant are: ‘Warren’, […]
Posted in Biennial bearing, Disease prone, Disease resistant, Failure to Bloom, Fruits & Vegetables, Pear (Pyrus spp.), Pollination needs, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering Comments Off on European vs Asian PearsGrowing Elderberries in the Garden
Posted by Hugh on December 2nd, 2011
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is native to eastern North America, commonly found growing in open fields, thickets, fence rows, and along roadsides. Elderberry has pinnate leaves with toothed leaflets. Large flat clusters of small white flowers are evident by early summer, followed by large clusters of round purple-black fruit in late summer and fall. The fruits are […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compost, Disease prone, Elderberry (Sambucus), Fruits & Vegetables, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Pruning, Root suckering, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Growing Elderberries in the GardenAutumn Colors Conclude with Callery Pears
Posted by Hugh on November 23rd, 2011
Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) has been declining in planting popularity. But its scarlet red leaf color is both sensational and reliable every autumn in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Most people identify the tree by its cultivar name, e.g. ‘Bradford’, Aristocrat®, ‘Cleveland Select’, ‘Redspire’ pear. There are many other cultivars. Callery pears are tough reliable medium sized trees which […]
Posted in Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bradford Pear, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Heat Tolerance, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Autumn Colors Conclude with Callery PearsEuropean Beech Prefers Cool Climes
Posted by Hugh on November 18th, 2011
European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is native to the cool temperate regions of Europe. In the U.S. it is more at home in the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Northwest regions (USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 7) where summers are cool. European beech grows in full sun and moist, well-drained soils, ranging from mildly acidic to low basic. The tree suffers in […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Disease prone, European beech (F. sylvatica), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on European Beech Prefers Cool ClimesMaking A Case for Mugo Pine
Posted by Hugh on November 4th, 2011
Mugo pine (Pinus mugo) is a slow growing needle evergreen shrub of variable heights ranging from 5 feet to 20 feet and more. Mature height depends on the cultivar planted and environmental conditions on site. Mugo pine is native over many hundreds of miles of alpine climes across Europe. It is winter hardy in USDA zones […]
Posted in compact shrub, Disease resistant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreens, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Mugo pine (Pinus mugo), mulching, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Making A Case for Mugo Pine‘Snow Flurry’ Zone 6 Hardy Camellia
Posted by Hugh on October 31st, 2011
‘Snow Flurry’ camellia is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with good plant vigor. It was one of the first zone 6 cold hardy camellias hybridized by Dr. William Ackerman and released by the U.S. National Arboretum in 1986. Snow Flurry grows into a 4 feet tall by 6 feet wide shrub over a 10 year […]
‘Diabolo’ Ninebark Has More Than 9 Lives
Posted by Hugh on October 7th, 2011
The cultivar Diabolo ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’) is an aggressive grower. A knowledgeable gardener with a sharp pair of pruners may quickly and easily train Diabolo ninebark into a small tree. Plant a ninebark tree in a large container for multi-seasonal color around your deck or patio. Its common plant name “ninebark” says a lot. […]
October Starts Out With Fall Sunflowers
Posted by Hugh on September 26th, 2011
I thank the person who gave me a native swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolia). This long-lived perennial appears to have its own internal clock for blooming around the first day of October. Its long narrow rough-textured leaves average 6 inches in length. The 2-3 inch wide flowers appear first on top of the tall 6 to 7 foot plants, and […]
Posted in Autumn flowering, deadheading, Fall sunflower (Helianthus spp.), Fertilizing plants, Native Plant, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on October Starts Out With Fall Sunflowers
