First, not to confuse you, our North American native witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) blooms in the fall. Our native vernal witchhazel (H. vernalis) has been flowering for the past few weeks. In February, the showiest witchhazels are opening now – species from China, Korea and Japan. Two of the very best are a Chinese species/cultivar called […]
Archive for the ‘Pruning’ Category
Opening Show in February- The Witchhazels
Posted by Hugh on February 15th, 2011
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Chinese witchhazel, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Garden Maintenance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, Winter flowering, winter hardiness 
Tags: Alberta spruce, Chinese witchhazel 
Comments Off on Opening Show in February- The WitchhazelsCrabapple Shopping List
Posted by Hugh on February 10th, 2011
For those of you tired of the monotony of Bradford pears, go shopping for ornamental crabapples (Malus spp.). Most crabapple cultivars mature into long-lived small flowering trees less than 20 feet in height at maturity. Most fit under utility lines. Worldwide, there are over 400 cultivars of crabapples in nursery commerce. Most are susceptibility to […]
Posted in Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Crabapple, Disease resistant, Landscape ideas, Ornamental fruit, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sanitation, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, Winter Garden Interest Comments Off on Crabapple Shopping ListLenten Roses Perk Up the February Garden
Posted by Hugh on February 2nd, 2011
Lenten roses or hellebores (Helleborus spp.) are long-lived perennials, often surviving in the same garden spot for many years. Four species of Lenten roses grow in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). All thrive in shady garden recesses, exposed to as little as 3 – 4 hours of dappled sunlight. Numerous […]
Posted in alkaline soil, compost, Lenten rose (Hellebore), mulching, Perennials, Pruning, Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest Comments Off on Lenten Roses Perk Up the February GardenIce Storm- Keep Hands Off
Posted by Hugh on December 26th, 2010
An ice storm is both a beautiful and horrific scene in a garden. The potential for major tree/shrub breakage is staggering. If you feel powerless, this is good thing. During the storm, do nothing / “hands off”. Most actions will likely cause more damage than what nature may have intended. After the storm assess the landscape areas which seem most vulnerable, or that […]
Posted in Bradford Pear, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, winter injury Comments Off on Ice Storm- Keep Hands OffLacebark pine- an investment in the future
Posted by Hugh on December 13th, 2010
Many rare and unusual garden plants are introduced into a garden as a thoughtful gift. Lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana) is an arboreal aristocrat which a few gardeners are privileged to own. Lacebark is a lovely 3- needle pine with exquisite exfoliating bark which becomes more attractive each succeeding year. The lacebark feature begins after 8-10 years, but it’s […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, mulching, Pines (Pinus spp.), Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness 2 Comments »Hydrangea Invincibelle Spirit ®
Posted by Hugh on December 10th, 2010
Hydrangea Invincibelle® Spirit ranks as one of the finest new plant introductions in 2010. This hydrangea comes from a good bloodline. Invincibelle® Spirit is a pink flowering clone originating from Annabelle. The cultivar ‘Annabelle’ (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’) has been a star in Southern Appalachian gardens (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7) for the past quarter century. Invincibelle® […]
Posted in Hydrangea, Native Plant, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering tips Comments Off on Hydrangea Invincibelle Spirit ®Doghobble for Shady Landscape Areas
Posted by Hugh on November 11th, 2010
Drooping doghobble or fetterbush (Leucothoe fontanesiana) is native to woodland areas in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Doghobble is a tall ground cover, averaging 3 – 4 feet in height. The long gently arching evergreen branches display a rambling nature, best reined in with hand pruning as needed. White fragrant flowers, […]
Hardy Camellias Re-Awaken the Autumn Season
Posted by Hugh on November 1st, 2010
‘Winter Star’ camellia (pale pink- photo on left) is the first camellia to bloom in the Conlon garden this fall season. My 8 year-old camellia has 50 or more flowers currently opened and promises to continue blooming through most of November. Other hardy fall blooming cultivars are heavily budded and will open thru mid- December, weather permitting. A few […]
Posted in Camellia, Flowering, plant nutrition, Pruning Comments Off on Hardy Camellias Re-Awaken the Autumn SeasonArkansas Bluestar Great In Spring, Summer and Fall
Posted by Hugh on October 27th, 2010
Blue star (Amsonia hubrichtii) exhibits one of nature’s finest autumn foliar displays. This Arkansas native is a long-lived perennial and prospers here in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). After its initial year in the garden, amsonia exhibits good heat and drought tolerances. Its fine textured needle -like foliage is very soft and airy. In the […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Perennials, Planting tips, Pruning, Spring flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Arkansas Bluestar Great In Spring, Summer and FallGinkgo -Sex Education 101
Posted by Hugh on October 22nd, 2010
Surviving an autumn season with a heavily fruited ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) tree is a foul smelling experience. The odorous yellow fleshy fruits ripen in October and drop onto public streets and home lawns. Several times I have witnessed the Jonesborough Tennessee Fire Department raking up fallen fruit and hosing down a sidewalk too treacherous to walk […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Autumn foliage color, Deer resistant, Gardenia, Ginkgo biloba, Large Shade trees, Propagation (Seed), Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Ginkgo -Sex Education 101
