Archive for the ‘Pruning’ Category

Hawthorn Trees In The Landscape

The world of hawthorns (Crataegus spp.) includes several outstanding landscape trees that exhibit four-season ornamental interest: 1. spring flowering, 2. disease-free summer foliage, 3. variable fall leaf color, and 4. colorful fruits for wildlife in the fall and winter months. World-wide, hawthorns are native to temperate regions of North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, […]

Tips On Overwintering Outdoor Containers

Containers filled with shrubs and perennials, doesn’t necessarily ensure their winter survival. Without adequate cold protection plants may succumb to cold injury—turning them into dead annuals.     To over-winter perennials in containers, you need to know their root and shoot temperature hardiness. Often, plant hardiness ratings is listed on the label. Roots and shoots of several […]

Possum Haw Holly

Possum haw (Ilex decidua) is a deciduous holly, grown as a large shrub or small tree. Its colorful winter berries brighten woodlands along creeks and rivers in the Midwest and Southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5 -9). It is known by a number of common names, including bearberry, winterberry, deciduous holly, among others. Its popular […]

Coral honeysuckle

Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), aka trumpet honeysuckle, is a vigorous twining flowering vine that is primarily native to the southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 4 -8). Cultivars are available in shades of red, orange. and yellow. The colorful flowers appear in spring and summer, and colorful berries decorate in late summer and autumn. Invite hummingbirds […]

Bald Cypress For A Small Landscape

Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is well-known as a deciduous conifer native to the southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Pyramidal in form, bald cypress towers over 70 feet tall with a spread up to 50 feet. Bald cypress is naturally found in southeast U.S. swamps, marshlands, lakes, ponds, and other wetlands. On marshy ground, you […]

Fuzzy Bolivian Sage

The large and bright fuzzy blossoms of Bolivian Spearhead Sage (Salvia oxyphora), aka Fuzzy Bolivian Sage, should catch your eye in late summer and early autumn. Equally attractive is the plant’s lush tropical-like glossy green foliage. This sage inhabits the edges of moist forests in the foothills of the Andes. It is grown as an annual in full sun in Northern […]

Clump Type Ornamental Grasses Excel In Autumn

City gardeners want low maintenance. These ornamental grasses are what you’re looking for. They achieve their intended growth heights in summer, and produce flowers (inflorescence). Foliage of some change color as temps start cooling in late summer. Five of six listed grass species are winter hardy and overwinter outside in large containers or tubs in most regions […]

Goldenrods

Goldenrods (Solidago spp.) represent about 100 species of perennials that grow ubiquitously alongside U.S. roadsides, prairies, open woods, and riverbanks. (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). A few species are also native in South America and Eurasia. Goldenrods are grown for their bright yellow or golden flowers that form late in the summer. They are easy to grow, […]

Lots of Choice With European Hornbeams

European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), aka ironwood and musclewood, is an underused tree that is an excellent urban street and park tree. (USDA hardiness zones 4-7). The tree develops a full, dense canopy and little maintenance requirements.  The species typically grows 40-60 feet (less frequently to 80 feet) tall with a pyramidal to oval-rounded crown. Its dense […]

Smart Water Use In The Summer Garden

When the heat of the summer settles in, water is in high demand. Here is some practices to implement when planting a water-wise garden, irrigating lawngrass, and better mulching practices to improve soil moisture levels: Lawn grass species vary in their water needs. Cool season grasses like fescues and bluegrasses are moderately drought tolerant, turn […]