Blackberry Lily (Belamcanda chinensis) is a summer flowering perennial native to China and Japan (USDA hardiness zones 5 -10). Don’t be fooled by its name. It is not a “lily” as it belongs to the Iris family. The iris sword-like leafy stalks stand 2 to 3 feet high. Blackberry lily blooms in early to mid-summer […]
Archive for the ‘Staking’ Category
Blackberry Lily Is Easy Summer Perennial
Posted by Hugh on May 3rd, 2014
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Blackberry Lily (Belamcandra), Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Ornamental fruit, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Blackberry Lily Is Easy Summer Perennial‘Summer Cascade’ Is A Very Different Weeping River Birch
Posted by Hugh on December 22nd, 2013
Summer Cascade is a new weeping river birch (Betula nigra Summer Cascade™ (PPAF). Its pendulous branching habit represents a unique change for river birch. Its strong weeping nature creates a divine focal point planted next to a pond, deck, or patio. Left unstaked, Summer Cascade’s strong pendulous habit naturally grows into a shrub mound or […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, compact tree, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Planting tips, Pruning, river birch, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Summer Cascade’ Is A Very Different Weeping River BirchBetter Blackberry Varieties Available
Posted by Hugh on September 18th, 2013
Growing Blackberries Blackberries (Rubus spp.) are among the easiest fruit crops to grow in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 5 and 7), but are not as hardy as raspberries. A blackberry planting has a productive life between 8-10 years. A sturdy trellis system, composed of strong posts and wire, will make harvest chores […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Blackberries, Disease resistant, Fruits & Vegetables, Heat Tolerance, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips Comments Off on Better Blackberry Varieties AvailableDeterminate Vs Indeterminate Tomato Varieties
Posted by Hugh on May 26th, 2013
There are many tomato varieties from which to select. You may find 100 or more varieties listed in garden catalogs. Depending on your garden space and needs, the two categories of tomato varieties to grow are determinate or indeterminate types. Short bush type growers are called determinate tomatoes. They require no support and you can […]
Posted in Fruits & Vegetables, Harvest Time, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Tomato Comments Off on Determinate Vs Indeterminate Tomato VarietiesFull Moon Japanese Maple Is Very Popular
Posted by Hugh on October 13th, 2012
The term “full moon Japanese maple” may be confusing. There are actually three species and cultivars of Asian maples that are referred to as “full moon”. The most popular full moon cultivar planted in the Northeast and Southern Appalachian regions (USDA zones 5 thru 7) is Acer japonicum ‘Acontifolium’. A. j. ‘Acontifolium’ is hardy […]
Posted in acidic soil, Japanese maple, Maples (Acer), Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Full Moon Japanese Maple Is Very PopularDecorate With Fall Mums
Posted by Hugh on September 21st, 2012
Dendranthemums (mums) are favorite plants for outdoor decorating in the autumn season. Fall mums come in a variety of colors from white, yellow, pink, orange, red, bronze, and purple. Blooms attract numerous bees and butterflies. Plant heights vary, depending on the degree that the greenhouse grower has sheared or sprayed (with growth retardants) the mums. As perennials, mums are […]
Posted in Aster, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Chrysanthemum, Fall sunflower (Helianthus spp.), Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Decorate With Fall MumsHow To Re-Bloom a Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
Posted by Hugh on August 22nd, 2012
Perhaps this past year a friend gifted you a lovely moth orchid (Phalaenopsis spp.). Late summer and early fall is an excellent time to re-bloom it, if you live in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 8. The overall health of the plant should be good. Moth orchids require a fluctuation of between 15 – 20°F […]
Posted in deadheading, Fertilizing plants, Interior (house) Plants, Orchids, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, watering tips Comments Off on How To Re-Bloom a Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)Easy To Grow Dahlias
Posted by Hugh on June 16th, 2012
According to the American Dahlia Society there are 18 classes of dahlias, from the popular small flowered dahlietta types to the large flowered dinner plate type. Dahlias hail from South of the Border, down Mexico Way, and are not reliably winter hardy north of USDA zone 7-b. Dahlias are easy to grow. They want a compost […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, compost, Dahlia, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Easy To Grow DahliasEvaluating Weeping Bald Cypress Cultivars
Posted by Hugh on May 9th, 2012
Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a large 75 -80 foot deciduous conifer tree. They are long-lived, often 100 years or more. Bald cypress is incredibly hardy from the warm humid Florida swamps to the cold winter temperatures and loamy soils of central Michigan. Bald cypress is tolerant of a wide range of soil and moisture […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bald cypress (Taxodium), compact shrub, compact tree, container shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, DWARF CONIFERS, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, winter hardiness Comments Off on Evaluating Weeping Bald Cypress CultivarsFirethorns Make Good Utility Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on May 6th, 2012
Firethorn (Pyracantha spp.) is an old- fashion shrub that is making a comeback. Its white flowers makes a lovely presence in spring, followed by dark green leaves in summer, and bright orange or red fruits (berry clusters) in fall and winter. Firethorn tolerates close clipping and is often utilized as a short 6-8 foot tall privacy screen. White clusters […]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Evergreen, Firethorn (Pyracantha), Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, Winter Garden Interest Comments Off on Firethorns Make Good Utility Shrubs
