Archive for the ‘Summer heat tolerant’ Category

Landscape Shrubs Rarely Damaged By Deer

Deer will eat or nibble on any landscape plant, particularly when they’re starving. Abnormally high deer populations, starved by a shortage of their favorite foods (mast), will feed or browse on almost any plant. This is a survival reaction. To truly protect plants when deer numbers are unusually high, a tall fence or reinforced netting […]

Top Conifers Picks By Southeast Reference Gardens

In 2011 poll conducted at the SE Region meeting in Athens, GA, the top favorite conifer picks from SE Reference Gardens. Georgia Lockerly Arboretum, Milledgeville Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’ Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola ‘Brodie’ Platycladus orientalis ‘Aurea Nana’ Thuja occidentalis ‘Rheingold’ Smith Gilbert Garden, Kennesaw Cedrus deodara ‘Gold Cone’ Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Verdon’ Platycladus orientalis ‘Morgan’ […]

Ranking Four Popular Evergreens As Privacy Screens

If you are searching for a tall evergreen conifer as a privacy screen, the four most popular in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7) are: # 1 is Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) which rapidly grows 40-50 feet tall and 20-25 feet wide in less than 25 years…if they live long […]

Mexican Feather Grass

The ultra-fine soft foliage of Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) will grab your interest. Just a slight breeze will create wave movement in your garden (USDA hardiness zones 7 to 10). It grows 1½ feet high (2 feet tall in flower) and 1½ to 2 feet in width. Mexican Feather Grass is a cool season […]

Pyramidal Forms Of Cryptomeria

Cryptomeria, aka Japanese cedar, (Cryptomeria japonica) is an evergreen conifer native to China and Japan. It rated to be very long-lived (USDA hardiness zones 6 to 10). Some cultivars may be hardy in 5-b as well. There are many forms of cryptomerias, ranging from dwarf globe-shaped shrubs to narrow pyramidal trees. Needle foliage may be […]

China Fir Deserves A Look

To begin, China fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is not a true fir (genus: Abies). Branches are broadly pyramidal when young, and open up to become slightly pendulous as the tree ages. China fir grows broad at the base and spire-like on top. The tree often grows multi-stemmed to 75 feet in height and 20 to 30 […]

Three New Spreading Junipers Waking Up Landscapes

In times past Chinese junipers (Juniperus chinensis) were popular foundation shrubs and ground cover (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). They were popular choices in sunny locations for erosion control and around seashore areas. Three exciting cultivars have arrived on the landscape scene and should bring junipers back in vogue. Angelica Blue Chinese juniper (J. chinensis ‘Angelica […]

Burning Bush Turns Fire Engine Red In The Fall

Be cautioned from the start that planting dwarf burning bush (Euonymus alata var. compactus) in some states in the U.S. is prohibited. This deciduous shrub is known for its awesome fire engine red fall foliage color (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). In shady areas fall leaf color tends to be more pinkish. Fall leaf […]

Willow Oak Very Reliable As Street Or Park Tree

Willow oak (Quercus phellos) is medium to large, deciduous tree, part of the red oak group. It is noted for willow-like oak foliage and growth rate after a 2 year establishment period is moderate (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Willow oak grows 50-75 feet tall and 30-35 feet wide with a rounded top or canopy. Young […]

Better Red Fall Leaf Color On American Hornbeam

American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), aka ironwood or muscle wood, grows primarily in moist, slightly acidic soils along woodland rivers and streams (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). This native hornbeam adapts to either wet or dry ground as long as soil moisture drains adequately. It copes with tough urban conditions including on non-irrigated parking lots and on […]