Among dwarf conifer collectors, ‘Morgan’ Oriental arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis) has become one of the most sought out evergreens over the past decade. Its oval form and seasonal coloration makes Morgan a standout. It performs well in part sun, but its chartreuse-yellow foliage appears more vibrant in direct sunlight. Its dense foliage grows in vertical layers. Andy Pulte at the […]
Archive for the ‘Summer heat tolerant’ Category
‘Morgan’ Oriental Arborvitae
Posted by Hugh on November 12th, 2011
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), compost, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreens, Heat Tolerance, Platycladus orientalis 'Morgan', Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering evergreens, Winter Garden Interest 
Comments Off on ‘Morgan’ Oriental ArborvitaeMaking 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 […]
Natural Evergreen Needle Drop in Autumn
Posted by Hugh on October 25th, 2011
Some needle loss on evergreens in the fall is natural. As night time temperatures cool, needles in the interior of many evergreen trees or shrubs regularly turn brown (or golden yellow) and drop off. Needle loss is most obvious on pines (Pinus spp.) and arborvitae (Thuja spp.) in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). The […]
Posted in Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Pines (Pinus spp.), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, watering evergreens, winter injury Comments Off on Natural Evergreen Needle Drop in AutumnVirginia Creeper – A Question of Place
Posted by Hugh on October 10th, 2011
Autumn foliage color is upon us in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). On a weekend drive through the Smoky Mountains, vivid red Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) foliage draped highway fences and tree branches. Virginia creeper foliage peaks 2 to 3 weeks ahead of most woodland trees and shrubs. Lots of gardeners […]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Virginia creeper, winter hardiness Comments Off on Virginia Creeper – A Question of Place‘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. […]
‘Little Lemon’ Goldenrod Acts Like Late Summer Bedding Plant
Posted by Hugh on September 29th, 2011
Across the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7), the native goldenrods (Solidago spp.) are easy to spot, growing 6-8 feet tall in ditch banks along roadsides and in the poorest of soils. Over the past quarter century short, more compact cultivars have arrived local garden centers. ‘Little Lemon’ grows only 12-15 inches tall with a 18-24 inch spread. This diminutive […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Goldenrod (Solidago), Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips Comments Off on ‘Little Lemon’ Goldenrod Acts Like Late Summer Bedding PlantOctober 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 SunflowersFranklinia Will Survive If…
Posted by Hugh on September 22nd, 2011
Franklinia (Franklinia altamaha) is admittedly a very finicky large shrub or small tree. Pure white, five-petal, 2 ½ – 3 inch camellia-like flowers bloom sporadically from August thru mid-October. Flowers are slightly fragrant. In the fall glossy green leaves gradually transition to blends of red, orange and burgundy hues. Franklinia grows best on an eastern exposure […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Autumn flowering, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Franklinia, Japanese beetles, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Franklinia Will Survive If…Ornamental Peppers Sizzle In Autumn
Posted by Hugh on September 19th, 2011
Some gardeners call them “Christmas peppers”. In the late summer garden all eyes turn away from most flowering annuals and to the colorful fruits of ornamental peppers (Capsicum annuum). Many are dwarf red hot chili peppers. (No!…not the rock band). Fruits are cylindrical or ball shaped and the brilliant colors range from white, yellow, […]
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