In the Eastern U.S. two species, dwarf fothergilla (F. gardenii) and large fothergilla (Fothergilla major), are native. They are also labeled “witch alder”. Both species appear almost identical, except for flower and leaf size, and overall shrub size. Large fothergilla is indigenous to the mountain and Piedmont Regions […]
Archive for the ‘watering tips’ Category
Fothergillas Are Topnotch
Posted by Hugh on March 17th, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, compact shrub, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowering, Fothergilla, Fragrant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Fothergillas Are TopnotchPatio Peach Blooms In Early Spring
Posted by Hugh on March 12th, 2016
For small garden spaces patio peach (Prunus persica) is a gem. This miniature tree bears long narrow lush green (or reddish) foliage. Site selection is crucial to ward off potential disease and insect problems. Patio peach is a genetic dwarf and may be grown in a large container on your deck or patio. Tree height averages 6-8 feet tall […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Bacterial diseases, Bee Favorite, Disease prone, Fertilizing plants, Flowering peach (Prunus), Fragrant, Insect (Pest) Problems, Mites, Peach, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Rabbit/deer Protection, Scale, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Patio Peach Blooms In Early SpringGrowing Tomatoes 101
Posted by Hugh on March 6th, 2016
Tomato plants are at their best grown in full sun, adequately fertilized and spaced, and staked or caged for support. Have a backup disease control plan in case. Most tomato plants are set out as transplants, since it takes several weeks longer to harvest those direct seeded into garden soil. Transplanting means earlier harvests. Those gardeners […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Tomato, watering tips Comments Off on Growing Tomatoes 101Autumn Fern Changes With The Seasons
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2016
Ferns are fine textured lacey-leaf groundcovers. Many kinds of ferns add a tropical accent to the shade garden. Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora), aka Japanese wood fern, has evergreen or semi-evergreen arching foliage, depending how cold it gets in winter (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8). Its common name is misleading. Best frond colors are in spring; the fronds unfurl […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn fern (Dryopteris), Autumn foliage color, Disease resistant, Ferns, Ground cover, mulching, Native Plant, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Autumn Fern Changes With The SeasonsNative Partridgeberry
Posted by Hugh on February 28th, 2016
Partridge berry (Mitchella repens) is cherished for its evergreen foliage, spring flowers and fall-winter colorful berries (USDA Zones 4–8). This native groundcover is frequently spotted in moist woodlands along banks of streams and on dry slopes in the eastern and central North America as far west as Minnesota and south to northern Texas and Florida. This […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Edible fruits, Evergreen, Fragrant, Ground cover, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Partridge berry, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Southern Appalachian Region, Vine, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Native PartridgeberryBroadleaved Sedges- Colorful Alternatives To Liriope
Posted by Hugh on February 26th, 2016
The broadleaved sedges (Carex siderosticha) make terrific alternatives to monkey grass (Liriope muscari) (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). This species of sedges is a clump growing perennial and is starting to become more used as a ground cover. Clumps spread very slowly via rhizomes. Foliage goes dormant in late November (zone 6) and is semi-evergreen in zones 8-9. New leaves emerge in mid-spring. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Carex (Sedges), compost, Container growing, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Broadleaved Sedges- Colorful Alternatives To LiriopeTiming Critical For Applying Crabgrass Preventive
Posted by Hugh on February 24th, 2016
To control crabgrass and other lawn weeds, 1. maintain a vigorous healthy turf so weeds can’t get established, and 2. apply the proper pre-emergent herbicide at the right time. Pre-emergent herbicides do not kill weeds; they prevent weed seeds from germinating. It’s that simple. Timing is important! In many states […]
Posted in Bermuda, Broadleaf weeds, Crabgrass control, Herbicide management, Kentucky bluegrass, Lawn Care, Pesticide recommendations, Tall Fescue, watering tips, Weeds Comments Off on Timing Critical For Applying Crabgrass PreventiveAttracting Monarchs To Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on February 21st, 2016
From Canada to Mexico, gardeners are being recruited to halt the decline of the Monarch butterfly populations across North America. One way you can help is to fill your garden with Monarch’s favorite flowering nectar plants and milkweeds (Asclepias spp.). Plants should be sited in open full sun and […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aster, Attracting Butterflies, Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Blazing star (Liatris), Buddleia (Butterfly bush), Butterflies, Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Caterpillars, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Eupatorium 'Gateway', Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', Heat Tolerance, Ironweed (Vernonia), Lantana, Marigold, Mexican sunflower (Tithonia), Native Plant, Pentas (Egyptian star flower), Perennials, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Salvia, Sedum (Groundcover types), Southern Appalachian Region, Star zinnia, Stonecrop sedums, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness, Zinnia Comments Off on Attracting Monarchs To Your GardenChanging Bigleaf Hydrangea Flower Color
Posted by Hugh on February 14th, 2016
Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), aka “hortensia” hydrangeas, bear pink flowers in low acidic and alkaline soil and blue flowers in mildly acidic soil. Some tips about regulating soil pH and flower color in bigleaf hydrangeas follows. First, a short review about soil pH. Soil pH measures soil […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, alkaline soil, Bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla), Container growing, container shrub, Fertilizing plants, Hydrangeas, mulching, plant nutrition, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Changing Bigleaf Hydrangea Flower ColorPeace Lily And Anthurium Plants Around Home Or Office
Posted by Hugh on February 8th, 2016
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) and anthurium are near perfect foliage plants in poorly lit areas around your home or office. They’re native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Both plants are shade-lovers in their native habitats. Direct sunlight for more than one hour will likely burn leaves. They’re members […]
Posted in acidic soil, Anthurium, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Mealy bugs, Mites, Peace lily (Spathiphyllum), Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Poisonous plant, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Repotting plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Peace Lily And Anthurium Plants Around Home Or Office
