Combine two popular garden trends: climbing vines and vertical gardening. Vines may grow on a trellis or allow them to weave through an existing shrub or tree. In a small garden this can be a space saver. In the world of clematis, the cultivar Rooguchi, aka Roguchi, (Clematis integrifolia x C. reticulata) has become increasingly […]
Archive for the ‘watering tips’ Category
Rooguchi Clematis: Let It Ramble
Posted by Hugh on May 12th, 2014
Posted in Clematis 'Rooguchi', Heat Tolerance, mulching, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer flowering, watering tips 
Comments Off on Rooguchi Clematis: Let It RambleRoseshell Azalea Thrives In Cool Mountain Woodlands
Posted by Hugh on May 9th, 2014
Roseshell azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum, formerly R. roseum) is native from New England, a number of Midwestern states, south to Texas. In its natural habitat it is commonly grows on wooded, north-facing slopes, shaded ravines, or nearby a cool mountain stream. The plants are not stoloniferous. Roseshell azalea grows best in organically rich, acidic, well-drained, and […]
Posted in acidic soil, Azalea (deciduous), compost, mulching, Native Plant, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Roseshell Azalea Thrives In Cool Mountain WoodlandsIce Plant – A Cool Plant For Dry Sunny Spots
Posted by Hugh on May 1st, 2014
From the extreme heat and dry climates of east and Southern Africa come the hardy ice plants (Delosperma spp.). There are two popular species, Purple ice plant (D. cooperi) and Orange-yellow iceplant (D. nubigenium), plus hybrid cultivars galore. Ice plants are dependable zone 6 winter hardy succulents. They’re excellent candidates for roof top and rock […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Ice Plant (Delosperma), Perennials, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Ice Plant – A Cool Plant For Dry Sunny Spots‘Summer Gold’ Kousa Dogwood
Posted by Hugh on April 27th, 2014
Get ready to alter your mindset with ‘Summer Gold’ Chinese (kousa) dogwood (Cornus kousa) (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Its diminutive size, 8 to 10 feet high and 4 to 5 feet wide, makes it a great fit for a small city garden. Branching is distinctly upright, which partially accounts for its narrow space needs. ‘Summer […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Chinese (kousa) dogwood, compact tree, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Ornamental fruit, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Summer Gold’ Kousa DogwoodDon’t Shy Away From Annual Vincas (Periwinkles)
Posted by Hugh on April 23rd, 2014
Annual vinca or periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is a summer flowering annual popular in Southern and Midwest gardens (USDA hardiness zones 9-11). When summer’s heat and humidity soars, vincas look their best and bloom the heaviest. Vincas sparkle in containers, in flower beds, or in front borders around building foundations. Transplants are set out in mid-spring […]
Posted in acidic soil, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Periwinkle (annual vinca), plant nutrition, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Don’t Shy Away From Annual Vincas (Periwinkles)Growing Sunflowers Fun Family Activity
Posted by Hugh on April 20th, 2014
Growing sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are the current rage. Sunflowers are native to Central America and have been cultivated for thousands of years. Sunflowers are classified as annuals, living one growing season, and often returning the following spring from seeds dropped the previous fall. Some gardeners put out large beds to feed the birds. Sunflowers come […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowers, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Sunflowers, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing Sunflowers Fun Family ActivityMighty Rodgersias For Your Shade Garden
Posted by Hugh on April 14th, 2014
In a shade garden the large palmately compound foliage of rodgersias (Rodgersia spp.) make a bold statement (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). In recent years rodgersias are becoming more available at garden centers in the U.S. Three of five species are listed below. Hybrid forms are also available. Rodgersias thrive in moist, organically rich soils. They […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Rodgersia, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Mighty Rodgersias For Your Shade GardenJoin The Brunnera Revolution
Posted by Hugh on April 10th, 2014
Over the past decade heartleaf brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla), aka Siberian Bugloss and Alkanet, has become a popular spring flowering perennial in U.S. and Canadian gardens (USDA plant hardiness zones 3 – 8). Native to Russia brunnera need little care when properly sited. Sprays of tiny blue-petalled /yellow centered forget-me-not flowers explode into a blue haze […]
Posted in acidic soil, Brunnera 'Jack Frost', compost, Flowers, Ground cover, mulching, Nematodes, Perennials, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Join The Brunnera Revolution‘Thailand Giant’ Elephant Ear Fun Novelty
Posted by Hugh on April 6th, 2014
‘Thailand Giant’ elephant ear (Colocasia gigantea) is rated as an annual (USDA hardiness zone 8-10), where the growing season may last 300 days and longer. Thailand Giant develops into a massive 9- foot tall plant with attractive grey-green foliage species. In the Southern Appalachian and Middle Atlantic regions they may reach 5 – 6 feet […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Colocasia, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on ‘Thailand Giant’ Elephant Ear Fun NoveltyAttracting Monarch Butterflies To Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on April 1st, 2014
From Canada to Mexico, gardeners are called upon to halt the decline of the Monarch butterfly populations across North America. The best 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 moist well-drained soil. Avoid spraying […]
Posted in Aster, Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Buddleia (Butterfly bush), Butterflies, Cosmos, Drought tolerant, Eupatorium 'Gateway', Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Lantana, Liatris, Marigold, Milkweeds (Asclepias), Monarda (Beebalm), Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Star zinnia, Stonecrop sedums, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Zinnia Comments Off on Attracting Monarch Butterflies To Your Garden
