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 […]
Archive for the ‘watering tips’ Category
Better Blackberry Varieties Available
Posted by Hugh on September 18th, 2013
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 Available‘Guacamole’ Hosta An Outstanding Garden Performer
Posted by Hugh on September 14th, 2013
Guacamole (Hosta plantaginea ‘Guacamole’) is rated one of the top performing hostas in the Northeast and mid-South U.S. gardens. Guacamole is a hybrid and one of its parents is H. plantaginea ‘Fragrant Bouquet’. In 2002 it was selected Hosta of the Year by the American Hosta Society. Guacamole is a medium-sized hosta. It matches its […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, compost, Disease resistant, Fragrant, Hosta, Hummingbird, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Rabbit/deer Protection, Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Guacamole’ Hosta An Outstanding Garden PerformerAster ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ Is Spectacular Autumn Bloomer
Posted by Hugh on September 11th, 2013
Aster Raydon’s Favorite (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘Raydon’s Favorite’) is one of our most reliable native perennial asters. This aromatic aster blooms in mid-autumn, covered with 1 ½ inch wide blue-purple daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. Butterflies and bumble bees are frequent visitors to this aster in my October garden. Night temps in the mid-twenties don’t injure […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aster, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Insect (Pest) Problems, Native Plant, Perennials, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Virus diseases, watering tips Comments Off on Aster ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ Is Spectacular Autumn BloomerHeirloom Mums Are Back!
Posted by Hugh on September 8th, 2013
Bring back heirloom or “old-fashioned” mum varieties into your autumn garden! These varieties tend to bloom very late in the fall and tend to be hardier (USDA hardiness zone 5). Four of the best heirlooms are: ‘Clara Curtis’ – deep pink, daisy-like blooms ‘Mary Stoker’- peachy yellow blooms ‘Sheffield’ (aka ‘Sheffield Pink’) – light pink […]
Posted in Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Chrysanthemum, Disease resistant, Flowers, mulching, Perennials, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on Heirloom Mums Are Back!Daylilies Not Blooming?
Posted by Hugh on August 29th, 2013
Gardeners become disappointed when their daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are not bloom. There may be reasons for this including: old clumps in need of dividing, inadequate nutrition, too much nitrogen fertilizer, too much shade, and pest and disease issues. Daylilies may be shaded or crowded out by overgrown trees, shrubs, ground covers, or weeds. Heavy amounts […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compost, Daylilies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Failure to Bloom, Hummingbird, mulching, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Sanitation, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on Daylilies Not Blooming?New ‘Big’ Begonias Showier Alternative To Wax Begonias
Posted by Hugh on August 6th, 2013
Wax begonias (Begonia x semperflorens) continue to be dependable a summer flowering annual for gardens and container use. They also hold up to summer’s heat, humidity, and dry spells and foliage remains mostly pest and disease free. Begonia benariensis are a relatively new introduction by the Benary Seed Co. and are trademarked as Big™ begonias […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Begonia, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Planting tips, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on New ‘Big’ Begonias Showier Alternative To Wax Begonias‘Sun King’ Golden Aralia Brightens Up Any Garden Spot
Posted by Hugh on August 3rd, 2013
Plants with golden foliage can brighten up a drab green garden patch. Sun King golden aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’) is no exception, hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. The golden compound foliage emerges in mid-spring and retains its bright color throughout the summer. This herbaceous perennial grows 4 to 6 feet high and 3 […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aralia 'Sun King', Bee Favorite, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Sun King’ Golden Aralia Brightens Up Any Garden SpotSmall (Dwarf) Crape Myrtles Becoming The Vogue
Posted by Hugh on July 27th, 2013
‘Tightwad Red’ Crape Myrtle Over the past quarter century crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.) have become the quintessential flowering shrubs of summer along with hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.), altheas (Hibiscus syriacus), and chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus). Crape myrtles are grouped into four distinct size categories: trees, large shrubs, medium shrubs and dwarf sizes. A spate of new dwarf […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compact shrub, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Heat Tolerance, mulching, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering tips Comments Off on Small (Dwarf) Crape Myrtles Becoming The VogueMany Cool Choices of Japanese Forest Grass
Posted by Hugh on July 24th, 2013
Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) is the shade-loving grass utilized for accent – to brighten a dark patch in the garden (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Forest grass grows best in a moist, compost-rich, well-drained soil. Soil moisture and light exposure a key factors to prevent foliage from scorching or discoloring. Too much or too little […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Ground cover, Hakone grass, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Planting tips, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Many Cool Choices of Japanese Forest GrassHeat Tolerant Annuals That Create Their Own Heat
Posted by Hugh on July 18th, 2013
In some parts of the U.S. summer is sizzling, and it may also be very dry. Several colorful annuals cope with summer heat and humidity better than others. Northeast U.S. cities are sweltering near 100°F. A sure bet is that every summer will be hot and humid in Savannah, GA. Near a popular restaurant is […]
Posted in Acalypha spp., Begonia, Coleus, Drought tolerant, Fan flower (Scaevola), Globe amaranth (Gomphrena), Heat Tolerance, Irrigation, Marigold, Moss rose (Portulaca), Pentas (Egyptian star flower), Salvia, Star zinnia, Summer flowering, Sweet potato vine, Tapioca plant (Manihot), watering tips Comments Off on Heat Tolerant Annuals That Create Their Own Heat
