Beni kawa Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Beni kawa’) is a smaller version of the popular coral bark maple ‘Sango kaku’. It was introduced by Greer Gardens Nursery in Oregon in 1987. ‘Beni kawa’ matures to 12-15 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide, compared to 20-25 feet tall for ‘Sango kaku’. Both cultivars form a vase-shaped branched small […]
Archive for the ‘watering tips’ Category
Franky Boy Arborvitae
Franky Boy oriental arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis ‘Franky Boy’ [syn Thuja orientalis]) is a dwarf evergreen conifer currently in hot demand among collectors. What immediately catches your eye is its thread-like foliage which changes color from one season to the next. Its evergreen foliage adds a fine textured look to the landscape. The new spring growth […]
Blossom End Rot Affecting Your Vegetables?
The bottom side of your tomato fruits appears to be rotting? The problem is not a disease, but a calcium disorder called “blossom end rot of tomatoes”. This nutritional malady also affects squash, pepper, eggplant, melon, and cucumber. There are 3 causes for calcium deficiency: 1.) a deficiency of available calcium in your garden soil, 2.) inadequate […]
‘Sweet Tea’ Heucherella Offers Year-round Foliage Color Splash
Heucherella or foamy bells is a hybrid derived from crossing U.S. native foamflower, (Tiarella spp.), with coral bell (Heuchera villosa), another U.S. native. Terra Nova Nurseries, a wholesale grower in Oregon, has introduced several of these hybrids. Heucherellas bring out the best traits of both parents. Their small creamy white, bell-shaped flowers open in late […]
Autumn Best Planting Time For Spring-blooming Dogwoods
“Autumn is the season to plant dogwoods”, according to the University of Tennessee Dogwood Research Team. Newly planted dogwoods (Cornus spp.) can establish their roots in the still warm soil and be ready to handle next spring and summer’s heat and dry spells. Over the past 20 years the UT Dogwood Team has released six […]
Sugar Maple Is A Four Star Autumn Attraction
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is a native deciduous tree often planted as a large shade or street tree. It commonly grows 60 to 75 feet (and taller) with a dense rounded foliage canopy. Native to central and eastern North America regions, sugar maple grows best in fertile, mildly acidic, moist well-drained soils and in full […]
Variegated Solomon’s Seal Designated 2013 Perennial Plant of the Year
Variegated Solomon’s seal ( Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’) is one of the finest perennials for the shade or woodland garden. It is the Asian cousin of U.S. native Solomon seal (P. commutatum). Both species are long- lived garden inhabitants. Variegated Solomon’s Seal handles 2-3 hours of direct morning sunlight in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and […]
Take Redtip Photinia Off Your Planting List
Some 30-40 years ago redtip photinia (Photinia x fraseri) was commonly planted as a broadleaf evergreen hedge in the Southeast U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 6 -8). This dense growing 15 foot tall and wide shrub sports firey red new leaves in spring and summer. The red leaf tint fades to green within a few weeks. Many homeowners desire a fast […]
Minor Bulbs Get A Jump On Spring
Companion bulbs, often called “minor bulbs”, are early signs that spring is coming. Three of the most reliable are snowdrops, winter aconites and Glory of the snow. They bloom before crocus. Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) returns with floral beauty less than three months after planting. Plants poke through the ground, grow and flower 3 to 6 inches […]
Full Moon Japanese Maple Is Very Popular
The term “full moon Japanese maple” may be confusing. There are actually three species and cultivars of Asian maples that are referred to as “full moon”. The most popular full moon cultivar planted in the Northeast and Southern Appalachian regions (USDA zones 5 thru 7) is Acer japonicum ‘Acontifolium’. A. j. ‘Acontifolium’ is hardy […]

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