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 […]
Archive for the ‘watering tips’ Category
Take Redtip Photinia Off Your Planting List
Posted by Hugh on October 24th, 2012
Posted in acidic soil, Disease prone, Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Photinia, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips 
Comments Off on Take Redtip Photinia Off Your Planting ListMinor Bulbs Get A Jump On Spring
Posted by Hugh on October 18th, 2012
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 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Chionodoxa (Glory of the Snow), Flowering Bulb, Landscape ideas, Perennials, Purchasing Plants, Snowdrops (Galanthus), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Uncategorized, watering tips, Winter aconite (Eranthis), Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Minor Bulbs Get A Jump On SpringFull Moon Japanese Maple Is Very Popular
Posted by Hugh on October 13th, 2012
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 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Japanese maple, Maples (Acer), Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Full Moon Japanese Maple Is Very PopularPeonies Require Very Little Care Ever
Posted by Hugh on October 4th, 2012
Lovely White Flowering Peony (P. lactiflora) Grandma’s peonies (Paeonia lactiflora) are back in vogue. There are single- or double- flowered varieties. The single petalled types appear to Southern U.S. heat better (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). May blooming peonies come in red, pink, purple, yellow, or white colors. Depending on variety, plants grow 3 to 4 feet high and wide. […]
Posted in Bee Favorite, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Peony, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Peonies Require Very Little Care EverSuccess With Blue/Pink Mophead Hydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on October 1st, 2012
Mophead hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), the blue/pink flowering species, have been the gardening rage since the early 1990’s. Endless Summer® hydrangea started a wave of new repeat blooming (remontant) cultivars. They bloom on both new season’s as well as old wood from the previous year. These hardier cultivars extended the flowering time by 8 to 10 more weeks and bloomed in cooler climates formerly unable to […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Failure to Bloom, Hydrangea, Hydrangeas, mulching, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, watering hydrangeas, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Success With Blue/Pink Mophead HydrangeasDecorate With Fall Mums
Posted by Hugh on September 21st, 2012
Dendranthemums (mums) are favorite plants for outdoor decorating in the autumn season. Fall mums come in a variety of colors from white, yellow, pink, orange, red, bronze, and purple. Blooms attract numerous bees and butterflies. Plant heights vary, depending on the degree that the greenhouse grower has sheared or sprayed (with growth retardants) the mums. As perennials, mums are […]
Posted in Aster, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Chrysanthemum, Fall sunflower (Helianthus spp.), Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Decorate With Fall MumsEmerald Spreader® Yew Exciting New Ground Cover
Posted by Hugh on September 16th, 2012
Emerald Spreader® (Taxus x media ‘Monloo’) is a short wide-spreading Japanese yew. Emerald Spreader grows slowly, and may reach 2 ½ feet in height and 8 to 10 feet in spread over 20 years. The short 5/8 inch long, fine textured needles retain their rich dark green color through the winter months in USDA hardiness zones […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, mulching, Poisonous plant, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Protection, Yews (Taxus spp.) Comments Off on Emerald Spreader® Yew Exciting New Ground CoverLeyland Cypress For Fast Growing Evergreen Privacy
Posted by Hugh on September 9th, 2012
Leyland Cypress Leyland cypress (xCupressocyparis x leylandii) is winter hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). It is frequently regarded as “the” conifer for Southern states. Its growth rate, compared to other evergreen conifers, is horrendously fast, with young established plants growing 3 feet or more annually. A young 2-3 foot specimen may reach […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Disease prone, Evergreen, Evergreens, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Leyland cypress, Planting tips, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Leyland Cypress For Fast Growing Evergreen PrivacyThis Korean Maple Deserves To Be Planted More
Posted by Hugh on September 4th, 2012
Ullung-do Island Korean maple (Acer pseudosieboldianum ‘Takeshimense’) is a small deciduous tree which will grow to be 20 -25 feet tall tree, with a spread of 15-18 feet. It tends to branch low to the ground. It originates from the Ullung-do Island in the sea of China. Korean maple is one of the best maples […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn foliage color, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Korean maple, Maples (Acer), Ornamental fruit, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on This Korean Maple Deserves To Be Planted MoreGrowing Full Moon Maple in the Southeast U.S.
Posted by Hugh on September 1st, 2012
Simply put, golden full moon maple (Acer shirasawanum ‘Aureum’) is a stunner (USDA hardiness zones 5-7). It is a slow growing maple, eventually reaching 18-20 feet in height and spread at maturity. It tends to be a long-lived tree if properly cared for. Leaves are circular with 9-13 short pointed lobes. Each lobe does not […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Fullmoon maple, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, Winter Protection Comments Off on Growing Full Moon Maple in the Southeast U.S.
