In the southeastern U.S., ferns are important additions to shady perennial and woodland gardens. Ferns can be used as a ground cover to soften the hard edges of water features, rocks and paths, and make wonderful filler for mixed container plantings. Ferns do not flower or seed, but instead, reproduce by spores that usually form […]
Archive for the ‘Winter Garden Interest’ Category
Five Hardy Evergreen Ferns
Posted by Hugh on April 11th, 2021
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn fern (Dryopteris), Container garden, Container growing, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Ferns, Flower arrangments, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Holly Fern (Cyrtomium), Japanese Holly fern (Cyrtomium), Korean Rock fern (P. tsus-simensis), Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Root rotting, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Tassel fern (P. polyblepharum), Wind protection, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Five Hardy Evergreen FernsSteps In Planting A Hedge
Posted by Hugh on March 21st, 2021
Why Plant A Hedge: Living privacy fence offers privacy from street traffic and neighbors Serves as a sound barrier to reduce noise A windbreak to reduce harsh winds Snow fence to reduce snow accumulation Wildlife protection and food for birds from berries and seed. Planning: Select vigorous disease and pest free trees and shrubs that suit […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Althea (Hibiscus), Boxwood (Buxus), Deer resistant, Firethorn (Pyracantha), Flowering shrub, Forsythia, Hedges, Hemlock (Tsuga), Hophornbeam (Ostrya), Hornbeam (Carpinus), Ilex (hollies), Inkberry Holly (Ilex), Japanese yew, Juniper, Large shrub, Lilac (Syringa), Linden (Tilia), mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Pruning, Pyracantha (firethorn), Southern Appalachian Region, Spirea (Spiraea), Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, watering tips, Wind protection, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Winter Protection, Yews (Taxus spp.) Comments Off on Steps In Planting A HedgeSeven Shrubs That Bloom In February
Posted by Hugh on February 1st, 2021
If you have ever dreamt of creating a year-round landscape garden, here are seven fine shrubs to start with. These shrubs bloom in late winter and are also important to early insect pollinators — native ground bees, bumble bees, and butterflies. In USDA hardiness zones 7-9, winter temperatures begin to moderate and some shrubs burst into floral […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Chinese witchhazel, container shrub, Daphne odora, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Edgeworthia, Environmental Conservation, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowering shrub, Fragrant, Honeysuckle (Lonicera), Jessamine (Gelsemium), Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Sweetbox (Sarcococca), Trees & Shrubs, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Wintersweet (Chimonanthus), Witchhazel (Hamamelis) Comments Off on Seven Shrubs That Bloom In FebruaryThree Common Witchhazel Varieties
Posted by Hugh on December 6th, 2020
Common witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is likely the last native woody shrub or tree to bloom in the northern areas of the U.S. and Canada (USDA hardiness zone 3-8). This autumn blooming deciduous shrub or tree grows in open woodlands, often near a lake or a stream bank. Common witchhazels grow 15-20 feet tall as a large […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Common witchhazel (H. virginiana), compact shrub, compact tree, Container growing, container shrub, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Environmental Conservation, Fertilizing plants, Japanese beetles, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Witchhazel (Hamamelis) Comments Off on Three Common Witchhazel VarietiesGrowing Cyclamen In The Home
Posted by Hugh on November 22nd, 2020
Cyclamens, the non-hardy forms, have become popular gift plants. Cyclamens are incorrectly labelled as tropical houseplants at garden shops. Many people enjoy this flowering plant for long as possible and toss it once blooming has stopped. Cyclamens enjoy a long blooming period indoors in a cool room and are fussy, a bit of a challenge […]
Posted in Autumn flowering, Cold tolerance, Container garden, Cyclamen, Fertilizing plants, Flowering house plant, plant nutrition, Potting Mix, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing Cyclamen In The HomeFire Chief™ Arborvitae
Posted by Hugh on October 26th, 2020
Fire Chief™ Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Congabe’) is a compact, globe-shaped evergreen that grows 3-5 foot high and wide (in 10 years) (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). It is at its best in full to partial sunlight. Its soft scale-like foliage changes color seasonally. New spring growth emerges orangey-red, turns bright green in summer, and develops a […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Bagworms, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering evergreens, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fire Chief™ ArborvitaeDeciduous Holly For The Fall/Winter Landscape
Posted by Hugh on October 22nd, 2020
While deciduous hollies (Ilex spp.) are well known among home gardeners, surprisingly few plant them (USDA hardiness zones 3-9 variable by species). In the fall, their branches and twigs are covered in bright red berries. Orange and yellow berried varieties are additional choices. Birds love them, too. Deciduous hollies do not have prickly leaves like […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Container growing, container shrub, Deciduous, Deciduous holly, Dioecious, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Heat Tolerance, Ilex (hollies), Inconspicious, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Winterberry holly Comments Off on Deciduous Holly For The Fall/Winter LandscapeClaim Jumper™ Katsura Tree
Posted by Hugh on October 16th, 2020
In American gardens Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) is a fine landscape tree that is becoming more popular. This small – medium – large tree (height depending on cultivar) offers four-seasons of interest. Katsura tree is indigenous to Japan and China where it can mature into an incredible 50-70 feet tall USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Numerous […]
Posted in acidic soil, Anthracnose, Disease resistant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Inconspicious, Katsura tree (Cercidophyllum), Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Shade tree, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Claim Jumper™ Katsura TreeFavorite Native Shrub Pollinators
Posted by Hugh on July 21st, 2020
These eight (8) shrubs amaze me by the numbers of bees and other pollinators that their flowers attract when blooming. Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) is an erect, rounded, broad-spreading, deciduous shrub with arching branches. Itea grows 3-4 feet (less frequently to 5 feet) tall with similar spread. Fragrant, tiny white flowers borne in cylindrical, drooping racemes […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn foliage color, Autumn Fruiting, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Blue mist (Caryopteris), Bottlebrush buckeye, Chokeberry (Aronia), Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Elderberry (Sambucus), Environmental issues, Fertilizing plants, Fothergilla, Landscape ideas, Large shrub, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Summersweet (Clethra), Trees & Shrubs, Virginia sweetspire, Wildlife attractant, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Witchhazel (Hamamelis) Comments Off on Favorite Native Shrub PollinatorsGrowing Coneflowers
Posted by Hugh on May 6th, 2020
No question, coneflowers have changed greatly over the past quarter century. Varieties are now available in many color shades and plants demonstrate improved longevity. Current cultivars grow alot shorter. However, some hybrid forms have been disappointing, barely surviving 1-2 years. When choosing coneflowers, Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is my #1 favorite for dependability (USDA hardiness […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering iris, Wildflowers, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing Coneflowers
