The broadleaved sedges (Carex siderosticha) make terrific alternatives to monkey grass (Liriope muscari) (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). This species of sedges is a clump growing perennial and is starting to become more used as a ground cover. Clumps spread very slowly via rhizomes. Foliage goes dormant in late November (zone 6) and is semi-evergreen in zones 8-9. New leaves emerge in mid-spring. […]
Archive for the ‘winter hardiness’ Category
Broadleaved Sedges- Colorful Alternatives To Liriope
Posted by Hugh on February 26th, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Carex (Sedges), compost, Container growing, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Broadleaved Sedges- Colorful Alternatives To LiriopeAttracting Monarchs To Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on February 21st, 2016
From Canada to Mexico, gardeners are being recruited to halt the decline of the Monarch butterfly populations across North America. One 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 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aster, Attracting Butterflies, Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Blazing star (Liatris), Buddleia (Butterfly bush), Butterflies, Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Caterpillars, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Eupatorium 'Gateway', Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', Heat Tolerance, Ironweed (Vernonia), Lantana, Marigold, Mexican sunflower (Tithonia), Native Plant, Pentas (Egyptian star flower), Perennials, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Salvia, Sedum (Groundcover types), Southern Appalachian Region, Star zinnia, Stonecrop sedums, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness, Zinnia Comments Off on Attracting Monarchs To Your GardenLittle Girl Hybrid Magnolias
Posted by Hugh on February 18th, 2016
Star (Magnolia stellata) and tulip (M. soulangeana) magnolias are early flowering magnolias. Early spring frosts destroy open flowers. In the mid-1980’s the U.S. National Arboretum released 8 shrub-type cultivars as a series called the “Little Girl Magnolias”. They are hybrid crosses between M. liliiflora and M. stellata. Four cultivars- […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Magnolia liliiflora, Magnolia stellata, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (layering), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Little Girl Hybrid MagnoliasDistyliums As Cherry Laurel Or Holly Substitute
Posted by Hugh on February 11th, 2016
Hybrid distyliums (Distylium myricoides × racemosum) are compact evergreen shrubs for full sun to partial shade USDA hardiness zones 7 to 9. They are heat and drought tolerant, and are not fussy, growing in average soil with subpar drainage. Distyliums are members of the witchhazel family (Hamamelidaceae). Their tiny reddish-maroon flowers appear in late January through March, but offer little ornamental value in the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Boxwood (Buxus), Cherry Laurel (Prunus), compact shrub, Container growing, container shrub, Disease resistant, Distylium, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Ilex (hollies), Juniper, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Distyliums As Cherry Laurel Or Holly SubstitutePeace Lily And Anthurium Plants Around Home Or Office
Posted by Hugh on February 8th, 2016
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) and anthurium are near perfect foliage plants in poorly lit areas around your home or office. They’re native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Both plants are shade-lovers in their native habitats. Direct sunlight for more than one hour will likely burn leaves. They’re members […]
Posted in acidic soil, Anthurium, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Mealy bugs, Mites, Peace lily (Spathiphyllum), Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Poisonous plant, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Repotting plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Peace Lily And Anthurium Plants Around Home Or OfficeColeus Thrive In Summer Heat And Humidity
Posted by Hugh on February 1st, 2016
Coleus (Plectranthus scutellariodes) is a summer annual treasured for its colorful foliage. Plants thrive in summer’s heat and humidity (USDA hardiness zone 11). Coleus is a member of the nettle family Lamiaceae. You can create dazzling beds of color using coleus alone or mixed with flowering annuals. Modern day coleus grow more compact and better branched. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Coleus, Container garden, deadheading, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Foliage plant, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Shade Gardening, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Coleus Thrive In Summer Heat And HumidityThree Easy Care Foliage Plants For Your Home
Posted by Hugh on January 9th, 2016
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema), Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia), and Calthea (Calthea spp.) are three similar looking tropical house plants (USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11). Likely, you have seen these easy to grow foliage plants inside restaurants, shopping malls, offices, and at the public library. They grow in medium to low light areas of the home or […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Calthea, Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema), Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia), Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Interior (house) Plants, Mealy bugs, Mites, Pesticide recommendations, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Poisonous plant, Potting Mix, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Scale, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Three Easy Care Foliage Plants For Your HomeAsian Pears Becoming Very Popular
Posted by Hugh on January 6th, 2016
Whether home-grown or store bought, Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) fruits ripen sweet and tasty on the tree (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). There are over 100 varieties available worldwide, many with difficult to pronounce. Investigate variety cold hardiness and winter chilling rating as some cultivars are hardier than others. Southern varieties require only 300- 600 hours of winter chilling temperatures […]
Posted in acidic soil, Asian Pears, Bee Favorite, Disease prone, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, Harvest Time, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, mulching, Pear (Pyrus spp.), Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Pollination needs, Powdery mildew, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Rabbit/deer Protection, Root suckering, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Voles, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Asian Pears Becoming Very PopularFall Anemone 2016 Perennial Plant of The Year
Posted by Hugh on January 3rd, 2016
Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida), popularly called “fall anemone”, are long-lived, fall-flowering perennials for cottage and open woodland gardens. They start to flower in late summer in many parts of the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 7). Several colorful varieties are available. Fall anemones make great additions to cut floral […]
Posted in acidic soil, Anemone, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fall Anemone 2016 Perennial Plant of The YearInvincibelle Spirit Hydrangea Raises Money For The Cure
Posted by Hugh on December 31st, 2015
Since the introduction of the Invincibelle Spirit® hydrangea in 2009, sales from this special plant have raised funds for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF). At the end of 2015, fundraising efforts reached over $900,000 toward its million dollar goal. In addition to donating one dollar for every plant sold, it serves as the heart […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, compact shrub, container shrub, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Hydrangeas, Native Plant, Propagation (Cuttings), Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Invincibelle Spirit Hydrangea Raises Money For The Cure
