Hepatica (Hepatica spp), from the Latin word “Hepaticus” meaning liver, is sometimes cataloged as “Liverleaf” or “Liverwort” (USDA hardiness zones 4 – 9). It is one of the first spring wildflowers to bloom (March-April). H. americana, native to the eastern U.S. and Canada, bear showy white flowers that are sometimes tinged pink or blue. H. […]
Archive for the ‘winter hardiness’ Category
Hepaticas Bloom In The Early Spring Garden
Posted by Hugh on February 12th, 2014
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Disease resistant, Hepatica, Native Plant, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Wildflowers, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Hepaticas Bloom In The Early Spring GardenChristmas Ferns Are Easy To Grow
Posted by Hugh on February 1st, 2014
On a woodland hike in the eastern U.S., lush colonies of evergreen Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) flourish along the moist slopes (USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8). This native perennial fern favors either a deep or light shade environment. A vigorous clump may grow 18 – 24 inches in height and width. Set new plants […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Ferns, Ground cover, Native Plant, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Christmas Ferns Are Easy To GrowNativars – New Cultivars Of Native Plants
Posted by Hugh on January 20th, 2014
Nativar is a new term coined by Dr. Allan Armitage, Professor Emeritus from the University of Georgia. It combines the words “native” and “cultivar”. Nativar refers to a cultivar of a native plant. It attempts to excite the horticultural marketplace about new cultivars of native perennial plants, such as blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.), purple coneflower […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Flowers, Native Plant, Perennials, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (layering), Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, winter hardiness Comments Off on Nativars – New Cultivars Of Native PlantsFor Dry Sites Try Arizona Cypress
Posted by Hugh on January 11th, 2014
Arizona cypress (Cupressus glabra) is silvery blue needled medium-sized evergreen (USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9). This southwest U.S. native demands full sun and excels in droughty, infertile, and well-drained soils. Conversely, Arizona cypress does not tolerate shade, poor air circulation and flooded soil. Arizona cypress is mostly disease and pest free unless too crowded […]
Posted in acidify soil, alkaline soil, Cupressus (cypress), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on For Dry Sites Try Arizona CypressShagbark Hickory
Posted by Hugh on January 8th, 2014
Most tree lovers don’t plant U.S native shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Instead, they often inherit one when purchasing property. Shagbark hickory is notoriously difficult to transplant and grows very slowly in its early years. Like oaks (Quercus spp.) and beeches (Fagus spp.), hickories are long-lived, often standing tall in an open […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Butterflies, Drought tolerant, Hickory (Carya spp.), Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Nut Producer, Propagation (Seed), Southern Appalachian Region, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Shagbark Hickory2014 Perennial Plant Of the Year: ‘Northwind’ Switchgrass
Posted by Hugh on December 29th, 2013
Northwind switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’) is a 4 to 5 feet tall native prairie grass (USDA hardiness zones 4–9). There are many fine switchgrass varieties, but its Northwind’s vertical form and steel blue foliage that makes it a standout. Northwind switchgrass has been selected the 2014 Perennial Plant of the Year. By mid-summer its lacy soft pinkish […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Sand Dune Protection, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Switchgrass (Panicum), watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on 2014 Perennial Plant Of the Year: ‘Northwind’ SwitchgrassLeyland Cypress – Alternative Christmas Tree For The South
Posted by Hugh on December 25th, 2013
If you grew up with a spruce or a fir Christmas tree, Leyland Cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) could be a big change. This conifer species thrives in the southern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 7-b to 9). Leyland is a good choice for a live cut or transplanted holiday tree as firs (Abies spp.) and spruces […]
Posted in Christmas tree, Evergreens, Firs (Abies), Fraser fir (Abies), Heat Tolerance, Leyland cypress, Pine (Pinus spp.), Southern Appalachian Region, Spruces (Picea spp.), Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Leyland Cypress – Alternative Christmas Tree For The South‘Summer Cascade’ Is A Very Different Weeping River Birch
Posted by Hugh on December 22nd, 2013
Summer Cascade is a new weeping river birch (Betula nigra Summer Cascade™ (PPAF). Its pendulous branching habit represents a unique change for river birch. Its strong weeping nature creates a divine focal point planted next to a pond, deck, or patio. Left unstaked, Summer Cascade’s strong pendulous habit naturally grows into a shrub mound or […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, compact tree, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Planting tips, Pruning, river birch, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Summer Cascade’ Is A Very Different Weeping River Birch‘Grey Owl’ Juniper Is Tough Carefree Evergreen
Posted by Hugh on December 18th, 2013
Some people rate junipers as over-planted or bygone landscape plants. Juniperus virginiana ‘Grey Owl’ is a cultivar of our native Eastern Red Cedar (USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9). Eastern red cedar is actually a juniper. This flat spreading evergreen develops into a reliable ground cover not plagued with disease and pest problems observed on […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Ground cover, Juniper, mulching, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Grey Owl’ Juniper Is Tough Carefree EvergreenNorfolk Island Pine Makes Decorative Holiday Tree
Posted by Hugh on December 15th, 2013
Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is native to tiny Norfolk Island located in the South Pacific. This tropical evergreen tree is now planted around the world and appears to be hardy in Northern Florida (USDA hardiness zone 9). In the wild this fast-growing tree grows to 80 feet in height. Norfolk Island Pine makes a […]
Posted in acidic soil, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Interior (house) Plants, Norfolk Island Pine, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Pruning, Repotting plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Norfolk Island Pine Makes Decorative Holiday Tree
