American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), aka ironwood or muscle wood, grows primarily in moist, slightly acidic soils along woodland rivers and streams (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). This native hornbeam adapts to either wet or dry ground as long as soil moisture drains adequately. It copes with tough urban conditions including on non-irrigated parking lots and on […]
Archive for the ‘winter hardiness’ Category
Better Red Fall Leaf Color On American Hornbeam
Posted by Hugh on October 21st, 2013
Posted in acidic soil, American hornbeam, Attracting birds, compact tree, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Native Plant, Privacy Screen, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, Winter bark, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Better Red Fall Leaf Color On American HornbeamShiShi Gashira Camellia So Far Holding Up to Zone 6-b Winters
Posted by Hugh on October 11th, 2013
Camellias bloom at a time when most trees and shrubs are not flowering. Growing them is no longer a dream for gardeners who do not live in the deep South. A number of “designated zone 6 hardy” cultivars prosper in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). ‘ShiShi Gashira’ camellia (Camellia hiemalis) […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Camellia, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on ShiShi Gashira Camellia So Far Holding Up to Zone 6-b WintersThree New Hardy Fall Blooming Camellias
Posted by Hugh on October 10th, 2013
Three Zone 6 winter hardy camellias are becoming more available. A recent visit to a local camellia grower found these three fall bloomers: ‘Long Island Pink’, ‘Londontowne Blush’, and ‘Sweet October’ in full floral regalia. The first two are reliably hardy in USDA zone 6 and a third nearly so. ‘Long Island Pink’ was found […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Camellia, compact shrub, Container growing, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter flowering, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Three New Hardy Fall Blooming CamelliasPaperbark Maple Offers 4- Seasons Landscape Interest
Posted by Hugh on October 4th, 2013
In the winter some gardeners get excited about tree bark, particularly if you own a paperbark maple (Acer griseum). This small 25-30 foot tall tree has an upright spreading branching habit. The cinnamon-colored bark flakes off naturally in thin strips or chips. Horticulturists call this “exfoliating”. The sturdy branches are not prone to breakage […]
Posted in Acer griseum, acidic soil, compact tree, Disease resistant, Maples (Acer), mulching, Paperbark maple, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Paperbark Maple Offers 4- Seasons Landscape InterestDOs and DON’Ts Checklist Before Purchasing Plants
Posted by Hugh on September 29th, 2013
When shopping at the garden center don’t bring home problem plants. “Plants On Sale” should raise a caution flag. Thoroughly inspect all sale plants. They may have been sitting many months with the pots now full of weeds, diseases, or pest problems. They become tightly potbound and roots will need to be teased apart prior […]
Posted in Azaleas (evergreen), Disease resistant, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Ilex (hollies), Juniper, Perennials, Purchasing Plants, Rhododendrons, root injury, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Weed control, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on DOs and DON’Ts Checklist Before Purchasing Plants‘Guacamole’ Hosta An Outstanding Garden Performer
Posted by Hugh on September 14th, 2013
Guacamole (Hosta plantaginea ‘Guacamole’) is rated one of the top performing hostas in the Northeast and mid-South U.S. gardens. Guacamole is a hybrid and one of its parents is H. plantaginea ‘Fragrant Bouquet’. In 2002 it was selected Hosta of the Year by the American Hosta Society. Guacamole is a medium-sized hosta. It matches its […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, compost, Disease resistant, Fragrant, Hosta, Hummingbird, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Rabbit/deer Protection, Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Guacamole’ Hosta An Outstanding Garden PerformerSeeds One Year…Weeds For Eight Years
Posted by Hugh on September 1st, 2013
Most weed invasions happen when you let the weeds get past you. If you don’t let them flower, they won’t reproduce (seed-in). Frequent mowing or a sharp machete may delay their ability to flower and seed. This is only a temporary solution. Some weeds flower and seed below the mower’s cut. Examples are common lawn […]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Annuals, Flowers, Ground cover, Jewels of Opar (Talinum), Landscape ideas, Melampodium (Medallion flower), Morning glory (Ipomoea), mulching, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Sanitation, Southern Appalachian Region, Vine, Weed control, winter hardiness Comments Off on Seeds One Year…Weeds For Eight YearsArrowwood Viburnum Very Tough U.S. Native Shrub
Posted by Hugh on August 22nd, 2013
Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is an easy to grow deciduous shrub that handles most landscape conditions, including soil types (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8). It grows best in full sun and in a well-drained soil. Clusters of tiny, creamy-white flat-topped flowers appear from late spring into summer. A bountiful crop of dark blue berries […]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, compact shrub, container shrub, Disease resistant, Insect (Pest) Problems, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Viburnum beetles, Viburnums, winter hardiness Comments Off on Arrowwood Viburnum Very Tough U.S. Native Shrub‘Sun King’ Golden Aralia Brightens Up Any Garden Spot
Posted by Hugh on August 3rd, 2013
Plants with golden foliage can brighten up a drab green garden patch. Sun King golden aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’) is no exception, hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. The golden compound foliage emerges in mid-spring and retains its bright color throughout the summer. This herbaceous perennial grows 4 to 6 feet high and 3 […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aralia 'Sun King', Bee Favorite, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Sun King’ Golden Aralia Brightens Up Any Garden SpotMany Cool Choices of Japanese Forest Grass
Posted by Hugh on July 24th, 2013
Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) is the shade-loving grass utilized for accent – to brighten a dark patch in the garden (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Forest grass grows best in a moist, compost-rich, well-drained soil. Soil moisture and light exposure a key factors to prevent foliage from scorching or discoloring. Too much or too little […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Ground cover, Hakone grass, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Planting tips, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Many Cool Choices of Japanese Forest Grass
