Architecturally, yucca (Yucca filamentosa), aka Adam’s needle or Spanish bayonet, makes a strong landscape statement. Yucca is often difficult to fit with with other shrubs, except perhaps other xerophytic plants. Yucca is frequently used in an arid-looking or in a courtyard setting in gravel mulch. Yucca prospers in full sun and a well-drained soil. This […]
Archive for the ‘winter hardiness’ Category
‘Color Guard’ Yucca Hold Gold Variegation
Posted by Hugh on June 19th, 2012
Posted in Drought tolerant, Evergreens, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness, Yucca 
Comments Off on ‘Color Guard’ Yucca Hold Gold Variegation‘Lady Francis’ Ivy Wakes Up A Shady Patch
Posted by Hugh on June 6th, 2012
On a recently trip to the Ohio State University Horticultural Gardens in Columbus, I discovered ‘Lady Frances’, a relatively tame miniature ivy. The American Ivy Society classifies Hedera helix ‘Lady Frances’ as non-invasive, and it received the first “Ivy of the Year” award in 2001. It grows slowly and works as a ground cover or topiary […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Ground cover, Interior (house) Plants, Ivy (Hedera), Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Uncategorized, Vine, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Lady Francis’ Ivy Wakes Up A Shady PatchAdd Hardy Begonia To Your Shade Garden
Posted by Hugh on May 28th, 2012
Hardy begonia (Begonia grandis) is the only species of begonia which is winter hardy in USDA zones 6-9 (zone 5 with protection). This shade-loving perennial grows 18 -24 inches high and wide, and displays a well-branched mounding habit. Foliage is medium to olive green above and reddish green with red veining beneath. Leaf shape is […]
Posted in compost, Disease resistant, Hardy begonia (B. grandis), mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Add Hardy Begonia To Your Shade GardenNorthern Maidenhair Fern Appear Delicate But Grow Tough
Posted by Hugh on May 23rd, 2012
Their leaves (called “fronds”) appear delicate, but maidenhair ferns (Adiantum spp.) are reliable long-lived perennials. Northern maidenhair (A. pedatum) thrives in most gardens within USDA zones 3-8, while the Southern counterpart, (A. capillus-veneris), predominates in warmer USDA 7-10. Unfortunately, planting of maidenhairs are not utilized in the Southern Appalachian gardens (USDA zones 6-8). Fronds average 18-24 inches in […]
Posted in alkaline soil, compost, Disease resistant, Foliage plant, Maidenhair fern (Adiantum), mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Northern Maidenhair Fern Appear Delicate But Grow ToughGrowing Mountain Laurels in Your Landscape
Posted by Hugh on May 14th, 2012
Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a U.S. native evergreen broadleaf shrub (USDA hardiness zone 5). Mature sizes range from 5 feet (dwarf cultivars) to 12 feet in height and with equal spread. Over the past 30 years, mountain laurels have so improved, thanks to breeding efforts of Dr. Richard Jaynes*. He has released several dozen […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreens, Mountain laurel (Kalmia), Native Plant, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing Mountain Laurels in Your LandscapeEvaluating Weeping Bald Cypress Cultivars
Posted by Hugh on May 9th, 2012
Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a large 75 -80 foot deciduous conifer tree. They are long-lived, often 100 years or more. Bald cypress is incredibly hardy from the warm humid Florida swamps to the cold winter temperatures and loamy soils of central Michigan. Bald cypress is tolerant of a wide range of soil and moisture […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bald cypress (Taxodium), compact shrub, compact tree, container shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, DWARF CONIFERS, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, winter hardiness Comments Off on Evaluating Weeping Bald Cypress CultivarsPeruvian Lilies – A Gift Which Keeps On Giving
Posted by Hugh on April 16th, 2012
Peruvian lilies (Alstroemeria spp.), also called Lilies of the Nile), are not true lilies (Lilium spp.). Likely, you have purchased a bouquet of alstroemerias from the florist section of your local supermarket. In addition, many potted hybrid varieties have been introduced from Holland and elsewhere over the past decade. Turns out that some Peruvian lilies are perennials, winter hardy in the Southern Appalachian Region (USDA hardiness zones 6 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Alstroemeria (Peruvian lily), Fertilizing plants, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Peruvian Lilies – A Gift Which Keeps On GivingComplete Care of Tall Bearded Iris
Posted by Hugh on April 4th, 2012
Most gardeners plant tall bearded iris from late August through October to insure good root development before winter sets in. Spring planting is another option as iris may be purchased in containers. Bare root rhizomes need to soak overnight in water before planting. Bearded irises prefer a sunny location and a slightly acidic well-drained soil. […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, deadheading, Disease prone, Garden Maintenance, Iris (Tall bearded), Mite susceptible, mulching, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, watering iris, winter hardiness Comments Off on Complete Care of Tall Bearded IrisKatsura Tree Comes Home To America
Posted by Hugh on April 1st, 2012
Katsura tree (Cercidophyllum japonicum) is a large 50-60 feet tall tree from Japan and China. Katsura became extinct in North America during the Pleistocene Age and was re-introduced in 1862 by botanist Thomas Hogg. It is truly a beautiful tree, yet is still rarely planted. Katsura is hardy in zones 4-8. It prefers a moist well-drained, compost-rich soil […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Heat Tolerance, Katsura tree (Cercidophyllum), Large Shade trees, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips, Weeping habit, winter hardiness Comments Off on Katsura Tree Comes Home To AmericaPiedmont Azalea
Posted by Hugh on March 30th, 2012
Piedmont Azalea (R. canescens) at Callaway Gardens Early flowering Piedmont azalea (Rhododendron canescens) is one of the most common native deciduous azaleas in the southeastern U.S. It is frequently confused for pinxterbloom azalea (R. periclymenoides) which blooms 3-4 weeks later. Piedmont azalea is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9. Piedmont azalea reaches a mature height between […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Azalea (deciduous), Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compost, Insect (Pest) Problems, mulching, Native Plant, Piedmont azalea, Pruning, Root suckering, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Piedmont Azalea
