Compared to other doghobble species, coast leucothoe or doghobble (Leucothoe axillaris) is a best choice for Southern U.S. landscapes (USDA zones 6 -9). This species is native to open woodland areas of the Southeastern U.S. The species grows along woodland slopes usually nearby a water source. However, its roots do not tolerate perennially damp ground. Doghobbles are […]
Archive for the ‘Winter Protection’ Category
Some Conifers Don’t Like Summer Heat And Clay Soils
Most conifers are best grown in deep, moist, well-drained, acidic loamy soils and in full sun. In the deep South evergreen conifers are challenged by warm soils, poor soil drainage, and humidity. Humidity increases their susceptibility to diseases. Once established they are drought tolerant, but most fail in poorly drained wet soils. Many pine species […]
Zone 6 Hardy Camellias
Once upon a time, across the Southern U.S., camellias were highly prized for their showy flowers in the fall-winter landscape. What has changed is that gardeners in the Middle Atlantic and mid-Southern states can now grow them equally well. Camellias are evergreen woody shrubs native to Asia. Currently, after decades of inter-breeding with species from […]
Ultra Dwarf Korean Fir
Korean fir (Abies koreana) is slow-growing compact fir species with a mature height between 15 to 30 feet tall and 6 to 15 feet wide. Its tiny needles are ½- to 1- inch long, green on top and two white stripes on the underside. It bears 2-3 inches long erect purple cones almost annually that […]
Fall Garden Chores
Fall is the perfect time to take on a few of the many spring garden chores. Here is a list of ten of the most important tasks: Weeding– get rid of newly emerging winter annual weeds now before they flower and set seeds. Perennial weeds such as dandelions, plantains, and thistles can be sprayed and eliminated in the […]
Why My Hydrangeas Are Not Blooming
Thankfully, this is not a very common problem that few gardeners run into. U.S. gardeners grow four (4) species of hydrangeas: smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia), bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla), and panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata). There are five reasons why some hydrangeas don’t bloom: 1. Type of hydrangea… Bigleaf hydrangeas, those that […]
Grow Crocosmias In Your Summer Garden
Crocosmias are bulbous summer blooming flowering perennials that are closely related to gladiolas, also called montbretia and sword lilies. They’re actually corms, not bulbs, and are indigenous to South Africa (USDA hardiness zones 5b to 9). Crocosmias enjoy lots of sun, soil moisture, and hot temps to produce flowers. Plants prefer nutrient-rich, slightly acidic, moist, […]
Arborvitae Fern
Arborvitae fern (Selaginella braunii) is native to China (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). It is not a fern at all, but a Lycopod or “club moss”, a descendant of ancient spore-producing plants which date back to the Carboniferous and Permian Ages. Its small club shaped cones give it the plant moniker – ”club moss”. Arborvitae fern is a slowly creeping […]