Over the past 2-3 years marigolds are regaining their popularity. Marigolds are easy to grow and come in vibrant shades of yellows and oranges. Tall African type marigolds grow 24-42 inches tall and belong in garden beds. Intermediate (15-24 inch height) and dwarf French types (10-12 inch height) are suited for both bedding and container plantings. Plant marigolds in […]
Archive for the ‘Disease prone’ Category
A Marigold Revival
Posted by Hugh on April 14th, 2013
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Disease prone, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Marigold, Mites, mulching, plant nutrition, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, watering tips 
Comments Off on A Marigold RevivalGrowing Pear Trees Too Challenging For Southeast Gardeners?
Posted by Hugh on February 15th, 2013
For many reasons growing pears in the Southeastern U.S. is very challenging. First, European (Pyrus communis) and Asian (P. pyrifera) pears are susceptible to fireblight (Erwinia amylovora). This bacterial disease is very difficult to manage. Two of the leading European pear varieties, ‘Bartlett’ and ‘Bosc’, are highly susceptible to fireblight. Varieties found to be fire […]
Posted in acidic soil, Biennial bearing, Disease prone, Failure to Bloom, Fruits & Vegetables, Harvest Time, Pear (Pyrus spp.), Planting tips, Pollination needs, Pruning, Root suckering, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering Comments Off on Growing Pear Trees Too Challenging For Southeast Gardeners?Skip (Schipka) Laurel Creates Dense Evergreen Privacy Screen
Posted by Hugh on January 14th, 2013
Schipka laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’) is a dense growing evergreen shrub with lustrous evergreen foliage and clusters of small white flowers in the spring. It is rated as one of the cold hardiest of cherry laurels (USDA hardiness zone 6-8). In the garden center it is often labeled ‘skip laurel”. Skip laurel grows 10 to […]
Will The Best Cherry Laurel Please Come Forward?
Posted by Hugh on January 10th, 2013
Not all cherry laurels (Prunus laurocerasus) are created equal. “Skip” laurel (var. Schipkaensis) and Zabel (var. ‘Zabeliana’) are large size shrubs at 9 to 10 feet in height and 6 to 8 feet in width. Both cultivars are rated the cold hardiest of the tall growing types . ‘Otto Luyken’ is the hardiness small leaf […]
Posted in Cherry Laurel (Prunus), Disease prone, Disease resistant, Insect (Pest) Problems, Pests, Privacy Screen, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Will The Best Cherry Laurel Please Come Forward?Blossom End Rot Affecting Your Vegetables?
Posted by Hugh on December 1st, 2012
The bottom side of your tomato fruits appears to be rotting? The problem is not a disease, but a calcium disorder called “blossom end rot of tomatoes”. This nutritional malady also affects squash, pepper, eggplant, melon, and cucumber. There are 3 causes for calcium deficiency: 1.) a deficiency of available calcium in your garden soil, 2.) inadequate […]
Posted in Cucumbers, Disease prone, Eggplant, Fruits & Vegetables, Melons, mulching, Pepper, plant nutrition, Southern Appalachian Region, Squash, Tomato, watering tips Comments Off on Blossom End Rot Affecting Your Vegetables?Take Redtip Photinia Off Your Planting List
Posted by Hugh on October 24th, 2012
Some 30-40 years ago redtip photinia (Photinia x fraseri) was commonly planted as a broadleaf evergreen hedge in the Southeast U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 6 -8). This dense growing 15 foot tall and wide shrub sports firey red new leaves in spring and summer. The red leaf tint fades to green within a few weeks. Many homeowners desire a fast […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease prone, Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Photinia, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Take Redtip Photinia Off Your Planting ListLeyland Cypress For Fast Growing Evergreen Privacy
Posted by Hugh on September 9th, 2012
Leyland Cypress Leyland cypress (xCupressocyparis x leylandii) is winter hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). It is frequently regarded as “the” conifer for Southern states. Its growth rate, compared to other evergreen conifers, is horrendously fast, with young established plants growing 3 feet or more annually. A young 2-3 foot specimen may reach […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Disease prone, Evergreen, Evergreens, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Leyland cypress, Planting tips, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Leyland Cypress For Fast Growing Evergreen PrivacyBoxwood Blight Discovered on Pachysandra
Posted by Hugh on July 30th, 2012
In June 2012 plant pathologists at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station have confirmed a natural infection of pachysandra in the landscape by boxwood blight (Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum), the boxwood blight fungus. The infection originated from recently installed balled and burlapped (B&B) boxwood plants. A plant inspector in Fairfield, CT noticed that an established bed of pachysandra […]
Posted in Boxwood (Buxus), Disease prone, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Ground cover, Pachysandra, Southern Appalachian Region Comments Off on Boxwood Blight Discovered on PachysandraHollyhock Rust Prevention Tips
Posted by Hugh on July 19th, 2012
Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are old-fashioned perennials (and biennials) which are currently finding a new audience. There are numerous cultivars differing in plant height from 5 to 9 feet and spread of 1 to 3 feet. Flowers come in single and double forms and in many color shades. Hollyhocks are hardy to USDA hardiness zone 4. […]
Posted in Disease prone, Disease resistant, Flowers, Hollyhock (Alcea), Japanese beetles, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering Comments Off on Hollyhock Rust Prevention TipsPowdery Mildew: The Bane of Beebalm
Posted by Hugh on June 9th, 2012
Beebalm (Monarda spp.) is one of our great native perennials and herbs. Native Americans used beebalm as a tea, brewing it for colds, minor bronchial and digestive complaints, and also as a poultice to soothe insect stings. During the Boston Tea Party, rebellious colonists utilized beebalm as a tea substitute, calling it “Oswego tea”. […]
Posted in Bee Favorite, Butterflies, deadheading, Disease prone, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Herbs, Hummingbird, Monarda (Beebalm), Native Plant, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Powdery Mildew: The Bane of Beebalm
