All American Selection (AAS) has named six Ornamental winners for 2017. Some include some new color breakthough in the series that you already know as well as some newbies. Dianthus ‘Supra Pink’ (Hem Genetics) is an easy-to-grow interspecific dianthus for three-seasons (spring, summer, fall) of garden color. Its mottled, frilly pink flowers stand up to summer’s heat and […]
Archive for the ‘Garden Problems’ Category
Announcing AAS Ornamental Winners For 2017
Posted by Hugh on November 23rd, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Dianthus (Pinks), Disease resistant, Flowers, Geranium, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Native Plant, Penstemon, Perennials, Periwinkle (annual vinca), Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Star zinnia, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Verbena, winter hardiness, Zinnia 
Comments Off on Announcing AAS Ornamental Winners For 2017Announcing The AAS 2017 Vegetable Winners
Posted by Hugh on November 20th, 2016
For 2017 All-America Selections (AAS) has selected these winners in the vegetable category. Each is an outstanding garden performer compared to other varieties that it tested against. Three are national winners and one is a regional winner. Fennel ‘Antares’ (Bejo Seed) is a national winner. AAS had never before trialed fennel previously. This beautiful plant has multiple uses: as […]
Posted in Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Disease resistant, Fennel, Fragrant, Fruits & Vegetables, Pepper, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Tomato Comments Off on Announcing The AAS 2017 Vegetable WinnersFacts About Garden Watering – How Much And When
Posted by Hugh on November 13th, 2016
Modern gardeners are using more efficient drip irrigation or soaker hoses. Water bills are less than overhead or oscillating systems. You may opt to attach the hose to an automatic timer so you can irrigate in absentia. Water goes on and off anytime you select. In garden beds water plants deeply once weekly rather than a […]
Posted in Azaleas (evergreen), Blackberries, Blueberries, Container garden, Daphne odora, Disease prone, Environmental issues, Flowers, Fruits & Vegetables, Garden Maintenance, Hosta, Ligularias, Mountain laurel (Kalmia), Perennials, Planting tips, Rhododendrons, Slugs, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, Weed control, Winter Protection Comments Off on Facts About Garden Watering – How Much And WhenJapanese Larch Is Preferred In Northern U.S.
Posted by Hugh on November 10th, 2016
Larches (Larix spp.) are majestic deciduous conifers in their northern ranges of their habitat (USDA hardiness zone 4 to 7). However, trees do not prosper in hot and humid summers south of USDA Zone 7. One of the best is Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi), but unfortunately, it is not commonly planted in U.S. landscapes. The tree averages 50-60 feet in height and 25-35 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bagworms, Cercopora leaf spot, compact shrub, compact tree, Container growing, Deciduous conifer, Disease prone, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreens, Insect (Pest) Problems, Large Shade trees, Larix kaempferi, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rust diseases, salt injury, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Japanese Larch Is Preferred In Northern U.S.American Witchhazel Blooms in Autumn
Posted by Hugh on November 7th, 2016
American witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is the last native flowering plants to bloom in the calendar year. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree, native to woodlands, forest margins and stream banks in eastern North America (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). It typically grows 15-20 feet tall as a multi-stemmed shrub and 30 feet tall in tree form. Beginning in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Japanese beetles, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness, Witchhazel (Hamamelis) Comments Off on American Witchhazel Blooms in AutumnDeerproofing
Posted by Hugh on November 4th, 2016
Deer love to eat most of the flowers, plants and trees in your garden. To discourage deer from eating your garden, you basically have three (3) options. Construct a Barrier or Fence. Make your garden unpleasant for deer. Choose plants that deer don’t like. Deer Barriers and Fences Deer can jump an […]
Posted in Blueberries, Container garden, Deer resistant, Environmental issues, Flowering Bulb, Fragrant, Fruits & Vegetables, Hydrangea, Ornamental Pepper, Perennials, Rabbit/deer Protection, Roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant Comments Off on DeerproofingGrowing Amaryllis
Posted by Hugh on November 1st, 2016
Amaryllis is a tropical bulb that blooms indoors usually in winter (USDA hardiness zones 9-11). It is one of the easiest flowering plants to grow. Everything you need to enjoy a bouquet of big, beautiful flowers is inside the bulb. Simply plant the pre-chilled bulb in a container and add water. There are many […]
Posted in acidic soil, Amaryllis, Amaryllis (Bulb), Bulb Crops, Container garden, Fertilizing plants, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Interior (house) Plants, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing AmaryllisConifers for Small Garden Spaces
Posted by Hugh on October 27th, 2016
Some properties can not accommodate the enormous size of tall evergreen trees. In the world of conifers, a select number of genetically dwarf species and varieties are better fits for small spaces. Most evergreens are sun lovers and require a well-drained soil. Mulching around trees and shrubs also benefits to conserve soil moisture and keep roots cool. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Chamaecyparis, container shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreens, Landscape ideas, mulching, Pine (Pinus spp.), Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spruces (Picea spp.), Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Conifers for Small Garden SpacesEastern White Pine Losses Continue
Posted by Hugh on October 24th, 2016
Environmental and pathogenic problems continue to take their toll on Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus). This valued landscape and lumber tree is native in the Eastern U.S. and Canada (USDA zones 3-8). Climate change is likely contributing to recent losses of white pines due a number of serious disease and pest problems that are reducing tree numbers. Pests: A […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bagworms, Disease prone, Disease resistant, Environmental issues, Fertilizing plants, Insect (Pest) Problems, mulching, Native Plant, Pesticide recommendations, Pests, Pine (Pinus spp.), Pines (Pinus spp.), Propagation (Seed), Propagation(grafting), Sapsucker, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering evergreens, watering tips, winter hardiness, winter injury Comments Off on Eastern White Pine Losses Continue‘Midwinter Fire’ Dogwood Brightens Up The Winter Landscape
Posted by Hugh on October 21st, 2016
Bloodtwig dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), indigenous to Europe and Asia, is an upright branched, round-topped, spreading deciduous shrub (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 7). In the wild the species matures to 8-15 feet in height and spread. Its common name “bloodtwig” is misleading. Winter wood on 1-2 year old branches is not red. Instead, winter stems turn […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compact shrub, Cornus sanguinea, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Midwinter Fire’ Dogwood Brightens Up The Winter Landscape
