Spring signals the return of many species of birds and the bees to yards and gardens. In early spring increased activity by ground nesting bees cause alarm for many people; dirt pile nests start appearing in bare patches in the lawn. They are beneficial pollinators in the garden. Bees in the families Colletidae and Andrenidae represent the ground nesting […]
Archive for the ‘Garden Problems’ Category
Ground Nesting Bees Are Beneficial Pollinators
Posted by Hugh on April 10th, 2015
Posted in Bee Favorite, Flowering, Flowers, Ground nesting bees, Pollination needs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Uncategorized, watering tips 
Comments Off on Ground Nesting Bees Are Beneficial PollinatorsMillion Bells (Calibrachoa)
Posted by Hugh on April 8th, 2015
Among gardeners “million bells” or “callies” are common names for calibrachoas (Calibrachoa x), spring-summer-fall flowering annuals; they’re closely relative of petunias (Petunia spp.). Low spreading plants are blanketed with small petunia-like flowers from spring until frost. Blooms hold up well to rain showers and do not need to be deadheaded. Plants are heat-tolerant and disease […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Calibrachoa (Million bells), Container growing, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, mulching, Petunias, Planting tips, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Million Bells (Calibrachoa)‘Blizzard’ Pearlbush Is Superior Choice
Posted by Hugh on April 5th, 2015
Once upon a time pearlbush (Exochorda spp.) was a popular old-fashioned spring flowering shrub. Its flurry of white flowers followed forsythia in early spring bloom cycle (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8, excel in 7 & 8). New on the garden scene is ‘Blizzard’ (E. x […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, compact shrub, Container growing, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Pearlbush (Exochorda), Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Blizzard’ Pearlbush Is Superior ChoiceThe Forsythia Revolution
Posted by Hugh on March 29th, 2015
In most areas of the U.S., the golden yellow blossoms of forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia) signals that worst of winter weather is almost over (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). Over 2-3 weeks bright yellow flowers cover this easy to grow shrub. Priced at under $20, a good-sized forsythia […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Forsythia, Green Privacy Screen, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on The Forsythia RevolutionFruit Gardening In Containers
Posted by Hugh on March 26th, 2015
Great packaging along with exciting breeding has ignited interest in growing small fruits in containers. In recent years the BrazelBerries™ fruits have become popular at garden centers. Brazelberries is the creation of the Brazelton family of Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, Inc. in Oregon, who have been propagating and growing berry plants since the 1970’s. Their […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Blueberries, Container growing, Disease resistant, Edible fruits, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Raspberries, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region Comments Off on Fruit Gardening In ContainersBetter Disease Resistance With Mountain Tomato Series
Posted by Hugh on March 24th, 2015
Tomatoes are attacked by several diseases and insects. Most serious diseases are early blight, spotted wilt virus (TSWV), fusarium wilt (FW), Stemphylium Gray Leaf Spot (St), Alternaria leaf spot (A), and root knot nematodes (N). Major insect problems are aphids, thrips, stink bugs, blister beetles, fruit worms, horn worms, leaf miners, fruit flies, and […]
Posted in Disease prone, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Edible fruits, Fruits & Vegetables, Insect (Pest) Problems, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Tomato, Virus diseases, watering tips Comments Off on Better Disease Resistance With Mountain Tomato SeriesWhy Mophead Hydrangeas Do Not Bloom
Posted by Hugh on March 18th, 2015
The introduction of Endless Summer® hydrangeas in the 1990’s got gardeners excited about growing mophead hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) again. Mophead hydrangeas bloom both on old wood in the spring and again on new wood in mid-summer. Flowers have either a blue/pink color depending on the pH of the soil. Endless Summer hydrangeas bloomed […]
Posted in acidic soil, Failure to Bloom, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering hydrangeas, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Why Mophead Hydrangeas Do Not BloomOld-fashioned Star Magnolias Very Beautiful Start Of Spring
Posted by Hugh on March 15th, 2015
Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is a multi-branched shrub or small tree which is native to Japan (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). This early flowering magnolia is noted for its compact form. A mature tree form grows 15 to 25 feet tall, 10 to 20 feet wide, and […]
Posted in acidic soil, compact tree, Disease resistant, Fragrant, Magnolia stellata, mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, Scale, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter flowering, winter hardiness, winter injury Comments Off on Old-fashioned Star Magnolias Very Beautiful Start Of SpringLittle Bluestem – Beautiful And Environmentally Correct
Posted by Hugh on March 12th, 2015
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) grows in old fields, meadows and prairies, and along roadsides across the United States and Eastern Canada (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). It forms dense clumps 2- 3 feet tall and 12 -18 inches wide. This warm season grass prefers a well-drained soil and […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Butterflies, Caterpillars, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Little Bluestem, Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Little Bluestem – Beautiful And Environmentally CorrectBasic Hosta Facts
Posted by Hugh on March 8th, 2015
Hostas are the most popular shade perennial in the U.S. They prefer a moist, compost-rich, well-drained soil. In northerly areas (USDA hardiness zones 4-5), where summers are cooler, most hardy cultivars grow in full sun. In warmer zones those in full sun must be irrigated frequently. Blue leaf cultivars look their best only in shady areas; the white waxy coating, responsible […]
Posted in acidic soil, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Ground cover, Hosta, Irrigation, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Rabbit/deer Protection, Sanitation, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Voles, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness, Winter Protection 1 Comment »
