Colocasia (Colocasia esculenta), aka taro, ape plant, and elephant ear, among other names, is marginally hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). The 2011 colocasia introduction ‘Bikini-tini’ has garnered high praise from neighbors and friends visiting my garden in the summer. Bikini-tini is a strong stemmed thick-leaved plant that grows 4 to 5 feet in height. […]
Archive for the ‘Garden Problems’ Category
‘Bikini-tini’ Colocasia Creates Movement in The Garden
Posted by Hugh on May 15th, 2013
Posted in acidic soil, Colocasia, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Perennials, plant nutrition, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Protection 
Comments Off on ‘Bikini-tini’ Colocasia Creates Movement in The Garden‘Thailand Giant’ Elephant Ears A Tropical Wonder
Posted by Hugh on May 7th, 2013
In many areas of the U.S.’Thailand Giant’ elephant ears (Colocasia gigantea) is classified as an annual (USDA hardiness zone 8-10). It grows best in full to partial sunlight (6-hours minimum) and planted in a compost-rich well-drained garden soil or good container potting media. A young plant should be moved outdoors and brought back indoors when […]
Posted in Colocasia, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on ‘Thailand Giant’ Elephant Ears A Tropical WonderSnow Fountains® Weeping Cherry Fits Small Gardens
Posted by Hugh on April 30th, 2013
Snow Fountains® (Prunus x ‘Snofozam’) is a slow-growing, weeping ornamental cherry that grows compact. It develops into a 8 to 15 feet tall and 5 to 12 feet wide tree. This cultivar is also listed as ‘White Fountains’ in some nursery catalogs. The cascading branches flow downward or may take on a green mound form. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compact tree, Disease prone, Hummingbird, Insect (Pest) Problems, Ornamental cherry (Prunus), Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Weeping habit, winter hardiness Comments Off on Snow Fountains® Weeping Cherry Fits Small Gardens‘Shaina’ Japanese Maple
Posted by Hugh on April 23rd, 2013
The foliage of ‘Shaina’ Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Shaina’) starts out hot red in early spring. The deeply cut leaves are bunched together for a tufted or layered look. From mid-spring thru summer, the foliage, now maroon red, holds its color. Shaina grows naturally as a shrub, 8 feet high and 4 to 5 feet […]
Posted in acidic soil, compact tree, container shrub, Japanese maple, Maples (Acer), Planting tips, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on ‘Shaina’ Japanese MapleWhy Peonies Do Not Bloom
Posted by Hugh on April 20th, 2013
Herbaceous peonies (Paeonia x lactiflora) are among the easy to care for and long-lived garden perennials. If you plant them correctly in compost rich, well-drained soil and a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight, they will bloom for the next 30+ years. If peonies fail to bloom, here are 8 probable causes: 1. Planting crowns […]
Posted in acidic soil, Failure to Bloom, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Peonies, Peony, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, winter injury Comments Off on Why Peonies Do Not BloomA Marigold Revival
Posted by Hugh on April 14th, 2013
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 […]
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 RevivalCool Blooming Osteospermums
Posted by Hugh on April 11th, 2013
Osteospermums (Osteospermum x hybrida ) are members of the daisy (Asteraceae) family, commonly called African Daisy, Blue-eyed Daisy, or Cape Daisy. Osteos are cool season annuals that excel in northern and less so in southern U.S. gardens. Osteos bloom more profusely in full sun, but want some cooling relief during the summers. Osteos have always […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Failure to Bloom, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Osteospermum, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Cool Blooming OsteospermumsShredded Umbrella Plant Handles Dry Shade
Posted by Hugh on March 27th, 2013
Shredded umbrella plant (Syneilesis aconitifolia) is a non-aggressive woodland ground cover which is native to dry hillsides in China, Japan, and Korea (USDA hardiness zones 4 thru 8). It has a medium green lacy foliage which you will treasure in the shade garden. While its flowers may be tiny and inconspicuous, the circular umbrella foliage […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Disease resistant, Ground cover, mulching, Perennials, Shredded umbrella (Syneilesis), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Shredded Umbrella Plant Handles Dry ShadeTiger Eyes® Sumac Far Less Aggressive
Posted by Hugh on March 25th, 2013
I’m uneasy to recommend our native invasive sumac in a home landscape, but Tiger Eyes sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’), known as Tiger Eyes®, is far less aggressive (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Its brightly colored cut-leaf foliage will definitely catch your attention in the summer. Leaves turn maroon-red in the autumn. This small deciduous tree or […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, container shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Sumac (Rhus), Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Tiger Eyes® Sumac Far Less AggressiveTreat Colorful Caladiums As Tender Annuals
Posted by Hugh on March 12th, 2013
Caladiums at Yewdell Gardens in Crestwood, KY (near Louisville) Caladiums (Caladium bicolor) are tropical foliage plants which are grown as annuals. Caladiums brighten up shady to sunny spots. Their brightly colored foliage is either heart and lanced shaped in color combinations ranging from red, rose, pink, chartreuse, green, and white. Caladiums absolutely prefer a warm, […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Caladium, compost, Deer resistant, Flowers, Foliage plant, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Irrigation, mulching, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Treat Colorful Caladiums As Tender Annuals
