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 […]
Archive for the ‘Garden Problems’ Category
Will The Best Cherry Laurel Please Come Forward?
Posted by Hugh on January 10th, 2013
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?Witchhazels Invent Their Own Season
Posted by Hugh on January 7th, 2013
Witchhazels (Hamamelis spp.) are medium to large shrubs which can be shaped into small trees by judicious pruning. In general, all witchhazels grow in full sun but can prosper with moderate amounts of shade. Other than pruning, they require little extra care. Plant in any soil type as long as it is adequately drained and mildly acidic. Species native to the Eastern […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, compact shrub, compact tree, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Pruning, Root suckering, Summer heat tolerant, Winter flowering, winter hardiness, Witchhazel (Hamamelis) Comments Off on Witchhazels Invent Their Own SeasonPest Update – More Pesticide Options for Hemlock Adelgid Control
Posted by Hugh on January 3rd, 2013
Twenty years ago predictions of the demise of our native Canadian (Tsuga canadensis) and Carolina hemlocks (T. carolina) from home and commercial landscapes turned out to be incorrect. The key reason was the effectiveness of the insecticide Imidacloprid®. This product is licensed by Bayer AG, and is found in a number of lawn and garden […]
Posted in Evergreen, Hemlock (Tsuga), Hemlock adelgid, Insect (Pest) Problems, Native Plant, Pests, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Pest Update – More Pesticide Options for Hemlock Adelgid ControlFranky Boy Arborvitae
Posted by Hugh on December 5th, 2012
Franky Boy oriental arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis ‘Franky Boy’ [syn Thuja orientalis]) is a dwarf evergreen conifer currently in hot demand among collectors. What immediately catches your eye is its thread-like foliage which changes color from one season to the next. Its evergreen foliage adds a fine textured look to the landscape. The new spring growth […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), compact shrub, Disease resistant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreen, Evergreens, Heat Tolerance, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Franky Boy ArborvitaeBlossom 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?Are You Growing A Thanksgiving or Christmas Cactus?
Posted by Hugh on November 27th, 2012
If your “Christmas cactus” is blooming on Thanksgiving Day, it is likely not a true Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) which flowers a month or more later. Thanksgiving cactus (S. truncata) is frequently sold as “Christmas cactus”. Holiday shoppers often decorate with what’s in the store after Thanksgiving and the plants are frequently mislabeled. Christmas […]
Posted in Autumn flowering, Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera), Failure to Bloom, Fertilizing plants, Interior (house) Plants, Potting Mix, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Tropical Plants (non-hardy) Comments Off on Are You Growing A Thanksgiving or Christmas Cactus?American Elm Is Back
Posted by Hugh on November 2nd, 2012
American elm (Ulmus americana) once lined America’s city streets until the deadly Dutch elm disease (DED) mostly eliminated it. DED is still present today. Outstanding disease resistant cultivars are truly making a difference, and American elm is on the comeback. American elm is native to the eastern and central regions of the U. S. and […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Elms (Ulmus), Native Plant, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter flowering Comments Off on American Elm Is BackVariegated Solomon’s Seal Designated 2013 Perennial Plant of the Year
Posted by Hugh on October 30th, 2012
Variegated Solomon’s seal ( Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’) is one of the finest perennials for the shade or woodland garden. It is the Asian cousin of U.S. native Solomon seal (P. commutatum). Both species are long- lived garden inhabitants. Variegated Solomon’s Seal handles 2-3 hours of direct morning sunlight in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Ground cover, Perennials, Slugs, Solomon's seal, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Variegated Solomon’s Seal Designated 2013 Perennial Plant of the YearTake 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 ListEmerald Ash Borer And Others Are Spreading – Don’t Transport Firewood
Posted by Hugh on October 15th, 2012
Moving firewood across county or state lines may also distribute serious insect pests hundreds of miles. For whatever reasons that the tree(s) were cut down in your yard, insects (including termites) may be hiding inside the logs. They may remain alive for a long time. Over the past decade three serious exotic insect pests have been identified […]
Posted in Elms (Ulmus), Firewood, Green ash (Fraxinus), Insect (Pest) Problems, Invasive plant, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Pests, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, Walnut Comments Off on Emerald Ash Borer And Others Are Spreading – Don’t Transport Firewood
