Is the worst of winter behind us? Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is often confused with forsythia shrubs which bloom 3-4 weeks later in the spring. This hardy winter blooming vine from China frequently blooms in late February and March when daytime temperatures climb into the mid-50s for a week or more. Evening chilling temps down into the […]
Archive for the ‘Garden Problems’ Category
Winter Jasmine Rising
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2011
Stop the Leyland Madness
Posted by Hugh on January 18th, 2011
Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) is a tall, fast growing evergreen tree or shrub. Many are planted as privacy screens. Ask yourself, should you really plant a 50 foot barrier between you and your neighbor(s)? In the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7), there are shorter and better evergreen choices. In the 12-16 foot category: Boxwood (Buxus […]
Ice Storm- Keep Hands Off
Posted by Hugh on December 26th, 2010
An ice storm is both a beautiful and horrific scene in a garden. The potential for major tree/shrub breakage is staggering. If you feel powerless, this is good thing. During the storm, do nothing / “hands off”. Most actions will likely cause more damage than what nature may have intended. After the storm assess the landscape areas which seem most vulnerable, or that […]
Posted in Bradford Pear, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, winter injury 
Comments Off on Ice Storm- Keep Hands OffGinkgo -Sex Education 101
Posted by Hugh on October 22nd, 2010
Surviving an autumn season with a heavily fruited ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) tree is a foul smelling experience. The odorous yellow fleshy fruits ripen in October and drop onto public streets and home lawns. Several times I have witnessed the Jonesborough Tennessee Fire Department raking up fallen fruit and hosing down a sidewalk too treacherous to walk […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Autumn foliage color, Deer resistant, Gardenia, Ginkgo biloba, Large Shade trees, Propagation (Seed), Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Ginkgo -Sex Education 101Coppicing – Renewal Pruning for Old Rhododendrons
Posted by Hugh on September 14th, 2010
Coppicing is a form of renewal pruning because the entire shrub is lopped off to the ground. It is a drastic pruning technique primarily used on shrubs that flower and fruit on new or summer wood, those that flower in late June or later. Coppicing is renewal pruning but is so simple that gardeners is […]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Garden Maintenance, Ilex (hollies), Mountain laurel (Kalmia), Pieris japonica, Pruning, Rhododendrons, Southern Appalachian Region Comments Off on Coppicing – Renewal Pruning for Old RhododendronsFailure of Shrubs and Trees to Bloom
Posted by Hugh on September 8th, 2010
It is usually quite difficult to determine why a shrub or tree fails to bloom. Most often the problem is the plant’s health, related to weather or environmental factors. Sometimes, the gardener has grown the plant poorly. Here are the seven leading causes: High much nitrogen? The nitrogen to carbohydrate ratio (C:N) is a common […]
Posted in Failure to Bloom, Featured, Garden Maintenance, Garden Problems Comments Off on Failure of Shrubs and Trees to BloomPotential Epidemic In Your Car Trunk Or Camper?
Posted by Hugh on August 31st, 2010
Photo: walnut twig beetle infestation Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) officials urge state residents and visitors to the state to help prevent the spread of Thousand Cankers Disease in black walnut (Juglans nigra)trees and Emerald Ash Borer in ash species (Fraxinus spp.). Take the following steps: Don’t transport firewood, even within Tennessee. Don’t bring […]
Mulching- Not Always a Good Practice
Posted by Hugh on August 29th, 2010
A generation of gardeners have extolled the benefits of mulching around trees and flower beds. Sometimes, mulching is not a good practice. Often, a heavy clay soil retains too much moisture over the winter months. Some dryland perennials, such as cheddar pinks (dianthus), euphorbia, and delospermum, prefer dry to moderately wet winter soils. Amending with […]
Posted in Garden Problems, mulching, Pests, poor quality mulch Comments Off on Mulching- Not Always a Good PracticeCulver’s Root (Veronicastrum)
Posted by Hugh on June 28th, 2010
Midwest native Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum) starts the summer flowering season in my perennial garden. It naturally grows in open woods and meadows and thrives in fertile to moist soils. However, this deep rooted plant hasn’t complain about the current dry period in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6-7). Be aware that culver’s root […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Butterflies, Culver's Root (veronicastrum), deadheading, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Goldenrod (Solidago), Heat Tolerance, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum)"My Maple Tree Is Being Invaded"
Posted by Hugh on June 21st, 2010
photo: Dr. Alan Windham, UT Plant Pathologist The following is a real query sent to an Extension agent over the phone: “I have thousands of insects on 8 of my 10 maple trees. I fear they will kill my trees, one has already died. The insects huddle together. I am not positive they have wings, […]
Posted in Garden Problems, Maples (Acer), Pests, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on "My Maple Tree Is Being Invaded"
