Acorns begin ripening and falling from oak trees (Quercus spp.) anytime from late August until mid-November. Ripening dates vary from one year to the next. Harvest the healthy plump acorns, either off the tree or from the ground. Remove and dispose of the cap. If you have collected several […]
Archive for the ‘Soil drainage’ Category
Starting Oak Trees From Acorns
Posted by Hugh on September 21st, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Bur oak (Q. macrocarpa), compost, Container growing, Drought tolerant, Native Plant, Oaks (Quercus spp.), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Red oak (Quercus), Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, White oak (Quercus), Willow oak (Quercus), winter hardiness, Winter Protection 
Comments Off on Starting Oak Trees From AcornsSome Zone 7 Camellias Survive In Zone 6 As Well
Posted by Hugh on September 10th, 2016
A short list of early blooming Sasanqua camellias possess the ability to do grow well in zone 6 areas. In my opinion, the zone 7 cultivar ‘Shishigashira’ steps to the head of the class. It is a November bloomer that has proven to be exceptionally cold hardy dwarf variety. The good folks at Cam Too, a camellia […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Camellia, compact shrub, compost, container shrub, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Some Zone 7 Camellias Survive In Zone 6 As WellAvoiding Slug Problems On Hostas
Posted by Hugh on September 6th, 2016
Finding slug resistance among hosta varieties is relative. By late summer, you will find some holes in leaves in almost every variety, some a lot worst than others. There are ways to reduce slug injury in your host plantings. Weather is a key factor. Wet summers means higher slug and snail populations. Dry summers is […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Foliage plant, Fragrant, Hosta, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sanitation, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips, Weeds Comments Off on Avoiding Slug Problems On Hostas‘Furman’s Red’ Sage For Long Blooming Period
Posted by Hugh on August 28th, 2016
Texas sage (Salvia greggii) is a low bushy native perennial or woody shrub. It is native to Texas south to Mexico and varieties come in white, red and purple. It has proven to be exceptionally cold hardy (USDA hardiness zones 5b-9). Furman’s Red sage is a superior cultivar here in the Southern Appalachian region.Flowering is best in spring, less […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Texas Sage (Salvia), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Furman’s Red’ Sage For Long Blooming PeriodSeeding Shady Areas Of Your Property
Posted by Hugh on August 21st, 2016
How many times have you been told: “you can’t grow lawn grass in shady areas”. Most lawn grasses perform best in full sunlight. Red or chewings fescues (Festuca rubra) perform under as little as 2-3 hours of direct or dappled sunlight. Shade fescues are relatively easy to maintain. Mowing height should be 2 inches high in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing, Herbicide management, Irrigation, Kentucky bluegrass, Landscape ideas, Lawn Care, Mowing, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Red fescue, seeding lawn, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips Comments Off on Seeding Shady Areas Of Your PropertyFlowering Cabbage and Kale For Autumn Gardens
Posted by Hugh on August 18th, 2016
Creating both edible and ornamentally pleasing vegetables has been a goal of plant breeders. Flowering cabbage and kale (Brassica oleracea) are a new landscaping niche in the autumn garden. Plants develop huge leafy rosettes and eventually form heads. Color patterns on leaves include white, cream, red and purple shades. The […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Butterflies, Cabbage, Cold tolerance, Container growing, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, kale, Landscape ideas, organic gardening, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips, Winter flowering, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Flowering Cabbage and Kale For Autumn GardensJapanese Asters (Kalimeris) Are Summer-blooming Gems
Posted by Hugh on August 12th, 2016
Double Japanese asters (Kalimeris pinnatifida) are not true asters. They bloom in summer unlike the more popular fall blooming asters (Symphyotrichum spp.). Essentially, the genus Kalimeris (from Asia) and Boltonia (U.S. native) are closely related and used interchangeably. ‘Pinnatifida’ is without question the best known cultivar. In August the plant is smothered with 1-inch diameter semi-double white daisy flowers […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Container growing, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Kalimeris (Japanese aster), mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Japanese Asters (Kalimeris) Are Summer-blooming GemsNew PG Hydrangeas Excel In Performance
Posted by Hugh on August 10th, 2016
Panicle, PeeGee or PG hydrangeas (Hydrangea panculata) brighten up the July and August garden landscape. They’re native to China and Japan. They grow and bloom almost anywhere in the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 3 – 8). Unlike mophead hydrangeas (H. macrophylla), that often fail in full day sun, PGs excel in 6 hours or more of sun. PG hydrangeas are vigorous growers with upright branching and coarse textured […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, compact shrub, Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Hydrangeas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on New PG Hydrangeas Excel In PerformanceLong-Blooming Tennessee Coneflower
Posted by Hugh on July 24th, 2016
Native to a two-county area of mid-Tennessee, Tennessee coneflower (Echinacea tennessiensis) is a popular favorite among gardeners across the U.S. because of its long blooming season. It has also spawned a few hybrid selections. The pale pink, flat-topped flowers with green and burgundy centers (cones) follow the tract of the sun across the sky. From July […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Long-Blooming Tennessee ConeflowerSpider Flowers Excel In Summer’s Heat And Humidity
Posted by Hugh on July 21st, 2016
Spider flowers (Cleome x hybrida) are top performing summer flowering annuals. Each year plant breeders introduce compact varieties to beautify flower beds and container gardens. Select among vegetative and seed produced types. Spider flowers ask for weekly watering and full day sunlight (best) to achieve maximum blooming potential. They will grow in a partially shaded beds but bloom less and the plants tend to […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowers, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spider flower (Cleome), Spring flowering, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Spider Flowers Excel In Summer’s Heat And Humidity
