Gyokuryu Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica ‘Gyokuryu’) is a dense, broadly pyramidal evergreen shrub (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). It has short stiff needles that tend to be a slightly darker green than other cryptomeria cultivars. Gyokuryu holds its dark green color through most winters in zone 7 and further south. Expect winter bronzing when Gyokuryu is […]
Archive for the ‘Soil drainage’ Category
‘Gyokuryu’ Japanese Cedar -Privacy Screen For Small Gardens
Posted by Hugh on November 9th, 2014
Posted in acidic soil, Cryptomeria (Japanese cedar), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Privacy Screen, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on ‘Gyokuryu’ Japanese Cedar -Privacy Screen For Small GardensCarolina Buckthorn Attractive Native Shrub/Tree
Posted by Hugh on November 6th, 2014
Many native plant enthusiasts consider the Carolina Buckthorn, aka Indian cherry (Rhamnus caroliniana), one of our most underutilized native shrubs or small trees. It suffers with a bad common name as it has no thorns or spines. This open, slender branched shrub grows 12 to 15 feet high and 10 to 15 feet wide. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Bright green leaves remain on […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Carolina buckthorn (Rhamnus), Deer resistant, Disease prone, Disease resistant, Green Privacy Screen, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Carolina Buckthorn Attractive Native Shrub/TreeEvergreens For Wet Soggy Soils
Posted by Hugh on October 19th, 2014
Most needle evergreens falter in moist soggy soils. These sites usually have a heavy clay or fine particle sand content. Some arborvitaes (Thuja spp.) and Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) tolerate temporary wet soggy conditions better than most evergreens (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). An assortment of shapes, sizes and colors are available. All are U.S. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Chamaecyparis, container shrub, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreens, Native Plant, Planting tips, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, winter hardiness Comments Off on Evergreens For Wet Soggy SoilsEnglish Oak Demands A Moist Well-drained Soil
Posted by Hugh on August 27th, 2014
Thinking about English oak (Quercus robur) brings to mind Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest. This majestic oak forms a broad spreading crown supported by a short sturdy trunk with a medium-brown, deeply-fissured bark (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). A young tree exhibits a pyramidal form. In a city park or golf course, it typically grows 50-70 […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aphids, Caterpillars, Edible fruits, Fruits poisonous, Large Shade trees, Oaks (Quercus spp.), Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on English Oak Demands A Moist Well-drained SoilExclamation™ London Plane Tree Is A Game-Changer
Posted by Hugh on August 13th, 2014
Exclamation! London Plane Tree (Platanus x acerifolia Exclamation!™) is probably one the most improved cultivars to date (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Exclamation! was introduced by Dr. George Ware at the Morton Arboretum and released through the Chicagoland Grows® program. Exclamation! develops a strong central leader, a uniform upright pyramidal shape (when young), a vigorous growth […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Large Shade trees, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Street tree, Summer heat tolerant, Sycamore (Platanus), Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Exclamation™ London Plane Tree Is A Game-ChangerFour Old Fashioned Hostas Continue To Delight
Posted by Hugh on August 4th, 2014
During my annual summer travel to public gardens around the U.S., several clumps of old-timey hostas that were popular in the 1960’s and ’70’s caught my eye. These hosta beauties still own their garden place. Here are listed only four, but there are so many more. ‘Gold Standard’is an old-time favorite. In August multiple pink-lavender […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Hosta, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Rabbit/deer Protection, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Four Old Fashioned Hostas Continue To DelightPlumleaf Azalea – Late July Flowering Shrub
Posted by Hugh on July 30th, 2014
Plumleaf azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium) is a native deciduous azaleas that indigenous to the Chattahoochee River Valley on the Georgia-Alabama line (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). The bright orange-red blooms surprise in late July to early August. Compared to many of the spring blooming species, flowers are not fragrant. Fall leaf color is uneventful. This 5-8 feet […]
Posted in acidic soil, Azalea (deciduous), compact shrub, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Hummingbird, mulching, Planting tips, Plumleaf azalea, Pruning, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Plumleaf Azalea – Late July Flowering ShrubDesigning With Crape Myrtle
Posted by Hugh on July 14th, 2014
Undeniably, crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica x L. faurei ) thrive in the southern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). You see them planted on practically every street. Their showy summer flowers are spectacular. Many cultivars exhibit colorful autumn foliage, and their smooth patterned trunks and architecture grace the winter landscape. “The right crape myrtle for the […]
Posted in acidic soil, compact shrub, compact tree, container shrub, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Failure to Bloom, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Winter bark, winter hardiness, winter injury Comments Off on Designing With Crape MyrtleBecome Immersed In Swamp Hibiscus
Posted by Hugh on July 11th, 2014
Swamp mallow, aka swamp hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) is native to marshes and swamps in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida (USDA hardiness Zones 6 to 9). Vibrant red flowers cover the tall 4–8-foot plant(s) from June through September. Space plants 3 feet wide apart. Deeply cut maple-like foliage presents a lush tropical look and the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Hardy hibiscus, Hibiscus coccineus, Hummingbird, Insect (Pest) Problems, Japanese beetles, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Root suckering, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Become Immersed In Swamp HibiscusBlazing Star– Electric Summer Flowering Perennial
Posted by Hugh on June 27th, 2014
Blazing star (Liatris spp.) is a popular summer flowering perennial. Also called gayfeather, it belongs in the aster family. This tall, upright, clump-forming perennial is found in moist meadows and at the edge of a marsh. (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Liatris makes an excellent addition to a rain garden. Its distinctively reddish-purple flower spikes win […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Blazing star (Liatris), Butterflies, deadheading, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Rabbit/deer Protection, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Blazing Star– Electric Summer Flowering Perennial
