Leyland Cypress Leyland cypress (xCupressocyparis x leylandii) is winter hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). It is frequently regarded as “the” conifer for Southern states. Its growth rate, compared to other evergreen conifers, is horrendously fast, with young established plants growing 3 feet or more annually. A young 2-3 foot specimen may reach […]
Archive for the ‘Soil drainage’ Category
Leyland Cypress For Fast Growing Evergreen Privacy
Posted by Hugh on September 9th, 2012
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Disease prone, Evergreen, Evergreens, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Leyland cypress, Planting tips, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips 
Comments Off on Leyland Cypress For Fast Growing Evergreen PrivacyCommon Ditch Lilies
Posted by Hugh on August 14th, 2012
A native of eastern Asia, tawny daylilies (Hemerocallis fulva) are often called “ditch lilies”. You see them growing along roadsides, in back alleys, and in old gardens, often in very poor soil. Their tenacious root system helps to stabilize steep slopes. They seem to thrive in places too difficult for most plants. They’re grow so easily […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Daylilies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Common Ditch LiliesOstrich Fern Likes It Moist And Cool
Posted by Hugh on August 6th, 2012
For sheer toughness ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) handles most landscape situations (USDA hardiness zones 2-7a). Ostrich fern is commonly seen growing naturally in cool moist river bottom soils, 3-5 feet in height and spreading aggressively. Roots have a clumping rhizomatous nature. The fronds grow upright with a slightly arching form, typically to 2-3 feet in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Foliage plant, Native Plant, Ostrich fern (Matteuccia), Perennials, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Ostrich Fern Likes It Moist And CoolDawn Redwood Is Back From Extinction
Posted by Hugh on August 1st, 2012
Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) was thought to be extinct until the mid-twentieth century. In 1948 dawn redwood was re-introduced into North America from Sichuan-Hubei Provinces in China. Dawn redwood grows in full sun and in well-drained, compost-rich soil. The tree struggles in dry or high pH soils. Dawn redwood will tolerate standing water for a […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bald cypress (Taxodium), Dawn redwood (Metasequoia), Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Heat Tolerance, Japanese beetles, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens Comments Off on Dawn Redwood Is Back From Extinction‘Sunburst’ Golden St. John’s Wort
Posted by Hugh on July 16th, 2012
Our native golden St. John’s wort (Hypericum frondosum) deserves more planting space in U. S. gardens (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). ‘Sunburst’ is the leading cultivar and exhibits superior traits over the species. Golden St. John’s wort forms a small, dense growing deciduous shrub, noted for its showy golden yellow flowers and attractive blue-green foliage. Sunburst grows more compact […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Butterflies, compact shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreens, Flowering, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, St. John's Wort (Hypericum), Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Winter bark Comments Off on ‘Sunburst’ Golden St. John’s WortPinxterbloom Azalea
Posted by Hugh on May 1st, 2012
Pinxterbloom (Rhododendron periclymenoides), formerly R. nudiflorum, is a hardy deciduous azalea native to a large geographic area of the eastern United States. Pinxterbloom naturally grows nearby streams in a light woodland setting, but appears to tolerate dry rocky sites equally well after 2 years established. Shrub heights vary from 4-8 feet. Pinxterbloom spreads by underground stolons and shrubs may become […]
Posted in acidic soil, Azalea (deciduous), compost, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Native Plant, Pinxterbloom azalea, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant Comments Off on Pinxterbloom AzaleaTurk’s Cap Lily for Your Summer Enjoyment
Posted by Hugh on April 12th, 2012
Turk’s cap lily (Lilium superbum) is native perennial started from bulbs. The strong single stem grows up to 6 feet tall. Leaves generally form in whorls of 3-9 along the stem. The lanceolate leaves are individually upwards of 7 inches longand 1 inch wide, and rather stiff to the touch. Upwards of 1-12 flowers nod downward from 4-8″ […]
Posted in acidic soil, Butterflies, compost, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Hummingbird, Lily (Lilium spp.), Native Plant, Perennials, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Voles Comments Off on Turk’s Cap Lily for Your Summer EnjoymentPowis Castle Artemisia Is Exceptional
Posted by Hugh on March 16th, 2012
Most artemisias (aka “wormwood”) can not cope with the summer heat and humidity in the mid-South. Their silvery foliage tends to burn out (some say “melt out”) in mid to late summer. ‘Powis Castle’ artemisia is truly the exception. Powis Castle is likely a hybrid (Artemisia arborescens x A. absinthium Powis Castle is a bushy, woody-based perennial […]
Posted in Artemisia, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Perennials, plant nutrition, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Powis Castle Artemisia Is ExceptionalPrickly Pear Is Easy Care
Posted by Hugh on December 17th, 2011
There are over 200 species of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.) worldwide. Several make great container plants in the garden or inside the home. Prickly pear cacti may grow to heights of 10 feet or more in the arid regions of the Southwestern U.S. Eastern prickly pear (Opuntia compressa var. ‘humifusa’) grows 12- 18 inches tall and 30-36 inches wide. […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreens, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Prickly cactus, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Prickly Pear Is Easy CareEverbearer Raspberries Harvest from July To Frost
Posted by Hugh on December 5th, 2011
Raspberry Production at Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC Everbearer raspberries are easier to grow compared to the June-bearer types. Everbearer types are often called “fall bearers” because they produce berries from very late July to late September. Pruning becomes a simple chore – in late winter simply cut down all canes (shoots) to the ground. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, compost, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, mulching, Pruning, Raspberries, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, watering tips Comments Off on Everbearer Raspberries Harvest from July To Frost
