Blue Lyme Grass (Leymus arenarus ‘Blue Dune’) is a vigorous spreading cool season grass (USDA Hardiness zones 3-9). It is native to the coasts of northern and western Europe. A closely related species, L. mollis, is native to the northern coasts of North America. Blue lyme grass is a stand out because of its beautiful steel-blue foliage. Atlanta Botanical Gardens has sited it […]
Archive for the ‘Perennials’ Category
Blue Lyme Grass Adapts To Almost Any Surroundings
Posted by Hugh on October 4th, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Lyme Grass (Leymus), Mowing, Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Blue Lyme Grass Adapts To Almost Any SurroundingsFritillarias – Very Different Spring Flowering Bulb
Posted by Hugh on September 15th, 2016
Crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis), aka fritillaria, is an impressive spring flowering bulb that is native of Southwestern Asia to the Himalayas (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). In late April to May, large drooping orange, red, or yellow bell-shaped flowers are topped by a small pineapple-like tufts of leaf-like bracts. The leafy fringe on top resembles a […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bulb Crops, Container garden, Disease prone, Drought tolerant, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Fritillaria, Landscape ideas, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), root injury, Root rotting, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Virus diseases, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fritillarias – Very Different Spring Flowering BulbAvoiding 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 PeriodLate Summer Bulbous Beauties – Spider Lily and Fall Crocus
Posted by Hugh on August 26th, 2016
Spider lilies (Lycoris radiata) go by a number of colloquial names including resurrection flower, surprise lily, and naked ladies. Naked 1-2 foot tall flower scapes bear 4-6 bright coral-red flowers. Each 2- inch long flower exhibit reflexed tepals and long protruding stamens resembling spider legs (common name “spider lilies”). Almost overnight, the leafless flower spikes […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Lycoris (Spider lily), Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Late Summer Bulbous Beauties – Spider Lily and Fall CrocusJapanese 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 GemsJoe Pye Weed Is No Longer A “Weed”
Posted by Hugh on August 4th, 2016
U.S. native Joe Pye (Eupatorium spp.), formerly “Joe Pye Weed”, has been tamed. Modern day selections grow more compact compared to 8+ feet tall wildlings that inhabit fields across eastern North America (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Huge, terminal, domed, compound flower heads measure 12-18 inches across (depending on cultivar) and make […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Eupatorium 'Gateway', Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Joe Pye Weed Is No Longer A “Weed”Chanticleer Garden – A Garden For Ideas
Posted by Hugh on July 30th, 2016
Chanticleer Garden is an estate and botanical gardens, that bills itself as a “pleasure garden”. Chanticleer is “a garden for ideas”. The property is located at 786 Church Road in Wayne Pennsylvania, approximately 30 minutes of Philadelphia. Chanticleer celebrated its 100 year centennial in 2013 as the […]
Posted in Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Container growing, Ferns, Foliage plant, Garden paths, Gardens to Visit, Landscape ideas, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Planting tips, Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), Uncategorized, Wildflowers, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Chanticleer Garden – A Garden For IdeasNeed To Deadhead Perennials
Posted by Hugh on July 28th, 2016
Deadheading is the practice of removing spent blossoms to stimulate re-blooming. It also refreshes the plant’s appearance, and lessens the threat of seed dispersal. It redirects the plant’s energy from seed production to root and shoot growth. Deadheading is an extra chore throughout the growing season. When the plant (perennial or annual) has stopped blooming or […]
Posted in Blanket flower (Gaillardia), Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Canna lily, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Coreopsis, Culver's Root (veronicastrum), deadheading, Fertilizing plants, Lavender (Lavandula), Monarda (Beebalm), mulching, Perennials, Phlox, Pruning, Sage (Salvia), Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer phlox (P. paniculata), watering iris Comments Off on Need To Deadhead PerennialsLong-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 Coneflower
