Hardy begonia (Begonia grandis) is an herbaceous perennial flowering plant native to Southern China, Japan, and Malaysia. It is a member of the Begonia (Begoniaceae) family (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). From summer into early fall, hardy begonia displays loose arching clusters of bright pink fragrant blooms. It is monoecious, e.g. both male and female flowers are […]
Archive for the ‘Perennials’ Category
Hardy Begonias
Posted by Hugh on May 8th, 2025
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Begonia, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Ground cover, Hardy begonia (B. grandis), Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection 
Comments Off on Hardy BegoniasMayapples
Posted by Hugh on April 27th, 2025
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) is a native herbaceous perennial wildflower that forms dense mats. It is an early spring riser in the shade garden (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). Mayapples are exceptionally hardy woodland plants found in most of eastern North America and as far south as the State of Texas. They’re typically found in colonies in open woodlands, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, Mayapple (Podophyllum), mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on MayapplesTall Sedums In Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on April 23rd, 2025
Sedums are clumping, perennial succulents in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) and are mostly native to China and Korea. Depending on variety, plants discussed in this blog are tall-growing mound forms that grow 1 to 2 feet high and wide. Botanical nomenclature has changed and is a bit confusing. Sedum genus, now Hylotelephium, contains many of the […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sedum (Shrub type), Soil drainage, Staking, Stonecrop sedums, Stonecrops (Sedum), Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Tall Sedums In Your GardenFountain Grass
Posted by Hugh on March 24th, 2025
Fountain grasses (P. alopecuroides) are perennial warm season grasses that are native to meadows and open woods of Eastern Asia (mainly China and Japan) and Western Australia. Cultivars hardiness ranges from zone 4 (5) – 10. These ornamental grasses have finely textured deep green foliage and elegant form. Leaves and flower spikes sway in the breeze, […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Fertilizing plants, Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)), Landscape ideas, Non-native, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fountain GrassClematis Care Notes
Posted by Hugh on March 17th, 2025
Clematis are popular flowering vines that come in various species and varieties, some of which are U.S. natives. They can be woody, deciduous vines or shrubs, and bloom in different seasons. Clematis vines produce spectacular flowers in shades of purple, pink, red, and white. Many clematis are vigorous growers and can reach 18 -20 feet tall. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Clematis, Deciduous, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Vine, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Clematis Care NotesThree Fun Bulbs In The Late Winter Garden
Posted by Hugh on March 6th, 2025
Three charming bulbous late winter bloomers add much-needed color to the garden at a time when most other plants are dormant. Reticulated iris (Iris reticulata), called dwarf iris by many, is native to parts of Russia, Iran, and central Asia. This small vibrant Iris awakens in many gardens towards the end of winter. Its pre-spring […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Dwarf (reticulate) iris, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Fragrant, Iris, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Snowdrops (Galanthus), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Winter aconite (Eranthis), Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Three Fun Bulbs In The Late Winter Garden2025 Hosta OF The Year: ‘Skywriter’
Posted by Hugh on January 26th, 2025
Hosta ‘Skywriter’ has been selected as the 2025 Hosta of the Year. by the American Hosta Growers Association. ‘Skywriter’ is a blue hosta with a semi-upright habit that shows off the white undersides of the leaves and the purple stems (scapes). (USDA Hardiness Zones 3 -8). It is a medium-sized hosta, that grows approximately 18 inches […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Deciduous, Hosta, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, rabbit damage, Rabbit/deer Protection, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on 2025 Hosta OF The Year: ‘Skywriter’Other Wild Gingers For Your Landscape
Posted by Hugh on January 13th, 2025
Although wild gingers, Asarum and Hexastylis species, can be found the world over, most are indigenous to the shaded woodlands of Asia, Europe, and North America. Wild gingers are members of the Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort family). Several species of Hexastylis and Asarum grow exceptionally well in the Southern Appalachian region (Zones 5b-7b). New varieties continue the marketplace. Wild gingers are frequently planted as […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Deciduous, Evergreen, Fragrant, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Snails, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wild ginger, winter hardiness Comments Off on Other Wild Gingers For Your LandscapeWild Ginger
Posted by Hugh on January 6th, 2025
Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is a U.S. native spring wildflower which grows in rich garden and woodland soils. Wild ginger is a stemless 4-8-inch-tall plant (8 -10 inches wide) which features distinctive downy, basal, dark green foliage. Leaves are heart-shaped to kidney-shaped, and delicately veined, and up to 6 inches wide. Cup-shaped, purplish brown, 3 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wild ginger, winter hardiness Comments Off on Wild Ginger2025 Perennial Plant Of The Year – Clustered Mountainmint
Posted by Hugh on January 1st, 2025
Clustered mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum), aka “blunt mountain mint” or “short-toothed mountain mint”, is a tough and adaptable perennial native to meadows and open woodlands across much of the eastern U.S. west to Texas. (USDA Hardiness Zones 4 – 8) (AHS Heat Zones 4 -10). It is not a true mint (Mentha spp.) but belongs to […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, Mountain mints (Pycnanthemum), mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on 2025 Perennial Plant Of The Year – Clustered Mountainmint
