On a woodland hike in the eastern U.S., lush colonies of evergreen Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) flourish along the moist slopes (USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8). This native perennial fern favors either a deep or light shade environment. A vigorous clump may grow 18 – 24 inches in height and width. Set new plants […]
Archive for the ‘Perennials’ Category
Christmas Ferns Are Easy To Grow
Posted by Hugh on February 1st, 2014
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Ferns, Ground cover, Native Plant, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Christmas Ferns Are Easy To GrowNativars – New Cultivars Of Native Plants
Posted by Hugh on January 20th, 2014
Nativar is a new term coined by Dr. Allan Armitage, Professor Emeritus from the University of Georgia. It combines the words “native” and “cultivar”. Nativar refers to a cultivar of a native plant. It attempts to excite the horticultural marketplace about new cultivars of native perennial plants, such as blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.), purple coneflower […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Flowers, Native Plant, Perennials, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (layering), Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, winter hardiness Comments Off on Nativars – New Cultivars Of Native PlantsPast Winners of the Perennial Plant of The Year Award
Posted by Hugh on January 1st, 2014
Each year PPA members choose a Perennial Plant of the Year™. Since 1990 24 great plants have been selected. Some of the selection criteria include: • Suitable to a wide range of climatic conditions • Low Maintenance • Pest and disease resistant • Availability at garden centers • Multiple seasons of color (beauty) The list […]
Posted in Astilbe (false spirea), Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Brunnera 'Jack Frost', Calamagrostis, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Coreopsis, Cranesbill (Geranium), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Heuchera (coralbells), Perennials, Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer phlox (P. paniculata) Comments Off on Past Winners of the Perennial Plant of The Year Award2014 Perennial Plant Of the Year: ‘Northwind’ Switchgrass
Posted by Hugh on December 29th, 2013
Northwind switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’) is a 4 to 5 feet tall native prairie grass (USDA hardiness zones 4–9). There are many fine switchgrass varieties, but its Northwind’s vertical form and steel blue foliage that makes it a standout. Northwind switchgrass has been selected the 2014 Perennial Plant of the Year. By mid-summer its lacy soft pinkish […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Sand Dune Protection, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Switchgrass (Panicum), watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on 2014 Perennial Plant Of the Year: ‘Northwind’ SwitchgrassWhen To Prune Off Old Foliage Of Evergreen Perennials
Posted by Hugh on December 12th, 2013
Foliage of many popular evergreen perennials often appear tattered after a long cold winter. Coralbells (Heuchera spp.), foam flowers (Tiarella spp.), monkeygrass (Liriope spp.), fairy wings (Epimedium spp.), creeping phlox (Phlox subulata), periwinkle (Vinca minor), Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis), and Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) are stunning evergreen groundcovers. The solution is simple– just prune them. […]
Posted in Barrenwort (Epimedium), Evergreen, Ferns, Ground cover, Hellebores, Heuchera (coralbells), Liriope, Pachysandra, Perennials, Phlox, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Tiarella (foam flower), Winter flowering Comments Off on When To Prune Off Old Foliage Of Evergreen PerennialsMexican Feather Grass
Posted by Hugh on November 21st, 2013
The ultra-fine soft foliage of Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) will grab your interest. Just a slight breeze will create wave movement in your garden (USDA hardiness zones 7 to 10). It grows 1½ feet high (2 feet tall in flower) and 1½ to 2 feet in width. Mexican Feather Grass is a cool season […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Invasive plant, Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella), Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Mexican Feather GrassInvite These “Bells” To Next Spring’s Garden Ball
Posted by Hugh on October 30th, 2013
Fall planting of many kinds of bulbs is a worthwhile long term investment of your time. Many bulbs (and corms) like daffodils and crocuses will naturalize where you plant them. They also bloom for long periods from late winter into spring. Bulbs bloom nice their first spring; flower heavier the second year; and multiply each […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Disease resistant, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Southern Appalachian Region, Spanish bluebells, Spring flowering bulbs, Summer snowflake (Leucojum), winter hardiness Comments Off on Invite These “Bells” To Next Spring’s Garden BallFall Is Spring Bulb Planting Time
Posted by Hugh on October 18th, 2013
If you love spring flowering tulips, daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs, some planning and planting chores should be set into motion this fall. Spring flower bulbs should be planted when cool soil temperatures (below 55 °F) return. For gardeners living in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7), bulb planting begins in […]
Posted in Camassia, Container growing, Crocus, Daffodil (Narcissus), Flowers, Lily (Lilium spp.), Pansies, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Tulips, Violas, Winter flowering, Winter Protection Comments Off on Fall Is Spring Bulb Planting Time‘Halloween Hocus Pocus’ Daylily For Garden Goblins
Posted by Hugh on October 1st, 2013
On a pleasant July morning I saw my first ‘Halloween Hocus Pocus’ daylily (Hemerocallus x ‘Hocus Pocus’) in a friend’s garden. The 5 ½ inch flowers stand on 26 inch tall stems (scapes) and the foliage is semi-evergreen. The cultivar name describes it best. Its creamy orange color with a triangular black throat and wide […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Daylilies, Hummingbird, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on ‘Halloween Hocus Pocus’ Daylily For Garden GoblinsDOs and DON’Ts Checklist Before Purchasing Plants
Posted by Hugh on September 29th, 2013
When shopping at the garden center don’t bring home problem plants. “Plants On Sale” should raise a caution flag. Thoroughly inspect all sale plants. They may have been sitting many months with the pots now full of weeds, diseases, or pest problems. They become tightly potbound and roots will need to be teased apart prior […]
Posted in Azaleas (evergreen), Disease resistant, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Ilex (hollies), Juniper, Perennials, Purchasing Plants, Rhododendrons, root injury, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Weed control, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on DOs and DON’Ts Checklist Before Purchasing Plants
