This South African native, also called ‘montbretia”, thrives in full sun in well-drained average garden soil. A richly composted soil tends to boost foliage size and bloom count, but often weakens bloom stems, requiring some staking. Crocosmia may struggle in a wet soggy wintry soil. Established plants are exceptionally summer heat and drought tolerant. Brightly colored […]
Archive for the ‘Perennials’ Category
To Grow Crocosmia Or Not?
Posted by Hugh on July 19th, 2011
Posted in Crocosmia (Montbretia), Mites, Perennials, plant nutrition, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Winter Protection 
Comments Off on To Grow Crocosmia Or Not?Tough And Reliable Chinese Astilbes
Posted by Hugh on July 4th, 2011
Astilbes (also called “false spireas”) are favorite late spring flowering perennials. The Astilbe x arendsii hybrids from Germany are most popular and available at local garden centers. Astilbes are very hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). If low maintenance is your goal, try Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis var tacquetii). Their […]
Posted in Astilbe (false spirea), Flowers, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Tough And Reliable Chinese AstilbesBiltmore Estate and Gardens
Posted by Hugh on June 30th, 2011
I have visited the Biltmore Estate on several occasions, but my May visit this year was special. I had the opportunity to interview Parker Andes, Biltmore’s Director of Horticulture, and Bill Alexander, Landscape and Forest Historian. Few properties match the overall grandeur of Biltmore Estate and Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina. Biltmore is a historical perspective of America over […]
Posted in Azalea (deciduous), Azaleas (evergreen), Evergreens, Gardens to Visit, Mountain laurel (Kalmia), Peonies, Perennials, Rhododendrons, Roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Biltmore Estate and GardensWhere Can I Buy That?
Posted by Hugh on June 20th, 2011
Let’s face it – rare and unusual plants are not likely for sale at your local garden center. Full service garden centers located in large metropolitan areas may sell one or two.The internet has become the best plant finding source. Some on-line purveyors may carry a rare item, but not sell it in large quantities. High sticker shock may chase you […]
Posted in Featured, Perennials, Purchasing Plants, Trees & Shrubs, Vine Comments Off on Where Can I Buy That?Flaming ‘Fireball’ Hibiscus Quite A Summer Show
Posted by Hugh on June 18th, 2011
‘Fireball’ hibiscus (Hibiscus x moscheutos ‘Fireball’) is a vigorous hardy perennial with burgundy tinted cutleaf foliage and huge 10-12 inch clear red flowers from mid-summer to late summer. Plant height is 4 – 5 feet and 2 – 3 feet in width. A strikingly beautiful plant, ‘Fireball’ thrives on heat and humidity. It wants full […]
Posted in compost, Flowers, Hardy hibiscus, Hibiscus moscheutos, Perennials, plant nutrition, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Flaming ‘Fireball’ Hibiscus Quite A Summer ShowLight a Candle in Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on May 1st, 2011
Speedwells (Veronica spp.) are long-blooming, easy-care perennials. Speedwells are outstanding for their color rich floral candles (spikes). The candle-like flowers rise like sentinels in the late spring-summer garden and attract lots of butterflies and bees. The small individual 5- pedaled blossoms range in colors from white, pink, blue, and several shades of purple. The floral spikes […]
Three Mid-sized Ornamental Grasses for Small Gardens
Posted by Hugh on April 14th, 2011
For their sheer architecture alone, ornamental grasses provide 4- seasons of landscape excitement. Within a small garden space three mid-sized (4 – 6 feet tall) ornamental grasses with awesome vertical stature excel. All are highly rated for long garden life and low annual maintenance. ‘Karl Foerster’ Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ) forms silvery […]
‘Misty Blue’ Doll’s Eye Will Catch Your Eye
Posted by Hugh on March 22nd, 2011
White baneberry or doll’s eye (Actaea pachypoda) is a strikingly beautiful native perennial. The cultivar ‘Misty Blue’ was first discovered at Mt. Cuba Center in Greenville, Delaware. The bluish-green foliage is multi-stemmed and finely cut from mid-spring thru the summer months. Grow it in a moist shade garden environment. Lovely fringed white flowers appear in April. In the fall clusters of white “doll’s eye” berry fruits sit atop brightly red […]
Posted in acidic soil, Baneberry (Actaea), compost, Garden Maintenance, Native Plant, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips Comments Off on ‘Misty Blue’ Doll’s Eye Will Catch Your Eye‘Jeana’ Phlox– no powdery mildew
Posted by Hugh on March 18th, 2011
Photo credit: North Creek Nurseries, Landenberg, PA, USA Our native summer phlox (Phlox paniculata) continues to be challenged here in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7) by powdery mildew disease (p-m-d). Over the past decade gardeners have tried new, reportedly disease resistant cultivars. Many have disappointed. To date, the cultivars ‘David’ (white, 3-4 […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Flowers, Native Plant, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer phlox (P. paniculata) Comments Off on ‘Jeana’ Phlox– no powdery mildewPulmonarias: Wonderful In The Shade Garden
Posted by Hugh on March 6th, 2011
Although my multi-year addiction for hostas has never waned, I remain equally passionate about the lungworts (Pulmonaria spp.). Lungwort is also called Bethlehem sage and Jerusalem sage. Their uniquely splotched or variegated foliage wakes up a dark patch in any shade garden. Lungworts are planted as ground covers and for color accents. In early spring (March), lungworts send up […]
Posted in acidic soil, Container garden, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pulmonaria, Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Sun scald, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Pulmonarias: Wonderful In The Shade Garden
