Salvias are native to central South America. Some species may surprising survive here in Tennessee/Virginia (zone 7) as tender perennials. In the early days of autumn, salvias seem to revitalize – vegetatively and flower numbers. Salvias are both reliable nectar and pollen sources for butterflies and hummingbirds and are seldom damaged by deer. Listed here […]
Archive for the ‘Perennials’ Category
Salvias – Nature’s Last Hurrah
Posted by Hugh on September 1st, 2022
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Flower arrangments, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Sage (Salvia), Salvia, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness, Winter Protection 
Comments Off on Salvias – Nature’s Last HurrahSurprise Lilies
Posted by Hugh on August 8th, 2022
Add a bit of unexpected beauty to your garden in late summer with surprise lilies (Lycoris spp.), aka spider lilies, resurrection lilies, magic lilies, and naked ladies. (Zones 4-9). Along coastal areas of the southern U.S., they are called “hurricane lilies”. The most popular is red spider lily (L. radiata), a long-lived heirloom flower in Southern gardens, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Bulb Crops, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fall Colchicum, Fall crocus, Fall Garden Interest, Flowering Bulb, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Lycoris (Spider lily), Lycoris (Surprise lily), mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Surprise LiliesCelebrate Summer Growing Colorful Perennial Hibiscus
Posted by Hugh on August 3rd, 2022
Perennial hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is commonly known as rose mallow or dinner plate size hibiscus. Blooms measure a huge 7-9 inches across. Plants are exceptionally hardy, and can withstand winters as cold as zone 4 (-20°F to -30°F) in Minnesota (zone 4) and the heat of zone 9 (20°F -30°F) in Florida. Each flower lasts […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Hardy hibiscus, Heat Tolerance, Hibiscus moscheutos, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Celebrate Summer Growing Colorful Perennial HibiscusRhizomatous Alliums
Posted by Hugh on July 1st, 2022
Alliums are a members of the lily family, containing 1100 species, including the edible kinds that you add to your burgers and salads. In the ornamental flower world include spring- blooming bulbs, culinary herbs and durable foliage and bountiful summer flowers. Whether your summer garden is located in a challenging part of the U.S. such […]
Posted in acidic soil, Alliums (onion), Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Container garden, Culinary, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Herbs, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant Comments Off on Rhizomatous AlliumsGrowing Healthy Blackberries in Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on June 19th, 2022
Yummy blackberries from the garden excel in flavor compared to store-bought. To get the most out of a blackberry planting, select a full sun location with well-drained organically rich loamy soils. The site should be close to a water supply to get the planting off to a good start and to maximize berry size and […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Blackberries, compost, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Edible fruits, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, Harvest Time, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Root suckering, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Virus diseases, watering tips, Weed control, Weeds, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Growing Healthy Blackberries in Your GardenWhale’s Tongue Agave
Posted by Hugh on May 21st, 2022
Whale’s Tongue Agave Over the past 10-15 years, interest in growing agaves has really caught fire, whale’s tongue agave (Agave ovatifolia) in particular. It grows to 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide in 5 to 8 years, especially with summer water. Like many agaves, whale’s tongue blooms after 15-20 years, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Agave, alkaline soil, Bees and other pollinators, Cold tolerance, Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Perennials, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Whale’s Tongue AgaveSilk Tassel Sedge
Posted by Hugh on May 17th, 2022
‘Silk Tassel’ Japanese sedge is an outstanding Japanese sedge cultivar of Carex morrowii temnolepis. It is ornamentally grown in shade areas for its narrow (1/8 inch wide) variegated foliage (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9). This dense, grass-like clump grows 12 inches high and 1 to 1 ½ feet spread. Let’s start with an old […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Carex (Sedges), compost, Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Silk Tassel Sedge10 Drought Tolerant Perennials
Posted by Hugh on May 1st, 2022
Once established, these ten drought-tolerant plants can cope with hot sun and humidity with low amounts of supplemental water. If you garden in a drought-prone area, or growing in fast-draining raised beds, these drought-resistant plants are a great choice for your garden. Perhaps you wish to reduce your water bills. Plan to keep plantings adequately […]
Posted in acidic soil, Agastache (Hyssop), Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Calamagrostis, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Lavender (Lavandula), mulching, Native Plant, Pennisetum spp., Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Red hot Poker (Kniphofia), Russian sage (Perovskia), Sedum (Groundcover types), Sedum (Shrub type), Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Switchgrass (Panicum), watering tips, winter hardiness, Yarrow (Achillea) Comments Off on 10 Drought Tolerant PerennialsRoof Iris in Springtime
Posted by Hugh on April 11th, 2022
Roof iris (Iris tectorum) is indigenous to China. This beardless iris is part of the crested iris group. Leaves stand 15 inches tall, fanned at the base and are ribbed. The clean green fan-like leaves remain mostly blemish-free most of the growing season. Plants give rise to purple-blue flowers with white and darker purple flecks starting […]
Posted in acidify soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Chlorosis (yellowing), Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Ground cover, Iris, Iris tectorum, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Virus diseases, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Roof Iris in Springtime2022 Perennial Plant of the Year® Announced
Posted by Hugh on March 31st, 2022
2Since 1990 The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) has showcased a perennial that is a standout among its competitors! Perennials chosen for this honor are suitable for a wide range of growing climates, require low maintenance, have multiple-season interest, and are relatively pest/disease-free. Each year PPA members look at four nominated perennials and vote for their […]
Posted in Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Ground cover, Landscape Construction, Landscape ideas, Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium), Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year® Announced
