Native to the southern and eastern U.S., swamp azalea (Rhododendron viscosum) is a deciduous shrub in the Ericaceae (blueberry) family. This shrub generally grows 3 – 8 feet tall and nearly as wide. It is a spreading shrub that spreads slowly via underground stolons and is most at home in a moist humus-rich soil that […]
Archive for the ‘Pests’ Category
Late Blooming Swamp Azalea
Posted by Hugh on August 28th, 2026
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Azalea (deciduous), Bees and other pollinators, Cercopora leaf spot, compost, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fragrant, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Phytophthora ramorum, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Swamp Azalea (R. viscosum), Trees & Shrubs, watering tips 
No Comments »Buttonbush
Posted by Hugh on August 11th, 2026
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), aka honeybells, pond dogwood, and swampwood, is a highly prized native shrub. Yes, in small landscapes, buttonbush tend to grow big @ 6-12 feet tall and wide. Their fragrant white orbital blooms are uniquely out of this world. Botanical member of the Rubiaceae (USDA hardiness zones 5-9), flowers appear from spring to […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Buttonbush (Cephalanthus), compact shrub, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ButtonbushHappy Summerific™ Hibiscus Week 2026
Posted by Hugh on July 27th, 2026
Rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) is a truly versatile perennial. Hardy from Minnesota to Florida (USDA hardiness zones 4-9), rose mallow bears some of the largest flowers compared to most other perennials. Blooms of some cultivars measure a huge 7-9 inches across. In addition, dwarf compact growing types are being developed that make perfect fits in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Hibiscus (mallow) sawfly, Hibiscus moscheutos, Japanese beetles, Landscape ideas, Light requirement, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Happy Summerific™ Hibiscus Week 2026Award Winning Phlox ‘Jenna’
Posted by Hugh on July 9th, 2026
‘Jeana’ phlox was found and named by Jeana Prewitt along the Harpeth River in Nashville, TN. ‘Jeana’ phlox is discovered by Jeana Prewitt along the Harpeth River in Nashville, TN. Jeana phlox grows vigorously to 4-5 feet in height and 2-3 feet in spread. Stems are sturdy and well-branched to support the sweetly scented 6-inch soft lavender-pink flowers […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, deadheading, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flower Arranging, Fragrant, Honey bees, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Phlox, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Summer phlox (P. paniculata), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Award Winning Phlox ‘Jenna’‘Axminster Gold’ Comfrey
Posted by Hugh on June 7th, 2026
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is an aggressive grower and herbal member of the Borage family (Boraginaceae). For several centuries it has been grown for its medicinal herbal value with purported healing properties for treating joint pains and wounds. Leaves are poisonous if ingested and can cause skin irritation. Plant grows up to 5 feet tall and […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Bees and other pollinators, Comfrey (Symphytum), deadheading, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flower Arranging, Fruits poisonous, Heat Tolerance, Herb, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Axminster Gold’ ComfreySurprise! Resurrection Lilies
Posted by Hugh on May 14th, 2026
The beautiful colorful large flowers of Surprise Lilies (Lycoris spp.) pop up out of nowhere in mid-summer garden. In the South surprise lilies are popular passalong plants. These members of the Amaryllis family are called spider lilies, resurrection lilies, and hurricane lilies. Their bloom time coincides with summer storm season, hence the name “hurricane lily”. Other colloquial […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Landscape ideas, Light requirement, Lycoris (Spider lily), Lycoris (Surprise lily), mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Surprise! Resurrection LiliesAshe Magnolia – A Very Special Small Tree
Posted by Hugh on April 27th, 2026
Ashe magnolia (Magnolia ashei) is a small 10-20 feet deciduous tree with enormous size flowers and leaves (zone (5)6-9). Each white flowers may measure 6- 12 inches across with a purple blotch at the base of 3 inner petal-like tepals. Ashe magnolia blooms in late May – early June here in Tennessee, Virginia and North […]
Posted in acidic soil, Ashe magnolia (M. ashei), Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, Magnolia, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Scale, Small landscape tree, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Thrips, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Ashe Magnolia – A Very Special Small TreeRex Begonia Vine
Posted by Hugh on April 20th, 2026
Rex begonia vine (Cissus discolor), also called tapestry vine, is a colorful tropical vining plant that is native to Southeast Asia. This vine flaunts a similar leaf shape and color as rex begonias plants; however, it is tropical vine that belongs in the grape family (Vitaceae). If a 1-gallon plant is set out mid-June may […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Cissus discolor (Rex vine), Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, Mealy bugs, Mites, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), Vine, watering tips Comments Off on Rex Begonia VineSuperior ‘Wolf Eyes’ Kousa Dogwood
Posted by Hugh on March 31st, 2026
Kousa dogwood is indigenous to eastern Asia (Korea, China, and Japan) (USDA hardiness zones 5 – 8). ‘Wolf Eyes’ Kousa dogwood is an exceptional small landscape tree with variegated leaf color. Tree grows 15 – 20 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Hundreds of cream and green flowers appear in spring. Its narrow leaves are […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Balled and Burlapped (b&b), Bees and other pollinators, Borers, Chinese (kousa) dogwood, compact tree, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Superior ‘Wolf Eyes’ Kousa DogwoodGolden Shadow Dogwood
Posted by Hugh on March 24th, 2026
Alternate leaf dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), aka Pagoda dogwood, is a small native deciduous tree or large multi-stemmed shrub (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). This U.S. native species is indigenous to central and eastern Canada and central and the eastern and central areas of the U.S. Pagoda dogwood typically grows 15-25 feet high with distinctive tiered/layered horizontal branching. The […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Borers, Canker disease, Cercopora leaf spot, Chlorosis (yellowing), Container garden, Cornus alternifolia, Deciduous, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Large shrub, Leaf miner, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Root rotting, Scale, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Sun scald, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Golden Shadow Dogwood
