European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus),, aka ironwood and musclewood, is an underused tree in the U.S. It makes an excellent urban street and park tree. It develops a full, dense canopy and has very few maintenance requirements (USDA hardiness 4-7). European hornbeams are planted across Europe for their formal upright form as street trees, privacy screens, […]
Archive for the ‘Pests’ Category
Black Gum (Tupelo) Tree
Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) or tupelo tree is a native to Eastern North America (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). It is native from the New England states southward into Florida and west to Eastern Texas. Seedlings of this wonderful woodland and landscape tree start off slowly, but will mature to heights of 50 to 60 feet […]
Inkberry Holly Substitute For Boxwood
Ilex glabra ‘Densa’ Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra), also called gallberry, is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen shrub (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). It grows to 5-8 feet tall and can spread by root suckers and form colonies. Inkberry is native from the eastern coast of Canada south to Florida, west to Louisiana. The shrub is at home in sandy […]
Emerald Ash Borer Update
Emerald Ash borer (EAB) is confirmed to infest in many areas of the U.S. Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in 2002. EAB adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The beetle larvae (immature stage) feed on the inner bark of […]
‘Early Bird’ Blooming Bulbs
These tiny flowering bulbs are truly early birds. Fall planted bulbs often emerge in late January and February here in the Southern Appalachian region. Once they are up and blooming, frigid temps don’t damage the flowers or plants. Instead, the winter weather causes the hardy blooms to last and last in February and March. They often […]
Fall Garden Chores
Fall is the perfect time to take on a few of the many spring garden chores. Here is a list of ten of the most important tasks: Weeding– get rid of newly emerging winter annual weeds now before they flower and set seeds. Perennial weeds such as dandelions, plantains, and thistles can be sprayed and eliminated in the […]
Fall Planting And Dividing Iris
Tall bearded (Iris x hybrida), Japanese iris (I. ensata), Siberian irises (I. sibirica) are very popular with U.S. gardeners and are favorites in my spring flower garden (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). The period from late August through mid-October is the ideal time to plant and/or divide irises. Don’t procrastinate…the earlier the better. Give plants enough […]
Zone 6 Hardy Camellias – Plant Now!
More and more people gardening in zones 6 and 7 have discovered that they can successfully grow camellias. Once considered an exclusively Southern plant, many camellia varieties are very cold hardy where winter temps drop to 0 to 5°F. Their floral buds burst open with bright whites, pink and red shades, and spotted color blends. […]
Rose Of Sharon ‘Pillar’ Series –Floral And Architectural Splendor
RRose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), aka althea, is a popular summer flowering shrub and small tree (USDA hardiness zones ((4)5-8). In northerly areas of the U.S., rose of Sharon may also be cultivated as a sun-loving perennial. The species grows 8-12 feet high and 6 -10 feet wide in full sun and in average garden […]
Tall Stonecrops (Sedums)
Stonecrops (Hylotelephium spectabile) are tall clumping sedums. They are frequent seen in their habitat growing on rocks or stony ledges. Also written as Sedum spectabile, many varieties grow 1.5 to 2 feet high. Approximately 33 species of these drought-tolerant herbaceous perennials are found to Asia, Europe and North America (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Stonecrop make excellent […]