Red-hot Pokers (Kniphofia spp.) are easy to grow long-lived perennials from South Africa. (USDA hardiness zones 5b-9). They go by a number of common names including torch lilies and tritoma. Colorful floral spikes (with a little imagination) resemble sizzling pokers or fiery torches, visited often by hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Modern day cultivars are mostly […]
Archive for the ‘Pests’ Category
Red Hot Pokers /Exceptional Summer Performers
Posted by Hugh on June 21st, 2024
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Light requirement, mulching, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Red hot Poker (Kniphofia), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection 
Comments Off on Red Hot Pokers /Exceptional Summer PerformersPerennial Salvias Getting Better
Posted by Hugh on June 14th, 2024
Perennial salvias (Salvia × sylvestris) represent a number of hybrid crosses between S. nemorosa and S. pratensis but may include S. × alpestris, S. × asperula, S. × collina, and S. × superba. Most cultivars are branched, upright, clump-forming, perennials with opposite, oblong to lanceolate, medium green leaves and showy spikes of tiny, tubular, two-lipped flowers (each to 1/2” long). Flower color choices range from blue to lavender to purple, depending […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, deadheading, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Honey bees, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sage (Salvia), Salvia, Salvia nemorosa, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Perennial Salvias Getting BetterMT. Cuba Evaluates BlueStars (Amsonia)
Posted by Hugh on May 21st, 2024
MT. Cuba Center is located near Hockessin Delaware, near Wilmington (USDA hardiness zone 7a.). It has recently published a new trial report on bluestars (Amsonia spp.) for the mid-Atlantic region. BlueStars are a genus of popular, long-lived herbaceous perennials. Most are native to the U.S. and Mexico in addition to one Asian species (A. elliptica) […]
Posted in acidic soil, Amsonia (blue star), Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Chlorosis (yellowing), compost, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Flower Arranging, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on MT. Cuba Evaluates BlueStars (Amsonia)Successful Gaura Growing Tips
Posted by Hugh on May 3rd, 2024
Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri) is a low-maintenance perennial native to the southern U.S. (Zones 5-9) and is a durable plant for gardeners. Its waving wands are dotted with dozens of whitish to pinkish flowers don’t stop blooming until summer temps climb above the 90°F range. Gaura is often called “whirling butterflies” because the flowers appear to […]
Posted in acidify soil, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Gaura, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, White flies, winter hardiness Comments Off on Successful Gaura Growing TipsRethink Before Planting These Five Groundcovers
Posted by Hugh on April 26th, 2024
Initially, these 5 groundcovers were alluringly beautiful. But, over time, each grow very aggressively and become a major chore to restrained in the garden. Several states have declared one or more species as invasive and ban them for sale and interstate transportation. The most effective way to eliminate these aggressive groundcovers is to cut plants […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Biennial, Bishop's weed (Aegopodium), Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Euonymus (Ground Cover), Evening primrose (Oenothera), Evergreen, Ground cover, Invasive plant, Ivy (Hedera), Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Periwinkle (Vinca spp.), Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Root suckering, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Weeds, winter hardiness, Wintercreeper (Euonymus) Comments Off on Rethink Before Planting These Five GroundcoversLacebark Pine – A Year-round Treasure
Posted by Hugh on April 1st, 2024
Native to China, lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana) is an excellent, low-maintenance evergreen treasure. Winter-hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4-8, this specimen pine struggles in the summer heat and humidity of the Southern U.S. Best specmens are found growing in arboretums and botanical gardens north of zone 8. This 3-needle pine offers 4-seasons of ornamental interest. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fall Garden Interest, Lacebark pine (P. bungeana), Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Non-native, Pine (Pinus spp.), Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Lacebark Pine – A Year-round TreasureThree Native Azaleas That Should Be Included In Mid- Atlantic and Southern Gardens
Posted by Hugh on March 25th, 2024
About Native Azaleas: Flowers appear from April to September depending on species. Flower clusters (called “trusses”) appear just before the leaves emerge. Each truss may bear 3 – 12 blooms, which open 1.5 – 2 inches wide. Flower colors vary among native species from white, pink, orange and red shades. In many spring blooming species, the open petals […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Balled and Burlapped (b&b), Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Container garden, Deciduous, Deciduous Azaleas, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rhododendrons, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Three Native Azaleas That Should Be Included In Mid- Atlantic and Southern GardensTen Favorite Viburnums
Posted by Hugh on March 18th, 2024
Viburnums are versatile landscape shrubs that flower, fruit, and fall color. Several species have fruit that attracts birds and may persist most of the winter. To have the best cross-pollination and fruit display plant in groups rather than as specimens. Viburnums tend to prefer slightly acid soil. They have few pest or disease problems and need […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arrowwood (V. dentatum), Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Viburnum beetles, Viburnums, winter hardiness Comments Off on Ten Favorite ViburnumsWoodland (Snow) Crocus
Posted by Hugh on March 13th, 2024
Snow Crocus, aka early crocus (Crocus tommasinianum) is a late winter to early spring blooming bulb (corm) that is native to southeastern Europe into Asia. These tiny crocus are generally the first to pop its leaves above the ground and even bloom when there is snow on the ground, hence its common name. Snow crocus are […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Corms, Crocus, Crocus, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Dwarf (reticulate) iris, Forcing, Galanthus (snowdrops), Landscape ideas, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering bulbs, Summer heat tolerant, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest Comments Off on Woodland (Snow) CrocusTulip Poplar
Posted by Hugh on March 7th, 2024
Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), aka yellow poplar and tulip tree, is a large stately deciduous tree of eastern North America (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). This fast growing native typically grows 60-90 feet tall and it is not unusual to see tulip trees over 100 feet. It is also an important timber tree. A member of the magnolia family, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Environmental Conservation, Fall Garden Interest, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Shade tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Street tree, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Tulip tree (Liriodendron), watering tips, Weak wooded, winter hardiness Comments Off on Tulip Poplar
