Amur corktree (Phellodendron amurense) is native to Northern China, Korea and Japan (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). Amur corktree is a fast growing, upright branched tree that makes an excellent yard or shade tree. Corktree grows in a wide range soils, and tolerates soil pH between 5.0 to 8.2. It does best in moist, well-drained soils, […]
Archive for the ‘Pests’ Category
Amur Cork Tree
Posted by Hugh on November 16th, 2017
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn foliage color, Bees and other pollinators, Cork Tree (Phellodendron), Corktree (Phellodendron), Deer resistant, Dioecious, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Invasive plant, Invasive species, Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Shade tree, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Amur Cork TreeThe Great Little Bluestems*
Posted by Hugh on November 12th, 2017
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is an attractive prairie grass native in southeastern or southwestern areas of the U.S. It is exceptionally hardy (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Heights of the species (including inflorescences) vary from 2 – 2.5 feet tall and many cultivars grow 3-4 feet tall. Its late summer to fall foliage is a kaleidoscope of pastel […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Container garden, deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Little Bluestem, Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium), Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil Conservation, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on The Great Little Bluestems*Lantanas For Sunny Gardens
Posted by Hugh on November 8th, 2017
Lantanas (Lantana x) are favorite bedding plants, particularly in southern and western U.S. gardens where summers are hot and long. Lantanas are generally planted in flower gardens, but can be grown in containers, including hanging baskets. Plants bloom from late spring until the cool days of fall arrive. Some environmentalists classify them as invasive because […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Hummingbird, Lacebugs, Landscape ideas, Lantana, Mites, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, White flies, winter hardiness Comments Off on Lantanas For Sunny GardensTis The Season For Ornamental Kales and Cabbages
Posted by Hugh on October 27th, 2017
Ornamental cabbage and kale (Brassica oleracea) are very close related to the same vegetables that we eat at our kitchen table. They are edible, just not as tasty. Plants are biennials, e.g. they produce leaves one year and flower the following spring. Ornamental kales have deeply cut serrated or ruffled leaves while leaves of ornamental cabbage […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Biennial, Butterflies, Cabbage, Caterpillars, compost, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Insect (Pest) Problems, kale, Landscape ideas, mulching, Ornamental vegetables, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Tis The Season For Ornamental Kales and Cabbages‘Youngii’ White Bark Birch A Novelty Tree For Small Spaces
Posted by Hugh on October 13th, 2017
Young’s Weeping European Birch (Betula pendula ‘Youngii’) is small graceful tree with willowy pendulous branches (USDA hardiness zones 3-6). Nurseries often train the very pliable branches and trunk of grafted seedlings into unique novelty shapes. Plant this miniature 12 to 20 feet tree specimen near a deck or patio where it should receive mostly morning sunlight. Fall foliage turns […]
Posted in acidic soil, Balled and Burlapped (b&b), Bee Favorite, Birch (Betula spp.), Borers, Chlorosis (yellowing), compact tree, Container growing, Disease resistant, Insect (Pest) Problems, Insect suseptible, Japanese beetle, Landscape ideas, Leaf miner, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Youngii’ White Bark Birch A Novelty Tree For Small SpacesNuts About Acorns
Posted by Hugh on October 10th, 2017
Acorns are nuts that form on mature oak trees (Quercus spp.). Acorns come in many shapes, sizes and colors, depending on the species. An acorn is a single nut encased in a hard shell by a cap (used to identify what oak species it is). For example, Northern Red Oak (Q. rubra) tree produces egg-shaped […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bur oak (Q. macrocarpa), Butterflies, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Edible fruits, Environmental Conservation, Landscape ideas, Large Shade trees, mulching, Native Plant, Oaks (Quercus spp.), Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Street tree, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Nuts About AcornsComparing Heritage® Vs Duraheat® River Birch
Posted by Hugh on October 6th, 2017
In general, most species of our native birches (Betula spp.) grow best in cool, northern areas of the U.S. They are found growing along the sides of rivers, lakes, streams, and mountainous areas (USDA Zones 4-9). Most birches (not all) are recognized for their distinctive gray to white bark. Birch species with the whitest of bark […]
Posted in Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Birch (Betula spp.), Chlorosis (yellowing), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, river birch, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter flowering tree, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Comparing Heritage® Vs Duraheat® River BirchHalloween Pumpkins And Gourds
Posted by Hugh on October 3rd, 2017
It’s Pumpkin Time!…celebration of Halloween across America. A local pumpkin farm had over 60 kinds of pumpkins to choose from. According to the Missouri Botanical Gardens website: “the term pumpkin really has no botanical meaning”. Pumpkins and gourds are classified as squashes in the Cucurbitaceae family along with cucumbers and melons. If you want to grow […]
Posted in acidic soil, Anthracnose, Aphids, Bees and other pollinators, Borers, Cucumbers, Disease prone, Downy mildew, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, Gourd, Melons, mulching, Ornamental vegetables, Pesticide recommendations, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Seed), Squash, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Weed control, Wildlife attractant Comments Off on Halloween Pumpkins And GourdsFirst Days Of Fall…. Bring In Your House Plants
Posted by Hugh on September 30th, 2017
The final days are summer are over. It’s time to move your tropical plants indoors before night temps in the low 40°F arrive. These plants thrive outdoors in summer temperatures and high humidity, but cannot survive being left outdoors. Container plants such as Ficus (rubber) trees, orchids, Norfolk Island pines, scheffleras, bromeliads, gardenias, palms, and […]
Posted in acidic soil, African violet (Saintpaulia), Aphids, Bromeliads, Container garden, Ferns, Fertilizing plants, Flowering house plant, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, Mealy bugs, Millipedes & centipedes, Mites, Norfolk Island Pine, Peace lily (Spathiphyllum), Pesticide recommendations, Philodendron, Potting Mix, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Sanitation, Scale, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), Umbrella plant (Schefflera), Wind protection, winter injury Comments Off on First Days Of Fall…. Bring In Your House PlantsPest Alert – Emerald Ash Borer Update
Posted by Hugh on September 18th, 2017
Recent news about Emerald Ash Borer continues not to be good. Almost weekly, state officials report the spread of this pest in their state. Emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive metallic wood boring or flat-headed wood boring beetle that is killing all species of North American ash trees (Fraxinus spp.). Since 2002, EAB has […]
Posted in acidic soil, Borers, Emerald ash borer, Garden Maintenance, Garden Problems, Insect (Pest) Problems, Insect suseptible, Pesticide recommendations, Pests, Planting tips, Pruning, Uncategorized Comments Off on Pest Alert – Emerald Ash Borer Update
