Viburnum Leaf Beetle is gradually coming to the Southeastern U.S. It was first found in upstate New York in 1996. This pest has been on the move, eating its way through native viburnums from upstate New York to northern Pennsylvania to western Maryland. It feeds only on viburnum species. Preferred species include native arrowwood viburnum (V. dentatum), […]
Archive for the ‘Pests’ Category
Pest Alert: Viburnum Leaf Beetle May Be Invading
Posted by Hugh on August 30th, 2016
Posted in Bee Favorite, Garden ecology, Native Plant, Pesticide recommendations, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Viburnum beetles, Viburnums 
Comments Off on Pest Alert: Viburnum Leaf Beetle May Be Invading‘Furman’s Red’ Sage For Long Blooming Period
Posted by Hugh on August 28th, 2016
Texas sage (Salvia greggii) is a low bushy native perennial or woody shrub. It is native to Texas south to Mexico and varieties come in white, red and purple. It has proven to be exceptionally cold hardy (USDA hardiness zones 5b-9). Furman’s Red sage is a superior cultivar here in the Southern Appalachian region.Flowering is best in spring, less […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Texas Sage (Salvia), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Furman’s Red’ Sage For Long Blooming PeriodLate Summer Bulbous Beauties – Spider Lily and Fall Crocus
Posted by Hugh on August 26th, 2016
Spider lilies (Lycoris radiata) go by a number of colloquial names including resurrection flower, surprise lily, and naked ladies. Naked 1-2 foot tall flower scapes bear 4-6 bright coral-red flowers. Each 2- inch long flower exhibit reflexed tepals and long protruding stamens resembling spider legs (common name “spider lilies”). Almost overnight, the leafless flower spikes […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Lycoris (Spider lily), Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Late Summer Bulbous Beauties – Spider Lily and Fall CrocusGarden Phlox – Select Mildew Resistant Varieties
Posted by Hugh on August 7th, 2016
Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), aka summer phlox, is native from New York to Iowa south to Georgia, Mississippi and Arkansas (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8(9)). They are valued for their long beautiful floral display and fragrance. In the wild phlox grow it in moist, rich open woodlands, […]
Posted in acidic soil, deadheading, Disease resistant, Downy mildew, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Mites, mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, Soil pH, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant Comments Off on Garden Phlox – Select Mildew Resistant VarietiesOriental Spruce Stands Up to Southern U.S. Heat and Humidity
Posted by Hugh on July 7th, 2016
Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis) stands as a tall spire in the urban landscape. A mature tree may reach 50 to 60 feet tall and makes a narrow stature or footprint of 15 to 25 feet in spread. Lateral branches uniquely bend downward while the growing tips sweep gracefully upward. Annual growth rate is slow at 12-15 inches. Two-thirds of the short dark green needles lay flat. Needles are lustrous on the […]
Posted in Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Oriental spruce (Picea), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Oriental Spruce Stands Up to Southern U.S. Heat and HumidityDreaded Japanese Beetles Are Back
Posted by Hugh on July 4th, 2016
In many areas of the Eastern U.S. Japanese beetles (JB) devastate the foliage, fruits and flowers of more than 300 plant species, particularly those in the rose family (Rosaceae). Adult beetles are approximately 3/8 inches in length with a dark metallic green head and metallic dark tan wings. In the soil JB grubs appear “C” […]
Posted in Hibiscus moscheutos, Insect (Pest) Problems, Japanese beetle, Japanese beetles, Lawn Care, Linden (Tilia), Pesticide Recommendations, Pesticide recommendations, Rose insects, Roses, shrub roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Strawberries, Uncategorized Comments Off on Dreaded Japanese Beetles Are Back‘Silk Tassel’ Sedge Shimmers In Shady Gardens
Posted by Hugh on July 1st, 2016
‘Silk Tassel’ Japanese sedge (Carex morrowii var. temnolepis) is an ornamental sedge from Japan (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9). It is grown in shady areas for its narrow, variegated foliage. It grows slowly as a dense, grass-like clump to 12 -15 inches high and up to 2 feet spread. Foliage bubbles up like a shimmering […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Carex (Sedges), Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Ground cover, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Sedges (Carex), Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Silk Tassel’ Sedge Shimmers In Shady GardensSeasonal Mowing Height Of Home Lawns
Posted by Hugh on June 22nd, 2016
The arrival of summer’s heat and dry weather is a clear sign to raise the cutting (mowing) height of your lawn grass. Every grass species have a recommended height at which it should be mowed for best health. The cutting height will change with the season. Location in the yard is also […]
Posted in Bermuda, Crabgrass control, Fertilizing, Herbicide management, Irrigation, Lawn Care, Mowing, Red fescue, Southern Appalachian Region, Tall Fescue, Weed management, Weeds, Zoysia Comments Off on Seasonal Mowing Height Of Home LawnsButterfly Weed – Long-lived Flowering Perennial That Nourish Monarchs
Posted by Hugh on June 21st, 2016
Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), aka butterfly weed, is a tuberous rooted perennial native in the Eastern and southern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9). It grows in dry/rocky open woodlands, prairies, farm fields, and along roadsides. Individual plants typically grow as a clump to 1- 3 feet high and 1 ½ feet wide. Unlike many of […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Milkweeds (Asclepias), Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (Seed), root injury, Rust diseases, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on Butterfly Weed – Long-lived Flowering Perennial That Nourish MonarchsThree Native Landscape Grasses To Try
Posted by Hugh on June 7th, 2016
These three native grasses are easy to establish in average, dry to medium moist, well-drained soils and in full sun. They tolerate a wide range of soils including dry rocky sites, and are exceptionally drought tolerant. Figure on 1 to 2 years for each to become fully established. Blue Lyme Grass (Leymus arenarus ‘Blue Dune’) is a vigorous spreading cool […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Blue Lyme grass (Leymus), Cold tolerance, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella), Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Sand Dune Protection, Soil Conservation, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Three Native Landscape Grasses To Try
