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 […]
Archive for the ‘Pests’ Category
Butterfly Weed – Long-lived Flowering Perennial That Nourish Monarchs
Posted by Hugh on June 21st, 2016
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 TryTips On Growing Delphiniums
Posted by Hugh on May 30th, 2016
Modern day delphiniums (Delphinium spp.), also called larkspurs, are the result of 2 centuries of complex breeding efforts in Europe and U.S. Delphiniums are short-lived perennials, at their best for 2-3 years. They’re most attuned to the cool temperate climes of the northern U.S. Delphiniums belong in the Buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family (USDA hardiness zones […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, deadheading, Delphinium, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Slugs, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer flowering, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Tips On Growing DelphiniumsHold In Confinement
Posted by Hugh on May 18th, 2016
Some plants are incredibly aggressive. Herbicides like Roundup™ won’t phase them. They often escape and take over other areas of your garden or neighborhood. Four notorious examples are ditch lilies (Hemerocallus fulva), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana), and pink evening primrose (Oenothera speciosa). You can grow these four weedy offenders in confinement. All will survive […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Container garden, Daylilies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental issues, Evening primrose (Oenothera), Heat Tolerance, Invasive plant, Milkweeds (Asclepias), Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Ruellia (Mexican petunia), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Weeds, winter hardiness Comments Off on Hold In ConfinementTulip Poplar And Cultivars
Posted by Hugh on May 15th, 2016
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. It is also an important timber tree. A member of the magnolia family, flowers attract large numbers of bees. Ornate 2-inch-wide goblet-shaped flowers are […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Aphids, Autumn foliage color, Bee Favorite, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Propagation (Seed), Propagation(grafting), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Tulip tree (Liriodendron), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Tulip Poplar And Cultivars‘Sun King’ Golden Aralia Glows In Summer Garden
Posted by Hugh on May 12th, 2016
Plants with golden foliage brighten up a dark area in the garden. Sun King golden aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’) is no exception, hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. Bright golden compound leaves emerge in mid-spring and Sun King aralia retains its bright color through the summer months. This long-lived perennial […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aralia 'Sun King', compost, Container growing, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, mulching, Ornamental fruit, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Sun King’ Golden Aralia Glows In Summer GardenAvoid Spotted Spurge in Lawn And Garden Beds
Posted by Hugh on May 4th, 2016
Spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata) is a dreadful perennial weed that can quickly take over a lawn or garden bed. It often grows in poor compacted soils or in-between cracks in pavement. Once established, it is difficult to eliminate it from your garden. Ideal temperature range for seed germination is 75 to 85 °F, and spurge will germinate […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Garden Problems, Herbicide management, Lawn Care, mulching, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Sanitation, Southern Appalachian Region, Spotted spurge, Weed management, Weeds, Weeds Comments Off on Avoid Spotted Spurge in Lawn And Garden BedsMonitor And Manage Two-Spotted Spider Mites
Posted by Hugh on April 21st, 2016
Two-spotted spider mites are destructive pests that ravage a wide host of shrubs and garden plants, including certain house plants, annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables. Many evergreens are also susceptible. Two-spotted spider mites are warm season arachnids, not insects, and are exceptionally troublesome over a hot dry summer. They […]
Posted in Abutilon (Flowering Maple), Apple tree, Aster, Begonia boliviensis, Cherries, Dahlia, Evergreens, Flowers, Foliage plant, Fruits & Vegetables, Garden Problems, Gladiolus, Hemlock (Tsuga), Juniper, Mite susceptible, Mites, New Guinea impatiens, Norfolk Island Pine, Oriental spruce (Picea), Ornamental Pepper, Peach, Pear (Pyrus spp.), Pepper, Perennials, Pesticide recommendations, Pests, Plum, Raspberries, Roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Spruces (Picea spp.), Sunpatiens, Trees & Shrubs, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), Virus diseases Comments Off on Monitor And Manage Two-Spotted Spider MitesJapanese Holly Fern
Posted by Hugh on April 18th, 2016
Japanese Holly Fern (Cyrtomium falcatum ‘Rochfordianum’) is a handsome, evergreen fern for gardens in USDA hardiness zones 6-11. It earns its name from its stiffly erect holly-like fronds. Individual fronds are vase-shaped, 1 to 2 ½ feet long with glossy, leathery, serrated, holly-like compound leaflets (pinnae). The slender, arching fronds arise from erect, scaly rhizomes […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Container growing, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Ferns, Foliage plant, Holly Fern (Cyrtomium), mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Japanese Holly FernUpdate: Prevention / Treatment Options For Rose Rosette Disease
Posted by Hugh on April 13th, 2016
Rose rosette is a devastating disease of most species of garden roses, including hybrid and shrub roses. Rose rosette disease has spread from the Rocky Mountains to the East Coast over several decades and is poised to obliterate the rose industry. To date, there is no known effective treatment. Rose rosette is caused by an […]
Posted in climbing roses, Garden Problems, Hybrid teas, Landscape ideas, Mites, Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, rose rosette disease, rose virus, Roses, shrub roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Virus diseases Comments Off on Update: Prevention / Treatment Options For Rose Rosette Disease
