American Holly (Ilex opaca) is a pyramidal evergreen tree that deserves to be planted more for multiple reasons. It is native to the eastern and central U. S. and is easily identified by its spiny green leaves (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9). It grows slowly to 15 to 35 feet, sometimes taller. The leathery, deep […]
Archive for the ‘Pests’ Category
American Holly For Year-round Interest
Posted by Hugh on December 22nd, 2015
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Ilex (hollies), Leaf miner, Mites, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, Wind protection, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on American Holly For Year-round InterestGrowing Calamondin Orange
Posted by Hugh on December 18th, 2015
Calamondin (Citrofortunella mitis) hails from China and is hardy to 20 ºF in temperate regions. It prospers outdoors in Florida, central and southern Texas, and Southern California gardens. Its sweetly fragrant flowers develop into edible ornamental fruits beginning in late fall. Small 1-2 inch diameter orange fruits are highly decorative as an indoor house plant. Calamondin can be […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Bee Favorite, Calamondin Orange, Container garden, Container growing, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Mealy bugs, Mite susceptible, Mites, Ornamental fruit, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Scale, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Growing Calamondin OrangeUnique Life Cycle Of Bumble Bees
Posted by Hugh on December 13th, 2015
Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are highly beneficial insects that pollinate native wildflowers, fruits, vegetables, and many agricultural crops. They’re large robust insects with an easily identifiable black and yellow hairy abdomen. Hundreds of branched hairs pick up and transfer pollen from flowers. About 50 species of bumble bees inhabit North America. They share some common traits […]
Posted in Beneficial Insects, Bumble bees, Garden ecology, Native Plant, Native wildflowers, Perennials, Pollination needs, Southern Appalachian Region, Wildflower Comments Off on Unique Life Cycle Of Bumble BeesWidely Planted Norway Spruce
Posted by Hugh on December 7th, 2015
Norway spruce (Picea abies) is a large pyramidal evergreen conifer. It is native to the mountains of northern and central Europe where it often matures to 100 feet or more in height. In the cool temperate areas of the U.S. and Canada, Norway spruce is widely planted, typically reaching 50 to 80 feet tall at maturity (USDA hardiness […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Christmas tree, container shrub, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Mites, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Seed), Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spruces (Picea spp.), Trees & Shrubs, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Widely Planted Norway SpruceCare Of Staghorn Ferns
Posted by Hugh on December 4th, 2015
Staghorn fern (Platycerium bifercatum) is an epiphyte from the forests of Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia. In temperate regions, it is a popular house plant. In their natural habitat, it prefers to grow attached to tree trunks or rock outcroppings for support. It draws no nutrients from the tree. Two very different types of fronds (leaves) […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Container growing, Disease resistant, Ferns, Foliage plant, Interior (house) Plants, Mealy bugs, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Repotting plants, Scale, Southern Appalachian Region, Staghorn fern, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Care Of Staghorn FernsStop Inviting Critters to Your Property
Posted by Hugh on November 27th, 2015
Landscaping practices can influence pest populations. Old landscape timbers, particularly those that are partially rotted, may provide food for termites. powder post beetles, and carpenter ants. Numbers of millipedes, earwigs, crickets, sowbugs, and clover mite larvae may be greatly reduced if piled up old branches and boards are properly disposed of. Mosquito populations rise in wet summer weather […]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Insect (Pest) Problems, Invasive plant, Millipedes & centipedes, Mulch Quality, Pests, Poisonous plant, Snakes, Southern Appalachian Region, Virus diseases, Weeds, Weeds, Wildlife attractant Comments Off on Stop Inviting Critters to Your PropertyWhat You Should Know About Herbicides
Posted by Hugh on November 18th, 2015
By definition a weed is any plant that you don’t want in your garden. Herbicides are vegetation killers and classified as a pesticide that kills weeds. When used incorrectly, herbicides may injure good plants as well. Always read and understand the package directions before using. In a lawn or garden, you may be trying […]
Posted in Broadleaf weeds, Crabgrass control, Environmental issues, Garden Maintenance, Garden Problems, Herbicide management, Invasive plant, Invasive species, Landscape ideas, Lawn Care, Mowing, Nutsedge Control, Pesticide recommendations, Poisonous or toxic, seeding lawn, Southern Appalachian Region, Weed control, Weeds, Weeds, Wind protection Comments Off on What You Should Know About HerbicidesWinterberry Holly Brightens Winter Scene
Posted by Hugh on November 12th, 2015
To escape from dreary days this winter, brightened up your landscape with deciduous hollies. Among a long, long list of deciduous holly species, winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) is the superior choice (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Inconspicuous white blooms in spring are followed by red, orange, or yellow berries in fall. Compared to their evergreen […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Ilex (hollies), Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winterberry holly Comments Off on Winterberry Holly Brightens Winter SceneTips On Sowing Milkweed Seeds
Posted by Hugh on November 1st, 2015
Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), aka butterfly weeds, are tuberous rooted perennials native to 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. A clump of milkweed plants grow 1- 3 feet tall and spread 1 ½ feet wide. Unlike other milkweeds […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Rust diseases, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildflower, Wildflowers, winter hardiness Comments Off on Tips On Sowing Milkweed SeedsCrocus: A Fine Start To Spring
Posted by Hugh on October 29th, 2015
Crocus (Crocus spp.) can be your wake-up reminder that winter is coming to an end (USDA hardiness zones 3- 8). They bloom in late winter (in the south); fall blooming varieties are also available. Bulbs (they’re actually “corms”) are available in flower colors from blue, purple, white, yellow, and mixed […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bulb Crops, Container growing, Crocus, Crocus, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall crocus, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering bulbs, Virus diseases, Voles, Wildlife attractant, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Crocus: A Fine Start To Spring
