Gyokuryu Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica ‘Gyokuryu’) is a dense, broadly pyramidal evergreen shrub (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). It has short stiff needles that tend to be a slightly darker green than other cryptomeria cultivars. Gyokuryu holds its dark green color through most winters in zone 7 and further south. Expect winter bronzing when Gyokuryu is […]
Archive for the ‘Pests’ Category
‘Gyokuryu’ Japanese Cedar -Privacy Screen For Small Gardens
Posted by Hugh on November 9th, 2014
Posted in acidic soil, Cryptomeria (Japanese cedar), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Privacy Screen, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on ‘Gyokuryu’ Japanese Cedar -Privacy Screen For Small GardensCarolina Buckthorn Attractive Native Shrub/Tree
Posted by Hugh on November 6th, 2014
Many native plant enthusiasts consider the Carolina Buckthorn, aka Indian cherry (Rhamnus caroliniana), one of our most underutilized native shrubs or small trees. It suffers with a bad common name as it has no thorns or spines. This open, slender branched shrub grows 12 to 15 feet high and 10 to 15 feet wide. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Bright green leaves remain on […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Carolina buckthorn (Rhamnus), Deer resistant, Disease prone, Disease resistant, Green Privacy Screen, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Carolina Buckthorn Attractive Native Shrub/TreeBird’s Nest Spruce
Posted by Hugh on October 16th, 2014
Bird’s nest spruce (Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’) is a dwarf cultivar of Norway spruce and is native to northern Europe (USDA hardiness zones 3-7). This slow growing compact shrub will attain 4 feet in height and 5 to 6 feet spread over 15 – 20 years. The shrub grows in a round form with a distinctive […]
Posted in acidic soil, compact shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreen, Evergreens, mulching, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spruces (Picea spp.), Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Bird’s Nest SpruceGrowth Rates Of Four Privacy Screen Evergreens
Posted by Hugh on October 13th, 2014
In a hurry to create a little privacy from neighbors, then add a tall evergreen privacy screen to your planting chores. Four most popular conifers are rated by annual growth rate. If you recall the children tale of “The Tortoise And The Hare”, fast does not mean best. Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) (zones 6-9) has the fastest growth rate at 40-50 feet […]
Posted in Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Bagworms, Cryptomeria (Japanese cedar), Drought tolerant, Leyland cypress, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growth Rates Of Four Privacy Screen EvergreensBlack Gum Should Be Planted More
Posted by Hugh on September 30th, 2014
U.S. native black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), aka sour gum or black tupelo, is a medium to large shade tree. A young tree has an attractive pyramidal habit and dependable fall color. In the past transplanting black gum has been an issue, but modern advances in growing and planting practices have been solved. New cultivars […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Black gum (Nyssa), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, pin oak, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, watering iris, winter hardiness Comments Off on Black Gum Should Be Planted MoreThe Mighty Bur Oak
Posted by Hugh on September 25th, 2014
Bur oak or mossycup oak (Quercus macrocarpa), aka blue oak and mossy overcup oak, is a majestic native oak native to the midwest and eastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). It a member of the white oak group (rounded leaf lobes, no bristly tips). This large sized deciduous oak grows 60-80 feet tall with a […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Bur oak (Q. macrocarpa), Deer resistant, Edible fruits, Native Plant, Oaks (Quercus spp.), Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on The Mighty Bur OakSwamp White Oak Gaining In Popularity
Posted by Hugh on September 1st, 2014
Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) is an underutilized large native oak whose ornamental attributes have captured the attention of municipal arborists (and perhaps you as well). (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). Swamp white oak is a medium to large sized deciduous shade tree, 50 to 60 feet tall and wide, and a broad, irregularly […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Drought tolerant, Edible fruits, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Oaks (Quercus spp.), Pests, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Swamp White Oak Gaining In PopularitySwamp Milkweed Is Monarch Butterfly’s Favorite
Posted by Hugh on August 29th, 2014
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is an erect, clump-forming, U.S. native plant indigenous to swamps, bottomlands and wet meadows (USDA hardiness zones 3 to 6). Obviously, it prefers moist soils but grows equally well in average, well-drained garden soils. Full sun is best, but copes with some light shade. As its common name indicates, it makes […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Aphids, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Flowers, Fragrant, Native Plant, Perennials, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildflowers, winter hardiness Comments Off on Swamp Milkweed Is Monarch Butterfly’s FavoriteEnglish Oak Demands A Moist Well-drained Soil
Posted by Hugh on August 27th, 2014
Thinking about English oak (Quercus robur) brings to mind Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest. This majestic oak forms a broad spreading crown supported by a short sturdy trunk with a medium-brown, deeply-fissured bark (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). A young tree exhibits a pyramidal form. In a city park or golf course, it typically grows 50-70 […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aphids, Caterpillars, Edible fruits, Fruits poisonous, Large Shade trees, Oaks (Quercus spp.), Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on English Oak Demands A Moist Well-drained SoilStart A New Fescue Lawn In The Fall
Posted by Hugh on August 18th, 2014
Likely, summer heat and drought have taken their toll on your home lawn. Late summer and fall are opportune times to start a new home lawn. Rainfall is usually plentiful and cooler day-night temperatures should spur a rapid grass recovery. If your home lawn is mostly weeds, including unwanted bermuda grass, think about starting over. […]
Posted in Crabgrass control, Fertilizing, Herbicide management, Irrigation, Lawn Care, seeding lawn, Southern Appalachian Region, Tall Fescue, Weeds, Weeds Comments Off on Start A New Fescue Lawn In The Fall
