Aphids are small (1 to 10 mm long) and pear shape. Infestations are often worse during wet cool days of spring; they are frequently feed on new growing shoots and leaves. Actively growing weeds also harbor aphids and may migrate over to favorite garden plants. Summer feeding aphids should never […]
Archive for the ‘Pests’ Category
Sooty Mold Is Symptom Of Aphid Feeding
Posted by Hugh on April 29th, 2015
Posted in Aphids, Flowers, Insect (Pest) Problems, Interior (house) Plants, Perennials, Pesticide recommendations, Pests, Roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Vine, Virus diseases 
Comments Off on Sooty Mold Is Symptom Of Aphid FeedingMany New Beebalm Cultivars Continue to Roll Out
Posted by Hugh on April 21st, 2015
Bee balms, aka bergamots or Oswego tea (Monarda spp.) are native to eastern North America (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). Plants are easy to grow, bloom beautifully, and multiply rapidly. They are treasured for their raging colored flowers and medicinal properties. Numerous bee pollinators as well as butterflies and hummingbirds favor the summer blooms. The native […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Container growing, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Hummingbird, Monarda (Beebalm), Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Powdery mildew, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Many New Beebalm Cultivars Continue to Roll OutWonderful Bellworts For Woodland Gardens
Posted by Hugh on April 18th, 2015
The soft yellow bell-shaped flowers of bellworts (Uvularia spp.), aka merrybells, contribute to spring’s awakening in U.S. woodlands and shade gardens (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). On both U. grandiflora and U. perfoliata, flower stems pierce (pass through) the center of the leaves. A third species, (U. sessilifolia), nicknamed Wild Oats, […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, compost, Drought tolerant, Ground cover, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uvularia (bellwort), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Wonderful Bellworts For Woodland GardensGomphrena (Globe Amaranth) For Summer Easy Color
Posted by Hugh on April 15th, 2015
Gomphrena, aka Globe amaranth, is an annual bedding plant that blooms profusely in the summer heat and sun. Small ball-shaped flowers are clove-like in appearance. Many gardeners tend to ignore them at the garden center for showier flowering annuals. By mid-summer, a peek into your neighbor’s yard may cause to rethink that decision. Gomphrenas […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Butterflies, Container growing, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Flowers, Globe amaranth (Gomphrena), Mites, mulching, Planting tips, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering Comments Off on Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth) For Summer Easy ColorLess Invasive Rose Of Sharons (Altheas)
Posted by Hugh on April 12th, 2015
In several states rose of Sharon or altheas (Hibiscus syriacus) are classified as exotic (non-native) invasive shrubs (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Their seedlings are invading U.S. woodlands. Plant breeders are now developing less invasive cultivars. The double-flowered altheas produce far fewer fertile seeds; stamens and pollen sacs are mostly embedded within the flower petals. Azurri Blue Satin® is […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Butterflies, compact tree, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Hibiscus syriacus, Hummingbird, Invasive species, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Less Invasive Rose Of Sharons (Altheas)Million Bells (Calibrachoa)
Posted by Hugh on April 8th, 2015
Among gardeners “million bells” or “callies” are common names for calibrachoas (Calibrachoa x), spring-summer-fall flowering annuals; they’re closely relative of petunias (Petunia spp.). Low spreading plants are blanketed with small petunia-like flowers from spring until frost. Blooms hold up well to rain showers and do not need to be deadheaded. Plants are heat-tolerant and disease […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Calibrachoa (Million bells), Container growing, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, mulching, Petunias, Planting tips, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Million Bells (Calibrachoa)Fruit Gardening In Containers
Posted by Hugh on March 26th, 2015
Great packaging along with exciting breeding has ignited interest in growing small fruits in containers. In recent years the BrazelBerries™ fruits have become popular at garden centers. Brazelberries is the creation of the Brazelton family of Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, Inc. in Oregon, who have been propagating and growing berry plants since the 1970’s. Their […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Blueberries, Container growing, Disease resistant, Edible fruits, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Raspberries, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region Comments Off on Fruit Gardening In ContainersBetter Disease Resistance With Mountain Tomato Series
Posted by Hugh on March 24th, 2015
Tomatoes are attacked by several diseases and insects. Most serious diseases are early blight, spotted wilt virus (TSWV), fusarium wilt (FW), Stemphylium Gray Leaf Spot (St), Alternaria leaf spot (A), and root knot nematodes (N). Major insect problems are aphids, thrips, stink bugs, blister beetles, fruit worms, horn worms, leaf miners, fruit flies, and […]
Posted in Disease prone, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Edible fruits, Fruits & Vegetables, Insect (Pest) Problems, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Tomato, Virus diseases, watering tips Comments Off on Better Disease Resistance With Mountain Tomato SeriesOld-fashioned Star Magnolias Very Beautiful Start Of Spring
Posted by Hugh on March 15th, 2015
Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is a multi-branched shrub or small tree which is native to Japan (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). This early flowering magnolia is noted for its compact form. A mature tree form grows 15 to 25 feet tall, 10 to 20 feet wide, and […]
Posted in acidic soil, compact tree, Disease resistant, Fragrant, Magnolia stellata, mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, Scale, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter flowering, winter hardiness, winter injury Comments Off on Old-fashioned Star Magnolias Very Beautiful Start Of SpringLittle Bluestem – Beautiful And Environmentally Correct
Posted by Hugh on March 12th, 2015
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) grows in old fields, meadows and prairies, and along roadsides across the United States and Eastern Canada (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). It forms dense clumps 2- 3 feet tall and 12 -18 inches wide. This warm season grass prefers a well-drained soil and […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Butterflies, Caterpillars, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Little Bluestem, Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Little Bluestem – Beautiful And Environmentally Correct
