In times past Chinese junipers (Juniperus chinensis) were popular foundation shrubs and ground cover (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). They were popular choices in sunny locations for erosion control and around seashore areas. Three exciting cultivars have arrived on the landscape scene and should bring junipers back in vogue. Angelica Blue Chinese juniper (J. chinensis ‘Angelica […]
Archive for the ‘Pests’ Category
Three New Spreading Junipers Waking Up Landscapes
Posted by Hugh on November 9th, 2013
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bagworms, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Ground cover, Insect (Pest) Problems, Juniper, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Three New Spreading Junipers Waking Up LandscapesBurning Bush Turns Fire Engine Red In The Fall
Posted by Hugh on November 1st, 2013
Be cautioned from the start that planting dwarf burning bush (Euonymus alata var. compactus) in some states in the U.S. is prohibited. This deciduous shrub is known for its awesome fire engine red fall foliage color (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). In shady areas fall leaf color tends to be more pinkish. Fall leaf […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Bee Favorite, Burning bush (Euonymus), compact shrub, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Scale, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Burning Bush Turns Fire Engine Red In The FallBeautyberry Deservedly Becoming More Popular
Posted by Hugh on September 20th, 2013
The stunning purple berries of beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.) are eye-catching in late summer. White fruited varieties are also sold, but the purple forms are most popular. This 6-8 foot shrub has medium green, 3-5 inch long foliage spring thru summer. Autumn leaf color adds little, the deciduous leaves turning purple to pale yellow, shriveling, and abcising. The purple fruit clusters are electifying, perhaps […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Autumn Fruiting, Beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.), Disease resistant, Heat Tolerance, Invasive plant, mulching, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildlife attractant Comments Off on Beautyberry Deservedly Becoming More PopularAster ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ Is Spectacular Autumn Bloomer
Posted by Hugh on September 11th, 2013
Aster Raydon’s Favorite (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘Raydon’s Favorite’) is one of our most reliable native perennial asters. This aromatic aster blooms in mid-autumn, covered with 1 ½ inch wide blue-purple daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. Butterflies and bumble bees are frequent visitors to this aster in my October garden. Night temps in the mid-twenties don’t injure […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aster, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Insect (Pest) Problems, Native Plant, Perennials, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Virus diseases, watering tips Comments Off on Aster ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ Is Spectacular Autumn BloomerArrowwood Viburnum Very Tough U.S. Native Shrub
Posted by Hugh on August 22nd, 2013
Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is an easy to grow deciduous shrub that handles most landscape conditions, including soil types (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8). It grows best in full sun and in a well-drained soil. Clusters of tiny, creamy-white flat-topped flowers appear from late spring into summer. A bountiful crop of dark blue berries […]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, compact shrub, container shrub, Disease resistant, Insect (Pest) Problems, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Viburnum beetles, Viburnums, winter hardiness Comments Off on Arrowwood Viburnum Very Tough U.S. Native Shrub‘Sun King’ Golden Aralia Brightens Up Any Garden Spot
Posted by Hugh on August 3rd, 2013
Plants with golden foliage can brighten up a drab green garden patch. Sun King golden aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’) is no exception, hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. The golden compound foliage emerges in mid-spring and retains its bright color throughout the summer. This herbaceous perennial grows 4 to 6 feet high and 3 […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aralia 'Sun King', Bee Favorite, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Sun King’ Golden Aralia Brightens Up Any Garden SpotRussian Sage More Shrub-like Than Perennial
Posted by Hugh on July 21st, 2013
Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is low maintenance woody-based perennial. It grows in a dry to medium moist average soil and, first and foremost, in full sun. It’s a long-lived perennial which stands up to summer’s heat and humidity (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Branches tend to flop or take on a droopy appearance in late summer. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Perennials, Pruning, Russian sage (Perovskia), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Russian Sage More Shrub-like Than PerennialPest Alert: Spotted Wing Drosophila Attack Blueberry and Cane Fruits
Posted by Hugh on July 5th, 2013
Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, is an invasive and destructive pest originating from eastern Asia. It is a pest that can not be managed with pesticides alone. Caneberries such as raspberry and blackberry appear to be most affected followed by strawberries and blueberries. Among the tree fruits, cherries seem to suffer heavy damage. If […]
Posted in Blackberries, Blueberries, Cherries, Fruits & Vegetables, Garden Maintenance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Pesticide recommendations, Pests, Regional, Sanitation, Southern Appalachian Region, Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Strawberries Comments Off on Pest Alert: Spotted Wing Drosophila Attack Blueberry and Cane FruitsPest Alert: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Posted by Hugh on July 2nd, 2013
In recent years Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys), aka BMSB, has become serious pests of fruits, vegetables, and farm crops in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern Appalachian regions. BMSB are likely to spread to other areas in the U.S. They feed on all parts of plants (fruit, stems, leaves). They may also become a major […]
Posted in Apple tree, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Cherries, Corn (Sweet or Field), Dogwood (Cornus), Fruits & Vegetables, Garden Problems, Insect (Pest) Problems, Peach, Pesticide recommendations, Pests, Raspberries, Regional, Sanitation, Strawberries, Tomato Comments Off on Pest Alert: Brown Marmorated Stink BugStop Ignoring And Start Planting Hophornbeam
Posted by Hugh on June 28th, 2013
Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) is a medium sized tree native to the eastern half of North America (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). The tree is practically ignored by landscape designers and installers. Few nurserymen grow it. Hophornbeam is often confused with the true hornbeams (Carpinus spp.). Both are called “ironwood”, referring to the hard muscular wood of […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Hophornbeam (Ostrya), Medium sized Tree, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Stop Ignoring And Start Planting Hophornbeam
