Bagworms feed on more than 128 species of plants, including junipers, cedars, arborvitae and white pine. More than one year of severe defoliation will kill a formerly healthy specimen. Bagworms have one generation per year. Eggs usually hatch in mid to late May across the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Upon hatching, […]
Archive for the ‘Pests’ Category
Bagworms Can Devastate Evergreens
Posted by Hugh on June 8th, 2011
Posted in Bagworms, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreens, Garden Problems, Pests, Southern Appalachian Region 
Comments Off on Bagworms Can Devastate EvergreensDoes Mulch Attract Termites?
Posted by Hugh on May 29th, 2011
Mulching, in itself, does not attract termites to your home. That’s the conclusion of two university studies. Soil moisture appears to be the key factor that attracts termites to the home. The subterranean termites found in scattered, localized areas are routinely found in wood chip mulch. While landscape mulches are good for woody and herbaceous […]
Posted in Mulch Quality, Pests, Southern Appalachian Region, Termites Comments Off on Does Mulch Attract Termites?Is Paulownia Invasive?
Posted by Hugh on May 24th, 2011
Paulownia or Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa) is a medium to large 30-50 foot tree. It is extremely fast growing, brittle wooded tree, as much as 4 feet per year. Across the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7), the large pale violet flowers of paulownia are easily visible in May, perched on branch tips. Its […]
Posted in Invasive plant, Paulownia (Empress tree), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering Comments Off on Is Paulownia Invasive?Winter King Hawthorn – A Winter Fruit Attraction
Posted by Hugh on January 7th, 2011
bright red fruit in winter season ‘Winter King’ is an outstanding cultivar of our native green hawthorn (Crataegus viridis) and is at home here in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Over the winter season few deciduous trees present a colorful fruiting display much better than Winter King. Winter King hawthorn is a small landscape tree, maturing to 25-30 […]
Posted in Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Hawthorn (Crataegus), Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark Comments Off on Winter King Hawthorn – A Winter Fruit AttractionCare of Your Poinsettia in the Home
Posted by Hugh on December 20th, 2010
‘Pink Shimmer’ poinsettia You’ve purchased a beautiful poinsettia and want to give it a proper home for the holidays. Room light, temperature and soil moisture are the key environmental concerns. Place your poinsettia either in a bright sunlit room or one receiving an indirect lighting source. Keep the plant away from heating vents and drafty windows. In general, poinsettias grow trouble free […]
Posted in Flowers, Interior (house) Plants, Pests, Uncategorized, watering tips Comments Off on Care of Your Poinsettia in the HomeBrighten Up a Drab Corner in Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on November 20th, 2010
Crippsii falsecypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Crippsii’) is one tall 20-25 foot high evergreen shrub (or small tree). Its lacy golden evergreen foliage catches your attention almost any season of the year. Unfortunately, Crippsii is rarely seen in landscapes because few landscape architects and designers know it or can not find it in the nursery trade. Ten years ago a credit union near my home […]
Posted in Evergreens, Pests, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering evergreens Comments Off on Brighten Up a Drab Corner in Your GardenGinkgo -Sex Education 101
Posted by Hugh on October 22nd, 2010
Surviving an autumn season with a heavily fruited ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) tree is a foul smelling experience. The odorous yellow fleshy fruits ripen in October and drop onto public streets and home lawns. Several times I have witnessed the Jonesborough Tennessee Fire Department raking up fallen fruit and hosing down a sidewalk too treacherous to walk […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Autumn foliage color, Deer resistant, Gardenia, Ginkgo biloba, Large Shade trees, Propagation (Seed), Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Ginkgo -Sex Education 101Potential Epidemic In Your Car Trunk Or Camper?
Posted by Hugh on August 31st, 2010
Photo: walnut twig beetle infestation Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) officials urge state residents and visitors to the state to help prevent the spread of Thousand Cankers Disease in black walnut (Juglans nigra)trees and Emerald Ash Borer in ash species (Fraxinus spp.). Take the following steps: Don’t transport firewood, even within Tennessee. Don’t bring […]
Mulching- Not Always a Good Practice
Posted by Hugh on August 29th, 2010
A generation of gardeners have extolled the benefits of mulching around trees and flower beds. Sometimes, mulching is not a good practice. Often, a heavy clay soil retains too much moisture over the winter months. Some dryland perennials, such as cheddar pinks (dianthus), euphorbia, and delospermum, prefer dry to moderately wet winter soils. Amending with […]
Posted in Garden Problems, mulching, Pests, poor quality mulch Comments Off on Mulching- Not Always a Good PracticePlumleaf Azalea Is Showy Summer Blooming Shrub
Posted by Hugh on August 1st, 2010
Plumleaf azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium) has been blooming in my garden for the past ten days. This species is a late July – early August bloomer in northeast TN. The bright orange-red flowers of this native azalea light up any garden spot whether in full sun or partial shade. Provide some additional shade in southern climes […]
Posted in Azalea (deciduous), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, mulching, Native Plant, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Plumleaf Azalea Is Showy Summer Blooming Shrub
