Over the past 2-3 years marigolds are regaining their popularity. Marigolds are easy to grow and come in vibrant shades of yellows and oranges. Tall African type marigolds grow 24-42 inches tall and belong in garden beds. Intermediate (15-24 inch height) and dwarf French types (10-12 inch height) are suited for both bedding and container plantings. Plant marigolds in […]
Archive for the ‘Pests’ Category
A Marigold Revival
Posted by Hugh on April 14th, 2013
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Disease prone, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Marigold, Mites, mulching, plant nutrition, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, watering tips 
Comments Off on A Marigold RevivalU.S. Native Pagoda Dogwood Wonderful Woodsy Tree
Posted by Hugh on April 11th, 2013
Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), aka alternate leaf dogwood, is a small deciduous tree or large multi-stemmed shrub. It typically grows 15-25 feet tall and spreads slightly wider than tall. It exhibits a very distinctive layered horizontal branching. Small creamy white non-bracted flowers appear as flattened cymes in mid to late spring, about 3-4 weeks after […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Butterflies, Cornus alternifolia, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Native Plant, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on U.S. Native Pagoda Dogwood Wonderful Woodsy TreeHardy or Not– Grow Agapanthus
Posted by Hugh on April 8th, 2013
Lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus praecox orientalis) is native to South Africa (USDA Zones 8–11), and is not reliably hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zone 6 and 7). However, many gardeners are successfully growing it as a “tender perennial”. Agapanthus grows in an outdoor flower bed or in a container. The ball shaped light blue or white […]
Posted in acidic soil, Agapanthus (Lily of-the Nile), deadheading, Heat Tolerance, Mite susceptible, Mites, Perennials, Planting tips, Repotting plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Hardy or Not– Grow Agapanthus‘Appalachian Spring’ Dogwood Highly Disease Resistant
Posted by Hugh on April 1st, 2013
This may be old news, but definitely worth repeating. Twenty five years ago a dreaded dogwood disease threatened to eliminate our beautiful spring flowering tree from our gardens. Appalachian Spring flowering dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Appalachian Spring’) was found at the Camp David Presidential Retreat atop Catoctin Mountain in Maryland. Currently, Appalachian Spring is the only dogwood cultivar […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Dogwood borer, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Ornamental fruit, plant nutrition, Spring flowering, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Appalachian Spring’ Dogwood Highly Disease ResistantGolden Hakone Grass Is Worth The Extra Care
Posted by Hugh on March 29th, 2013
Awaken dark zones in your shade garden with this wonderful golden treasure from Japan. Golden hakonegrass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) grows 12-18 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide in a cascading mound form. Very thin green stripes (veins) line the mid-rib of the ½ inch wide golden leaf blades. Tiny, relatively ininsignificant, floral spikes (inflorescences) appear for […]
Posted in acidic soil, Deer resistant, Ground cover, Hakone grass, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Golden Hakone Grass Is Worth The Extra CareTreat Colorful Caladiums As Tender Annuals
Posted by Hugh on March 12th, 2013
Caladiums at Yewdell Gardens in Crestwood, KY (near Louisville) Caladiums (Caladium bicolor) are tropical foliage plants which are grown as annuals. Caladiums brighten up shady to sunny spots. Their brightly colored foliage is either heart and lanced shaped in color combinations ranging from red, rose, pink, chartreuse, green, and white. Caladiums absolutely prefer a warm, […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Caladium, compost, Deer resistant, Flowers, Foliage plant, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Irrigation, mulching, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Treat Colorful Caladiums As Tender AnnualsEarly Blooming Cornelian Cherry In The March Garden
Posted by Hugh on March 9th, 2013
Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) is a multi-stemmed, low-branched dogwood tree or shrub. It typically grows 20-25 feet tall and slightly less in overall width (USDA hardiness zones 4-7). Tiny, golden yellow flowers appear in late winter, around March 1st in my east Tennessee garden, and remain in bloom through most of the month despite cold […]
Posted in Attracting birds, compact tree, Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Ornamental fruit, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Early Blooming Cornelian Cherry In The March GardenEpimediums Excel As Dry Shade Groundcovers
Posted by Hugh on March 7th, 2013
Epimediums, aka barrenwort or fairy wings, are slow-growing groundcovers which are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. Foliage varies by species, variety, and the season of the year. Most are deciduous, but some evergreen in the Southern Appalachian region (zones 6 and 7). The leaves of some may be chartreuse in spring, green in summer, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Barrenwort (Epimedium), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Hummingbird, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Epimediums Excel As Dry Shade GroundcoversA Variegated Ornamental Grass Is ‘River Mist’ Sea Oats
Posted by Hugh on March 5th, 2013
River Mist Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium ‘River Mist’), formerly Uniola latifolia, is a recent plant introduction with striking green and white variegated foliage on slightly arching stems. River Mist grows shorter than the species, 30-36 inches tall and 24-36 inches wide. Northern sea oats is one of the more shade tolerant of the ornamental […]
Posted in Container growing, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium), Ornamental fruit, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, plant nutrition, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on A Variegated Ornamental Grass Is ‘River Mist’ Sea Oats‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae: A Terrific Green Privacy Screen
Posted by Hugh on February 23rd, 2013
Western arborvitae (Thuja plicata) is a large native evergreen tree from the Western U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-7). As many as 30 cultivars are available among dwarf, weeping, and variegated leaf forms. One of the most popular selections is ‘Green Giant,’ a hybrid between T. plicata and T. standishii, a Japanese arborvitae. In its native […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Native Plant, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae: A Terrific Green Privacy Screen
