Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus) is native to China, Korea and Japan (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). As with the native U.S. species (C. virginicus), this plant is noted for its fragrant white flowers. Gardeners first fall in love with this large, multi-stemmed, deciduous large multi-branched shrub. Some nurseries are also offering the Chinese form as a […]
Archive for the ‘Pests’ Category
Chinese Fringetree
Posted by Hugh on May 6th, 2022
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compact tree, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Dioecious, Disease resistant, Fall Garden Interest, Flowering, Fringetree (Chionanthus), Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Shade tree, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Chinese Fringetree10 Drought Tolerant Perennials
Posted by Hugh on May 1st, 2022
Once established, these ten drought-tolerant plants can cope with hot sun and humidity with low amounts of supplemental water. If you garden in a drought-prone area, or growing in fast-draining raised beds, these drought-resistant plants are a great choice for your garden. Perhaps you wish to reduce your water bills. Plan to keep plantings adequately […]
Posted in acidic soil, Agastache (Hyssop), Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Calamagrostis, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Lavender (Lavandula), mulching, Native Plant, Pennisetum spp., Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Red hot Poker (Kniphofia), Russian sage (Perovskia), Sedum (Groundcover types), Sedum (Shrub type), Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Switchgrass (Panicum), watering tips, winter hardiness, Yarrow (Achillea) Comments Off on 10 Drought Tolerant PerennialsNext Generation Of Kousa Dogwoods
Posted by Hugh on April 16th, 2022
‘Scarlet Fire’ is a 2017 introduction from Rutgers University with 4-5 inch wide, fade-proof, dark pink floral bracts. This Kousa dogwood tree is also heat and drought tolerant and highly disease resistant. ‘Wolf Eyes’ is a compact tree (10-20 feet tall) or multi-branched shrub form; creamy white variegated foliage is scorch-resistant. Wolf Eyes flaunts eye-catching gray-green […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Chinese (kousa) dogwood, Container garden, Container growing, container shrub, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Next Generation Of Kousa DogwoodsRoof Iris in Springtime
Posted by Hugh on April 11th, 2022
Roof iris (Iris tectorum) is indigenous to China. This beardless iris is part of the crested iris group. Leaves stand 15 inches tall, fanned at the base and are ribbed. The clean green fan-like leaves remain mostly blemish-free most of the growing season. Plants give rise to purple-blue flowers with white and darker purple flecks starting […]
Posted in acidify soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Chlorosis (yellowing), Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Ground cover, Iris, Iris tectorum, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Virus diseases, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Roof Iris in SpringtimeGlobe Amaranth (Gomphrena)
Posted by Hugh on April 1st, 2022
Three important objectives of area gardeners are: 1. Inviting more pollinators, 2. Growing more natives, and 3. Reducing garden maintenance. Gomphrenas, aka Globe amaranths, are becoming more recognized as outstanding annual flowering plants for Tennessee/Virginia/North Carolina gardens. Gomphrenas are North American natives (Texas, New Mexico, and northeastern Mexico) and are blooming machines in the heat, the […]
Posted in Annuals, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Flowers, Globe amaranth (Gomphrena), Heat Tolerance, Honey bees, Landscape ideas, Mites, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena)Coneflower Variety Trials At MT. Cuba Center
Posted by Hugh on March 26th, 2022
Coneflowers (Echinacea spp) are immensely popular native flowering perennials prized for their summer floral beauty. Nine species of Echinacea are native in North America and are found primarily in the central and southeastern U.S. Additionally, some populations of Echinacea angustifolia extend from the U.S. northwards into southcentral Canada. Since the 1990s, a boom in Echinacea breeding has resulted in large numbers of new […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Bumble bees, Butterflies, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Container garden, deadheading, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Honey bees, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildflower, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Coneflower Variety Trials At MT. Cuba CenterFive Redbuds With Dynamite Seasonal Foliage
Posted by Hugh on March 11th, 2022
Here are five notable redbuds (Cercis canadensis) possessing colorful summer foliage. Of note, the first 3 of 5 varieties are the creation of noted plant breeder Dr. Dennis Werner of NC State University in Raleigh. Flame Thrower® has stunning eye-catching foliage color breakthrough in the world of redbuds. It is marketed as Eternal Flame® in Europe. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Chlorosis (yellowing), Container garden, Container growing, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Redbud, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Street tree, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Five Redbuds With Dynamite Seasonal FoliageRidding Homes Of Camel Crickets
Posted by Hugh on February 26th, 2022
Camel crickets, also known as cave crickets or spider crickets live in dark damp places of the home or garage. They are related to grasshoppers, locusts, and other crickets (insect order Orthoptera) and are six legged as opposed to spiders that have eight legs. Fully grown adults range in size from 1-2 inches long, while […]
Posted in Camel crickets, Household pest, Pests, Southern Appalachian Region Comments Off on Ridding Homes Of Camel CricketsJapanese Cornel – Notable Cultivars
Posted by Hugh on February 11th, 2022
Starting in late February, Japanese cornel (C. officinalis) burst into bloom with clusters of yellow flowers (zones 5–8). Native to Japan, China, and Korea, this lovely small tree (or large shrub) is one of a few plants that is an early harbinger of spring. Here are notable cultivars: ‘Sunsphere’ grows 20-25 feet high and is an exceptional heavy bloomer with […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compact tree, Cornus officinalis, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Japanese Cornel – Notable CultivarsLacebark Pine
Posted by Hugh on January 28th, 2022
Lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana) (USDA hardiness zones 4-8) is arboreal mid-sized gem is a lovely 3-needle pine. It is a slow-growing pine with an absolutely exquisite exfoliating patchwork bark which becomes more attractive as the tree ages. Some of the best specimens that I have witnessed are planted on the New York Botanical Gardens in […]
Posted in Attracting birds, compact tree, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Lacebark pine (P. bungeana), Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Non-native, Pines (Pinus spp.), Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Lacebark Pine
