Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) is a popular ground cover for partly shaded landscape areas. Our native pachsandra, called Allegheny spurge (P. procumbens), is less known and utilized. The glossy dark evergreen leaves are wider than Japanese pachysandra. Clusters of white bottlebrush flowers emerge 2-4 inches high in early spring; flowers mature pale pink as […]
Archive for the ‘Native Plant’ Category
Plant Native Allegheny Spurge More
Posted by Hugh on March 6th, 2014
Posted in acidic soil, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Pachysandra, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Plant Native Allegheny Spurge MoreChallenging Sourwood Worth A Try
Posted by Hugh on February 25th, 2014
Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), aka lily of the valley tree, is one of the most beautiful U.S. native flowering trees (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). However, attempting to establish one in your landscape may prove challenging. The tree grows in sparse populations from eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, and Georgia Piedmont. It grows naturally to 20-30 feet […]
Posted in Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Fragrant, Medium sized Tree, Native Plant, Planting tips, Sourwood (Oxydendrum), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Challenging Sourwood Worth A TryTips On Growing Sourwood Trees
Posted by Hugh on February 22nd, 2014
Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is one of the most beautiful flowering trees in the U.S. Trying to establish one in your landscape can prove quite challenging. In the wild sourwood grows in shallow soils on steep craggy or rocky ground. Dry ground seems to be the rule. It grows either multi-stemmed (shrub-like) to 20-30 feet or […]
Posted in acidic soil, Fertilizing plants, Medium sized Tree, Native Plant, Sourwood (Oxydendrum), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Tips On Growing Sourwood TreesHepaticas Bloom In The Early Spring Garden
Posted by Hugh on February 12th, 2014
Hepatica (Hepatica spp), from the Latin word “Hepaticus” meaning liver, is sometimes cataloged as “Liverleaf” or “Liverwort” (USDA hardiness zones 4 – 9). It is one of the first spring wildflowers to bloom (March-April). H. americana, native to the eastern U.S. and Canada, bear showy white flowers that are sometimes tinged pink or blue. H. […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Disease resistant, Hepatica, Native Plant, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Wildflowers, winter hardiness Comments Off on Hepaticas Bloom In The Early Spring GardenChristmas Ferns Are Easy To Grow
Posted by Hugh on February 1st, 2014
On a woodland hike in the eastern U.S., lush colonies of evergreen Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) flourish along the moist slopes (USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8). This native perennial fern favors either a deep or light shade environment. A vigorous clump may grow 18 – 24 inches in height and width. Set new plants […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Ferns, Ground cover, Native Plant, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Christmas Ferns Are Easy To GrowNativars – New Cultivars Of Native Plants
Posted by Hugh on January 20th, 2014
Nativar is a new term coined by Dr. Allan Armitage, Professor Emeritus from the University of Georgia. It combines the words “native” and “cultivar”. Nativar refers to a cultivar of a native plant. It attempts to excite the horticultural marketplace about new cultivars of native perennial plants, such as blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.), purple coneflower […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Flowers, Native Plant, Perennials, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (layering), Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, winter hardiness Comments Off on Nativars – New Cultivars Of Native PlantsFor Dry Sites Try Arizona Cypress
Posted by Hugh on January 11th, 2014
Arizona cypress (Cupressus glabra) is silvery blue needled medium-sized evergreen (USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9). This southwest U.S. native demands full sun and excels in droughty, infertile, and well-drained soils. Conversely, Arizona cypress does not tolerate shade, poor air circulation and flooded soil. Arizona cypress is mostly disease and pest free unless too crowded […]
Posted in acidify soil, alkaline soil, Cupressus (cypress), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on For Dry Sites Try Arizona CypressShagbark Hickory
Posted by Hugh on January 8th, 2014
Most tree lovers don’t plant U.S native shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Instead, they often inherit one when purchasing property. Shagbark hickory is notoriously difficult to transplant and grows very slowly in its early years. Like oaks (Quercus spp.) and beeches (Fagus spp.), hickories are long-lived, often standing tall in an open […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Butterflies, Drought tolerant, Hickory (Carya spp.), Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Nut Producer, Propagation (Seed), Southern Appalachian Region, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Shagbark HickoryMoving Large And Mature Trees
Posted by Hugh on January 5th, 2014
Perhaps tree lovers can’t plant wonderful trees such as shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), or white oak (Quercus alba). They can purchase property with the tree(s) growing on them. Most nurseries do not grow these difficult species or guarantee their success after planting. But, all is not lost! Modern nurseries, backed by […]
Posted in American Beech (F. grandifolia), Beech (Fagus spp.), Black gum (Nyssa), Garden Maintenance, Hickory (Carya spp.), Japanese maple, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Oaks (Quercus spp.), Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Moving Large And Mature Trees2014 Perennial Plant Of the Year: ‘Northwind’ Switchgrass
Posted by Hugh on December 29th, 2013
Northwind switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’) is a 4 to 5 feet tall native prairie grass (USDA hardiness zones 4–9). There are many fine switchgrass varieties, but its Northwind’s vertical form and steel blue foliage that makes it a standout. Northwind switchgrass has been selected the 2014 Perennial Plant of the Year. By mid-summer its lacy soft pinkish […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Sand Dune Protection, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Switchgrass (Panicum), watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on 2014 Perennial Plant Of the Year: ‘Northwind’ Switchgrass
