The cultivar Diabolo ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’) is an aggressive grower. A knowledgeable gardener with a sharp pair of pruners may quickly and easily train Diabolo ninebark into a small tree. Plant a ninebark tree in a large container for multi-seasonal color around your deck or patio. Its common plant name “ninebark” says a lot. […]
Archive for the ‘Native Plant’ Category
‘Diabolo’ Ninebark Has More Than 9 Lives
Posted by Hugh on October 7th, 2011
Plant Autumn Asters Instead Of Mums
Posted by Hugh on October 2nd, 2011
Aromatic asters (Aster oblongifolius) is one of our finest late blooming native asters for the autumn garden in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Through the spring and summer months, the dense gray-green shrubby foliage mounds grow 15-18 inches high and 24-30 inches wide. Hundreds of yellow-centered, daisy type flowers cover the […]
Posted in Aster, Autumn flowering, Butterflies, deadheading, Deer resistant, Native Plant, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region, Uncategorized, Virus diseases 
Comments Off on Plant Autumn Asters Instead Of Mums‘Little Lemon’ Goldenrod Acts Like Late Summer Bedding Plant
Posted by Hugh on September 29th, 2011
Across the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7), the native goldenrods (Solidago spp.) are easy to spot, growing 6-8 feet tall in ditch banks along roadsides and in the poorest of soils. Over the past quarter century short, more compact cultivars have arrived local garden centers. ‘Little Lemon’ grows only 12-15 inches tall with a 18-24 inch spread. This diminutive […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Goldenrod (Solidago), Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips Comments Off on ‘Little Lemon’ Goldenrod Acts Like Late Summer Bedding PlantOctober Starts Out With Fall Sunflowers
Posted by Hugh on September 26th, 2011
I thank the person who gave me a native swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolia). This long-lived perennial appears to have its own internal clock for blooming around the first day of October. Its long narrow rough-textured leaves average 6 inches in length. The 2-3 inch wide flowers appear first on top of the tall 6 to 7 foot plants, and […]
Posted in Autumn flowering, deadheading, Fall sunflower (Helianthus spp.), Fertilizing plants, Native Plant, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on October Starts Out With Fall SunflowersFranklinia Will Survive If…
Posted by Hugh on September 22nd, 2011
Franklinia (Franklinia altamaha) is admittedly a very finicky large shrub or small tree. Pure white, five-petal, 2 ½ – 3 inch camellia-like flowers bloom sporadically from August thru mid-October. Flowers are slightly fragrant. In the fall glossy green leaves gradually transition to blends of red, orange and burgundy hues. Franklinia grows best on an eastern exposure […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Autumn flowering, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Franklinia, Japanese beetles, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Franklinia Will Survive If…‘Slender Silhouette’ Sweetgum…Very Few Gumballs!
Posted by Hugh on September 4th, 2011
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a medium to large landscape tree, which matures to 65-70 feet in height and 35 feet in spread. To many people it’s called the cursed “gumball” or “ankle twister” tree, not be confused with the fruit balls of the American sycamore or London plane tree (Platanus spp.). Gumball detractors should look […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Sweetgum (Liquidambar), Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Slender Silhouette’ Sweetgum…Very Few Gumballs!‘Autumn Bride’ Started A Heuchera Evolution
Posted by Hugh on September 1st, 2011
Autumn Bride heuchera (Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’) is blooming now. This native ground cover, aka “hairy alumroot”, displays wide lime-green foliage which is not as colorful as many new H. villosa hybrids introduced in recent years. However, the white flowers on Autumn Bride are showier and more numerous. Heucheras prefer a moist, well-drained, compost-rich soil. Plants are heat and humidity […]
‘Gateway’ Joe-Pye Fits Most Gardens
Posted by Hugh on August 22nd, 2011
On hot clammy August days, towering 6-8 feet in height, there is Joe-Pye* weed (Eupatorium purpureum) to enjoy. It is visually hard to miss when driving along rural roads in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Joe-Pye’s flowering sends me a timely message that autumn is only six weeks away. For gardens the cultivar […]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Eupatorium 'Gateway', Fertilizing plants, Native Plant, Perennials, Root suckering, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on ‘Gateway’ Joe-Pye Fits Most GardensNative Plumleaf Azalea Blooms In The Heat Of Summer
Posted by Hugh on July 28th, 2011
Plumleaf Azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium) From my garden here is a look today (July 28th) at plumleaf azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium). Plumleaf is an Alabama native, and its orangey red flowers has been growing in my east Tennessee garden for the past 15+ years. It is hardy to zone 5-b (- 15°F) which includes most of the mid-Atlantic and southern New England states. Plumleaf handles Southern […]
Posted in acidic soil, Azalea (deciduous), compost, Deciduous Azaleas, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Hummingbird, Native Plant, Plumleaf azalea, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Native Plumleaf Azalea Blooms In The Heat Of SummerLeather Flower Clematis- Hot Pink Summer Flowering Vine
Posted by Hugh on June 11th, 2011
Leather flower (Clematis glaucophylla) is native to moist woodlands in the Southeastern U.S. This lovely flowering vine is covered with one inch hot pink flowers tipped in yellow. The solitary, 1- inch bell shaped flowers are on 6- inch long stalks which reach out for support. It is called “leather flower” because the petals are […]
Posted in Attracting birds, Clematis glaucophylla, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Vine Comments Off on Leather Flower Clematis- Hot Pink Summer Flowering Vine
