Archive for the ‘Native Plant’ Category

U.S. Native Viburnums And Viburnum Beetle Susceptibility

photo -Arrowwood viburnum in late summer A trip to Carolina Native Plants Nursery in Burnsville, NC gave me this idea to list those viburnums which are U.S. natives (USDA Hardiness zones 6 and 7). All are worthy for planting in your landscape in full sun except where noted. All attract birds and other wildlife to […]

Baptisia – 2010 Perennial Plant of the Year

Blue false indigo(Baptisia australis) is a beautiful, long-lived, drought tolerant perennial with a robust growth habit and attractive steel blue foliage. In late May, the violet-blue flower spikes rise tall above sturdy 3-4 feet tall plants with steel bluish-green foliage. Baptisias grow best in full sun and in moist, well-drained soils. Feed or fertilize baptisias sparingly to prevent plants from flopping […]

Dogwoods for Spring

Five disease resistant varieties of  flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), released by the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, are available at local garden centers this spring. Supply should be better than in past years. Powdery mildew resistant varieties: ‘Appalachian Snow’ (pictured), ‘Appalachian Blush’ and ‘Appalachian Mist’. In addition, ‘Cherokee Brave’, with dark pink flowers,  exhibits good mildew resistance. […]

Reawaken Your Garden In The Fall

Traditionally Labor Day signals the return to school, football season. Here are ten plants that have or will start blooming shortly: >Sedum “Autumn Joy’, ‘Matrona’, ‘Autumn Fire’ >Goldenrod (Solidago) >Toadlily (Tricyrtis) >Fall anemone >Fall mums, especially old fashioned types like ‘Ryan’s Pink’ and ‘Sheffield Pink’ >Fall Sunflower (Helianthus spp.) >Asters ‘October Skies’, ‘Raydon’s Favorite’, ‘Purple […]