Archive for the ‘Regional’ Category

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. […]

Hardy Forms of Deodara Cedar

I am surprised by the increasing numbers of deodara cedars (Cedrus deodara) that are prospering in Zones 6-b and 7 gardens. Apparently, deodara cedars are much hardier than once thought. The buzz at a recent American Conifer Regional meeting is these varieties list here are worthy of planting: Tree forms: ‘Karl Fuchs’ ‘Shalimar’ ‘Eisregen’ ‘Eiswinter’ ‘Polar […]

Growing Hardy Camellias

Growing camellias in Tennessee is no longer a dream. Through the efforts of several plant breeders, particularly Dr. William L. Ackerman of the U.S. National Arboretum (retired) and Dr. Clifford Parks of Camellia Forest Nursery, as many as 40 cultivars of winter hardy camellias to -15 °F are now available in nursery commerce. Flower colors […]

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 […]