Wild indigos or Baptisias (Baptisia spp.) are long-lived native perennials. Baptisias are tap rooted perennials that will reward you for many years. They’re sometimes mistaken for Carolina lupine (Thermopsis caroliniana). Modern day cultivars are hybrids of 4 Baptisia species: purple (B. australis), lavender blue (B. minor), white (B. alba), bright yellow (B. sphaerocarpa). Several bicolors are also […]
Archive for the ‘Regional’ Category
Baptisias – Long-Lived Native Perennials
Posted by Hugh on March 10th, 2018
Posted in acidic soil, Baptisia (wild indigo), Bees and other pollinators, compost, deadheading, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Messy Fruits, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Baptisias – Long-Lived Native PerennialsTips On Repotting Container Plants
Posted by Hugh on March 7th, 2018
Eventually, all potted plants outgrow their containers. This includes potted roses, Japanese maples and other small trees, shrubs, dwarf conifers, elephant ears (Colocasia, Alocasia), cannas, lotus, papyrus, and lots more. A rule of thumb is to transplant every 2 years in early spring before bud break. In the case of perennials and tropicals, this is a good […]
Posted in Alocasia, Banana (Musa spp.), Canna lily, Canna lily, Colocasia, compact shrub, compact tree, compost, Container garden, Container growing, container shrub, Deciduous conifer, Disease resistant, Downy mildew, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, Hybrid teas, Japanese maple, Landscape ideas, Overcrowding, Papyrus, Perennials, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, root injury, Root rotting, Roses, Rust diseases, shrub roses, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Tapioca plant (Manihot), Trees & Shrubs, Tropical Waterlilies (Nymphaea), watering tips, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Tips On Repotting Container PlantsFifteen Garden Perennials Which You Can’t Kill (Or Almost)
Posted by Hugh on February 26th, 2018
Here is a list of flowering perennials that need little care after planting. Ornamental grasses and ferns are not listed here. One steadfast rule that you must follow if this group of plants are to work for you: “choose the right plant for the right site”. Shady plants in full sun and terrestrial plants in swampy ground […]
Posted in acidic soil, Astilbe (false spirea), Baptisia (wild indigo), Barrenwort (Epimedium), Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Container growing, Coreopsis, Cranesbill (Geranium), Daylilies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Hellebores, Italian arum, Landscape ideas, Liriope, mulching, Native Plant, Nepeta (catmint), Ornamental Grasses, Peony, Perennials, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Russian sage (Perovskia), Siberian iris (I. sibirica), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Stonecrop sedums, Summer flowering, Variegated Solomon Seal, watering tips, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fifteen Garden Perennials Which You Can’t Kill (Or Almost)Understanding How To Purchase Nursery Stock
Posted by Hugh on February 23rd, 2018
Nursery growers supply trees and shrubs to garden centers in any of five ways: Container Grown – Plants have been growing in a container or pot for one or more growing years. Some plants have been grown in containers or they were field dug and repotted into containers. These transplants are not likely to experience […]
Posted in Apple tree, Balled and Burlapped (b&b), Blackberries, Blueberries, Container garden, container shrub, Dwarf rootstocks, Evergreen, Evergreens, Landscape ideas, Pear (Pyrus spp.), Perennials, Planting tips, Plum, Potting Mix, Repotting plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Strawberries, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on Understanding How To Purchase Nursery StockSelect A Good Street Or Landscape Tree
Posted by Hugh on February 20th, 2018
First of all, there is no perfect tree, either for a street or landscape planting. However, many excellent cultivars are now available at local nurseries and retail garden centers. Select one that matches your site requirements. Site factors include: amount of sunlight daily, soil type, soil pH (acidity or alkalinity), and soil drainage. What kind of […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Chinese (kousa) dogwood, compact tree, compost, Crabapple, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Fullmoon maple, Ginkgo biloba, Invasive plant, Invasive species, Japanese maple, Landscape ideas, Large Shade trees, Maples (Acer), Medium sized Tree, mulching, Native Plant, Oaks (Quercus spp.), Pear (Ornamental), pin oak, Planting tips, Poplar (Populus spp.), Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Red oak (Quercus), Redbud, river birch, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Soil Testing, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Street tree, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Sweetgum (Liquidambar), Sycamore (Platanus), Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering tips, willow oak, Willows (Salix), Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Select A Good Street Or Landscape TreeWinter Blooming Winter Jessamine
Posted by Hugh on February 17th, 2018
Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is one of the most beautiful native vines in the South (USDA Zones 6 to 9). In February and March, its bright yellow flowers are commonly seen growing along roadsides in the Southeastern U.S. It is frequently mistaken for forsythias a shrub that rarely blooms in winter. Vines grow vigorously, 20 feet […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, container shrub, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Fragrant, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Jessamine (Gelsemium), mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Vine, watering tips, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Winter Blooming Winter JessamineGet An Early Start On Spring With Dawn Viburnum
Posted by Hugh on February 10th, 2018
Viburnum x bodnantense (cross between V. farreri and V. grandiflorum) is a hybrid viburnum that was developed at Bodnant Garden in Wales in 1934-1935 (USDA zones 5-9). Also called Pink Dawn, this shrub is cherished for exceptional three-season interest – fragrant pink flowers in spring, clean, blemish-free summer foliage, and above average fall color. ‘Dawn’ […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Viburnum x bodnantense, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Get An Early Start On Spring With Dawn ViburnumOur Native Bumblebees In Trouble
Posted by Hugh on February 7th, 2018
In 2017 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognized 10 more animal species as Endangered Species, giving them protections under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. These 10 species include 7 species of bees. Endangered status would afford the rusty-patched bumblebee protection under federal law. Honeybees, which are not native to the U.S., build and live […]
Posted in Annuals, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial Insects, Beneficial insects, Bumble bees, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Dahlia, Flowers, Ground nesting bees, Honey bees, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter flowering Comments Off on Our Native Bumblebees In TroubleControlling Slugs and Snails
Posted by Hugh on February 4th, 2018
Slugs and snails are common pests of many common garden plants. They are particularly troublesome in shady woodland areas. They crawl across leaves and leave a slimy residue over the leaf surface. They feed primarily at night. Ecologically, their niche is to decompose organic matter. During the daytime hours they hide under leaves, mulch, rocks, stepping stones, […]
Posted in Broccoli, Brunnera 'Jack Frost', Cabbage, compost, Delphinium, Environmental Conservation, Herbs, Herbs, Hosta, kale, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Pulmonaria, Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Strawberries Comments Off on Controlling Slugs and SnailsBest Annuals Of 2017
Posted by Hugh on January 31st, 2018
Each year Greenhouse Grower* magazine compiles a listing of the best annuals selected by field garden staff and garden visitors to 19 public and seed company trial gardens across the U.S. Talleying the resuts, thirty-five (35) varieties appeared more than once, with Salvia ‘Mystic Spires Improved’ and Alternanthera ‘Purple Prince’ appearing five times. Before proceeding further, keep in mind […]
Posted in acidic soil, Alternanthera, Annuals, Bees and other pollinators, Begonia, Calibrachoa (Million bells), Canna lily, Coleus, compost, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Container garden, Dianthus, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Ersyimum (wallflower), Fall sunflower (Helianthus spp.), Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Flowers, Landscape ideas, Lantana, Miscanthus grass, Ornamental Grasses, Ornamental Pepper, Pentas (Egyptian star flower), Perennials, Petunias, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Salvia, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Star zinnia, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant Comments Off on Best Annuals Of 2017
