In the Eastern U.S. two species, dwarf fothergilla (F. gardenii) and large fothergilla (Fothergilla major), are native. They are also labeled “witch alder”. Both species appear almost identical, except for flower and leaf size, and overall shrub size. Large fothergilla is indigenous to the mountain and Piedmont Regions […]
Archive for the ‘Regional’ Category
Fothergillas Are Topnotch
Posted by Hugh on March 17th, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, compact shrub, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowering, Fothergilla, Fragrant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Fothergillas Are TopnotchThree Easy Care Native Woody Plants
Posted by Hugh on March 15th, 2016
Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is a nearly perfect small native tree for either a full or part sun site. Decorative 5 to 9 inches long reddish flower candles form on tips of branches in late April and May (USDA hardiness zones 6 – 8). Hummingbirds will seek out the […]
Posted in Azalea (deciduous), compact shrub, compact tree, Fertilizing plants, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Plumleaf azalea, Pruning, Rhododendrons, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Virginia sweetspire Comments Off on Three Easy Care Native Woody PlantsPatio Peach Blooms In Early Spring
Posted by Hugh on March 12th, 2016
For small garden spaces patio peach (Prunus persica) is a gem. This miniature tree bears long narrow lush green (or reddish) foliage. Site selection is crucial to ward off potential disease and insect problems. Patio peach is a genetic dwarf and may be grown in a large container on your deck or patio. Tree height averages 6-8 feet tall […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Bacterial diseases, Bee Favorite, Disease prone, Fertilizing plants, Flowering peach (Prunus), Fragrant, Insect (Pest) Problems, Mites, Peach, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Rabbit/deer Protection, Scale, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Patio Peach Blooms In Early SpringPopular Tomato Varieties In U.S.
Posted by Hugh on March 9th, 2016
Many people who have “retire” from gardening still plant a patch of tomatoes every spring. Tomatoes don’t ask for a lot of care. There is nothing better than a thick slice of tomato with a burger or tuna salad sandwich. Every region across the U.S. has their favorite varieties. The gardener’s favorite appears to be a meaty […]
Posted in Disease prone, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Edible fruits, Fruits & Vegetables, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tomato Comments Off on Popular Tomato Varieties In U.S.Slow Release Fertilizers Save Money
Posted by Hugh on March 3rd, 2016
On garden center shelves in the spring are slow-release fertilizers. Trade names include Scotts®, Osmocote®, Fertilome®, Hi-Yield®, and Vigoro®. Many are formulated for lawn use. Cost for these products are more than traditional granular fertilizers but prices have dropped over the years and they are better to use environmentally. How do you compare and […]
Posted in Bulb Crops, Fertilizing plants, Garden Maintenance, Gladiolus, Lily (Lilium), plant nutrition, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant Comments Off on Slow Release Fertilizers Save MoneyAutumn Fern Changes With The Seasons
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2016
Ferns are fine textured lacey-leaf groundcovers. Many kinds of ferns add a tropical accent to the shade garden. Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora), aka Japanese wood fern, has evergreen or semi-evergreen arching foliage, depending how cold it gets in winter (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8). Its common name is misleading. Best frond colors are in spring; the fronds unfurl […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn fern (Dryopteris), Autumn foliage color, Disease resistant, Ferns, Ground cover, mulching, Native Plant, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Autumn Fern Changes With The SeasonsNative Partridgeberry
Posted by Hugh on February 28th, 2016
Partridge berry (Mitchella repens) is cherished for its evergreen foliage, spring flowers and fall-winter colorful berries (USDA Zones 4–8). This native groundcover is frequently spotted in moist woodlands along banks of streams and on dry slopes in the eastern and central North America as far west as Minnesota and south to northern Texas and Florida. This […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Edible fruits, Evergreen, Fragrant, Ground cover, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Partridge berry, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Southern Appalachian Region, Vine, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Native PartridgeberryBroadleaved Sedges- Colorful Alternatives To Liriope
Posted by Hugh on February 26th, 2016
The broadleaved sedges (Carex siderosticha) make terrific alternatives to monkey grass (Liriope muscari) (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). This species of sedges is a clump growing perennial and is starting to become more used as a ground cover. Clumps spread very slowly via rhizomes. Foliage goes dormant in late November (zone 6) and is semi-evergreen in zones 8-9. New leaves emerge in mid-spring. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Carex (Sedges), compost, Container growing, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Broadleaved Sedges- Colorful Alternatives To LiriopeAttracting Monarchs To Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on February 21st, 2016
From Canada to Mexico, gardeners are being recruited to halt the decline of the Monarch butterfly populations across North America. One way you can help is to fill your garden with Monarch’s favorite flowering nectar plants and milkweeds (Asclepias spp.). Plants should be sited in open full sun and […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aster, Attracting Butterflies, Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Blazing star (Liatris), Buddleia (Butterfly bush), Butterflies, Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Caterpillars, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Eupatorium 'Gateway', Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', Heat Tolerance, Ironweed (Vernonia), Lantana, Marigold, Mexican sunflower (Tithonia), Native Plant, Pentas (Egyptian star flower), Perennials, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Salvia, Sedum (Groundcover types), Southern Appalachian Region, Star zinnia, Stonecrop sedums, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness, Zinnia Comments Off on Attracting Monarchs To Your GardenLittle Girl Hybrid Magnolias
Posted by Hugh on February 18th, 2016
Star (Magnolia stellata) and tulip (M. soulangeana) magnolias are early flowering magnolias. Early spring frosts destroy open flowers. In the mid-1980’s the U.S. National Arboretum released 8 shrub-type cultivars as a series called the “Little Girl Magnolias”. They are hybrid crosses between M. liliiflora and M. stellata. Four cultivars- […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Magnolia liliiflora, Magnolia stellata, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (layering), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Little Girl Hybrid Magnolias
