Dependable Tennessee coneflowers (Echinacea tennesseensis) bloom almost all summer (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). That’s three months long. Plants are covered with pale pink, flat ray flowers; blooms measure 2 to 3 inch across with greenish-brown centers or cones. It is a great addition to hot dry sites, […]
Archive for the ‘Regional’ Category
Long Blooming Tennessee Coneflower
Posted by Hugh on July 27th, 2015
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Container growing, deadheading, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Tennessee Coneflower, watering tips, Wildflowers, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Long Blooming Tennessee ConeflowerSensuous Begonia boliviensis
Posted by Hugh on July 24th, 2015
Bolivian begonias (Begonia boliviensis) are tuberous rooted types indigenous to the Andes Mountains in Bolivia and Argentina (USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11). Plants grow rapidly and bloom non-stop from late spring to early fall. No deadheading of spent flowers is necessary. Bright red to orange flowers feature four […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering bulbs, Begonia, Begonia boliviensis, Container garden, Container growing, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Hummingbird, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (Cuttings), Repotting plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Sensuous Begonia boliviensisNew Compact Russian Sages Arriving
Posted by Hugh on July 21st, 2015
Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a long-lived easy care summer flowering perennial or sub-shrub. It grows in dry to medium moist, well-drained soil and, first and foremost, in full sun. It holds up to summer’s heat, drought, and humidity (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). The Perennial Plant Association designated Russian Sage as the Perennial Plant of the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compact shrub, Container growing, container shrub, deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Russian sage (Perovskia), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on New Compact Russian Sages ArrivingGetting Rid Of Poison Ivy
Posted by Hugh on July 15th, 2015
Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is a woody perennial vine or small shrub that is grows wild in fields, woodlands, and home landscapes. As a vine, poison ivy has 3-leaf (trifoliate) compound leaves; leaf margins may be entire or tri-lobed. It is frequently misidentified as Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), which has compound […]
Posted in Broadleaf weeds, Garden Problems, Ground cover, Invasive species, Lawn Care, Pesticide recommendations, Poison ivy, Poisonous or toxic, Southern Appalachian Region, Weed control, Weeds, Weeds Comments Off on Getting Rid Of Poison IvyARS Selects ‘Oso Easy Lemon Zest’ Rose For Award of Excellence
Posted by Hugh on July 13th, 2015
The American Rose Society (ARS) announced at the 2015 National Conference that Proven Winners received the Award of Excellence for its Oso Easy Lemon Zest shrub rose. To receive this honor, a rose must prove its toughness and beauty in six different no-spray trial locations across the U.S.(USDA hardiness zones 5-9). “Oso Easy Lemon Zest rose is a […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Container growing, container shrub, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Flowers, mulching, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Roses, shrub roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on ARS Selects ‘Oso Easy Lemon Zest’ Rose For Award of ExcellenceLet Gaura Flutter In Your Garden This Summer
Posted by Hugh on July 12th, 2015
What first catches your eye about perennial gaura (Gaura lindheimeri) is its light airy white (or pink) flowers (USDA hardiness zones 5 -9). Orchid-like blossoms are perched atop long thin stems. A faint breeze makes flowers flutter like a cloud of small butterflies above the dark green foliage. Also called […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Container growing, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Gaura, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Let Gaura Flutter In Your Garden This SummerColorful Oleanders For Hot Summer Climes
Posted by Hugh on July 9th, 2015
Oleander (Nerium oleander) is an attractive evergreen shrub for warm climates. Indigenous to the Mediterranean region, it is popular in warm regions of the U.S., namely in western, coastal, and southern states (USDA hardiness zones 8-11). Oleander prefers moist, well-drained soil and a sunny landscape site. Established shrubs withstand dry and windy conditions along coastal areas. Brightly colored […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Aphids, compact tree, container shrub, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Oleander (Nerium), Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Scale, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering evergreens, watering tips, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Colorful Oleanders For Hot Summer Climes‘PeeDee Ingot’ Liriope Brightens Dark Areas
Posted by Hugh on July 6th, 2015
If you live in the Southeastern U.S., another variety of liriope probably will not impress you. Here we call it “monkeygrass”. PeeDee Ingot liriope (Liriope muscari ‘PeeDee Ingot’) is no ordinary ground cover (USDA hardiness zones 6-10). ‘Peedee Ingot’ liriope is named after the Peedee River in South […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Ground cover, Liriope, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘PeeDee Ingot’ Liriope Brightens Dark AreasMy Search Continues For A Hardy Gardenia
Posted by Hugh on July 3rd, 2015
The longer you garden, many plant species keep improving, including their winter hardiness. A few years ago, growing gardenias (Gardenia jasminoides) in a U.S. zone 6 garden was a dream. Today, hardy gardenias are a safe bet in zone 7 or in zone 6 in a protected area of […]
Posted in acidic soil, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Gardenia, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on My Search Continues For A Hardy GardeniaHummingbird Favorite Plants
Posted by Hugh on July 1st, 2015
Many lists of hummingbird plants available in books, on the internet, and at garden centers aren’t very good hummer plants (e.g. petunias, daylillies). Inclusion of whole genera (e.g. Penstemon or Aquilegia) is not correct as only a few species supply ample quality nectar to hummingbirds. Creating a definitive […]
Posted in Hummingbird, Invasive plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, winter hardiness Comments Off on Hummingbird Favorite Plants
