If you’re looking for an attractive perennial groundcover to quickly fill in small or large patches in your garden, you can’t go wrong with ajuga (Ajuga reptans), also called as carpet bugleweed. This creeping evergreen plant spreads quickly and thickly. Plant it on moderate slopes for erosion control. A vigorous clump should smother out weeds […]
Archive for the ‘Southern Appalachian Region’ Category
Growing Ajuga
Posted by Hugh on May 12th, 2025
Posted in Bees and other pollinators, Bugleweed (Ajuga), Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Light requirement, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, rabbit damage, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness 
No Comments »Hardy Begonias
Posted by Hugh on May 8th, 2025
Hardy begonia (Begonia grandis) is an herbaceous perennial flowering plant native to Southern China, Japan, and Malaysia. It is a member of the Begonia (Begoniaceae) family (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). From summer into early fall, hardy begonia displays loose arching clusters of bright pink fragrant blooms. It is monoecious, e.g. both male and female flowers are […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Begonia, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Ground cover, Hardy begonia (B. grandis), Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection No Comments »Chinese Pistache – Great Yard / Street Tree
Posted by Hugh on May 1st, 2025
Chinese pistache tree (Pistachia chinensis) is a small to medium size 25–40-foot landscape tree, an ideal size for a yard or street tree. Chinese pistache is native to China, Taiwan and the Philippines (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). It is related to the edible pistache nut tree (Pistachia vera). (Botanical family: Anacardiaceae). Foliage consists of pinnate compound, […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Chinese pistache (Pistacia), Deciduous, Deer resistant, Dioecious, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Non-native, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Street tree, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness No Comments »Mayapples
Posted by Hugh on April 27th, 2025
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) is a native herbaceous perennial wildflower that forms dense mats. It is an early spring riser in the shade garden (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). Mayapples are exceptionally hardy woodland plants found in most of eastern North America and as far south as the State of Texas. They’re typically found in colonies in open woodlands, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, Mayapple (Podophyllum), mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, winter hardiness No Comments »Plant Empress Tree Along Roadsides
Posted by Hugh on April 14th, 2025
Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa) is a fast-growing shade tree, in some years adding 4-5 feet of new growth annually. In general, this tree is not recommended for planting in landscapes. This is a weedy and messy tree and is listed as an invasive species in many states. Paulownia eventually to reach heights of 40-50 feet […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Invasive species, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Paulownia (Empress tree), Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Weak branching, Weak wooded, winter hardiness Comments Off on Plant Empress Tree Along RoadsidesOakleaf Hydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on April 11th, 2025
Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is an upright, broad-rounded, suckering, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub. In the wild oakleafs may grow 20 feet tall, but popular landscape cultivars typically grow 4-8 feet) tall. It is a wonderful shrub with multi-season interest. This Southeastern U.S. native shrub tolerates hot, humid weather and is not as winter hardy as some […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compact shrub, Container garden, container shrub, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowering, Hydrangea, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, Large shrub, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia), Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Oakleaf HydrangeasPatio Peach
Posted by Hugh on April 7th, 2025
For small garden spaces, including large containers, 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. In the mood for tasty peach cobbler? Patio peach is a genetic dwarf and may be grown in a large container on […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Borers, Container garden, Deciduous, Dwarf peach, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Ornamental fruit, Peach, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, rabbit damage, Scale, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Patio PeachFountain Grass
Posted by Hugh on March 24th, 2025
Fountain grasses (P. alopecuroides) are perennial warm season grasses that are native to meadows and open woods of Eastern Asia (mainly China and Japan) and Western Australia. Cultivars hardiness ranges from zone 4 (5) – 10. These ornamental grasses have finely textured deep green foliage and elegant form. Leaves and flower spikes sway in the breeze, […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Fertilizing plants, Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)), Landscape ideas, Non-native, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Fountain GrassClematis Care Notes
Posted by Hugh on March 17th, 2025
Clematis are popular flowering vines that come in various species and varieties, some of which are U.S. natives. They can be woody, deciduous vines or shrubs, and bloom in different seasons. Clematis vines produce spectacular flowers in shades of purple, pink, red, and white. Many clematis are vigorous growers and can reach 18 -20 feet tall. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Clematis, Deciduous, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Vine, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Clematis Care NotesWinter Honeysuckle Totally Ignored In U.S. Landscapes
Posted by Hugh on March 10th, 2025
Winter honeysuckle, aka fragrant honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) is a treasured heirloom shrub (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). Plantings of this late winter blooming large woody shrub are still found in historical (older) urban neighborhoods and city parks planted prior to the 1960’s. This tough, durable shrub can reach 10+ feet tall and wide. You […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Honeysuckle (Lonicera), Invasive species, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Scale, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, White flies, Winter bark, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Winter Honeysuckle Totally Ignored In U.S. Landscapes
