Many landscape plants die because they were planted in soil that was too wet or soggy. Poorly drained soils are generally poorly aerated. A high water table in an area limits your choices of plants that you may grow. Plants that grow naturally along streams and ponds are good candidates for poorly drained sites. During periods of heavy […]
Archive for the ‘Southern Appalachian Region’ Category
All About Soil Drainage
Posted by Hugh on January 20th, 2019
Posted in compost, Container garden, Daphne odora, Garden ecology, Landscape Construction, Landscape ideas, Moss (in lawn), mulching, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Purchasing Plants, root injury, Root rotting, Soil Conservation, Soil drainage, Soil Testing, Southern Appalachian Region, Transplant problem, watering tips 
Comments Off on All About Soil DrainageWinter Honeysuckle Totally Ignored In The landscape
Posted by Hugh on January 6th, 2019
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 may opt to limb up its shaggy lower […]
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, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, White flies, Winter bark, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Winter Honeysuckle Totally Ignored In The landscapeUpdate On Boxwood Blight Disease
Posted by Hugh on January 1st, 2019
A decade ago, boxwoods (Buxus spp.) were the quintessential shrubs, particularly for formal hedges. Over the past half century, many new boxwood varieties have been introduced into nursery commerce, a boxwood variety that will work in most garden situations. Just five years ago, boxwood production at U.S. nurseries was greater than for azaleas, hollies, hydrangeas, and arborvitaes. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Boxwood (Buxus), Chlorosis (yellowing), Container garden, Disease prone, Environmental issues, Evergreen, Hedges, Landscape ideas, mulching, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sanitation, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, watering tips Comments Off on Update On Boxwood Blight DiseasePrevent Leaf Burn on Evergreens This Winter
Posted by Hugh on December 24th, 2018
Winter foliage burn on evergreens is often most prevalent on boxwoods (Buxus), hollies (Ilex), rhododendron, and many kinds of conifers. Symptoms often develop when temperatures warm up in late winter and early spring. This type of winter damage is often misdiagnosed as an infectious disease or damage from excessively cold temperatures. Evergreens transpire (lose water […]
Posted in acidic soil, Alexandrian Laurel, Camellia, Cryptomeria (Japanese cedar), Cupressus (cypress), Doghobble (Leucothoe), Drought tolerant, DWARF CONIFERS, Environmental Conservation, Environmental issues, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Fraser fir (Abies), Garden ecology, Ilex (hollies), Landscape ideas, Magnolia grandiflora, Magnolia virginiana, Microbiota, mulching, Native Plant, Osmanthus 'Goshiki', Pieris japonica, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Rhododendrons, root injury, salt injury, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Sweetbox (Sarcococca), Taiwan cryptomeria, Thujopsis, Trees & Shrubs, Umbrella pine (Sciadopitys), watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness, Winter Protection, Yews (Taxus spp.) Comments Off on Prevent Leaf Burn on Evergreens This WinterUnusual Forms Of Umbrella Pine Are Really Cool
Posted by Hugh on December 11th, 2018
Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) is a prized ornamental evergreen (USDA hardiness zones 5b -9). It is not actually a pine. The only species within genus Sciadopitys, this conifer dates back to the dinosaurs. Umbrella pine is a mid-sized landscape tree with several fine attributes: 1. glossy green long narrow needles arranged like the spokes of a wheel; 2. peeling […]
Posted in acidic soil, Chlorosis (yellowing), compact shrub, compact tree, Container growing, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Umbrella pine (Sciadopitys), Uncategorized, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Unusual Forms Of Umbrella Pine Are Really CoolSpring Star Flowers (Ipheion)
Posted by Hugh on November 28th, 2018
Spring star flowers (Ipheion uniflorum), native to Argentina and Uruguay, feature grass-like foliage and 6-petaled star-shaped flowers on 3-6 inches tall stems in early spring (April). Each bulb produces multiple flowering stems. Flowers range in color from almost white to violet blue and emit a mild spicy fragrance. In addition the grassy foliage gives off an oniony […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bees and other pollinators, Bulb Crops, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Star flower (Ipheion), winter hardiness Comments Off on Spring Star Flowers (Ipheion)Hardy Sedum Groundcovers
Posted by Hugh on November 25th, 2018
Sedums (Sedum spp.) are tough, easy to grow perennials (zones 3-9). Plants prefer average dry to moist well-drained soils and full to partial sun. Most sedums do not tolerate wet soils. Their thick succulent glossy leaves lead to the plants’ exceptional drought resistance. Sedums are exceptionally easy to root from leaf and stem cuttings. Low groundcover types […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (layering), Purchasing Plants, Sedum, Sedum (Groundcover types), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Hardy Sedum GroundcoversTips for Growing Abutilon (Flowering Maple)
Posted by Hugh on November 20th, 2018
Abutilon (Abutilon x hybridum) is a group of tender evergreen perennials (USDA hardiness zones 9-11). In USDA hardiness zones 6 thru 8, abutilon is grown outdoors from mid-spring to mid- autumn, when it is moved indoors and grown as a tropical houseplant. When moved indoors, partially cut back to fit its indoor space. In early spring prune the plant […]
Posted in Abutilon (Flowering Maple), acidic soil, Annuals, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering house plant, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Insect suseptible, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, Mealy bugs, Mite susceptible, Mites, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, White flies, Winter flowering, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Tips for Growing Abutilon (Flowering Maple)Fertilizing Trees And Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on November 15th, 2018
Maintaining good plant nutrition is of key importance. A tree and shrub which is growing vigorously can resist infestation from most diseases and insects. Symptoms of poor nutrition: pale green or chlorotic leaves; undersized plants; slower annual growth rate; many dead or dying branch tips; increased insect/disease problems. Trees under 10 years of age should be fertilized annually. There is little need to […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Fertilizing plants, Garden Maintenance, Insect suseptible, Landscape ideas, Large Shade trees, Large shrub, Maples (Acer), Medium sized Tree, mulching, Native Plant, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Soil Conservation, Soil pH, Soil Testing, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Fertilizing Trees And ShrubsBeware Of Fast Growing Trees
Posted by Hugh on November 10th, 2018
Many property owners choose fast growing landscape trees. These large shade trees increase the value of your property. Their summer shade and wintry wind protection may reduce utility bills by 20 – 25% . Trees attract wild birds for nesting, protection, and as a food source. Some brighten up your landscape with dazzling fall color. However, we may pay a […]
Posted in Anthracnose, Attracting birds, Bacterial diseases, Borers, Box elder (Acer), Boxelder tree (Acer), Disease prone, Environmental issues, Garden ecology, Insect (Pest) Problems, Landscape ideas, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Paulownia (Empress tree), Poplar (Populus spp.), Purchasing Plants, Root suckering, Scale, Silver maple (Acer saccharinum), Southern Appalachian Region, Street tree, Sycamore (Platanus), Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus), Trees & Shrubs, Tulip tree (Liriodendron), Uncategorized, Weak branching, Weak wooded, Willows (Salix) Comments Off on Beware Of Fast Growing Trees
