In many areas of the Eastern U.S. Japanese beetles (JB) devastate the foliage, fruits and flowers of more than 300 plant species, particularly those in the rose family (Rosaceae). Adult beetles are approximately 3/8 inches in length with a dark metallic green head and metallic dark tan wings. In the soil JB grubs appear “C” […]
Archive for the ‘Southern Appalachian Region’ Category
Dreaded Japanese Beetles Are Back
Posted by Hugh on July 4th, 2016
Posted in Hibiscus moscheutos, Insect (Pest) Problems, Japanese beetle, Japanese beetles, Lawn Care, Linden (Tilia), Pesticide Recommendations, Pesticide recommendations, Rose insects, Roses, shrub roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Strawberries, Uncategorized 
Comments Off on Dreaded Japanese Beetles Are Back‘Silk Tassel’ Sedge Shimmers In Shady Gardens
Posted by Hugh on July 1st, 2016
‘Silk Tassel’ Japanese sedge (Carex morrowii var. temnolepis) is an ornamental sedge from Japan (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9). It is grown in shady areas for its narrow, variegated foliage. It grows slowly as a dense, grass-like clump to 12 -15 inches high and up to 2 feet spread. Foliage bubbles up like a shimmering […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Carex (Sedges), Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Ground cover, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Sedges (Carex), Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Silk Tassel’ Sedge Shimmers In Shady GardensNandinas Are Never Old-fashioned
Posted by Hugh on June 25th, 2016
Aka “heavenly bamboo”, nandinas (Nandina domestica) are broadleaf evergreen shrubs with several landscape attributes that include white spring flowers, color changing leathery foliage, and enormous clusters of colorful berry fruits in fall and winter (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). This member of the Barberry family (Berberidaceae) is native to Japan, China […]
Posted in compact shrub, container shrub, Evergreen, Fruits poisonous, Nandina, Ornamental fruit, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Nandinas Are Never Old-fashionedSeasonal Mowing Height Of Home Lawns
Posted by Hugh on June 22nd, 2016
The arrival of summer’s heat and dry weather is a clear sign to raise the cutting (mowing) height of your lawn grass. Every grass species have a recommended height at which it should be mowed for best health. The cutting height will change with the season. Location in the yard is also […]
Posted in Bermuda, Crabgrass control, Fertilizing, Herbicide management, Irrigation, Lawn Care, Mowing, Red fescue, Southern Appalachian Region, Tall Fescue, Weed management, Weeds, Zoysia Comments Off on Seasonal Mowing Height Of Home LawnsButterfly Weed – Long-lived Flowering Perennial That Nourish Monarchs
Posted by Hugh on June 21st, 2016
Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), aka butterfly weed, is a tuberous rooted perennial native in the Eastern and southern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9). It grows in dry/rocky open woodlands, prairies, farm fields, and along roadsides. Individual plants typically grow as a clump to 1- 3 feet high and 1 ½ feet wide. Unlike many of […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Milkweeds (Asclepias), Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (Seed), root injury, Rust diseases, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on Butterfly Weed – Long-lived Flowering Perennial That Nourish MonarchsCelebrate National Pollinator Week
Posted by Hugh on June 19th, 2016
June 20 – 26 is National Pollinator Week. National Pollinator Week is a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what you can do to protect them. Nine years ago the U.S. Senate unanimous approved and designated a week in June as “National Pollinator Week”. National Pollinator Week is […]
Posted in Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Garden ecology, Ground nesting bees, Native Plant, Planting tips, Pollination needs, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Uncategorized, Wildlife attractant Comments Off on Celebrate National Pollinator WeekMedical Benefits Derived From Gardening
Posted by Hugh on June 16th, 2016
For hundreds of years, home gardeners have realized that growing plants is good for you both physically and mentally. A story recently published in British tabloid The Guardian reports that many patients suffering with cancer, dementia and mental health problems can benefit from gardening. Doctors are more and more prescribing gardening for patients with cancer, […]
Posted in Container garden, Edible fruits, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Flowering Bulb, Flowering house plant, Horticultural Therapy, Interior (house) Plants, Orchids, Purchasing Plants, Raised bed Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering bulbs, Uncategorized Comments Off on Medical Benefits Derived From GardeningButtonbush Offers Year-round Interest
Posted by Hugh on June 13th, 2016
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), aka Button-willow or Honey Bells, is a medium to large native shrub with many fine landscape attributes. This unique flowering shrub is a favorite in attracting beneficial wildlife. It populates bogs, swamps and pond areas, as well as dry limestone bluffs in the eastern U.S. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Buttonbush (Cephalanthus), Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Flowering, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Buttonbush Offers Year-round InterestJapanese Snowbells Worth A Try
Posted by Hugh on June 10th, 2016
Japanese snowbells (Styrax japonicus) is a graceful, slow growing, low branched spring flowering tree. At present snowbells are not popular with U.S. gardeners , mostly because of unavailabliity (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Snowbells are lovely understory trees, similar to our native dogwoods (Cornus florida). Small, pendulous, slightly fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers appear in May. Small white […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compact tree, Fertilizing plants, Firewood, mulching, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Styrax, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness, winter injury Comments Off on Japanese Snowbells Worth A TryRecommendations On Hardy Crape Myrtles
Posted by Hugh on June 4th, 2016
Crape myrtles are dependable trees and shrubs in zones 7 – 10. In northern areas of USDA zone 6, a number of crape myrtle varieties (cultivars) are rated as winter hardy perennials but not develop into a full sized woody tree or shrub described on the plant tag. In northeastern U.S. cities such as Philadelphia, Wilmington or Baltimore, crape myrtles […]
Posted in Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease resistant, Environmental issues, Fertilizing plants, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Recommendations On Hardy Crape Myrtles
