Landscaping practices can influence pest populations. Old landscape timbers, particularly those that are partially rotted, may provide food for termites. powder post beetles, and carpenter ants. Numbers of millipedes, earwigs, crickets, sowbugs, and clover mite larvae may be greatly reduced if piled up old branches and boards are properly disposed of. Mosquito populations rise in wet summer weather […]
Archive for the ‘Southern Appalachian Region’ Category
Stop Inviting Critters to Your Property
Posted by Hugh on November 27th, 2015
Posted in Aggressive grower, Insect (Pest) Problems, Invasive plant, Millipedes & centipedes, Mulch Quality, Pests, Poisonous plant, Snakes, Southern Appalachian Region, Virus diseases, Weeds, Weeds, Wildlife attractant 
Comments Off on Stop Inviting Critters to Your PropertyStop Destroying Forsythias
Posted by Hugh on November 24th, 2015
Forsythia (Forsythia spp.), also called “yellow bells”, is an extremely popular spring flowering shrub (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Their bright yellow flowers signal the coming of spring. However, many gardeners do not know how to prune them. Tall 8-12 foot forms of F. x intermedia are commonly sold at most U.S. garden centers. Forsythias grow from 2 to 10 […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Forsythia, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Overcrowding, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Stop Destroying ForsythiasWhat You Should Know About Herbicides
Posted by Hugh on November 18th, 2015
By definition a weed is any plant that you don’t want in your garden. Herbicides are vegetation killers and classified as a pesticide that kills weeds. When used incorrectly, herbicides may injure good plants as well. Always read and understand the package directions before using. In a lawn or garden, you may be trying […]
Posted in Broadleaf weeds, Crabgrass control, Environmental issues, Garden Maintenance, Garden Problems, Herbicide management, Invasive plant, Invasive species, Landscape ideas, Lawn Care, Mowing, Nutsedge Control, Pesticide recommendations, Poisonous or toxic, seeding lawn, Southern Appalachian Region, Weed control, Weeds, Weeds, Wind protection Comments Off on What You Should Know About HerbicidesStylish Boulevard Cypress
Posted by Hugh on November 15th, 2015
A twist here…a turn there, that’s the unique growth of Boulevard Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Boulevard’). It is a popular medium-sized evergreen shrub for home and commercial landscapes (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Boulevard cypress exhibits a twisted pyramidal form with soft, silvery blue foliage that also grows in a slightly twisted manner. The fine, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Chamaecyparis, compact shrub, container shrub, Disease prone, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Mite susceptible, mulching, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Stylish Boulevard CypressWinterberry Holly Brightens Winter Scene
Posted by Hugh on November 12th, 2015
To escape from dreary days this winter, brightened up your landscape with deciduous hollies. Among a long, long list of deciduous holly species, winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) is the superior choice (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Inconspicuous white blooms in spring are followed by red, orange, or yellow berries in fall. Compared to their evergreen […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Ilex (hollies), Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winterberry holly Comments Off on Winterberry Holly Brightens Winter SceneFive Summer Perennials You Will Love
Posted by Hugh on November 10th, 2015
In the past few years several great performing perennials have caught my eye. Some are exceptional landscape performers exhibiting long bloom period and exceptional disease resistance. All are hardy in Zones 4-9. Here are five of the best: Echinacea Cheyenne Spirit coneflower mix (Echinacea purpurea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’) offers a […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Container growing, deadheading, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Ground cover, Hummingbird, Monarda (Beebalm), mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Phlox, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Sedum (Groundcover types), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Five Summer Perennials You Will LoveSelecting Japanese Maple Varieties For Winter Hardiness
Posted by Hugh on November 4th, 2015
Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) and (A. japonicum) are among the most picturesque of trees and shrubs. Their star-shaped leaves are comprised of 5-7-9 pointed lobes, depending on variety (cultivar). Trees exhibit layered branching, cascading form, lacy foliage (dissectum types), and stunning fall color. There are countless numbers of cultivars… […]
Posted in acidic soil, compact shrub, compact tree, Container growing, container shrub, Japanese maple, Landscape ideas, Maples (Acer), mulching, mulching trees, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Selecting Japanese Maple Varieties For Winter HardinessTips On Sowing Milkweed Seeds
Posted by Hugh on November 1st, 2015
Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), aka butterfly weeds, are tuberous rooted perennials native to 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. A clump of milkweed plants grow 1- 3 feet tall and spread 1 ½ feet wide. Unlike other milkweeds […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Rust diseases, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildflower, Wildflowers, winter hardiness Comments Off on Tips On Sowing Milkweed SeedsCrocus: A Fine Start To Spring
Posted by Hugh on October 29th, 2015
Crocus (Crocus spp.) can be your wake-up reminder that winter is coming to an end (USDA hardiness zones 3- 8). They bloom in late winter (in the south); fall blooming varieties are also available. Bulbs (they’re actually “corms”) are available in flower colors from blue, purple, white, yellow, and mixed […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bulb Crops, Container growing, Crocus, Crocus, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall crocus, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering bulbs, Virus diseases, Voles, Wildlife attractant, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Crocus: A Fine Start To SpringAvoid Crape Myrtle Woes In Winter
Posted by Hugh on October 25th, 2015
It’s no secret that in many areas with cold winters (USDA hardiness zones 6-9), hardy crape myrtle cultivars are now available. In northern areas like eastern Maryland and northern VA, crape myrtles have been prospering for two decades and more. However, there is one rule regarding winter care — “Don’t Touch”. Hold off all pruning of crape […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compact tree, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Fertilizing plants, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Avoid Crape Myrtle Woes In Winter
