No insect creates more newspaper headlines than the periodical cicada (Magicicada spp.). Their sudden emergence, every 13 or 17 years reads like a chapter from a science fiction novel. Their high-pitched noise or “mating call” fills the late spring air. Both the 13-year and 17-year cicadas are uniquely common in the eastern U.S., found no […]
Archive for the ‘Southern Appalachian Region’ Category
Pest Alert- Protect Young Trees and Shrubs From Cicadas
Posted by Hugh on May 20th, 2013
Posted in Apple tree, Cicada, Garden Problems, Insect (Pest) Problems, Pear (Pyrus spp.), Pests, Plum, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs 
Comments Off on Pest Alert- Protect Young Trees and Shrubs From Cicadas‘Florida Sunshine’ Anise Tree
Posted by Hugh on May 18th, 2013
Florida Sunshine anise tree (Illicium parviflorum ‘Florida Sunshine’), aka Ocala yellow star, is a southeast U.S. native which grows well on moderately shaded sites. Its evergreen, chartreuse colored, spring-summer foliage turns golden yellow in the fall. As its common name hints, the evergreen foliage emits a licorice scent. The overall fall-winter show is nothing short […]
Posted in Anise tree (Illicium), compact shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on ‘Florida Sunshine’ Anise Tree‘Bikini-tini’ Colocasia Creates Movement in The Garden
Posted by Hugh on May 15th, 2013
Colocasia (Colocasia esculenta), aka taro, ape plant, and elephant ear, among other names, is marginally hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). The 2011 colocasia introduction ‘Bikini-tini’ has garnered high praise from neighbors and friends visiting my garden in the summer. Bikini-tini is a strong stemmed thick-leaved plant that grows 4 to 5 feet in height. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Colocasia, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Perennials, plant nutrition, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on ‘Bikini-tini’ Colocasia Creates Movement in The GardenAustralian Fanflower A Hot Choice in U.S. Southern Gardens
Posted by Hugh on May 12th, 2013
Fanflower (Scaevola aemula) is a relatively new annual bedding plant choice. This Australian native thrives in tough environmental conditions, including the hot, humid summers in the Southern U.S. Fanflower grows well in hanging baskets, containers or garden beds. It grows in average, moderately acidic, well-drained soil and prefers full or partial sunny areas in the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fan flower (Scaevola), Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant Comments Off on Australian Fanflower A Hot Choice in U.S. Southern GardensFloral Fragrance Of Native Fringetree Fills The Spring Air
Posted by Hugh on May 10th, 2013
Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) is treasured for its billowy masses of fragrant white flowers in the spring. It commonly grows as a large 15-20 foot tall shrub, but can be easily trained into a 20-25 foot multi-stemmed small tree. Most gardeners call this native “fringe tree” or fringetree. Regionally, it goes by a number of colloquial […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn Fruiting, Bee Favorite, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fringetree (Chionanthus), Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Floral Fragrance Of Native Fringetree Fills The Spring Air‘Thailand Giant’ Elephant Ears A Tropical Wonder
Posted by Hugh on May 7th, 2013
In many areas of the U.S.’Thailand Giant’ elephant ears (Colocasia gigantea) is classified as an annual (USDA hardiness zone 8-10). It grows best in full to partial sunlight (6-hours minimum) and planted in a compost-rich well-drained garden soil or good container potting media. A young plant should be moved outdoors and brought back indoors when […]
Posted in Colocasia, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on ‘Thailand Giant’ Elephant Ears A Tropical WonderChenille Plant Hot For The Summer Garden
Posted by Hugh on May 4th, 2013
Chenille plant (Acalypha hispida), aka firetails and redhot cattail, is a hot tropical plant which has jumped from house plant to garden plant use. Their pendulous vibrant red (other colors are available) tassel-like flowers mimic the furry tails of pets. Its lush dark green foliage is heart-shaped. Stems arch downward under the weight of the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Chenille plant (Acalypha), deadheading, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips Comments Off on Chenille Plant Hot For The Summer GardenSnow Fountains® Weeping Cherry Fits Small Gardens
Posted by Hugh on April 30th, 2013
Snow Fountains® (Prunus x ‘Snofozam’) is a slow-growing, weeping ornamental cherry that grows compact. It develops into a 8 to 15 feet tall and 5 to 12 feet wide tree. This cultivar is also listed as ‘White Fountains’ in some nursery catalogs. The cascading branches flow downward or may take on a green mound form. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compact tree, Disease prone, Hummingbird, Insect (Pest) Problems, Ornamental cherry (Prunus), Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Weeping habit, winter hardiness Comments Off on Snow Fountains® Weeping Cherry Fits Small Gardens‘King Tut’ Papyrus Adds Texture To The Summer Garden
Posted by Hugh on April 27th, 2013
Standard sized Papyrus in Flower Bed at Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio Over thousands of years papyrus (Cyperus papyrus), aka Egyptian paper plant, was essential for food, medicine, fiber and shelter in ancient Egypt. Today, we utilize papyrus, as many other aquatic and bog-like plants, to add texture to the garden. Papyrus is classified as a non-hardy […]
Posted in Heat Tolerance, Papyrus, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), water garden maintenance, watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on ‘King Tut’ Papyrus Adds Texture To The Summer Garden‘Shaina’ Japanese Maple
Posted by Hugh on April 23rd, 2013
The foliage of ‘Shaina’ Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Shaina’) starts out hot red in early spring. The deeply cut leaves are bunched together for a tufted or layered look. From mid-spring thru summer, the foliage, now maroon red, holds its color. Shaina grows naturally as a shrub, 8 feet high and 4 to 5 feet […]
Posted in acidic soil, compact tree, container shrub, Japanese maple, Maples (Acer), Planting tips, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on ‘Shaina’ Japanese Maple
