Get use to it… big leaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), also called hortensia hydrangeas, are temperamental (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). After a long winter of sub-freezing temperatures, these blue (or pink) flowering shrubs should be stunningly beautiful in spring. However, if the late winter- early spring temps flucuate wildly, grab your pruning shears. Too most gardeners, myself included, […]
Archive for the ‘container shrub’ Category
Temperamental Big Leaf Hydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on March 25th, 2019
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla), Cold tolerance, compact shrub, compost, Container garden, container shrub, Disease resistant, Environmental issues, Fertilizing plants, Hydrangea, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Re-Bloomers, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection 
Comments Off on Temperamental Big Leaf HydrangeasUnusual 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 CoolDieback Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on November 5th, 2018
Dieback shrubs are a group of hardy landscape shrubs that emerge and grow vigorously from mid-spring through early summer. They bloom reliably from late summer into early fall. Plants are near the edge of their hardiness range, and often die back to the ground in the winter. They act more like herbaceous perennials. The above-ground shoots are not […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Blue mist (Caryopteris), Buddleia (Butterfly bush), Butterflies, compact shrub, Container growing, container shrub, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flower arrangments, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Vitex (Chaste tree), watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Dieback ShrubsStoloniferous Dogwoods Jazz Up The Winter Landscape
Posted by Hugh on October 25th, 2018
Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub native to much of the Northern and Western United States (USDA hardiness zones 2-7). Without question these shrubs standout in winter by their colorful stems (see pruning recommendations below). Cut branches are an added plus for indoor arrangements. The yellow-twig form (C. sericea ‘Flaviramea’) is also available. Leaves are oblong-lanceolate […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compact shrub, container shrub, Cornus sericea, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Stoloniferous Dogwoods Jazz Up The Winter LandscapeUmbrella Pine—A Conifer Collector’s Dream Plant
Posted by Hugh on October 10th, 2018
Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) is an evergreen (USDA hardiness zones 5b -9). It is not actually a pine. Historically, umbrella pines date back to the dinosaur age. This mid-sized landscape tree displays several fine attributes: shiny leaves are arranged in whorls like the spokes of an umbrella; peeling, reddish brown bark and a […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, compact shrub, Container growing, container shrub, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, mulching, mulching trees, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Umbrella pine (Sciadopitys), watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Umbrella Pine—A Conifer Collector’s Dream PlantFavorites Among The Rose Of Sharon (Althea) Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on August 15th, 2018
Rose of Sharon, aka shrub althea, (Hibiscus syriacus) is a woody hibiscus shrub that is hardy in temperate northern areas of the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). This summer flowering shrub is exceptionally easy to grow. At one time, it was a great pass-along shrub that fell out of favor. However, old fashioned varieties frequently reseeded […]
Posted in acidic soil, Althea (Hibiscus), Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compact shrub, Container garden, container shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Hibiscus syriacus, Japanese beetles, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Favorites Among The Rose Of Sharon (Althea) ShrubsThree July Blooming Trees (Other Than Crapemyrtles)
Posted by Hugh on June 25th, 2018
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is a 10-15 feet tall, vase-shaped, deciduous shrub or a small 15-20 foot tree. The species is native from southern Europe and Asia. Often mistaken as a purple-flowering crapemyrtle, vitex is grown where wintry weather is not severe (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). Its palmately compound grayish-green leaves, composed of 5-7 lance-shaped leaflets, are […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compact shrub, compact tree, compost, container shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental issues, Golden Raintree, Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Sourwood (Oxydendrum), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Vitex (Chaste tree), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Three July Blooming Trees (Other Than Crapemyrtles)Uniquely Different Spider Azalea
Posted by Hugh on April 19th, 2018
Although rarely seen, spider azalea (Rhododendron stenopetalum ‘Linearfolium’) will be a pleasing addition to your woodland garden (USDA hardiness zones 6-8). Few people would ever guess that it is an azalea. This airy shrub grows 3-4 feet tall and a whole lot wider. It is slow growing, but is worth the wait. This unique semi- evergreen azalea hails from Japan. The very narrow […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, compact shrub, compost, container shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spider aalea (R. stenopetalum), Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Uniquely Different Spider AzaleaSimple Care of Crape Myrtles
Posted by Hugh on April 13th, 2018
Crape Myrtle Hardiness: Know how hardy the cultivar is. USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9). Site Location: Crape myrtles love sunlight. Flower numbers decline in light to medium shade. Plant in average soil that is well-drained. Select the right cultivar that fits the allotted planting space. Mulch plant and water as needed the first growing season. […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Cercopora leaf spot, compact shrub, compact tree, Container garden, Container growing, container shrub, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Crape myrtle aphid, Crape myrtle bark scale, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Landscape ideas, mulching, mulching trees, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Street tree, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Simple Care of Crape MyrtlesLandscape Ideas Using Crape Myrtles
Posted by Hugh on April 10th, 2018
If you live in zone 7 and points southward, you are likely growing crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei). Additional hybrid cultivars (varieties) are hardy in zone 6. Crape myrtles are loved for their spectacular summer flowers, colorful fall foliage, and exquisite peeling bark over trunks and branches. Cultivars range in size from dwarf selections […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Butterflies, compact shrub, Container garden, Container growing, container shrub, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Landscape Ideas Using Crape Myrtles
