Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is one of nature’s magnificent landscape trees (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). This reliable large tree, native to the Southern U.S., is at home in well-drained clay soils and hot summers. The species typically grows to 60-80 feet tall with a pyramidal (young) to a rounded crown (mature tree). It is not uncommon […]
Archive for the ‘Trees & Shrubs’ Category
Small Southern Magnolia Cultivars
Posted by Hugh on December 13th, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental issues, Evergreen, Flowers, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Large Shade trees, Magnolia grandiflora, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Small Southern Magnolia CultivarsCrape Myrtles Exhibit Beautiful Bark In Winter
Posted by Hugh on December 10th, 2016
The flowers of crape myrtles are a wonderful floral treat in the summer months, several exhibit gorgeous exfoliating bark. Some also show off autumn foliage colors. Here are the best ten species and cultivars of crape myrtles noted for their exfoliating bark. Lagerstroemia hybrids (L. indica x L. fauriei) Hopi – 8-10 feet semi-dwarf shrub; gray brown exfoliating bark; medium pink […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, compact shrub, compact tree, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Downy mildew, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Crape Myrtles Exhibit Beautiful Bark In WinterPurchasing A Cut Christmas Tree
Posted by Hugh on December 1st, 2016
Around the holidays lots of people head out to local Christmas farms to purchase a tree. Local farms offer the best freshly cut trees that should last 3 or more weeks inside your home. Trees for sale in urban lots may have been harvested between 1-4 weeks earlier and shipped to your vicinity. A cut Christmas […]
Posted in Christmas tree, Christmas trees, Evergreens, Firs (Abies), Fraser fir (Abies), Harvest Time, Pines (Pinus spp.), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spruces (Picea spp.), Uncategorized, watering tips Comments Off on Purchasing A Cut Christmas TreeFine Tuning Growing Calamondin Orange In The Home
Posted by Hugh on November 16th, 2016
Calamondin orange (Citris mitis) is challenging to grow in a home environment. It is hardy to 20°F., more than most other true citrus (USDA hardiness zone 8). It does not grow well in temperatures below 45ºF. In temperate regions calamondin spends the active growing months (May – October) outdoors either in direct sunlight (in northern areas) and in half day shade (in […]
Posted in Aphids, Bee Favorite, Calamondin Orange, Container growing, container shrub, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Interior (house) Plants, Mealy bugs, Mites, Ornamental fruit, Pesticide recommendations, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Scale, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy) Comments Off on Fine Tuning Growing Calamondin Orange In The HomeFacts About Garden Watering – How Much And When
Posted by Hugh on November 13th, 2016
Modern gardeners are using more efficient drip irrigation or soaker hoses. Water bills are less than overhead or oscillating systems. You may opt to attach the hose to an automatic timer so you can irrigate in absentia. Water goes on and off anytime you select. In garden beds water plants deeply once weekly rather than a […]
Posted in Azaleas (evergreen), Blackberries, Blueberries, Container garden, Daphne odora, Disease prone, Environmental issues, Flowers, Fruits & Vegetables, Garden Maintenance, Hosta, Ligularias, Mountain laurel (Kalmia), Perennials, Planting tips, Rhododendrons, Slugs, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, Weed control, Winter Protection Comments Off on Facts About Garden Watering – How Much And WhenJapanese Larch Is Preferred In Northern U.S.
Posted by Hugh on November 10th, 2016
Larches (Larix spp.) are majestic deciduous conifers in their northern ranges of their habitat (USDA hardiness zone 4 to 7). However, trees do not prosper in hot and humid summers south of USDA Zone 7. One of the best is Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi), but unfortunately, it is not commonly planted in U.S. landscapes. The tree averages 50-60 feet in height and 25-35 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bagworms, Cercopora leaf spot, compact shrub, compact tree, Container growing, Deciduous conifer, Disease prone, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreens, Insect (Pest) Problems, Large Shade trees, Larix kaempferi, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rust diseases, salt injury, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Japanese Larch Is Preferred In Northern U.S.American Witchhazel Blooms in Autumn
Posted by Hugh on November 7th, 2016
American witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is the last native flowering plants to bloom in the calendar year. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree, native to woodlands, forest margins and stream banks in eastern North America (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). It typically grows 15-20 feet tall as a multi-stemmed shrub and 30 feet tall in tree form. Beginning in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Japanese beetles, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness, Witchhazel (Hamamelis) Comments Off on American Witchhazel Blooms in AutumnDeerproofing
Posted by Hugh on November 4th, 2016
Deer love to eat most of the flowers, plants and trees in your garden. To discourage deer from eating your garden, you basically have three (3) options. Construct a Barrier or Fence. Make your garden unpleasant for deer. Choose plants that deer don’t like. Deer Barriers and Fences Deer can jump an […]
Posted in Blueberries, Container garden, Deer resistant, Environmental issues, Flowering Bulb, Fragrant, Fruits & Vegetables, Hydrangea, Ornamental Pepper, Perennials, Rabbit/deer Protection, Roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant Comments Off on DeerproofingPolar Express Sunbelt Rose Big Winner At 2016 Biltmore Gardens Rose Trial
Posted by Hugh on October 29th, 2016
If you grow roses in the U.S. Mid-South region, the historic Biltmore Gardens in Asheville, NC is key source for discovering what varieties you should be growing. Recently, a jury of world rose experts selected the winning roses in the 2016 Biltmore International Rose Trials. Since 2011, Biltmore’s historic Rose Garden has been home to the trials in which more […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, climbing roses, compost, Container garden, deadheading, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Floribunda roses, Fragrant, Hybrid teas, mulching, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Roses, shrub roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Polar Express Sunbelt Rose Big Winner At 2016 Biltmore Gardens Rose TrialConifers for Small Garden Spaces
Posted by Hugh on October 27th, 2016
Some properties can not accommodate the enormous size of tall evergreen trees. In the world of conifers, a select number of genetically dwarf species and varieties are better fits for small spaces. Most evergreens are sun lovers and require a well-drained soil. Mulching around trees and shrubs also benefits to conserve soil moisture and keep roots cool. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Chamaecyparis, container shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreens, Landscape ideas, mulching, Pine (Pinus spp.), Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spruces (Picea spp.), Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Conifers for Small Garden Spaces
