Proper watering of a newly planted tree or shrub starts the day it is planted. This is the final crucial step! Dig a wide shallow hole that will accommodate the roots of the new tree. Adding soil amendments is generally not necessary unless the shrubs are moisture-loving, acidic-loving types such as azaleas (Rhododendron spp.), blueberries […]
Archive for the ‘Trees & Shrubs’ Category
Sweet Azalea
Sweet azalea (Rhododendron arborescens), aka smooth azalea, produces fragrant flowers in June. The native deciduous species grows along streams on woodland slopes and moist shrubby balds in the Appalachian Mountains from southern Pennsylvania and eastern Kentucky to North Georgia and Alabama. Here in Tennessee, you may spot this sweetly fragrant white blooms while hiking at […]
Six Mini-Shrubs For Small Gardens
Many green thumbers and veteran senior gardeners have opted to grow in small garden beds. Here are six (6) small flowering shrubs that add lots of seasonal color from early spring to late summer. All six are easy to maintain; check the easy-care info at the end. Plants can also be grown in 12 inches […]
May Blooming Beauty Bush
Beauty Bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis) is closely related to two other flowering shrubs – Weigela and Diervilla – and belong in the honeysuckle family (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). It is primarily grown for its outstanding spring flowering in May. This deciduous shrub grows 6-10 feet tall with an arching, vase-shaped shrub habit. Beauty Bush is an old-fashioned shrub planted […]
Chinese Fringe Flower
Chinese fringe flower, aka Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense) is related to witchhazels (Hamamelis spp) and is native to China, Japan, and the Himalayas (USDA 7-10). In the southern U.S., fringe flower is usually evergreen or semi-evergreen, and is deciduous in 6b-7a. For those who garden in areas that occasionally are hit cold winter snaps, plant them […]
Red Buckeye – Delightful Small Flowering Tree
Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia), aka Firecracker Plant, is a southeastern U. S. native that is a large understory shrub or small tree. A member of the Sapindaceae (maple) family, this lovely spring flowering beauty grows 15 to 25 feet tall in 30 years and is a perfect fit in small yards. It is native from […]
Growing Crapemyrtles In Containers
Gardeners who live in USDA zones 6 -10 can grow dwarf (shrubby) crapemyrtles either in the ground or in containers. In northern areas of the U.S., a few crape myrtle varieties are tender perennials and grown in containers. They’re overwintered in an unheated garage, shed or pots are dug into the ground. These dwarf varieties […]
‘Ogon’ Spirea Is A Standout
Spireas (Spiraea spp.) represent a large number of mostly non-native flowering landscape shrubs. Most are not U.S. natives, indigenous to China and Japan. Baby’s breath spirea (S. thunbergii) is also called Thunberg spirea and Breath of Spring spirea. It is a showy, graceful shrub that grows 3 to 5 feet high and wide with many […]