Bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) is native to the southeastern United States as far north to Ohio (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). A mature tree attains heights of 30 to 40 feet and develops an irregular pyramidal form. In the northern areas the tree is deciduous and semi-evergreen in the southeastern U.S. Its enormous size foliage makes […]
Archive for the ‘Trees & Shrubs’ Category
Tropical Looking Big Leaf Magnolia
Posted by Hugh on October 2nd, 2014
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Landscape ideas, Magnolia macrophylla, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Tropical Looking Big Leaf MagnoliaBlack Gum Should Be Planted More
Posted by Hugh on September 30th, 2014
U.S. native black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), aka sour gum or black tupelo, is a medium to large shade tree. A young tree has an attractive pyramidal habit and dependable fall color. In the past transplanting black gum has been an issue, but modern advances in growing and planting practices have been solved. New cultivars […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Black gum (Nyssa), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, pin oak, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, watering iris, winter hardiness Comments Off on Black Gum Should Be Planted MoreThe Mighty Bur Oak
Posted by Hugh on September 25th, 2014
Bur oak or mossycup oak (Quercus macrocarpa), aka blue oak and mossy overcup oak, is a majestic native oak native to the midwest and eastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). It a member of the white oak group (rounded leaf lobes, no bristly tips). This large sized deciduous oak grows 60-80 feet tall with a […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Bur oak (Q. macrocarpa), Deer resistant, Edible fruits, Native Plant, Oaks (Quercus spp.), Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on The Mighty Bur OakMy New Favorite Pruning Shears
Posted by Hugh on September 22nd, 2014
When stepping out to work in the garden, a pair of hand pruners (shears) is the first tool in my pocket or belt pouch. A good pair of pruning shears is indispensable to snip off old spent flowers and stems from perennials such as hostas, daylilies, peonies, etal; shrubs like rhododendrons, lilacs, hydrangeas; to clear […]
Posted in Garden Maintenance, Perennials, Pruning, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized Comments Off on My New Favorite Pruning Shears‘Summer Snowflake’ Viburnum
Posted by Hugh on September 18th, 2014
Autumn may be coming or has arrived, but spring-flowering ‘Summer Snowflake’, a selection of doublefile viburnum (Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum) continues to bloom. Native to Japan, doublefile viburnums are in a league of their own. Summer Snowflake grows 15 to 18 feet tall and a narrow 6 to 9 feet width or roughly 2:1 height […]
Posted in compact shrub, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Viburnums Comments Off on ‘Summer Snowflake’ ViburnumAutumn/Winter Garden Dressup
Posted by Hugh on September 15th, 2014
It’s fall and many gardeners take leave of their garden until spring. Autumn is a great time to create new color schemes that will carry over into the winter garden. It’s just like spring all over again! Frost hardy flowering plants get their turn, such as pansies, violas, snapdragons, and diascias (USDA Hardiness zone 7), […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Autumn flowering, Chamaecyparis, compact shrub, compost, Container growing, container shrub, Diascias, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Ilex (hollies), Juniper, Microbiota, mulching, Pansies, Snapdragons, Southern Appalachian Region, Violas, watering tips, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Winter Protection, Yews (Taxus spp.) Comments Off on Autumn/Winter Garden Dressup‘Tamukeyama’ Japanese Maple One Of The Best
Posted by Hugh on September 4th, 2014
Tamukeyama Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Tamukeyama’) is a long-lived botanical treasure (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Tamukeyama is a short 6-8 feet tall multi-stemmed deciduous tree. It grows slightly taller and its foliage tolerates hot summer sun better than ‘Crimson Queen’. Tamukeyama grows best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers moist well-drained soil and […]
Posted in acidic soil, compact tree, compost, Container growing, Disease resistant, Japanese maple, Maples (Acer), mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on ‘Tamukeyama’ Japanese Maple One Of The BestSwamp White Oak Gaining In Popularity
Posted by Hugh on September 1st, 2014
Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) is an underutilized large native oak whose ornamental attributes have captured the attention of municipal arborists (and perhaps you as well). (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). Swamp white oak is a medium to large sized deciduous shade tree, 50 to 60 feet tall and wide, and a broad, irregularly […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Drought tolerant, Edible fruits, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Oaks (Quercus spp.), Pests, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Swamp White Oak Gaining In PopularityEnglish Oak Demands A Moist Well-drained Soil
Posted by Hugh on August 27th, 2014
Thinking about English oak (Quercus robur) brings to mind Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest. This majestic oak forms a broad spreading crown supported by a short sturdy trunk with a medium-brown, deeply-fissured bark (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). A young tree exhibits a pyramidal form. In a city park or golf course, it typically grows 50-70 […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aphids, Caterpillars, Edible fruits, Fruits poisonous, Large Shade trees, Oaks (Quercus spp.), Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on English Oak Demands A Moist Well-drained SoilMexican Sunflowers Thrive In A Hot Summer
Posted by Hugh on August 24th, 2014
Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundiloba) is a fast growing annual that produces vivid orange-red zinnia-like flowers from early summer to autumn frost. It is native to Mexico and Central America. Dark green leaves remain blemish-free all summer long. Snails and slugs are occasional pests during wet summers or when irrigated overhead. Plants grow 3-4 feet tall […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Container growing, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Hummingbird, Mexican sunflower (Tithonia), mulching, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Mexican Sunflowers Thrive In A Hot Summer
