Cryptomeria, aka Japanese cedar, (Cryptomeria japonica) is an evergreen conifer native to China and Japan. It rated to be very long-lived (USDA hardiness zones 6 to 10). Some cultivars may be hardy in 5-b as well. There are many forms of cryptomerias, ranging from dwarf globe-shaped shrubs to narrow pyramidal trees. Needle foliage may be […]
Archive for the ‘Trees & Shrubs’ Category
Pyramidal Forms Of Cryptomeria
Posted by Hugh on November 19th, 2013
Posted in acidic soil, Bagworms, Cryptomeria (Japanese cedar), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreens, Privacy Screen, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Pyramidal Forms Of CryptomeriaRenewal Pruning Is An Easy Technique To Learn
Posted by Hugh on November 16th, 2013
Renewal pruning is the practice of severely cutting back selected shrubs and trees. The task is simple. There are no books to read. Select a day from mid-February to early April (USDA hardiness zones 5-7). Cutback the entire shrub(s), leaving 3-5 inch tall cut stems or stubble. The cut stems will bud out in the […]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Blue mist (Caryopteris), Buddleia (Butterfly bush), Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease prone, Honeysuckle (Lonicera), Hydrangeas, Insect (Pest) Problems, Pruning, Rhododendrons, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Renewal Pruning Is An Easy Technique To LearnStaghorn Sumac’s Reliable Fall-Winter Assets
Posted by Hugh on November 12th, 2013
Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is known by several names, including velvet sumac and hairy sumac. This large shrub or small tree is native to northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). Staghorn sumac often arrives uninvited into a landscape and its aggressive suckering root system makes it difficult to eradicate. For landscape use […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Autumn foliage color, Autumn Fruiting, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Southern Appalachian Region, Sumac (Rhus), Summer flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Staghorn Sumac’s Reliable Fall-Winter AssetsChina Fir Deserves A Look
Posted by Hugh on November 9th, 2013
To begin, China fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is not a true fir (genus: Abies). Branches are broadly pyramidal when young, and open up to become slightly pendulous as the tree ages. China fir grows broad at the base and spire-like on top. The tree often grows multi-stemmed to 75 feet in height and 20 to 30 […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, China fir (Cunninghamia), Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on China Fir Deserves A LookThree New Spreading Junipers Waking Up Landscapes
Posted by Hugh on November 9th, 2013
In times past Chinese junipers (Juniperus chinensis) were popular foundation shrubs and ground cover (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). They were popular choices in sunny locations for erosion control and around seashore areas. Three exciting cultivars have arrived on the landscape scene and should bring junipers back in vogue. Angelica Blue Chinese juniper (J. chinensis ‘Angelica […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bagworms, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Ground cover, Insect (Pest) Problems, Juniper, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Three New Spreading Junipers Waking Up LandscapesKentucky Coffee A Superior Large Native Tree
Posted by Hugh on November 4th, 2013
Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is a large native tree found in 18 states, from New York west to Nebraska and from central Minnesota south to Oklahoma (zones 4 through 7). It reaches a mature height of 70 feet (some greater than 90 feet) with a spread of 50 feet. Established in 2-3 years, annual growth […]
Posted in acidic soil, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Kentucky coffeetree, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Kentucky Coffee A Superior Large Native TreeBurning Bush Turns Fire Engine Red In The Fall
Posted by Hugh on November 1st, 2013
Be cautioned from the start that planting dwarf burning bush (Euonymus alata var. compactus) in some states in the U.S. is prohibited. This deciduous shrub is known for its awesome fire engine red fall foliage color (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). In shady areas fall leaf color tends to be more pinkish. Fall leaf […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Bee Favorite, Burning bush (Euonymus), compact shrub, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Scale, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Burning Bush Turns Fire Engine Red In The FallWillow Oak Very Reliable As Street Or Park Tree
Posted by Hugh on October 28th, 2013
Willow oak (Quercus phellos) is medium to large, deciduous tree, part of the red oak group. It is noted for willow-like oak foliage and growth rate after a 2 year establishment period is moderate (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Willow oak grows 50-75 feet tall and 30-35 feet wide with a rounded top or canopy. Young […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Large Shade trees, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, Willow oak (Quercus), winter hardiness Comments Off on Willow Oak Very Reliable As Street Or Park TreeBetter Red Fall Leaf Color On American Hornbeam
Posted by Hugh on October 21st, 2013
American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), aka ironwood or muscle wood, grows primarily in moist, slightly acidic soils along woodland rivers and streams (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). This native hornbeam adapts to either wet or dry ground as long as soil moisture drains adequately. It copes with tough urban conditions including on non-irrigated parking lots and on […]
Posted in acidic soil, American hornbeam, Attracting birds, compact tree, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Native Plant, Privacy Screen, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Wildlife attractant, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Better Red Fall Leaf Color On American HornbeamFall Is Spring Bulb Planting Time
Posted by Hugh on October 18th, 2013
If you love spring flowering tulips, daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs, some planning and planting chores should be set into motion this fall. Spring flower bulbs should be planted when cool soil temperatures (below 55 °F) return. For gardeners living in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7), bulb planting begins in […]
Posted in Camassia, Container growing, Crocus, Daffodil (Narcissus), Flowers, Lily (Lilium spp.), Pansies, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Tulips, Violas, Winter flowering, Winter Protection Comments Off on Fall Is Spring Bulb Planting Time
