Some needle loss on evergreens in the fall is natural. As night time temperatures cool, needles in the interior of many evergreen trees or shrubs regularly turn brown (or golden yellow) and drop off. Needle loss is most obvious on pines (Pinus spp.) and arborvitae (Thuja spp.) in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). The […]
Archive for the ‘Trees & Shrubs’ Category
Natural Evergreen Needle Drop in Autumn
Posted by Hugh on October 25th, 2011
Posted in Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Pines (Pinus spp.), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, watering evergreens, winter injury 
Comments Off on Natural Evergreen Needle Drop in AutumnAlaska Cedar Is Awesome Weeping Evergreen
Posted by Hugh on October 21st, 2011
Over the past decade, gardeners have been planting different evergreen trees in their Southern Appalachian landscapes (USDA zones 6 and 7). One of the newbies is Alaska cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis), a wonderful medium-sized evergreen tree from the west coast of North America. Alaska cedar matures into a graceful pyramidal tree form. Long pendulous flattened sprays of bluish green needles drape from […]
Posted in acidic soil, compost, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Green Privacy Screen, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, watering evergreens, watering tips, Weeping habit, Winter Garden Interest Comments Off on Alaska Cedar Is Awesome Weeping Evergreen‘Duet’ – A New Variegated Beautyberry That Is Stable
Posted by Hugh on October 13th, 2011
‘Duet’ is a variegated leaf cultivar of white fruited Japanese beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Albifructus’). It was discovered at Tennessee Technological University in 2000 by Dr. Gary Bachman and Mr. W. Edgar Davis. ‘Duet’ beautyberry was released jointly by the U.S. National Arboretum and Tennessee Technological University. […]
‘Diabolo’ Ninebark Has More Than 9 Lives
Posted by Hugh on October 7th, 2011
The cultivar Diabolo ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’) is an aggressive grower. A knowledgeable gardener with a sharp pair of pruners may quickly and easily train Diabolo ninebark into a small tree. Plant a ninebark tree in a large container for multi-seasonal color around your deck or patio. Its common plant name “ninebark” says a lot. […]
Fall Color in U.S. Native Azaleas
Posted by Hugh on October 4th, 2011
Finally, Americans are paying closer attention to our wonderful native plants. In the Southern Appalachian region, there are 16 and more species of deciduous azaleas which may be grown here. In addition, there are numerous natural hybrids growing in the mountains. I asked Jay Jackson, owner of Appalchian Native Plants, Inc. in Laurel Bloomery, TN […]
Posted in acidic soil, Azalea (deciduous), Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Fall Color in U.S. Native AzaleasFranklinia Will Survive If…
Posted by Hugh on September 22nd, 2011
Franklinia (Franklinia altamaha) is admittedly a very finicky large shrub or small tree. Pure white, five-petal, 2 ½ – 3 inch camellia-like flowers bloom sporadically from August thru mid-October. Flowers are slightly fragrant. In the fall glossy green leaves gradually transition to blends of red, orange and burgundy hues. Franklinia grows best on an eastern exposure […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Autumn flowering, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Franklinia, Japanese beetles, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Franklinia Will Survive If…Re-Bloomers Need Your Help
Posted by Hugh on September 10th, 2011
Re-blooming is an unusual plant trait. Selected cultivars return this time of year for a repeat floral show. In my garden Encore™ azaleas (Rhododendron spp.), re-blooming irises (Iris spp.), and re-blooming daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are back for second round of flowering in late summer and early fall. The gardener/landscaper must supply needed soil moisture and nutrition (primarily nitrogen) so that plants don’t struggle […]
Posted in Autumn flowering, Azaleas (evergreen), Daylilies, Fertilizing plants, Iris, Perennials, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, watering tips Comments Off on Re-Bloomers Need Your Help‘Slender Silhouette’ Sweetgum…Very Few Gumballs!
Posted by Hugh on September 4th, 2011
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a medium to large landscape tree, which matures to 65-70 feet in height and 35 feet in spread. To many people it’s called the cursed “gumball” or “ankle twister” tree, not be confused with the fruit balls of the American sycamore or London plane tree (Platanus spp.). Gumball detractors should look […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Sweetgum (Liquidambar), Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Slender Silhouette’ Sweetgum…Very Few Gumballs!Kousa Dogwood Not Summer Heat Tolerant
Posted by Hugh on August 23rd, 2011
Chinese (Kousa) dogwood (Cornus kousa) rates four stars (out of four) as a beautiful small flowering landscape tree. Since the 1970’s, a deadly anthracnose (Discula spp.) fungus disease has threatened to eradicate our native flowering dogwood (C. florida). Kousa dogwood rates as a highly disease resistant alternative. Its Achilees’ heel is its less than stellar foliar heat […]
Posted in Chinese (kousa) dogwood, Disease resistant, Heat Tolerance, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Kousa Dogwood Not Summer Heat TolerantSummer Leaf Drop From Trees
Posted by Hugh on August 20th, 2011
It’s late summer in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Outdoor temperatures continue to hit 90°F almost daily, and weekly precipitation is low. Over the past 3-4 weeks leaves have been dropping prematurely from landscape trees. Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), river birch (Betula nigra), willow (Salix spp.), sycamore (Platanus x acerifolia), […]
Posted in Birch (Betula spp.), Elms (Ulmus), Garden Problems, Hackberry (Celtis), Large Shade trees, Premature leaf drop, Redbud, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Sycamore (Platanus), Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Willows (Salix) Comments Off on Summer Leaf Drop From Trees
