Plumleaf azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium) has been blooming in my garden for the past ten days. This species is a late July – early August bloomer in northeast TN. The bright orange-red flowers of this native azalea light up any garden spot whether in full sun or partial shade. Provide some additional shade in southern climes […]
Archive for the ‘Trees & Shrubs’ Category
Plumleaf Azalea Is Showy Summer Blooming Shrub
Posted by Hugh on August 1st, 2010
Posted in Azalea (deciduous), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, mulching, Native Plant, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs 
Comments Off on Plumleaf Azalea Is Showy Summer Blooming ShrubJapanese Maple Selections for Mid-South
Posted by Hugh on July 12th, 2010
Photo: ‘Sango Kaku’ coral bark maple in November Japanese maple (A. palmatum) offers a vast array of shrub and tree forms of varying heights and leaf shapes. Spring and summer leaves vary from gold, to dark green, to deep red and some color variegation and either cutleaf or dissected forms. The dissected leaf forms of […]
"pH Nutrient Creep? -You Nailed It"
Posted by Hugh on July 2nd, 2010
Photo: Foliar iron deficiency on river birchRiver birch (Betula nigra) is a popular landscape tree in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6-7). The cultivars ‘Heritage’ and ‘Duraheat’ have made a good native species even better with resistance to aphid and leafhopper insects. However, river birch demands a soil pH which is moderately acid. Why? […]
"My Maple Tree Is Being Invaded"
Posted by Hugh on June 21st, 2010
photo: Dr. Alan Windham, UT Plant Pathologist The following is a real query sent to an Extension agent over the phone: “I have thousands of insects on 8 of my 10 maple trees. I fear they will kill my trees, one has already died. The insects huddle together. I am not positive they have wings, […]
Posted in Garden Problems, Maples (Acer), Pests, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on "My Maple Tree Is Being Invaded"New Hardier Gardenias
Posted by Hugh on June 18th, 2010
Old fashioned gardenias or cape jasmines (Gardenia jasminoides) are reliably hardy in USDA zones 7-b and 8. Plants require immediate protection when the outdoor temperatures dip below 15 to 20 degrees. The new hardier cultivars are compact growers, 2-4 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. ‘Frost Proof’, Crown Jewel™, and Heaven Scent™ are three promising […]
Posted in acidic soil, Fertilizing plants, Gardenia, Insect (Pest) Problems, Planting tips, Pruning, Soil drainage, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on New Hardier GardeniasSmaller Southern Magnolias
Posted by Hugh on June 13th, 2010
The grand Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) thrives here in the southern Appalachian region and along the Eastern seaboard as far north as Boston (USDA zones 6-9). Most homeowners do not have room enough to grow this 60-70 foot arboreal aristocrat. Compact forms are available that need less than half the space. The ivory white flowers […]
Vitex ‘Shoal Creek’
Posted by Hugh on June 9th, 2010
Chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) is an 8-10 foot deciduous shrub or 12-15 foot tall small tree (hardiness zone 6-b thru 8). Branching habit is dense and vase-shaped (upright). It blooms over most of the summer, from June thru late August. Its 12-18 inch long blue-violet flower spikes exude a slight herbal fragrance. ‘Shoal Creek’ is a […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowering, Landscape ideas, Small landscape tree, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Vitex (Chaste tree) Comments Off on Vitex ‘Shoal Creek’Catalpa Both Loved And Hated
Posted by Hugh on June 8th, 2010
Northern catalpa or Indian cigar tree (Catalpa speciosa) has enormous presence in any landscape setting (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Finding a 70 – 80 foot tree with a massive trunk and thick sinuous limbs is not unusual from Ohio south thru Tennessee. In summer its huge heart –shaped, pale green leaves may be easily reach […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Catalpa Both Loved And HatedFireBlight on Apples and Pears
Posted by Hugh on May 20th, 2010
Fireblight is a serious bacterial disease that afflicts apple and pear trees. Fireblight may appear in two distinct forms. From April to early May flowers and fruit clusters may blacken (die). From May to mid-June a more serious symptom (photo) is sudden dieback, almost overnight, of branch tips . Leaves appear as if someone had […]
Posted in Fruits & Vegetables, Garden Problems, Trees & Shrubs 
Tags: apple, fireblight Comments Off on FireBlight on Apples and PearsGrowing Tomatoes in Containers
Posted by Hugh on May 10th, 2010
Apartment renters and townhouse and condominium owners till the soil in containers on their patio and deck. For containers the shorter growing determinate type tomatoes are a better choice. Spread out the harvest interval, by not planting all your tomatoes at one time. Start your last tomatoes from seed for June planting and harvest beginning […]
