On-line nursery catalogs and plant labels at garden centers list the hardiness of the trees, shrubs, vines, and perennials that they sell. Many years ago the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed the hardiness rating scale based on geographic location from northern Canada to southern Mexico. Most U.S. gardeners live within Zones 3 to 11. Don’t know […]
Archive for the ‘Tropical Plants (non-hardy)’ Category
Determining A Plant’s Cold Hardiness
Posted by Hugh on December 21st, 2014
Posted in Environmental issues, Landscape ideas, Perennials, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection 
Comments Off on Determining A Plant’s Cold HardinessEnjoy Moonvine In The Evening Garden
Posted by Hugh on May 5th, 2014
Moonvine (Ipomoea alba)is a fast growing tropical vine. Its dark green heart shaped leaves stay clean and pest-free the entire growing season. Pure white 6-inch wide flowers open non-stop from early summer until frost. Each showy white flower lasts one day, opening in late afternoon and withering late the following morning. Plants may be purchased […]
Posted in Butterflies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Moonvine (Ipomea), Planting tips, Poisonous plant, Propagation (Seed), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Vine Comments Off on Enjoy Moonvine In The Evening Garden‘Thailand Giant’ Elephant Ear Fun Novelty
Posted by Hugh on April 6th, 2014
‘Thailand Giant’ elephant ear (Colocasia gigantea) is rated as an annual (USDA hardiness zone 8-10), where the growing season may last 300 days and longer. Thailand Giant develops into a massive 9- foot tall plant with attractive grey-green foliage species. In the Southern Appalachian and Middle Atlantic regions they may reach 5 – 6 feet […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Colocasia, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on ‘Thailand Giant’ Elephant Ear Fun NoveltyAre Your African Violets Looking OK?
Posted by Hugh on January 14th, 2014
African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are easy to grow flowering house plants. Modern day varieties sold at supermarkets and plant shops often bloom 8-9 months a year. Lighting needs are minimal, either from indirect sunlight from an east-facing window or under special “grow lights” 12 hours daily. African violets prefer water at room temperature (65-75 °F). […]
Posted in African violet (Saintpaulia), Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Insect (Pest) Problems, Interior (house) Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips Comments Off on Are Your African Violets Looking OK?Norfolk Island Pine Makes Decorative Holiday Tree
Posted by Hugh on December 15th, 2013
Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is native to tiny Norfolk Island located in the South Pacific. This tropical evergreen tree is now planted around the world and appears to be hardy in Northern Florida (USDA hardiness zone 9). In the wild this fast-growing tree grows to 80 feet in height. Norfolk Island Pine makes a […]
Posted in acidic soil, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Interior (house) Plants, Norfolk Island Pine, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Pruning, Repotting plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Norfolk Island Pine Makes Decorative Holiday TreeTropical Flowering Maple
Posted by Hugh on September 26th, 2013
(Abutilon spp.), often called Chinese lantern or Chinese parasol plant, is a tropical houseplant (USDA hardiness zones 8-10). It offers pendant umbrella-shaped flowers along with handsome rich green five-lobed maple-like foliage. Some variegated leaf forms are available. Leaf petioles are long. Utilize as a tropical foliage plant in the garden or a container. The brightly […]
Posted in Abutilon (Flowering Maple), Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Container garden, Failure to Bloom, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Foliage plant, Hummingbird, Insect (Pest) Problems, Interior (house) Plants, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Sunflowers, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, Winter flowering, Winter Protection Comments Off on Tropical Flowering Maple‘Sun King’ Golden Aralia Brightens Up Any Garden Spot
Posted by Hugh on August 3rd, 2013
Plants with golden foliage can brighten up a drab green garden patch. Sun King golden aralia (Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’) is no exception, hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. The golden compound foliage emerges in mid-spring and retains its bright color throughout the summer. This herbaceous perennial grows 4 to 6 feet high and 3 […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aralia 'Sun King', Bee Favorite, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Sun King’ Golden Aralia Brightens Up Any Garden SpotHeat Tolerant Annuals That Create Their Own Heat
Posted by Hugh on July 18th, 2013
In some parts of the U.S. summer is sizzling, and it may also be very dry. Several colorful annuals cope with summer heat and humidity better than others. Northeast U.S. cities are sweltering near 100°F. A sure bet is that every summer will be hot and humid in Savannah, GA. Near a popular restaurant is […]
Posted in Acalypha spp., Begonia, Coleus, Drought tolerant, Fan flower (Scaevola), Globe amaranth (Gomphrena), Heat Tolerance, Irrigation, Marigold, Moss rose (Portulaca), Pentas (Egyptian star flower), Salvia, Star zinnia, Summer flowering, Sweet potato vine, Tapioca plant (Manihot), watering tips Comments Off on Heat Tolerant Annuals That Create Their Own Heat‘Bikini-tini’ Colocasia Creates Movement in The Garden
Posted by Hugh on May 15th, 2013
Colocasia (Colocasia esculenta), aka taro, ape plant, and elephant ear, among other names, is marginally hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). The 2011 colocasia introduction ‘Bikini-tini’ has garnered high praise from neighbors and friends visiting my garden in the summer. Bikini-tini is a strong stemmed thick-leaved plant that grows 4 to 5 feet in height. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Colocasia, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Heat Tolerance, mulching, Perennials, plant nutrition, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Protection Comments Off on ‘Bikini-tini’ Colocasia Creates Movement in The Garden‘Thailand Giant’ Elephant Ears A Tropical Wonder
Posted by Hugh on May 7th, 2013
In many areas of the U.S.’Thailand Giant’ elephant ears (Colocasia gigantea) is classified as an annual (USDA hardiness zone 8-10). It grows best in full to partial sunlight (6-hours minimum) and planted in a compost-rich well-drained garden soil or good container potting media. A young plant should be moved outdoors and brought back indoors when […]
Posted in Colocasia, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on ‘Thailand Giant’ Elephant Ears A Tropical Wonder
