Emerald Spreader® (Taxus x media ‘Monloo’) is a short wide-spreading Japanese yew. Emerald Spreader grows slowly, and may reach 2 ½ feet in height and 8 to 10 feet in spread over 20 years. The short 5/8 inch long, fine textured needles retain their rich dark green color through the winter months in USDA hardiness zones […]
Archive for the ‘Attracting birds’ Category
Emerald Spreader® Yew Exciting New Ground Cover
Posted by Hugh on September 16th, 2012
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, mulching, Poisonous plant, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Protection, Yews (Taxus spp.) 
Comments Off on Emerald Spreader® Yew Exciting New Ground Cover‘Northwind’ Switchgrass Is Environmentally Tough and Beautiful
Posted by Hugh on August 28th, 2012
Young Clump of ‘Northwind’ Switchgrass Northwind switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’) is a medium sized 5 to 6 feet tall ornamental grass. This tall native prairie grass grows best in full sunlight for most of the day. Its tight narrow posture seems to fall apart in shade. There are many good switchgrass varieties. Northwind makes […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Switchgrass (Panicum), winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Northwind’ Switchgrass Is Environmentally Tough and BeautifulDwarf Southern Magnolia Cultivars
Posted by Hugh on June 1st, 2012
Small 5-6 Year Old ‘Little Gem’ Magnolia Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is remarkably hardy in USDA zone 6. This evergreen magnolia prefers a moist well-drained, slightly acidic soil, and planted in a partial to full sun location. It is a long-lived large 70-80 feet tall tree, best suited to large commercial and residential properties, golf […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Heat Tolerance, Magnolia grandiflora, Medium sized Tree, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant Comments Off on Dwarf Southern Magnolia CultivarsPiedmont Azalea
Posted by Hugh on March 30th, 2012
Piedmont Azalea (R. canescens) at Callaway Gardens Early flowering Piedmont azalea (Rhododendron canescens) is one of the most common native deciduous azaleas in the southeastern U.S. It is frequently confused for pinxterbloom azalea (R. periclymenoides) which blooms 3-4 weeks later. Piedmont azalea is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9. Piedmont azalea reaches a mature height between […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Azalea (deciduous), Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compost, Insect (Pest) Problems, mulching, Native Plant, Piedmont azalea, Pruning, Root suckering, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Piedmont AzaleaFoster Holly Has It All
Posted by Hugh on December 25th, 2011
Foster holly (Ilex x attenuata) is an old holly favorite which has not lost its sizzle. While many new holly cultivars have entered the landscape scene, do not assume that Foster holly is now passé. It is utilized in a number of landscape options in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7), including in containers in zones […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Container growing, container shrub, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, Foster Holly (Ilex), Ilex (hollies), Ornamental fruit, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Foster Holly Has It AllEverbearer Raspberries Harvest from July To Frost
Posted by Hugh on December 5th, 2011
Raspberry Production at Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC Everbearer raspberries are easier to grow compared to the June-bearer types. Everbearer types are often called “fall bearers” because they produce berries from very late July to late September. Pruning becomes a simple chore – in late winter simply cut down all canes (shoots) to the ground. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, compost, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, mulching, Pruning, Raspberries, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, watering tips Comments Off on Everbearer Raspberries Harvest from July To FrostAutumn Colors Conclude with Callery Pears
Posted by Hugh on November 23rd, 2011
Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) has been declining in planting popularity. But its scarlet red leaf color is both sensational and reliable every autumn in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Most people identify the tree by its cultivar name, e.g. ‘Bradford’, Aristocrat®, ‘Cleveland Select’, ‘Redspire’ pear. There are many other cultivars. Callery pears are tough reliable medium sized trees which […]
Posted in Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bradford Pear, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Heat Tolerance, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Autumn Colors Conclude with Callery PearsFor Lovers and Tree Huggers – American Beech
Posted by Hugh on November 15th, 2011
Mighty as an oak pretty much describes American beech (Fagus grandifolia) as well. Enjoy all four seasons of American beech: spring/summer dark green leaves, dark tan colored fall foliage, long pointed winter buds, and bluish gray bark. It is a large 50-70 foot woodland tree and tolerates incredible amounts of shade. Slow growing beeches are long-lived and best planted on […]
Posted in acidic soil, American Beech (F. grandifolia), Attracting birds, Disease prone, Heat Tolerance, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant Comments Off on For Lovers and Tree Huggers – American Beech‘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. […]
‘Kim’s Knee High’ Coneflower For Small Gardens
Posted by Hugh on August 11th, 2011
We are in the midst of an Echinacea revolution. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a popular 5-6 foot tall native perennial commonly planted in meadow and butterfly gardens. Kim Hawkes, former owner of Niche Gardens Nursery in Chapel Hill, N.C. introduced compact growing ‘Kim’s Knee High’ a decade ago. It is still one of the finest cultivars. ‘Kim’s Knee High’ […]
Posted in Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), deadheading, Fertilizing plants, Hummingbird, Perennials, plant nutrition, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, Winter Garden Interest Comments Off on ‘Kim’s Knee High’ Coneflower For Small Gardens
