Archive for the ‘Attracting birds’ Category

NewGen Boxwoods

Boxwoods (Buxus spp.) are the quintessential shrubs, primarily utilized as a foundation plant, a formal medium hedge, or for low privacy screening. Over the past half century, many new boxwood varieties have been introduced into nursery commerce. Boxwoods work in most landscape situations and are deer resistant. Only a few years ago, boxwood production at […]

Large Bulbous Alliums

The huge ornamental ball-types flowering onions (Allium spp.) are standouts in the late spring/early summer garden (Zones 5-9). Bulbous alliums are both architectural and colorful wonders. Bulbs are planted in the fall. Bulbous alliums require full sun for best growth. They make stunning garden borders, beds, and cottage gardens. They have a major visual impact […]

Purple Beautyberry

Purple beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma) is a compact, deciduous, woody shrub with showy ornamental fruits that may last long after the shrub has dropped its leaves in fall. Beautyberry is among the finest ornamental fruiting shrubs and easy to care for. Purple beautyberry is a native of China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam and is in the […]

Poison Ivy

“Leaves of three, let it be”.  Parents teach their young children about this green plant menace — Eastern poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). The plant is familiar to hikers and gardeners alike. Poison ivy is native throughout the United States and much of southern Canada and can be found in a wide variety of places from […]

Three Standout Pfitzer Junipers

Pfitzer junipers (Juniperus x pfitzeriana) are standouts in the winter landscape (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Many varieties are utilized as groundcovers. Pfitzers are easy care, low maintenance plants when properly sited in full sun and well drained. Around coastal areas, pfitzers are moderately resistant to salt injury. Give pfitzers lots of space. Their plume-like evergreen […]

Deciduous Hollies Dazzle In Your Winter Landscape

While deciduous hollies (Ilex spp.) are well-known among home gardeners and landscapers, surprisingly few grow them (USDA hardiness zones 3-9 variable by species). In the fall, their branches and twigs are covered in bright red berries. Orange and yellow berried varieties are also available. Birds love them as a winter food source. Deciduous hollies do […]

Three Hybrid Oaks Grow Tall And Narrow

Where space is limited, such as along a narrow thoroughfare or snuggled up near a downtown building, here are three (plus two others pictured here) columnar oaks that you can depend upon. Beacon® is a hybrid swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) discovered by famed plantsman Dr. Michael Dirr and introduced by J. Frank Schmidt Nursery in […]

Salvias – Nature’s Last Hurrah

Salvias are native to central South America. Some species may surprising survive here in Tennessee/Virginia (zone 7) as tender perennials. In the early days of autumn, salvias seem to revitalize – vegetatively and flower numbers. Salvias are both reliable nectar and pollen sources for butterflies and hummingbirds and are seldom damaged by deer. Listed here […]

Mimosa Tree – Love It Or Not

Over the hot spring and summer months, weedy Mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) stand beautiful along U.S roadsides. During the rest of the year, people pay very little attention to this arboreal Asian beauty that inhabit a vast area from Iran to China (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). From late spring through summer, mimosa struts an attractive […]

Growing Healthy Blackberries in Your Garden

Yummy blackberries from the garden excel in flavor compared to store-bought. To get the most out of a blackberry planting, select a full sun location with well-drained organically rich loamy soils. The site should be close to a water supply to get the planting off to a good start and to maximize berry size and […]