In the World of Iris, U.S. gardeners are highly partial to planting Siberian (Iris sibirica) and German (I. germanica) irises. Currently, in recent years there has been a sway to our native species called “flag irises”. Top of the list is Crested iris (I. cristata), a low-growing, rapidly spreading species that typically 3-6 inches tall. […]
Archive for the ‘Attracting Butterflies’ Category
Native Irises
Posted by Hugh on April 9th, 2023
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Borers, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Flower arrangments, Ground cover, Iris, Iris spp. Native, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Native IrisesRain Lilies
Posted by Hugh on March 29th, 2023
Rain Lilies (Zephyranthes), aka Zephyr lily, fairy lily, Atamasco lily, et al. are small perennial bulbs that are native to the southeastern United States, Central and South America (USDA hardiness zones 7-10). In the U.S., these bulbous members of the Amaryllis Family (Amaryllidaceae) grow in low woods and wet meadows. Rain lilies bloom from spring to […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Bulb Crops, Butterflies, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Flower arrangments, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Rain lilies (Zephyranthes), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Rain LiliesBlue Flowering Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2023
Most associate the color BLUE with the sky, the sea, and an endless horizon. Blue colors evoke feelings of tranquility, calm, and a peaceful state of mind. “Blue Skies” brings out happiness and smiles in people, particularly after consecutive days of dreary weather. Contrarily, a blue mood may elicit feelings of sadness and depression. The […]
Posted in acidic soil, Althea (Hibiscus), Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla), Blue mist (Caryopteris), Buddleia (Butterfly bush), Deciduous, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Hibiscus syriacus, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, Large shrub, Lavender (Lavandula), Lilac (Syringa), mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Rhododendrons, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Vitex (Chaste tree), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Blue Flowering Shrubs2023 Triple Crown Winner: ‘American Gold Rush’ Black-eyed Susan
Posted by Hugh on January 6th, 2023
For 2023, three leading organizations, All-America Selections, National Garden Bureau and Perennial Plant Association, have awarded a cultivar of black-eyed Susan their highest plant award in the U.S. For the U.S plant Industry this is the first time ever. Currently, garden interest in rudbeckias is at an all-time high. All-America Selections judges evaluated ‘American Gold […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), deadheading, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Environmental Conservation, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Landscape ideas, Leaf/needle spots, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on 2023 Triple Crown Winner: ‘American Gold Rush’ Black-eyed SusanLarge Bulbous Alliums
Posted by Hugh on November 21st, 2022
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 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Allium, Alliums (onion), Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Bulb Crops, Butterflies, Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flower Arranging, Flowers, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Large Bulbous AlliumsPurple Beautyberry
Posted by Hugh on November 14th, 2022
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 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.), Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compact shrub, Container garden, Container growing, container shrub, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fall Garden Interest, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Purple BeautyberryHeuchera ‘Melting Fire’
Posted by Hugh on October 28th, 2022
‘Melting Fire’ is a seed produced variety of heuchera (coral bells) from Kieft Seed, Inc., a division of Ball Hort. Seed-produced heucheras are something new as most current varieties were propagated from tissue culture. (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). In mid-spring Melting Fire forms a low mound (clump), 8-10 inches tall and 10-12 inches wide. New […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Breeding Plants, Bumble bees, Butterflies, Container garden, Evergreen, Garden paths, Ground cover, Heuchera (coralbells), Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Heuchera ‘Melting Fire’Three Hybrid Oaks Grow Tall And Narrow
Posted by Hugh on September 20th, 2022
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 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Deciduous, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Oaks (Quercus spp.), Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Shade tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Street tree, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Three Hybrid Oaks Grow Tall And NarrowSalvias – Nature’s Last Hurrah
Posted by Hugh on September 1st, 2022
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 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Flower arrangments, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Sage (Salvia), Salvia, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Salvias – Nature’s Last HurrahGrowing Rain Lilies
Posted by Hugh on August 22nd, 2022
Rain lilies (Zephyranthes), aka Zephyr lily, Atamasco lily, fairy lily, et al. are small perennial bulbs that are native to the southeastern United States, Central and South America (USDA hardiness zones 7-10). In the U.S., these bulbous members of the Amaryllis Family (Amaryllidaceae) grow in shady woodlands and wet meadows where they peek out along […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Fall Garden Interest, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Rain lilies (Zephyranthes), Rain lilies (Zephyranthes), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing Rain Lilies
