Coneflowers (Echinacea spp) are immensely popular native flowering perennials prized for their summer floral beauty. Nine species of Echinacea are native in North America and are found primarily in the central and southeastern U.S. Additionally, some populations of Echinacea angustifolia extend from the U.S. northwards into southcentral Canada. Since the 1990s, a boom in Echinacea breeding has resulted in large numbers of new […]
Archive for the ‘Bees and other pollinators’ Category
Coneflower Variety Trials At MT. Cuba Center
Posted by Hugh on March 26th, 2022
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Bumble bees, Butterflies, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Container garden, deadheading, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Honey bees, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildflower, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Coneflower Variety Trials At MT. Cuba CenterSnowdrops (Galanthus)
Posted by Hugh on March 16th, 2022
Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) are one of the first of all spring flowers to bloom. Depending on the region, they appear in February and March, often while patches of snow is still blanketing the ground. Snowdrops belong in the small genus Galanthus, that contains approximately 20 species of bulbous perennial herbaceous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae. They are […]
Posted in Bees and other pollinators, Bulb Crops, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Flower Arranging, Flowering Bulb, Galanthus (snowdrops), Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Snowdrops (Galanthus), Soil drainage, Spring flowering bulbs, watering tips, Wildflowers, Winter flowering, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Snowdrops (Galanthus)Five Redbuds With Dynamite Seasonal Foliage
Posted by Hugh on March 11th, 2022
Here are five notable redbuds (Cercis canadensis) possessing colorful summer foliage. Of note, the first 3 of 5 varieties are the creation of noted plant breeder Dr. Dennis Werner of NC State University in Raleigh. Flame Thrower® has stunning eye-catching foliage color breakthrough in the world of redbuds. It is marketed as Eternal Flame® in Europe. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Chlorosis (yellowing), Container garden, Container growing, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Redbud, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Street tree, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Five Redbuds With Dynamite Seasonal FoliageBigleaf Magnolia
Posted by Hugh on March 6th, 2022
Bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) is a deciduous, native tree that reaches 30-40 feet tall. This unusual pyramidal tree magnolia is rarely found in the wild, inhabiting a few rich wooded areas in river valleys in the southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). With age, the tree develops a spreading rounded crown. Bigleaf magnolia is a […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla), Deciduous, Disease resistant, Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (layering), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Bigleaf MagnoliaHardy Zone 6 Camellias
Posted by Hugh on February 21st, 2022
In the Southern U.S., camellias are treasured for their showy flowers in the fall-winter landscape. Their glossy evergreen foliage looks great all year long. Hardy varieties are now available for zone 6 northern gardens (-10 to 0 °F). Essentially, gardeners can raise camellias in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and in most coastal cities along the East […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Butterflies, Camellia, Cold tolerance, compact shrub, compost, Container garden, container shrub, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Flowering shrub, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Hardy Zone 6 CamelliasUniqely Different Chinese Quince
Posted by Hugh on February 16th, 2022
Chinese quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis) is an under-utilized small 10-20 feet tall deciduous tree or large shrub with a dense oval crown (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Initially, it starts out a slow grower for 1-2 years to establish its roots. Throughout the year, it provides several months of landscape charm that includes an attractive form, large […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Chinese Quince (Pseudocydonia), Deciduous, Drought tolerant, Edible fruits, Fall Garden Interest, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering bulbs, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, Winter bark, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Uniqely Different Chinese QuinceJapanese Cornel – Notable Cultivars
Posted by Hugh on February 11th, 2022
Starting in late February, Japanese cornel (C. officinalis) burst into bloom with clusters of yellow flowers (zones 5–8). Native to Japan, China, and Korea, this lovely small tree (or large shrub) is one of a few plants that is an early harbinger of spring. Here are notable cultivars: ‘Sunsphere’ grows 20-25 feet high and is an exceptional heavy bloomer with […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, compact tree, Cornus officinalis, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Japanese Cornel – Notable CultivarsSo Many Great Amsonias
Posted by Hugh on January 11th, 2022
Amsonias, commonly called blue star, are a group of easy-to-grow, long-lived native perennials. These highly dependable plants offer three-seasons of landscape interest: showy, long-lasting blooms in spring (mostly in May); threadlike green foliage in summer; and yellow foliage in fall. Amsonias are native primarily to North America and belong to the dogbane plant family (Apocynaceae). This clump-forming perennial has […]
Posted in acidic soil, Amsonia (blue star), Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flower Arranging, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on So Many Great Amsonias2022 Perennial Plant Of the Year – Little Bluestem
Posted by Hugh on January 6th, 2022
The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) has named its 2022 Perennial of the Year — Little Bluestem (Schizachrium scoparum) (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). This ornamental grass was chosen because it is suitable for a wide range of growing climates, is low maintenance, and offers multiple-season interest. This North American prairie native grass is adaptable to many […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Butterflies, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Little bluestem (Schizachrium), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium), Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Thrips, winter hardiness Comments Off on 2022 Perennial Plant Of the Year – Little Bluestem2022 Perennial Plant Of the Year – Little Bluestem
Posted by Hugh on January 3rd, 2022
2022 Perennial Plant Of the Year – Little Bluestem The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) has named its 2022 Perennial of the Year — Little Bluestem (Schizachrium scoparum) (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). This ornamental grass was chosen because it is suitable for a wide range of growing climates, is low maintenance, and offers multiple-season interest. This North […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Little bluestem (Schizachrium), Little bluestem (Schizachrium), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium), Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness Comments Off on 2022 Perennial Plant Of the Year – Little Bluestem
