Chinese flame tree, aka bougainvillea goldenrain tree (K. bipinnata), is another tree option in U.S. southern landscapes (USDA hardiness zones 7-10). It is closely related to the more widely planted goldenrain tree (Koelruteria paniculata). This fast growing tree develops into a nice 20-40 feet tall medium-size tree with an irregular canopy. Chinese flame tree is highly drought tolerant (after one year established). […]
Archive for the ‘Bees and other pollinators’ Category
Uniquely Different Chinese Flame Tree
Posted by Hugh on September 18th, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental issues, Flame tree (Koelreuteria), Flower Arranging, Fragrant, Golden Raintree, Invasive species, Medium sized Tree, Messy Fruits, Ornamental fruit, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection 
Comments Off on Uniquely Different Chinese Flame TreeAvoiding Slug Problems On Hostas
Posted by Hugh on September 6th, 2016
Finding slug resistance among hosta varieties is relative. By late summer, you will find some holes in leaves in almost every variety, some a lot worst than others. There are ways to reduce slug injury in your host plantings. Weather is a key factor. Wet summers means higher slug and snail populations. Dry summers is […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Foliage plant, Fragrant, Hosta, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sanitation, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips, Weeds Comments Off on Avoiding Slug Problems On Hostas‘Furman’s Red’ Sage For Long Blooming Period
Posted by Hugh on August 28th, 2016
Texas sage (Salvia greggii) is a low bushy native perennial or woody shrub. It is native to Texas south to Mexico and varieties come in white, red and purple. It has proven to be exceptionally cold hardy (USDA hardiness zones 5b-9). Furman’s Red sage is a superior cultivar here in the Southern Appalachian region.Flowering is best in spring, less […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Texas Sage (Salvia), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Furman’s Red’ Sage For Long Blooming PeriodSpider Flowers Excel In Summer’s Heat And Humidity
Posted by Hugh on July 21st, 2016
Spider flowers (Cleome x hybrida) are top performing summer flowering annuals. Each year plant breeders introduce compact varieties to beautify flower beds and container gardens. Select among vegetative and seed produced types. Spider flowers ask for weekly watering and full day sunlight (best) to achieve maximum blooming potential. They will grow in a partially shaded beds but bloom less and the plants tend to […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowers, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spider flower (Cleome), Spring flowering, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Spider Flowers Excel In Summer’s Heat And HumidityDo Not Call Them “Weeds” Any Longer
Posted by Hugh on July 18th, 2016
Some plants deserve more respect. Over the years several U.S. native species have been tamed or domesticated. Yet, they retain their common name “weed”. Four popular former “weeds” are: butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) ironweed (Vernonia lettermannii ‘Iron Butterfly’), sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale), and Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium spp.). Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Container garden, deadheading, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Eupatorium 'Gateway', Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', Fertilizing plants, Helenium, Ironweed (Vernonia), Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Do Not Call Them “Weeds” Any LongerComparing Oriental Lilies To Asiatic Lilies
Posted by Hugh on July 13th, 2016
Both Asiatic and Oriental lilies (Lilium spp.) are popular lilies in U.S. gardens. Hybrid cultivars share traits of both species. Lilies grow in a wide variety of soil types and are not pH sensitive. They flower in full to part partial sun (5 hours minimum of sunlight). Both prefer a well-drained soil and mulch to keep roots […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Bulb Crops, Butterflies, deadheading, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Fragrant, Hummingbird, Lily (Lilium spp.), Lily (Lilium), mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering bulbs, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Comparing Oriental Lilies To Asiatic LiliesCelebrate National Pollinator Week
Posted by Hugh on June 19th, 2016
June 20 – 26 is National Pollinator Week. National Pollinator Week is a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what you can do to protect them. Nine years ago the U.S. Senate unanimous approved and designated a week in June as “National Pollinator Week”. National Pollinator Week is […]
Posted in Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Garden ecology, Ground nesting bees, Native Plant, Planting tips, Pollination needs, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Uncategorized, Wildlife attractant Comments Off on Celebrate National Pollinator Week“Neo-Nicotinoid Free” — What Does This Means”
Posted by Hugh on May 27th, 2016
Earlier this year several big box store and regional independent garden center chains announced that the plants they sell in 2016 will be “neonicotinoid-free”. Large regional nurseries and greenhouse operations are also jumping on-board the anti-neonic bandwagon. This means that pesticides containing the ingredient acetamiprid and imidacloprid are members of the neonicotinoid class, and are forbidden to […]
Posted in Bees and other pollinators, Garden Maintenance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Landscape ideas, Pesticide recommendations, Poisonous or toxic, Pollination needs, Purchasing Plants Comments Off on “Neo-Nicotinoid Free” — What Does This Means”Minor Bulbs Get A Jump On Spring
Posted by Hugh on October 18th, 2012
Companion bulbs, often called “minor bulbs”, are early signs that spring is coming. Three of the most reliable are snowdrops, winter aconites and Glory of the snow. They bloom before crocus. Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) returns with floral beauty less than three months after planting. Plants poke through the ground, grow and flower 3 to 6 inches […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Chionodoxa (Glory of the Snow), Flowering Bulb, Landscape ideas, Perennials, Purchasing Plants, Snowdrops (Galanthus), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Uncategorized, watering tips, Winter aconite (Eranthis), Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Minor Bulbs Get A Jump On SpringSummer Pruning of Oakleaf and Bigleaf Hydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on June 15th, 2011
Bigleaf or “mophead” hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) tend to get tall and leggy, and outgrow their garden space. Our native oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) are pruned as blooms quality declines. Remove or “deadhead” all withered or faded flowers. Main pruning time for these two species is from mid-June thru mid-August. Mopheads may rebloom if they had […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Garden Maintenance, Hydrangea, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia), Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized Comments Off on Summer Pruning of Oakleaf and Bigleaf Hydrangeas
