Sunfinity™ Sunflowers are clearly a generational change in U.S. gardens. Compare them with single huge old-fashioned 9-12 foot ‘Mammoth’ sunflowers that bloomed in mid- to late summer and done by fall. Sunfinity sunflowers are sturdy stemmed, multi-branched flowers. After 9 to 12 weeks in the garden, flowering rates begin to decrease, and eventually the plant […]
Archive for the ‘Butterflies’ Category
Sunfinity™ Sunflowers
Posted by Hugh on April 15th, 2026
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Butterflies, deadheading, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Sunflowers, watering tips 
No Comments »Tuff Stuff™ Lacecap Hydrangeas
Posted by Hugh on April 7th, 2026
Tuff Stuff™ Mountain Hydrangeas (H. serrata) are a stunning lacecap series of Mountain Hydrangea). This species is indigenous to the cooler mountainous altitudes of Korea and Japan. They produce almost nonstop blooms from early summer right into autumn. Tuff Stuff are exceptionally cold hardy compared to big-leaf hydrangeas (H. macrophylla) (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). Their […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, compact shrub, Container garden, container shrub, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowering, Hydrangea arborescens, Hydrangeas, Landscape ideas, Mountain hydrangea (H. serrata), mulching, Native Plant, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness No Comments »‘Jindai’ Japanese Aster
Posted by Hugh on September 23rd, 2025
Tatarian aster (Crinitaria tataricus) / (Aster tataricus) is an herbaceous perennial wildflower indigenous to eastern Europe, Siberia, and Mongolia (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Its stiff sturdy stems support showy abundant flower clusters comprised of 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, with deep lavender to blue rays and yellow centers. The flat-topped clusters add late season color […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Aster, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Botrytis disease, Butterflies, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Jindai aster (Aster tataricus), Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Overcrowding, Perennials, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Tatarian aster (Crinitaria), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Jindai’ Japanese AsterSomething New – El Niño™ Chitalpa
Posted by Hugh on September 4th, 2025
A new large shrub or small tree, called EL Niño Desert Orchid is a very special North American native hybrid. Hardy to USDA hardiness zones 6-9, it is as easy to grow as it is beautiful. El Niño produces large rose pink, orchid-looking blooms that appear in early summer. NCSU’s Dr. Ranney is credited for […]
Posted in Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Butterflies, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Purchasing Plants Comments Off on Something New – El Niño™ ChitalpaGauras For Summer Flower Power
Posted by Hugh on June 24th, 2025
Lots of TN, VA, and KY gardeners don’t know Gauras, a tough beautiful Texas native perennial that performs equally well in our area. After countless trips to Biltmore Estates and the NC Arboretum in Asheville, I have gained an appreciation for its long summer blooming habit. Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri) is a low-maintenance perennial native to […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aphids, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Gaura, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rust diseases, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, White flies, winter hardiness Comments Off on Gauras For Summer Flower PowerClematis Care Notes
Posted by Hugh on March 17th, 2025
Clematis are popular flowering vines that come in various species and varieties, some of which are U.S. natives. They can be woody, deciduous vines or shrubs, and bloom in different seasons. Clematis vines produce spectacular flowers in shades of purple, pink, red, and white. Many clematis are vigorous growers and can reach 18 -20 feet tall. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Clematis, Deciduous, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Vine, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Clematis Care NotesHosta Garden Companions
Posted by Hugh on August 7th, 2024
Consider planting a colorful array of low shrubs, perennials, annuals, ground covers and spring bulbs with hostas. Additions must prefer partial sun to shade and moderate moist soil. Choose varieties with brightly colored foliage, structure, size, texture and color for contrast. Avoid aggressive vegetative companions. Hosta companions can include anemone, assorted ferns, astilbe, lenten roses (Helleborus), […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aralia 'Sun King', Astilbe (false spirea), Autumn fern (Dryopteris), Barrenwort (Epimedium), Bees and other pollinators, Bergenia (pigsqueak), Brunnera 'Jack Frost', Bugleweed (Ajuga), Butterflies, Carex (Sedges), Cranesbill (Geranium), Dead nettle (Lamium), Deciduous, Disease resistant, Ferns, Ground cover, Hakone grass, Heuchera (coralbells), Hosta, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Pulmonaria, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Solomon's seal, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uvularia (bellwort), watering tips, winter hardiness, Woodland phlox Comments Off on Hosta Garden CompanionsGroundcover Sedums In Containers
Posted by Hugh on July 14th, 2024
Low creeping sedums (stonecrops) are super nice groundcover plants. Consider planting stonecrops in border fronts, on moderate slopes, containers and rock gardens. Plant in the partial to full sun, although many species grow well in light shade. The site should have good soil drainage. Sedums are also planted on “green roof” and “green wall” systems. I […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Container garden, deadheading, Deciduous, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Landscape Construction, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Sedum, Sedum (Groundcover types), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Groundcover Sedums In ContainersThree Native Azaleas That Should Be Included In Mid- Atlantic and Southern Gardens
Posted by Hugh on March 25th, 2024
About Native Azaleas: Flowers appear from April to September depending on species. Flower clusters (called “trusses”) appear just before the leaves emerge. Each truss may bear 3 – 12 blooms, which open 1.5 – 2 inches wide. Flower colors vary among native species from white, pink, orange and red shades. In many spring blooming species, the open petals […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Balled and Burlapped (b&b), Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Container garden, Deciduous, Deciduous Azaleas, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rhododendrons, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Three Native Azaleas That Should Be Included In Mid- Atlantic and Southern GardensThree Salvias To Try
Posted by Hugh on September 16th, 2023
Back in early spring you may have planted several kinds of salvias (sages). The arrival of the cool autumn weather turns up the flower power of sages. They’re members of the mint family and the leaves emit a mild anise scent when crushed. Looking ahead to summer of 2024, here are three salvias that you […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Blue anise sage (S. guaranitica), Butterflies, Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Heat Tolerance, Honey bees, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Sage (Salvia), Salvia, Salvia leucantha, Salvia oxyphora, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Texas Sage (Salvia), Wind protection Comments Off on Three Salvias To Try
