Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is one of the easiest annuals to grow. A member of the mustard family (Brassicaeae), it is native in the Mediterranean region and the Canary and Azores Islands (AHS heat zones 3-8). Modern day cultivars possess exceptional heat, humidity, and drought tolerance in summer months once fully established. Alyssums may be utilized in mixed […]
Archive for the ‘Butterflies’ Category
Fill Flower Gardens & Containers With Sweet Alyssums
Posted by Hugh on May 12th, 2015
Posted in acidic soil, Alyssum (annual), Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, deadheading, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Fragrant, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Fill Flower Gardens & Containers With Sweet AlyssumsCardinal Flower Attracts Hummingbirds and Butterflies
Posted by Hugh on May 6th, 2015
With their vibrant red colored blooms in July and August and a strong vertical growth habit, you visually can’t miss with our native cardinal flowers (Lobelia cardinalis) (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Hummingbirds and butterflies won’t pass them by either. Cardinal flowers are also called scarlet lobelias. Their vibrant red single raceme flowers single them out […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Hummingbird, Lobelia (cardnial flower), mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Cardinal Flower Attracts Hummingbirds and ButterfliesMany New Beebalm Cultivars Continue to Roll Out
Posted by Hugh on April 21st, 2015
Bee balms, aka bergamots or Oswego tea (Monarda spp.) are native to eastern North America (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). Plants are easy to grow, bloom beautifully, and multiply rapidly. They are treasured for their raging colored flowers and medicinal properties. Numerous bee pollinators as well as butterflies and hummingbirds favor the summer blooms. The native […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Container growing, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Hummingbird, Monarda (Beebalm), Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Powdery mildew, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Many New Beebalm Cultivars Continue to Roll OutGomphrena (Globe Amaranth) For Summer Easy Color
Posted by Hugh on April 15th, 2015
Gomphrena, aka Globe amaranth, is an annual bedding plant that blooms profusely in the summer heat and sun. Small ball-shaped flowers are clove-like in appearance. Many gardeners tend to ignore them at the garden center for showier flowering annuals. By mid-summer, a peek into your neighbor’s yard may cause to rethink that decision. Gomphrenas […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Butterflies, Container growing, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Flowers, Globe amaranth (Gomphrena), Mites, mulching, Planting tips, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering Comments Off on Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth) For Summer Easy ColorLess Invasive Rose Of Sharons (Altheas)
Posted by Hugh on April 12th, 2015
In several states rose of Sharon or altheas (Hibiscus syriacus) are classified as exotic (non-native) invasive shrubs (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Their seedlings are invading U.S. woodlands. Plant breeders are now developing less invasive cultivars. The double-flowered altheas produce far fewer fertile seeds; stamens and pollen sacs are mostly embedded within the flower petals. Azurri Blue Satin® is […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Butterflies, compact tree, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Hibiscus syriacus, Hummingbird, Invasive species, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Less Invasive Rose Of Sharons (Altheas)Million Bells (Calibrachoa)
Posted by Hugh on April 8th, 2015
Among gardeners “million bells” or “callies” are common names for calibrachoas (Calibrachoa x), spring-summer-fall flowering annuals; they’re closely relative of petunias (Petunia spp.). Low spreading plants are blanketed with small petunia-like flowers from spring until frost. Blooms hold up well to rain showers and do not need to be deadheaded. Plants are heat-tolerant and disease […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Calibrachoa (Million bells), Container growing, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, mulching, Petunias, Planting tips, Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Million Bells (Calibrachoa)‘Cherokee Brave’– Outstanding “Red” Flowering Dogwood
Posted by Hugh on April 3rd, 2015
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is the most beautiful of U.S. native flowering trees (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9). It typically grows 15-30 feet tall, but larger forms are known. The tree is broadly-pyramidal at a young age, branching is low, and matures with a rounded canopy. Spring bloom time usually overlaps with redbud (Cercis […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compact tree, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Drought tolerant, mulching, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Powdery Mildew, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Cherokee Brave’– Outstanding “Red” Flowering DogwoodLittle Bluestem – Beautiful And Environmentally Correct
Posted by Hugh on March 12th, 2015
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) grows in old fields, meadows and prairies, and along roadsides across the United States and Eastern Canada (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). It forms dense clumps 2- 3 feet tall and 12 -18 inches wide. This warm season grass prefers a well-drained soil and […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Butterflies, Caterpillars, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Little Bluestem, Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Little Bluestem – Beautiful And Environmentally CorrectDouble Knockout® Roses
Posted by Hugh on March 9th, 2015
Knockout® roses continue to wow gardeners across the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9). The original Knock Out series grew 5 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. Shorter growing Double Knockout® series make better fit in most urban gardens at 3 to 4 feet high and 3 to 4 feet wide. Double […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, container shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, mulching, Planting tips, Roses, shrub roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Double Knockout® RosesRose Care Starts With A Good Planting Site
Posted by Hugh on March 4th, 2015
Roses should be planted 4 feet apart on a garden site that receives 6 to 8 hours of sun. The garden soil must be well-drained and pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Prevent disease problems by providing good air movement between plants and not crowd them. Spring thru mid- summer is an ideal period to plant roses to allow […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compost, container shrub, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Flowers, Fragrant, mulching, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Pruning, Roses, shrub roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Rose Care Starts With A Good Planting Site
