Bergenia (Bergenia spp), aka “pigsqeak”, is a herbaceous perennial with distinctive glossy, rounded leaves. Bergenias are native to the forest and alpine zones of China and Siberia. Eight species are available including heartleaf Bergenia (B. cordifolia), leather bergenia (B. crassifolia), and fringed bergenia (B. ciliata). Hybrid selections are also available. (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Bergenia’s […]
Archive for the ‘Butterflies’ Category
American Beautyberry
American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is a deciduous shrub native to open meadows, fence rows, or woodlands in the southeastern U.S. and northern Mexico (Zones 6-11). This vigorous shrub grows to 4-8 feet high and wide and belongs in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. American beautyberry, also called French mulberry, has an open growth habit and arching […]
Sweet Azalea
Sweet azalea (Rhododendron arborescens), aka smooth azalea, produces fragrant flowers in June. The native deciduous species grows along streams on woodland slopes and moist shrubby balds in the Appalachian Mountains from southern Pennsylvania and eastern Kentucky to North Georgia and Alabama. Here in Tennessee, you may spot this sweetly fragrant white blooms while hiking at […]
Crossvine
Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) is a heavy flowering, vigorously growing vine in the Bignoniaceae (trumpet creeper) botanical family. It is native to the Southeastern and South-Central states including Texas. Once established, this vine stretches 30 to 50 feet high and spreads from 6 – 9 feet wide. A cross section of its stem reveals a marking resembling the […]
Red Buckeye – Delightful Small Flowering Tree
Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia), aka Firecracker Plant, is a southeastern U. S. native that is a large understory shrub or small tree. A member of the Sapindaceae (maple) family, this lovely spring flowering beauty grows 15 to 25 feet tall in 30 years and is a perfect fit in small yards. It is native from […]
Rain Lilies
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 […]
All About Flowering Quinces
Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) is a deciduous shrub in the Rose (Rosaceae) family and related to apple and pear (Zones 5-9). It is native to China and is relatively easy to grow. Plant quince in moist, well-drained soil; it flowers best in full sun but is moderately shade tolerant. Feed quince shrubs annually in early […]
Large Bulbous Alliums
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 […]
Heuchera ‘Melting Fire’
‘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 […]
Rose of Sharon – A Summer Delight
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), aka althea, is a vigorous, upright, vase-shaped, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that typically grows 8-12 feet tall with some exceptions. Altheas may also be trained as small trees or espalier. Showy 5-petaled flowers appear over a long summer period and sometimes into early fall. The center of each flower has prominent […]

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