Hosta ‘Skywriter’ has been selected as the 2025 Hosta of the Year. by the American Hosta Growers Association. ‘Skywriter’ is a blue hosta with a semi-upright habit that shows off the white undersides of the leaves and the purple stems (scapes). (USDA Hardiness Zones 3 -8). It is a medium-sized hosta, that grows approximately 18 inches […]
Archive for the ‘Deciduous’ Category
2025 Hosta OF The Year: ‘Skywriter’
Posted by Hugh on January 26th, 2025
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Deciduous, Hosta, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, rabbit damage, Rabbit/deer Protection, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness 
No Comments »Other Wild Gingers For Your Landscape
Posted by Hugh on January 13th, 2025
Although wild gingers, Asarum and Hexastylis species, can be found the world over, most are indigenous to the shaded woodlands of Asia, Europe, and North America. Wild gingers are members of the Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort family). Several species of Hexastylis and Asarum grow exceptionally well in the Southern Appalachian region (Zones 5b-7b). New varieties continue the marketplace. Wild gingers are frequently planted as […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Deciduous, Evergreen, Fragrant, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Snails, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wild ginger, winter hardiness No Comments »Wild Ginger
Posted by Hugh on January 6th, 2025
Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is a U.S. native spring wildflower which grows in rich garden and woodland soils. Wild ginger is a stemless 4-8-inch-tall plant (8 -10 inches wide) which features distinctive downy, basal, dark green foliage. Leaves are heart-shaped to kidney-shaped, and delicately veined, and up to 6 inches wide. Cup-shaped, purplish brown, 3 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wild ginger, winter hardiness No Comments »2025 Perennial Plant Of The Year – Clustered Mountainmint
Posted by Hugh on January 1st, 2025
Clustered mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum), aka “blunt mountain mint” or “short-toothed mountain mint”, is a tough and adaptable perennial native to meadows and open woodlands across much of the eastern U.S. west to Texas. (USDA Hardiness Zones 4 – 8) (AHS Heat Zones 4 -10). It is not a true mint (Mentha spp.) but belongs to […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, Mountain mints (Pycnanthemum), mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness No Comments »Russian arborvitae (Microbiota)
Posted by Hugh on December 1st, 2024
Russian arborvitae, aka Siberian cypress (Microbiota decussata), is a conifer ground cover that originates from frigid Siberia; it is exceptionally cold hardy to -40° F (USDA hardiness zones 2-7). Microbiota prospers in the cooler parts of the Mid-South (Kentucky, East Tennessee, Virginia, and Western North Carolina). Growth rate is slow to medium. This amazing groundcover shows […]
Posted in acidic soil, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, Microbiota, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Russian arborvitae (Microbiota)Summer Snowflakes (Leucojum)
Posted by Hugh on November 21st, 2024
Summer snowflakes originate from Europe and northern Africa and are carefree spring-blooming bulbs. They belong to the Amaryllis (Amaryllidaceae) botanical family and are critter proof. (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Flowers and foliage are similar to snowdrops, but snowflakes grow twice as tall and bloom about 2-3 months later, usually just after most daffodils. Pure white, […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Flower Arranging, Flowering Bulb, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Snowflake (Leucojum), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer snowflake (Leucojum), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Summer Snowflakes (Leucojum)Native Sedum (Three-leaved Stonecrop)
Posted by Hugh on November 2nd, 2024
Three leaved Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum), aka mountain stonecrop, whorled stonecrop), is a small, spreading, Eastern U.S. perennial (USDA hardiness zone 4 to 8). In its natural habitat, this native sedum is found in damp sites along stream banks, bluff bases and stony ledges. Stonecrops are in the Crassulaceae family. Mountain stonecrop grows 2-6 inches high […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Botrytis disease, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Sedum, Sedum (Groundcover types), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Stonecrops (Sedum), winter hardiness Comments Off on Native Sedum (Three-leaved Stonecrop)Temple of Bloom® Seven Son Flower
Posted by Hugh on October 21st, 2024
Few woody plants can matched for year-round beauty of Seven son flower. Temple of Bloom® is an outstanding selection from Proven Winners™ (PW) is a beautiful, easy to grow this deciduous small tree or large shrub. It grows 10 -20 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. In spring, the handsome leaves emerge, each sporting dramatically deep […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Seven son flower (Heptacodium), Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest Comments Off on Temple of Bloom® Seven Son FlowerToad Lilies Shine In The Autumn Garden
Posted by Hugh on October 3rd, 2024
Toad lilies (Tricyrtis spp.) are late season flowering perennials in the shade garden. Most summer perennials have finished blooming as their flower buds are just forming. They’re native to moist woodsy environs of eastern Asia and are botanical members of the lily (Liliaceae) family (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). When properly sited, toad lilies are long-lived […]
Posted in acidic soil, Anthracnose, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Toadlily (Tricyrtis), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Toad Lilies Shine In The Autumn GardenAmerican Beautyberry
Posted by Hugh on September 26th, 2024
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), also called French mulberry, is a fast-growing deciduous shrub native to the southeastern U.S. It grows 4-6 feet tall and has an open branching form with arching branches. The genus name Callicarpa comes from Greek words meaning “beautiful fruit”. Starting in July, the plant bears clusters of small, pale pink flowers […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.), Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Flower arrangments, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wildlife attractant, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on American Beautyberry
