Ensete ventricosum is not true banana (Musa spp ); it does not sucker like bananas, so does not form large clumps over time. In their native environment in tropical Asia and Africa, plants may grow to 30 or more feet in height, but grow considerably shorter in containers or in cultivation. Abyssinian Red Banana (Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelli’) […]
Archive for the ‘Disease resistant’ Category
Three Standout Pfitzer Junipers
Pfitzer junipers (Juniperus x pfitzeriana) are standouts in the winter landscape (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Many varieties are utilized as groundcovers. Pfitzers are easy care, low maintenance plants when properly sited in full sun and well drained. Around coastal areas, pfitzers are moderately resistant to salt injury. Give pfitzers lots of space. Their plume-like evergreen […]
Deciduous Hollies Dazzle In Your Winter Landscape
While deciduous hollies (Ilex spp.) are well-known among home gardeners and landscapers, surprisingly few grow them (USDA hardiness zones 3-9 variable by species). In the fall, their branches and twigs are covered in bright red berries. Orange and yellow berried varieties are also available. Birds love them as a winter food source. Deciduous hollies do […]
Bigroot Cranesbill
Bigroot Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum) is a favorite, easy to grow plant that forms a dense weed-resistant ground cover with attractive foliage and flowers. (USDA zones 4 – 8). This “cranesbill” is a true perennial geranium. It is a rhizomatous semi-evergreen perennial, native to southern Europe, typically grows to 12 inches tall and to 24 inches or […]
Celebrate Summer Growing Colorful Perennial Hibiscus
Perennial hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is commonly known as rose mallow or dinner plate size hibiscus. Blooms measure a huge 7-9 inches across. Plants are exceptionally hardy, and can withstand winters as cold as zone 4 (-20°F to -30°F) in Minnesota (zone 4) and the heat of zone 9 (20°F -30°F) in Florida. Each flower lasts […]
Mimosa Tree – Love It Or Not
Over the hot spring and summer months, weedy Mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) stand beautiful along U.S roadsides. During the rest of the year, people pay very little attention to this arboreal Asian beauty that inhabit a vast area from Iran to China (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). From late spring through summer, mimosa struts an attractive […]
A Late Season Blooming Tree
Seven Son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides) is a large, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that grows 15-20 feet tall and 10-12 feet wide at maturity. This rare unique specimen is catching on in the U.S. because of its year-round appeal (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). It is an excellent choice for a lawn specimen or plant several in a […]
New Annual Vincas ‘Kawaii Soiree’ Series
Sun-loving vincas (Catharanthus) are annual periwinkles. This may confuse gardeners who also grow perennial periwinkles (Vinca spp.) that are grow in shady groundcovers. New from Proven Winners (PW)!! Soiree Kawaii® series of vincas (C. roseus) are bred by Suntory and entered the market around three years ago. I highly recommend that you include them to […]
Ten Native Flowering Vines
Trees and shrubs are not the only woody landscape plants to invite into your landscape. Check out these ten native vines. But first do some homework. Some of these vines grow aggressively which can mean more maintenance work for you. Vines are a part of the vertical landscaping trend. They are also space-savers. Native flowering […]
Passionflower Vine
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a fast-growing, trailing vine that climbs via axillary tendrils. It is woody where winter climes are warm. In zone 5, the foliage dies back to the ground in cold winters. This summer-flowering vine is native to the southeastern U.S. where you see it growing habitat in sandy soils along stream banks, roadsides, woodland edges, […]