Annuals (bedding plants) provide many more weeks of colorful flowers and/or foliage than perennials and woody landscape plants. Planting a fabulous flower garden does involve lots of initial preparation, including adding lots of organic matter (compost) to the ground and tilling it in. First, plan your summer flower garden before you plant. Choose those that […]
Archive for the ‘Hummingbird’ Category
Summer Heat And Drought Tolerant Annuals
Posted by Hugh on April 27th, 2017
Posted in acidic soil, Angelonias, Bees and other pollinators, Begonia, compost, Container garden, Cupheas, Drought tolerant, Euphorbias, Fan flower (Scaevola), Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Globe amaranth (Gomphrena), Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Marigold, Mexican sunflower (Tithonia), Million Bells (Calibrachoa), Moss rose (Portulaca), mulching, Native Plant, Pentas (Egyptian star flower), Periwinkle (annual vinca), Petunias, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Salvia, Scaevola, Sedum, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spider flower (Cleome), Spring flowering, Star zinnia, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips, Zinnia 
Comments Off on Summer Heat And Drought Tolerant AnnualsAnnual Flowering Vines
Posted by Hugh on March 17th, 2017
This spring try vertical gardening. There are a number of annual flowering vines that grow in either the ground or in a large container. Some offer cooling shade on a deck or patio. Vines are highly ornamental with attractive flowers, foliage, and/or fruits. Annual vines grow quickly after planting. Plant seeds of these vines at the base of […]
Posted in Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Hummingbird, Hyacinth Bean, Poisonous or toxic, Purchasing Plants, Spanish flag, Sweet pea vine (Lathyrus odoratus) Comments Off on Annual Flowering VinesNative Red Buckeye Tree Delights in Landscape
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2017
Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is a southeastern U. S. native that has become more recognized as a wonderful small landscape tree (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). In its native habitat it is an understory large shrub or small tree frequently surrounded by taller trees or structures. A mature specimen may grow […]
Posted in acidic soil, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Fertilizing plants, Hummingbird, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (layering), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Red buckeye (Aesculus), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Native Red Buckeye Tree Delights in LandscapeFour Very Different Annuals You Should Try
Posted by Hugh on February 23rd, 2017
I asked three regional horticulturists to identify an under-planted drought tolerant annual. Here are four (4) that they recommended: Drumstick flower or “Billy Buttons” (Craspedia globosa) produces a golden-yellow display of spherical flowers that often reach the size of golf balls (USDA plant hardiness zones 8-11). The silvery-gray foliage reaches about 2 feet tall and wide, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Container garden, Drought tolerant, Drumstick flw. (Craspedia), Evolvulus, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, mulching, Planting tips, Plectranthus, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Salvia, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Four Very Different Annuals You Should TryLandscape Trees With Winter Interest
Posted by Hugh on December 22nd, 2016
Does your winter landscape look a bit shabby? This coming spring take some action by planting trees that should perk up its appearance. New tree choices should ratchet up seasonal interest, attract more bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in the spring-summer and hungry fruit feeding birds in fall-winter. Making smart tree choices can add four-seasons of interest to your yard. […]
Posted in Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Birch (Betula spp.), Butterflies, Chinese (kousa) dogwood, Cornus officinalis, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Dogwood (Cornus), Edible fruits, Ginkgo biloba, Hummingbird, Kwanzan cherry, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Paperbark maple, Parrotia (Persian ironwood), Purchasing Plants, river birch, Southern Appalachian Region, Stewartia pseudocamellia, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness, Winterberry holly Comments Off on Landscape Trees With Winter Interest‘Furman’s Red’ Sage For Long Blooming Period
Posted by Hugh on August 28th, 2016
Texas sage (Salvia greggii) is a low bushy native perennial or woody shrub. It is native to Texas south to Mexico and varieties come in white, red and purple. It has proven to be exceptionally cold hardy (USDA hardiness zones 5b-9). Furman’s Red sage is a superior cultivar here in the Southern Appalachian region.Flowering is best in spring, less […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Texas Sage (Salvia), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Furman’s Red’ Sage For Long Blooming PeriodComparing Oriental Lilies To Asiatic Lilies
Posted by Hugh on July 13th, 2016
Both Asiatic and Oriental lilies (Lilium spp.) are popular lilies in U.S. gardens. Hybrid cultivars share traits of both species. Lilies grow in a wide variety of soil types and are not pH sensitive. They flower in full to part partial sun (5 hours minimum of sunlight). Both prefer a well-drained soil and mulch to keep roots […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Bulb Crops, Butterflies, deadheading, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Fragrant, Hummingbird, Lily (Lilium spp.), Lily (Lilium), mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering bulbs, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Comparing Oriental Lilies To Asiatic LiliesYarrows Come In Many Size And Colors
Posted by Hugh on June 28th, 2016
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a rhizomatous spreading perennial (USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9). The species originates from Europe and Asia and was introduced to America in colonial times. Today, yarrow is frequently seen naturalized along roadsides, fields, and gardens throughout the U. S. Yarrow has fern-like, aromatic, foliage. […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, deadheading, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Hummingbird, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness, Yarrow (Achillea) Comments Off on Yarrows Come In Many Size And ColorsThree Native Flowering Shrubs For Your Summer Landscape
Posted by Hugh on June 1st, 2016
Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) flowers in late spring with dark green, pest-free summer foliage that turns brilliant red in fall (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). It thrives in full sun to partial shade, and in moist mildly acidic soils. It is also highly drought tolerant once established. Fertilize […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compost, Container growing, container shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flowering, Hummingbird, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Plumleaf azalea, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Summersweet (Clethra), Trees & Shrubs, Virginia sweetspire, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Three Native Flowering Shrubs For Your Summer LandscapeNew Cannova® Cannas Worth A Try
Posted by Hugh on March 18th, 2016
Cannova® Cannas (Canna x generalis) are one of a new series of seed produced hybrid cannas. In addition to profuse flowering, they’re highly rated for their compact bushy plant habit and ability to form multiple shoots. They bloom earlier and continue nonstop through summer up to first frost. Their bold, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Botrytis disease, Canna lily, Canna lily, compost, Container garden, Container growing, deadheading, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Mites, Perennials, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Thrips, Virus diseases, Water Gardens, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on New Cannova® Cannas Worth A Try
