Prickly pears are a subgroup of Opuntia, identified by their wide, flat, branching pads. They are also called nopal cactus or paddle cactus. Most prickly pear plants are found in warm, dry climates like the Southwestern U.S., although there are some cold-hardy species such as the Eastern prickly pear (O. humifusa). (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). Prickly […]
Archive for the ‘Landscape ideas’ Category
Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus
Posted by Hugh on November 7th, 2025
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Bees and other pollinators, Cactus, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Mealy bugs, Native Plant, Native Plant, Opuntia spp, Ornamental fruit, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Scale, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus‘Blackhawks’ Grass – 2026 Perennial Pant Of The Year
Posted by Hugh on October 23rd, 2025
Big bluestem grass (Andropogon gerardii) is a tall, native, perennial, warm season grass that is a dominant species in a large part of the Midwestern U.S. (zones 3-9). Its attractive foliage that changes color seasonally, its good architectural height, and its interesting flower/seed heads have caught the eye of plant breeders. ‘Blackhawks’ (PP27,949) was introduced […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Big bluestem 'Blackhawks', Deciduous, Drought tolerant, Erosion control, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Blackhawks’ Grass – 2026 Perennial Pant Of The YearGround Covers Maybe You Should Avoid
Posted by Hugh on October 10th, 2025
Some varieties of groundcovers make good lawn substitutes because they’re vigorous and aggressive growers. Many garden centers and box stores sell many of these garden thugs. Yes, the selling point for these plants is their rapid, low-growing groundcovers that fill in spaces between steppingstones or may be utilized as a lawn alternative. Some non-native species […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Bees and other pollinators, Chameleon plant (Houttuynia), Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Ground cover, Invasive plant, Landscape ideas, Non-native, Periwinkle (Vinca spp.), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant Comments Off on Ground Covers Maybe You Should AvoidElephant Ears Seasonal Care
Posted by Hugh on October 3rd, 2025
Elephant ears (Colocasia) and close botanical cousin (Alocasia) is also called ornamental taro. Plants take off and grow rapidly after spring planting, once all threats of spring freeze injury have passed. In moderate zones 6-7-like climates, elephant ears are special garden tropicals are stunningly beautiful over 7 months before declining for its long winter dormancy. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Colocasia, Container garden, Elephant ears (Colocasia), Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing, Foliage plant, Landscape ideas, Light requirement, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Elephant Ears Seasonal CareArborvitae Fern
Posted by Hugh on September 29th, 2025
Arborvitae Fern (Selaginella braunii) is not a true fern, but it produces spores. This ancient plant is called a club moss and spikemoss. A diverse group of over 700 species, spikemoss is native to China. Its thick lacy fern-like foliage resembles Arborvitae or Cedar. Spikemoss (S. braunii) is a hardy landscape selection that forms a low-growing matting […]
Posted in acidic soil, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Ferns, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, Non-native, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spikemoss (Selaginella braunii), Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Arborvitae Fern‘Jindai’ Japanese Aster
Posted by Hugh on September 23rd, 2025
Tatarian aster (Crinitaria tataricus) / (Aster tataricus) is an herbaceous perennial wildflower indigenous to eastern Europe, Siberia, and Mongolia (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Its stiff sturdy stems support showy abundant flower clusters comprised of 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, with deep lavender to blue rays and yellow centers. The flat-topped clusters add late season color […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Aster, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Botrytis disease, Butterflies, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flower Arranging, Flower arrangments, Jindai aster (Aster tataricus), Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Overcrowding, Perennials, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Tatarian aster (Crinitaria), watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Jindai’ Japanese AsterAngel Wings (Senecio)
Posted by Hugh on September 15th, 2025
For unique foliage texture or color, look no further than Angel Wings Senecio (Senecio candicans). It is a fast-growing succulent flowering plant of the Asteraceae family that is native to South America (Patagonian region of Chile). Its big furry foliage is white and wavy. Introduced by Concept Plants, Angel Wings works well in mixed containers […]
Posted in Aphids, Bees and other pollinators, Disease resistant, Foliage plant, Landscape ideas, Mealy bugs, Mites, Non-native, Purchasing Plants, Senecio Angel Wings, Southern Appalachian Region Comments Off on Angel Wings (Senecio)American Elm Continues To Be Planted
Posted by Hugh on September 11th, 2025
American elm (Ulmus americana) is a medium to large deciduous tree, typically growing to 60-80 feet tall with a vase-shaped, broad-rounded crown. It is native to eastern and central North America. Once widely planted as a street and lawn tree, its populations have been decimated by Dutch elm disease (DED) over the past century. Numerous […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Elms (Ulmus), Landscape ideas, Large Shade trees, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Street tree, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on American Elm Continues To Be PlantedSomething New – El Niño™ Chitalpa
Posted by Hugh on September 4th, 2025
A new large shrub or small tree, called EL Niño Desert Orchid is a very special North American native hybrid. Hardy to USDA hardiness zones 6-9, it is as easy to grow as it is beautiful. El Niño produces large rose pink, orchid-looking blooms that appear in early summer. NCSU’s Dr. Ranney is credited for […]
Posted in Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Butterflies, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Purchasing Plants Comments Off on Something New – El Niño™ ChitalpaSummer Planting Combinations At Biltmore
Posted by Hugh on August 30th, 2025
On a recent visit (8/27/25) to the fabulous Biltmore Estates* Walled Garden near the Greenhouse Conservatory were some wonderful colorful plant combinations: *Biltmore Estates in Asheville, North Carolina
Posted in Annuals, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Canna lily, Castor bean (Ricinus), Coleus, Cupheas, Flower Arranging, Globe amaranth (Gomphrena), Gourds (Ornamental), Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized Comments Off on Summer Planting Combinations At Biltmore
