In early spring Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) is an ephemeral woodland wildflower. In early April their lovely presence is to be enjoyed for a short 8-10 week period. Clusters of pinkish-blue nodding buds burst forth into soft pastel blue flowers. Gradually, the bell -shaped flowers age to pale pink hues. The lovely blue flowers are […]
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Virginia Bluebells – An Early Spring Wildflower
Posted by Hugh on March 15th, 2013
Posted in acidic soil, Butterflies, Hummingbird, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Virginia bluebell (Mertensia), watering tips 
Comments Off on Virginia Bluebells – An Early Spring WildflowerTreat Colorful Caladiums As Tender Annuals
Posted by Hugh on March 12th, 2013
Caladiums at Yewdell Gardens in Crestwood, KY (near Louisville) Caladiums (Caladium bicolor) are tropical foliage plants which are grown as annuals. Caladiums brighten up shady to sunny spots. Their brightly colored foliage is either heart and lanced shaped in color combinations ranging from red, rose, pink, chartreuse, green, and white. Caladiums absolutely prefer a warm, […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Caladium, compost, Deer resistant, Flowers, Foliage plant, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Irrigation, mulching, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Treat Colorful Caladiums As Tender AnnualsEarly Blooming Cornelian Cherry In The March Garden
Posted by Hugh on March 9th, 2013
Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) is a multi-stemmed, low-branched dogwood tree or shrub. It typically grows 20-25 feet tall and slightly less in overall width (USDA hardiness zones 4-7). Tiny, golden yellow flowers appear in late winter, around March 1st in my east Tennessee garden, and remain in bloom through most of the month despite cold […]
Posted in Attracting birds, compact tree, Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Dogwood (Cornus), Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Ornamental fruit, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Early Blooming Cornelian Cherry In The March GardenEpimediums Excel As Dry Shade Groundcovers
Posted by Hugh on March 7th, 2013
Epimediums, aka barrenwort or fairy wings, are slow-growing groundcovers which are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. Foliage varies by species, variety, and the season of the year. Most are deciduous, but some evergreen in the Southern Appalachian region (zones 6 and 7). The leaves of some may be chartreuse in spring, green in summer, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Barrenwort (Epimedium), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Hummingbird, Perennials, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Epimediums Excel As Dry Shade GroundcoversA Variegated Ornamental Grass Is ‘River Mist’ Sea Oats
Posted by Hugh on March 5th, 2013
River Mist Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium ‘River Mist’), formerly Uniola latifolia, is a recent plant introduction with striking green and white variegated foliage on slightly arching stems. River Mist grows shorter than the species, 30-36 inches tall and 24-36 inches wide. Northern sea oats is one of the more shade tolerant of the ornamental […]
Posted in Container growing, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium), Ornamental fruit, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, plant nutrition, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on A Variegated Ornamental Grass Is ‘River Mist’ Sea OatsColorful Pentas Bloom In Summer’s Heat And Humidity
Posted by Hugh on March 3rd, 2013
Pentas, aka Egyptian starflower, (Pentas lanceolata) excel in the summer flower garden. Only a few years ago, pentas were only found decorating window boxes and other containers. Today, they have becoming a popular bedding plant in geographic areas where summer temps get hot. Pentas grow best in full to part sun (6-hours minimum), and preferably, […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Pentas (Egyptian star flower), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Colorful Pentas Bloom In Summer’s Heat And HumidityZelkova Becoming Dominant Urban Street Tree
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2013
Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) is a 60-90 feet tall shade tree with structurally strong branches. Fast growing zelkova may grow 2 feet or more in a single year. Belonging to the elm family (Ulmaceae), zelkova exhibits several elm-like features, including a vase shaped branching habit. Its very different exfoliating mottled bark distinguishes it from elms. […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Large Shade trees, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, Zelkova Comments Off on Zelkova Becoming Dominant Urban Street Tree‘White Shield’ – New Thornless Osage Orange
Posted by Hugh on February 26th, 2013
Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) has been declawed and neutered. Also called Bois D’Arc (pronounced “bow-dark”) by native Americans, this tough native prairie tree species (USDA Zones 5-8) produces large 4-6 inch diameter yellowish green fruits (“hedge apples”) which may weigh 2 to 3 pounds. They fall from the tree in October to create a maintenance […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Green Privacy Screen, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Osage Orange (Maclura), Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark Comments Off on ‘White Shield’ – New Thornless Osage Orange‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae: A Terrific Green Privacy Screen
Posted by Hugh on February 23rd, 2013
Western arborvitae (Thuja plicata) is a large native evergreen tree from the Western U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-7). As many as 30 cultivars are available among dwarf, weeping, and variegated leaf forms. One of the most popular selections is ‘Green Giant,’ a hybrid between T. plicata and T. standishii, a Japanese arborvitae. In its native […]
Posted in acidic soil, Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Native Plant, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae: A Terrific Green Privacy ScreenMore Winter Hardy Encore Azaleas Now Available
Posted by Hugh on February 21st, 2013
For spring 2013, 22 of 32 Encore™ Azalea varieties are cold hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). Thirteen (13) varieties are reliably cold hardy throughout Zone 6-a&b. They are: Autumn Amethyst, Autumn Carnation, Autumn Cheer, Autumn Jewel , Autumn Lilac, Autumn Lily, Autumn Royalty, Autumn Ruby, Autumn Sangria, Autumn […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Autumn flowering, Azaleas (evergreen), Evergreen, Flowers, mulching, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on More Winter Hardy Encore Azaleas Now Available
