One of three posts on poinsettia care: Poinsettias delight the eye at this holiday season with their bright red (and many other color choices) leaf-like bracts. The true flowers are the small multiple buds at the base of the bracts. To select a top quality plant, closely inspect the development of the small flowers. Buds should tightly closed or barely […]
Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Lacebark pine- an investment in the future
Posted by Hugh on December 13th, 2010
Many rare and unusual garden plants are introduced into a garden as a thoughtful gift. Lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana) is an arboreal aristocrat which a few gardeners are privileged to own. Lacebark is a lovely 3- needle pine with exquisite exfoliating bark which becomes more attractive each succeeding year. The lacebark feature begins after 8-10 years, but it’s […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fertilizing plants, mulching, Pines (Pinus spp.), Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness 
2 Comments »Hydrangea Invincibelle Spirit ®
Posted by Hugh on December 10th, 2010
Hydrangea Invincibelle® Spirit ranks as one of the finest new plant introductions in 2010. This hydrangea comes from a good bloodline. Invincibelle® Spirit is a pink flowering clone originating from Annabelle. The cultivar ‘Annabelle’ (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’) has been a star in Southern Appalachian gardens (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7) for the past quarter century. Invincibelle® […]
Posted in Hydrangea, Native Plant, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering tips Comments Off on Hydrangea Invincibelle Spirit ®December Garden Classic – Prague Viburnum
Posted by Hugh on December 7th, 2010
Garden Classics: a monthly retrospective featuring a singular plant species either under-planted or relatively unknown to gardeners living in the Southern Appalachian Region. Prague viburnum (Viburnum x pragense) is a lovely evergreen shrub, which combines all the best traits of its parents (V. rhytidophyllum and V. utile). It is winter hardy throughout the Southern Appalachian region […]
Posted in Flowering, Flowers, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized 
Tags: Viburnum Comments Off on December Garden Classic – Prague ViburnumChoosing a Cut Christmas Tree
Posted by Hugh on November 30th, 2010
Christmas Trees at Local Garden Center Fire safety in the home should be your primary concern when purchasing a freshly cut Christmas tree. There are numerous “choose and cut” Christmas tree growers in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Trees are harvested by the tens of thousands in the mountainous locales and are […]
“It’s Wort…not Wart”
Posted by Hugh on November 25th, 2010
Barrenworts (Epimedium spp.) are a collection of ground cover species mostly from Asia and Europe. None are native to North America, but most thrive in gardens in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). There are currently 21 known species worldwide. Also called Bishop’s hat, barrenworts are one of our finest groundcovers for part sun to part shade areas. Some are […]
Posted in Barrenwort (Epimedium), Ground cover, Perennials, seeding lawn, Shade Gardening, Southern Appalachian Region, Uncategorized Comments Off on “It’s Wort…not Wart”Autumn’s Last Hurrah -Bradford Pear
Posted by Hugh on November 22nd, 2010
Currently, the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7) is enriched by the vibrant red fall foliage of callery (ornamental) pears (Pyrus calleryana), commonly identified as ‘Bradford’ pear. There are several cultivars of callery pears besides Bradford. A great deal of negativity has befallen Bradford pear, some not totally deserved. Yes, Bradford is weak- […]
Brighten Up a Drab Corner in Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on November 20th, 2010
Crippsii falsecypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Crippsii’) is one tall 20-25 foot high evergreen shrub (or small tree). Its lacy golden evergreen foliage catches your attention almost any season of the year. Unfortunately, Crippsii is rarely seen in landscapes because few landscape architects and designers know it or can not find it in the nursery trade. Ten years ago a credit union near my home […]
Posted in Evergreens, Pests, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized, watering evergreens Comments Off on Brighten Up a Drab Corner in Your GardenTrident Maple Has 4- Seasons Interest
Posted by Hugh on November 18th, 2010
Over the past decade residential lot sizes have shrunken. Small and medium sized shade trees are a better choice over large traditional choices of red and sugar maples. Trident maple (Acer buergerianum) is our best mid-sized summer shade maple in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). By mid-November trident has shed its gorgeous reddish […]
Posted in Maples (Acer), Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized Comments Off on Trident Maple Has 4- Seasons InterestDoghobble for Shady Landscape Areas
Posted by Hugh on November 11th, 2010
Drooping doghobble or fetterbush (Leucothoe fontanesiana) is native to woodland areas in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Doghobble is a tall ground cover, averaging 3 – 4 feet in height. The long gently arching evergreen branches display a rambling nature, best reined in with hand pruning as needed. White fragrant flowers, […]
