Plumleaf azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium) has been blooming in my garden for the past ten days. This species is a late July – early August bloomer in northeast TN. The bright orange-red flowers of this native azalea light up any garden spot whether in full sun or partial shade. Provide some additional shade in southern climes […]
Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Plumleaf Azalea Is Showy Summer Blooming Shrub
Posted by Hugh on August 1st, 2010
Posted in Azalea (deciduous), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, mulching, Native Plant, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs 
Comments Off on Plumleaf Azalea Is Showy Summer Blooming ShrubGrowing Hardy Banana
Posted by Hugh on July 8th, 2010
Hardy banana (Musa basjoo) survives winters as far north as New England and Ontario, Canada (USDA Zones 5-10). It is a herbaceous perennial which grows to 6-14′ tall. Its roots, when heavily mulched, survive winter temperatures of -10 degrees F. Grow hardy banana in compost rich, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Feed […]
Coreopsis ‘Route 66’ – A Riot of Color
Posted by Hugh on July 5th, 2010
Create a hot splash in your garden this summer. Threadleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata) ‘Route 66’ is a new selection by Itsaul Nursery in Atlanta, Georgia (USDA zone 4 to 9). Coreopsis ‘Route 66’ originated in Pennsylvania (zone 5). Perennial gardeners have been planting yellow- flowered ‘Moonbeam’ and ‘Zagreb’ cultivars for over a quarter of a […]
Posted in Coreopsis, deadheading, Heat Tolerance, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized Comments Off on Coreopsis ‘Route 66’ – A Riot of ColorCulver’s Root (Veronicastrum)
Posted by Hugh on June 28th, 2010
Midwest native Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum) starts the summer flowering season in my perennial garden. It naturally grows in open woods and meadows and thrives in fertile to moist soils. However, this deep rooted plant hasn’t complain about the current dry period in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6-7). Be aware that culver’s root […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Butterflies, Culver's Root (veronicastrum), deadheading, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Goldenrod (Solidago), Heat Tolerance, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum)Vitex ‘Shoal Creek’
Posted by Hugh on June 9th, 2010
Chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) is an 8-10 foot deciduous shrub or 12-15 foot tall small tree (hardiness zone 6-b thru 8). Branching habit is dense and vase-shaped (upright). It blooms over most of the summer, from June thru late August. Its 12-18 inch long blue-violet flower spikes exude a slight herbal fragrance. ‘Shoal Creek’ is a […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowering, Landscape ideas, Small landscape tree, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Vitex (Chaste tree) Comments Off on Vitex ‘Shoal Creek’Catalpa Both Loved And Hated
Posted by Hugh on June 8th, 2010
Northern catalpa or Indian cigar tree (Catalpa speciosa) has enormous presence in any landscape setting (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Finding a 70 – 80 foot tree with a massive trunk and thick sinuous limbs is not unusual from Ohio south thru Tennessee. In summer its huge heart –shaped, pale green leaves may be easily reach […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Catalpa Both Loved And HatedGrowing Blueberries
Posted by Hugh on May 5th, 2010
Both the highbush and rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) are hardy in the Southern Appalachian region (zone 6-b to 7-a). A hot summer is a nemesis for highbush and an extremely cold winter limits where you can grow rabbiteye within zone 6-b. Blueberry bushes grow 8-15-feet tall, requiring annual pruning. Its dark green foliage turns brilliant […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Bees and other pollinators, Blueberries, Container garden, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering Comments Off on Growing BlueberriesTry ‘Fireworks’ Gomphrena in Your Garden
Posted by Hugh on April 16th, 2010
‘Fireworks’ gomphrena was a sensation in the University of Tennessee Gardens at both the Knoxville and Jackson locations in 2009. Gomphrena (globe amaranth) is a great summer annual that asks for very little care. It is heat, humidity and drought tolerant. Gomphrena hold up to the wind, blooming from day of planting in May (after […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Flowers, Globe amaranth (Gomphrena), Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Try ‘Fireworks’ Gomphrena in Your GardenWhen to Prune Flowering Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on March 26th, 2010
Prune spring flowering shrubs and trees immediately within one month after flowering. These plants set their flower buds on last summer’s woody shoots. Common shrub examples include forsythia, lilac, weigela, mockorange, loropetalum, honeysuckle, and many viburnum species. Summer-flowering plants set their flower buds on spring wood (this year) when they bloom. They are pruned in […]
Lo and Behold ‘Blue Chip’ Buddleia Is Late Summer Gem
Posted by Hugh on March 21st, 2010
photo taken at JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC in June 2009 Lo & Behold® ‘Blue Chip’ is a very dwarf butterfly bush (buddleia) for the summer garden. Its compact 3 x 4 foot height and width is an excellent choice planted in a garden bed or in a container on a sunny patio deck or patio. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Buddleia (Butterfly bush), Butterflies, compact shrub, Container growing, container shrub, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Lo and Behold ‘Blue Chip’ Buddleia Is Late Summer Gem
