Within many garden circles, conventional wisdom says that you should mow lawns very close heading into winter. Mowing height should be adjusted by seasonal and current weather conditions. Mowing height also sets the shoot to root ratio of specific grass species. In cooler northern areas bluegrass and tall fescue are the lawn grasses of choice. In the mid-South (called the […]
Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
The Last Mowing Of The Year
Posted by Hugh on October 31st, 2014
Posted in Bermuda, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Kentucky bluegrass, Landscape ideas, Lawn Care, Mowing, Southern Appalachian Region, Tall Fescue, Winter Protection, Zoysia 
Comments Off on The Last Mowing Of The YearRebuilding A Storm Damaged Young Tree
Posted by Hugh on October 25th, 2014
An enormous 60 foot white pine toppled over several smaller trees. The aftermath was a severely damaged 3- year old sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana). Replacing the 3 1/2 inch diameter tree would have cost the homeowner over $300. My recommendation to the homeowner was to cut back the magnolia trunk to approximately 12 inches from the ground in […]
Posted in Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Landscape ideas, Large Shade trees, Magnolia virginiana, Medium sized Tree, Native Plant, Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Staking, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Rebuilding A Storm Damaged Young TreeBird’s Nest Spruce
Posted by Hugh on October 16th, 2014
Bird’s nest spruce (Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’) is a dwarf cultivar of Norway spruce and is native to northern Europe (USDA hardiness zones 3-7). This slow growing compact shrub will attain 4 feet in height and 5 to 6 feet spread over 15 – 20 years. The shrub grows in a round form with a distinctive […]
Posted in acidic soil, compact shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, DWARF CONIFERS, Evergreen, Evergreens, mulching, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Spruces (Picea spp.), Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens, watering tips, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Bird’s Nest SpruceGrowth Rates Of Four Privacy Screen Evergreens
Posted by Hugh on October 13th, 2014
In a hurry to create a little privacy from neighbors, then add a tall evergreen privacy screen to your planting chores. Four most popular conifers are rated by annual growth rate. If you recall the children tale of “The Tortoise And The Hare”, fast does not mean best. Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) (zones 6-9) has the fastest growth rate at 40-50 feet […]
Posted in Arborvitae (Thuja spp.), Bagworms, Cryptomeria (Japanese cedar), Drought tolerant, Leyland cypress, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growth Rates Of Four Privacy Screen EvergreensPlanting Of Norway Maple Declining In U.S.
Posted by Hugh on October 4th, 2014
Norway maple (Acer platanoides) is a hardwood tree native throughout the of Europe and widely planted in the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 4-7a). At maturity a tree reaches 40 to 50 feet in height (to 75 to 80 feet is not unusual) and 35 to 50 feet in width. Its dense leafy canopy values it […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Invasive species, Large Shade trees, Maples (Acer), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Planting Of Norway Maple Declining In U.S.Tropical Looking Big Leaf Magnolia
Posted by Hugh on October 2nd, 2014
Bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) is native to the southeastern United States as far north to Ohio (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). A mature tree attains heights of 30 to 40 feet and develops an irregular pyramidal form. In the northern areas the tree is deciduous and semi-evergreen in the southeastern U.S. Its enormous size foliage makes […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Landscape ideas, Magnolia macrophylla, Native Plant, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Tropical Looking Big Leaf MagnoliaBlack Gum Should Be Planted More
Posted by Hugh on September 30th, 2014
U.S. native black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), aka sour gum or black tupelo, is a medium to large shade tree. A young tree has an attractive pyramidal habit and dependable fall color. In the past transplanting black gum has been an issue, but modern advances in growing and planting practices have been solved. New cultivars […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Black gum (Nyssa), Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, pin oak, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, watering iris, winter hardiness Comments Off on Black Gum Should Be Planted MoreThe Mighty Bur Oak
Posted by Hugh on September 25th, 2014
Bur oak or mossycup oak (Quercus macrocarpa), aka blue oak and mossy overcup oak, is a majestic native oak native to the midwest and eastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). It a member of the white oak group (rounded leaf lobes, no bristly tips). This large sized deciduous oak grows 60-80 feet tall with a […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting birds, Bur oak (Q. macrocarpa), Deer resistant, Edible fruits, Native Plant, Oaks (Quercus spp.), Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on The Mighty Bur OakMy New Favorite Pruning Shears
Posted by Hugh on September 22nd, 2014
When stepping out to work in the garden, a pair of hand pruners (shears) is the first tool in my pocket or belt pouch. A good pair of pruning shears is indispensable to snip off old spent flowers and stems from perennials such as hostas, daylilies, peonies, etal; shrubs like rhododendrons, lilacs, hydrangeas; to clear […]
Posted in Garden Maintenance, Perennials, Pruning, Trees & Shrubs, Uncategorized Comments Off on My New Favorite Pruning ShearsKingwood Center In Mansfield, Ohio
Posted by Hugh on September 10th, 2014
Over the years Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio (60 miles north of Columbus) has been a popular public gardens to visit. Formerly the home of Charles King, the 47 acre former estate garden has been open to the public since 1953. The former King home now houses Kingwood’s administrative offices and horticultural library. Kingwood is […]
Posted in Daylilies, Flowers, Gardens to Visit, Hosta, Interior (house) Plants, Perennials, Roses, shrub roses Comments Off on Kingwood Center In Mansfield, Ohio
