‘Apalachee’ crape myrtle trunk Hybrid crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica x L. faurei) are popular landscape trees in the southeast and along the coastal areas of the U. S. Over the past decade plant pathologists in Louisiana (Louisiana State University), Alabama (Auburn University), South Carolina (Clemson University), and Georgia (University of Georgia) have tested the disease […]
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Disease Resistant Crape Myrtle Cultivars
Posted by Hugh on July 17th, 2014
Posted in acidic soil, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease resistant, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark 
Comments Off on Disease Resistant Crape Myrtle CultivarsDesigning With Crape Myrtle
Posted by Hugh on July 14th, 2014
Undeniably, crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica x L. faurei ) thrive in the southern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). You see them planted on practically every street. Their showy summer flowers are spectacular. Many cultivars exhibit colorful autumn foliage, and their smooth patterned trunks and architecture grace the winter landscape. “The right crape myrtle for the […]
Posted in acidic soil, compact shrub, compact tree, container shrub, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Failure to Bloom, Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Winter bark, winter hardiness, winter injury Comments Off on Designing With Crape MyrtleBecome Immersed In Swamp Hibiscus
Posted by Hugh on July 11th, 2014
Swamp mallow, aka swamp hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) is native to marshes and swamps in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida (USDA hardiness Zones 6 to 9). Vibrant red flowers cover the tall 4–8-foot plant(s) from June through September. Space plants 3 feet wide apart. Deeply cut maple-like foliage presents a lush tropical look and the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Hardy hibiscus, Hibiscus coccineus, Hummingbird, Insect (Pest) Problems, Japanese beetles, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Root suckering, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Become Immersed In Swamp HibiscusMimosa Tree- Love It or Weed It
Posted by Hugh on July 8th, 2014
Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) is essentially a 4-5 month ornamental tree indigenous from Iran to China (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). From late spring through summer, mimosa struts an attractive fine textured foliage and beautiful flowering. This small tree rarely leafs out until mid-May (in zone 6) and offers little in autumnal leaf color. Two seedling forms, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Butterflies, compact tree, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Hummingbird, Invasive plant, Mimosa tree (Albizia), Planting tips, Pruning, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Mimosa Tree- Love It or Weed ItCaveats Before Planting Planetrees (Sycamores)
Posted by Hugh on July 4th, 2014
American sycamore, aka planetree, (Platanus occidentalis) is a native tree planted over a large area of the United States (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). Its enormous size, often 70-90 feet in height, limits it to planting mostly on large landscapes such as parks, golf courses, and industrial parks. Northern U.S. cities have planted it extensively along […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, Aphids, Disease prone, Drought tolerant, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Large Shade trees, Native Plant, Pests, Planting tips, Southern Appalachian Region, Street tree, Summer heat tolerant, Sycamore (Platanus), Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Caveats Before Planting Planetrees (Sycamores)Japanese Pagoda Tree Becoming Popular In U.S. Cities
Posted by Hugh on July 1st, 2014
U.S. east coast cities are finally planting Japanese Pagodatree (Styphnolobium japonicum). This medium-sized tree grows to 50 feet high, but 75 feet is not uncommon in the southeastern U.S. Pagodatree is native to eastern Asia (USDA hardiness zones 4 –8) where it is more known as Scholar tree. In the early 20th century it was […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Japanese Pagoda Tree (Styphnolobium), Medium sized Tree, Planting tips, Pruning, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Japanese Pagoda Tree Becoming Popular In U.S. CitiesBlazing Star– Electric Summer Flowering Perennial
Posted by Hugh on June 27th, 2014
Blazing star (Liatris spp.) is a popular summer flowering perennial. Also called gayfeather, it belongs in the aster family. This tall, upright, clump-forming perennial is found in moist meadows and at the edge of a marsh. (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Liatris makes an excellent addition to a rain garden. Its distinctively reddish-purple flower spikes win […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Blazing star (Liatris), Butterflies, deadheading, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Rabbit/deer Protection, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Blazing Star– Electric Summer Flowering PerennialLovely Tall Stewartia Deserves Your Attention
Posted by Hugh on June 24th, 2014
Not enough gardeners know about stewartias (Stewartia spp.). Six species are found under cultivation, 2 native to the U.S. and 4 of Asian origin. One of the rarest seen in U.S. gardens is tall stewartia (S. monadelpha) (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Tall stewartia is a more site forgiving than Japanese stewartia (S. pseudocamellia), the most […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Disease resistant, Japanese beetles, mulching, Planting tips, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Tall stewartia, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Lovely Tall Stewartia Deserves Your AttentionExpect Garden Visits From Pipevine Swallowtail
Posted by Hugh on June 18th, 2014
Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) is a beautiful butterfly common over a large geographic area of North and Central America. Pipevine swallowtail can be sighted in open meadows, parks, along streams, and hopefully in your garden. The butterfly larvae (caterpillars) feed on plant members of the pipevine family (Aristolochiaceae), particularly Dutchman’s pipevine (Aristolochia spp.), including Virginia […]
Posted in Buddleia (Butterfly bush), Butterflies, Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Dutchman's pipe, Eupatorium 'Gateway', Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', Lilac (Syringa), Milkweeds (Asclepias), Monarda (Beebalm), Salvia, Southern Appalachian Region, Texas Sage (Salvia), Uncategorized Comments Off on Expect Garden Visits From Pipevine Swallowtail‘Going Bananas’ Daylily Blooms Continuously
Posted by Hugh on June 15th, 2014
‘Going Bananas’ is an extended-blooming daylily. This diploid cultivar flowers a three month long continuous blooming cycle (rather than stopping and starting again) from early summer into fall. Each bloom stays open longer, at least 16 hours per day. Each trumpet-shaped flower opens wider, a new genetic trait in daylilies. Going Bananas features slightly fragrant, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, compost, Container growing, Daylilies, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Ground cover, mulching, Perennials, Propagation (dividing), Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on ‘Going Bananas’ Daylily Blooms Continuously
