Elephant ears (Colocasia) and close botanical cousin (Alocasia) is also called ornamental taro. Plants take off and grow rapidly after spring planting, once all threats of spring freeze injury have passed. In moderate zones 6-7-like climates, elephant ears are special garden tropicals are stunningly beautiful over 7 months before declining for its long winter dormancy. […]
Archive for the ‘Poisonous or toxic’ Category
Elephant Ears Seasonal Care
Posted by Hugh on October 3rd, 2025
Posted in acidic soil, Colocasia, Container garden, Elephant ears (Colocasia), Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing, Foliage plant, Landscape ideas, Light requirement, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Elephant Ears Seasonal CareGrowing Rose Mallow (Hardy Hibiscus)
Posted by Hugh on August 6th, 2025
Summerific® Hibiscus are all Perennial Hibiscus, primarily tracing their parentage back to Hibiscus moscheutos. This species is native to North America, specifically the central and eastern regions of the U.S. Perennial Hibiscus are hardy from zones 4-9 and dieback to the ground each year. They produce exceptionally large flowers in an increasingly wide color range. All […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Hardy hibiscus, Hibiscus (mallow) sawfly, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Growing Rose Mallow (Hardy Hibiscus)Hardy Cyclamen
Posted by Hugh on August 1st, 2025
Hardy cyclamens are tuberous perennial that bloom according to species. They are native to Europe, around the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia and Africa. Two popular hardy species in U.S. gardens are spring-blooming Cyclamen coum and fall-flowering ivy-leaf Cyclamen hederifolium. Leaves remain evergreen through much of the winter season. Non-hardy florist cyclamens (C. persicum) […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Cyclamen, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Ground cover, Hardy cyclamen, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Root rotting, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Hardy CyclamenVincas/Annual Periwinkle Thrive In Hot Summer Gardens
Posted by Hugh on May 26th, 2025
Annual vinca or periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), aka Madagascar vincas, is a summer flowering annual popular in Southern and Midwest gardens (USDA hardiness zones 9-11). Before setting out spring transplants, wait until soils have warmed up and all threats of frost have passed. The arrival of summer heat and humidity is when vincas bloom heaviest. Vincas […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Catharanthus (Vinca), Container garden, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowers, Fruits poisonous, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Vincas/Annual Periwinkle Thrive In Hot Summer GardensMayapples
Posted by Hugh on April 27th, 2025
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) is a native herbaceous perennial wildflower that forms dense mats. It is an early spring riser in the shade garden (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). Mayapples are exceptionally hardy woodland plants found in most of eastern North America and as far south as the State of Texas. They’re typically found in colonies in open woodlands, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, Mayapple (Podophyllum), mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on MayapplesPoison Ivy
Posted by Hugh on November 4th, 2022
“Leaves of three, let it be”. Parents teach their young children about this green plant menace — Eastern poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). The plant is familiar to hikers and gardeners alike. Poison ivy is native throughout the United States and much of southern Canada and can be found in a wide variety of places from […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Environmental issues, Fall Garden Interest, Fruits poisonous, Garden Problems, Native Plant, Native Plant, Poison ivy, Poison ivy, Poisonous or toxic, Poisonous plant, Southern Appalachian Region, Weeds, winter hardiness Comments Off on Poison IvyElephant Ears In The Garden
Posted by Hugh on May 11th, 2021
If gardeners want to add some tropical punch to the garden, elephant ears (Colocasia esculenta) and a close botanical cousin (Alocasia) are one of the first plants that I recommend (USDA hardiness zones 7b-10). Also called ornamental taro, plants take off and grow rapidly after spring planting (when all threats of freeze injury have waned). […]
Posted in acidic soil, Alocasia, Annuals, Colocasia, compost, Container garden, Fall Garden Interest, Flower arrangments, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, Wind protection, Winter Protection Comments Off on Elephant Ears In The GardenRepel Deer And Rabbits
Posted by Hugh on December 11th, 2020
We live at a time that deer population numbers have grown out of control in many areas of the U.S. The internet lists plants that “DEER DON’T EAT”. However, deer have not read these lists, and secondly, a starving deer will eat just about anything. An adult deer may eat 5-6 pounds of plant material […]
Posted in Annuals, apple orchard, Apple tree, Artemisia, Begonia, Container garden, Corn (Sweet or Field), Dahlia, Deer resistant, Edible fruits, Environmental Conservation, Fencing, Fragrant, Geranium, Hosta, Landscape ideas, Lobelia (cardnial flower), Native Plant, Peach, Pear (Pyrus spp.), Poisonous or toxic, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Raised bed Gardening, Raspberries, Roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Uncategorized, Wildlife attractant Comments Off on Repel Deer And RabbitsGolden Chain Tree
Posted by Hugh on May 1st, 2020
Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum anagyroides) is a small deciduous tree or large shrub. This small landscape tree is a member of the Bean Family (Fabaceae) and is native to central Europe (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 7). It is rated as a short-lived tree that grows to 25 or 30 feet in height as a […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aphids, Balled and Burlapped (b&b), Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease prone, Drought tolerant, Fruits poisonous, Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum), Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Small landscape tree, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Golden Chain TreeLoads Of Hybrid Baptisias Available
Posted by Hugh on April 11th, 2020
Wild indigo or Baptisia (Baptisia spp.) are a wonderful group of U.S. native perennials (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). A few species have remained outside the gardening scene until recent years. Breeders are creating several hybrids that offer a grand color palette and superior plant form. Baptisia, belong to the Pea family, new growth emerges in […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Baptisia (wild indigo), Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowering, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, Winter Garden Interest, winter hardiness Comments Off on Loads Of Hybrid Baptisias Available
