What Grows There :: Hugh Conlon, Horticulturalist, Garden Advisor, and Photographer

Doghobble 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, mostly hidden beneath the foliage, lightly scents the May garden for 2-3 weeks. From late fall into winter, individual branches may bronze and, in extreme cases, turn deep purple. By spring most branches have regained their lustrous dark green color.

Doghobble grows alongside rhododendrons, pieris, azaleas and hollies, all which prefer acidic, well-drained, and organically rich soil. It displays only moderate heat and drought tolerances and should be irrigated when seasonal moisture levels fall below normal. Too frequent irrigation may also trigger the onset of foliar diseases.

Doghobble is dominant under dappled or partial shade and grows sparingly under deep shade. Doghobble is a good choice planted under large shade trees, areas previously set with low, ground hugging junipers or perennial ground covers. Over the years the shade trees cast more shade, and the sun-loving perennials and junipers thinned or died out.

Striped Maple For The Shade Garden

Posted by Hugh on November 8th, 2010

This past weekend, while walking in the Smokies Mountains on a rather brisk rainy autumn day, the bright yellow autumn foliage color of striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum) caught my attention. Also called “moosewood”, it is the only snake-bark maple native to the U.S. The greenish bark is marked with dark vertical lines or “stripes”.

The reason that we don’t see this wonderful small maple in our gardens is that it prefers a cool moist woodland environment and does not survive in hot urban habitats. Striped maple grows 15-20 feet in height as a small tree or a multi-stemmed shrub. Leaves are 3-lobed with very small teeth along the leaf margin.

It may be confused with Mountain maple (A. spicatum), also with a 3-lobed leaf, but with coarser teeth along the leaf margin. Both species may grow side by side in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). This is the southern growing range for striped maple.

Long 4 – 6 inch raceme flowers open in May, yellowish green. Many double-winged seeds (botanists call them “samaras”, kids refer to them as “helicopters”)) may form along the raceme and are ripe by late September for dispersal.

Be Careful What You’re Cutting Back

Posted by Hugh on November 4th, 2010

Halfway through the autumn season, new plants have come to life, while most are retiring for a long winter’s nap (dormancy). About 4-5 weeks back, the leafy growth (vegetative) stage of the surprise lily (Lycoris radiata), also called “resurrection lily or “naked ladies”, appeared (left and center photos). When last seen in late July and August, brightly colored stalks of lycoris flowers had popped through with no leaves present. The floral stalks have since withered and disappeared.

The strap- shaped lycoris leaves emerged for their photosynthetic stage, to build or renew food storage reserves in their roots. Cutting or mowing off the foliage would be detrimental to the promise of flowering next summer.

New leafy foliage of Italian arum (Arum italicum ‘Pictum’) (right photo) has also arisen. Its new bright green metallic arrowhead shaped foliage is poking through the fallen leaves which litter the shade garden. Its glossy green arum foliage arrives for the winter and spring seasons to form an evergreen ground cover.

Both lycoris and Italian arum are examples of long-lived perennials which thrive in a richly composed, well-drained soil. Container grown plants may be planted anytime that the soil can be worked up.

Hardy Camellias Re-Awaken the Autumn Season

Posted by Hugh on November 1st, 2010

‘Winter Star’ camellia (pale pink- photo on left) is the first camellia to bloom in the Conlon garden this fall season. My 8 year-old camellia has 50 or more flowers currently opened and promises to continue blooming through most of November. Other hardy fall blooming cultivars are heavily budded and will open thru mid- December, weather permitting.

A few days later the cultivar ‘Cleopatra’ (rose pink- photo on right) opens and it has bloomed reliably during its 8 year tenure. Camellia experts rate ‘Cleopatra’ as not reliably flower bud hardy below – 5° F. Open camellia flowers are more susceptible to an evening cold snap than tightly closed buds.

Camellia culture is similar to azaleas and rhododendrons. Plant them in half day sunlight (morning exposure preferred) and in an acidic, well-drained soil which has been generously amended with organic matter. Camellias are susceptible to very few disease and insect pests. Irrigate newly planted camellias weekly during extremely dry summer periods and protect them against the harsh winter winds.

Prune most camellias when the spring flowering period is over in late April -early May and before the spring growth flush has begun. This includes the fall bloomers. Primarily prune shrubs to limit their height / spread and to remove dead / damaged branches.

Arkansas Bluestar Great In Spring, Summer and Fall

Posted by Hugh on October 27th, 2010

Blue star (Amsonia hubrichtii) exhibits one of nature’s finest autumn foliar displays. This Arkansas native is a long-lived perennial and prospers here in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). After its initial year in the garden, amsonia exhibits good heat and drought tolerances.

Its fine textured needle -like foliage is very soft and airy. In the fall the foliage turns a stunning golden yellow and makes a lovely backdrop among other fall flowering perennials, such as asters and mums. Amsonia’s fall color stands apart against a background of tall evergreens.

In late spring (May) small light blue flowers open in abundance. Amsonia thrives in most soils and requires little maintenance throughout the year. Plants grow 3 ft. tall by 3 ft. wide and grow best in full or part sun. Stems tend to flop in shady areas. To maintain shorter more compact plants, prune them back to 6-8 inch height after flowering.

Arkansas blue star was selected the 2011 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association.

Ginkgo -Sex Education 101

Posted by Hugh on October 22nd, 2010

“Apricot-like” Fruits On Female Ginkgo

Surviving an autumn season with a heavily fruited ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) tree is a foul smelling experience. The odorous yellow fleshy fruits ripen in October and drop onto public streets and home lawns. Several times I have witnessed the Jonesborough Tennessee Fire Department raking up fallen fruit and hosing down a sidewalk too treacherous to walk upon from the slick pulp that coated the street. Attempting to remove the stench from your shoes is an almost impossible task.

Ginkgo is a lovely large shade tree which prospers over many human generations in the landscape (USDA hardiness zone 4-8). The dioecous (single sexed) ginkgo tree is either male or female. In many U.S cities, a female ginkgo is forbidden by law to be planted. Most nurseries sell male-grafted trees, properly labeled by cultivar. Some recommended selections are: Princeton Sentry®, ‘Magyar’, ‘Fairmount’, ‘Haika’, ‘Autumn Gold’ and Spring Grove®.

Gardeners may harvest the fruit, remove the pulp and sow the seed in the fall. The following spring many seeds germinate and develop into lovely ginkgo trees if properly pruned, irrigated and fertilized. A lingering question is whether the tree seedlings are male or female. Ginkgo grows into flowering adulthood in 20-25 years. Worth the wait or do some trees become a chain saw disappointments?

Plant Lovely Camassia for the Spring Garden

Posted by Hugh on October 18th, 2010

Camassia is native to the mountains and prairies of western North America, where it is called Indian quamash. In earlier times several native North Americans tribes commonly cooked this edible bulb, particularly of species C. quamash.

Camassia tolerates moist wet soils. It may be planted along the edges of ponds or in the front of a low garden border. Tall spikes of starry-shaped blooms appear in mid-to late-spring. From mid- to late spring camassia blooms well either in full sun or partial shade in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7).

Camassia mixes well with other spring and summer perennials, including low ground covers. Overcowded bulbs should be dug up in early fall, divided and replanted. Three noteworthy species are:

Camassia cusickii bearslight blue flowers in May-June. Plant grows 24-32 inches high. Bloom spikes are adorned with multitudinous small star-shaped flowers.
C. quamash (formerly C. esculenta) produces shorter (14-16 inches tall). Deep blue flowers bloom slightly later than the other two species.
C. leichtlinii boasts creamy white flowers that bloom in April and May. Cultivars grow an average of 24-40 inches tall. Flower color varies with ‘Alba’ blooming pure white and ‘Caerulea’ light blue. ‘Sacajawea’ has creamy edged, variegated foliage and white flowers.

Find camassia for sale at leading on-line bulb emporiums such as brentand becky’sbulbs.com and brecks.com

Gather Acorns To Become Mighty Oaks

Posted by Hugh on October 16th, 2010

Several species of oaks (Quercus spp.) make their home here in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Every 3 – 5 years, a majestic oak bears a heavy crop of acorns. Squirrels and gardeners gather acorns (seeds) to plant oaks for future generations.

Oaks are divided into two groups. White, swamp, and bur oaks, with rounded non-bristly lobed leaves, comprise the white oak group. From August thru December these acorns germinate within a few weeks after falling to the ground.

The black oak group includes red, pin, shingle and willow oaks. Leaves possess one or more pointed bristled lobes. Acorns do not germinate until spring.

Acorn survival is low unless planted in the soil. Gather up freshly fallen ripe (brown) acorns. Dispose of all which are discolored, have tiny holes (from weevils), or are exceptionally small in size.

Gather and sow acorns in the fall. Prepare a planting bed or nursery row and sow acorns 1 – 2 inches deep and 6 – 12 inches apart. After 18 – 24 months, transplant small tree seedlings to a wider 3 – 5 foot spacing to grow on for another 1 – 2 years. Maintain weed free beds, and fertilize and irrigate for maximum growth.

While slow at the start, nurturing a young oak tree grows to be rewarding for you and future generations.

Deadline Approaching for Seeding/Renovating Lawns

Posted by Hugh on October 12th, 2010

Early fall is the “spring-time” for establishing a new lawn or renovating a tired weed infested turf. In the fall most of the weed infestation, particularly from annual pest grasses like crab and goose-grasses, is over.

You have another week (until October 20th) to wind up this chore. To completely seed a sunny area, choose a quality blend (two or more varieties) of tall fescue at a seeding rate of 6-8 lbs. per 1000 square feet of lawn area. Over a partially shaded area seed in red or chewings fescue @ 2-3 lbs. per 1000 square feet.

Use less than half the seeding rate over patch or renovated areas.

October is a traditionally dry month (appears to be the same this year as well here in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Days and soil temps are still warm and the new lawn seeding will germinate rapidly. Irrigate lightly, (termed “spritzing”), the newly seeded areas 1-2 times daily. Spread one bale of hay per 1000 square feet over the newly seeded lawn area to reduce daily irrigation and distract birds from dining off your future lawn.

In early November feed with a winterizing 2 -1 -1 ratio of lawn fertilizer, following package directions. Mowing height can be lowered to 1 1/2 inches and a mulching attachment to the mower blade will grind up fallen leaves and debris into mulch.

New Intersectional Peonies Deserve A Wow!

Posted by Hugh on October 9th, 2010

Itoh or Intersectional Hybrid Peonies (Paeonia spp.) represent a huge breakthrough in tissue culture propagation. Inherited from the tree peony is attractive dissected foliage. They are extremely winter hardy like the herbaceous types.

Plants grow two to three feet tall and wide. Strong sturdy stems support the huge flowers which size up to 10″ across. Flowers are single, semi-double or double, and available in a wide range of colors including yellow. Flowers stand upright even in heavy rain and require no staking. Bloom time is longer due to additional flowers being produced on side shoots.

Peonies are long-lived, growing in the same location for decades. They need to be properly nourished annually. Peonies prefer full to part sun (minimum of 6 hours per day), average moisture and well-drained soil which is enriched with compost or mulch annually.

Bare-root peonies should only be planted in the fall as this coincides with the time that their tubers develop most of their feeder roots. Container-grown peonies can be planted at any time. Itoh hybrids demonstrate good resistance to peony blight (Botrytis paeoniae).

Proper planting depth is very important for peonies. The crown should be planted 1½ – 2 inches below soil level. If the eyes have already begun to grow, the new growth may be set slightly above the surface.

Itoh peonies are now available through e-commerce nurseries.