American Basswood Tree

Posted by Hugh on June 12th, 2018

Large American linden

Summer foliage and winged seed

American basswood (Tilia americana) is a common deciduous native tree in midwestern and eastern U.S. forests (USDA hardiness zones 2-11). This large majestic tree is remarkably fast-growing but not weak wooded. Basswood is planted as a large residential shade tree, street tree along wide avenues, or tall privacy screen. A mature specimen may grow 50 – 80 feet tall and 30 – 40 feet wide although individual trees 90 – 100 feet tall are not unusual. Basswood may be either single or multiple trunk.

Sweetly fragrant pale yellow flowers opened in June and attract numerous insects, including butterflies, nocturnal moths, bees and flies. Basswood honey is highly prized for its sweet honey. Early colonists knew to identify trees because where you saw basswoods, bee hives (and honey) were nearby.

The large, showy cream-colored bracts persist well into fall. Bobwhites, squirrels, chipmunks, and deer feed on the nutlets. Its large growth buds are very noticeable in late winter. Basswood’s dark green heart shaped leaves are large (to 6 inches long), serrated along the margin, and sharply pointed at the tip. Leaf undersides are silvery in spring and less so later in the summer.

Basswood grows in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Young trees are drought susceptible, but older established trees are highly drought tolerant. Generally, basswood is intolerant of air pollution and urban conditions.

No serious insect or disease problems trouble basswood trees. Aphid and lacebug feedings on leaf surfaces are evident by early summer; Japanese beetles may also mar foliage. Newly planted trees should be sprayed for 1-3 years, but after 3 years, the tree’s growth rate makes pesticide spraying unnecessary. Powdery mildew, leaf spots and stem cankers may occur but pesticide spraying is not practical. Spider mites can also cause significant damage, particularly over hot, dry summers.

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Multi-Use Bowles’ Golden Sedge

Posted by Hugh on June 8th, 2018

Bowles’ Golden Sedge With Hosta in Vancouver, BC

'Bowles Golden' Sedge at Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio

‘Bowles Golden’ Sedge in part shade at Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio

Bowles’ golden sedge (Carex elata ‘Aurea’) is an easy to grow sedge (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Golden sedge was introduced by English plantsman and garden writer E.A. Bowles who discovered it growing in eastern England.

Bowles’ Golden sedge grows 1 ½ to nearly 3 feet high (in flower) and 2-3 feet wide. It features bright lemon- yellow leaves with dark green margins. Its fine-textured foliage turns lime-green in heavy shade. In late May (in zone 6), tiny brownish-colored flowers appear, but are mostly insignificant. You may opt to clip them off and put all energy into growing the plant.

Bowles’ Golden can be utilized for erosion control along stream banks. It freely naturalizes and eventually may dominate its wet surroundings. Clumps 3 years and older can be easily divided and/or transplanted in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Fertilize the planting with a slow release organic fertilizer in early spring or feed with a water soluble product such as Miracle-Gro™ or Peters™.

Grow it in a moist loamy acidic soil and in partial shade. Bowles’ Golden will tolerate moderately dry soils in a shady garden spot. Plant it on the edge of a pond or water garden submersed in 1-2 inches of water. It can be planted in full sun under frequent irrigation where its golden color will shine. Golden sedge may also be planted in containers among other moisture-loving plants. You may substitute with other gold leaf favorites like golden sweet flag (Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’) or Aureola hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’).

Golden sedge has no serious pests and is deer resistant. The foliage on established clumps may brown or grow shorter during temporary dry spells and recovers as soil moisture is more plentiful.

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Shredded Umbrella Plant For Woodland Gardens

Posted by Hugh on June 3rd, 2018

Shredded Umbrella Plant with Hostas At Kingwood Center, Mansfield, Ohio

Flower head of Syneilesis in mid-July

Flower head of Syneilesis in mid-July

Shredded umbrella plant (Syneilesis aconitifolia) is native to China, Korea, and Japan (USDA hardiness zones 5-7). The plant is often misidentified as mayapple (Podophyllum). The foliage is exquisitely dissected, similar to a finely dissected Japanese maple leaf. The plant serves a wonderful addition to any shade garden.

In mid-spring exquisite umbrella-like foliage emerges covered with hairy silver hairs.  Umbrella-like pubescent leaves are very dissected and coated with tiny hairs. They stand 18 -24 inches tall atop sturdy stems.  As the plant ages, pubescent hairs disappear and leaves turn deep forest green. After a brief number of years small plant colonies arise from underground rhizomes (2 feet wide in 5-7 years).

Flowers are very insignificant. Pinkish-white florets (each to ¼ inch across) bloom in June-July in corymbs atop striated purple stems that rise 3 feet or more above the foliage. Individual flowers are very small, and not interesting up close.

Shredded umbrella plants tolerate full shade, but perform best in dappled morning shade.  Plants grow best in sun-dappled woodland conditions with moderate moisture, but will  tolerate short dry spells of 2-3 weeks once the plants have adapted to their site, usually after the first year. Ideal garden environment is a humus-rich soil that is mulched with leaf compost. Humus supplies much of the needed nutrients.

Over the years shredded umbrella plants will naturalize via rhizomes to form colonies which widen out slowly. Plants are rarely purchased at garden centers. Shop at on-line nurseries which specialize on shade or woodland plants such as Plant Delights Nursery in NC and Fairweather Gardens in NJ.

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Build A Hotel To Invite Beneficial Insects

Posted by Hugh on May 29th, 2018

Insect hotel

Bee Hotel at NC Arboretum In Asheville, NC

Insect hotels are intended for most (not all) sorts of pollinators. They’re easy to construct from new or recycled materials. These structures should be weatherproof as they serve as year-round shelters for bees, wasps, ladybugs, and others that may hibernate over winter.

Insect hotels are essentially the same as “wildlife walls” as they invite multiple critters and different kinds of insects.  They really don’t specialize in attracting bees although they do have some cells for bees.  On a wildlife wall, the usual guideline is to build it and ignore it.  It gets better use if left alone to age.

This is a wonderful opportunity to show off your artistic skills in efforts to rebuild our native bee populations and new different pollinating insects. There are lots of  helpful tips on the internet about constructing an insect hotel or wildlife wall.

Here are some additional “good bugs” that you should encourage to move into your insect hotel:

Non-colonizing or solitary bees and wasps – they built their nests in the ground, tubing, cracks in pavement are perfect “invitees”.  European honeybees are colonizing bugs and not suited here.

Parasitic Wasps – these tiny parasitic wasps lay their eggs in the bodies of numerous pests, and their larvae feed on tomato hornworms, cabbage worms and many other damaging pests.

Centipedes & Millipedes – prey on all sorts of soil-dwelling pests, like slugs and help break down organic matter. Please note that these become nuisance bugs when they find their way into your home.

Lacewing larvae also feed on aphids, mealybugs, scale insects and some caterpillars.

Ladybugs (several kinds) feed on aphids.

Ground Beetles are good bugs that feed on such garden pests as snails, slugs, aphids, and mites.

Sowbugs (Pillbugs) feed on decaying organic matter.

A tip from a blog reader: If you do include tunnels in wood or cardboard tubes with liners for bees, you should replace them every two years to prevent bee predators from moving in.  The rest of the hotel can be left undisturbed.

 

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Short Grasses For Small Places

Posted by Hugh on May 25th, 2018

Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’

Many gardeners have small sunny or partially shaded places where select ornamental grasses thrive, including using them as companion plants in containers. Enjoy their winter architecture. Perennial grasses should be cut back to 3- to 6 inches  in late winter.

Here are an assortment of six of the very best along with several varieties that you should plant.

Fountain grasses (Pennisetum spp.) represent decorative ornamental annual grasses (zones 9-11). My favorites in the group are ‘Fireworks’, ‘Cherry Sparkler’, and ‘Rubrum’. ‘P. orientale ‘Karley Rose’ is a zone 6 hardy perennial form that has proven to be highly reliable over many years.

Hakone grasses (Hakonechloa macra) are short growing accent grasses from Japan. They thrive in shady garden areas as well as are included as accent plants in container designs. Three popular varieties are ‘Aureola’, ‘All Gold’ and the green species H. macra.

Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo

Feather reed grasses (Calamagrostis spp.) – grow 3-5 feet tall and 1 -2 feet wide. It has tight upright stance, and planted in multitudes to show off its erect architecture. The feathery plumes emerge in early summer and ripen to handsome wheat-colored seed heads in fall.

Japanese Sedges (Carex oshimensis)  so many great ones to choose from-. Everest’ and ‘Everillo’ (chartreuse foliage) are two favorites in this group. Carex morrowii ‘Ice Ballet® and ‘Ice Dance’ are also favorites for moist well partially sunny areas.

*Little bluestem (Schizachyrium spp.) – ‘The Blues’ with stunning blue foliage, ‘Blaze’ for fall color, and ‘Standing Ovation’ (bluish-green, semi-erect habit) (zones 3-9).

*Sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolia) is a 2-5 feet tall clump-forming ornamental native grass. It is easily identified by their flat, drooping seed heads which hang in terminal clusters on arching stems. Seed heads flutter in the slightest of breezes. Seed heads emerge green but turn purplish bronze in late summer. Bright green leaves (5-9″ long) turn a coppery color after frost and eventually brown by winter. Excellent for dried flower arrangements.

*Warning: some grasses may seed in prolifically.

Sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) in fall

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Two Native Cardinal Flowers Add Up To A Stunning Combination

Posted by Hugh on May 21st, 2018

Red cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Blue lobelia (Photo by North Creek Nurseries, Landenberg, PA)

Great lobelia or blue cardinal flower (Lobelia siphilitica) is a native perennial USDA hardiness zones 4-8). They bloom about a month later than cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis). They’re part of the late summer perennial bloom season that includes turtlehead (Chelone obliqua), asters (Symphtrictum), ‘Henry Eilers’ black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia subtomentosa). and dahlias (Dahlia spp.).  Add this clump-forming perennial to a perennial border or woodland garden.

The erect 2-3 feet, stems produce lavender-blue, tubular flowers crowded together on the upper stem. Showy, bright blue flowers are in the axils of leafy bracts and form an elongated cluster on a leafy stem. Each flower is split into two lips – the upper lip has two segments and the lower lip has three. Flowers form a dense terminal raceme atop stiff, unbranched leafy stalks, typically rising 2-3 feet tall. Finely-toothed, lance-shaped, light green 5-inch long leaves are attached to the flower stem.

In the wild you see both red cardinal flower and great lobelia growing in wet soils. A garden plant want a humus- rich, medium to wet soils and full sun to part shade. It is tolerant of acid to neutral (pH 5.2-7.0). They demand almost constant moisture, but great blue lobelia tolerates drier sites and more shade. Immerse them in your bog or water garden. Both tolerate full sun in cool, northern climates, but otherwise appreciates part shade in southern climes. In a wetland habitat plants may self-seed in optimum site and form attractive colonies.

Planting both species create a stunning show. Hummingbirds will come and visit.

Both plant species are generally short-lived. For longevity a 2-3 year old plant clump should be lifted and divided in the spring. No disease or insect problems trouble this native plant. Snails and slugs may damage the foliage.

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Alexandrian Laurel For Deep Shade

Posted by Hugh on May 17th, 2018

Danae racemosa at Knoxville Botanical Gardens

Red fruits and glossy foliage in late fall

Alexandrian Laurel or Poet’s Laurel (Danae racemosa) is a wonderful evergreen shrub that is rarely planted in U.S. gardens. Danae is indigenous to Iran and Syria. This evergreen shrub needs partial to full shade and the warm climes of southeast or Pacific northwest states (USDA hardiness zones 6 – 9). If winters are exceptionally cold in zone 6 (parts of Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina), plants may freeze to the ground and re-sprout from underground rhizomes in late spring.

Danae grows 3 feet in height (4 to 5 feet wide) with lovely arching shoots.  Its glossy green leaves are 3 to 4 inches long and 1.5-inch wide, arranged alternately along the branch.  Small, inconspicuous yellow-green flowers appear in late spring from the leaf axils. In the fall orange-red berries in clusters.  The brightly colored fruits (berries) are the truly outstanding  asset of the plant. They persist through much of the winter.

Danae is a great woodland evergreen plant, growing in the deepest shade. It is demands a well-drained, moist, mildly acidic loamy soils. Danae is slow to establish and it should be watered if the dry periods last longer than 3 or 4 weeks. It is slow growing. The foliage will yellow and burn if exposed to direct sunlight. Shoots (canes) last 3 years; older gangly shrubs should be renovated every 3-4 years.

Plants may be propagated by division in early spring or from seeds collected in late fall and sown directly in a bed. You may have to wait two springs for most seedlings to emerge. The cut foliage is ideal for flower arrangements.

Historical perspective:  Its common name is from Greek mythology – the foliage was used to adorn heroes scholars, poets and athletes. Statues depict honorees wearing a garland of leaves from the stems of this plant.

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Berggarten Salvia Favors Both Gardeners And Culinary Afficiendos

Posted by Hugh on May 13th, 2018

Salvia officinalis ‘Berggarten’ at Univ. of Tennessee Gardens, Knoxville

New Planting at Dallas Arboretum

Common sage (Salvia officinalis), a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), is the culinary sage familiar to most cooks (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8). The species grow 1.5 – 3 feet high and wide. Multitudes of showy two-lipped, 1-inch long, violet-blue flowers arise on short, upright spikes in late spring. Flowers attracts numerous bees and butterflies.

The cultivar ‘Berggarten’ is a compact perennial form that typically grows 1-2 feet tall. Its grayish green 2-4 inch long leaves are wider than the species and strongly aromatic. Its large oval leaves are unlike that of your typical garden sages.

Berggarten salvia is a culinary delight. In southern climes (zones 8-9), foodies and gardeners alike will treasure this evergreen perennial. In early spring trim back to newly emerging growth or strong stems. Spikes of violet-blue flowers appear in early summer. Medical curative properties are also attributed to some species of the Salvia genus.

Salvias grow in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil and in full sun. Leaves develop a purplish cast in full sun. They tolerate very light shade, but plants tend to grow weakly and need staking if not grown in full day sun. It tolerates alkaline soils. Poorly drained soils leads to fatal root rots.

Few serious insect or disease problems trouble Berggarten salvia if planted in the right location. The plant is tolerant of deer. Monitor the plant for powdery mildew, rust, stem rot, fungal leaf spots, whiteflies, aphids, mealybugs, spider mites. Plant and flowers attract butterflies.

Berggarten is an excellent addition to an herb or vegetable garden. Grow it also in mixed containers, in borders, or in rock gardens. Over time, plants develop a woody shrub base and is best cut back in the spring to 4 – 6 inches.

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Our Native Bigleaf Magnolias

Posted by Hugh on May 9th, 2018

Magnolia macrophylla in flower

M. ashei on East TN State Univ. campus in Johnson City, TN

Bigleaf magnolias are represented by four species: (M. macrophylla), umbrella magnolia (M. tripetala), Fraser magnolia (M. fraseri), and Ashe magnolia (M. ashei). All are medium-size trees with huge leaves and large flowers that appear after the leaves unfurl. All are native to the southeastern United States as far north to West Virginia and Ohio (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). A mature tree attains heights of 30 to 40 feet and matures into an irregular pyramidal tree habit. In the northern areas the tree is deciduous and semi-evergreen in the southeastern U.S.

Its enormous size foliage makes it a true horticultural oddity. Leaves are alternate, simple, 12 to 36 inches long and 7 to 12 inches wide. They’re bright green above and silvery gray below. Petioles are 2 to 4 inches long. Its yellow fall color rarely stands out.

Their large leaves decompose slowly and do create a litter headache. Their enormous leaf size relegates their plantings primarily to large properties and private woodlands where weak branches and unusual leaves are sheltered from ice and wind storms. Leaves are intolerant of most urban pollutants.

Here in Tennessee and North Carolina, all species grow in moist, humus-rich, well-drained mountain soils, and in full sun to partial shade. Established plants are only marginally drought tolerant. In the mountains, trees  closely associate their roots nearby a small creek or stream. Foliage is not tolerant of most urban pollutants. A tree may take 10 or more years before first blooms form. Goblet-shaped flowers are creamy white, rose-purple at the petal base, and measure a foot or more across. Flowers appear in late spring, high in the tree, and mostly hidden within the dense foliage. Up close, flowers are pleasantly fragrant.

Fruits (called “cones”) are round (cone-like), rose-colored, and nearly 3-inches long. Cones are unique, persistent, and attract numerous bird species. Cones open to reveal the red coated seeds, each one attached by a thin silk-like thread.

Large-leaved magnolias are primarily sold by a small number of native plant nurseries.

Fall color of M. macrophylla at Biltmore Estates in Asheville, NC.

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The Next Generation of Weigelas

Posted by Hugh on May 5th, 2018

 

‘Wine and Roses’ Weigela

‘Variegata’ weigela

Weigela (Weigela florida) is old-fashioned shrub with rose colored blooms and arching branching habit in mid-spring. This shrub is native from Japan, Korea, and China (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). New hybrids of weigelas are arriving at garden centers this spring. Compared to previous cultivars that were 6-9 feet tall,  new introductions grow only 2-5 feet high. Some new weigelas flaunt flashy variegated foliage. Flower color choices include red, lavender, pink, and white and open in mid-spring. Blooms attract bees, butterflies, and an occasional hummingbird.

Weigelas can be planted anytime from spring thru early fall in full to partially sunny sites. Foliage of dwarf varieties tend to burn in full sunlight in southern climes. Shrubs bloom heavier in high light. Plants grow in any average soil, but do prefer a compost-rich well-drained site. During their first year or two after planting, irrigate during dry periods when weekly rainfall amounts are less than one inch. Feed weigelas in early spring with a slow-release shrub fertilizer such as Osmocote™ or Nutrikote™.

Prune away winter dieback before or immediately following spring bloom. All other pruning should be done soon after flowers fade. Summer or fall pruning reduces bloom next spring. Weigelas have very few disease and insect problems.

Utilize weigelas with purple foliage as accent plants with green and white variegated leaf cultivars. Dwarf forms, some only 1-2 feet tall, My Monet™ or Fine Wine™) are wonderful mixed together with perennials or annuals  in large containers or in garden beds.

Some Cultivars to try:

Crimson Kisses™ – 3 foot tall rounded shape covered with dark, lipstick-red flowers kissed with a white eye.

‘Minuet’ – 2 to 3 foot tall and wide with purplish-green foliage and red and lavender blooms flowers.

My Monet (‘Verweig’) – cream, pink and green variegation on a dwarf (18 inches tall and 2 feet wide) plant; pink blooms open in late spring; partial sun preferred.

Midnight Wine (‘Elvera’) – purple foliage and pink flowers, a uniquely dwarf 8-10 inch tall and almost 1 ½ feet wide shrub in a mound.

‘Polka’ – a compact, 3-5 feet plant with thick dark green foliage. Its flowers are a rich velvety two-toned pink with a yellow throat.

Wine & Roses (‘Alexandra’) – burgundy foliage and rose-pink flowers in late spring; grows 4-5 feet tall.

‘Red Prince’ – red flowers, dark green foliage and arching stems; 5-6 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide; occasional secondary bloom in late summer.

‘Variegata’ – 6 feet tall, deep pink flowers, green leaves with a creamy white edge.

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