Weeping Lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) is a warm season, perennial bunchgrass. It grows to a height of 2-4 feet and the long narrow 1/4 inch wide leaves (10 to 20 inches in length) suggest the grass is “weeping”. Seed heads may be erect or drooping and produce small very numerous seeds (1.5 million per lb.). Weeping […]
Archive for April, 2018
Erosion Control – Try Weeping Lovegrass
Posted by Hugh on April 28th, 2018
Posted in acidic soil, Aggressive grower, alkaline soil, Bees and other pollinators, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Environmental issues, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Irrigation, Landscape ideas, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Weeping Lovegrass (Eragrostis), Wildlife attractant, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Erosion Control – Try Weeping Lovegrass‘Alleghany’ Viburnum Is A Four Season Gem
Posted by Hugh on April 25th, 2018
Alleghany viburnum (Viburnum x rhytidophylloides ‘Alleghany’) aka lantanaphyllum viburnum, is a large easy to grow semi-evergreen (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). It will grow to about 10-12 feet tall and a spread of 12 feet at maturity. This low maintenance shrub is a hybrid cross between V. rhytidophyllum and V. lantana ‘Mohican’. The cross was made in […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental issues, Fertilizing plants, Green Privacy Screen, Landscape ideas, Large shrub, mulching, Ornamental fruit, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Viburnum 'Alleghany', Viburnums, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on ‘Alleghany’ Viburnum Is A Four Season GemBenefits Of Mulching
Posted by Hugh on April 22nd, 2018
Mulching benefits garden soil and enhances the landscape appearance. Here is how: Prevents weed seeds from germinating, thereby reducing hand weeding. Mulching keeps plant roots moist and cool in summer. Fall mulching acts like a thermal blanket and aids newly set plants to establish their roots quickly. Reduces the need to water the garden as often. […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, alkaline soil, Azalea (deciduous), Azaleas (evergreen), Camellia, Garden Maintenance, Mountain laurel (Kalmia), Mulch Quality, mulching, mulching trees, Native Plant, organic gardening, plant nutrition, Rhododendrons, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Stewartia pseudocamellia, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Benefits Of MulchingUniquely Different Spider Azalea
Posted by Hugh on April 19th, 2018
Although rarely seen, spider azalea (Rhododendron stenopetalum ‘Linearfolium’) will be a pleasing addition to your woodland garden (USDA hardiness zones 6-8). Few people would ever guess that it is an azalea. This airy shrub grows 3-4 feet tall and a whole lot wider. It is slow growing, but is worth the wait. This unique semi- evergreen azalea hails from Japan. The very narrow […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, compact shrub, compost, container shrub, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Fragrant, Landscape ideas, mulching, Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Spider aalea (R. stenopetalum), Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness, winter injury, Winter Protection Comments Off on Uniquely Different Spider AzaleaGrowing Celosia In The Summer Garden
Posted by Hugh on April 16th, 2018
Celosias (Celosia argentea), aka cockscomb, feather, and plume amaranths, are summer flowering annuals in most of the U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 10-11). Mature plant height varies by cultivars, generally between 6 inches and 3 feet in height, taller types grown for the florist market. Celosia plants are classified into three groups: a crested type (C. […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Bees and other pollinators, Celosia, compost, Container garden, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Flowers, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Mites, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Staking, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on Growing Celosia In The Summer GardenSimple Care of Crape Myrtles
Posted by Hugh on April 13th, 2018
Crape Myrtle Hardiness: Know how hardy the cultivar is. USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9). Site Location: Crape myrtles love sunlight. Flower numbers decline in light to medium shade. Plant in average soil that is well-drained. Select the right cultivar that fits the allotted planting space. Mulch plant and water as needed the first growing season. […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aphids, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Cercopora leaf spot, compact shrub, compact tree, Container garden, Container growing, container shrub, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Crape myrtle aphid, Crape myrtle bark scale, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Landscape ideas, mulching, mulching trees, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Street tree, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Simple Care of Crape MyrtlesLandscape Ideas Using Crape Myrtles
Posted by Hugh on April 10th, 2018
If you live in zone 7 and points southward, you are likely growing crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei). Additional hybrid cultivars (varieties) are hardy in zone 6. Crape myrtles are loved for their spectacular summer flowers, colorful fall foliage, and exquisite peeling bark over trunks and branches. Cultivars range in size from dwarf selections […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Breeding Plants, Butterflies, compact shrub, Container garden, Container growing, container shrub, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Medium sized Tree, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Landscape Ideas Using Crape MyrtlesWhen To Cut Back Foliage Of Spring Flowering Bulbs
Posted by Hugh on April 7th, 2018
Once your tulips, daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs have bloomed, don’t be in a hurry to cut off the stems and leaves. Plant foliage serves an valuable role in the health and growth of bulbous plants. The green leaves absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide as a part of the process of photosynthesis. The spent blossoms […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Alliums (onion), Bee Favorite, Beneficial insects, Butterflies, compost, Container garden, Daffodil (Narcissus), deadheading, Dianthus (Pinks), Diascias, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Flowering Bulb, Flowers, Fragrant, Heat Tolerance, Hyacinth, Landscape ideas, mulching, Pansies, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Rabbit/deer Protection, Siberian Wallflower (Cheiranthus), Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Spring flowering bulbs, Summer heat tolerant, Tulips, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on When To Cut Back Foliage Of Spring Flowering BulbsBugleweed (Ajuga) Groundcover
Posted by Hugh on April 3rd, 2018
Bugleweed, aka carpetweed (Ajuga reptans), is low-growing semi-evergreen groundcover that offers almost year-round appeal (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). It develops a low prostrate habit and spreads by runners that root into the soil. Attractive vertical spikes of flowers arise in mid- to late- spring. Cultivars abound with multi-colored flowers. Foliage variants range from light green, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Bugleweed (Ajuga), compost, Container garden, Container growing, Disease resistant, Fertilizing, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Invasive species, Landscape ideas, Mowing, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Bugleweed (Ajuga) GroundcoverPest Alert -Laurel Wilt Disease
Posted by Hugh on April 1st, 2018
Laurel wilt (Raffaelea lauricola) is an invasive deadly vascular wilt disease of red bay laurel and other trees in the Lauraceae family. The fungal disease is carried from tree to tree by a small beetle called the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus). This Ambrosia beetle bores into the wood and the fungus disease infects the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Ambrosia beetle, Environmental issues, Garden ecology, Garden Problems, Insect (Pest) Problems, Landscape ideas, Laurel Wilt disease, Magnolia virginiana, Mountain laurel (Kalmia), Native Plant, Pesticide recommendations, Pests, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Rhododendrons, Sassafras albidum, Southern Appalachian Region, Spicebush (Lindera) Comments Off on Pest Alert -Laurel Wilt Disease
