Purple Pennisetum Grass in Hot Parking Lot Fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ) is a warm season grass native to Northern Africa (USDA zones 8-10). It is a dense clump-forming grass with several topnotch cultivars. Most popular are purple fountain grasses (varieties ‘Purpureum’ and ‘Rubrum’) for their heat resistant dark reddish purple foliage. The pink to [...]
Archive for the ‘acidify soil’ Category
Fountain Grasses Are Summer Sizzlers
Posted by Hugh on April 21st, 2012
Posted in acidify soil, alkaline soil, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Flowers, Fountain Grass (Pennisetum), Heat Tolerance, Ornamental Grasses, plant nutrition, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips 
No Comments »The Right Rhododendron for the Right Location
Posted by Hugh on March 2nd, 2012
Rhododendrons (Rhododendron catawbiense) were born in the cool of the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains. Hundreds of lovely hybrids have been bred by dedicated plantsmen. Winter hardiness is rarely an issue, but rhododendrons are challenged by summer heat and disease problems in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). Your most important decision is [...]
‘Nellie R. Stevens’ Holly Sets A High Standard
Posted by Hugh on November 20th, 2011
‘Nellie R. Stevens’ (‘NRS’) is a tall growing red fruited female holly, a cross between the English (Ilex aquifolium) and Chinese (I. cornuta) hollies. ‘NRS’ comes highly recommended for Southern Appalachian landscapes (USDA zones 6 and 7). Hollies are dioecious, requiring both male and female parents for fruit production. ‘NRS’ holly produces small numbers of seedless parthenocarpic [...]
Rosebay Rhododendron for Cool Shady Landscapes
Posted by Hugh on June 24th, 2011
Rosebay Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) grows in dense woodland shade along cool mountain streams and on moist, rocky slopes. This Southern Appalachian native is extremely winter hardy to -15° to -20° F. It is a late-season bloomer reaching its peak around late June. Rosebay grows large, 15 to 20 feet in height. On some sites it [...]
“Mary, Mary, How You Do Grow in My Garden”
Posted by Hugh on May 4th, 2011
‘My Mary’ is a hybrid deciduous azalea (R. ‘Nacoochee’ x R. austrinum) ending its flowering cycle in my spring garden. ‘My Mary’ has been a steady performer, averaging 4-5 feet in height in 10 years. Its clusters of bright yellow orange tubular flowers measure 2 1/2” across. Its early morning sweet fragrance is a gentle [...]
Blueberries
Posted by Hugh on March 12th, 2011
Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) are healthy for you and exceptionally easy to grow organically (without pesticides). Why?- because blueberries are bothered by very few disease and insect problems. Success in growing blueberries depends upon pre-plant soil preparation. If you’re thinking about growing blueberrues for the first time, then allot this calendar year for soil preparation. Put off planting blueberries until the early fall or [...]
New Blueberry Planting Require One Year Soil Prep
Posted by Hugh on April 30th, 2010
Fresh blueberries a few more weeks away from harvest Blueberries are the easiest fruit crop to grow. Blueberries have few disease and insect problems. Birds become a significant problem as harvest time approaches, from mid-June through September. Blueberry culture is unique as the ideal soil pH range is 4.8 – 5.2. You should spend a [...]
