American witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is the last native flowering plants to bloom in the calendar year. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree, native to woodlands, forest margins and stream banks in eastern North America (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). It typically grows 15-20 feet tall as a multi-stemmed shrub and 30 feet tall in tree form. Beginning in […]
Archive for the ‘Japanese beetles’ Category
American Witchhazel Blooms in Autumn
Posted by Hugh on November 7th, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Japanese beetles, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (layering), Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness, Witchhazel (Hamamelis) 
Comments Off on American Witchhazel Blooms in AutumnDreaded Japanese Beetles Are Back
Posted by Hugh on July 4th, 2016
In many areas of the Eastern U.S. Japanese beetles (JB) devastate the foliage, fruits and flowers of more than 300 plant species, particularly those in the rose family (Rosaceae). Adult beetles are approximately 3/8 inches in length with a dark metallic green head and metallic dark tan wings. In the soil JB grubs appear “C” […]
Posted in Hibiscus moscheutos, Insect (Pest) Problems, Japanese beetle, Japanese beetles, Lawn Care, Linden (Tilia), Pesticide recommendations, Pesticide Recommendations, Rose insects, Roses, shrub roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Strawberries, Uncategorized Comments Off on Dreaded Japanese Beetles Are BackCrape Myrtle Diseases And Pests
Posted by Hugh on July 23rd, 2014
Not all crape myrtle cultivars are alike. Some are more susceptible to diseases and insect pests more than others. Overall, the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) hybrid crapemyrtles are more disease and insect resistant, but not to all problems. Some cultivars are susceptible to aphids, usually in the spring. Their sugary excretions over leaves and stems […]
Posted in Cercopora leaf spot, compact shrub, compact tree, Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), Disease prone, Disease resistant, Insect (Pest) Problems, Japanese beetles, Pesticide recommendations, Powdery mildew, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Crape Myrtle Diseases And PestsBecome Immersed In Swamp Hibiscus
Posted by Hugh on July 11th, 2014
Swamp mallow, aka swamp hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) is native to marshes and swamps in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida (USDA hardiness Zones 6 to 9). Vibrant red flowers cover the tall 4–8-foot plant(s) from June through September. Space plants 3 feet wide apart. Deeply cut maple-like foliage presents a lush tropical look and the […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Hardy hibiscus, Hibiscus coccineus, Hummingbird, Insect (Pest) Problems, Japanese beetles, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Root suckering, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Become Immersed In Swamp HibiscusLovely Tall Stewartia Deserves Your Attention
Posted by Hugh on June 24th, 2014
Not enough gardeners know about stewartias (Stewartia spp.). Six species are found under cultivation, 2 native to the U.S. and 4 of Asian origin. One of the rarest seen in U.S. gardens is tall stewartia (S. monadelpha) (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Tall stewartia is a more site forgiving than Japanese stewartia (S. pseudocamellia), the most […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Disease resistant, Japanese beetles, mulching, Planting tips, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Tall stewartia, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, Winter bark, winter hardiness Comments Off on Lovely Tall Stewartia Deserves Your AttentionDawn Redwood Is Back From Extinction
Posted by Hugh on August 1st, 2012
Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) was thought to be extinct until the mid-twentieth century. In 1948 dawn redwood was re-introduced into North America from Sichuan-Hubei Provinces in China. Dawn redwood grows in full sun and in well-drained, compost-rich soil. The tree struggles in dry or high pH soils. Dawn redwood will tolerate standing water for a […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bald cypress (Taxodium), Dawn redwood (Metasequoia), Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Heat Tolerance, Japanese beetles, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering evergreens Comments Off on Dawn Redwood Is Back From ExtinctionHollyhock Rust Prevention Tips
Posted by Hugh on July 19th, 2012
Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are old-fashioned perennials (and biennials) which are currently finding a new audience. There are numerous cultivars differing in plant height from 5 to 9 feet and spread of 1 to 3 feet. Flowers come in single and double forms and in many color shades. Hollyhocks are hardy to USDA hardiness zone 4. […]
Posted in Disease prone, Disease resistant, Flowers, Hollyhock (Alcea), Japanese beetles, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering Comments Off on Hollyhock Rust Prevention TipsJapanese Beetle Traps – Useful Monitoring Tool
Posted by Hugh on June 4th, 2012
A decade ago garden centers sold thousands of Japanese beetle traps until somebody questioned why anyone would want to lure this summer pest into their garden. Yes, the traps do work and may catch hundreds per week. You also attract hundreds more to feed on your plants’ flowers and leaves and, later in the year, the larvae will feed in […]
Posted in Crabapple, Insect (Pest) Problems, Japanese beetles, Lawn Care, Roses, Southern Appalachian Region, Uncategorized Comments Off on Japanese Beetle Traps – Useful Monitoring ToolFranklinia Will Survive If…
Posted by Hugh on September 22nd, 2011
Franklinia (Franklinia altamaha) is admittedly a very finicky large shrub or small tree. Pure white, five-petal, 2 ½ – 3 inch camellia-like flowers bloom sporadically from August thru mid-October. Flowers are slightly fragrant. In the fall glossy green leaves gradually transition to blends of red, orange and burgundy hues. Franklinia grows best on an eastern exposure […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Autumn flowering, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Franklinia, Japanese beetles, mulching, Native Plant, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Transplant problem, Trees & Shrubs, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Franklinia Will Survive If…July Lawn Care
Posted by Hugh on June 28th, 2011
Around July 4th it’s time for a second (and last) application of crabgrass preventative. The herbicide which you applied in late winter is likely worn off. The basic herbicide preventative product tradenames (and active ingredients) are: Barricade® (prodiamine), Dimension® (dithiopyr), Echelon® (prodiamine + sulfentrazone), Pendulum® (pendimethalin), and Ronstar® (oxadiazon). Irrigate (1/2 inch water or 1 1/2 hours watering with an […]
Posted in Crabgrass control, Irrigation, Japanese beetles, Lawn Care, Mowing, Southern Appalachian Region Comments Off on July Lawn Care
