Piedmont Azalea (R. canescens) at Callaway Gardens Early flowering Piedmont azalea (Rhododendron canescens) is one of the most common native deciduous azaleas in the southeastern U.S. It is frequently confused for pinxterbloom azalea (R. periclymenoides) which blooms 3-4 weeks later. Piedmont azalea is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9. Piedmont azalea reaches a mature height between [...]
Archive for the ‘Root suckering’ Category
Piedmont Azalea
Posted by Hugh on March 30th, 2012
Contorted Filbert Offers Great Fall And Winter Interest
Posted by Hugh on March 23rd, 2012
Contorted filbert (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’), aka Harry Lauder’s walking stick, is an 8-10 foot tall shrub. It grows in average well-drained acidic or mildly alkaline soil and thrives either in full or partial (6 hours) sunlight. Contorted filbert is usually sold in a grafted form. It is also called corkscrew hazelnut because most branches, twigs and leaves display [...]
Don’t Let’em Sucker
Posted by Hugh on March 18th, 2012
Some grafted and budded shrubs and trees develop a bad habit to sending up shoots (suckering) from its rootsystem. This creates an untidy appearance around the base of shrubs and trees. Far worse, the root suckers may compete for domination over the cultivar graft. They may rob photosynthate, water and nutrients from the grafted plant. Eventually, the grafted portion may die. Gardeners select grafted plants for a number [...]
Growing Elderberries in the Garden
Posted by Hugh on December 2nd, 2011
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is native to eastern North America, commonly found growing in open fields, thickets, fence rows, and along roadsides. Elderberry has pinnate leaves with toothed leaflets. Large flat clusters of small white flowers are evident by early summer, followed by large clusters of round purple-black fruit in late summer and fall. The fruits are [...]
‘Diabolo’ Ninebark Has More Than 9 Lives
Posted by Hugh on October 7th, 2011
The cultivar Diabolo ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’) is an aggressive grower. A knowledgeable gardener with a sharp pair of pruners may quickly and easily train Diabolo ninebark into a small tree. Plant a ninebark tree in a large container for multi-seasonal color around your deck or patio. Its common plant name “ninebark” says a lot. [...]
‘Chocolate’ White Snakeroot Is A Better Choice
Posted by Hugh on September 7th, 2011
White Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum) is native to moist woodland areas in most eastern and midwestern states (U.S.). It grows in average, moist, well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. It is a long-lived and an aggressive perennial. ‘Chocolate’ (E. rugosum ‘Chocolate’) earns its namesake for its chocolaty or burgundy tinted foliage. ‘Chocolate’ white [...]
Posted in Aggressive grower, Autumn flowering, Bee Favorite, Butterflies, Disease resistant, Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', plant nutrition, Poisonous plant, Root suckering, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uncategorized, watering tips, winter hardiness 
No Comments »‘Gateway’ Joe-Pye Fits Most Gardens
Posted by Hugh on August 22nd, 2011
On hot clammy August days, towering 6-8 feet in height, there is Joe-Pye* weed (Eupatorium purpureum) to enjoy. It is visually hard to miss when driving along rural roads in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Joe-Pye’s flowering sends me a timely message that autumn is only six weeks away. For gardens the cultivar [...]
The Challenge and Reward of Harlequin Glorybower
Posted by Hugh on August 17th, 2011
Harlequin Glorybower (Clerodendron trichotomum) is a rambling 15 foot tall shrub, and can be easily shaped into a multi-stemmed 10-12 foot small tree. Glorybower shines in the late summer and early fall landscape. Its sweetly scented, very showy flowers attract the attention of gardeners as well as hummingbirds and butterflies. Glorybower reaches its northern- most hardiness limit here [...]
Wild Epaulette Tree Can Be Tamed
Posted by Hugh on May 26th, 2011
Epaulette tree (Pterostyrax hispida) is a small flowering tree which quickly grows to a mature height of 20—25 feet. Winter hardiness here in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7) is no problem. A newly planted tree grows an average of 15-18 inches per year and blooms early. Epaulette prospers in a moist well-drained [...]
