In the World of Iris, U.S. gardeners are highly partial to planting Siberian (Iris sibirica) and German (I. germanica) irises. Currently, in recent years there has been a sway to our native species called “flag irises”. Top of the list is Crested iris (I. cristata), a low-growing, rapidly spreading species that typically 3-6 inches tall. […]
Archive for the ‘Ground cover’ Category
Native Irises
Posted by Hugh on April 9th, 2023
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Borers, Container garden, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Flower arrangments, Ground cover, Iris, Iris spp. Native, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Native IrisesHeuchera ‘Melting Fire’
Posted by Hugh on October 28th, 2022
‘Melting Fire’ is a seed produced variety of heuchera (coral bells) from Kieft Seed, Inc., a division of Ball Hort. Seed-produced heucheras are something new as most current varieties were propagated from tissue culture. (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). In mid-spring Melting Fire forms a low mound (clump), 8-10 inches tall and 10-12 inches wide. New […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Breeding Plants, Bumble bees, Butterflies, Container garden, Evergreen, Garden paths, Ground cover, Heuchera (coralbells), Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wind protection, winter hardiness Comments Off on Heuchera ‘Melting Fire’Three Standout Pfitzer Junipers
Posted by Hugh on October 6th, 2022
Pfitzer junipers (Juniperus x pfitzeriana) are standouts in the winter landscape (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). Many varieties are utilized as groundcovers. Pfitzers are easy care, low maintenance plants when properly sited in full sun and well drained. Around coastal areas, pfitzers are moderately resistant to salt injury. Give pfitzers lots of space. Their plume-like evergreen […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Bagworms, container shrub, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Evergreens, Fall Garden Interest, Flower Arranging, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Juniper, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Root rotting, Scale, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs Comments Off on Three Standout Pfitzer JunipersBigroot Cranesbill
Posted by Hugh on September 10th, 2022
Bigroot Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum) is a favorite, easy to grow plant that forms a dense weed-resistant ground cover with attractive foliage and flowers. (USDA zones 4 – 8). This “cranesbill” is a true perennial geranium. It is a rhizomatous semi-evergreen perennial, native to southern Europe, typically grows to 12 inches tall and to 24 inches or […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bee Favorite, Cold tolerance, Container garden, Cranesbill (Geranium), Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall Garden Interest, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, winter hardiness Comments Off on Bigroot CranesbillTen Native Flowering Vines
Posted by Hugh on June 13th, 2022
Trees and shrubs are not the only woody landscape plants to invite into your landscape. Check out these ten native vines. But first do some homework. Some of these vines grow aggressively which can mean more maintenance work for you. Vines are a part of the vertical landscaping trend. They are also space-savers. Native flowering […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Balled and Burlapped (b&b), Bees and other pollinators, Beneficial insects, Butterflies, Clematis glaucophylla, Clematis spp., compost, Coral honeysuckle (L. sempervirens), Deciduous, Disease resistant, Flower arrangments, Fragrant, Ground cover, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Passionflower (Passiflora), Pipevine (Aristolochia), Planting tips, Privacy Screen, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, Trumpet Creeper (Campsis), Trumpet vine (Campsis), Vine, Virginia creeper, Wisteria Comments Off on Ten Native Flowering VinesPassionflower Vine
Posted by Hugh on June 7th, 2022
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a fast-growing, trailing vine that climbs via axillary tendrils. It is woody where winter climes are warm. In zone 5, the foliage dies back to the ground in cold winters. This summer-flowering vine is native to the southeastern U.S. where you see it growing habitat in sandy soils along stream banks, roadsides, woodland edges, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Attracting Butterflies, Bee Favorite, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Passionflower (Passiflora), Planting tips, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Vine, Vine, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Passionflower VineSilk Tassel Sedge
Posted by Hugh on May 17th, 2022
‘Silk Tassel’ Japanese sedge is an outstanding Japanese sedge cultivar of Carex morrowii temnolepis. It is ornamentally grown in shade areas for its narrow (1/8 inch wide) variegated foliage (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9). This dense, grass-like clump grows 12 inches high and 1 to 1 ½ feet spread. Let’s start with an old […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Carex (Sedges), compost, Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Evergreen, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower Arranging, Ground cover, Heat Tolerance, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Silk Tassel SedgeHeartleaf Iceplant (Aptenia)
Posted by Hugh on April 26th, 2022
The world of succulents is a treasure trove for many cool garden plants that attract many collectors, including house plant enthusiastics. Heartleaf iceplant (Aptenia cordifolia), also called Baby sun rose, is a non-hardy succulent or evergreen ground cover. This herbaceous subshrub is indigenous to South Africa and favors a Mediterranea- like climatic conditions (in USDA […]
Posted in acidic soil, Annuals, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Butterflies, Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Foliage plant, Ground cover, Heartleaf aptenia, Heat Tolerance, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, mulching, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Heartleaf Iceplant (Aptenia)Roof Iris in Springtime
Posted by Hugh on April 11th, 2022
Roof iris (Iris tectorum) is indigenous to China. This beardless iris is part of the crested iris group. Leaves stand 15 inches tall, fanned at the base and are ribbed. The clean green fan-like leaves remain mostly blemish-free most of the growing season. Plants give rise to purple-blue flowers with white and darker purple flecks starting […]
Posted in acidify soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Chlorosis (yellowing), Container garden, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Ground cover, Iris, Iris tectorum, Landscape ideas, mulching, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Virus diseases, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Roof Iris in Springtime2022 Perennial Plant of the Year® Announced
Posted by Hugh on March 31st, 2022
2Since 1990 The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) has showcased a perennial that is a standout among its competitors! Perennials chosen for this honor are suitable for a wide range of growing climates, require low maintenance, have multiple-season interest, and are relatively pest/disease-free. Each year PPA members look at four nominated perennials and vote for their […]
Posted in Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Environmental Conservation, Fall Garden Interest, Fertilizing plants, Flower arrangments, Ground cover, Landscape Construction, Landscape ideas, Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium), Native Plant, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips Comments Off on 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year® Announced
