Many people have reported to me cases of severely damaged or downed trees after recent bad storms. I experienced very severe tree limb loss from big old trees that I’ve had pruned regularly by tree companies, just to prevent the weaknesses that ultimately led to the losses I unfortunately experienced. I was, understandably, surprised at the tree damage.
It is important to have a licensed tree ...
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Once again, I am delighted to learn of the latest – 2013 – selection of “Perennial Plant of the Year” by the Perennial Plant Association: Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ (Variegated Solomon’s Seal). This outstanding plant has been one of my all-time favorite perennials mainly because of its stunning foliage, habit, and vitality that add color and spark to the shady woodland garden.
Solomon’s Seal stands 2 ½ to 3 feet tall ...
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Studies have shown that the presence of a water feature is one of the biggest draws in the landscape – particularly the sound of running water. Water brings soothing sounds, a sense of calm, and a sensation of coolness in the summer. The sound of running water, particularly if hidden, can entice the visitor through the landscape.
Water features can range from a large fish ...
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Every landscape should include a nice selection of ornamental grasses. They are very easy care plants – generally only needing shearing back close to the ground in early spring. They like lean soil – no need to fertilize. They are reliably deer resistant and pest free. They provide a range of benefits in the landscape – e.g., they ...
This time of year when we are, quite frankly, tired of a somewhat barren landscape, it is the opportune time to consider adding some plants that perform admirably throughout the year. The best are those that exhibit desirable features that differ with the changing seasons. Clearly, evergreens provide year-round interest, and your landscape should include many of them, interspersed with your deciduous plantings that shed ...
Japanese Stiltgrass, an exotic invasive grass species introduced into the U.S. in Tennessee in 1919, has invaded our landscapes with a vengeance recently. Since this annual grassy weed is well adapted to low sunlight, it will invade disturbed shaded areas near woods. Deer avoid foraging on this species in the woodlands, thus hastening its spread. A single plant is able to produce 100-1000 seeds, ...
Many of our treasured plants succumb to insect and disease problems in the long hot, humid summer. As herbaceous plants die back to the ground for the winter, and deciduous trees and shrubs lose their leaves, we get a break from many pest and disease problems. Nourishment for wildlife, however, is more limited, and can pose a particular challenge. With green material at a premium in ...
The best thing you can do to lower garden maintenance is to get your weeds under control. Correct weed removal is not an unskilled labor task. Workers must be able to distinguish noxious weeds from often similar-looking desirable ornamentals. If the entire weed is not dug out with a proper tool (many cannot just not be hand pulled), new growth will soon sprout. Hand weeding is ...
The perennial Peony hybrid, Paeonia x, provides a very long season of interest in many conditions. It grows well in full to part sun, and it is reliably deer resistant. It is commanding, growing to 2 ½ feet tall by 2-3 feet wide, making a good specimen, or it can be used to fill in borders.
It produces very large fragrant blooms in mid to late spring, in shades of ...
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Most people have noticed increased populations of Halyomorpha halys, commonly known as the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB), which was identified in Maryland in 2002. The pest, native to Asia, was introduced into the United States via trade goods shipments, and has rapidly spread through the East Coast and westward, mostly through transportation carriers.
The BMSB tends to seek warm shelter in houses in the fall and, therefore, caulking ...
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If you enjoy spending time outdoors in the evening, consider installing a garden close to your patio, deck, or walkway whose theme is white. White flowers are more visible than others at night, and many are very fragrant. You can anchor such a garden with a small white flowering ornamental tree (Chionanthus virginicus – White Fringetree, a Virginia native), or a few white flowering shrubs (Clethra ...
Each year, the Perennial Plant Association names an outstanding plant its “Perennial Plant of the Year.” Once again, I was delighted to learn that the latest (2012) selection is one of my favorites: Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’. Brunneras (Siberian Bugloss) are valued for their shade tolerance and lovely blooms. A compact woodland plant of 1-2’ rounded mounds, ...