Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Abelia Hedge
Ordinarily I am not a huge fan of shearing however in this particular case the landscaper has done a nice job pruning the abelia. The sides are beveled nicely to allow plenty of sunlight to reach all parts of the plant and just has an overall nice shape to it.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Begonias
Very nice annual bed of mixed begonias. Doing quite well considering its November 1st with the cold weather they've endured.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Leesville Rd,Raleigh,United States
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Daylily Maintenance & Care
Daylily maintenance will insure that not only will they look great but will also perform better with more vibrant blossoms.
Once daylillies emerge in the spring they form a clump of green foliage and within a short time begin to flower. Keep in mind that they are named daylillies for a reason so it's understandable that the flowers begin to fade relatively fast once they bloom. The good thing is that they have a staggering cycle of flowering so you tend to have many blooms fading at different times.
Once the flowers start to fade the best thing that you can do for them beyond the routine watering and fertilizer application is to remove the spent foliage and flower buds/stalks. Not only will this make them look better but it will also help them promote flowering and will insure that all of their energy is diverted to colorful blossoms. This process of removing spent foliage is called "deadheading" and you can do it as each individual flower fades or wait until they all bloom and begin to fade. It will be quite noticeable as the stalks will die out and turn brown. This makes it very easy to remove them at this time and requires no pruning tools whatsoever. You literally just pull up the stalks with your hands and they pop right out. It is also a good idea to remove the spent foliage that you will typically find at the base of the plant. I usually do this about 3 times per season the last one being right around mid September. They usually do not put out an abundance of flowers beyond this point however the foliage on most varieties turns a bright orange that suits the Fall color scheme just perfectly.
The variety pictures is a Stella D'oro and is very popular in the Carolinas.
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Once daylillies emerge in the spring they form a clump of green foliage and within a short time begin to flower. Keep in mind that they are named daylillies for a reason so it's understandable that the flowers begin to fade relatively fast once they bloom. The good thing is that they have a staggering cycle of flowering so you tend to have many blooms fading at different times.
Once the flowers start to fade the best thing that you can do for them beyond the routine watering and fertilizer application is to remove the spent foliage and flower buds/stalks. Not only will this make them look better but it will also help them promote flowering and will insure that all of their energy is diverted to colorful blossoms. This process of removing spent foliage is called "deadheading" and you can do it as each individual flower fades or wait until they all bloom and begin to fade. It will be quite noticeable as the stalks will die out and turn brown. This makes it very easy to remove them at this time and requires no pruning tools whatsoever. You literally just pull up the stalks with your hands and they pop right out. It is also a good idea to remove the spent foliage that you will typically find at the base of the plant. I usually do this about 3 times per season the last one being right around mid September. They usually do not put out an abundance of flowers beyond this point however the foliage on most varieties turns a bright orange that suits the Fall color scheme just perfectly.
The variety pictures is a Stella D'oro and is very popular in the Carolinas.
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Location:N Wheeler Dr,,United States
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Shade Plant Containers
A mixture of ground cover including variegated liriope, ajuga, mondo grass and saloman seal is an excellent concoction of plants very well suited for areas in the garden that receive minimal amounts of sunlight.
The centerpiece in this container is a tree root (knot) from a Bald Cypress that was cut down along the shoreline of the Albemarle Sound. Makes a nice focal point.
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The centerpiece in this container is a tree root (knot) from a Bald Cypress that was cut down along the shoreline of the Albemarle Sound. Makes a nice focal point.
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Saturday, September 8, 2012
Ilex (Sky Pencil) Holly
Ilex (Sky Pencil) is a holly variety that has a slim upright growth habit and is a great plant for containers. In addition to containers it has many uses such as a foundation plant in annual flower beds as well as a corner accent to help soften hard building surfaces. The sky pencil is a relatively low maintenance plant that requires semi-moist well drained soils. Other than the leaf miner there is a very short list of insect pests that are attracted to them. Just keep watered and fertilized and watch it take off.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, September 3, 2012
Gardenia
The gardenia is one of the most aromatic shrubs used in the Southeastern United States. There are many varieties that suit many locations in the landscape. One of the better locations to plant gardenias is near a patio or sitting area so you can enjoy the sweet smelling aroma that their flowers boast.
Gardenias should be planted in well drained soils that receive some afternoon shade. Although a very hardy shrub they do tend to attract their share of insects so you will need to monitor them for insect pest. Often times beneficial insects such as lady bugs can keep insect populations at bay however your local garden supply center should carry a wide range of insecticides that will better control them. If possible and cost effective always try to use an organic product that will kill them on contact but will spare the beneficials. Sometimes a simple method such as spraying the foliage with a garden hose will wash off the insects and will often remove the honey dew (waste) from the foliage.
If you have any questions about best management practices and control methods please don't hesitate to ask.
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Gardenias should be planted in well drained soils that receive some afternoon shade. Although a very hardy shrub they do tend to attract their share of insects so you will need to monitor them for insect pest. Often times beneficial insects such as lady bugs can keep insect populations at bay however your local garden supply center should carry a wide range of insecticides that will better control them. If possible and cost effective always try to use an organic product that will kill them on contact but will spare the beneficials. Sometimes a simple method such as spraying the foliage with a garden hose will wash off the insects and will often remove the honey dew (waste) from the foliage.
If you have any questions about best management practices and control methods please don't hesitate to ask.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Landscape Design (Durham Residence)
Most recent design for a small sustainable themed home in Durham, NC. Landscape will be a mixture of native plants and fruit bearing trees. Stone and boulders will be gathered from adjacent woods owned by resident.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:12, Rocky Mt,United States
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