Monday, March 15, 2010

Heuchera “Can Can”













Botanical Name: Heuchera "Can Can"
Common Name: Coral Bells "Can Can"
Plant Type: Perennial
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Part Sun, Full Shade
Zone: 4 - 9
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height X Spread: 12" H x 12" W
Bloom Time: May - June
Bloom Description: Bright pink flowers
Foliage Description: Redish purple curley edged leaves
Soil: Average or Moist, well-drained, neutral pH
Water: Regular
Tidy: Remove faded flower spikes
Fertilizer: All Purpose
Fertilizing cycle: First sign of spring growth
Special Maintenance: Divide in March-April
Propagation: Division
Pests & Diseases: Black Vine Weevil

Notes: This plant is a great choice if you want to add a little color to a shade garden. Heuchera will grow in moist soil, but doesn’t like to sit in water so make sure the soil is well-drained. It will grow in full sun, but prefers a little shade during the hottest part of the day. The foliage may discolor or die back during very hot spells in full sun. It stays low to the ground so it can be placed in the front of the garden bed. Heuchera is an easy to grow, low maintenance plant.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

How to Design an Environmentally Friendly Garden

Over the years, more and more homeowners are becoming aware of the fact that when designing their garden, there is the environment that they also need to take into consideration. Rather than designing the layout of the garden with only aesthetics in mind, it is a good idea to also consider sustainability. As a result, you can make sure that you not only have a beautiful but an eco-friendly garden as well. Read the full article.

This article was contributed by Emma Spivey – SolarWaterFountains.org

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Hydrangea quercifolia ''Snowflake''

















Botanical Name: Hydrangea quercifolia "Snowflake"
Common Name: "Snowflake" Oakleaf Hydrangea
Plant Type: Shrub
Light Requirements: Part Sun, Part Shade
Special Attributes: Deciduous
Zone: 5-9
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height X Spread: 8’ H x 6’ W
Bloom Time: Early summer through fall
Bloom Description: Creamy white 15 inch dense panicles of double flowers occurring on old wood
Foliage Description: Dark green oak-like leaves with a coarse texture. Leaves become shades of purple in fall.
Soil: Moist, Well Drained, Acid
Water: Average
Tidy: Prune after flowering to maintain size. Prune out weak or damaged stems in early spring.
Fertilizer: Acid
Fertilizing cycle: Twice yearly – once in early spring, again after flowering in summer
Special Maintenance: In zone 5 plant in sheltered location and protect in winter.
Propagation: Take softwood cuttings in early summer, hardwood cuttings in winter.
Pests & Diseases: No serious problems. Occasional leaf blight or aphids.

Notes: The Oakleaf hydrangea is one of the few hydrangeas native to the United States. This large deciduous shrub is great in borders or as a focal point. It is a low maintenance plant that needs little pruning and does well in sun or shade. Although they can tolerate more sun than the typical Hydrangea, plant in an area with some afternoon shade for the best results. The irregular peeling bark on the stems provides winter interest.

Monday, March 1, 2010

2010 Horticultural Events - Northwest Region

Boise Flower & Garden Show
Boise, Idaho
March 26-28
208-343-8649

Sand & Stone Raking Workshop
Portland, Oregon
March 28
503-223-1321

Early Bloomers Plant Sale
Seattle, Washington
April 10
206-325-4510

Washington Native Plant Society Sale
Bellevue, Washington
May 8
425-452-2750

2010 Horticultural Events - West Coast Region

San Francisco Flower & Garden Show
San Mateo, California
March 24-28
415-684-7278

California State Flower & Garden Show
Sacramento, California
April 8-11
877-696-6668

Growning Proteas in Bay Area Gardens
San Francisco, California
April 24
415-661-1316

Spring Plant Sale & Garden Tours
Occidental, California
April 10-11
707-874-1557

2010 Horticultural Events - South West Region

New Leaf Plant Sale
Tucson, Arizona
March 27
520-326-9686

Cactus & Succulent Show & Sale
Phoenix, Arizona
April 16-18
480-941-1225

National Public Gardens Day
Albuquerque, New Mexico
May 7
505-848-7112

Spring Bulb Show & Competition
Salt Lake City, Utah
April 17-18
801-585-0556
Arbor Day Tree Giveaway
St. Louis, Missouri
April 2
314-577-5100

Tulip Time Festival
Topeka, Kansas
April 10 – 26
785-368-2437

Spring Plant Sale & Gardening Festival
Austin, Texas
April 10-11
512-232-0100

Garden Symposium
Monroe, Louisiana
April 19-20
318-387-5281

2010 Horticultural Events - North Central Region

Cincinnati Flower Show
Symmes Township, Ohio
April 17-25
513-872-5194

Basics of Composting
Chicago, Illinois
April 24
312-746-5100

Spring Fever Mini-Symposium
Madrid, Iowa
April 17
515-795-3216

Ann Arbor Orchid Festival
Ann Arbor, Michigan
April 17-18
734-647-7600

2010 Horticultural Events - Southeast Region

Savannah Tour of Homes & Gardens
Savannah, Georgia
March 25-28
912-234-8054

Orchid/Bromeliad Expo & Sale
April 3-4
Davie, Florida
954-473-2955

Flower & Garden Expo
St. Augustine, Florida
April 17-18
904-829-3295

21st Century Plants from Grandmother’s Garden
Belmont, North Carolina
April 17
704-829-1252

2010 Horticultural Events - Mid-Atlantic Region

Camellia Society Show & Sale
Wheaton, Maryland
March 27
301-962-1400

Virginia Daffodil Society Show
Richmond, Virginia
April 3 – 4
804-262-9887

Wildflower Celebration
Greenville, Delaware
April 25
302-239-4224

Rare Plants & Garden Ornaments
Monkton, Maryland
May 1
410-557-9570

2010 Horticultural Events - North East Region

Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens Spring Festival
Buffalo, New York
March 20 – April 11
716-827-1584

Boston Flower & Garden Show
Boston, Massachusetts
March 24-28
617-933-4900

Early Spring Specimens
Bristol, Rhode Island
March 28
401-253-2707

Connecticut Horticultural Society Spring Plant Auction & Sale
Vernon, Connecticut
April 30
860-529-8713

Emily Dickinson’s Garden
Bronx, New York - New York Botanical Garden
May 1 – June 13
718-817-8700