As summer fades and the air turns crisp, many gardeners assume the planting season is winding down. In reality, fall is one of the best times to put new plants in the ground. Experts from NC State University agree that cooler weather, warm soil, and … [Read more...]
Embrace Decay with a Stunning Stumpery Garden
How-to, Planning and Design, Plants for Shade The loss of a beloved tree hurts a gardener’s heart. But rather than revving up the chainsaw or calling a crew to tote it away for firewood, consider celebrating the life of the tree and its ongoing … [Read more...]
Cercis canadensis
Common Name(s): American Judas Tree, American Redbud, Eastern Redbud, Redbud Eastern redbud is a deciduous, ornamental tree in the bean family (Fabaceae). It is native to eastern North America and may grow up to 20 to 30 feet tall and 20 … [Read more...]
Cornus florida
Common Name(s): Flowering Dogwood Flowering dogwood is a woody, deciduous, showy, understory tree in the dogwood family (Cornaceae) that is native from southeastern Canada through eastern North America to eastern Mexico, where it is commonly found … [Read more...]
How to recycle – Real Christmas Trees have a second life
After the holidays, don’t throw your Real Christmas Tree in the trash. Real Christmas Trees are biodegradable, which means they can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes. Here are some recycling options and tips on what to do with … [Read more...]
The Ghost Tree: Bringing Back the American Chestnut
Billions of American chestnut trees once shaped life in Appalachia, but a foreign fungus erased them in a matter of decades. Today, only sickly sprouts remain — ghosts of a vanished ecosystem. Sara Fern Fitzsimmons and The American Chestnut … [Read more...]
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs that grow from 4-to 12-feet in height depending on the variety. Continued: SOURCE: … [Read more...]
WEED ALERT | Asiatic Bittersweet
Blue Ridge PRISM Recommendations Now is the time to identify and control this invasive vine since it is easy to spot during this time of year. Use our guide to identify Asiatic bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) in the landscape. Identify and … [Read more...]
Trees of Life – Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana (ham-ah-MAY-lis ver-jin-ee-AY-nah) Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub or small tree that may grow 15 to 20 feet tall. This easily overlooked native becomes noticeable when after its leaves turn an attractive yellow … [Read more...]
Trees of Life – Yellow Birch
Yellow Birch, Betula alleghaniensis - (BET-yoo-luh al-leh-gay-nee-EN-sis) Common Name(s): Golden Birch, Swamp Birch, Yellow Birch Have you ever noticed a tree with shiny golden bark on exposed … [Read more...]