Deciduous Shrub Of The Day

Weigela florida 'Courtalor(Carnaval™)'

Old Fashioned Weigela, Rose Weigela

Type Shrub, woody plant

Hardy range 4B to 8A
Height 36" to 4' / 90cm to 1.20m
Spread 36" to 4' / 90cm to 1.20m
Growth rate Average
Form Rounded
Exposure Full sun
Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Pink
Bloom Time Spring

The flowers are very showy.

EnvironmentThis plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to alkaline (less than 6.8 to more than 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture NotesWeigela grows best in a sunny location and moist soil. Shaded plants are straggly. Weigela also dislikes crowding. The growth rate is moderate and the shrub transplants well. Some annual dieback and winter injury make annual pruning necessary. Plants suffer in the deep south eastern part of the US.
Planting and establishing shrubsThe most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

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Day Of The Hosta

Hosta x 'Paul's Glory'

Hosta, Plantain Lily, Plantain Lily

Type Perennial

Hardy range 3A to 8A

Height 18" to 24" / 45cm to 60cm

Spread 36" to 4' / 90cm to 1.20m

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded

Exposure Full shade to partial sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Lavender

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Blue, green, variegated and yellow
This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes Remove flower heads when flowers are spent. Hostas will grow best in a moist, fertile loamy soil in a woodland setting. Plants go well with: Astilbe, Ferns, Epimedium, Rodgersia, and Dicentra sp. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.
'Paul's Glory' has yellow foliage with a blue-green edge. A medium-size hosta, it has bell-shaped blooms which top 2" scapes. Its leaves are thicker than most hostas, making it less prone to slug attack and other pests. Deer and rabbits are, however, attracted to 'Paul's Glory'. There should be a reduction in nitrogen in late summer so as to allow the plant to get ready for fall dormancy. 'Paul's Glory' was selected by the American Hosta Growers Association in 1999 for its outstanding merits.

Hosta x 'Amber Maiden'

Hosta, Plantain Lily, Plantain Lily

Type Perennial

Hardy range 4A to 9A

Height 12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm

Spread 24" to 36" / 60cm to 90cm

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded

Exposure Full shade to partial sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Lavender

Bloom Time Summer and Fall

Environment This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.This plant has attractive foliage.

Leaf Color Green, variegated and yellow

Culture NotesRemove flower heads when flowers are spent. Hostas will grow best in a moist, fertile loamy soil in a woodland setting. Plants go well with: Astilbe, Ferns, Epimedium, Rodgersia, and Dicentra sp. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.

  

Hosta tokudama f. aureonebulosa

Hosta, Plantain Lily

Type Perennial

Hardy range 4A to 9A

Height 12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm

Spread 36" to 3' / 90cm to 1.00m

Growth rate Slow

Form Rounded

Exposure Full shade to partial sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Lavender

Bloom Time Summer

Environment This plant tolerates some salt.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Variegated
Fall Color No change in fall color

This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes Remove flower heads when flowers are spent. Hostas will grow best in a fertile loamy soil in a woodland setting with filtered sunlight. Mulch every autumn, and keep the hostas moist.

Hosta sieboldiana 'Frances Williams'

Hosta, Plantain Lily

Type Perennial

Hardy range 3A to 9A

Height 24" to 30" / 60cm to 75cm

Spread 4' to 5' / 1.40m to 1.60m

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded

Exposure Full shade to partial sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Lavender

Bloom Time Summer

Environment This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

This plant has attractive foliage.

Leaf Color Blue, green and variegated

Culture Notes References frequently list this Hosta as 'Francis Williams', but since it is named for its breeder, Frances Williams a woman, Frances is spelled with an "e". Remove flower heads when flowers are spent. The foliage of H. sieboldiana is usually puckered, ribbed and heavily dimpled. Hosta will grow best in a fertile, loamy soil in a woodland setting. Easy to grow, the lavender-white blossoms of 'Frances Williams' look lovely against its bluish-green foliage. Plants go well with: Astilbe, Ferns, Epimedium, Rodgersia, and Dicentra. 

Perennial Of The Day

Helianthus salicifolius 'First Light'

Willowleaf Sunflower

Type Perennial

Hardy range 5A to 9A

Height 24" to 30" / 60cm to 75cm

Growth rate Fast

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Full sun

Bloom Color Yellow

Bloom Time Fall

The flowers are showy, suitable for cut flowers and suitable for dried flowers.

Environment This plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes Willowleaf Sunflowers have very narrow leaves on tall stems. This species is more tolerant of drought-like conditions than other species, and it does quite well when pruned back in the summer.

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Perennial Ground Cover Of The Day

Ruschia spinescens

Ice Plant

Type Perennial, succulent

Hardy range 10A to 11

Height 6" to 12" / 15cm to 30cm

Growth rate Average

Form Spreading or horizontal

Exposure Full sun

Persistence Evergreen

Bloom Color Purple

Bloom Time Spring and Winter

Environment This plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Blue and green

Culture Notes Stem cuttings can be taken in the spring. This plant does not do well in hot humid conditions.

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Beechwood Landscape Pool Of The Day

Deciduous Tree Of The Day

 

Acer negundo 'Flamingo'

Boxelder, Ash Leafed Maple

Type Tree, woody plant

Hardy range 5A to 8A

Height 25' to 35' / 7.60m to 10.60m

Spread 25' to 35' / 7.60m to 10.60m

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color White

Bloom Time Spring

Environment This plant tolerates drought, flooding and some salt.
This plant will grow in very dry to wet or submerged soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to alkaline (less than 6.8 to more than 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green, silvery and variegated

Fall Color Orange and yellow

This plant has attractive foliage and attractive fall colors.

Culture Notes The tree is sometimes listed in catalogs as Ash-Leafed Maple and the numerous, attractive seeds of the species are very popular with squirrels. But this cultivar produces no seeds because it is a male clone.
A nice plant for naturalized areas, particularly if the soil is wet, or the pH is alkaline. It is probably best used in these areas to help stabilize stream beds and colonize reclaimed land. The species is usually not recommended as a street tree due to its weak structure but may have a place in the landscape. This cultivar may have a place along streets where a small to medium sized tree is needed for tough situations. Growth rate is much slower than the species which makes the branches less susceptible to breakage, and unlike the species they are no seeds to litter the ground.
Maintain adequate mulch area Clear all turf away from beneath the branches and mulch to the drip line, especially on young trees, to reduce competition with turf and weeds. This will allow roots to become well established and keep plants healthier. Prune the tree so trunks and branches will not rub each other. Remove some secondary branches on main branches with included bark. This reduces the likelihood of the main branch splitting from the tree later when it has grown to become an important part of the landscape. Locate the tree properly, taking into account the ultimate size, since the tree looks best if it is not pruned to control size. The tree can enhance any landscape with its delightful spring flush of foliage. It can be the centerpiece of your landscape if properly located.
Tree establishment specifications

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Annual Of The Day

Nemesia strumosa

Nemesia

Type Annual

Height 8" to 24" / 20cm to 60cm

Spread 6" to 10" / 15cm to 25cm

Growth rate Fast

Form Irregular or sprawling

Exposure Full shade to partial sun

Bloom Color Orange, pink, purple, white and yellow

Bloom Time Spring through Fall

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers.

Environment This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes A frost tender annual that grows best in a cool, moist, well-drained spot. Pinch plant regularly to maintain shape. In very hot conditions this plant will tend to burn.

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Day Of The Hollyhock

Alcea rugosa

Hollyhock

Type Biennial, perennial

Hardy range 2A to 8A

Height 5' to 6' / 1.60m to 1.80m

Spread 12" to 36" / 30cm to 90cm

Growth rate Fast

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Full sun

Bloom Color Yellow

Bloom Time Summer and Fall

The flowers are showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment This plant tolerates some drought and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes This tall plant will need staking if not planted next to a fence or a wall. Remember that cultivars will not come true from seed. This plant is usually grown as a biennial, but can be grown as a perennial if, after flowering, it is cut to 6in/15cm above the ground. Burn the remains.
A. rugosa (Russian Hollyhock) has large, single, yellow (sometimes appearing as yellowish-orange) blooms and deeply lobed foliage. It tends to have less of a problem with hollyhock rust than some of the other cultivars.

 

Alcea rosea syn. Althaea rosea 'Powder Puff'

Hollyhock

Type Biennial, perennial

Hardy range 5B to 9A

Height 4' to 5' / 1.20m to 1.60m

Spread 12" to 36" / 30cm to 90cm

Growth rate Fast

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Bloom Color Salmon

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment This plant tolerates some drought and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes This tall plant will need staking if not planted next to a fence or a wall. Remember that cultivars will not come true from seed. This plant is usually grown as a biennial, but can be grown as a perennial if, after flowering, it is cut to 6in/15cm above the ground. Burn the remains.

 

Alcea rosea syn. Althaea rosea 'Indian Spring'

Hollyhock

Type Biennial, perennial

Hardy range 5B to 9A

Height 4' to 5' / 1.20m to 1.60m

Spread 12" to 36" / 30cm to 90cm

Growth rate Fast

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Full sun

Bloom Color Pink and red

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment This plant tolerates some drought and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes This tall plant will need staking if not planted next to a fence or a wall. Remember that cultivars will not come true from seed. This plant is usually grown as a biennial, but can be grown as a perennial if, after flowering, it is cut to 6in/15cm above the ground. Burn the remains.
Cut to basil foliage after blooming.

 

Alcea rosea syn. Althaea rosea 'Nigra'

Hollyhock

Type Biennial, perennial

Hardy range 5B to 9A

Height 4' to 6' / 1.20m to 1.80m

Spread 12" to 36" / 30cm to 90cm

Growth rate Fast

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Full sun

Bloom Color Brown and red

Bloom Time Summer and Fall

The flowers are showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment This plant tolerates some drought and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes This tall plant will need staking if not planted next to a fence or a wall. Remember that cultivars will not come true from seed. This plant is usually grown as a biennial, but can be grown as a perennial if, after flowering, it is cut to 6in/15cm above the ground. Burn the remains.
'Nigra' is quite striking due to its deep chocolate-red blossoms and perfectly round foliage. It attracts both bees and butterflies.

 

Alcea rosea syn. Althaea rosea

Hollyhock

Type Biennial, perennial

Hardy range 5B to 9A

Height 6' to 10' / 1.80m to 3.00m

Spread 12" to 36" / 30cm to 90cm

Growth rate Fast

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Bloom Color Lavender, orange, pink, purple, red, salmon, white and yellow

Bloom Time Summer and Fall

The flowers are showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment This plant tolerates some drought and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes This tall plant will need staking if not planted next to a fence or a wall. Remember that cultivars will not come true from seed. This plant is usually grown as a biennial, but can be grown as a perennial if, after flowering, it is cut to 6in/15cm above the ground. Burn the remains UNLESS you are interested in dye making and/or paper making. Hollyhocks produce dye colors of yellow, pink, maroon, brown and olive. The plant's bast fiber is used to produce paper.

 

 

 

Alcea x 'Summer Memories'

Hollyhock

Type Biennial, perennial

Hardy range 2A to 8A

Height 5' to 6' / 1.60m to 1.80m

Spread 12" to 36" / 30cm to 90cm

Growth rate Fast

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Full sun

Bloom Color Orange, pink, purple, salmon and yellow

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are showy, suitable for cut flowers and suitable for dried flowers.

Environment This plant tolerates some drought and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green


Culture Notes This tall plant will need staking if not planted next to a fence or a wall. Remember that cultivars will not come true from seed. This plant is usually grown as a stately biennial, but can be grown as a short-lived perennial if, after flowering, it is cut to 6in/15cm above the ground. Burn the remains. 'Summer Memories' comes in mixed colors and has medium green foliage.

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Deciduous Shrub Of The Day

Abeliophyllum distichum

White Forsythia

Type Shrub, woody plant

Hardy range 5A to 9A

Height 36" to 5' / 90cm to 1.60m

Spread 6' to 8' / 1.80m to 2.40m

Growth rate Average

Form Spreading or horizontal and vase shaped

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color White

Bloom Time Spring and Winter

The flowers are very showy.

Environment This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is an acidic to alkaline (less than 6.8 to more than 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes In cool coastal areas, plant near a warm wall to encourage flowering. Prune as soon as flowers fade to maintain vigor and encourage bloom. Every few years prune hard nearly to the ground. Plants in sun or partial shade grow and flower respectfully. Flowers are light pink appearing almost white on twigs produced a year earlier; you may want to wait to do any substantial pruning until after you enjoy the flower display. Flower pollen can cause allergy in some people. Twigs often root as they touch the ground.

Planting and establishing shrubs
The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface.
Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

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