Tag Archives: gardening

‘Venus’ Sweetshrub – 2011 Showstopper Plant

A deciduous shrub reaching 8-10 feet tall and wide, Calycanthus ‘Venus’, Sweetshrub, has fragrant, white flowers blooming from late spring through July. Although Calycanthus ‘Venus’, is not completely deer resistant, it’s also not the deer’s first choice, either. Continue reading

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Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris – climbing hydrangea – 2011 Showstopper Plant

Witnessing a vine clamoring up a tree during a garden tour in Cary, NC, made me a lover of the climbing hydrangea, H. anomala subsp. petiolaris. At first I didn’t recognize it, mainly because I’d never seen it used in this way – with a tree as a trellis. The climbing hydrangea, H. anomala subsp. petiolaris is a true climbing vine. Continue reading

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Japanese Plum Yew ‘Prostrata’ – 2011 Showstopper Plant

The 2011 Showstopper Plants have been selected by The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association and North Carolina and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Each year, North Carolina nurserymen nominate Showstopper Plants and five are selected by North Carolina Cooperative Extension horticulture experts. … Continue reading

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How to prune a Knock Out® rose

As seen in many North Carolina gardens, the Knock Out rose, is one rose that looks good, blooms continuously during the growing season, and is virtually maintenance free. Not spraying required. Continue reading

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How-to compost

Waste not, want not; right? But it happens. When it does, where does your kitchen waste go? When you’re making a salad, finishing an apple, peeling an onion, or trimming vegetables, where does the waste end up? If you answered the compost pile, you are part of a growing number of home gardeners composting their kitchen waste. Continue reading

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Cercis chinensis ‘Kay’s Early Hope’

What better way to welcome spring than from redbuds; and now one redbud is saying welcome even sooner. Cercis chinensis ‘Kay’s Early Hope’ has hit the North Carolina landscape scene after being selected and trialed at the JC Raulston Arboretum. ‘Kay’s Early Hope’ was named after the NC State’s women’s basketball coach, the incomparable Kay Yow. Continue reading

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New Year, New Plans, New Plants

After the last Auld Lang Syne is sung, pull out some paper and plan for new plants in the new year. Continue reading

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Ilex x attenuata ‘Savannah’ Holly

Name:  Ilex x attenuata Savannah’ Zones:  6– 9 Size:  25 – 30 feel tall, pyramidal shape Conditions: Sun to partial shade; well drained soil It was only 5 or 6 years ago, when I was working in a client’s winter garden, … Continue reading

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How-to Make a Winter Arrangement – Snips from Garden

With just a few snips from the garden, you can create a festive and fun holiday winter scene. Continue reading

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Real North Carolina Christmas Trees – Especially Fraser Fir

A scent copied by candle and potpourri makers, and even Glade‘s new Holiday Magic Maker scent, sells the dream of a fresh cut Christmas tree.  They know a good thing when they smell it.  Childhood memories are brought to life with … Continue reading

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