Featured Plants : birds

Azalea White Mollis Hybrid Has Large Clusters of White Flowers!

patti-nhn — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:30:00 GMT

If you are a fan of Azaleas, you will want to try this Hybrid White Mollis Azalea. The flowers call out to those who walk by, they just have to come closer to get a better look. The funnel-shaped blooms and clean white petals make this Azalea bush burst with beauty from spring into early summer. Its fall color adds more interest. Being hybridized, it is hardy in colder regions from zone 5 to the warmer regions of zone 8. With their funnel shaped blooms, they can attract hummingbirds and butterflies as well as other birds.

Growing conditions for this Azalea require full sun, too much shade will reduce blooming the next year. Soil should be acidic and well-drained otherwise they could get too dry midsummer and that will also affect next year's growth. It is a slow grower but your patience will be well rewarded. It will grow 4 to 6 feet tall and spread from 3 to 4 feet wide. This is a relatively trouble free plant and low maintenance. Azaleas look great planted alone, especially in a bare spot where you need some pizazz. They can also be planted as a hedge or border plant, wherever you want showy flowers.

Red Mollis Hybrid Azaleas Are Lush And Hardy

patti-nhn — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:28:00 GMT

This Red Mollis Hybrid Azalea is hybridized to be hardy in the colder climates. This shrub has funnel shaped blooms that attract attention with their reddish-orange blooms in spring to early summer. The flowers grow in large clusters and the flowers are 2 to 3 inches in size. There are large trusses that hold the many flowers that fill this shrub giving it quite a beautiful appearance. Red Mollis is known for its fall color as well. With its rounded shape and height of 4 to 6 feet and a 3 to 4 foot spread, it is a wonderful specimen in any landscape.

As with most Azaleas, full sun is required. Moist well-drained acidic soil is needed. The hardiness of the shrub makes it almost completely free of any problems. The foliage is green and it is deciduous meaning it will lose its leaves in the late fall/early wintertime. It does well in zones 5 to 8 and is a slow grower but well worth the wait! These shrubs add a lot of color to your landscape and can be planted individually or in groups. Shrubs are often used by birds for protection and cover as well as butterflies and hummingbirds may be attracted to the flowers.

Concorde Barberry Shrubs Are Compact And Colorful

patti-nhn — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:00:00 GMT

If you are looking for a compact shrub, the Concorde Barberry shrub is an excellent choice. It has a round form that will mature to 2 foot tall and spread to 3 foot wide. Like its name says, it has reddish-purple leaves that will remind you of the color of Concorde grapes. Their color is deeper than most and will keep their color no matter the heat. They can be used as hedges and are often used to pop some color in front of other landscape borders or hedges. In the fall they have wonderful red, orange and yellow foliage color. The red fruits that grow in the fall are desired by birds and other wildlife.

The Concorde is also pest tolerant and allergy free. It grows best in full sun, if it is planted in the shade the leaves will be green and not have the great purple coloring. They prefer moist, well-drained soil but can grow in dry soil. It is a slow grower so you will want to be patient with it. This shrub will grow in zones from 4 to 8. What a versatile shrub this is and will make your neighbors green with envy. You will enjoy the coloring and beauty of this bush for years to come.

Burgundy Carousel Barberry Bushes Colorful And Fun

patti-nhn — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:15:00 GMT

If you like burgundy and purple, the foliage of this Burgundy Carousel Barberry shrub will fit in with your color scheme. When I think of Carousels at the fair, I think of the assortment of colors that brighten it up. The same with this shrub. It will continue its bright burgundy/purple colored foliage from spring into fall. It makes a colorful hedge and a good barrier due to its thorns. It also makes a great landscape shrub to add color that is not your typical plant colors. The leaves will give a good contrast to other plants and shrubs. In the spring it will provide bright red berries that will attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

This shrub grows 3 feet tall and will spread from 4 to 5 feet and has a moderate growth rate. The spreading habit of the shrub droops a bit for more interest. It does require full sun and moist well-drained soil. It will grow from zone 4 to zone 7 so is cold hardy. If you are a bird watcher, birds love bushes with berries. They are also great for birds to rest, groom and protection from the weather. They will give them a good roost to watch for predators and finding food like insects and many other types of bugs. A versatile shrub always makes a great addition to your landscape and this one is no exception.

The Crimson Pygmy Barberry Is A Miniature For Small Spaces

patti-nhn — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:10:00 GMT

Do you have a small space that you can't figure out what to do with? The Crimson Pygmy Barberry is a miniature Barberry bush that is one of the best to fill in those spaces. It is small at 2 feet tall and it will spread out about 2 to 3 feet. Compact and mounding describe this bush. It has colorful ruby-red foliage that lasts from fall to winter and new growth to the bush will be bright red. This bush puts out flowers in the spring that are small and yellow. They will produce bright red fruit which is enjoyed by birds and wildlife and adds extra color. The fall colors of the foliage is orange-scarlet. How can you resist all these great attributes?

The Crimson Pygmy requires full sun in order to put out its beautiful coloring. Moist, well-drained soil is needed to grow appropriately. It will grow in zones 4 to 7 making it cold hardy. This bush could be used as a small border lining your sidewalk or driveway for instance. Planted in front of other bushes or plantings it can add extra interest into your landscaping. Barberry bushes could also be planted individually on their own and are low maintenance and hardy, they don't need any special treatment. This is a great bush that you will enjoy for years to come.

Compact With Trumpet Shaped Pink flowers

patti-nhn — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:11:00 GMT

This Dipladenia Rio Pink annual is a compact plant that grows from 18 to 24 inches in height and spreads 12 to 14 inches wide. The flowers are 3 inches in size and will flower throughout the summer and likes hot, humid areas. They also are well-branched and has minimum vining. You will not need to stake or grow on a trellis. They do well planted in containers and as a combination planting and as a specimen plant.

The Dipladenia Rio Pink will generally not needs to be pinched or treated with growth regulators. If you like to attract butterflies or birds this would be a good choice. They do also attract bees. You will not want to let the plants dry out, they will need to be watched in between watering. It can be a perennial in zones 9 to 11 and in zones 3 to 8 it is an annual only. This is a plant that was bred for its controlled growth and improved branching. If you like pink flowers and a compact plant for your patio or garden, this would be a good one to try.

Deep Red And Compact! Try A Dipladenia!

patti-nhn — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:31:00 GMT

If you are fond of red, or just want to add some punch to your flower bed, this would be a great option. The Dipladenia 'Rio Deep Red' is glorious with its brilliant deep red flowers that will continue all summer long. They are hardy even into the most hot and humid of areas. Its flowers are trumpet shaped and are 3 inches in size. If you like to attract butterflies and birds this would do the trick, it will also attract bees so if that is an issue you will want to be aware.

The plant grows only 18 to 24 inches in height and will spread out to about 12 to 14 inches. It has an upright growth and is well branched. The Dipladenia will also look great in containers or hanging baskets. They can fill an empty spot and would complement or punch up the color of other plants around it.

The Dipladenia Rio Deep Red requires soil that is always moist and requires full to partial shade. It does not do well if the ground is allowed to dry out completely. It is an annual that will grow from zone 3 to zone 11. It is considered an annual in zones 3-8 and a perennial in zones 9-11.

Red Lake Currants Are Large And Tasty

patti-nhn — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:59:00 GMT

If you are looking for a red currant, the Currant Red Lake Ribes 'Red Lake' is the one for you. Not only is it a vigorous grower but it is adaptable from zone 3 to zone 7. It has early season flowering and the fruits will ripen in mid-July. This is considered an ornamental plant that has even been used as a hedge. It will grow up to 3 to 5 feet in height and spreads about 3 to 4 feet wide. The Red Lake will do best in full sun but can take partial shade as well. Moist, well-drained soil is preferred.

Currants are great for juices, jams and desserts. They contain Vitamin C and antioxidants that promote good health. These currants will grow on a trellis or wall and could even be grown along a fence. You will want to plant them along the side of a building or shady arbor where it will not have direct sun. The Red LakeCurrant also needs good air circulation to keep powdery mildew at bay. This red currant would attract birds and butterflies as well.

Northsky Blueberries Are The Most Cold Hardy

patti-nhn — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:06:00 GMT

The Northsky Blueberry Vaccinium 'Northsky' is known for its cold hardiness, in fact it is most productive with winter snow cover. The Northsky grows in a compact mound from 4 foot to 6 foot and will spread 20 to 30 inches wide. It is self-fruitful but you will get more fruit production if you grow more than one blueberry plant. Its berries are small, sky blue in color, firm and flavorful.

Blueberries can be used in preserves, jams, jellies, in desserts and salads, as well as smoothies. Not only are they delicious but they are full of vitamins and bioflavanoids. The Northsky will be covered in snow white blooms in the spring. After fruiting in the summer, the foliage will be bright red. Birds love blueberries too so you will want to either protect them from the birds and/or provide a second plant just for them.

Killarney Are Attractive Red Raspberries

patti-nhn — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:40:00 GMT

The Killarney Raspberry Rubus 'Killarney' is an attractive red berry. It is also known for its very sweet flavor and the wonderful aroma. Killarney is a hybrid from Manitoba, Canada which makes it cold hardy from zone 3 to zone 7. This raspberry is also disease resistant. The mature height of this plant is 3 to 4 feet and they will spread form 3 to 4 feet. It grows upright but will need support as it has large clusters that weigh down the stems. You could grow these on a trellis or arbor, or even a fence.

As with most other raspberries, you will want moist, well-drained soil to plant them in. Full sun will provide good fruit production. The Killarney is a fast growing raspberry plant. The birds are especially attracted to this particular raspberry so you will want to protect them from the birds or grow one for the birds if you are so inclined.

Blueray Blueberries Have An Outstanding Dessert Flavor!

patti-nhn — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:00:00 GMT

If you like desserts and you like blueberries, the Blueray Blueberry 'Vaccinium 'Blueray' is a great choice as it is one of the most flavorful and high quality of the varieties out there. If you are familiar with the Bluecrop Blueberry, this variety is a bit sweeter. The fruit is deep blue and about a half inch across. It is also a heavy producer. Blueberries are self-pollinating but crops tend to bigger when you plant more than one.

The Blueray will grow from 5 to 6 feet in height and spread to about 4 feet wide. It does prefer moist, well-drained soil and full sun. It's spring flower color is white. The foliage in fall ranges from yellow to red. This is hard down to zone 4 and up to zone 7. Blueberries are very healthy and are packed with bioflavanoids as well as vitamins. You will love these in desserts, pies, jams and syrups. You will want to watch the birds, they love the blueberries as well. There is netting that can be purchased to help keep the birds from eating your harvest. Growing your own blueberries will save you lots of money and is a lot of fun too!

The "Royal" Princess Diana Apple Serviceberry Tree

patti-nhn — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:16:00 GMT

If you want royalty to reside at your mansion, this Serviceberry Tree would fit the bill. It is regal with its fall color being one of its best attributes. Princess Diana Amelanchier x grandiflora 'Princess Diana' will display its dazzling red leaves that will start in early fall and are long lasting. In the spring, it will show off its abundant flowers of white. Not to be outdone, purple fruits will then follow. It is multi-stemmed which adds to its attractiveness.

It is a small tree that will grow to approximately 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide so won't take up a lot of space. It would also lend itself to putting more than one together in row along your yard or driveway. The Princess Dianna Serviceberry is hardy down to zone 3 so it can handle the cold. Overall, you can't beat this tree for overall good looks!

Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry A Brilliant Choice!

patti-nhn — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:33:00 GMT

Serviceberry Trees are known for their ornamental and fruit bearing assets. The Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry Amelanchier x grandiflora 'Autumn Brilliance' falls easily into this category. The flowering white blossoms begin in spring. They are then followed by an abundant crop of purplish to black colored fruit. Its leaves are a dark green which is a wonderful background to the white flowers and the dark berries. In the fall the leaves will turn a brilliant red and really show off for you. In other words, it is "brilliant".

The Autumn Brilliance is one of the most superior of the serviceberries and is hardy from zone 3 up to zone 8. It grows to a height of about 20 to 25 feet tall. It has an upright shape and is an excellent grower. This serviceberry tree would make a wonderful ornamental addition to your landscape and if you enjoy bird watching, the berries can attract birds as well.

Moonglow Sweet Bay Magnolia Is Hardy From Zone 5 And Up

patti-nhn — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 05:50:00 GMT

This Moonglow Sweet Bay Magnolia Magnolia virginiana 'Jim Wilson' is known for its hardiness from zones 5 and up. It has proven to be very winter hardy for the past 30 plus years. It is decorative with its dark semi-evergreen foliage. It grows upright and flowers into late spring. The height of this Magnolia can be up to 35 foot tall and will spread from 15 to 18 feet wide. The creamy white flowers frame this Magnolia and are known for their wonderful lemon scent that will appeal to all. The tree will also fruit with bright red seeds which can also attract birds and other wildlife.

It makes quite a impact as a main specimen in your front or back yard. These Magnolias have also been used to line city streets and to beautify parks. It has no serious insect or disease problems. Soil that is medium to wet is best. It can even grow in low spots or ponds and streams. This tree is very versatile for your landscaping needs.

Seedless Grapes - Try The Concord

patti-nhn — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:00:00 GMT

I'm sure you have probably heard of Concord grapes at some time in your life as they are one of the most favorite varieties of grape. If you don't like having to deal with the seeds, you will want to give this seedless variety a try. The Concord Seedless Grape, Vitis 'Concord Seedless', is one of the best varieties of seedless grapes. Typically, Concord grapes are used in wine-making, juices, jams and jellies. They are also great fresh. The Concord Seedless produces a bluish-purple grape that is a bit smaller than the seeded type.

These grapes grow on a deciduous vine which must be attached to a strong structure like a trellis, fence or even up a wall. They can be very decorative and ornamental as well as save you money purchasing grapes from the store. Actually, the stores often do not carry Concord grapes which is even more incentive to grow them yourself.

The Concord Seedless Grape will mature to 12 to 15 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. They need moist, well-drained soil and full sun. They do have a white flower that appears before the fruit which ripens in late September a bit sooner that the Concord with seeds. They are hardy to zones 5 to 8. Birds and other wildlife like the grapes as well so if you don't want to share with them, you may want to put a net over them as they are beginning to produce. For a delicious seedless grape, this is the one to try.