Featured Plants : shade

European Beech is a Popular Shade Tree

barb-nhn — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:03:00 GMT

The European Beech Tree is a beautiful shade tree year round. It has a dense, upright, oval form and is native to Europe. It grows more easily under cultivation than the American Beech, and has become a very popular ornamental tree in the United States. It is widely planted as a shade tree in northeastern and Pacific states.

The leaves are a shimmering green when unfolding, turning to a dark green in summer. In the fall the leaves then turn a lustrous rich russet brown and golden bronze. It needs full sun to partial sun and performs well in deep, rich, evenly moist, well drained, slightly acidic soils. European Beech struggles with urban stresses such as heat, drought, poor soils, and soil compaction.

Use as specimen, shade tree, focal point, or wildlife attraction tree. The wood of beech trees can be used for flooring, containers, plywood, and tool handles. This European Beech can be planted in a row and pruned into tall hedge form! Providing dense shade at maturity, this beech reaches 50-60 feet and can thrive in zones 4-7.

This Shamrock Is Charmed!

patti-nhn — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:52:00 GMT

The Charmed Wine Shamrock is noted for its violet shamrock shaped leaves, it also boasts dainty white flowers. The flowers are blushed with a maroon hue that really show off when they get wet as they will begin to look like a wine stain on white cloth. The leaves are velvety, wine colored and angular.

It really shows off in shady areas. Not only is it great in window boxes, containers and in garden beds, it can also be taken inside near a sunny window. They will mature from 12 to 16 inches tall and spread from 12 to 14 inches. They have a mounding form and moderate growth rate. They do best in partial to full shade. They are hardy from zones 3 to 11 and in zones 3 to 8 they will be an annual, in zones 9 to 11 they can be a perennial.

Enjoy These Bright Red Rockapulco Red Impatiens!

patti-nhn — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:53:00 GMT

The Rockapulco Red Impatien plants have wonderfully red flowers that look a lot like miniature rose buds that really put on a show in your garden. They have masses of bright red blooms that will bloom from spring until frost. They will thrive in full to partial shade in areas where a lot of flowers can't. They do well in hanging baskets and containers on your patio.

The Rockapulco Red Impatien will mature to a height of 10 to 20 inches and spread out from 10 to 12 inches. They have a mounding shape and have a moderate growth rate. They are hardy from zones 3 to 11. In zones 3 to 8 it is an annual and zones 9 to 11 they can be a perennial. This bright red impatien will glow from your garden or containers for you to enjoy for a long time.

Enjoy A Rockapulco Purple Impatien In Your Own Back Yard

patti-nhn — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:30:00 GMT

The Rockapulco Purple Impatien has beautiful miniature rose looking purple blooms. They will bloom all summer long in shady locations where many plants cannot. They look wonderful in containers or garden beds. Some will tolerate filtered sun. You do not need to trim off the spent blooms as it requires no deadheading.

The Rockapulco is hardy from zones 3 to 11. It is an annual in zones 3 to 8 and can be a perennial in zones 9 to 11. This Impatien will require plenty of water. In its mounding form, it will grow from 10 to 20 inches tall and spread from 10 to 12 inches wide. It is not picky about soil type. They need to be planted in partial to full shade. These great flowers will perk up any area with their beauty.

Impatiens Rockapulco Orchid Has Masses Of Lavender Blooms

patti-nhn — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:30:00 GMT

The Impatiens Rockapulco Orchid is one of the best plants to liven up your garden. Not only is it a long bloomer from spring until frost but it has masses of beautiful lavender blooms. They almost look like miniature rosebuds. They will give a bright area of lavender color among your other garden flowers and in the shady areas of your garden that some other annuals won't grow. The Rockapulco Orchid Impatiens are also good as a container plant or in hanging baskets.

The Rockapulco will be an annual in zones 3 to 8 and can be a perennial in zones 9 to 11. They do require lots of water and they do not require trimming of spent blooms or deadheading. They will perform wonderfully without. They will mature to 10 to 20 inches in height and 10 to 12 inches wide. They have a mounding nature and are moderate growers. Shade is required, either partial or full shade. The foliage is green and they are hardy from zones 3 to zone 11. Try these for some added attraction among your garden.

Autumn Blaze Red Maple Is A Real Winner!

patti-nhn — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:50:00 GMT

The Autumn Blaze Red Maple Acer freemanii 'Autumn Blaze' is one of the best Maple trees for fall color. It's bright, blazing red leaves stand out above all the others. It is also a very fast grower, as much as 3 feet a year in best conditions. So if you are looking for a tree that will fill in an empty spot quickly, this might be the one for you. They can grow up to 40 to 60 feet tall and spread to about 40 to 60 feet. Their shape will be rather broad and round.

Autumn Blaze Red Maples are very hardy and can grow in areas from Michigan to Central Florida, it performs well in these areas. The tree is consistent and the fall color lasts long into the season. It is tolerant of clay soils and drought. It does need full sun and will fill your needs for a shade tree or an ornamental tree. For fall color, you can't beat this tree.

Blue Shadow Fothergilla With Striking Leaves

patti-nhn — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:11:00 GMT

The Blue Shadow Fothergilla 'Fothergilla x intermedia 'Blue Shadow' is a new variety of Fothergilla that originated from the 'Mt. Airy' variety. This Fothergilla boasts blue gray leaves. In April/May it will produce new foliage that looks like feathers. There are also white flowers that send out a honey scented fragrance. Late fall brings on the awesome colors of yellow, red and orange leaves.

Blue Shadow grows from 5 to 6 foot high and 5 to 6 foot wide. It can handle sun or partial shade although the blue coloring of the leaves will come through better in a shady area. Blue Shadow is a vigorous grower and tolerant to a wide range of soils. It is easy care, doesn't need much pruning and is mostly disease and insect free. It is tolerant from zones 4 to 8. This would be a striking plant in your landscaping.

Great Wall Clumping Bamboo Very Cold Hardy

patti-nhn — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:12:00 GMT

The Great Wall Clumping Bamboo 'Fargesia rufa 'Oprins selection' is one of the most cold hardy bamboo plants available. It makes a great hedge and can grow up to 18 feet tall. It is a clumping and non-invasive variety and has a beautiful fountain shape. Shoots emerge in the summer and the culms will be branchless and leafless the first winter.

The Great Wall is native to China is also from a new generation of the "Fountain Bamboo's". Being cold hardy, it can be planted from zones 4-9. This would look very attractive on its own with its fountain shaped branches or as a screen or hedge on your patio or even along your property line for privacy. It does require partial to full shade. If you want to bring a touch of China into your landscaping, this would work like a charm!

Green Pixwell Gooseberry Best Variety on the Market Today!

patti-nhn — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:22:00 GMT

The Pixwell Gooseberry was introduced from North Dakota and is considered one of the best varieties on the market today. It has few thorns, small clusters and pale green fruit that turns pink when it is ripe. The Pixwell is a very productive plant and is winter hardy from zones 3 to 6. This bush grows up to 15-20 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. They can be trained to grow on hedges or fences. Production of fruit begins on 2-3 year old wood and the bush has very few thorns.

The best time to plant is autumn or early spring. It has been recommended that you should have one plant per number of family members in the home. Gooseberries can also be planted as Espaliers against a wall. Their resistance to mildew is another plus. They prefer full sun and moist well drained soil. Since the Pixwell is a dense shrub it makes a great hedge. You will probably want to put a net over the fruits to keep birds from flying off with your bountious crop!

The antioxidants in Gooseberries are abundant. They are typically used for jams and jellies as well as pies. They can be eaten fresh but the skin is a bit tart, the inside is the sweetest. If you have been known to search high and low for Gooseberry bushes to harvest why not try growing yours in your own backyard.

Autumn Purple Ash - Great Fall Color

patti-nhn — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:14:00 GMT

As I am driving around my area during this fall season, I am seeing so many beautiful fall colors on the trees. I am trying to decide on my favorites so that maybe in the spring I can plant the ones I like to begin some wonderful fall color in my own back yard. The Autumn Purple Ash, Fraxinus americana, 'Autumn Purple' is one of the most beautiful fall trees. It shows off it's leaves in the fall from a deep red, maroon into purple in the fall. The leaf shapes are lightly serrated on the edges and oval shaped. Their fall color is one of the longest lasting into the late fall.

This is a good sized tree maturing at anywhere from 50-70 feet tall and 35-50 feet wide. You would need a medium to large sized yard otherwise you can stress the tree and the root system may not develop properly. It is a very rapid growing tree at 2-3 feet per year and begins with a pyramidal shape and as it ages becomes more oval in shape.

It does best in full sun and is a very hardy tree from zones 3-9. It is widely adaptable to most soils. For beautiful fall color, this Ash tree is one of the best!

Pecan Pies, Candies or Fresh From The Hardy Pecan Tree

patti-nhn — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:18:00 GMT

Pecans were never my favorite nuts growing up. I think that is mainly because of Pecan pie. There seem to be numerous different recipes but the ones that I tasted were not to my liking and so have avoided them pretty much all of my life at all costs. There were too many other pies to choose from that I knew I liked. My husband has been able to change my mind recently. Either it is age or the recipe used, but, I have finally found pecan pie to my liking. It does still depend on how it is made. Mainly, I think it has to do with how much sugar is in it. The first time I had pecans that I really liked was in Turtle Candies; you know, the kind that have a caramel base with the pecans across the top with chocolate over them. Mm mm.......good! I'm still not much on eating pecans by themselves but prefer them in or on something else.

If you like pecans, you might consider a Pecan tree. Many people enjoy cracking and extracting the nuts while they watch TV or listen to music. While nuts are high in fat and calories, eating them in moderation they are full of nutrients. They have antioxidants and flavenoids in them and are naturally cholesterol free!

The Hardy Pecan tree Carya Illinoinensis is considered one of the most beautiful trees with its wide spreading branches and it yellow fall color. It has been called majestic due to its mature height of 70-100 feet and its mature spread of 40-75 feet. It does not lose its leaves until late fall and makes a wonderful shade tree. It does take about 12-15 years to bear nuts but it is definitely worth the wait since it will continue producing for years to come.

BUR OAK Trees - A Real Classic!

patti-nhn — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:27:00 GMT

The Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa is considered a "classic oak tree" in America. It is considered native to the Great Plains but grows well in most of the United States. We have one in our front yard that has probably been there at least 50 years if not more. The Bur Oak has been referred to as an "Old Geezer" for its longevity. It is hardy from the cold zone of 3 up to zone 8 where it is a considerably warmer climate. Its fall color is also beautiful with it's yellows, yellow-green and yellow brown leaves.

One of the things I like about this tree is it's branching. It has a huge trunk and the branches grow upward with the smaller branching coming off the main branches and are considered to look like long arms with long fingers coming off of those branches. It is often one of the trees that is used the most for advertising. Because of it's mature size of 70-80 feet and it's width of the same it will give you lots of shade. It is a perfect tree as an anchor to your landscape.

With its big strong branches the Bur Oak can be used for seated swings and rope swings for kids to play on and adults to enjoy. We have yet to put a swing on ours but once the grandkids get bigger that would be something I would like to do. I remember growing up with a rope swing myself, even as a teenager, and there is something about swinging that both boys and girls, and even adults enjoy. Even at my age, I've been known to jump on the swings at the park (maybe you never outgrow that feeling, at least I haven't!).

The acorns that are produced are considered by some as the largest acorns of all native oaks. The large oak leaves are also widely known and often used by children for school activities. The enjoyment this tree can give goes on and on through many generations.

Blue Hosta - Halcyon

patti-nhn — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:30:00 GMT

The Hosta 'Halcyon', Hosta tardiana 'Halcyon' is a wonderful anchor to your hosta garden or to include with other flowers you want to show off. It makes a great background with it's deep blue leaves. If you have never planted hostas, this is a good one for a beginner to try. You can depend on it to grow vigorously and dependably year after year. It's flowers are white to pale lavender that will bloom mid-to-late summer.

Like their other hosta cousins, they need full shade. Unlike some of their cousins they are very slug-resistant as their leaves are very thick and harder for the slugs to dig into. These look great planted around a shade tree, near a pond or birdbath. Enjoy them as you cool off from the summer heat in the shade near your pool. We have a variety of hostas around our old water pump/bird bath in our back yard under our maple tree and it's so enjoyable to see all the different varieties complementing each other. They each have their individual appeal and group appeal. If you want versatility in a hardy shade plant, this is the one to get!

Hosta - Patriot is Great for Beginners

patti-nhn — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The Hosta 'Patriot', Hosta fortunei is one of the most durable of the hostas which makes it a good choice if you have never grown hostas. The Patriot is purchased often for its lush mounds of medium green foliage and purple or white flowers. Their leaves are also heart shaped with creamy white edges.

There are a number of varieties of hostas that have different leaf shapes, colors and types of flowers as well as different sizes of mounds. They can be mixed and matched with the Patriot to use as borders or edging or among other flowers. We planted six varieties around our bird bath last year in late summer and they grew heartily.

Hostas need a shady space so they do well under trees or a shady spot in your yard. They also grow well in barrels or good size pots. You don't have to prune them and they will start growing again in the spring. They are very easy care and can be divided in late summer and planted in other areas of your garden.