Angel Trumpets

Mottled leaf / White Flowered Variety

Angel trumpet (Brugmansia) is tropical plant native from Venezuela to Peru (USDA hardiness zones 7-b to 10). Plants have shown to be surprising hardy outdoors in zone 6-b in protected sites. 

This beautiful shrub, often trained as a tree, may reach heights of 6-10 feet before cold weather arrives in the fall. It is a member of the Solanaceae family which includes tomato, potato, petunia, nicotiana and other great garden plants. 

Angel trumpets are highly prized for their enormous fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers, some 10 inches or more in length. The exotic flowers emit a strong lemony scent over the evening hours. Blooms are pollinated by moths. Flower colors range from white, orange, yellow, and pink. Some varieties exhibit variegated foliage.

If you live in a northerly area, purchase angel trumpet in early spring and grow the new plant indoors to get it well-established. Move it outdoors after the threat of frost has passed. Plant angel trumpet in a large 12-16 inch (or wider) container in well-drained potting soil (media). If you live in a mild temperate climate, plant directly into a garden bed in a well-drained soil and keep well mulched. You may want to place the heavy container on a dolly to move it around to different locations of the garden.

This fast growing plant demands lots of water, but it fails when over-watered. Keep soil moist and let soil dry out between waterings. Fertilize monthly with a water-soluble fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro®, Peters®, and Schultz®. In the summer, when plant growth is more rapid and most blooms form, feed every two weeks according to package directions. Cut back on fertilizing in fall and do not feed over winter.

In northerly areas, bring angel trumpet(s) inside as outdoor temperatures drop below 40°F. If you garden where winters are mild, protect by setting poles around it and wrap with milky white plastic. You may opt to cut back entire plant to the ground and mulch heavily to protect the crown during winter.

Occasionally snip off old spent flowers, and spur new growth. A container plant can be cut to the ground for winter. Beware: sap from this plant is highly poisonous when ingested by humans, pets, or livestock.

For a large selection of angel trumpet hybrids, shop on-line at Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, NC.

Pink variety

Ligularias Like "Wet Feet"

Ligularia 'The Rocket'

Ligularias (ligs) are outstanding summer flowering perennials  Two species and numerous varieties are grown for their bold foliage and showy flowers. Ligs have one special need: consistent soil moisture through the spring and summer months. Don’t attempt to grow either one of these awesome plants unless their water needs will be satisfied. These plants prefer wet, boggy feet (roots).

Their roots must be kept constantly moist so that leaves don’t wilt or "faint". Even after a summer shower, ligs may still go through a brief spell fainting in the mid-afternoon due to summer heat and water loss from transpiration.  By early evening the leaves recover fully hydrated.

Bigleaf ligs (L. dentata) and narrow-spiked ligularias (L. stenocephala), aka "golden ray", grow well in temperate climes (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). Tropical species are listed under the genus Farfugium  (zones 7b -10). Favorite cultivars include: 'The Rocket', 'Bottle Rocket', 'Britt-Marie Crawford', 'Desdemona'.

Ligularias (ligs) thrive in part day sun or light shade all day. Site them nearby water features like within the splash-zone of a waterfall. They grow exceptionally well along woodland creeks.
When properly sited, the foliage remains blemish-free season-long. Disease and pest problems are rare if growing conditions are ideal. Deer and rabbits rarely trouble them
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Planting in containers: plant a single crown into a 3 to 5 gallon size container filled with humus-rich potting soil. To restrict most water loss, line the bottom of the container with plastic shopping bags. This reduces irrigation needs that saves on your monthly water bill.

Coneflowers

'Showoff' Echinacea at Kingwood Center, Mansfield, OH

Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.) have undergone great improvements over the past quarter century. Varieties are now available in many color shades and plants flower for longer periods. Recently introduced cultivars also grow alot shorter. On the negative side, some hybrid forms have been disappointing, barely surviving 1-2 years in the garden.

For overall dependability, Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is my #1 favorite for dependability (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). The species is native to most of the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. They bloom in July, August, and into September, their nectar-filled flowers attract  butterflies and bees, and their winter seed heads provide food for birds and other critters.

Yellow Coneflower (Echinacea paradoxa) is native to the Ozark region in Missouri and Arkansas. The yellow blooming E. paradoxa have been bred with E. purpurea. Flowering starts in June, and puts on a long show even as the petals fade. This species has a small geographic range due to habitat loss.

Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida) are native from the central U.S. Petals tend to be long, narrow, and droopy along with washed out lavender color. Leaves and stems are particularly fuzzy. They bloom from June to July and grow in most U.S. gardens under proper care.

Tennessee Coneflower (Echinacea tennesseensis) are native the state, but their habitat has been in decline over the past half century. Only recently has it been removed from the endangered species list. This mid-summer bloomer grows 2 to 2 ½ feet tall.

Coneflowers perform best in full sun and within a low to moderate range of soil fertility. While good soil drainage and watering during prolonged dry spells are good practice. Keep in mind that most coneflowers establish deep taproots and resent constant irrigation and over-feeding. To insure winter survival, coneflowers should be planted before July 1st.

Summer Garden Phlox

Proper siting - full to partial sun and humus-rich soil - are key to successfully growing garden phlox (Phlox spp.) (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). Phlox ask for minimal care of seasonal fertilizing, mulching, and supplemental watering in periods of drought. Deadheading also extends the plant's flowering potential.  Select truly superior cultivars and never over-irrigate the garden bed. Finally, avoid overcrowding plants which may result in outbreaks with powdery mildew disease.

2015-17 MT. Cuba Center's Phlox Trial in Greenville, DE. The best performing cultivars of Phlox paniculata are: P. paniculata ‘Jeana’, ‘Glamour Girl’, ‘Delta Snow’, ‘Lavelle’, ‘Robert Poore’, ‘Dick Weaver’, ‘David’, ‘Ditomdre’ (Coral Crème Drop), and ‘Shortwood’.

The best performing selections from other species and hybrid phlox are: Carolina phlox (Phlox carolina ssp. carolina) ‘Kim’ (light pink), Phlox glaberrima ssp. triflora 'Bill Baker', sweetly aromatic, reddish purple flowers  (P. glaberrima ‘Morris Berd’), purplish-pink flowers of P.  x ‘Forever Pink’, P. amplifolia, and P. x ‘Minnie Pearl’ (pure white).

Three P. paniculata favorites:
‘David’ - large, pure white, fragrant flowers; foliage is highly mildew resistant; 2002 Perennial Plant of The Year
'Delta Snow' - grows 3-4 feet tall. Fragrant, snow white tubular flowers with purple eyes; mildew resistant foliage.
‘Jeana’ - long blooming summer phlox cultivar; deep green foliage is topped by conical lavender-pink flowers and mildew resistant foliage.

All three varieties make colorful additions to cut flower arrangements.

Pruning Time For Oakleaf Hydrangeas

Native oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) are pruned as their summer flowers start to declines in quality around late July. The main pruning time for oakleaf hydrangeas is from mid-June thru mid-August. At this time, make the big cuts to reduce shrub height and width, if needed. Secondly, remove or “deadhead” all withered or faded flowers.

A frequently asked question is "should I prune my oakleaf hydrangeas coming out of winter"? My general response is no, because you will be reducing the flower count in June. However, if you missed making last summer's cutbacks (or cleanups), you may remove 20-25% of the dormant branches and only sacrifice a few flowers. Broken, diseased wood, plus bottom suckers may be removed to improve the appearance of the overall plant.

Oakleaf hydrangeas set their flower buds for next spring on both old or current season’s growth on the terminal bud. Do not practice pruning in the fall as it may stimulate new soft growth which dies over a cold winter. Make all cuts 1/4 inch above the last set of leaves or cutback flush to a main branch.

Summer pruning improves the health of oakleaf hydrangeas and stimulates new vegetative growth. On older 4-5 year old hydrangeas, remove larger, thicker canes and prune them at the base of the stem.

What about old neglected oakleaf hydrangeas? Remove one-quarter to one-third of these older branches. In 3-4 years the shrub will be completely rejuvenated.

Dead, dying, diseased stems, and old flower heads can be removed at any time of year.

Silberlocke Korean Fir

Dwarf cultivars of Korean firs (Abies koreana) are favorites among many conifer collectors (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Four ultra-dwarf varieties grow inches per year. Horstmann’s Silberlocke’ is the leading Korean fir variety among conifer collectors. To encourage a deep extensive root system, extra care (TLC) is needed the first 2-3 years after planting in the garden.


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Abies koreana  'Horstmann’s Silberlocke’

'Horstmann’s Silberlocke’ The German word silberlocke means "silver locks of hair". The needles on the branches curl on the tops exposing the white underside of the needles, resulting in a frosted look. Annual growth rate is 6 - 8 inches (15 – 20 cm). Over the years, 'Horstmann's Silberlocke' will develop into a small 12 feet high x 8 feet wide landscape tree. The curling needle trait is often lost as the plant age. ‘Silberlocke’ also produces purple/tan cones on young plants.

Plant in a humus-rich, acidic, well-drained soil and in a sun to partial shade garden bed. Mulch with acidic organic compost such as pine needles, shredded pine bark, or chips. Irrigate once or twice monthly during periods of drought, heat or high winds.


Korean fir appears to be more heat tolerant than other firs, but it prefers cooler regions of the U.S. As with most firs in the South, Korean fir will often fail if too hot and will fail in wet soppy soils. In the warm humid southeastern U.S. environment, Korean fir should be grafted on Momi fir (Abies firma) rootstock. Dwarf forms make great additions to a small urban garden, a rockery, or a large container. Korean fir is rated as deer resistant.


Because of their rates of growth, super dwarfs are investments in the future. A plant with some size will likely command a premium price.

List Of Weeping Tree Forms

The following is a list of currently 26 species of landscape trees which lists one or more weeping cultivars. over time, more tree genera will be added:

Weeping willow (Salix)

• Weeping Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum) –‘Ryusen’, 'Matsukake', 'Omuyarama' and 'Green Cascade' among others

• Weeping river birch (Betula nigra ‘Summer Cascade™’)
• Weeping birch (Betula pendula) 'Youngii’, 'Dalecarlica', 'Golden Cloud', 'Gracilis', 'Laciniata', 'Purpurea')
• Weeping katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) 'Pendula', 'Tidal Wave', 'Amazing Grace'
• Weeping redbud (Cercis canadensis) ‘Traveller’, ‘Ruby Falls’, Lavender Twist® (‘Covey’), ‘Whitewater'
• Weeping Blue Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) ‘Pendula’

Weeping mulberry (Morus)

• Weeping Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara ‘Pendula’)
• Weeping beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Pendula', 'Atropunicea', 'Atropurpurea', ‘Purpurea Pendula’
• Weeping Japanese Larch (Larix kaempferi 'Pendula')
• Weeping crabapple (Malus x ) ‘Red Jade’, 'Louisa', 'Luwick', Molten Lava™ (‘Molazam’), 'Royal Fountain', several others
• Weeping white mulberry (Morus alba ‘Pendula’ (female clone –sets fruits); 'Chaparral’ (male clone – no fruits)
• Weeping blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica) ‘Autumn Cascade’
• Weeping Norway spruce (Picea abies ‘Pendula’)
• Weeping Serbian spruce (Picea omorika ‘Pendula)
• Weeping white pine (Pinus strobus ‘Pendula)
• Weeping Flowering Apricot (Prunus mume 'Pendula')
• Weeping cherries (Prunus serrulata 'Kiku-shidare-zakura')
• Weeping Higan cherry (Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula', 'Pendula Alba', and 'Pendula Rubra')
• Yoshino cherry (Prunus x yedoensis ‘Snow Fountains’)

• Weeping willow (Salix spp.) – many weeping cultivars; Contorted leaf willow (Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa')
• Weeping Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonicus) ‘Fragrant Fountains’, ‘Marley’s Pink Parasol® (‘JL Weeping’); Carillon’
  
• Japanese Pagoda Tree (Styphnolobium japonicum 'Pendula')
• Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) – ‘Cascade Falls’, ‘Falling Waters’ (both grafted shrub forms that may be trained into small weeping tree forms)
• Little leaf linden (Tilia cordata) - 'Pendula Nana' and 'Girard's Pendula Nana' (both are dwarf forms)
• Weeping Silver Linden (Tilia petiolaris ‘Pendula
• Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) ‘Pendula’ –several weeping shrub forms
• Camperdown elm (Ulmus glabra 'Camperdownii')
• Weeping Alaskan cedar (Xanthocyparis nootkatensis 'Pendula', ‘Jubilee’, ‘Strict Weeping’)