White vs. Red Mulberry Identification: Leaf Texture Tells All

That blackberry tree is likely white mulberry (Morus alba), imported from China in the 1600s for silkworms. Silkworms failed; the tree thrived. Red mulberry (Morus rubra) is native but less common. Paper mulberry (Brouss

Panicle Hydrangea: Identification, Top Cultivars & Pruning Guide

Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) blooms late summer into fall on new wood, making it foolproof for cold climates. Grandiflora (PeeGee) is just one of many excellent cultivars. Standout Varieties Limelight: Lime

Drying Flowers: Harvest, Hang & Store for Long-Lasting Arrangements

Preserve garden beauty with air-dried flowers. Keys to success: Harvest: Late afternoon, after heat, before dew. Cut stems long, strip foliage. Choose not-fully-open, flawless blooms. Bundle: Small bunches, heads not t

Planting Pansies for Winter Color: Soil, Size, Fertilizer & Cold Protection

Pansies are the champions of winter color, blooming through teens temperatures and even after snow. Mid-October planting gives roots time to establish before cold. Five keys to success: 1. Soft, Amended Soil Mix 25% com

Heavy Acorn Crop 2011: Mast Year Explained & Cleanup Tips

2011 was a mast year for oaks—white, water, and red oaks dropped acorns in overwhelming numbers. Nut trees follow alternate-year cycles (on/off years). The drought-free 2010 growing season allowed trees to store massive

UGA Plant Disease Publications: Free Diagnostic Guides for Georgia Gardeners

The University of Georgia Extension offers a comprehensive library of free, peer-reviewed plant disease publications. Key titles for homeowners: Azalea, Camellia, Dogwood, Geranium, Leyland Cypress, Oak, Pine diseases

Annual Flower Frost Tolerance Chart: Hardy, Tolerant, Tender & Warm-Loving

Match planting times to frost tolerance for successful annual displays. Four categories based on frost-free date: Very Hardy (4–6 wks before frost-free)Frost Tolerant (2–3 wks before)Tender (on/after frost-free)Warm L

Shrub Transplanting 1-2-3: Move Plants Successfully in Fall or Winter

Late fall through winter is ideal for transplanting shrubs—cool temps, low water demand, and weeks for root regeneration before summer heat. Follow these steps: Timing & Prep: Cool November–February afternoon, a few da

Tree Planted Too Deep: The Hidden Killer of Young Trees

A declining young tree with peeling, splitting bark at the base is often a victim of deep planting. In heavy clay soils, tree roots spread horizontally like a pancake—no taproot. Balled-and-burlapped (B&B) trees frequent

Soil Bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae Boosts Mood, Cognition & Immunity

Gardenings feel-good factor isnt just psychological—its microbial. The soil bacterium Mycobacterium vaccae triggers serotonin release, reducing anxiety, elevating mood, and even improving cognitive function. Research hig

Kudzu as a Farm Crop: 1920s USDA Bulletin & Family History

A faded copy of USDA Farmers Bulletin No. 1923, Kudzu as a Farm Crop, resurfaced in the authors archives—along with a magazine ad featuring his grandfather, Walter Cowart, promoting kudzu to lure farmers back to rural Ge

Yaupon Holly Tea: North America's Native Caffeine Source

Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) is the only native North American plant containing caffeine. Native Americans used it in purification ceremonies (hence the misleading species name), but the tea itself doesnt cause vomiting

Georgia's Flower Festivals: A City-by-City Celebration Guide

Georgia towns celebrate their signature blooms all year: Atlanta – Dogwood Festival Stilesboro – Chrysanthemum Festival Griffin – Iris Festival Douglasville & LaGrange – Hydrangea Festival Smyrna – Jonquil Festival

Plants That Attract Hummingbirds: Vines, Trees, Shrubs & Flowers

Want more hummingbirds? Plant their favorites: Vines Scarlet trumpet honeysuckle, cypress vine, morning glory, scarlet runner bean, trumpet creeper Trees Catalpa, mimosa, red buckeye Shrubs Weigela, azalea, butterfly bus

Bradford Pear's Thorny Legacy: How "Sterile" Trees Became Invasive

Bradford Callery pear was planted everywhere for its flowers, fall color, and sterile fruit. But weak branch angles caused storm breakage, leading to bans. Newer cultivars (Aristocrat, Cleveland Select) had better struct

Serviceberry: A Four-Season Small Tree for the Landscape

Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.—arborea, × grandiflora, Autumn Brilliance) delivers: dangling white spring flowers, delicious blueberry-like fruit in June (beat the birds!), brilliant orange-red fall foliage, and smooth g

Planting in a Drought: Why Bed Prep Matters Most

July planting in 90° heat is miserable—but sometimes necessary. The secret to survival: soil that acts like a sponge. I double-dug clay, tilled in barrow after barrow of compost until the bed was 5×20 of dark, loose, org

Diagnosing Tree Problems: Think Like a Detective

When a Yoshino cherrys bark disappears at ground level and sap bubbles, consider every angle: Animals? Beavers chew trunks; voles stay near ground. Mechanical? String trimmers/mowers hitting trunk. Borers? Sawdust in sa

Drought-Stressed Trees: Why They're Dying & How to Save Them

Years of drought (since 1998) have drained trees energy reserves. They leaf out each spring hoping for rain that doesnt come, burning stored carbohydrates. Many large oaks and maples now show brown canopies in fall—theyr

How to Transplant Shrubs: The "Root Pancake" Method

Moving established shrubs (like 20-year-old azaleas) takes prep and care. Late fall/winter is ideal—roots regenerate before summer heat. 1. Prepare the New Bed First Rototill, amend with 2 soil conditioner + lime (1 cup/