5 Flowering Plants for Your Marietta Georgia Garden

Avoid the embarrassment of a garden without flowers. Knowing which flowers to plant in your Marietta, Georgia garden will help you cultivate color from early spring through late fall.

toddsmariettatreeservices.com gathered the following information about flowering plants and their needs for your Marietta, GA garden (Hardiness zone 7b).

Gerbera Daisies (Gerbera)

Gerbera daisies have long-lived 3 to 4-inch flowers that can be found in yellow, white, pink, red, orange, lavender, salmon, and multicolored shades. The center floral disk ranges from a yellow to black appearance.

Size – Gerbera daisies typically grow 6 to 18 inches tall.
Sun – This species is a full-sun plant but will adapt to light shade. Plant Gerberas in a site that receives six to eight hours of sun daily.
Water – Gerbera daisies require regular watering. Water only when the soil has dried 1 to 2 inches below the surface.
Soil – Your daisies will thrive in rich soil high in organic matter and well-drained. This daisy species prefers soil with a 5.5 to 6.5 pH level.
Blooms – Gerbera daisies produce their flowers from mid to late spring through the fall in the garden, and their blooms are long-lasting when cut.

Daisies (Bellis perennis)

Daisies produce flowers with a rosette of small, thin white petals surrounding a bright yellow or dark brown floral disk. These blooms are supported by a single stem that grows from a group of dark green rounded leaves. The petals can sometimes emerge tinged in pink. It is a common cultivated or wildflower found growing in prairies, lawns, gardens, on hillsides, and along roadsides.

Size – Daisies can range from 10 inches to over 2 feet tall and include varieties with single, double, or ruffled petals.
Sun – This species is another full-sun plant requiring six to eight hours of sun daily.
Water – Daisies typically require 1 to 2 inches of water per week in the summer months. During spring and fall, daisies need about 1 to 2 inches of water every other week.
Soil – Daisy flowers will tolerate nearly any soil type. However, they thrive when the soil is 12 to 15 inches deep, allowing the root system enough room to fully expand.
Blooms – Daisy blooms typically emerge in late spring and continue blooming until early fall.

Tulips (Tulipa)

The tulip ranks among the most popular of the spring-flowering plants. These bulbs typically bear cup-shaped flowers in practically every shade except true blue. They can be double or single, fringed or twisted, perfumed or non-scented.

Size – Tulips can range from 10 inches to over 2-½ feet tall when in bloom.
Sun – Plant tulip bulbs where they will receive full sun. This will help them reach their maximum height and flower size. Tulips also perform well in partial sun and beneath deciduous trees.
Water – Tulips require very little water. If you water them well when planting, you can practically forget them until spring. However, during extended periods of drought, water them weekly to keep the ground moist.
Soil – Tulips thrive when grown in loose, crumbly soil that is easy to work and very well-drained.
Blooms – Tulips typically bloom from March to April, while mid-season varieties will extend the blooming period much later into spring. In cool weather, your tulips may last 1-2 weeks.

Canna Lily (Canna)

The canna lily species is a perennial with tropical-like foliage and large, striking flowers. Canna lilies are extremely low maintenance and easy to grow. Both the flowers and foliage provide long-lasting color in the garden, with the flowers blooming in red, orange, or yellow shades.

Size – Cannas have strong upright growth habits. Most varieties will grow between 3-5 feet tall, with some reaching 8 feet tall.
Sun – Cannas are tropical plants and thrive in full sun and summer heat.
Water – Once sprouted, water your cannas once per week by soaking the area around the roots. In peak summer weeks, water them liberally every other day.
Soil – Canna lily plants grow best in rich, water-retentive but well-drained soils high in organic matter and with a 6.5 pH.
Blooms – Cannas typically bloom from mid-summer to fall.

Marigolds (Tagetes)

Marigold species are annual flowers that bloom so full and well over a long season that they are commonplace in gardens everywhere. The plant blooms large, fully double flowers in bright yellow, gold, and orange shades.

Size – Marigold species come in a range of sizes from 6 inches to 3 feet tall.
Sun – Plant marigolds where they will receive full sun. This species also performs well in partial shade.
Water – Marigolds in gardens require watering once weekly. After watering, the soil should be moist to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. When the weather is hot or unusually windy, your plants will need extra watering.
Soil – Though marigolds grow in almost any soil, they do best in loamy, moderately fertile, well-drained soil.
Blooms – Most marigold varieties bloom from early summer until the frost in late fall.

Blooming Plants for Zone 7b

In this article, you discovered several flowering plant species and their needs for your Marietta, GA garden in USDA hardiness zone 7b.

Planting flowering plant species (angiosperms) will help you maintain a beautiful garden full of rich, deep colors and show-stopping blooms from spring through fall.

Leaving your garden void of flowering plants is a missed opportunity to increase your home’s curb appeal and avoid the embarrassment of watching your neighbor’s gardens in full bloom.

Sources:
hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/marigold/
extension.umn.edu/flowers/calla-and-canna-lilies
extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B918&title=Flowering%20Bulbs%20for%20Georgia%20Gardens
gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/shasta-daisy.html
extension.sdstate.edu/gerbera-daisies

Avoid planting the wrong fruit trees, or species that will eventually die. Knowing about some of the best fruit trees for Alpharetta, Georgia yards will help you choose hardy species when planting time comes around.

72tree.com gathered the following list of 3 fruit trees hardy to US hardiness zone 7b and the city of Alpharetta, Georgia.

1. Apple (Malus)

Most apple trees are small to medium-sized trees that grow to heights of 16 to 33 feet, with a central trunk dividing into several branches. This fruiting tree’s foliage is oval in shape and can reach 5 inches long and 3 inches wide.

Popular Varieties: Some popular apple varieties include:

• Honeycrisp
• Fuji
• Gala
• Red Delicious
• Granny Smith
• Pink Lady

Planting: Place your tree in a bucket of water for a few hours or overnight so the roots can re-hydrate before planting. Plant your apple tree properly by digging a hole at least twice the width and depth of the tree’s root system. Look for the graft union on your tree as well as the slight change in color on the bark just above the roots (soil should not cover the trunk above the last roots).

Pruning: Pruning apple trees should be done only when the tree is dormant, between leaf fall and bud burst (typically between early November and late February).

Water Requirements: For an established tree, you won’t need to water it unless you are not getting much rain or there is a particularly dry spell or even drought. About an inch (2.5 cm.) or so of rainfall every week to ten days is adequate for most apple trees.

Fruiting Season: Apple trees set fruit in the spring, and the apples mature from late summer through fall. Each apple variety matures on its own particular schedule, with early varieties like Zestar ripening first.

2. Cherry (Prunus avium)

Cherry trees are typically large and upright, some reaching heights of 36 feet tall. Its fruit is a fleshy drupe (stone fruit), generally heart-shaped to nearly rounded, about 1 inch in diameter, and varies in color from yellow through red shades to almost black.

Popular Varieties: Some popular cherry varieties include:

• Sweet
• Vandalay
• Benton
• Black Tartarian
• Van

Planting: Plant your cherry tree in a sunny site with plenty of air circulation. Avoid planting near trees or buildings that will shade the cherry tree during daylight hours. Cherry trees require deep, well-drained soil. Space larger variety cherry trees 35 to 40 feet apart.

Pruning: Cherry tree pruning is usually done in late July or August when silver leaf and bacterial canker are not likely to infect your tree. However, light formative or cosmetic pruning can be done in early spring as foliage starts to develop.

Water Requirements: Cherry trees should be deep watered every other day for the first week after planting. The second week they can be watered deeply two or three times. After the second week, you can deep water your cherry trees once a week for the rest of the first growing season. Scale watering amounts as needed during times of drought or heavy rainfall.

Fruiting Season: For cherry trees planted in warmer regions, harvest time can occur as early as May. In cooler areas, cherry harvests occur primarily in June and July.

3. Peach (Prunus persica)

The peach tree is a deciduous tree or large shrub in the Rosaceae family grown for its edible fruit-bearing the same name. Peach trees are relatively short with slender branches. The tree’s foliage is alternately arranged, slender (3 to 6 inches long), and pointed.

Popular Varieties: Some popular peach varieties include:

• Santa Rosa
• Red Beauty
• Red Top
• Elegant Lady
• Yellow

Planting: A dormant, bare-root peach tree needs to be planted in late winter, while a container-grown peach tree should only be planted in the spring. Peach trees need to be planted in full sun, and newly planted trees should be staked for the first growing season.

Pruning: Peach trees should be annually pruned in the spring, right when buds swell and start turning pink. Remove vertical shoots developing in the center of the tree at any time. These shoots will block sunlight and airflow from reaching the fruit.

Water Requirements: Peach trees require a lot of water. On average, a mature peach tree will need at least 36 inches of water per year and 35 to 40 gallons per day in mid and late summer.

Fruiting Season: A hardy peach tree will only bear fruit 2 to 4 years after planting, occurring in mid to late summer (June through August).

Fruit Trees in Your Yard

In this article, you discovered several fruit trees hardy to zone 7b and perfectly suitable for planting in Alpharetta, Georgia yards and landscapes.

Knowing which fruit trees are hardy to zone 7b will help you plant fruit trees that will thrive and eventually bear fruit for you to harvest and enjoy.

Ignoring a fruit tree’s hardiness requirements can result in the death of your tree, the loss of your investment, and costly damage if the tree falls on your property.

Sources:

extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1063&title=Home%20Garden%20Peaches
extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-selecting-root-stock-spacing-planting-apple-trees
u.osu.edu/cfaescapstone/tree-fruits/cherries/care-maintenance/
njaes.rutgers.edu/drought/pdfs/BMP-Irrigating-Peaches.pdf

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/3-fruit-trees-for-your-alpharetta-georgia-landscape/

If you are fortunate enough to have trees on your property, you have some of nature’s great gifts surrounding you. As you care for your home, your trees need care and attention as well, and tree pruning should be a part of your tree maintenance. There are several variations of pruning a tree:

• shortening a tree
• removing damaged or “sick” branches
• thinning the top to allow for new growth
• reshaping a tree for aesthetic reasons
• clearing away obstructive branches

When to Prune

Pruning during a tree’s dormant period is always the most advantageous time to prune, as the tree is less likely to bleed, which is quite stressful to a tree. It also means that diseases, insects and fungi are probably dormant as well, so the trees will be less vulnerable. If you are dealing with deciduous trees, pruning after the leaves have fallen means that you will get a better idea of how you wish to shape the trees.

How much Pruning to Do

With tree pruning, less is always more, so only cut off as much as is truly necessary. Often your mind will be decided for you, as cities will want their utility lines clear of tree branches and, in the case of storm damage, you will have to cope with downed branches and the “holes’” left by lost growth. A good rule of thumb is to never prune more than 25% of the tree’s crown and make sure that at least 2/3 of the tree is composed of living growth.

How to Prune

Remember that pruning is stressful to a tree, and you always want to minimize stress. Also you need to keep in mind that you must protect the tree trunk and branch stems. Always cut above the branch node after first making a wedge-like cut on the underside of the branch. This will keep you from tearing the bark. Then cut on the top of the branch all the way through.

If you are pruning large trees, it could be best to call in the pros and here at Big Foot Tree Service, as we can provide you with a free estimate. Remember that your safety and the safety of others are foremost and when in doubt you should have a trained professional do the work.

Trees not only provide shade, but they harbor wildlife and give us so much joy. Show your trees a little love and they will stay healthy and happy.

The post Blog first appeared on Big Foot Tree Service. This post first appeared on https://www.bigfoottreeservice.com

Winter can be a truly trying time for our trees and shrubs. The harsh temperatures and conditions can kill foliage, damage tree bark, and weaken branches and roots. The ways in which humans and animals handle winter also take a toll on your trees and shrubs. Limited food sources can cause the animals to feed on your tree bark and shrubs, and the salt we use for our roads can also wreak havoc on our soil health. 

These threats can wear heavily on the overall health of your trees and plants if you aren’t aware. Here at Red’s Tree Service, we are experts on tree and shrub health during winter, so reach out to us for any concerns or questions you may have. 

Let’s walk through some of the common winter tree and shrub problems you might encounter.

Winter Weather Concerns

The colder temps can cause many concerns for your trees and shrubs. Evergreens are very susceptible to “winter burn,” which causes the foliage to turn yellow to brown for a few possible reasons. Loss of water, frozen roots not being able to move water, and even the limited warmth from the sun causing cellular activity that is damaged when the sun sets can lead to this unsightly event. 

Less rainfall in the winter can also pose a problem to trees struggling to absorb groundwater with frozen roots. The constant freezing and thawing of the soil surrounding the base of the trees and shrubs will cause frost heaving to occur. This process of ground movement can push shallow-rooted plants out of the ground and make them more susceptible to wind damage.

Another common cause of concern in winter weather is branch health. The lack of water, colder temperatures, and snow and ice accumulation can cause branches to weaken and break in the winter months.

How Humans and Animals Affect Trees and Shrubs in Winter

Often, we don’t think about how our acts of winter safety can affect our trees and shrubs, but the salt we put down on our roads can actually seep into the soil and damage them. This type of damage is slow but can’t cause a significant decline in the tree and shrub’s health from roots to bark, foliage, and buds. This can stunt the plant’s growth over time.

Another common issue in winter is when the ground foliage dies back, and the animals begin to look for supplemental food sources. Tree bark is packed full of nutrients that rabbits, mice, and other rodents like to eat. Deer also like to snack on branches and tree stems. This grazing damages your trees and shrubs by exposing the base and can cause death.

Turn to the Experts at Red’s Tree Service for Help

Different trees and shrubs will face various problems in winter, and Red’s Tree Service can help with all of them. We know how to take proper care of your trees and shrubs, from prepping for winter to addressing what winter does. When you have questions or concerns, having an arborist you can trust makes all the difference in the health and longevity of your trees. Give us a call for your FREE estimate today!

This post first appeared on https://redstreeservice.com

Avoid growing an ugly garden with little diversity. Knowing which small flowering trees to plant in and around your garden will keep it looking vibrant and lush.

toddsmariettatreeservices.com gathered the following information about small flowering tree species hardy for your Marietta, GA garden (hardiness zone 7b).

1. Prairifire Flowering Crabapple (Malus ‘Prairifire’)

This tree’s showy, dark pink to red flowers draw most people to the prairifire flowering crabapple. And for a good reason. The stunning, long-lasting spring blossoms are incredible. But this variety also offers year-round beauty with its changing leaf color. Glossy maroon or purplish-red in spring, the leaves turn dark green with purplish-red veins in the summer and finally a stunning bronze in the fall.

This species has a Mature Height of 20 feet and is hardy to zones 3 to 8.

2. Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Known for displaying pink or white flowers in spring, the redbud is an easy-to-grow small tree. This species of redbud has heart-shaped foliage that turns golden-yellow in the fall. ‘Forest Pansy’ is a popular variety with purple foliage fading to dark green in summer.

This species has a Mature Height of 10 feet and is hardy to zones 5 to 9.

3. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)

A Southern-garden requirement, crape myrtle blooms in big clusters of flowers that range in shades of pink, red, lavender, or white in the summer and fall months. Multiple varieties display red, yellow, or orange autumn foliage, as well as patches of green or silver on the underside of their peeling bark.

This tree species has a Mature Height from 5 to 25 feet and is hardy to zones 6 to 9.

4. Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)

Native to parts of Eastern North America, the fringe tree is a plant you can grow either as a large shrub or a small tree. It produces fragrant white flowers in late spring that turn into clusters of blue-purple fruit in fall.

This North American tree species has a Mature Height from 10 to 20 feet and is hardy to zones 3 to 9.

5. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

Few small trees are as beautiful as Japanese maple in their fall color display. There are multiple ways to use this small tree in your yard and garden, as its crimson red foliage will stand out wherever it is planted.

This stunning tree species has a Mature Height reaching up to 20 feet and is hardy to zones 5 to 8.

6. Sargent Crabapple (Malus sargentii)

This popular landscape tree tends to show off in the spring, with multiple clusters of fragrant white flowers blooming in May. This tree’s dense, broad crown and crisscrossing branches add to its desirability and make the tree wider than it is tall. This species is also a popular selection for bonsai trees.

This species has a Mature Height of 5 to 10 feet and is hardy to zones 4 to 8.

7. Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellate)

With attractive, fragrant flowers, dark green foliage, and gray bark, this magnolia species is a showstopper for any Marietta, Georgia garden. This magnolia species thrives in nearly every location in the United States. The star magnolia could be a landscape alternative for Marietta gardeners looking to add small spring-blooming trees to their spaces.

This Magnolia species has a Mature Height of 15 to 20 feet and is hardy to zones 4 to 9.

Bonus Tree – Purpleleaf Sand Cherry (Prunus x cisterna)

This small flowering tree is a hardy landscape and garden variety with reddish-purple leaves that keep their unique color throughout the summer months. Because of this, the purpleleaf sand cherry is an excellent contrast tree.

This species has a Mature Height of 7 to 10 feet and is hardy to zones 3 to 7.

Small Flowering Trees

In this article, you discovered multiple small flowering tree species, their descriptions, and their USDA hardiness zones.

Using small flowering trees to accent your garden or stand alone as a specimen tree will add vibrant color and personality to your Marietta, Georgia yard, increasing your home’s curb appeal.

Your refusal to diversify your yard and garden’s plant life can result in an ugly landscape leaving a bad impression of you on your guests and passersby.

Sources:
plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cercis-canadensis/
hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/crape-myrtle/
landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/malus-prairifire
hort.ifas.ufl.edu/treesandpowerlines/chionanthus_virginicus.shtml
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST023
extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/flowering-crabapple-trees-7-424/
hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/star-magnolia-magnolia-stellata/
web.extension.illinois.edu/shrubselector/detail_plant.cfm?PlantID=363

Prevent the embarrassment of a sloppy and poorly planned front yard. Knowing some easy landscaping ideas and tips can make your front yard the envy of the neighborhood.

72tree.com gathered the following list of 9 professional front yard landscaping ideas and several tips to enhance the beauty and practicality of your front yard.

Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

With housing prices on the rise and the ease of posting lawn and garden photos on sharing platforms like Pinterest and Instagram, homeowners are now seeing their front yard’s potential in a whole new way. A well-designed landscape can help highlight the beauty and architecture of a house and increase the its value by improving its curb appeal. The following 9 landscaping ideas will help you design and bring to life the perfect front yard:

1 – Plant a Climbing Wall

When your goal is to disguise an unattractive wall, fence, or mailbox? Establish trellises that cover or encircle the area you wish to hide and plant one of the following:

• Clematis Tangutica
• Kiwi
• Sweet Pea
• Virginia Creeper
• Star Jasmine
• Honeysuckle
• Climbing Hydrangea
• Climbing Rose

Tip: Plant climbing vines or plants that are hardy to your USDA Hardiness Zone and preferably evergreen species.

2 – Plant Potted Borders

This is a brilliant idea if you are new to gardening. Planting your garden in pots and planting your pots along your garden allows you to easily experiment with different species without constantly tearing up your garden. This idea also helps you corral bulbs which often require special care and sometimes need to overwinter indoors.

3 – Use Floral Borders and Window Boxes

One of the fastest ways to increase appeal to your front yard is to plant colorful flowering plants along your entryway. Window boxes planted with perennials, annuals, or small evergreens will add charm and a sense of coziness to your home’s architecture.

4 – Drought Tolerant Front Yard Landscaping

If you have yard space in a hot, dry region, this one’s for you. Grow succulents and cacti or seek native plants that don’t require much water. Eliminate the need for grass by covering your soil with landscaping rocks, crushed stone, pebbles, or gravel. Knowing your plant hardiness zone will help you determine the best plants to grow in your area. Xeriscaping (a popular form of landscaping in southwestern regions) uses native plants and drought-resistant plants to keep the landscape thriving with little water or maintenance.

5 – Display a Planted Wheelbarrow

Recycle a rundown, ready-to-discard wooden wheelbarrow. Planting hanging species like petunias, dwarf lavender, pansies, fuchsias, and other common “basket” favorites are particularly attractive when they spill over the wheelbarrow’s sides. For best results, use a high-quality potting mix that retains moisture in the wheelbarrow to keep your plants thriving during hot weather.

6 – Install a Water Feature

Install a small water feature, such as a fish pond or a glazed pot with a circulating pump, and let the overflow splash into a bed of attractive rocks. Fountains are also a great way to add an organic touch to your yard. Allow the soothing sounds of the water to drown out the noise from street traffic. Outdoor fountains create a calming oasis in your yard, while a tabletop fountain can be used on your front porch to bring the zen right to you.

7 – Plant a Shrub-Edged Pathway

Plant small hedges along your entry path or driveway. Boxwood shrubs suit this idea best because of their tightly leaved branches and topiary potential (this species is easily shaped into a multitude of designs). Small and round or clipped into a short rectangular hedge, they help lead the eye to your front door while encouraging foot traffic to stay on the pathway instead of trampling on the grass.

8 – Showcase Your Mailbox

Not every home has abundant space for a garden, but your stand-alone mailbox can be a vehicle to display shrubs, flowers, and climbing vines. Whether you go with pavers to create a border (and “official” garden space) or allow your plants to grow wildly around your mailbox, the result is certain to increase your home’s curb appeal.

9 – Install a Lighted Driveway Bed

Driveways and pathways benefit from a narrow garden bed along their length. This gives your yard a tidier and more appealing look while giving you the opportunity to install lighting at the edge of the driveway or pathway, naturally guiding your guests to your door. Small lanterns are fun and whimsical while remaining practical.

Tip: Solar and wired garden lights can be found in most gardening and home improvement stores.

Landscaping Your Alpharetta or Roswell Front Yard

In this article, you discovered nine ideas and multiple tips about designing your front yard to increase curb appeal and help you avoid embarrassing moments with your guests.

Knowing how to quickly and easily landscape your front yard will help you continuously evolve it into a show-stopping work of nature’s beauty.

Ignoring your front yard can lead to dying plants, shrubs, and trees while causing embarrassing moments with your neighbors and guests.

Sources:
extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6905
hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/hanging-baskets-window-boxes/
web.extension.illinois.edu/vines/perennials.cfm
gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/outdoor-living/curb-appeal.html

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/9-front-yard-landscaping-ideas-and-tips/

Winter weather is tough. One day it can be chilly, but clear and sunny, and later in the week, the weather can drastically turn and a major winter weather storm could bust through, and shred anything in its path. Even worse, a dreaded polar vortex could arrive any day, and cause a bit of disarray.

Winter storms can especially be a pain. Sure, having to shovel or plow your driveway and walkway can be a major inconvenience, but what makes owners even more fearful is the threat of property damage.

As homeowners, there are many things we can control to protect our investment; however, Mother Nature is not one of them. From frozen pipes that burst to tree limbs that were steamrolled into abyss by strong gusts of wind, your property is always at risk during a tough winter storm, and may leave you with a giant mess to clean up.

Should your property fall victim to a severe winter storm and you’re left with fallen branches, limbs, trunks and other debris, Big Foot Tree Service is here to help. Regardless of the time, day and month, we provide storm damage tree removal services and will clean up fallen branches and limbs. What’s more, should the storm cripple one of your trees and put it at risk to fall over, we will come and remove it for you, whenever you need us.

Let’s hope we won’t have to worry about severe winter storms and polar vortexes this year; but if we do and your property is covered with tree limbs, remember to contact Big Foot Tree Service.

The post Blog first appeared on Big Foot Tree Service. This post first appeared on https://www.bigfoottreeservice.com

Prevent your garden from looking neglected and ugly. Knowing which shrubs to plant in and around your garden will help protect it from severe weather and keep it looking sharp.

72tree.com gathered the following list of 5 ideal and hardy shrub species for your Alpharetta, Ga garden.

Alpharetta Georgia Gardens

Alpharetta, Georgia, gets approximately 53 inches of rain per year. That’s 15 inches more than the US average at 38 inches per year. This rainfall helps prevent drought and supports plant species growth throughout the year.

On average, Alpharetta sees about 220 sunny days per year. This promotes a healthy environment with ample opportunity for plants, shrubs, and trees to photosynthesize.

Alpharetta is entirely situated in USDA hardiness zone 7b. When selecting plant species for your Alpharetta garden, they should be cold-hardy for zone 7b for maximum growth and health potential.

The following are 5 shrub species selected specifically for Alpharetta, Ga:

1. Ixora Maui red (Ixora coccinea)

Ixora Maui Red grows as a dwarf, evergreen shrub thriving on heat and humidity. A shrubby, sprawling plant with many clusters of tubular, bright orange flowers displayed on the foliage in shades of bronze to incredible glistening dark shades of green.

While this species is hardy to zones 9 through 11, they can survive zone 7b winter temperatures if sheltered during the cold season.

2. Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

Hydrangeas include over 75 species in their genus and surpass 600 named cultivars native to multiple climates, regions, and countries. Another common name for hydrangea is hortensia. Hydrangeas can grow as climbing vines and trees but are most commonly found growing as a shrub. The plants can reach heights ranging from 1 foot to nearly 100 feet as a vine!

The showy flowers produced by this plant species are what make it so popular. Most put on a blooming display from early spring all the way into fall. The large flowers can come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Hydrangea blooms can be pink, blue, red, white, purple, and green (depending on the mineral content of the soil).

This flowering shrub can grow in partial shade to full sun and will thrive in hardiness zones 3 through 7.

3. Anise (Pimpinella anisum)

Star anise is a quickly growing, evergreen shrub Capable of thriving in hardiness zones 7 through 10. Star anise shrubs can be grown as dense hedges or windbreaks, and they can also be pruned as a border plant. If allowed to, star anise will grow to a height of more than 15 feet and a width of over 10 feet. It tolerates both sun and shade but will grow significantly thinner in the shade.

In culinary terms, anise is used as a flavoring agent. It possesses a sweet, aromatic taste that highly resembles the taste of black licorice.

4. Arborvitae (Thuja)

With glistening emerald evergreen foliage and a classic narrow, pyramidal form, the arborvitae is a popular selection for gardeners looking to make a statement in all seasons.

The slow-growing arborvitae is an excellent selection for a specimen or accent tree. It serves well as a hedge tree, has the height to serve as efficient privacy screens, and makes a good foundation plant.

Hardy to zones 3 through 7, this species will add class and a sharpened look to your yard and garden.

5. Boxwood (Buxus)

Boxwood plants are dense, evergreen shrubs frequently planted in elegant and formal landscapes. This species is also popularly utilized in topiary. Boxwoods are grown for their foliage as their flowers lack any significance. Growing a boxwood shrub on your landscape allows you to create a topiary, a formal hedge, a matching border, or a pair of boxwood shrubs to balance out an entryway.

Boxwood is cold hardy to zones 5 through 9 and thrives in the Alpharetta, Ga area with little effort.

Growing Shrubs in Hardiness Zone 7b

In this article, you discovered 5 shrub species that grow well in the city of Alpharetta, Georgia, which is situated in hardiness zone 7b.

Knowing which shrub species to plant in your Alpharetta garden and landscape will help you maintain a sharp-looking and healthy ecosystem thriving year-round.

Haphazardly planting inappropriate species for Alpharetta’s cold hardiness can result in stunted growth, plant failure, disease, and insect infestations exploding over your landscape.

Sources:
extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B625&title=Landscape%20Plants%20for%20Georgia
gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/ixora.html
gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/star-anise-shrubs.html
arborday.org/trees/treeguide/treedetail.cfm?itemID=777
plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/buxus/

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/5-shrub-species-for-your-alpharetta-georgia-garden/

Trees are beautiful additions to landscape designs, but when heavy storms come barreling through, damaged trees can actually become quite a nuisance and safety hazard. After a bad storm, you should take the time to inspect the tree for damage and determine if it’s salvageable or not.

Broken branches can be pulled away and usually have not affected the tree’s stability. But upon further inspection, you might become aware that there are actual structural damages that pose a threat to safety and landscape appeal.

Even though trees have the ability to recover from heavy winds and rain, you shouldn’t assume the tree is okay. Here are some tips to follow in order to determine if a tree is salvageable after a storm.

A tree can remain if the following is still apparent:

1. There are little to no missing or hanging branches. A tip: the larger the broken limb or the higher the number of missing limbs, the less likely the tree will be able to grow it back.

2. The tree’s leader is still intact. A missing leader can leave a tree looking deformed. (The leader is the main upward-trending branch on most trees.)

3. At least 50% of the tree’s branches and leaves are still attached A tree needs to produce enough foliage in order to properly nourish and survive.

4. There are no or a minimal number of large holes left behind from broken limbs or missing chunks of bark. Large holes can lead to pest invasion.

5. If there are any remaining branches, they can re-grow new branch structures overtime.

6. Where the tree is located is a safe distance and height from power lines.

If your area has been severely affected by a storm, you can assess your trees yourself, but it might be wiser to let a professional. A professional tree service like ours has the necessary tree knowledge in order to look over the factors that determine a tree’s strength. For more information, contact Big Foot Tree Service today.

The post Blog first appeared on Big Foot Tree Service. This post first appeared on https://www.bigfoottreeservice.com

Have you noticed cracks and splitting in the trunk of your tree? Is your foliage located in a spot with exposure to frigid winters? If so, it could be a frost crack! These appear as a vertical crack along the trunk of your tree. This damage can be dangerous to a tree because it is severe enough to split through the tree.

Luckily, with a few extra care steps throughout the year, you can prevent these and help your trees stay healthy and in one piece! Read on for advice on how to prevent and treat frost cracks.

Frost Crack Causes

These vertical cracks form when a tree trunk is exposed to extreme changes in temperature between winter and summer. The repeated heating and cooling can cause the molecules to slightly expand and contract just enough that a bark crack can form as a reaction to the extreme changes. Below are ways of helping your tree survive the winter months.

Reversing the Damage

If you notice the cracking, should you do anything about it? Not necessarily, because in most cases, the tree will be able to recover on its own through the natural processes of healing.

However, you can help it recover, and prevent a split trunk, by sealing the crack with plastic. The plastic seal protects the opening from potential infections caused by bacteria and pests. Be careful, though! You should remove any wrapping you place on the tree before summer. Otherwise, it may foster infections instead of preventing them.

Frost Crack Prevention Methods

Insulation – Because frost cracks arise from the changing temperature, you can help prevent the tree trunk from cracking by insulating the base.

Insulation includes wrapping the trunk with a thick protective layer. Ideally, you’d want to use something that would keep warmth, like a tarp, burlap, or cloth.

You can also help insulate your tree’s trunk by planting evergreen plants and bushes around the base. Keeping the bottom of the tree lush with plants and bushes will help keep it warm during the winter and prevent deep freezing.

Keep Trees Healthy – A healthy and vigorous tree will be more capable of healing after a crack and more resistant to bark cracking in the first place. Read on to learn ways to keep your foliage healthy.

Every summer, make sure you give the soil a fresh layer of fertilized dirt to mix into the already present substrate. On top of that, layer some mulch or bark pieces to help pack in the new soil. This mulch technique will also work as a form of insulation during the wintertime.

Watering your tree during dry winter periods is very important too. Even when it’s cold out, your foliage will need to have an ample water supply to stay healthy.

Pruning or trimming the foliage can also encourage it to sprout new healthy growth, improving its overall health status. However, you should hire a professional, as it can be dangerous to do it on your own.

Be Careful Where You Put Your Tree – Location plays a massive role in the health of your foliage during wintertime! To avoid having a split trunk, be careful that your tree is not exposed to strong winter winds because this will cause the bark to become even colder and has a higher chance of cracking.

Shallow and porous soil/substrate is a bad idea because of how important hydration is for your foliage in winter. Stick to locations where the tree’s roots can extend very far downward for more support and a healthier root system.

Choosing a location with a proven water-retaining soil system always works best. These locations already help your tree stay healthy enough to avoid cracks and heal any cracks that it may have in the future!

Trees Prone to Frost Cracks

Like all organisms, trees have adapted to survive in various climates. Some have adapted better than others to areas with intense winters and are less likely to experience a split trunk.

If you are undecided on what tree species to use, here are a few that are less resistant to winters and more likely to experience bark cracks:

• linden

• sycamore

• oak

• walnut

• willow

• maple

As a rule of thumb, the thinner the bark on the tree, the less resistant it is to cracks. In cold climates, choose trees with thick bark like aspens!

Final Thoughts

Frost cracks result from trees going through extreme cold and heat. The slight expansion and contraction of the molecules inside the tree result in the bark cracking on the surface of the tree.

If you see this happening, it is good to prevent infections and pest infestations by wrapping them in plastic. Consider insulating your tree trunk with either burlap, a tarp, or evergreen shrubbery to avoid cracking in general. Keep your tree healthy by fertilizing, watering, pruning, and adding a mulch layer.

If you keep these tips in mind when placing and taking care of your tree, you will be set for it to resist vertical cracks even in the harshest winters!

This article was first published on: http://www.72tree.com/crack-in-your-tree-trunk/