6 Popular Kentucky Plant Choices – Points to Consider

Spring is just around the corner!   With the coming spring there is a renewal of interest in popular trees and plants.  Although they are quite beautiful, they are not always well suited to the Central Kentucky area, and may take some extra care.  The experts at Glynn Young’s Landscaping & Nursery Center in Nicholasville, KY, share 6 of these popular plants and trees, and some important points to consider when purchasing your plants.

1. AZALEA  -  Like candy at the cash register, these are hard to resist!  Brightly colored azaleas line the entrance to grocery stores, hardware stores and big box chain stores when the weather is warming and the soul is ready for some color after a dreary winter.  Azaleas prefer acidic soil which contains organic matter.  Most new subdivisions have had much of the good topsoil removed, so it is more difficult to grow these plants.  However, azaleas tend to grow better in older neighborhoods.  For better success when planting, if your soil is poor, try amending the soil with organic matter. 
2. RHODODENDRON  -  Like the azaleas, you can expect similar results with rhododendron.  Older neighborhoods may have a few nice ones, but these plants can be difficult to grow.  ‘PJM’ seems to be a bit more durable.
3. DOGWOOD  -  These popular trees can be tricky in Kentucky residential landscapes.  Balled and burlapped dogwoods seem to survive better than small container-grown trees.  The heavier root balls take a bit more effort, but having a better root system increases the tree’s success.  Do your best to put them in afternoon shade, and make sure the root ball is raised a couple of inches above the existing soil.
4. WEEPING WILLOW  -  These trees survive okay, but branches can die back from late freezes in the spring, which can lead to an altered branch structure after it flushes new growth.  The biggest problem, however, with this tree is that they get large fast, drop limbs all summer, and the roots surface quickly resulting in mowing issues.  Remember that this tree thrives in moist soil, so choose a low area away from any underground lines.
5. HEMLOCK  -  This evergreen is beautiful and graceful when it can be kept alive.  We do see many in the old sections of cities where the soil has been undisturbed by construction and planted near the canopy of large trees.  They are very sensitive to heat, wind and water.  Too much of any of these can result in sudden death.  One or two planted in the landscape is fine, but a continuous hedge is not recommended, as it can get expensive to replace the trees if they die off one by one.
6. WHITE PINE  -  Although some white pines do survive in our area, those are the exception.  These trees prefer a slightly acidic, well-drained soil, but the central Kentucky soil is generally alkaline with more clay content.  When using white pines for a wind break or screening, it is best to plant a few within a selection of multiple types of trees.

Although these beautiful plants come with some challenges, we do sell them, and some people are able to grow them successfully.  A little knowledge goes a long way in proper planning and planting practices. 

For help with your landscape, visit Glynn Young’s Landscaping & Nursery Center.  With over 30 years of experience in the Lexington and Central Kentucky area, this company has the knowledge and experience to help you reach your landscaping dreams.  Call the garden center at (859) 885-6100.  Or if you would like our landscape division to handle the planning and installation of your project, call our design team at (859) 881-8111.  For more information, visit our website at www.glynnyoungsnursery.com.