Baptisia 'Carolina moonlight'/Joseph's Coat 'Red Threads'
Baptisia ‘Carolina Moonlight’ is an upright perennial that typically grows to 3-4’ tall. It features a spectacular spring bloom of yellow flowers atop flower spikes extending well above the bluish-green foliage. Spent flowers give way to inflated seed pods (to 2.5” long) which turn charcoal black when ripe and have considerable ornamental interest. It is Easily grown in dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade, and has good drought tolerance.
Joseph's coat is a low-growing tropical perennial that is native to North, Central and South America and is hardy to zone 10. 'Red Threads’ is a slender-leaved perennial selection that does not wander, forming a textured carpet in shades of deep burgundy. A single plant makes a mound about 8 inches tall and 14 inches wide. It blooms on and off all season. The small, pale flower buttons are held in the leaf axils, where they are nearly indistinguishable from the foliage unless you're paying close attention.
Tree peony
Japanese witch hazel
Japanese witch hazel, is an upright, medium to large, deciduous shrub. It typically grows to 10-15' tall with a rounded, spreading shape and is native to mountainous areas of Japan. It is noted for its mildly fragrant pale yellow winter flowers which typically bloom for up to 4 weeks during the period of February-March. Each flower has four narrow strap-shaped petals that are crinkled. The foliage is attractive medium to dark green in the summer, and yellow/red/purple in the fall.
Highbush blueberry
Highbush blueberry is native to eastern North America where it grows in moist woods, bogs, swamps and low areas. It is an upright, deciduous shrub that typically grows 5-8' tall. 'Chandler' is a highbush blueberry cultivar which typically grows 5-6' tall and features perhaps the largest (cherry-size) blueberries produced by any highbush cultivar available in commerce today. White flowers appear in May and are followed by dark blue blueberries which ripen in mid to late season (late June). Dark green leaves turn attractive shades of red and purple in the fall. Reddish stems can be attractive in winter. Blue false indigo
Blue false indigo is a perennial that is native to the eastern United States, and is found in wooded areas. It typically grows upright 3-4' tall and features purple flowers atop spikes that extend well above the foliage. The flowers bloom in the spring then give way to inflated seed pods (to 2.5" long) which turn charcoal black when ripe and have considerable ornamental interest. Seeds rattle around in the blackened pods which were once popularly used by children as rattles. Stems with seed pods are valued additions to dried flower arrangements. Blue false indigo is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun. Tolerates drought and poor soils.
Fragrant olive tree/Eastern red cedar
Fragrant olive
Osmanthus fragrans, also called fragrant olive or sweet olive, produces clusters of flowers that have an extremely powerful apricot fragrance. It is a small, upright, evergreen tree or large shrub that will typically grow to 10-15’ tall and features oval, leathery and glossy green leaves. Leaf edges may be smooth or finely toothed. 
Eastern red cedar
The Eastern red cedar is native to Virginia and is a broad, conical and dense evergreen that typically grows to 30-65’ tall. It is an aromatic tree, with reddish wood. It is tolerant of a wide range of soils and conditions and it can be put to good use for hedges, screens, or even as a specimen tree. Flame Grass/Highbush blueberry
Miscanthus Purpurascens/Flame Grass
Flame grass, as the common name suggests, is noted for its superior orange-red fall color. It is a compact, upright, warm season, clump-forming ornamental grass which typically grows to 3-4' . Features medium green blades (1/2" wide) with a reddish tinge which gradually develop further reddish hues as summer progresses, eventually turning a brilliant orange-red in fall. Foliage gradually darkens to an attractive burgundy by winter. Tiny reddish-tinged flowers appear in tassel-like inflorescences above the foliage in late summer, gradually turning into creamy white plumes by fall as the seeds mature. Burgundy foliage and creamy white seed plumes persist well into winter providing good winter interest. 
Cardinal flower/ Ginko biloba
Cardinal flower
Cardinal flower is a native perennial which typically grows in moist locations along streams, sloughs, springs, swamps and in low wooded areas. Tubular flowers are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Cardinal flowers are late summer bloomers will tolerate full sun, but would prefer an area with part shade. 
Ginko biloba
Ginko biloba is a deciduous conifer that matures to 100' tall. It's distinctive rich green leaves are two-lobed, somewhat leathery and fan-shaped, which turn bright yellow in the fall. Ginkgo trees are commonly called maidenhair trees because their fan-shaped leaves resemble maidenhair fern leaflets. Nurseries typically sell only male trees (fruitless), because female trees produce seeds encased in fleshy, fruit-like coverings which, at maturity in autumn, are messy and emit a noxious, foul odor upon falling to the ground and splitting open. 'Shangri-La' is a more compact well-branched tree with a full and balanced crown. It typically matures to 55' tall and to 40' "Miss Ruby" butterfly bush
Miss Ruby grows in manageable, well-branched mounds to only 2-3' tall in one year, but feature bright, reddish-pink flowers in spike clusters. Flowers bloom continuously from June to September and sometimes to the first frost. Flowers are fragrant and very attractive to butterflies. Miss Ruby is great for borders, cottage gardens, rose gardens, butterfly gardens or small areas of the landscape. It provides attractive summer to early fall flowers when few other shrubs are in bloom.
Coreopsis
Threadleaf coreopsis is a perennial which typically grows in dense, bushy clumps to 1-3' tall. It features yellow, daisy-like flowers in a profuse and lengthy late spring to late summer bloom. Plants in the genus Coreopsis are sometimes commonly called tickseed in reference to the resemblance of the seeds to ticks
Rose of Sharon |
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Rose of Sharon is an excellent flowering shrub that may be massed, planted in groups or used as a specimen. It is a vigorous, upright, vase-shaped, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that typically grows 8-12’ tall. Showy flowers appear from early summer to fall. Rose of Sharon is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. The best flowering occurs in full sun and is tolerant of summer heat and humidity. Prune to shape in spring.
Honey Locust
Honey locust is native from Pennsylvania to Iowa south to Georgia and Texas. It typically grows 60-80’ tall with a rounded spreading crown. Trunk and branches have stout thorns that are solitary or three-branched. They have yellow to greenish white flowers in late spring. Flowers are followed by long, twisted and flattened, dark purplish-brown seedpods (to 18” long) which mature in late summer and persist well into winter. Seedpods contain, in addition to seeds, a sweet gummy substance that gives honey locust its common name. Species plants are generally not sold in commerce today because the thorns and seedpods are considered to be significant liabilities.
Honey Locust 'Skyline' features pyramidal growth with a central leader. It is a thornless and nearly seedless variety that typically grows to 40-45' tall.
Honey Locust 'Skyline' features pyramidal growth with a central leader. It is a thornless and nearly seedless variety that typically grows to 40-45' tall.
Beautyberry
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Beautyberry is a small, rounded, deciduous shrub that typically grows 2-4' tall and is primarily included in the landscape for its showy fall display of lilac-violet fruit. Long arching and slender branches dip downward often to touch the ground. Clusters of small, pink to lavender flowers bloom along the stems in summer. Flowers are followed by clusters of lilac-violet fruits which ripen in September and put on their best show through October. Fruits persist beyond the point of leaf drop but not very far into winter. One of the best ornamental fruiting shrubs. |
Weigela
Weigela 'fine wine' is a dense, rounded, deciduous shrub that typically grows to 2-4’ tall and as wide. It is noted for its compact shape, pink flowers and dark burgundy foliage which retain great color throughout the growing season.
Hosta guacamole
Thank you to all who attended to the Lewis Ginter Fall Plant Sale!
Hosta guacamole
Hostas are a mainstay of shade gardens.They are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions but perform best in rich, moist, organic soils, with a preference for consistent moisture during the growing season.
'Guacamole’ is a medium hosta with leaves the color of guacamole. It grows in a mound to 18" tall but spreads over time to as much as 50" wide. It features slightly convex, wide oval, chartreuse-gold leaves with irregular darker bluish-green margins. Funnel-shaped, highly fragrant, almost white flowers bloom in mid-summer on pale green scapes rising to 36" tall.
Hosta guacamole
Hostas are a mainstay of shade gardens.They are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions but perform best in rich, moist, organic soils, with a preference for consistent moisture during the growing season.
'Guacamole’ is a medium hosta with leaves the color of guacamole. It grows in a mound to 18" tall but spreads over time to as much as 50" wide. It features slightly convex, wide oval, chartreuse-gold leaves with irregular darker bluish-green margins. Funnel-shaped, highly fragrant, almost white flowers bloom in mid-summer on pale green scapes rising to 36" tall.
Gardenia
Gardenia
Gardenias are heat-loving evergreen shrubs best known for their fragrant white flowers. Plant gardenias near a deck or window where you can enjoy the flowers' fragrance. The plants grow from 2 to 8 feet tall and wide, depending on the variety. Most gardenias grow into a round shape with dark green, glossy leaves and white, fragrant flowers that bloom from mid-spring into summer.
Penstemon/Foxglove/Beardtongue
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This penstemon is a clump-forming, Virginia-native perennial which typically grows 3-5' tall and occurs in prairies, fields, wood margins, open woods and along railroad tracks. Features white, two-lipped, tubular flowers. Flowers bloom mid-spring to early summer. Penstemon in Greek means five stamens (four are fertile and one is sterile). Penstemon is sometimes commonly called beardtongue because the sterile stamen has a tuft of small hairs.
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- Gaura
Gaura lindheimeri, commonly called gaura, is a herbaceous clump-forming perennial that is native to Texas and Louisiana. Pinkish buds along wiry, wand-like stems open to white flowers which slowly fade to pink. Thin flower stems tend to become leggy and flop, particularly when grown in rich soils. Gaura can benefit from close planting or support from adjacent perennials.
Oregon grapeholly
Mahonia aquifolium is an evergreen shrub that is native to rocky woods and coniferous forests in the Pacific Northwest from British Columbia to northern California. It is known by a large variety of different common names including Oregon hollygrape, Oregon grapeholly or Oregon grape. This is a suckering, evergreen shrub with a spreading to upright habit that typically grows 3-6’ tall and to 5’ wide, although it can be trained to grow taller. It is noted for its yellow flowers in spring, edible blue-black berries in late summer,Green foliage and ability to grow well in shade. New leaves emerge red-tinted in spring, maturing to glossy dark green by summer. Foliage acquires purplish hues in fall and burgundy-bronze tones by winter. The berries in clusters look like small grapes and are somewhat sour fresh off the plant, but make excellent jellies.
Agastache Blue Fortune
This giant hyssop cultivar is a perennial of the mint family. Features tiny, tube-shaped, lavender-blue flowers tightly packed in bottlebrush shaped 4" long spikes atop stiff square stems typically growing to 3' tall. Flowers bloom freely over a long summer to early fall bloom period and are attractive to butterflies.Leaves are downy beneath and have a pleasant minty-anise fragrance and may be used in potpourris or to flavor cold drinks.
Calycanthus/ Apple tree maintenance
Carolina allspice is a dense, rounded deciduous shrub with a suckering habit which grows 6-9' tall with an equal or slightly greater spread. Features very fragrant, brown to reddish-brown flowers (2" across) which bloom at the ends of short branchlets in May. Flowers give way to brownish, urn-shaped fruits which mature in fall and persist throughout the winter. Lustrous, dark green, ovate to elliptic leaves to 6" long turn golden yellow in fall. Leaves are aromatic when bruised. Best to purchase this plant when in flower because the quality and intensity of the fragrance can vary widely from plant to plant. Also commonly called sweetshrub and strawberry bush in reference to the fragrant blooms.
When you plant an apple tree and each year thereafter, prune out any dead or broken branches. Remove any conflicting branches, that is, branches that rub or cross against each other. This can cause a wound in time, and diseases can enter easily through these wounds.
The best time to prune apple trees is in late winter through early spring. Each year remove any dead or broken branches, water sprouts, suckers and any new conflicting branches that have developed. Water sprouts are long straight shoots that grow vertically from the trunk and main branches. They grow rapidly, conflict with other branches, and are unproductive. Suckers are also fast-growing straight shoots, but they grow out from the base of the trunk. Suckers grow from the root stock and should be removed promptly. Make sure the center of the tree is kept open to admit light and air.
The best time to prune apple trees is in late winter through early spring. Each year remove any dead or broken branches, water sprouts, suckers and any new conflicting branches that have developed. Water sprouts are long straight shoots that grow vertically from the trunk and main branches. They grow rapidly, conflict with other branches, and are unproductive. Suckers are also fast-growing straight shoots, but they grow out from the base of the trunk. Suckers grow from the root stock and should be removed promptly. Make sure the center of the tree is kept open to admit light and air.
Helleborus
Helleborus orientalis, commonly called Lenten rose, is a clump-forming, late winter-blooming perennial which typically grows 1-1.5' tall. Features large, cup-shaped, rose-like, usually nodding flowers (3-4" diameter) with center crowns of conspicuously contrasting yellow stamens. Flowers usually appear in clusters of 1-4 on thick stems rising above the foliage. Flower color is extremely variable, ranging from white to pink to light rose-purple, frequently with interior spotting. Locate plants near a kitchen window, patio or walkway so that the early bloom may be enjoyed to the fullest. Group in shady locations under trees or large shrubs, woodland gardens or border fronts. May also be incorporated into a naturalized area where clumps will slowly spread through self-seeding. May also be massed to form an attractive ground cover.
Tassel fern
Tassel fern is an evergreen fern that is native to Japan and southern Korea. It features shiny, bipinnate, dark green fronds (to 1-2’ long) with finely divided but overlapping pinnae. It grows in an outward-spreading, vase-shaped clump to 24” tall and 24” wide. Crosiers flip over backwards to form tassels as the newly emerging fronds unfurl, hence the common name of tassel fern for this plant. Tassels disappear as fronds flatten with maturity. Tassel fern is an excellent selection for shaded areas in the landscape, including borders, woodland gardens, shade gardens, wild gardens and foundations.
Juniper hillspire
This eastern red cedar cultivar is a dense, compact-pyramidal, symmetrical tree with ascending branching which grows 15-30' tall. Features bright green foliage which is attractive year-round. Line several into a dense hedge for a windbreak or privacy screen. Try as a matched pair to flank a driveway or as background for plants with spring flowers and fall color. Use as a vertical accent for naturalistic landscapes of mixed conifers.
Franklin tree
Franklin tree typically grows as a single-trunk tree with a rounded crown or as a multi-stemmed shrub. As a single trunk tree, it can grow to 20’ tall or more, but is more often seen growing much shorter. Camellia-like, cup-shaped, 5-petaled, sweetly-fragrant, white flowers (to 3” diameter) bloom in late summer to early fall. Each flower sports a boss of egg-yolk yellow center stamens. Narrow, oblong-obovate, glossy dark green leaves (to 5” long) turn quality shades of orange, red and purple in autumn.
John Bartram was appointed Royal Botanist for North America by King George III in 1765. In that same year, John Bartram and his son William discovered franklinia growing in a 2-3 acre tract along the banks of the Altamaha River in southeastern Georgia. Franklinia has never been observed growing in any other place than along the Altamaha River. In a return trip in 1773, William Bartram collected seed from this site and brought it back to the Bartram's garden in Philadelphia where the tree was successfully grown. This tree has been extinct in the wild since 1803. It has been perpetuated in cultivation (all plants derive from the seed collected by Bartram) not only because of its rarity but also because of its attractive flowers and foliage. The current genetic base of this plant is quite narrow in large part because all plants currently in existence in the world come from the materials collected by the Bartrams. Franklinia belongs to the tea family and is closely relate to Stewartiaand Gordonia (loblolly bay). Genus name honors Benjamin Franklin who was reportedly a good friend of the Bartrams. Species name has an extra "a" in it (apparently because of an alternate spelling for the river when the tree was named). It is not known why this tree disappeared in the wild.
John Bartram was appointed Royal Botanist for North America by King George III in 1765. In that same year, John Bartram and his son William discovered franklinia growing in a 2-3 acre tract along the banks of the Altamaha River in southeastern Georgia. Franklinia has never been observed growing in any other place than along the Altamaha River. In a return trip in 1773, William Bartram collected seed from this site and brought it back to the Bartram's garden in Philadelphia where the tree was successfully grown. This tree has been extinct in the wild since 1803. It has been perpetuated in cultivation (all plants derive from the seed collected by Bartram) not only because of its rarity but also because of its attractive flowers and foliage. The current genetic base of this plant is quite narrow in large part because all plants currently in existence in the world come from the materials collected by the Bartrams. Franklinia belongs to the tea family and is closely relate to Stewartiaand Gordonia (loblolly bay). Genus name honors Benjamin Franklin who was reportedly a good friend of the Bartrams. Species name has an extra "a" in it (apparently because of an alternate spelling for the river when the tree was named). It is not known why this tree disappeared in the wild.
Large-leaved cucumber tree
Large-leaved cucumber tree/Bigleaf magnolia/Umbrella tree is noted for its huge oblong-obovate leaves (to 30 inches long) which are the largest simple leaves of any tree indigenous to North America. Leaves are green above and silvery-gray below. This unusual tree is rarely found in the wild, being limited mainly to a few rich wooded areas in river valleys and ravines in the southeastern United States. It is a pyramidal tree that develops a spreading rounded crown with age, typically growing 30-40’ tall. Fragrant, open, cup-shaped flowers to 8-10” (less frequently to 12”) wide bloom in May. Flowers are white with rose-purple at the petal bases. Although quite large, the flowers are often located far off the ground and are not always easy to see close up. Flowers give way to spherical cone-like fruits which mature to red in late summer, releasing individual red coated seeds suspended on slender threads at maturity.
October Newsletter-
Toad Lily
Toad lily is perhaps best known for its unique flowers, ability to bloom in shade and late summer to early fall bloom time. Features small, lily-like flowers (1 inch long) with six showy tepals (similar appearing sepals and petals). Flowers appear in the upper leaf axils and stem ends either solitary or more often in small clusters of 2-3 flowers each. White to pale lilac flowers with heavy purple spotting. Arching, unbranched stems grow upright to 2-3' tall. Sometimes called hairy toad lily because all parts of the plant are hairy.
Toad lilies are great for borders, woodland gardens, shade gardens or naturalized areas. Plant in areas where they can be easily observed at close range, because the beauty and detail of the small flowers becomes lost at a distance.
Toad lilies are great for borders, woodland gardens, shade gardens or naturalized areas. Plant in areas where they can be easily observed at close range, because the beauty and detail of the small flowers becomes lost at a distance.
European Wild Ginger
European wild ginger is native to moist, open woodland areas in central to southern Europe. It is a creeping ground cover which typically grows to 4" tall but slowly spreads to 15" wide or more. Thrives in shady areas. It is primarily grown for its glossy, leathery, heart-shaped to kidney-shaped, dark green leaves (to 3" across) which remain evergreen in mild winters. Tiny, bell-shaped, greenish yellow flowers (to 1/2" wide) bloom in late spring to early summer. Flowers are hermaphroditic and are pollinated by flies. Flowers are usually not observed because they bloom at ground level and are covered by the dense foliage. Root has a mild ginger aroma.
Japanese painted fern
Japanese painted fern is a deciduous fern with a weeping habit which typically grows to 18" tall and features a slowly spreading clump of triangular, variegated fronds (to 20" long). Fronds are a soft grayish-green with an overlay of silvery hues accented by contrasting dark maroon midribs. They are easily grown in humusy, organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Great for woodland gardens, shade gardens or shaded border fronts. Also effective in shaded areas along streams or ponds.
Hosta Elegans
This is a very large hosta growing to 30" tall and 48" in diameter. Features large (13" x 10"), heart-shaped, thick-textured, heavily corrugated, surface-cupped, blue-green leaves and racemes of funnel-shaped, mostly white flowers with a violet tinge on scapes up to 36". A dependable and versatile perennial requiring little care. Grown primarily for its beautiful foliage which provides color, contrast and texture to the landscape. Dense foliage crowds out garden weeds. This species is a slow grower and will take several years to reach mature shape. It may be best utilized as a specimen or large clump planting in shaded areas of the woodland garden, perennial border or naturalized area. It is also effective on a slope where it can help reduce soil erosion.
Doublefile Viburnum
Doublefile viburnum is a large wide spreading shrub with a handsome horizontal habit. Creamy-white flowers bloom in flat clusters in late spring and "sit above" the foliage creating a layered effect. Flowers occur in a series of two flowers (side by side) along the length of a stem, hence the common name, doublefile viburnum. Flowers are followed by bright red berries in fall. Red berry color persists for a few weeks and then berries turn black. Fall foliage color varies with cultivar and is usually an attractive dark red/purple.
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist loams, but tolerates wide range of soils and has good drought tolerance. Prune as needed immediately after flowering. For best cross-pollination and resulting fruit display, plant shrubs in groups rather than as single specimens.
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist loams, but tolerates wide range of soils and has good drought tolerance. Prune as needed immediately after flowering. For best cross-pollination and resulting fruit display, plant shrubs in groups rather than as single specimens.
Winterberry Holly
Winterberry is a compact deciduous shrub to 3 feet tall that is valued for its abundant crop of bright red berries in fall. Berries are larger than those of the evergreen hollies and persist throughout winter unless consumed by local bird populations. This selection is a female clone that requires a male pollinator for berry production. Mass or group in the landscape including moist low spots or boggy soils. A great informal hedge for property lines.
Winterberry is also grown in average, medium to wet soil in full sun to part shade. Adaptable to both light and heavy soils, but prefers moist, acidic, organic soils. Good tolerance for wet conditions (the species is native to swampy areas in Eastern North America). Winterberries are dioecious (separate male and female plants). This cultivar is a female plant and needs a male pollinator to produce the attractive red berries which are the signature of the winterberries. Generally one male winterberry (such
as I. verticillata'Jim Dandy') will be sufficient for pollinating 9-10 female 'Nana' plants. Prune to shape in
early spring just before new growth begins.
Winterberry is also grown in average, medium to wet soil in full sun to part shade. Adaptable to both light and heavy soils, but prefers moist, acidic, organic soils. Good tolerance for wet conditions (the species is native to swampy areas in Eastern North America). Winterberries are dioecious (separate male and female plants). This cultivar is a female plant and needs a male pollinator to produce the attractive red berries which are the signature of the winterberries. Generally one male winterberry (such
as I. verticillata'Jim Dandy') will be sufficient for pollinating 9-10 female 'Nana' plants. Prune to shape in
early spring just before new growth begins.
Flowering Crabapple
Very few trees can match the amazing splendor of a flowering crabapple in full flower. There are hundreds of flowering crabapples cultivars in the trade; these vary greatly in their aesthetic, size and shape, and disease resistance characteristics. Despite this variation, crabapples are typically small trees with a most attractive two-week flower display that, depending on cultivar and location, starts in April and ends in early June. Just prior to flower bud opening, buds swell (ballooning) and typically show a different color (white, pink, or red) than the open flower petals which can be white, or shades of pink, carmine, red, or rose. The relatively showy ballooning stage and open flower stage will provide at least three to four weeks of glorious color. Plant size, growth rate, fruit, foliage, and disease resistance also varies with cultivar.
Crabapple tree shape can be round, spreading, oval, upright narrow, vase-shape, or pendulous. Branch structure for many cultivars is quite attractive due to a picturesque gnarly characteristic. Fruit display can be quite attractive; fruit vary in size (pea size to 2 inches), color (red, yellow, orange, green), and persistence (lasting a few weeks to several months). Many crabapple cultivars bear heavy fruit loads every other year (alternate-year bearing cycle) and sparse loads in intervening years.
Crabapple tree shape can be round, spreading, oval, upright narrow, vase-shape, or pendulous. Branch structure for many cultivars is quite attractive due to a picturesque gnarly characteristic. Fruit display can be quite attractive; fruit vary in size (pea size to 2 inches), color (red, yellow, orange, green), and persistence (lasting a few weeks to several months). Many crabapple cultivars bear heavy fruit loads every other year (alternate-year bearing cycle) and sparse loads in intervening years.
Native fruit trees
Native fruit and nut trees can be grown to produce food for people and/or wildlife while protecting soil, water and air quality. Because they are multifunctional, native fruit and nut trees and shrubs are prime candidates for agroforestry plantings and home landscaping.
Pawpaw
Pawpaw is a native small tree that produces a beautiful dark burgundy flower that turns into a 3-5 inch greenish yellow fruit that looks similar to a mango, has the consistency of a banana and tastes like vanilla custard with hints of pineapple. The fruit is especially sweet and can be eaten fresh or used in puddings, pies, and breads.
Serviceberry
Serviceberry ranges from a medium-sized tree to a small shrub depending on the species. It has smooth dark bark with delicate leaves and produces small white flowers in the spring that
turn into a fruit that looks very similar to blueberries. The fruit tastes similar to cherry with a hint of almond and can be eaten fresh or used in pies, jams, and scones.
turn into a fruit that looks very similar to blueberries. The fruit tastes similar to cherry with a hint of almond and can be eaten fresh or used in pies, jams, and scones.
Shagbark hickory
Shagbark hickory is a medium to large tree that is characterized by its grey shaggy bark. While the nut is sometimes difficult to open, it is sweet tasting and can be used in any recipe as an alternative to walnuts or pecans.
Black chokeberry
Black chokeberry is a native deciduous, coldhardy shrub useful in landscape plantings, showing whiteflowers in the spring and colorful red foliage and heavy, dark fruit in the fall. It can grow to a height of 3 to 12 feet tall. The black chokeberry grows well in full sunlight, but is moderately tolerant of shade. The best growth and fruit production occurs on low moist but well-drained sites, in full sun. It is not drought-tolerant. New shoots will grow up around established plants, filling in the space between plants like a hedgerow. Some of these shoots are the result of layering.
Little Devil Nine Bark
Little Devil Ninebark will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It has a low canopy. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Little Devil Ninebark features showy clusters of white flowers with shell pink overtones at the ends of the branches in early summer. It has burgundy foliage throughout the season. The small serrated lobed leaves turn purple in fall. It produces red capsules from early to mid fall. The peeling tan bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.
April News Letter-
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oakleaf Hydrangea is a large shrub up to 15 feet tall and should be allowed to grow into its own beautiful form with minimal pruning. It blooms on the previous year’s branches or old wood. Prune to remove deadwood anytime and consider removing old flower heads soon after blooming. Reshape malformed plants in late winter by cutting them back to just above the pairs of buds on each stem, and/or remove the largest canes all the way to the ground. Minimal pruning is recommended to enjoy the wonderful amber peeling bark and brilliant flame and purple colored autumn color in full sun and moist fertile soils. They will tolerate much more heat and sun than other hydrangeas and will develop the best autumn color in full sun and moist fertile soils.
Japanese Pieris
Japanese pieris is an attractive slow-growing broad-leaved evergreen with showy flowers, clusters of dainty pendulous flowers, in March/April and somewhat showy flower buds in fall/winter. There are several cultivars of this species (see Additional Information section). Plants perform the best, and are least stressed, when grown in protected, shady sites; this is especially true for plants in the southern portion of its adaptability (zone 6 and 7). Stressed plants (e.g., too much sun, drought, wind-swept sites) are often afflicted by pest problems (see Care section) that warrant chemical application.
Mountain laurel
Mountain laurel is certainly worthy of specimen status, in mass, in a border, and planted randomly under tree canopy for a natural look. When flowering, this broad-leaved slow-growing evergreen plant is no-less-than spectacular; in the right setting, the entire plant is covered in whitish-pink or pinkish white flowers. Individual flowers are particularly attractive; they are about three-fourths of an inch in diameter and concave with a most delicate appearance. Swollen flower buds, just before opening, are whitish-pink or pinkish-white ribbed domes that almost rival the beauty of the open flowers. The culture of this plant is relatively exacting. Plants require a well-drained moist acid soil with ample organic matter. Plants do best if grown in part shade.
There are numerous cultivars (over 80) that primarily vary in bud and flower color. Bud colors include light to dark pink, and red: flower colors include white, light and dark pink, and bi-color. There are also compact dwarf forms as well as cultivars that are resistant to leaf spot diseases. Since flower color choice is a matter of personal preference, consult web sites for cultivar pictures. If you like dark red-pink, ‘Sarah’ is an exceptionally beautiful cultivar that has dark red-pink buds and flowers.
There are numerous cultivars (over 80) that primarily vary in bud and flower color. Bud colors include light to dark pink, and red: flower colors include white, light and dark pink, and bi-color. There are also compact dwarf forms as well as cultivars that are resistant to leaf spot diseases. Since flower color choice is a matter of personal preference, consult web sites for cultivar pictures. If you like dark red-pink, ‘Sarah’ is an exceptionally beautiful cultivar that has dark red-pink buds and flowers.
Arborvitae
Giant arborvitae is a conical conifer tree species. This species has a stately appearance and useful as a specimen plant (used alone as a focal point), accent plant, as a border planting, or anywhere a conical evergreen is appropriate. There is significant variation within the species. This variation is evident in view of the numerous cultivars (more than 20) that vary in size, form, and color. The species is typically slow-growing but there are medium to fast-growing cultivars. It is quite tolerant of adverse conditions. Western arborvitae tolerates dry, alkaline, and moist soils, although growth will be especially slow under these conditions. In contrast to pines, western arborvitae holds its lower foliage with age. The green foliage evident during the growing season usually turns a yellow/brown-green in the winter, especially in windy locations (considered unsightly). ‘Green Sport’ and ‘Virescens’ reputedly have a decent green winter foliage color. ‘Green Giant’ is a very popular fast-growing clone in the nursery and landscape trade, and is recommended as a replacement for Leyland cypress. This cultivar is a putative hybrid betweenThuja plicata and an Asian arborvitae species (T. standishii). ‘Green Giant’ is reported as having green foliage in the winter (no typical foliage browning as other Thuja (and Platycladus) species, but observations prove otherwise.
Juniper
Chinese juniper, the species, is a medium/large tree, however, only cultivars, ranging from small trees/large shrubs to low-growing shrubs are sold at garden centers. Cultivars serve a number of functions depending on size and form. In general, Chinese junipers are “work horses” in landscapes since they are relatively tough (tolerate adverse conditions), serve as ground covers, barriers, hedges and foundation plants, are used in mass, and in a few cases can be a specimen plant (used alone as a focal point due to attractive features).
There are numerous cultivars in the trade that range in size from 3 to 20 feet tall, and that range in form from low-growing ground covers to narrow conical tree forms. Here is a list of some of the popular ones:
- ‘Ames’ a spreading shrub form that matures into a large conical shrub
- ‘Angelica Blue’ wide-spreading shrub to about 6 feet tall; has blue foliage
- ‘Armstrong’ wide-spreading dwarf form to about 4 feet tall with scale-like foliage
- ‘Blue Point’ dense conical form to about 15 feet tall with tapered apex; blue-green scale-like foliage
- ‘Fruitlandii’ low dense compact shrub form to about 3 feet tall
- Gold Coast® (‘Aurea Improved’) dense wide-spreading form to about 3 feet tall with yellow new growth that persist into winter
- ‘Gold Lace’ low-growing (to about 4 feet tall) and wide-spreading form with bright yellow foliage
- ‘Hetzi Columnaris’ conical form to about 20 feet tall with blue green foliage (juvenile and adult)
- ‘Kaizuka’ (‘Torulosa’) called Hollywood juniper in the trade; large shrub/small tree to about 20 feet tall with ascending twisting branches; has dark green foliage and is tolerant of salt spray
- ‘Nick’s Compact’ (perhaps same as ‘Pfitzeriana Compacta’ low-growing flat-topped widespreading form; to about 4 feet tall
- ‘Pfitzeriana’ (‘Pfitzerana’ or ‘Wilhelm Pfitzer') used in the nursery trade since the late 19th century; tall (to about 15 feet) wide-spreading form
- ‘Pfitzeriana Aurea’ wide-spreading form and about 6 feet tall with yellow foliage
- ‘Robusta Green’ upright, narrow conical to columnar to irregular branching/tufted columnar form with bright green foliage; to about 15 feet tall
- var. sargentii (taxonomy is disputed; perhaps a separate species) low-growing to about 2 feet tall and wide-spreading form; a few cultivar of this variety including ‘Compacta’ with a compact form; ‘Glauca’ dwarf form to about 1.5 feet tall (better growth habit than ‘Compacta’)
- ‘Saybrook Gold’ 3 feet tall and wide-spreading form with bright yellow foliage
Fab Scapes is a member of Central Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association
Information provided by Va Coop Ext.
