I’m uneasy to recommend our native invasive sumac in a home landscape, but Tiger Eyes sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’), known as Tiger Eyes®, is far less aggressive (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). Its brightly colored cut-leaf foliage will definitely catch your attention in the summer. Leaves turn maroon-red in the autumn. This small deciduous tree or […]
Archive for the ‘container shrub’ Category
Deer Don’t Feed On Plum Yews
Plum yews (Cephalotaxus harringtonia) are evergreen needle conifers which flourish in the heat and humidity of the Southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). Likely, the groundcover forms are hardier to zone 5-b if protected by snow cover or surrounding vegetation from dry winter winds. Plum yews are native to China, Korea and Japan. Many people […]
Evaluating Weeping Bald Cypress Cultivars
Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a large 75 -80 foot deciduous conifer tree. They are long-lived, often 100 years or more. Bald cypress is incredibly hardy from the warm humid Florida swamps to the cold winter temperatures and loamy soils of central Michigan. Bald cypress is tolerant of a wide range of soil and moisture […]
Foster Holly Has It All
Foster holly (Ilex x attenuata) is an old holly favorite which has not lost its sizzle. While many new holly cultivars have entered the landscape scene, do not assume that Foster holly is now passé. It is utilized in a number of landscape options in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7), including in containers in zones […]
Lo and Behold ‘Blue Chip’ Buddleia Is Late Summer Gem
photo taken at JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC in June 2009 Lo & Behold® ‘Blue Chip’ is a very dwarf butterfly bush (buddleia) for the summer garden. Its compact 3 x 4 foot height and width is an excellent choice planted in a garden bed or in a container on a sunny patio deck or patio. […]
‘Sky Pencil Holly vs ‘Dee Runk’ Boxwood
Boxwoods and hollies are mainline evergreen shrubs, utilized for low hedging, privacy barriers. Single shrubs are planted solely for their architectural accent. Both hollies and boxwoods grow best in moist, well-drained soils and in full sun to partial shade. Both prefer soils with a pH of slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Boxwoods tend to be more shade tolerant than […]