Plant

of the

Month

   Lenten Rose

   (Helleborus orientalis)

 Nodding 3-4" blossoms top the leathery-green foliage in late February and early March here in the Foothills. Colors range widely from deep burgundy to clear white with speckles. Flowers last for up to 2 months most years…what a treasure! Foliage is evergreen.

Hardy from Zones 4 to 9.

Grows between 12-18" in height and with a spread of 16".

'Red Sprite' Winterberry

(Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite')

A dwarf deciduous holly, 'Red Sprite' will grow slowly to reach a height of 3' to 5' in a compact, rounded form, and is among those with the largest fruits. Leaves in summer are a deep dark green and serve as a great backdrop for perennials or other plants that will die back in winter so that the 'Red Sprite' can display her lovely berries. Her mate, 'Jim Dandy' (not shown) is a male form of the winterberry that makes a terrific pollinator. Hardy in zones 3-9.

Mt. Airy Fothergilla

(Fothergilla gardenii   'Mt.  Airy')

This beautiful native is often purchased by homeowners in spring when the fragrant white bottlebrush blooms spring out on bare branches. Little do they realize that the main attraction of this 5'- 6' shrub lies in its fabulous fall color. Foliage turns late but offers knockout shades of yellow, red and orange on one plant. Colors less in full shade. Great plant for the woods border or a natural area. Hardy in zones 4-9.

Cercis chinensis

'Avondale'

This Chinese redbud is smaller and shrubbier in form than our native species, but it's also more showy, with a profusion of deep rose-purple flowers that seem to hide the stems. Foliage has a heavy texture in a lustrous dark green. What a knockout way to welcome spring to your garden!

Pinus strobus 'Winter Gold'

The unique brilliant gold of this full size white pine makes it an excellent choice for outstanding winter color. In summer, the needles are a light yellow-green, so that in summer or winter, this is an excellent contrast plant against dark green or blue.

Corylopsis spicata

Winterhazel

 Fragrant pale gold chains of buttery, rounded, bell-shaped flowers unfurling in late winter/early spring, make this shrub a must for the winter landscape. In addition, this Japanese native has exceptional foliage. New leaves open a dark purple and mature to a deep blue green. Give the winter hazel some space to spread its picturesque branches.It will reach 6'- 10' in height.

Pieris japonica 

    'Prelude'

 Smothered in blooms in spring, this pieris has shiny dark blue-green foliage and maintains a compact rounded form that is perfect for foundation plantings or areas where a height of 2'-3' in 6-8 years is desired. Good drainage is key for this adaptable plant that we have used in landscapes with shade or sunny spots. A favorite for the low maintenance gardener.

Acer henryi

An Asian maple with terrific landscape attributes! Hardy to Zone 6 (-24 without injury), it will grow to reach 20' - 30'.  The 6" pendulous racemes make this tree a startling "spring bloomer" in the landscape. The arching canopy of this interesting specimen from China changes to shades of reds and yellow in fall.  I love this tree!

'Madame Galen'                  Trumpet Vine

    with hummingbird

(Campsis x tagliabuana 'Madame Galen')

This large flowering form of trumpet creeper is hardier and has much larger blossoms than the more common species. Bright orange trumpet-shaped flowers are 3" long and wide, beginning in late June and continuing until frost. Loves full sun and hardy from Zones 5-9.

Chinese Button Bush 

Adina rubella

The beautiful glossy foliage of this plant stands out in a shrub border, but is difficult for many plantsmen to recognize. Upright and spreading, the blooms are interesting looking little drumsticks in a light mauve color with a slight fragrance.  Seems to perform equally well in sun or even dry shade. Although this plant is difficult to find, it is one of the easier collector's items to grow!     

'Clemson Yellow'                  Fragrant Osmanthus

Osmanthus fragrans 'Clemson Yellow'

This terrific yellow flowering form of osmanthus is rare in cultivation. Blooms appear in late September to mid-October. The original plant in the S.C. Botanical Gardens has thrived for 30 years and survived temperatures to 8 degrees. This is a photo of the one at Foothills...When this terrific evergreen is in bloom, the fragrance is noticeable up to 30' away. It receives nearly full sun and is currently 81/2' in height.

Sparkleberry Holly

Ilex verticillata x serrata 'Sparkleberry'

3/8" diameter brilliant red berries of the Sparkleberry deciduous holly often cling to its branches into the month of March...making this award winning holly a showpiece for the winter garden. Grows 12' -15' and is hardy from Zone 3 through 9. Needs a male pollinator.  Apollo and Southern Gentleman are recommended, but we've found Jim Dandy to be a promiscuous little bugger as well.

Heritage River Birch

          (Betula nigra 'Heritage')

This super river birch is a vigorous grower and has large dark green leaves that are less prone to leaf spot than other varieties. Exfoliating bark reveals interior shades of white to salmon white. Holds up well to both cold and heat. Our Heritage is contentedly sailing towards the Carolina Blue skies across from the greenhouse in the "native plants" bed. Definitely a plant for the "bark happy".

Hardy from Zones 3b to 8 or 9.

Grows 45' to 50' in height with approx. spread of 30'.