‘Spilled Wine’ weigela Story by Andrea Dee Spilled Wine weigela pours color and character into the landscape. Its magnificent magenta flowers carpet dark purple black wavy foliage from late spring into summer. The foliage holds its vivid color through summer into fall, contrasting nicely with companion chartreuse- and dark-green-leafed shrubs. Similar to other weigelas, hummingbirds …
Stokes’ aster Story and Photos by Norman Winter Stokes’ asters (Stokesia laevis) are wonderful native perennials that attract all sorts of pollinators – from bees to butterflies. Its striking blue flowers and fiery orange butterflies make for a winning combination. The Stokes’ aster is a native from Louisiana eastward to North Carolina. Surprisingly, they are …
‘Picasso’s Paintbrush’ croton Story and Photos by Kenny Coogan kennycoogan.com ‘Picasso’s Paintbrush’ croton is a slow-growing plant that is relatively new on the scene. It was a huge focal point at a recent plant show I attended, with many people walking out the gate with them. Small 4-inch plants were selling for around $10, while …
Story by Clara A. Curtis Many Southern gardeners may have had their fill of camellias, but not this gardening gal. When I spied this winter-hardy camellia hybrid with red flowers, I was set on having a specimen plant in my entry garden. Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’ is hardy in my Zone 6 garden in partly shaded …
‘Florida Sunshine’ yellow anise tree Story by Clara A. Curtis There’s never a dull day in the garden as long as you have a ‘Florida Sunshine’ yellow anise tree. With its brightly colored chartreuse leaves and red stems, this southeastern native is sure to brighten a woodland garden or enliven shady to partly sunny corners. …
A profile of the ‘Voodoo Queen’ hibiscus Story and Photos by Alan Pulley Who doesn’t love hibiscus flowers? They come in so many sizes and colors and grow in most tropical areas of the world. I have grown a variety of tropical hibiscus in my time; however, last year I came across one that I …
Story and Photos by Alan Pulley Gomphocarpus physocarpus has several common names – balloon plant, swan plant, balloon cotton-bush, and others – however, it is most commonly referred to as hairy balls. The name will surely draw a snicker from those with a sense of humor. Regardless of which name you prefer, hairy balls is …
Story and Photos by Andrea Dee A rich, golden-leafed form of cutleaf stag horn sumac makes a bold statement in the landscape. Its upright branching form shows off draping deeply serrated chartreuse to yellow foliage and contrasting rose-hued stems. As if that isn’t dramatic enough, the foliage flames orange to red during the fall before …
Story and Photos by Andrea Dee For the garden that has everything, and a little space to spare, this spring show stopper is a fun specialty selection. Red horse-chestnut tree is a cross between red buckeye (A. pavia) and horse-chestnut (A. hippocastanum). Flowering with pink to rose red conical clusters and exhibiting coarse, dark green …
Story by Hubert P. Conlon Yellow false indigo is native to the lower Midwest and Gulf states. ‘Screamin’ Yellow’ is an outstanding cultivar that was originally found in Arkansas. It grows more compact and blooms heavier than the species. This vigorous clump grower blooms on sturdy, upright stems. In early May, 12-inch spikes of bright …
