Gardeners' Top Picks December 2019 - Cheekwood
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Gardeners’ Top Picks December 2019

There are still plenty of beautiful plants that stand out during winter! Our garden team has hand selected their top plant picks for December from 8 of our distinct gardens. Use this as your guide as you explore the grounds.

Bushy Bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus)

Bloom Time: September – February

Sun Requirement: Full sun

Water Requirement: Medium – wet

Wildlife: Attracts butterflies in summer. Birds and small mammals eat the seeds. Provides nesting material for birds.

Tolerates: Deer

Native to North America: Yes

Other: Low maintenance, ornamental grass. Excellent rain garden component.

Zones: 5 – 9

Location: Howe Garden

Andropogon-glomeratus-2012-0099-Howe-Rain-Garden

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

Bloom Time: November – December

Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Birds will eat the fruit.

Tolerates: Poor soil, clay soil

Native to North America: Yes

Other: Showy, fragrant flower

Zones: 5 – 9

Location: Herb Study Garden

Hamamelis-virginiana-herb-study-garden

Possumhaw (Ilex decidua ‘Warren’s Red’)

Bloom Time: May, but flower is insignificant

Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Birds, deer, opossums & other small mammals eat the fruit.

Tolerates: Clay soil, low pH

Native to North America: Yes

Other: A deciduous holly, the berries provide exceptional winter interest. Excellent component for rain gardens.

Zones: 5 – 9

Location: Turner Season’s Garden (Winter)

IIex-decidua-Warrens-Red-Turner-Seasons-Garden-Winter

Weeping Alaskan Cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis)

Sun Requirement: Full sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Provides cover for birds, small mammals & (sometimes) deer.

Tolerates: Strong winds, alkaline soil, shade.

Native to North America: Yes

Other: Drought tolerant once established. Outstanding specimen tree.

Zones: 4 – 8

Location: Martin Boxwood Garden / Petite Swan Lawn

Chamaecyparis-nootkatensis

Persian Parrotia (Parrotia persica)

Bloom Time: March – April

Sun Requirement: Full sun

Water Requirement: Medium

Tolerates: Clay soil

Native to North America: No

Other: Beautiful bark. Excellent street tree. Flowers are attractive, though very small. Yellow & orange fall color.

Zones: 6 – 9

Location: Carell Dogwood Garden

Parrotia-persica-1999-Dogwood-Central-Woodland

Japanese Camellia (Camellia sasanqua)

Bloom Time: October – January

Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Wildlife: Squirrels and birds will eat the seeds.

Tolerates: Acidic soil & drought (once established)

Native to North America: No

Other: Evergreen. Very showy & fragrant blooms. Reliably hardy to zone 6.

Zones: 7 – 9

Location: Shōmu-en, Blevins Japanese Garden

Camellia

Creeping Raspberry (Rubus hayata-koidzumii – formerly calycinoides)

Bloom Time: July

Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade

Water Requirement: Dry – Medium

Wildlife: Birds will eat the fruit.

Tolerates: Difficult sites with poor soils & drought.

Native to North America: No

Other: Wonderful ground cover, especially for rock gardens. Edible fruit. Brilliant fall color.

Zones: 7 – 9

Location: Wills Perennial Garden

Rubus-Calycinoides

Dwarf Fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii ‘KLMTWO’ Beaver Creek®)

Bloom Time: April – May

Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade

Water Requirement: Medium

Tolerates: Wet soils, drought

Native to North America: Yes

Other: Showy, fragrant flower. Vibrant fall color. Works well as an accent or planted in groupings.

Zones: 4 – 8

Location: Burr Terrace Garden

Fothergilla-gardenii-Breaver-Creek-Burr-Garden
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