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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
