Top Plant Picks December 2021
There are still plenty of beautiful plants that stand out during winter! Cheekwood’s Plant Collections Manager, Shanna Jones, shares her top plant picks for December.
Persian Parrotia (Parrotia persica)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Part shade – full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Clay soil
Native to North America: No
Zones: 6 – 9
Other: Beautiful bark. Excellent street tree. Flowers are attractive, though very small. Yellow, orange, and scarlet fall color. Prefers slightly acidic soil which will also increase the fall color value. Wind pollinated. Hamamelidaceae family.
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden & Martin Boxwood Gardens
Creeping Raspberry (Rubus hayata-koidzumii)
Bloom Time: July
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Dry – medium
Wildlife: Birds will eat the fruit.
Tolerates: Acidic soils & drought
Native to North America: No
Zones: 7 – 9
Other: Evergreen. Incredibly attractive fall color. Beautiful ground cover!
Location: Wills Perennial Garden
Coral Bark Willow (Salix alba subsp. vitellina ‘Britzensis’)
Bloom Time: April – May
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer, wet conditions
Native to North America: No
Zones: 4 – 8
Other: Vibrant red stem color provides winter interest. Thrives in wet conditions. Excellent screen selection.
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Bobozam’ MR. BOWLING BALL)
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Clay soil
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 3 – 7
Other: “Arborvitae” translates to “tree of life”. ‘Bobozam’ is a globular, dwarf variety that rarely requires pruning. Maximum size is 3ft. x 3 ft. Gray-green and needle-like, though soft. Also known as ‘Linesville’. Prefers limestone soils.
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Alabama Croton (Croton alabamensis)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Tolerates: Drought
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 6 – 8
Other: This is a RARE plant that is currently on the global vulnerable list. Terrifically unique foliage with excellent fall and winter color. Semi-evergreen to evergreen.
Location: Howe Garden & the Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail
Weeping Alaskan Cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’)
Bloom Time: April
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Provides cover for birds, small mammals
Tolerates: Strong winds, alkaline soil, and shade
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 4 – 7
Other: Sometimes known as Cupressus (or Xanthocyparis) nootkatensis. Drought tolerant once established. Outstanding specimen tree. Male cones and female flowers exist on same tree.
Location: Martin Boxwood Gardens
Possumhaw (Ilex decidua ‘Warren’s Red’)
Bloom Time: May
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds, deer, possums & other small mammals eat the fruit.
Tolerates: Clay soil & low pH
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 5 – 9
Other: A deciduous holly, the berries provide exceptional winter interest. Excellent component for rain gardens.
Location: Turner Seasons Garden
Bearberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri ‘Coral Beauty’)
Bloom Time: May – June
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Drought & Deer
Native to North America: No
Zones: 5 – 8
Other: Tough Plant! Excellent evergreen, woody groundcover used for erosion control.
Location: Blevins Japanese Garden
