Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Muskogee’)
Bloom Time: July – September
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Butterflies
Tolerates: Drought
Native to North America: No
Other: Mildew resistant. Exfoliating, handsome bark, in a combination of shades, provides a gorgeous backdrop to the garden in all seasons.
Zones: 6 – 9
Location: Bradford Robertson Color Garden
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana ‘Burkii’)
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds enjoy the berries.
Tolerates: Deer & drought
Native to North America: Yes
Other: ‘Burkii’ is a male cultivar. The foliage presents a purple tinge in the fall and winter months.
Zones: 2 – 9
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden & Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden
Possumhaw (Ilex decidua)
Bloom Time: May
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds, deer, & possum feed on the berries.
Tolerates: Clay Soil
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Works well in the landscape as a specimen or a hedge component. Also a good selection for wet areas.
Zones: 5 – 9
Location: Turner Seasons Garden
Chinese Paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha)
Bloom Time: February – March
Sun Requirement: Part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Early emerging bees and butterflies seek the pollen in late winter.
Native to North America: No
Other: Extremely fragrant. Wonderful use as a specimen plant or a small mass planting.
Zones: 7 – 9
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Texas Sotol (Dasylirion texanum)
Bloom Time: July
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Dry
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Tough, evergreen plant with attractive round shape composed of blue-green spines. Perfect for rocky soil gardens.
Zones: 7 – 11
Location: Sigourney Cheek Literary Garden
Common Filbert (Corylus avellana)
Bloom Time: March – April
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: The nuts are a good food source for squirrels and birds.
Tolerates: High winds and shade.
Native to North America: No
Other: The male catkins display ornamental value in winter.
Zones: 4 – 8
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden
Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox)
Bloom Time: January – March
Sun Requirement: Full sun – part shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Birds enjoy the fruit.
Tolerates: High resistance to disease and insects.
Native to North America: No
Other: Fragrant & showy blooms provide winter interest.
Zones: 7 – 9
Location: Carell Dogwood Garden
Bushy Bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus)
Bloom Time: September – February
Sun Requirement: Full sun
Water Requirement: Medium – wet
Wildlife: Provide food & nesting material for birds and small mammals.
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: Yes
Other: Excellent winter interest. Ideal for rain gardens and other low lying areas.
Zones: 5 – 9
Location: Howe GardenWe may be gearing up for spring, but these featured winter plants are not to be missed! Cheekwood’s Plant Collections Manager, Shanna Jones, shares her top plant picks for February. Use this as your guide as you explore the grounds!