Carolina Silverbell is a large shrub or medium tree with a rounded crown. Drooping clusters of showy, white, bell-shaped flowers bloom in early spring. The flowers are followed by four-winged fruits, which turn tan in the fall. This plant prefers moist, well-drained, organic soils, and grows well with Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Use it in the shrub border or woodland garden, as an accent tree near decks or patios, or as a specimen tree for the lawn.
Spotted Geranium is a native perennial geranium with deeply lobed, palm-shaped leaves. Loose clusters of showy pink to lilac flowers bloom April-May. Its other common name, Crane’s Bill, comes from the beak-like shape of the seed structure, which catapults seeds when dried. Use it in shady borders, open woodland gardens, or wildflower gardens. It can be massed to create an attractive groundcover.
Gazania is an annual with trailing stems and daisy-like flowers, which bloom from summer into fall. Its bright yellow-orange flowers close at night and may not fully open on cloudy days. It tolerates hot, dry conditions and prefers sandy soil. Remove the spent flowers to encourage more blooming. Excellent in hanging baskets as well as in beds and borders.
Eastern Teaberry is a woody, evergreen groundcover. Its small, white, bell-shaped flowers bloom June-July, followed by small, red, edible berries that have a refreshing wintergreen flavor. Birds feed on the berries, which persist through the winter. The waxy, dark green leaves also smell like wintergreen when crushed. The leaves, which turn reddish in cold weather, are also a winter food source for wildlife. Both the leaves and berries can be used to make an herbal tea. Use Eastern Teaberry as groundcover or in woodland gardens, shade gardens, or naturalized areas.
Dwarf Witchalder or Dwarf Fothergillia is a deciduous shrub with dense, dark green foliage. Fragrant, bottle-brush-shaped, white flowers bloom April-May, before the leaves emerge. Their honey-like fragrance attracts native bees.
American Beech is a large deciduous tree with smooth, light-gray bark and prominently veined, toothed, dark green leaves. The leaves turn a bronze color in the fall and remain on the tree well into winter. American Beech is monoecious (separate male and female flowers on the same tree). Its yellowish-green flowers bloom April-May. Female flowers are followed by edible, triangular-shaped nuts enclosed in a spiny husk. The nuts ripen in the fall and are an important food source for many species of birds and mammals. The tree canopy is a favored nesting and roosting site for birds and wildlife. American Beech is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Early Hairstreak (Erora laeta). This tree casts a dense shade, useful as a cooling technique for homes. Its shallow root system can make it difficult to grow plants underneath, so avoid planting it near flower beds and vegetable gardens. Give this tree ample space to grow. Use American Beech in large yards or parks.
Joe-Pye Weed has large, rounded flower heads with pale pinkish-purple, fragrant flowers blooming July-September. Flowers are followed by attractive seed heads, which last well into winter. Joe-Pye Weed has special value for native bees and attracts many species of butterflies. The tall flowering plants make a striking display when massed in the back of borders, meadows, or wildflower gardens, or along edges of ponds or other water features.
Mistflower has compact clusters of fuzzy-looking, bluish-purple flowers from midsummer until frost. This plant has special value for native bees, and attracts many species of butterflies. Mistflower spreads by rhizomes (underground stems), sometimes aggressively, and may need to be divided every few years. Cut back in summer to promote bushier growth. Use Mistflower in wildflower gardens, woodland gardens, and along edges of ponds and water gardens.
Purple Lovegrass is a warm-season grass with good drought-resistance. Its small, reddish-purple flowers bloom July-August and turn brown by the fall. The flowers add texture and year-round interest to the garden, and are excellent for dried flower arrangements. Purple Lovegrass is beneficial to multiple butterfly species. It grows best in hot, dry condtions and does not tolerate wet or shady sites. Use massed in borders, native plant gardens, or meadows. Recommended for butterfly gardens and wildlife habitat areas.