Ilex glabra, Inkberry Holly We know what you all want! -- An easy to grow evergreen shrub. Are we right? It can be a challenge finding the right evergreen in the native palette.  After all, we live in the eastern DECIDUOUS forest.  Many of our evergreens are tall pines, needing full sun and lots … [Read more...]

Close up of foliage of "Comptonia peregrina (sweet fern)" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by MeganEHansen Comptonia, or Sweet Fern, is not really a fern at all!  Its foliage is somewhat fernlike, inspiring its common name.  It is a small shrub with aromatic foliage.  Passing by and brushing its foliage releases its … [Read more...]

American Smoke Tree - Cotinus obovatus "Cotinus obovatus" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Plant Image Library  In Flower This unassuming small tree/large shrub, grows to about 20 feet. It's smooth blue green leaves and light smokey pink flower clusters in spring are nothing compared to the brilliant shades of … [Read more...]