Here’s what is catching our eye this week!!

Native Azaleas

Native azaleas..lovely, deciduous rhododendrons best suited for shaded or partly sunny gardens with acidic, consistently moist but well drained soil (they don’t tend to like wet feet). They do not tolerate heavy clay or alkaline soils. Though in nature many species are found near streams, ponds, fens, and bogs, do not be fooled into thinking that they can tolerate heavy, wet soils. Those individuals find the perfect little spots to grow, often upon long dead rotted stumps, tussocks, and berms where their crowns can stay above the wet soil.

Loose, sandy soils tend to work well,  as do the cool soils of our natural upland woodlands if you happen to live in the woods. Soil can be amended with peat, sand, humus, leaf mold, and bark to create an ideal substrate. They do not tolerate drought well, and so must be planted in areas that have adequate moisture throughout the summer. We recommend pine bark mulch to conserve soil moisture around such plants.

Water them on a consistent basis (one deep soak once a week if no rain) until they’re well established for best results, especially during the heat of summer (might need twice a week if we have a drought). That all said, many native plant gardeners have beautiful azalea specimens in their home gardens, so while they are particular about soil, they are certainly achievable and amazing if grown in the right conditions!    Read our full blog post here.

Euonymus americanus, (Strawberry Bush or Hearts-a-Burstin’)

This is a really cool native shrub that makes for a fun alternative to the invasive burning bush (Euonymus alatus). This shrub tends to grow in the understory of woodlands or forest edge. It makes a great addition to a mixed hedgerow or background plant for a shade garden! Those awesome, strawberry looking fruits ripen in the late summer or early fall and crack open to reveal the berries inside! Songbirds of various species as well as game birds and some small mammals eat the fruit. Just like it’s exotic, invasive cousin the strawberry bush turns a glorious red color in autumn. We just think this is such a cool plant!  More info here.

Dwarf Crested Iris, Iris cristata

A wonderful groundcover or border plant for a shaded or partly sunny garden. It prefers average to moist, well-drained soils but is quite adaptable, withstanding drought in the summer. Spreads rather quickly to eventually form a mat on the ground up to 4 feet across from a single starter plant. Plants themselves are less than 8 inches tall. Easy to divide and propagate like other irises! Blooms in mid to late spring Iris cristata is an endangered species in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Virginia Bluebells! We just restocked! Did you know that bluebells are a valuable spring nectar source for native bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds!  Read more about Mertensia and other spring ephemerals here.

Also blooming and looking great…

All our plants are neo-nicotinoid free and safe for visiting pollinators.