Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procumbens), our native pachysandra, has many exceptional features that set it apart from the more familiar Asian pachysandras. One of the main differences can be seen in the foliage: it has mottled, rounded, gray-green leaves that are held in loose whorls. The leaves are generally evergreen, but may turn purplish and may…
Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) is an attractive multi-stemmed deciduous shrub that maintains great horticultural interest throughout the seasons. Beautiful corymbs of showy white flowers appear in April, and the leaves change to a bright red color as fall arrives. The glossy red fruits ripen in the fall and persist well into winter. These fruits are…
Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata), or woodland phlox, is a slow-growing herbaceous groundcover belonging to the Phlox plant family Polemoniaceae. At maturity, wild blue phlox can reach 12-18 inches in height and 8-12 inches in spread. The opposite, narrow leaves are slightly pubescent just like the stem. One subtle feature to observe is that the…