Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) is a deciduous to semi-evergreen, 3 to 5 foot tall shrub commonly found in swamps, wet woodlands, and along woodland streams of eastern North America. It has slightly fragrant white flowers in May when few other plants are flowering. Its medium to dark green summer leaves change to yellow, orange, reddish…
Dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii), a member of the witch hazel family (Hamamelidaceae), is a hardy plant native to the coastal plains. In the wild, it is often found around bogs or ponds and has interesting features through three seasons of the year. In spring, it has fragrant, white, bottlebrush-like flowers that bloom in April and…
One of the few deciduous hollies, winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) produces an abundance of persistent red berries that provide a splash of color throughout winter. Commonly found in both wooded areas and swampy areas, this holly will grow 6 to 10 feet tall in an upright, spreading manner. They grow best in moist, poorly drained…
The pinxterbloom azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides) is a native, deciduous azalea that occurs naturally here at the Arboretum. These shrubs spread via underground stems and can grow to be 8-10 feet tall. They are extremely adaptable, growing in partial to full shade and in a variety of soil conditions from dry, sandy soils to moist stream…
The oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a deciduous, mound-forming shrub that grows to a height of 4 to 8 feet with a wider spread. This coarse, irregular plant provides all-season interest. In summer it has large panicles of white flowers that turn pinkish and eventually tan as the season extends into autumn. Plants that get…