Favorite Plants by Category

Trees

Quercus alba- White Oak

Novels could be written about the majestic White Oak. A mature specimen is equally as mighty as it is graceful. Its acorns provide forage for over a hundred vertebrate species during a time of year when other food sources are scarce. Its flowers, though inconspicuous, support over 500 different moth and butterfly species. Oaks are a long living species, but when its life cycle does come to an end, its lumber is coveted by many. White Oak lumber is used in high end millwork and flooring, ship building, and is the only species of wood used to make casks for aging bourbon. “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.”- Greek proverb.

Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’- Persian Ironwood

An excellent small to medium tree that has four seasons of interest. ‘Vanessa’ is slightly more upright and columnar than the straight species, making it great for tighter areas. In late winter, red flowers emerge similar to that of Witch Hazel. The foliage emerges bronze and deep red before fading to a deeper green for the summer. In the fall, the foliage turns to a brilliant bronze red/orange. When the leaves drop for the winter, the attractive flakey grey bark is exposing to peak interest through the dormant season.

Shrubs

Hydrangea quercifolia - Oakleaf Hydrangea

A true aristocrat of the landscape. This hydrangea has four seasons of stunning interest. In the winter and spring, exfoliating cinnamon like bark gives an otherwise grey landscape a pop of color and texture. The summer gives way to large course textured leaves and large white flowers that fade to purplish pink. Cooler fall temperatures change the leaves to a deep burgundy red. With plenty of varieties to choose from, there is an Oakleaf Hydrangea that is right for almost every landscape.

Cotinus ‘Winecraft Black’- Dwarf Smokebush

Another multi-season show stopper. In spring, round leaves emerge rich purple but as summer's heat comes on, they turn a deep near-black tone and finally light up in an array of reds and oranges in fall. In early summer, large, soft panicles of bloom appear that become the misty "smoke" that makes this such a popular landscape plant. Unlike other smokebush, it naturally grows to 6’ tall and wide.

Perennials

Amsonia hubrichtii - Arkansas Bluestar

One of favorite plants for a feathery soft fine texture in our designs. Amsonia is an uncommon perennial that is native to the Ouachita Mountains in central Arkansas. It grows erect, in a clumped is prized for its blue spring flowers, feathery green summer foliage and golden fall color.

Echinacea purpurea ‘Pica Bella’ - Coneflower

Mt. Cuba Center’s highest rated variety from their Echinacea trial garden. Pica Bella is the perfect size for many landscapes, large and compact. We love Echinacea because it flowers later is the summer when many other flowers finished flowering for the year. It is also a favorite of birds and pollinators.

Calamintha ‘White Cloud’ - Calamint

The 2021 perennial plant of the year. This low growing perennial is extremely deer resistant and another pollinator favorite. White flowers last from late spring until the first frost in autumn. Calamintha slowly grows to cover the ground, making it a great filler plant in our designs. As a bonus, Calamintha has a strong fragrance similar to oregano.

Grass

Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ - Feather Reed Grass

A perfect architectural grass that stays nice a tight. It grows 4-5’ tall and only 2’ wide. We love Karl Foerster for its tight growth habit, golden tan color, and persistence from early summer through the winter.