That's not a Holly!

This plant's common name is "false holly", because it is not a holly at all - it is an Osmanthus.  The real name is Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki' - Goshiki meaning "five colors".  If you are one who loves things that are variegated, this plant is great.  It seems to have a different shade of colors each season.  An array of colors show up on this plant including green, yellow, pink, red, and cream.  Resembling something that a paintbrush has splashed on, this plant shows its colors off remarkably.  It is a slow growing evergreen shrub, that could eventually reach over 10 feet.  Pair this plant with darker foliage plants, to show off the bright cream flecks of color!

Hackena What??

This plant's real name sounds like it affects the respiratory system in humans, but it does not!  Pronounced - hah-koe-neh-KLOE-uh.  Hakonechloa 'All Gold' is a beautiful shade loving grass!  The common names, which are easier to pronounce, include Japanese Forest Grass and Hakone Grass.  This grass screams "LOOK AT ME", when planted in the shade due to it's bright yellow foliage!  Forming a beautiful clump in the shade, this plant spreads slowly by stolons - which is a specialized type of root.  As this plant grows, it will eventually reach anywhere from 12" - 18" in height.  Pair this plant with dark foliage, for a fantastic contrast of colors!  If you're looking for a grass that does great in the shade try Hakonechloa! 

Blood Red!

This is hands down my favorite quince.  The color of this is equal to the blood of a dragon apparently.  'Dragons Blood' is a deep red and double blooming quince.  What's even nicer, is that this plant is thornless!  This particular variety will stay shorter, topping out around 3-4'.  Most of the old quinces that are still growing at homesteads, have the most wicked thorns.  Dr. Tom Ranney took 'Dragons Blood' and used it to breed the new and exciting Double Take Series of quinces that Proven Winners are putting out.  The new ones all have Storm in the name - 'Pink Storm', 'Orange Storm', and 'Scarlet Storm'.  They are fantastic and all of them are equally thornless!  If you're looking for something to replace an old thorny quince, try one of the new ones that are thornless.

It's a what??

This is one plant that probably everyone has seen, but doesn't realize that there are different varieties!  What you are looking at is Nandina 'Ori Hime'...AKA 'San Gabriel' & 'Filamentosa'.  Nandina's are quite possibly the most popular landscape in the entire world due to their ability to handle tough landscape situations.  This variety is a beautiful lacy specimen that will eventually reach 2'-3' tall.  I have had one planted at my parents near Crossville for around 4 years, and it seems to be doing fine!  Their hardiness is questionable above zone 6.  I recently planted one in Lebanon at the farm and will keep everyone posted on its growth!  So if you're looking for something that will stump some of your plant nerd friends, try Nandina 'Ori Hime'!

Twister!

We've all seen twisted plants in the landscape like Harry Lauder's Walking Stick and Corkscrew Willow, but what about a twisted blackgum?  'Zydeco Twist' is a twisted and contorted form of a hardy native tree!  This would make a fun addition to any existing garden.  It also has fantastic fall foliage, which turns a bright red!  Since this plant is a tough native, it is pretty free of disease and insect problems!  The pictures were taken at Shadow Nursery and the plants were around 10' tall.

Happy Poinsettia Day!

Today marks National Poinsettia Day in honor of the death of Joel Poinsett.  Joel was the ambassador to Mexico in the early 1800's and is the person who is responsible for sending these wonderful plants to the U.S.  Believe it or not, poinsettias are the #1 selling potted plant in the U.S.  Now for a quick botany lesson, the actual flower is in the very center of all the colored leaves.  It is a very tiny insignificant cluster of a few flowers.  All the colored leaves are called bracts, not flowers.  So when Alex Trebek asks what are the colored leaves on a poinsettia called, you can proudly say "Bracts!"

That's beautiful!!!

How many of you think that is one beautiful vine??  Congratulations, you're in love with kudzu!  The real name of this beauty is Pueraria lobata 'Sherman's Revenge'.  This variegated plant is one that many people shriek in horror after hearing what it is!  Kudzu is better known as "the vine that ate the South".  This vine can be controlled if you have a lot of time on your hands!  I have seen a beautiful stand of this in Jackson, TN and I honestly was shocked after hearing that it was kudzu!

Now go plant some kudzu!

Phil's Loss

This is one of my daylily seedlings that was given to me by Phil Steidl from Burgess Falls Nursery in Cookeville, TN.  Phil gave it to me before the seedling had actually bloomed, so we had no idea what the flower would look like.  When it bloomed, I actually had to wipe the drool off of my chin.  The unofficial garden name for the flower right now is 'Phil's Loss', just to name it in honor of Phil!

Black and Blue

These colors go together like pepper jelly and cream cheese!  One of the most unique salvias is Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue'.  Standing around 4' tall, this perennial is a standout in the garden.  It also has the ability to spread quite nicely.  As we go further north, hardiness is questionable based upon the winter.  At my parents house near Crossville, TN, this plant has never came back!  Even though hardiness is a question mark in some higher parts of Tennessee, this plant deserves to be replanted each year!

Sumac!

If you are looking for something a little unusual for the landscape, try a sumac. These plants thrive on neglect on the side of the interstate!  Pictured below is Rhus typhina 'Tigereye' or 'Bailtiger'.  Some people might consider "yellow" plants sickly, but this one stands out great!  It has multiple interest, including turning a bright red in the fall before the leaves fall off!  The first time I spotted this, it was planted at Tennessee Tech University.  It will eventually stand around 6' tall and wide.  If you like something just a little unusual for the landscape, try a sumac!

'Phantom' Hydrangea paniculata

This hydrangea was first given to me by the great Don Shadow.  Don Shadow is a name that is recognizable to many nurserymen around the world.  Most noted for his work with dogwoods, Don also loves hydrangeas.  This hydrangea blooms on new wood, so no need to worry if a late frost will damage the buds.  Mine has been in a bed at my mothers house and stands around 9 feet tall, which makes it a show stopper at the end of summer!  'Phantom' is touted as the largest of the panicle blooms, and the verdict still remains in my book!

Pictured below is 'Phantom' Hydrangea paniculata

You're just a pansy!

"You're just a pansy."  This phrase is commonly used and one must wonder, how strong is a pansy?  I always laugh when someone else compares someone to a pansy.  Let's be honest, pansies are quite possibly one of the strongest flowers!  They bloom in the harshest months of the entire year!  I've even seen pansies bloom with snow on top of them.  So if you think about, when you call someone a pansy you're actually complementing them!  Next time you truly want to call your friends weak, just call them a fuchsia!

Pictured below is Viola 'Sorbet Lemon Chiffon', which is one of my favorites!

Black Gum

Nyssa sylvatica 'Sheri's Cloud'

This is a beautiful native variegated black gum tree!  Found in Arkansas around 10 years ago, this plant is slowly finding its way into the market.  It has fantastic fall color, just like the native black gum tree.  Named after the founder of the plant's wife, and mentioned that it would resemble a cloud in the landscape!