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!