Featured Plant of The Day: 'Green Velvet' Boxwood

Buxus x 'Green Velvet' 

Boxwood

Type    Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range    5A to 9A
Height    36" to 4' / 90cm to 1.20m
Spread    36" to 4' / 90cm to 1.20m
Growth rate    Slow
Form    Rounded
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence    Evergreen

Bloom Color    Green
Bloom Time    Spring

Environment
This plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color    Green
Fall Color    Yellow
This plant has attractive foliage.

Landscape Uses
-    Container plantings
-    Foundation planting
-    Hedge
-    Massing

Attributes and Features
-    Inconspicuous blooms
-    Inconspicuous fruit

Propagation
Propagation is from  cuttings.
This plant has low flammability.

Culture Notes
This Boxwood is a fine-textured evergreen that tolerates shearing exceptionally well and is commonly used as a border or hedge.  It is best grown where the root zone can be mulched and left undisturbed.  This evergreen requires a well-drained soil and prefers shading in winter if grown on exposed sites.  Pollen causes significant allergy in certain people. Plants resist browsing by deer.

It is particularly suited to small borders or hedges (6 to 24 inches tall) and works well as an edging along paths.  Plant as a facer plant to fill in spaces in a shrub border or along a deck or patio to soften the edge or help provide the feeling of enclosure. This is a cultivar resulting from a cross with one of the hardiest boxwoods. 'Green Velvet' and 'Green Mountain' hold green color well in the winter sun and cold and are certainly among the best selections for northern locations.

The optimum location for boxwood would be a spot protected from exposure to direct wind in winter that receives less than full day winter sun. This would be especially important in regions with winter temperatures below -20 degrees. Plants have a shallow, fibrous root system that benefits from a thin mulch layer. This is one of a group of crosses that remain green reportedly even at temperatures of 20 below zero. Plants in an exposed location in a very cold winter (<20 24="" a="" apart="" below="" best="" better="" boxwoods.="" br="" but="" can="" clearly="" color="" emerges="" establish="" foliage="" green.="" green="" hedge.="" in="" inches="" is="" it="" many="" new="" of="" off="" one="" other="" plant="" retains="" selections.="" slightly="" than="" the="" to="" turn="" winter="">
Best growth is in soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.2. Lime the soil with dolomitic limestone to raise the pH if soil is too acidic. In colder climates, plant in an area protected from winter winds. Leaves on most boxwoods turn reddish brown in winter in full sun.

Plant 24 inches apart for establishing a hedge.

Planting and establishing shrubs

The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep.  Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery.  In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off.  The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider.  In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole.  Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential.  Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth.  Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk.  If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer.   This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry.  Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water.  Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

Featured Plant of The Day: Ballota

Ballota pseudodictamnus

Ballota

Type Perennial

Hardy range 8B to 10B

Height 12" to 20" / 30cm to 50cm

Growth rate Average

Form Spreading or horizontal

Exposure Full sun

Persistence Evergreen

Bloom Color Pink and white

Bloom Time Spring and Summer

Environment This plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is a neutral to slightly alkaline (6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green and silvery
This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes This is an evergreen perennial that is tolerant of poor soils and hot dry areas. Protect from severe frosts and cut back in early spring.

Featured Plant of The Day: Cotoneaster

 Cotoneaster congestus syn. Cotoneaster glacialis

Cotoneaster

Type Shrub, groundcover, woody plant

Hardy range 6B to 9A

Height 24" to 36" / 60cm to 90cm

Spread 24" to 36" / 60cm to 90cm

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded and spreading or horizontal

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Evergreen and semi-evergreen

Bloom Color White

Bloom Time Spring

Environment This plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in very dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to alkaline (less than 6.8 to more than 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes Makes a nice small 'meatball' for a residential landscape due to its small size. Can be clipped easily into a variety of shapes including balls, squares and other formal shapes. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.
Planting and establishing shrubsThe most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

Featured Plant of The Day: 'Moon Bay' Heavenly Bamboo

Nandina domestica 'Moon Bay'
    Heavenly Bamboo

Type    Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range    6B to 10A
Height    12" to 24" / 30cm to 60cm
Spread    12" to 24" / 30cm to 60cm
Growth rate    Slow
Form    Rounded
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence    Evergreen

Bloom Color    White
Bloom Time    Spring

The flowers are showy.

Environment
This plant tolerates some drought and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to alkaline (less than 6.8 to more than 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color    Green and purple
Fall Color    Red
This plant has attractive foliage and attractive fall colors.

Fruit Color    Red

This plant rarely fruits.
The fruit is fleshy and round.

Native Habitat
Species native from India to eastern Asia.

Fruit Color    Red

This plant rarely fruits.
The fruit is fleshy and round.

Landscape Uses
-    Container plantings
-    Border
-    Foundation planting
-    Massing
-    Groundcover

Attributes and Features
-    Inconspicuous fruit
-    Fruit is edible by birds

Culture Notes
Nandina in partial shade but will exhibit richer-colored red fall foliage if planted in the sun.  Foliage diseases will be less in full sun.  Although tolerant of drought once established, rich soil and ample moisture will produce a lusher, better-looking plant.  Plants survive with neglect, although regular fertilization encourages growth and thicker plants.  With bamboo-like stalks and delicate, fern-like foliage, Nandina is much-prized for its oriental effect and distinctive appearance. This cultivar maintains red foliage in winter and may be one of the best compact selections.

Nandina is a low maintenance shrub, requiring only one pruning each year to control plant height, if needed.  The tallest canes should be trimmed to the ground or to different heights to encourage growth and to reduce the size.  This will provide for more foliage toward the ground and promote a denser plant.  Recent selections have produced several dwarf cultivars, and although most of these do not flower and fruit, they do produce vividly-colored fall foliage and can be used as a ground cover.

Planting and establishing shrubs

The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep.  Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery.  In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off.  The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider.  In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole.  Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential.  Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth.  Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk.  If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer.   This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry.  Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water.  Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

Featured Plant of The Day: Grecian Windflower

Anemone blanda
    Grecian Windflower,  Greek Anemone,  Windflower

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    6A to 10A
Height    4" to 6" / 10cm to 15cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Spreading or horizontal
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence    Deciduous

Bloom Color    Blue, pink and white
Bloom Time    Spring and Winter

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers.

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.

Leaf Color    Green
This plant has attractive foliage.

Landscape Uses
-    Container plantings
-    Alpine garden
-    Rock garden
-    Border
-    Massing
-    Groundcover

Attributes and Features
-    Naturalizing
-    Attracts butterflies

Culture Notes
Leave anemones undisturbed after planting.  Do not let the soil get too wet, or rotting may occur.  The flowers of the anemone close at night and during cloudy weather.  Division can be made to the tuber in fall or early spring.  This plant does self seed easily and form large colonies.