A new gold-leaved cultivar of the commonly grown "glossy abelia," arriving from the United Kingdom. Also sometimes known as 'Goldstrike' or 'Goldsport'. This cultivar arose as a sport of 'Francis Mason'. True plants of 'Francis Mason' possess yellow to chartreuse leaves, bordered by a rich gold margin. 'Gold Spot', in contrast, has entirely gold-tinted leaves. In all other respects, this plant will resemble typical Abelia ×grandiflora plants, albeit with perhaps more vigor and larger ultimate size. Zone 6. Sun to part-shade.

• hardy

For those of you who feel that you know all there is to know about the "Joe Pye weeds" (Eupatorium species), brace yourself! This Eupatorium, a native of Mexico, is a woody shrub. Yes, it is NOT a herbaceous perennial! The lustrous, dark green foliage contrasts sharply with the light-pink airy clusters of flowers that appear in November. Our specimen, only recently planted, is still being tested for hardiness. Clearly, this is a plant with a future in eastern North Carolina. Zone 8, possibly 7b.

A highly attractive cultivar of the common European alder with rich, glossy, dark green, dissected foliage. Deciduous tree up to 40' tall; although this cultivar grows more slowly in the southeastern heat, perhaps maturing as a smaller tree here. Tolerant of poor, wet soils, and our specimen has prospered under these conditions. Zone 4. Sun.

• to to 30’ with age
• plant in sun

The Amsonia's comprise one of the best groups of native American herbaceous perennials, renowned not only for their clear sky-blue flowers in spring, but also their striking golden-yellow fall color. Louisiana blue-star, native to South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana, is readily identified by the distinctive dense, white, woolly hairs present on the undersides of the leaves. A striking, yet rarely cultivated, native herbaceous perennial. Zone 6. Sun.

• hardy

One of the herbaceous aralias, a group of hardy herbaceous perennials that is rarely seen and grown in American gardens, and not well known by many nurserymen. This species produces big and bold foliage, with compound leaves divided into many small leaflets, all displayed on stems rising to 6'–7' tall. In summer, stand back and watch for an explosion of billowing white flowers, all in tiny umbels (or "balls"), held on a common stalk that reaches 3' in height. A magnificent group of plants. Zone 5. Part-sun to part-shade.

Yes, you read right—a hardy begonia!! (Hardy for us, at least!) This herbaceous perennial, only "discovered" to be hardy in the 1990s, has barely begun to grace southern gardens. The foliage, resembling some of the angel-wing begonias in shape (but without the speckles), would be ornamental enough, but the display of stunning pumpkin-orange flowers that appear in summer through early autumn only adds to this plant's garden intrigue. Best in damp, shady gardens. Zone 7b, possibly colder. Shade.

Why this plant is not better known escapes me! This hybrid between the Japanese and European barberries (Berberis thunbergii and Berberis vulgaris, respectively) displays attractive purple leaves (to about 3/4" long), mottled throughout with streaked variegation. From a distance, the plant appears to have a smoky purple cast—most attractive. A very nice deciduous shrub maturing at 4'–5' tall. Zone 5.

• hardy

This selection of our native crossvine comes to us via Michael Dirr, Ph.D., at the University of Georgia. Collected as an orange-flowered variant on Jekyll Island (off the coast of Georgia), this twining vine has grown and flowered prodigiously for us on the outside of the Lath House. The long tubular orange flowers with yellow throats (versus the normal yellow and red seen most often in the wild) are a welcome new addition for gardeners interested in growing colorful vines. Semi-evergreen to evergreen foliage. Zone 6. Best flowering in full sun.

• Semi-evergreen vine to 18'–30'
• plant in sun
• hardy
• orange and yellow flowers
• attracts birds

The easiest of all hardy orchids to grow, this plant is practically bullet-proof, only suffering from our occasional late spring frosts when warm spells in late winter encourage delicate new growth to emerge too early. Still, plants always rebound. This Chinese native displays wonderful palm-like linear leaves, arranged on a stem that rises to 12"–15", topped by clusters of purple, 1"–2" orchid flowers. Very attractive, with demand always exceeding supply. Grows best in moist to damp soils in shady sites. Zone 5.

• herbaceous perennial to 12"–15"
• plant in part sun to light shade
• hardy zone 6
• pink flowers in spring
• deer resistant

A virtually-unknown woodland perennial with attractive compound greenish-blue foliage and small white flowers, but produced in abundance so as to show up collectively. This species is close kin to the culinary herb "rue" (Ruta graveolens), but has more greenish foliage, and is tolerant to shade. Plants are clump-forming, up to 15"–24" tall. Grown from seed. Zone 5 or 6.

This is a rare and truly distinctive beautyberry, hailing from Guangdong Province in southern China. Our specimen of this deciduous shrub exhibits beautiful narrow, elliptic-shaped leaves, with rich dark purplish-green foliage. It is completely different from all other beautyberries in our collection. Fruit are indicated to be pinkish-purple in color.

• deciduous shrub to 3'–5'
• plant in sun to part shade
• hardy
• white flowers in late spring

One of a group of native perennials that curiously has not garnered a widespread gardening following. Native from the southern Great Plains to the Mississippi Valley states, "winecups" displays leaves that are cut into finger-like (or "digitated") segments on stems rising 1'–4' tall amid masses of 1"–2" wide white or purplish-red Hibiscus-like flowers produced on long stalks. Expect flowers from late spring through summer. A unique and hard-to-find perennial plant. Zone 6, possibly colder.

• hardy

A fantastic climbing clematis hailing from the Himalayas and China. Few plants can match its floral exuberance. Amid finely cut foliage comes an explosion of yellow (or golden-yellow) lantern-shaped flowers, 3"–4" wide. After the flowers have faded, curious mopheads consisting of multiple fruits with long silky tails, appearing like discarded wigs, adorn the plant and sparkle in the sun. Like other clematis, this one thrives in sunlight but prefers its roots to be kept cool. Zone 5.

• deciduous vine to 5'–8'
• plant in sun to part shade
• hardy to zone 5
• yellow flowers in summer
• silvery mophead-like fruit in summer

This remains a relatively unknown cultivar of an up-and-coming native deciduous shrub. Sweet pepperbush (also called "summersweet clethra"), as you can now guess, normally flowers in the height of summer (July–August), producing sweet-scented spires (usually 4"–8" long) of white flowers. 'Fern Valley Late Sweet', however, does not flower until September–October, greatly extending the landscape usefulness of this wonderful shrub (5'–6' tall). Expect stunning yellow fall color, too. Zone 4.

• hardy

This deciduous shrub that we have been watching for the past 4 years, now only 3'–4' tall, displays bluish-green leaves arranged opposite along the branches, appearing fern-like at first glance. In summer, inconspicuous flowers are produced, but under careful inspection, one notes that the petals remain attached, swelling to form rich reddish-purple shells around the hidden fruits. These "fruits" are quite showy. Our specimen has grown fine in full sun, but with some afternoon shade. Remember not to cut back older branches since flowers are produced on the previous-year's wood. Zone 7b, possibly colder."

• hardy

This fine hybrid, originating at the famous Hillier Nurseries of southern England, combines the best of both worlds—the stunning purple foliage of a purpleleaf cultivar of European smokebush (Cotinus coggygria 'Velvet Cloak') and the stature, larger leaves, and fall color of our native smoketree (Cotinus obovatus). The result is a large deciduous shrub (15' tall) with purple foliage (until about late June–early July) that fades to bluish-green. Massive clusters of pink cotton-candy-like flowers (14" across) adorn the shrub in high summer. In fall, expect vivid shades of red, orange and yellow. 'Grace', named for the wife of the hybridizer, will hopefully grace your garden. Zone 5.

• hardy

A 1972 introduction from Duncan and Davies Nursery of New Zealand. Of all the Arizona cypress cultivars in our collection, none has brighter golden foliage than this clone. One specimen, planted in 1995, is now 12' tall and exhibits a splendid dense form. Despite being native to the arid southwestern United States, smooth Arizona cypress has proven to be a resilient evergreen tree tolerant of our (comparatively) wet climate. A sunny site is essential. Zone 7a.

• hardy

An old French clone of Arizona cypress that bears creamy-yellow suffused foliage, creating a warm-toned appearance to older plants that contrasts wonderfully with blue-leaved counterparts. Our specimen, located near several blue-leaved conifers, is now 7' tall, having been planted in 1996. This cultivar is definitely a slower-grower than 'Golden Pyramid', but the two plants are quite distinct in color. As before, full sun is necessary. Zone 7a.

• woody evergreen to 15'
• plant in sun
• hardy

This cultivar, originating from Woodlanders Nursery in Aiken, South Carolina, is probably the first named selection of this undervalued native deciduous shrub (semi-evergreen on the coast). While the typical species will form large shrubs (15' tall), 'Graniteville' forms an almost prostrate-growing, low shrub (1'–3' tall). Enjoy this plant, too, for its wondrous display of fragrant, unique white flowers, and later for its orange-red fall color. Native on wet sites, but adapts fine to normal garden conditions. Zone 6.

• semi-evergreen shrub to 3'
• plant in sun to part shade
• zone 6
• white flowers in summer
• butterfly/pollinator friendly
• outstanding pollinator plant

A fine addition to the list of hardy ferns that are suitable for southern gardens, this fern, hailing from eastern Asia, is related to but much hardier than the "common holly fern" (Cyrtomium falcatum) of coastal North Carolina and Deep South gardens. On mature plants, expect a tight clump (24"–30" across) of matte-green fronds ("fernese" for leaves) of finer texture than the common holly fern. Zone 6.

• evergreen perennial to 30"
• plant in shade
• hardy to zone 6
• deer resistant

A unique selection of the "male fern," a European native hardy fern, 'Barnesii' displays narrow fronds that are held in a distinct upright habit. Mature plants are usually 3' tall and only 4" wide! As with other hardy ferns, this fern is at home in a shady, moist woodland garden setting, but it also performs well on sites with part-day exposure to bright sunny conditions. Zone 4."

What kind of common name is that?!? Well, since Echinacea refers to the "purple coneflowers," most of which are purple-flowered, this species is indeed a paradox—a yellow-flowered purple-coneflower! However, flower color aside, expect the same toughness you've come to expect from Echinacea's: drought tolerance, cold hardiness, and the ability to grow in the poorest of soils. Just don't expect purple flowers! Native to Missouri and Arkansas. Zone 5.

One of the finest variegated deciduous shrubs available. This plant, formerly known under the equally difficult-to-pronounce name Acanthopanax sieboldianus 'Variegatus' (and still sometimes sold under this older name), has made slight inroads into the southern gardening consciousness, but is worthy of more widespread consideration. Grows well under sunny or shady conditions, and tolerates drought. This is a shrub that can handle the worst of all garden sites—dry shade; as well as the more congenial ones. Zone 4.

• deciduous shrub to 6'–10'
• plant in sun to shade
• hardy

Although conventional widsom holds that heaths cannot be grown in the southern states, Michael Dirr describes the Erica ×darleyensis cultivars as a "credible starting point" for finding heaths that are adapted to our climate. Among the literally hundreds of cultivars of heaths in existence, only a few can handle our heat and humidity. Well, this is one of those few. 'Silberschmelze' (which translates into "molten silver") is a pure-white-flowered winter-blooming heath. Grows only 24" tall, forming a dense mound. Zone 6.

More compact than the commonly seen "burning bush" (Euonymus alatus 'Compactus'), 'Rudy Haag' is currently difficult to procure, but is likely to become a major landscape plant of the future. Even at 15 years-old, plants are only 4'–5' tall! Fall color ranges from pinkish-red to red. Possibly one of the finest deciduous shrubs that is useful over the long term in a foundation planting. Zone 4.

• hardy