This attractive, fast-growing, medium sized (20'–50') tree was acquired by the JCRA in 1996 from seed collected in China by our friends at the University of Nebraska. Despite its huge native range (Nepal all the way east to central China), little is known about this maple in the United States. Although European books indicate that this species is evergreen and tender (Zone 9), it has been decidedly deciduous for us, even bearing blazing red fall color in 1998 (but never since) and has never suffered any cold damage in typical Zone 7 winters. smoothleaf maple bears attractive sage-green to lustrous, dark green leaves throughout the summer, these being glaucous white underneath. The bark is smooth and striated, making for a most attractive tree. Our two specimens have averaged 4' of growth per year. The plants offered here are raised from seed collected off of our specimens growing at the JCRA.

• deciduous tree to 20'–50'
• plant in sun to part shade
• hardy to zone 7

This excellent cultivar of the somewhat familiar "strawberry tree," a European evergreen member of the Ericaceae (heath family) native from southwest Ireland south to Portugal, and all the way eastward across the Mediterranean to Asia Minor. With a broad geographic range such as this, one would expect this plant to be quite adapted to a range of growing conditions, and to no great surprise, it has prospered here in Raleigh for decades. 'Compacta' represents a slower-growing cultivar of this species, with plants reaching 5' tall or less. Expect it to bear lovely, glossy, evergreen foliage; off-white urn-shaped flowers in late fall through winter, and bright red, strawberry-like fruits in late winter to spring. Hardy through Zone 7. Shade to sun.

• hardy

Can you say "cobalt blue?" Good! Then, you know the color of the flowers of this exciting member of the iris family (Iridaceae). Although considered to be a Zone 8 plant, or a tender perennial in colder areas, this evergreen, rhizomatous plant is a striking addition to any garden for its iris-like foliage and panicles, flat-faced flowers that resemble those of the blackberry lilies (Belamcanda chinensis). In all but the mildest parts of North Carolina, this plant will be reserved as a subject for use during the warm portion of the year. Yet, you are unlikely to lament this fact once your specimen comes into bloom. Do not confuse this plant with the Amsonias, also called blue-stars. We thank our friend John Fairey at Peckerwood Garden Foundation (Hempstead, TX) for allowing us to propagate these plants from mature clumps growing in the garden there. Shade to part sun.

• to 24"–30"
• plant in sun; protected spot

There are several variegated cultivars of boxwood that are known, but only one has achieved any degree of widespread prominence in the U.S. nursery industry—Buxus sempervirens ‘Elegantissima'. ‘Argenteovariegata' appears similar, with its white to off-white streaked leaves, but our specimen also displays a hint more of vigor than does ‘Elegantissima', which is known for its slow growth rate and sometimes for its less-than-robust garden vigor. Grow 'Argenteovariegata' in part shade to part sun conditions for best performance, avoiding areas with direct exposure to hot, afternoon sunlight. Fully cold hardy throughout North Carolina.

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This unusual boxwood species is rarely seen in U.S. gardens. Its hardiness, foliage quality, and resistance to insect pests have impressed us at the JCRA. This dark green, evergreen shrub is an attractive candidate for southern gardens with its foliage quality and tolerance of shady growing conditions. Add to this the unusually large-sized leaves, much larger than those of any other boxwood commonly seen in the South, and you have a highly textural shrub that can be used to add to a subtropical-like planting in your garden. Buxus wallichiana commemorates Nathaniel Wallich, 19th century Danish plant hunter, botanist, and physician who studied the flora of the Indian Himalayas. Hardy in Zone 7 at the JCRA for many years, although commonly cited as a Zone 9 species.

• evergreen perennial to 8'
• plant in sun to shade
• hardy
• deer resistant

This delightful new beautyberry came to us from our friend, Dr. Dave Creech at the Stephen F. Austin Mast Arboretum (Nacogdoches, TX). It was found amid the wilds of eastern Texas by plantsman Matt Welch. 'Welch's Pink' beautyberry, as the name suggests bears pink fruits, a color breakthrough in this genus of attractive, deciduous, fruit-bearing shrubs. Prior to the discovery of 'Welch's Pink', purple- and white-fruited beautyberries were known. Callicarpa americana grows best in conditions ranging from dry shade (in its southern U.S., coastal haunts) to bright, open, sunny locations in gardens. In 'Welch's Pink', the pink pigments will fade faster when plants are sited in full sun areas, but growth is more vigorous under these conditions. Grow this one as you choose and enjoy it for its late summer to early fall colorful berries.

• fruiting deciduous shrub to 3'–5'
• plant in sun to shade
• hardy to zone 6
• pink flowers in summer
• pink fruit in late summer and fall
• attracts birds and deer resistant
• JC Raulston Arboretum Introduction

Of the over 2,000 cultivars of Japanese camellia, the vast majority (>99.9%) have been selected only for floral attributes (e.g., flower color, form, size, time of bloom, etc.) and a precious few have been selected for variants in leaf characters. ‘Quercifolia' (translating to mean "oak-leaf") refers to one of the so-called "fish-tail" camellias, these bearing leaves that have lobes on the terminal portion of the leaves. In all other respects, ‘Quercifolia' is similar to other Japanese camellias—in its Zone 7 cold hardiness, winter bloom season, preference for partly shaded sites, etc. This is a rarely offered camellia, difficult to locate in nurseries throughout the southern United States, and one that adds a bit more textural interest to an otherwise familiar evergreen landscape shrub.

• evergreen shrub to 6'–9'
• plant in sun to part shade
• hardy to zone 7
• white flowers in winter

This medium-sized deciduous shade tree was first observed in the nation of Georgia, where it was commonly used as a street tree in the capital city of Tbilisi. Despite the relatively low rainfall (<25" per year) received there, these trees prospered in small planting holes, typical of most large cities throughout the world. Mature trees (20+ years-old) seen in Tbilisi measured 30'–35' tall by 20'–25' wide and bore attractive, dark green foliage, much darker than is normally seen on both of the common eastern U.S. native species, Celtis occidentalis and Celtis laevigata.

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Chamaecyparis obtusa, commonly called Hinoki falsecypress, is best known for its cultivars that bear "adult"-type foliage—the scale-like leaves of the cupressoid conifers. 'Ivan's Column', however, is one of a lesser known number of cultivars of Hinoki falsecypress that retains the "juvenile"-type foliage throughout the life of the plant. This juvenile foliage type looks prickly from a distance, but is actually quite soft. 'Ivan's Column', found as a branch sport on Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Blue Feather' in Canby, Oregon, in 1979, grows as a columnar, evergreen, small-sized tree. Our plant grew 4.5' tall by only 2.5' wide after seven years. Hardy throughout North Carolina and best grown in full sun.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Split Rock' is another one of the lesser-known Hinoki falsecypress cultivars. It was named for its unusually blue foliage, this color being contributed from the juvenile type foliage (which is always glaucous, or coated in "blue," waxy deposits). Although plants range in the degree or dominance of the juvenile (versus adult) foliage type, plants will show more of the blue color when they have a greater proportion of juvenile foliage. Our plant, originally received by us from Beverly Hills Nursery (Burnsville, North Carolina), measures nearly 5' tall after nine years, and is shrub-like in growth habit. This is a superb, underutilized compact conifer, and it looks completely unlike other Hinoki falseypcresses that are grown. Hardy throughout North Carolina, and best grown on full sun to part sun sites.

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Of all the twig dogwoods that we grow at the JCRA, 'Midwinter Fire' stands above all others for its consistent, striking, winter twig coloration, and for its overall vigor and plant health. Although the bloodtwig dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) cultivars are much less commonly known and grown than are the more familiar Cornus alba and Cornus stolonifera cultivars, this is only an artifact of the relatively recent introduction of bloodtwig dogwood to U.S. nurseries and gardens. 'Midwinter Fire' stands out at the JCRA for its consistent displays of yellow fall color (of the leaves) and vibrant orange to red tones of its twigs, these developing their color as the autumn foliage peaks, but the twigs remaining colored until spring. 'Midwinter Fire' has long been confused with the similar-appearing Cornus sanguinea 'Winter Beauty', but is distinguished from the latter by its slightly suckering growth habit. After 10 years, our plant has reached 7.5' tall, with two cutbacks over the last four years. It has prospered in our Winter Garden. Hardy throughout North Carolina, and best grown in part sun to full sun sites. Tolerant of moist to poorly drained soils.

• deciduous shrub to 8'
• plant in sun to part shade
• hardy
• white flowers in spring

Japanese cedar is best known from its several, popular, upright-growing cultivars, notably ‘Yoshino'. However, there are many, excellent, slow-growing to compact to dwarf cultivars that are worthy of more widespread culture in southern U.S. gardens. ‘Koshyi' is one of these. Our plant was originally obtained from the famous U.K. conifer specialist nursery, Kenwith Nursery, in 1995, as a specimen growing in a 1-quart pot. After five years, it was only 1' tall! This year, we decided to propagate it, as the original specimen was in danger of being shaded out, and before moving it, we wanted to have some "plant insurance" by having a few more plants as "backups." You are the beneficiaries of this largesse, should you elect to receive this wonderful dwarf conifer. ‘Koshyi' remains scarce in U.S. cultivation, and this is the first time that we have propagated and offered this plant through any of our distribution programs. Part shade to sun. Hardy throughout North Carolina.

• conifer to 6"–12"
• plant in sun to light shade
• hardy

Of the many cultivars of Japanese cedar, few of them bear variegated foliage, of which ‘Majiro' is one. Having watched our specimen of 'Majiro' grow slowly over the past 8 years into a small shrub-like plant (now mature at 4' tall), we are convinced that this plant deserves more show than it has thus far seen. To bear this out, a search for this plant reveals the JCRA as virtually the only source, a fact that we hope to shatter by offering it among this year's Connoisseur Plant listings. Originating in 1967 in British Columbia, Canada, 'Majiro' is probably the best compact variegated Cryptomeria available. With its bright green foliage, painted bright white at the tips, its small stature, and its dense, shrubby form, 'Majiro' remains an unsung hero of the dwarf conifer world. It is hardy throughout North Carolina. Site in part-sun to part-shade.

• conifer to 5-8'
• plant in sun to part shade
• hardy

As the only other species of Decumaria (Decumaria barbara, American wood-vamp is native to the southeastern U.S.), this plant is almost unheard-of in American gardens Attesting to the very close relationship between the Chinese flora and that of the southeastern U.S., D. sinensis is the sister species to our not-so-familiar native. Grow Chinese wood-vamp for its excellent foliage qualities, bearing lustrous, dark green leaves (evergreen in climates milder than that of Raleigh, N.C.). This vine, climbing by means of aerial rootlets (thus, its common name), can be used to cover walls or fences or to climb trees or arbors. In spring, it will put forth large inflorescences containing many small, off-white flowers, these borne densely in terminal heads. Unlike other climbing members of the hydrangea family, Decumaria sinensis does not produce the sterile flowers that give rise to lace-cap inflorescences, but it is still highly showy in bloom. Tolerant of shade to part-sun conditions. Hardiness is uncertain, but Zone 7 should be fine, based on this species' native range in China.

• to 15'
• plant in sun to shade

The deutzias have long been recognized for their garden-worthiness across Europe, where they are valued as mid- to late-spring flowering shrubs. In the southern U.S., however, they have lagged behind the Spiraea japonica cultivars, even though these two groups of plants are hardly comparable (aside from both being examples of deciduous, spring-flowering shrubs). 'Strawberry Fields' is one of the pink-flowering cultivars, but unlike other so-called "pink" deutzias, 'Strawberry Fields' actually retains the pink color, even in warm springs; whereas other cultivars are pink only in "English," cool-weather springs, and fade quickly to white (or nearly so) in the warm springs typical of the southeastern U.S. Although 'Strawberry Fields' appears strikingly similar to Deutzia xhybrida 'Magicien' from our observations, European references continue to maintain that this is a distinct cultivar. Time will tell, but at the least, we have an outstanding flowering shrub to offer for North Carolina gardens and landscapes. Grow in part-sun to part-shade. Hardy throughout North Carolina.

• to 5'–8'
• plant in sun to light shade
• hardy

The isu tree (Distylium racemosum) has long been grown, although extremely rarely, in the southern United States, but it has never achieved any degree of commonality as a garden plant. 'Guppy' is a dwarf, littleleaf cultivar, our plant reaching only 5.5' tall after seventeen years. Our specimen derives from Brookside Gardens (Wheaton, Maryland), from where we received it in 1988. While the normal form of this species can be a somewhat loose and open, ill-defined shrub/tree reaching 20' tall or more, 'Guppy' grows as a plant of very dense form and bears foliage that is attractively colored olive-green to sage-green. Even in the shade of our Lath House, 'Guppy' exhibits this dense form. The Distyliums (being evergreen members of the witchhazel family, or Hamamelidaceae) are regarded by most as USDA Zone 8 plants, but we believe that Zone 7 is a better fit. Grow 'Guppy' in shade to part-sun.

• evergreen shrub to 4'
• plant in sun to shade
• hardy to zone 7
• small burgundy flowers in early spring

This virtually unknown plant is an unusual woody member of the mint family (or Lamiaceae), this family mostly being comprised of herbaceous plants. The Elsholtzias (not to be confused with the similarly-spelled Eschscholzia—better known as California poppy) are low-growing, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrubs, bearing richly colored flowers in the autumn months. All species are natives of the Himalayas, extending into China. The clone of Staunton's mint-bush that we are offering here produces flowers colored a rich, magenta-purple, in October. These flowers are densely set in 3"–4" long upright spikes. As an exciting, and heretofore, unknown, element for the fall garden, we are excited to present this mint-bush for your gardening enjoyment. Best in part-sun. Hardy throughout North Carolina.

• hardy

Back in 2002, we were contacted by French nurseryman and plant collector, Louis Delacour. He was interested in procuring several plants from the JCRA's collections, and in exchange, he offered to share with us several plants that he was growing that we did not possess. One of those plants is this enkianthus, a species that was heretofore not known in cultivation in the United States. Plants that we are offering in this year's Connoisseur Plant catalog are grown from the seed sent to us by Louis Delacour. As such, we have noticed an appreciable degree of variability, particularly in seedling height and plant vigor. Should anyone's plant turn out to be unusually dwarf, we would appreciate any feedback to us in the future. Fall color, as one might expect for an enkianthus, was a striking mixture of reds and oranges across the seedlings this year, too. As excellent deciduous shrubs (close relatives of the deciduous azaleas) for partly shaded sites, the enkianthus are vastly undervalued for their dense form, small size, attractive flowers, and amazing fall foliar coloration. This Chinese enkianthus species, being a native of south-central China (where the summers are hot and humid as are ours) should be more at home in the North Carolina Piedmont or Coastal Plain than perhaps any other enkianthus in cultivation. It is most closely related to Enkianthus serrulatus. Part shade to part sun. Hardiness is uncertain for this species, but plants should be fully adapted throughout North Carolina.

• hardy

The fatshedera, a hybrid that occurred spontaneously in the garden of Lizé Frères in Nantes, France in 1910, is grown as an evergreen, somewhat rambling, shrub. This is because its two parents consist of English ivy (Hedera helix), a vining ground cover; and the evergreen shrub, Fatsia japonica. Until recently virtually no cultivars were known for fatshedera, but in recent years, a spate of new cultivars have become known. 'Angyo Star' bears beautiful white margined, star-shaped leaves, the white margins dusted with small green speckles. Introduced to the United States by South Carolina nurseryman Ted Stephens from nurseries in the Saitama City area of Japan (this area being akin to the old Angyo nursery district north of Tokyo), Ted decided to name this clone ‘Angyo Star' since no cultivar name had been given to the plant previously. We think that this plant may be the best of the variegated fatshederas (with >5 cultivars now known). These cutting-grown plants are quite vigorous (despite the variegation), growing 3'–4' in a single growing season. Grow 'Angyo Star' in shade to part-sun. Hardy with minimal to no damage in Zone 7.

• scandent evergreen shrub to 3'–4'
• plant in shade to part sun
• hardy to zone 7
• white flowers in fall

This single-flowered hardy gardenia was selected and named by Mark Griffith, Griffith Propagation (Watkinsville, Georgia). It is one of several, recently named gardenias that have broadened our perceptions on the cultural limits of this familiar Southern garden plant. 'Grif's Select' (also sometimes called 'Griffith's Select') forms a densely compact evergreen shrub and bears many, single, white, daisy-like, gardenia flowers, these followed on in the summer through autumn months by the orange-red, hip-like fruits. 'Grif's Select' is listed as being reliably hardy through Zone 7a, but this has not been extensively tested, yet. Our plant, now growing happily in bed C10, measured 16" tall by 19" wide after two years in the ground. We thank Mark Griffith for donating the mother plant, and we are happy to make it become better known through distribution in this program. Sun to part-shade. Hardy, likely, through Zone 7. Some references still list this as a cultivar of Gardenia jasminoides, a now-synonymous, albeit more familiar, scientific name.

• to 2'–4'
• plant in sun to part shade
• hardy

Pastuchov's ivy, a species ivy native from Transcaucasia to Turkey and Iran, is poorly known in cultivation. In 2001, it was collected in the nation of Georgia as part of the 2001 Boxwood Expedition to Georgia. In Georgia, Hedera pastuchowii occurs in forests, often alongside the more familiar Hedera helix (English ivy), to which it is similar in appearance. Our botanist guides in Georgia stated that H. pastuchowii possibly represents a species derived from hybridization long ago between Hedera helix and Hedera colchica (also native in Georgia). Pastuchov's ivy's leaves are larger than English ivy but smaller than those of Hedera colchica. It is also more cold hardy than Hedera colchica. This vining, juvenile form of Pastuchov's ivy is derived from cuttings collected in the Saguramo Mountains near the town of Choporta, Georgia. Site in shade. Hardy through Zone 7 and likely into Zone 6.

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For years, we have grown a variegated rose-of-Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus 'Purpureus Variegatus', a plant that bears lovely foliage but that produces flowers that do not open. 'Meehanii' is a similar-appearing, variegated cultivar, but one that develops flowers that actually open fully at maturity—these being purple-pink in color, with a red eye. To those who have shunned variegated rose-of-Sharon's before because of the peculiar floral behavior of 'Purpureus Variegatus', you now have no reason to pass over this plant. We thank our friend Sam Allen of Tarheel Native Trees (Clayton, North Carolina), for restocking us with this cultivar, his plants being derived from the Arboretum before we lost our original plant many years ago. Part- to full sun is best. Hardy throughout North Carolina.

• flowering shrub to 6-10'
• plant in sun to part shade
• hardy to zone 5 hardy
• lavender flowers in summer
• butterfly/pollinator friendly

Hydrangea heteromalla is a poorly known species hydrangea in eastern U.S. gardens, although it is quite familiar to European, especially British, gardeners and is occasionally seen in gardens of the U.S. Pacific Northwest. It is most readily distinguished by its vigor and large size, as it is not unfamiliar for one to walk underneath a mature specimen of this species in an English or Scottish garden. Plants offered in this year's Connoisseur Plants program are derived from seed given to us by Plant Delights Nursery (Raleigh, North Carolina). With a huge range spanning the Himalayas and China and dipping southward into Myanmar and Vietnam, there certainly is some aspect of this species' native range that can be exploited to find germplasm of this species that would be suitable for the southeastern U.S. climate. Inforescences on this tree-proportioned hydrangea are a mixture of white-only, sterile and fertile flowers, but these not being set in a typical lace-cap formation, but rather evenly spaced throughout the inflorescence. The effect achieved is unique among hydrangeas. Hardiness is uncertain, but Zone 7 should be assured. Part-shade to part-sun is probably best.

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Three years ago, JCRA research technician, Jon Roethling, acquired plants of this southeastern U.S. native St. Johnswort from Tony Avent, Plant Delights Nursery (Raleigh, North Carolina). Since then, Jon has continually been impressed by the plant's toughness, apparent cold hardiness, form, and flowering characteristics, based on observations made in Greensboro, North Carolina. With heath-like, glossy, dark green, evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage, all set on a 6" tall frame (at three years of age, too!), the mother plant is a powerhouse of flower production, bearing multitudes of less-than dime-sized, golden-yellow flowers in summer. In fact, he was so impressed by this plant that cuttings were acquired for the JCRA, and the "extra" resulting plants are being made available to you via this program. The identity is still tentative, as plants were not able to be verified for correct identification last year while in bloom. True Hypericum fasciculatum bears heath-like foliage and small flowers, and in Florida is considered a wetland indicator species for certain habitat types. Cold hardy, likely through Zone 7. Full to part-sun.

These cutting-grown plants are derived from a collection made in the sandhills of Scotland County, North Carolina by Jon Roethling, JCRA Research Technician. While driving to South Carolina, a roadside stop revealed this attractive St. Johnswort growing on the upper side of a ditch embankment. Furthermore, this species was fully evergreen in mid-February 2004. Although originally, tentatively identified as Hypericum aff. cistifolium by foliage, upon flowering, plants were keyed to Hypericum galioides. However, this clone is unlike other forms of Hypericum galioides that are grown. Bearing attractive, evergreen foliage, this clone has leaves that are much smaller in size (1" or less long by 1/8" wide)—creating an airy, ultra-fine texture. Add to this attractive, mahogany-brown, smooth bark, and you have what we feel is a really exciting addition to the world of southeastern U.S. Hypericums, a group of plants that is vastly underutilized in modern landscapes and gardens. Hardy throughout North Carolina. Grows best in full sun to part sun.

• hardy