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| Bottlebrush Buckeye |
Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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Though rarely found in the wild, Bottlebrush Buckeye is a large suckering shrub native to moist woodlands of the southeastern coastal plain. In cultivation, given average to moist soil and full sun to part shade, Bottlebrush Buckeye forms a handsome dense suckering shrub colony 10 feet by 10 feet. Typical buckeye leaves are topped in early to mid summer with masses of creamy white flower spikes, each one10 inches long and 4 inches wide. The flower display is outstanding and fall color is often a good yellow. Give this shrub plenty of room as a specimen planting or locate it at a moist wood's edge. When grown in more shade, its aspect will be more open and wispy, and flowering will be quite subtle, but still the effect is beautiful. Cat# 1005 -more info-
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Available: Currently
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| $15.00 each
in quart pots
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| Blue Star, Threadleaf |
Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Threadleaf Blue Star has very narrow needle-like leaves 3 to 4 inches long and only a matchstick in width giving a fine and brushy look. The plants grow 3 to 4 feet tall, the flowers are a medium dark steel blue in late spring. It prefers a dryish site. Fall color is a good deep gold before the plants die back for the winter. Blue Stars are very attractive and dependable plants. Plus, they are deerproof. Cat# 1006 -more info-
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Available: Currently
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Blue Star, Dwarf |
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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Dwarf Blue Star is a beautiful plant for spring flowers, summer foliage, and fall color. Its dense terminal clusters of pale, steel blue, star-shaped flowers appear in late spring and resemble very fine garden phlox heads. Grown in full sun, Dwarf Blue Star forms a full clump to 2 feet in height but when grown in the shade, plants are taller and less dense. Summer foliage is willowy and medium green, and fall color is a good rich gold. Give this perennial average to good soil. It is long-lived, trouble-free, and should be used more often. Good companions include Columbine, Alumroot, Beardtongue, Firepink, Green and Gold, Wood Asters, Indigos, and Glade Savory. Cat# 1008 -more info-
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Available: Currently
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Stiff Blue Star |
Zones: 6, 7, 8, 9
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Stiff Blue Star is a rare plant in moist open woods of the lower south. It grows to about 2 feet tall by 3 feet wide and has closely spaced lance shaped leaves giving a compact appearance. Late spring, soft blue-gray flowers, average to moist soil, and more sun than shade. Easy, simple. Cat# 1400 -more info-
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Available: 2009 or later
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Blue Star, Dogbane, Willow Amsonia |
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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Blue Star is a beautiful plant for spring flowers, summer foliage, and fall color. Its dense terminal clusters of pale, steel blue, star-shaped flowers appear in late spring and resemble very fine garden phlox heads. Grown in sun, Blue Star forms a full clump 3 or more feet in height but when grown in the shade, plants are taller and less dense. Summer foliage is willowy and medium green, and fall color is a good rich gold. Give this perennial average to good soil. Blue Star is effective as a background plant. It is long-lived, trouble-free, and should be used more often. Good companions for part shade are Columbine, Beard-tongue, and Alumroot. Cat# 1007 -more info-
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Available: Currently
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Blue Ice' |
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| Blue Star, Blue Ice |
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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'Blue Ice' is a shorter and more compact form of Blue Star. Growing just 12 to 15 inches tall, it has darker blue buds and flowers which start later and last longer. It has a dense growth form and very nice yellow fall color. And like the others, it does best in full sun or light shade and average soil. Long lived, easy, and pretty, this one would be the perfect choice where short and bushy is what you need. Cat# 1325 -more info-
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Available: 2009 or later
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Big Bluestem, Turkeyfoot |
Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Big Bluestem is a beauty from the prairies that once was the major component of our Midwestern landscape. It grows 3 to 8 feet tall and has deep green and blue leaves that turn partially fiery red with cold weather. Flowering begins in mid summer and is followed by narrow elongated seed heads resembling the feet of turkeys, hence its common name. Big Bluestem, like our other native grasses is tolerant of a wide range of soil and moisture conditions but does best in full sun and average soil. Use it in masses and with other tall plants. Try situating it where it's backlit by the evening sun. Cat# 1009 -more info-
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Available: Sept 2008
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Antennaria plantaginifolia |
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| Pussytoes |
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Pussytoes is widely occurring throughout the eastern United States on open, dry, wooded slopes where it forms scattered mats of dark green or silver, 2 to 3 inch long, spoon shaped leaves. In spring, silvery-white, pussy toe shaped clusters of fuzzy flower heads appear on stalks up to 8 inches tall. This little plant is useful as an evergreen groundcover in shady dry places (maybe a wood's edge) where is can form beautiful silvery mats which spread by white runners. New growth tends to be white and changes to dark green over time. Give it some shade, dry, well drained (poor) soil, and NO mulch. Alumroot, Firepink, and Columbine would be natural companions. Cat# 1401 -more info-
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Available: Sept 2008
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Pussytoes |
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Pussytoes is widely occurring throughout the eastern United States on open, dry, wooded slopes where it forms scattered mats of dark green or silver, 2 to 3 inch long, spoon shaped leaves. In spring, solitary, silvery white, pussy toe shaped fower heads appear on stalks 4 to 5 inches tall. This little plant is useful as a groundcover in shady dry places where is can form beautiful silvery mats which spread by white runners. New growth tends to be white and changes to dark green over time. Give it some shade, dry well drained (poor) soil, and NO mulch. Alumroot, Firepink, and Columbine would be natural companions. Cat# 1225 -more info-
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Available: 2009 or later
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Pussytoes, Shale Barrens |
Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7
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The Shale Barrens Pussytoes is restricted to dry, shaly barrens of the mountains of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Delaware where it roots into rock crevices and forms thick mats of small silver leaves. Spreading slowly by runners, over time it will form beautiful silvery mats in dry, partly shady, poor soil. In spring, silvery white, pussy toe shaped clusters of fuzzy flowers appear on stalks up to 15 inches tall. Alumroot, Firepink, and Columbine would be natural companions. Cat# 1267 -more info-
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Available: Currently
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Chokeberry |
Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Chokeberry, a member of the Rose family, is a lovely and useful small tree or suckering shrub for wet or dry places in sun or light shade. In late spring, it has fragrant, 1/2 inch white flowers resembling wild roses. Summer foliage is a lustrous dark green and is followed by spectacular fall color ranging from fluorescent crimson to deep reddish purple. The colorful leaves hold on well into the winter. But Chokeberry is also endowed with bright red berries that may be so plentiful as to weight down the branches. These, too, are long-lasting and persist through the winter as they are apparently distasteful to birds. Chokeberry is a very easy to grow shrub/tree with 3-plus seasons of interest. It looks especially outstanding when massed. Cat# 1017 -more info-
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Available: Sept 2008
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| $10.00 each
in quart pots
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| Blue Wood Aster |
Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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Common in the woods of the southeastern mountains and surrounding areas, Blue Wood Aster is a lovely fall blooming aster for shade or sun. Like the White Wood Aster, it can help bring fall color to the wood's edge with its many branched inflorescences of 3/4 inch pale lavender-blue and yellow flower heads. Give it good soil and let it naturalize with Indian Pink, Alumroot, native Azaleas, and Green and Gold. In shade, it will sprawl somewhat to 3 feet in length, and in sun it will be fairly stiffly upright and up to 3 feet tall. In our sunny fall garden, it forms clouds of soft blue flowers intermediate in height between the bright yellow Tall Narrow Leaved Sunflower and the short deeper blue Wild Ageratum. It's a beautiful combination. Cat# 1022 -more info-
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Available: Sept 2008
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| White Wood Aster |
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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White Wood Aster is fairly common throughout the woods of the eastern United States, where it forms very loose sprawling clumps. It is, however, an excellent choice for the difficult shady corner or border for late summer and fall flowers. Fragrant, starry, white-fading-to-pink, one inch flowers are borne very prolifically along black, wiry, drooping stems to 3 feet in length. These flowers look terrific growing and poking through other plants. Or let the stems cascade over a shady wall. Cat# 1023 -more info-
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Available: Sept 2008
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Smooth Aster |
Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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Smooth Aster is a favorite of ours because of its soft blue flowers and attractive glaucous, blue-green foliage. It forms stiffly arching stems to 4 feet tall that are covered with loose open heads of 1 inch, violet-blue-with-yellow flowers from late summer into fall. The foliage is smooth, low clumping, and is very disease resistant. This is a very easy aster for average soil in full sun. It would be a knock-out with Boltonia, Little Bluestem, Seashore Mallow, and Hairy Sunflower. Cat# 1024 -more info-
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Available: Currently
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Bristly Aster |
Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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This tough little Aster is often found in open sandy woods and rocky stream beds where it withstands seasonal flooding and drought. Its natural range is from southern Ontario and New Brunswick to Texas and Florida. It would be a good candidate for dry, exposed places with good drainage. It forms stiff, rounded clumps 9 to 18 inches tall topped by clusters of one inch, blue to violet aster flowers with yellow centers in the fall. The dark green shiny leaves look like Yew leaves. Bristly Aster never fails to attract attention because it looks like a flowering Yew. We recommend pinching Bristly Aster in early June to keep it extra bushy. Just shear the top half off like a clump of grass. Cat# 1026 -more info-
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Available: Currently
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Aromatic Aster |
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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Aromatic Aster is stiff, and bushy (up to 4 feet) with light violet flower rays. Pale green leaves when crushed have a spicy smell. Grows naturally in dry, open areas with somewhat alkaline soil but would be suitable for a dry spot in the middle of the garden border, in a natural setting, or you could use it as a flowering hedge. Flowering persists from early fall until hard frosts. This one is an absolute knock-out in flower. Try it where it could drape over a wall or bank. Reduce its height by half in early summer and it will be even denser and shorter. One of our all-time favorites. Cat# 1029 -more info-
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Available: Currently
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Aster paludosus ssp. hemisphericus |
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| Tennessee Aster |
Zones: 6, 7, 8
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Found in open woods, savannas, and sandhills of the southeast, this aster is a good one for full sun or light shade in dryish well-drained soil. Forming a 3 foot rounded clump, Tennessee Aster has shiny dark green narrow leaves and is covered with bright lavender-blue, 1 1/2 inch flower heads in late summer and early fall. The ornamental aspect of the leaves and the tighter clumping habit of this aster (especially if pruned once in early summer) make it useful in close quarters. Cat# 1322 -more info-
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Available: Currently
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Late Purple Aster |
Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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The early fall flowers of the Late Purple Aster are loosely clustered and large - 1 1/2 inch or so and a bright violet blue with yellow centers on semi-woody stems 1 to 3 feet tall. This prolific Aster withstands drought and takes full sun or partial shade. The aspect of this Aster is rather delicate. That of the Aromatic Aster is shrubbier and denser, while New England Aster is intermediate. Try Late Purple Aster and Aromatic Aster with Goldenrods, grasses, and Gray Conradina. Cat# 1030 -more info-
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Available: Currently
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Hardy Begonia |
Zones: 6, 7, 8, 9
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The Hardy Begonia looks like a 2 foot tall Angel Wing Begonia and has showy pink clusters of flowers in late summer and fall. Grow in good soil in shade. It spreads rapidly when happy by bulblets that fall off the stems. While the Hardy Begonia is fully hardy here in Zone 6B, it may need some protection from cold in the north. Cat# 1036 -more info-
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Available: Currently
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Bignonia capreolata var. atrosanguinea |
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| Red Cross Vine |
Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Cross Vine is a woody vine that grows to 50 feet or so with compound, semi-evergreen leaves and very showy summer flowers. It is common throughout the east. It winds its way up trees and telephone poles, and over rocks, and holds on by twining and by tendrils that can dig into tree bark. The typical wild type has clusters of 2 inch, red, tubular flowers with widely flaring lobes or lips that are yellow inside. They are very showy and fragrant and hummingbirds love them. This form has entirely reddish maroon flowers - no yellow. Leaves turn reddish purple in the fall. In the south, they are evergreen, otherwise they will loose some leaves when it gets very cold. Grow in full sun and average to moist soil. Plants do not generally get overbearing so a super strength support is not necessary. Flowering is on old wood, thus any pruning is best done shortly after flowering. Cat# 1436 -more info-
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Available: 2009 or later
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| $10.00 each
in quart pots
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| Boltonia asteroides 'Pink Beauty' |
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| Pink Boltonia |
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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The Boltonias are great plants for adding color to the fall garden. Related to Asters, they cover themselves with 3/4 inch aster-like flowers so thickly, you can hardly see into the plant. 'Pink Beauty' has soft pink flower heads on plants that grow up to 4 feet tall in ordinary to dry soil. It is very easy in full sun but will grow in light shade. Staking may be necessary in shade. Imagine this with Ironweed, Joe Pye Weed, and Blue Love Grass. Cat# 1038 -more info-
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Available: Sept 2008
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Boltonia asteroides 'Snowbank' |
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| White Boltonia |
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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The Boltonias are great plants for adding color to the fall garden. Related to Asters, they cover themselves with 3/4 inch aster-like flowers so thickly, you can hardly see into the plant. 'Snowbank' is perhaps the most widely grown kind. It is an improved form of the normally white flowering species, having more and larger flowers. 'Snowbank' has blue-green foliage, oblong 5 inch leaves, and strong erect stems growing to 4 feet that seldom need staking. It likes average to moist soil and full sun. 'Snowbank' makes a bold addition to the fall garden, and clumps enlarge quickly in good conditions. Cat# 1039 -more info-
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Available: Currently
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Sideoats Grama |
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Sideoats Grama forms neat 2 foot tufts of grass that gradually spread by means of underground rhizomes. The mid-summer flowers are truly beautiful-small spots of bright purple and orange, one-sided along stiff stems. Native to central and southern states, Sideoats Grama likes dry sunny places and would look great with Asters, Coneflowers, Baptisias, Achillea, Butterfly Weed, Sunflowers, and Sumac. Clumps turn an attractive beige for the winter. Cat# 1040 -more info-
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Available: Currently
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| $5.00 each
in 3.5 inch pots
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| Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' |
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| Feather Reed Grass |
Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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The Perennial Plant Association's pick of the year for 2001, 'Karl Foerster', is a very upright clump forming grass that is easy to grow in full sun and average soil. Growing 4 to 5 feet tall, it is a cool season grass so it greens up in early spring and by mid-summer, has whitish flower heads that mature to warm gold later on. Use this one where you want a strong vertical shape as a backdrop or an accent. 'Karl Foerster' may bend and sway in wind and rain but will always find its way back upright. Cat# 1255 -more info-
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Available: Currently
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| Callicarpa americana |
 New this Year!
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| American Beautyberry |
Zones: 7, 8, 9
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Naturally occurring in moist woodlands throughout the southeast, Beautyberry is a large, open shrub with a habit similar to Forsythia. But in early fall the non-showy white flowers have matured into eye-popping clusters of brilliant lavendar purple fruits. Branches look like there are 2 inch wads of grape bubblegum at every node. It is very showy. For best effect, grow Beautyberry in moist soil in full sun or light shade, and late each winter, cut them down to 6 to 10 inches or so. This will result in shorter, denser 4 foot stems with good flowering and fruiting for the fall. Butterflies visit the mid-summer flowers and birds will eventually eat the fruits in late winter. Cat# 1480 -more info-
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Photo courtesy of Missouri Botanical PlantFinder
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Available: Sept 2008
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| $10.00 each
in quart pots
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