Harnett County Center

CAUTION:The information and recommendations in this article are applicable to Harnett County, NC and may not apply in other areas.

NOTEWORTHY PLANTS FOR THE LANDSCAPE, 3/27/98

What do we look for in the ideal landscape plant? It should be adapted to our climate, easy to care for, and have few pest problems. And equally important, it should look good, preferably for more than one season.

But going to the nursery can be overwhelming, with so many options available. How do you know which ones fit the bill? Although books have been written on this topics, here are some ideas to get you started. Also keep in mind that many references are available, including free leaflets from my office, the world wide web, plant guides from stores that sell plants, and your local library.

PERENNIALS

One of my personal favorites is Helleborus, a.k.a. the Lenten Rose. This is an evergreen that grows to about 18 inches high. The wonderful thing about this plant is that it grows in full shade. The white flowers are attractive, although not striking. It can be used as a groundcover or in a shady border.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea) is another outstanding choice. This attractive plant produces lovely purple blooms almost all summer. It thrives during drought. It dies back in the winter, and comes back each spring. Plant in full sun.

Daylilies, a long-time favorite, are another excellent possibility. The wonderful thing about daylilies is that numerous varieties are available, including many that bloom all through the summer. They are also extremely hardy. After all, anything that can survive in a roadside ditch should thrive with even a small amount of care. Daylilies should be planted in full sun to light shade.

SHRUBS

The Butterfly Bush or Buddliea truly lives up to its name. The profuse flowers are certain to attract many of these lovely insects. Although not an evergreen, the flowering season is quite long. Available in pinks, purples, and whites, it should be planted in full sun.

In the evergreen category, I am a big holly fan. Most are familiar with Heleri and Compacta hollies. Similar to boxwoods, they are often used as foundation plants.

Also worthy of consideration are the dwarf Yaupon hollies, which have fewer pest problems than the previous two. The Weeping variety of Yaupon holly makes a striking specimen plant.

For a screen shrub, the Nellie R. Stevens holly is an excellent choice. It is relatively pest free compared to the overused red- tip photinia and leyland cypress.

SMALL TREES

I take every opportunity to promote the use of small ornamental trees. There are many beautiful choices, and they are well suited to being planted under power lines or close to a house.

As one example, a large variety of small magnolias are widely available. These include evergreens like the Little Gem and Sweetbay magnolias.

There are also deciduous magnolias, such as the Saucer and Star varieties. These put out striking flowers in the spring.

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