In the mood for some unique and durable plants to grace your landscape?
Look no further - you've found them!

Our picks of excellent plants for Johnston County.

Consider these often overlooked species for a welcome addition to your outdoor living spaces.  We selected these plants based on appearance, resistance to pests and diseases, and ability to thrive in our soils and climate.  As always, it is important to place these plants in their favored conditions as this will ensure happy, healthy plants with minimal pest and disease problems that will need just basic care for them to thrive.

Check back to this list regularly.  We add a new plant to our list every month.  

Remember that the ideal deciduous planting time is December - March.  You can plant them throughout the year however, just be mindful that they get sufficient water until they get established.  The ideal evergreen planting time is Early Spring (early March).

Excellent shade tree.  Good street tree - does well in urban settings.  Tolerates Dutch Elm Disease.

Native.  Reddish brown, fibrous bark.  Cypress knees produced when grown in or near water.  Large taproot. Seeds eaten by birds.

  

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RED MAPLES
Acer rubrum 'October Glory'
Acer rubrum 'Red Sunset'

   

'October Glory' and 'Red Sunset' have proven to be the best cultivars of Red Maple for the South.   Native to North America.  Used for screening, shade, bonsai and as street trees.  Moderate drought tolerance. 

Light: Sun to partial shade Soil:  Tolerates clay, loam, sand & acidic soils and soils Habit: Deciduous Texture: Medium Leaf: High gloss, green, star-shaped leaves which turn to a showy orange-red in the Fall.

Size: 45-50' tall x 25-40' wide Form: Pyramidal or oval silhouette. Branches droop. Growth Rate: Fast Flower/Fruit: Showy, red flower forms red, winged seeds called samaras. (those 'helicopters' that come spinning down during a gust a wind) Special Interest: Unusual form, persistent samaras, showy winter trunk.  Samaras are attractive to squirrels/birds and are not a litter problem.

 

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WEEPING YAUPON HOLLY 'PENDULA'
Ilex vomitoria 'Pendula'

   

Makes a very distinct, irregular, weeping form.  Produces red berries that are attractive to wildlife.  A favorite of birds.  Native to North America.  Young stems have a downy, purplish tint.  Withstands heavy and frequent pruning.  Used as a screening plant, in parking islands, as a specimen tree and as bonsai.

Light: Sun to partial shade Soil: Does well in wet or dry conditions, sand or clay soil Habit: Evergreen Texture: Medium Leaf: Alternate, simple leaves which remain green all year round Tolerance: Drought and salt tolerant

Size: 20-25' tall x 10' wide Form: Upright weeping habit, picturesque Growth Rate: Moderate Fruit: Small, scarlet berries; usually persist to spring Special Interest: Translucent, red berries that persist throughout the winter.

  

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WITCH HAZEL
Hamamelis virginiana

Native; most cold hardy of all witch hazels.  Roots are sensitive to disturbance.

Light: Sun to partial shade Moisture: Prefers moist conditions but can survive dry conditions although growth is stunted. Soil: Moist, well-drained soil. Habit: Deciduous Texture: Medium Leaf: 3-6" dark green glossy leaves

Size: 15-30' tall x 15-25' wide Form: A small tree or shrub with open, arching branches, usually growing in dense multi-stemmed clumps Growth Rate: Slow to moderate Native: Yes Flower: Fragrant.  Creamy to bright yellow color, with inch long petals that look like yarn. Appears Sept.- Nov. Special Interest: Leaves turn bright golden yellow fall color

   

Read Witch Hazels Delight by Master Gardener Kelley Schroedl

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CHASTETREE
Vitex agnus-castus

            

Can be grown as a shrub.  Good in mass plantings.  Extremely drought tolerant.  Can be pruned to 1' from the ground each spring and grown as an herbaceous perennial with flowers blooming on new growth.  No serious pest or disease problems. Transplant with care.  Roots are few and coarse and should not be exposed to sun and wind when being transplanted.

Light: Full sun Moisture: Moist to dry conditions. Drought tolerant: Yes Soil: Plant in well-drained, loamy soil - although tolerant of many soil types. Habit: Deciduous Texture: Medium Leaf: Aromatic foliage has a sage scent

Size: 10-15' tall x 10-15' wide Form: Rounded, open, shrubby. spreading. Growth Rate: Moderate Flower: Pink, white or lavender. spectacular when it blossoms in summer. Special Interest: For those of you who drive on Hwy 70 in Clayton - keep a look out for these when they bloom this summer.  They are in the median of the road and have gorgeous, lavender flowers!  Hard to miss.

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BLACK TUPELO
(also known as Black Gum or Sour Gum)
Nyssa sylvatica

This is one of our most beautiful native trees. In autumn, leaf color changes to yellow, to orange, to scarlet and then to purple. The attractive blue fruits are irresistible to birds.

Light: Full sun to part shade Moisture: Prefers moist conditions but can survive dry conditions although growth is stunted. Drought Tolerant: Yes Soil: Tolerates clay Habit: Deciduous

Size: 40-60' tall, 20-30' wide Form: Tall, narrow, open Growth Rate: Moderate Native: Yes Special Interest: NO GUMBALLS,  Transplanting of container grown Black Tupelo has proven highly successful

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SCREENING PLANTS

Trees

FRINGE TREE
(also known as Old Man's Beard)

Chionanthus virginicus

   

Considered by many to be the most spectacular of all our native spring blooming trees. Large, fragrant white panicles are the stars of the May garden.

Light: Full sun to part shade Moisture: Prefers moist site but is adaptable Drought Tolerant: Will need supplemental water during severe drought Soil: Moist, fertile, slightly acid Habit: Deciduous Flower: May - June. Fragrant, white, droop in clusters.  Slender, delicate petals.

Fruits: September - October. Purple, ball shaped.  Size: 12-20' tall, 12-20' wide Form: Open, spreading Growth Rate: Slow to moderate Native: Yes Special Interest: May be grown as a shrub or tree form

'GREEN GIANT' ARBORVITAE (Western Red Cedar)
Thuja plicata 'Green Giant'

    

Thuja 'Green Giant' makes an excellent screen, grouping or hedge.  It is a durable, fast growing conifer.  Easily maintained in smaller sizes and as hedging material with the flick of a pruning cut.  A recommended alternative to Leyland Cypress.  Once established it is an ironclad landscape element.  

Handles drought without supplemental water and will still grow vigorously, maintain excellent green color and exhibit no dieback, insect or disease problems.  It has strong wood, casts dense shade, has cinnamon red bark when young and is long lived.   

Light: Sun to partial shade Moisture: Adaptable Drought Tolerant: Yes Soil: Adaptable, sandy loams to heavy clay Habit: Evergreen Texture: Fine

Size: 30-50' tall, 10-15' wide Form: Broadly pyramidal Growth Rate: Moderate to fast Leaf: Lustrous, rich green graceful foliage with white marks underneath; keeps foliage color in winter Fruit:  1/2 inch cones Special Interest: Deer and bagworm resistant, (Please understand that resistant does not mean immune.)

Image and Fact Sheet: http://www.usna.usda.gov/Newintro/grgiant.pdf

'BLUE ICE' ARIZONA CYPRESS
Cuppressus arizonica var. glabra 'Blue Ice'

Striking almost metallic blue color is a real standout in the landscape.

Light: Full sun Moisture: Prefers a dry site Drought Tolerant: Yes Soil: Must be well-drained Habit: Evergreen

Size: 40-50' tall, 25-30' wide Form: Pyramidal Growth Rate: Moderate Native: South and central Arizona Special Interest: Blue color holds year around. Works as a specimen tree or tall screen\windbreak

'CAROLINA SENTINEL' HOLLY
Ilex x 'Carolina Sentinel'

A 1997 J.C. Raulston arboretum top 10 selection.

Light: Sun to part shade Moisture: Prefers moist site, will not tolerate standing water Drought Tolerant: Yes, once established Soil: Well-drained, adaptable to a variety of conditions Habit: Evergreen

Size: 20-25' tall, narrow width - probably 5' or wider Form: Upright Growth Rate: Moderate Special Interest: Small leaves and denser than 'Nellie Stevens'. Showy red berries. Attracts birds.

WINDMILL PALM
Trachycarpus fortunei

Handsome and hardy.  Gives that tropical appearance without requiring tropical conditions.

Light: Shade to part part shade Moisture: Moist Drought Tolerant: Above average once established Soil: Tolerant of many soil types but prefers a fertile, loamy soil Habit: Evergreen

Size: 10-20' tall, 6-10' wide Form: Single-trunked, open Growth Rate: Slow Special Interest: Does well indoors or outside. Makes a fine container plant. Wants some protection from the wind.

Fact sheet on palms: http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1019.htm

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Shrubs

'COPPER CROWN' JAPANESE CLEYERA
Ternstoemia gymnanthera 'Copper Crown'

FOR IMAGE SEE LINK BELOW

Showy copper leaf color that holds well year around. Good replacement for redtips.

Light: Shade Moisture: Prefers moist site Drought tolerant: Yes Soil: Adaptable but intolerant of wet, poorly drained soils Habit: Evergreen

Size: 10-20' tall, 10'+ wide Form: Rounded Growth Rate: Slow Special Interest: Withstands heavy pruning. Can be maintained at 4ft. indefinitely. Makes an excellent hedge.

Fact Sheet: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/subjects/mastergardener/ebr/mgshcle.htm
Image-This introduction is so new there are no images available. This photo will give you a good idea of the shape and texture of the plant but
does not illustrate the fine coloring of 'Copper Crown' http://www.gardenweek.org/journal/011000/Images-3/f.jpg

'GULFTIDE' OSMANTHUS
Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Gulftide'

Fragrant while flowers in the fall. Spiny, shiny, holly looking leaves. Durable.

Light: Adaptable from sun to medium shade Moisture: Prefers moist site but is adaptable Drought Tolerant: Yes Soil: Adaptable to sand, clay, and loam but doesn't tolerate standing water Habit: Evergreen

Size: 8-10' tall, 10-18' wide Form: Vase shaped Growth Rate: Medium Special Interest: Withstands pruning and can be held at 6 ft. This is a wonderful plant for those of you who want a formal looking hedge.

Fact Sheet: http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/OSMHETA.PDF
Image-No image of 'Gulftide' but this picture is very similar to what it looks like.

'MT. FUJI' SPIREA
Spiraea thunbergii 'Mt. Fuji'

White blossoms smother shrub in spring. Leaves have white marbled variegation. Wispy, yellowish green foliage shows well in front of a dark green background.

Light: Sun to part shade Moisture: Doesn't like constantly moist soil Drought Tolerant: Needs supplemental water Soil: Adaptable to clay and sand Habit: Deciduous

Size: 5' tall and wide Form: Loose, mounding Growth Rate: Fast Special Interest: Flowers on old wood-so, prune after flowering. May turn yellow-orange in autumn. Deer resistant. Very easy to grow.

Fact Sheet about species: http://www.uark.edu/campus-resources/cotinus/plants3_html/spirthun.html

'ZHUZHOU FUCHSIA' LOROPETALUM
Loropetalum chinensis var. rubrum 'Zhuzhou Fuchsia'

Pretty, pretty, pretty! Dark purple foliage and fringe-like fuchsia flowers. More upright than most Lorepetalums.

Light: Sun to light shade Moisture: Prefers well-drained moist soil but adapts to drier conditions Drought Tolerant: Yes Soil: Adaptable to variety of well-drained soils Habit: Evergreen or in this case, ever purple

Size: 10' tall, 8' wide Form: Irregular, wide Growth Rate: Moderate to fast Special Interest: Biggest flush of flowers in the spring but often has a light second bloom in fall. Holds color well in summer but expect some greening. Makes a nice specimen plant or informal hedge

Fact sheet: http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/loro_chi.cfm

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FRUIT AND NUTS

Enjoy a bounty of fruits and nuts

Apple, Pear, Fig, Peach, Blueberry, Blackberry, Pecan, and Muscadine plants that perform well in Johnston County are listed here.  For those that are interested, we hold an annual tree fruit and nut sale each fall and sell these varieties.  Please click on 'Tips and Considerations' to find out how to get started growing fruit and nut trees. 

Apples __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Varieties	Ripens	Fruit	Fruit Characteristics	Comments
Yellow Delicious	Mid September	Med-Large	Greenish yellow skin.  Yellow, firm flesh.	Good fresh or in cooking.  Excellent pollinator.
Red Delicious	Early September	Medium	Striped to solid red skin.  Yellow, firm flesh.	Better for fresh use than cooking.
Arkansas Black	October - November	Medium	Dark, almost black red skin.  Flesh is crisp, firm and tart.	Heirloom variety good for fresh eating.
Yellow Horse	July - August	Medium	Yellow skin with tart flesh.	Heirloom variety good for fresh use.
Stayman	Mid September	Large	Red skin color with some yellow.  Tart and spicy.	Good producer.  Good fresh or in cooking.

Apples perform best on rich soils with good drainage and require full sun.  Optimum soil pH is 6.0  You will need more than one apple variety to ensure adequate cross pollination.  For our area, Yellow Delicious is an excellent pollinator.  Tress should be spaced 25 feet apart.  Although our warm, Johnston County nights might prevent red apples from developing an intense red color, the flavor of these apples will be just as delicious as those grown anywhere else.

Pecans  ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Varieties	Bearing Age	Nuts/lb.	Fruit Characteristics	Comments
Pawnee	6 - 7 years	65	Type I variety.  Nuts are 55% kernel.	USDA variety.  Large, good quality nuts.  Moderate scab resistance.
Stuart	8 - 10 years	48	Type II variety.  Nuts are 48% kernel.	Popular in NC.  High, consistent yields of mature trees.  Moderate scab resistance.
Sumner	5 - 6 years	55	Type II variety.  Nuts are 52% kernel.	Consistent cropper with medium size, high quality nuts.  High scab resistance.

 

Pecans are native to the Mississippi River basin and prefer deep, rich, well-drained soils. Nut production requires cross-pollination between a Type I and Type II variety.  Trees in a mature orchard should be at least 50' apart.  Scab is a common disease caused by a fungus that attacks the leaves and the shuck.  Manage the disease by choosing scab-resistant varieties, such as the ones listed above.

Blackberries _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Varieties	Type	Season	Remarks
Hull Thornless	Semi-trailing	Mid	Excellent yields of soft, sweet berries.  Requires trellising.
Arapaho	Erect	Very Early	Self-supporting canes.  Earliest variety to ripen.  Sweet fruit, average yields.
Navaho	Erect	Late	Sweet, high quality berries.  Good yields on self-supporting canes.  Stores well.

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Blackberries are among the easiest fruits to grow.  They tolerate almost any soil conditions and fruit best in full sun.  All of the varieties listed are thornless.  Semi-trailing varieties require trellising, whereas erect varieties are self supporting.  Plants should be spaced 3' apart.

Peaches  _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Varieties	Ripens	Size	Fruit Characteristics	Comments
Dixie Red	Mid June	Medium	Mostly red skin with red-flecked yellow flesh.	Clingstone fruit.  Late blooming, escapes late frosts.  Low browning tendency.
Clayton	Late June	Medium	75% red skin with yellow background.  Yellow flesh with red around pit.	Freestone fruit, resistant to browning.  Excellent flavor, great for fresh eating.
Windblo	Mid July	Large	75% red skin with background.  Light yellow flesh.	Developed for NC.  Freestone fruit, resists browning.  Excellent flavor.
Biscoe	Late July	Large	50% red skin with yellow background.  Deep yellow-orange flesh.	Freestone, flesh tends to brown.  High quality fruit are excellent for canning.
Elberta	August	Large	Red blush over yellow skin.  Yellow flesh.	A traditional favorite.  Freestone fruit, susceptible to browning.

                                                                                                                                                                                         

Peaches are among the most challenging but rewarding fruits to grow.  They require excellent drainage, full sun, good air circulation, and watering during drought.  Peaches are self-pollinating and only one tree is needed for fruit set.  A multi-purpose fungicide and insecticide program will be needed during the growing season.  Trees should be spaced 20 feet apart.   Be sure and test for nematodes, especially on sandy soils.

Muscadines   _________________________________________________________________________________________

Varieties	Season	Color	Remarks
Carlos	Early	Bronze	Medium size grapes excellent for fresh eating or wine.  Perfect flowered vines.
Southland	Mid	Black	Excellent for fresh eating or juice.  Not recommended for wine.  Perfect flowered vines.

           

Our native Muscadines tolerate a wide range of conditions but perform best in a moisture retentive, well drained soil and full sun, with a deep mulch of organic matter.  Both of the varieties below a perfect flowered and self fruitful.  Muscadines produce best and are easiest to manage when trained on a clothesline-like trellis called the Geneva double curtain.

Blueberries  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Varieties	Ripens	Fruit	Fruit Characteristics	Comments
Premier	Late May - June	Large	Light Blue Berries	High quality, good flavor
Delite	Late June - July	Large	Light Blue Berries	Excellent flavor, late crop
Tiftblue	June/July	Med/Large	Light Blue Berries	Consistent and high yielding, good flavor

Blueberries require a well drained sandy soil with abundant organic matter and a pH of 4.5 to 5.8.  They will bear well in full sun to light shade.  Four or six inches of mulch helps reduce water stress.  Under these conditions plants produce in abundance.  The above Rabbiteye varieties produce best when at least two different varieties are planted together.

Pears    _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Varieties	Ripens	Fruit	Fruit Characteristics	Comments
Moonglow	Early August	Large	Yellow skin at maturity with soft textured flesh with few grit cells.	Good fresh or canned.  Resistant to fire blight.  Excellent pollinator.
Seckel	August/ September	Small	Reddish brown skin, 2" diameter fruit have sweet, aromatic flavor with few grit cells.	Small fruit are excellent for fresh eating and can be canned.  Moderately resistant to fire blight.
Keiffer	Early September	Large	Yellow skin at maturity with coarse gritty flesh.  Knotty, unattractive fruit.	An old favorite for canning or preserves.  Resistant to fire blight.

             

You will need more than one pear variety to ensure adequate cross-pollination. For our area, Moonglow is an excellent pollen source.  Trees should be spaced 20 feet apart.  Harvest pears after they have reached full size but are still firm and green (about 105 to 130 days after full bloom).  You can then ripen them by placing them in a closed bag with a ripe apple and putting the bag in a moderately cool location (60-70 degrees) for several days.  Pears are relatively easy to grow, but fire blight can be a major problem in the South.   Avoid this by selecting fire blight resistant varieties like those listed above.

Figs     _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Varieties	Ripens	Fruit	Fruit Characteristics	Comments
Celestial	Mid July	Small	Violet or light brown skin.  Strawberry pink flesh.	Good for fresh use, canning or preserves.
Brown Turkey	Early July and Early August	Medium to Large	Light coppery brown skin with amber flesh.	Also known as Texas Everbearing.  Good fresh or canned.

                 

Figs are as close as it gets to a fruit you can plant and forget.  They prefer a moisture retentive, well-drained soil and full sun.  On sandy soils be sure to test for nematodes.  Incorporate plenty of organic matter and mulch deeply.  Figs are self fertile - only one bush is needed for fruit set.  Space at least 10' apart.

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