This tiny perennial wildflower (Talinum / Phemeranthus calycinum) produces ascending stems 2-6" long topped with bright magenta flowers. The cluster of bright green foliage at the base is only a few inches tall and resembles round tubes giving it a succulent look. Blooming occurs in mass, each flower lasting only 1 afternoon, but repeating all summer with available moisture. Fame Flower is native to a large area of the great plains to the eastern woods of Missouri and Arkansas. This cold hardy succulent occupies an unusual niche: growing in extremely shallow sandstone based soils and on sunny rock cliffs that dry out too quickly for most other plants to colonize. A good question is how does it find such isolated areas to colonize in the first place? Grow this small native gem in a rock garden, in cracks between rocks, or on top of or in a retaining wall. It will re-seed to thicken the colony but only germinate in bare thin soils with no mulch. It will not tolerate competition in rich moist soils as other plants will shade it out. If grown in pots and kept on the dry side, you may leave out all winter allowing to freeze solid; plants will either return from dormant stems or reseed in the same pot. Great low maintenance cold hardy succulent. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT CREVICE GARDENING: In nature, some of the most interesting xeric plants grow in tough places such as inhospitable rock outcroppings with almost no soil. We can recreate that specific and exclusive growing environment with a crevice garden. Crevice gardening allows you to grow cold-hardy cacti and succulents that are normally cold hardy to our climate (Lawrence, KS zone 6a) but not normally tolerant of excessive moisture (40"/year), especially in the winter. This technique provides optimal xeriscape growing conditions by limiting the amount of soil and water around the roots and reducing the potential of root rot. Start with a raised mound of fast draining soil mix consisting mostly of decomposed granite, coarse sand, gravel, and a small amount of organic matter. Incorporate vertical rock formations such as flagstone into a raised landscape bed creating narrow 1-2" wide crevices filled with the soil mix. This helps quickly channel rain and snow melt water down more deeply into the soil encouraging deeper root growth while keeping the soil dry around the base of the plant. It is important that the entire mound is well above grade level to avoid drainage problems; crevice gardens typically range from 12"-36" tall. After installing the plants, mulch with a thin layer of pea-gravel or decomposed granite. In our Lawrence Kansas zone 6a winters with occasional polar vortexes or arctic blasts, this technique works well in any hot microclimate such as a south facing side of a berm or under a south or west facing roof overhand of a house or building. Kansas Plant Farm LLC built a trial crevice garden in 2022 and we have now had enough time to evaluate the plants after a true winter cold spell. During the arctic blast of January 2024, low nighttime temperatures got down to -11 degrees F (Jan 10th,2024). The longevity of this cold blast was also impressive: 4 days on a row with single digit highs including 1 day with a daytime negative high(-2F), 4 nights of lows in negatives (-8For lower), and 48 straight hours of 0 degrees F and mostly lower. A light snow cover helped insulate the ground but wind blew off most powdery snow on the foliage exposing the top parts of the plants to some extreme temperatures with surprisingly little damage. In our crevice trial gardens in Lawrence, KS (zone 6a), this variety survived harsh winters for 20 plus years.
This tiny perennial wildflower (Talinum / Phemeranthus calycinum) produces ascending stems 2-6" long topped with bright magenta flowers. The cluster of bright green foliage at the base is only a few inches tall and resembles round tubes giving it a succulent look. Blooming occurs in mass, each flower lasting only 1 afternoon, but repeating all summer with available moisture. Fame Flower is native to a large area of the great plains to the eastern woods of Missouri and Arkansas. This cold hardy succulent occupies an unusual niche: growing in extremely shallow sandstone based soils and on sunny rock cliffs that dry out too quickly for most other plants to colonize. A good question is how does it find such isolated areas to colonize in the first place? Grow this small native gem in a rock garden, in cracks between rocks, or on top of or in a retaining wall. It will re-seed to thicken the colony but only germinate in bare thin soils with no mulch. It will not tolerate competition in rich moist soils as other plants will shade it out. If grown in pots and kept on the dry side, you may leave out all winter allowing to freeze solid; plants will either return from dormant stems or reseed in the same pot. Great low maintenance cold hardy succulent. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT CREVICE GARDENING: In nature, some of the most interesting xeric plants grow in tough places such as inhospitable rock outcroppings with almost no soil. We can recreate that specific and exclusive growing environment with a crevice garden. Crevice gardening allows you to grow cold-hardy cacti and succulents that are normally cold hardy to our climate (Lawrence, KS zone 6a) but not normally tolerant of excessive moisture (40"/year), especially in the winter. This technique provides optimal xeriscape growing conditions by limiting the amount of soil and water around the roots and reducing the potential of root rot. Start with a raised mound of fast draining soil mix consisting mostly of decomposed granite, coarse sand, gravel, and a small amount of organic matter. Incorporate vertical rock formations such as flagstone into a raised landscape bed creating narrow 1-2" wide crevices filled with the soil mix. This helps quickly channel rain and snow melt water down more deeply into the soil encouraging deeper root growth while keeping the soil dry around the base of the plant. It is important that the entire mound is well above grade level to avoid drainage problems; crevice gardens typically range from 12"-36" tall. After installing the plants, mulch with a thin layer of pea-gravel or decomposed granite. In our Lawrence Kansas zone 6a winters with occasional polar vortexes or arctic blasts, this technique works well in any hot microclimate such as a south facing side of a berm or under a south or west facing roof overhand of a house or building. Kansas Plant Farm LLC built a trial crevice garden in 2022 and we have now had enough time to evaluate the plants after a true winter cold spell. During the arctic blast of January 2024, low nighttime temperatures got down to -11 degrees F (Jan 10th,2024). The longevity of this cold blast was also impressive: 4 days on a row with single digit highs including 1 day with a daytime negative high(-2F), 4 nights of lows in negatives (-8For lower), and 48 straight hours of 0 degrees F and mostly lower. A light snow cover helped insulate the ground but wind blew off most powdery snow on the foliage exposing the top parts of the plants to some extreme temperatures with surprisingly little damage. In our crevice trial gardens in Lawrence, KS (zone 6a), this variety survived harsh winters for 20 plus years.
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a well-known picturesque tree native to the southeast from Texas to Florida to Virginia. It is a deciduous conifer that grows on saturated and seasonally inundated soils but also performs well an average garden soils including some drought. Trees can be very long lived due to near immunity from pests and disease with some specimens over 2000 years old. When growing in standing water (exclusively), the characteristic knees develop. These are thought to assist an oxygen exchange or to trap sediment along a channel to stabilize the creek bank. Growth is slow during youth especially and dryer sites or poor soils but speeds up in rich well-drained soils. This non-flowering tree features extremely fine textured foliage that creates its own attractive mulch under the tree or blends in invisibly into the lawn. Most references indicate that acidic soil is important however I have seen these growing in pure white limestone alkaline streams in Austin Texas. The water was cyystal clear and pH was so high that not many other organisms for growing in it. Bald Cypress makes a beautiful street tree or residential landscape specimen that will be highly prized after a decade or two. Reserve for the wet test spot in your yard and it will thrive!
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a well-known picturesque tree native to the southeast from Texas to Florida to Virginia. It is a deciduous conifer that grows on saturated and seasonally inundated soils but also performs well an average garden soils including some drought. Trees can be very long lived due to near immunity from pests and disease with some specimens over 2000 years old. When growing in standing water (exclusively), the characteristic knees develop. These are thought to assist an oxygen exchange or to trap sediment along a channel to stabilize the creek bank. Growth is slow during youth especially and dryer sites or poor soils but speeds up in rich well-drained soils. This non-flowering tree features extremely fine textured foliage that creates its own attractive mulch under the tree or blends in invisibly into the lawn. Most references indicate that acidic soil is important however I have seen these growing in pure white limestone alkaline streams in Austin Texas. The water was cyystal clear and pH was so high that not many other organisms for growing in it. Bald Cypress makes a beautiful street tree or residential landscape specimen that will be highly prized after a decade or two. Reserve for the wet test spot in your yard and it will thrive! Taxodium distichum 'Lindsey's Skyward' is a columnar upright form great for screening.
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a well-known picturesque tree native to the southeast from Texas to Florida to Virginia. It is a deciduous conifer that grows on saturated and seasonally inundated soils but also performs well an average garden soils including some drought. Trees can be very long lived due to near immunity from pests and disease with some specimens over 2000 years old. When growing in standing water (exclusively), the characteristic knees develop. These are thought to assist an oxygen exchange or to trap sediment along a channel to stabilize the creek bank. Growth is slow during youth especially and dryer sites or poor soils but speeds up in rich well-drained soils. This non-flowering tree features extremely fine textured foliage that creates its own attractive mulch under the tree or blends in invisibly into the lawn. Most references indicate that acidic soil is important however I have seen these growing in pure white limestone alkaline streams in Austin Texas. The water was cyystal clear and pH was so high that not many other organisms for growing in it. Bald Cypress makes a beautiful street tree or residential landscape specimen that will be highly prized after a decade or two. Reserve for the wet test spot in your yard and it will thrive! Pond Cypress (Taxodium distichum var. imbricarium) in now considered a naturally occuring variety of Bald Cypress. Its old name was Taxodium ascendens. In comparison to Bald Cypress, Pond Cypress is somewhat smaller, more narrow, less branching and has very interesting scale-like spirally arranged leaves.
Thalia dealbata, commonly known as Hardy Water Canna, is a native water garden / marginal plant with tropical like foliage resembling that of a canna. This plant is usually grown as a bog plant needing constantly moist soil rich in organic matter. As a rain garden plant, it will thrive is a depressed area in the landscape that collects rain water from a roof during spring and summer periods of rain but then is amazingly drought tolerant if the water hole dries out. After extended drought, it will simply go dormant but not sure how long it will persist in this state. Flowers are purple and have been said to be carnivorous but in reality, small insects get trapped in the gummy gel-like substance around the flowers...larger polinators like bumble bees and carpenter bees can pull away after polination. There are no major or even minor pests: this plant will survive just about anything as long as the root ball doesn't freeze solid, hence the zone 6 designation by most sources. As far as winter hardiness, I would assume there is a requirement for being submerged in water or well mulched (or snow cover) if on dry land in sub freezing weather. A dry hard ground freeze can kill this plant even in warmer zones. In our Lawrence, Kansas display garden (zone 6a), this plant has thrived for many years with little effort.
Chinese Toon (Toona sinensis) is a rare shrub-like tree from China in the mahogany family known for its edible leafy foliage. Foliage has an onion a flavor and can be eaten fresh or mixed into stir-fry vegetable recipes. When emerging in the spring, new foliage is a bright red to pink color and is enhanced by cooler weather in the spring. Bi-pinnate foliage deepens to a medium to dark green as it unfurls throughout the summer and has a strong resemblance in appearance to Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). Fall color is a gorgeous yellow lasting for a week or two. Chinese Toon is useful in the edible landscape as a "vegetable tree". Also very attractive in the landscape, it can form a background shrub, a specimen shrub, or a small colony. Grow in full sun and just about any well drained soil for best results. Although this grows into a "tree" in southern climates, it will typically freeze down to the ground each year in Lawrence Kansas. (zone 6a) The only maintenance is pruning winter-killed growth to the ground. New rapidly growing water sprout shoots will emerge by mid spring. New foliage is the most tasty to eat, so this works out great for harvesting when grown as a "vegetable tree". Chinese Toon can also be grown as a potted plant moved into a garage or dark basement: it doesn't seem to suffer from being root bound in a pot.
Sundew Oriental Borage / Black Sea Comfrey (Trachystemon orientalis 'Sundew') is a perennial with large textured bright chartreuse leaves with amazing contrasting light blue flowers. It is native from Bulgaria to the Caucasus and Turkey. This variety spreads very slowly by creeping rhizomes and forms an attractive groundcover. Foliage darkens slightly to green in summer and forms a quite dense and tight weed resistant covering. Comfrey prefers rich average to moist well-drained soils with part sun to full shade. However, being a tolerant plant, is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations and will grow quite nicely in dry shade. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. and is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. There is virtually no maintenance unless you want to mow down the dead foliage in the winter. It is also suggested to deadhead the flowers after blooming as they are not attractive. But if you don't, they will die back on their own and get swallowed up by the foliage. There are no pest, disease, or browser problems. Considered one of the best plants for solving your most difficult dry-shade landscape challenges. Trachystemon orientalis 'Sundew' has persisted through over a decade in our Lawrence, KS display garden with no problems. Our original display garden plant came from Plant Delights Nursery in North Carolina.
***Description for this water plant available with future update!*** Typha latifolia is also known as Broadleaf Cattail >>>>>>>>>>This plant is usually grown as a bog plant needing constantly moist soil rich in organic matter. As a rain garden plant, it will thrive is a depressed area in the landscape that collects rain water from a roof during spring and summer periods of rain but then go dormant if the water hole dries out completely. For the home garden, the species is generally too aggressive to mix with other plants
***Tree descriptions available with future update!***Lacebark Elm, is also known as Ulmus parvifolia
Sky Dew Gold ornamental blueberry has such appealing bright gold foliage that the flowers and berries are almost an afterthought. Its display gets even more interesting as the summer nights start to cool, and the golden foliage starts taking on rich hues of orange and red. The effect is simply thrilling; seeing something so colorful and cheerful puts a smile on your face. Highbush Blueberry, (Vaccinium corymbosum) needs rich organic acidic soil. You can easily create this by adding a mound of ground up leaves from your fall cleanup each year.
***Description for this perennial available with future update!***Native Rose Verbena / Glandularia (flat), is also known as Verbena / Glandularia canadensis
***Description for this perennial available with future update!***Native Rose Verbena / Glandularia, is also known as Verbena / Glandularia canadensis
***Description for this plant available with future update!*** Verbena canadensis 'Homestead Purple' is also known as Homestead Purple Verbena.
Narrow-leaf Ironweed (Vernonia lettermannii) is a relatively new plant to horticulture; originally discovered in Arkansas along gravel stream beds in the wild. The Iron Butterfly cultivar (Vernonia lettermannii 'Iron Butterfly') is a dwarf compact cultivar introduced by Dr. Allan Armitage at the University of Georgia. This is a true four-seasons perennial that belongs in almost every perennial garden. In the spring, narrow dark green foliage resembling Amsonia hubrichtii creates a compact shrub-like appearance. The growth is so dense that no weeds have a chance of invading a mature stand of plants. By mid to late summer, gorgeous deep purple fine-textured flowers cover the plant for 4-6 weeks. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators flock to the occasion. Following the bloom, the flower stocks are sturdy and hold up very well for fall and winter interest. The flowers themselves produce mostly non-viable seed and cling to the plant creating a silvery shine whenever sunlight hits it. This can be very useful and dried flower arrangements as well as winter interest gardens. At some point in the winter, all top growth will need to be cut back as this is the only maintenance required. Despite being native to gravel and sand bars along rivers, Iron butterfly Vernonia surprisingly can handle very dry clay, gravelly, or sandy soils along with short periods of flooding. Permanently wet soil is not favored but it can handle the upper portions of a rain garden. Iron butterfly has only one pest problem and that is rabbits! If rabbits are an issue, just put a bowl-shaped chicken wire cage around the plants for the first year. By year #2, the rapidly growing foliage will outgrow any detrimental rabbit browsing. This is definitely one of the most adapted landscape plants in Kansas zone 6a with no problems with heat or cold, dry or wet! It's hard to imagine a perennial garden without this plant!
Narrow-leaf Ironweed (Vernonia lettermannii) is a relatively new plant to horticulture; originally discovered in Arkansas along gravel stream beds in the wild. The Iron Butterfly cultivar (Vernonia lettermannii 'Iron Butterfly') is a dwarf compact cultivar introduced by Dr. Allan Armitage at the University of Georgia. This is a true four-seasons perennial that belongs in almost every perennial garden. In the spring, narrow dark green foliage resembling Amsonia hubrichtii creates a compact shrub-like appearance. The growth is so dense that no weeds have a chance of invading a mature stand of plants. By mid to late summer, gorgeous deep purple fine-textured flowers cover the plant for 4-6 weeks. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators flock to the occasion. Following the bloom, the flower stocks are sturdy and hold up very well for fall and winter interest. The flowers themselves produce mostly non-viable seed and cling to the plant creating a silvery shine whenever sunlight hits it. This can be very useful and dried flower arrangements as well as winter interest gardens. At some point in the winter, all top growth will need to be cut back as this is the only maintenance required. Despite being native to gravel and sand bars along rivers, Iron butterfly Vernonia surprisingly can handle very dry clay, gravelly, or sandy soils along with short periods of flooding. Permanently wet soil is not favored but it can handle the upper portions of a rain garden. Iron butterfly has only one pest problem and that is rabbits! If rabbits are an issue, just put a bowl-shaped chicken wire cage around the plants for the first year. By year #2, the rapidly growing foliage will outgrow any detrimental rabbit browsing. This is definitely one of the most adapted landscape plants in Kansas zone 6a with no problems with heat or cold, dry or wet! It's hard to imagine a perennial garden without this plant!
***Description for this perennial available with future update!*** Vernonia lettermannii 'Summers Swan Song' is also known as Summers Swan Song Narrow-leaf Ironweed >>>>> Narrow-leaf Ironweed (Vernonia lettermannii) is a relatively new plant to horticulture; originally discovered in Arkansas along gravel stream beds in the wild. The Iron Butterfly cultivar (Vernonia lettermannii 'Iron Butterfly') is a dwarf compact cultivar introduced by Dr. Allan Armitage at the University of Georgia. This is a true four-seasons perennial that belongs in almost every perennial garden. In the spring, narrow dark green foliage resembling Amsonia hubrichtii creates a compact shrub-like appearance. The growth is so dense that no weeds have a chance of invading a mature stand of plants. By mid to late summer, gorgeous deep purple fine-textured flowers cover the plant for 4-6 weeks. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators flock to the occasion. Following the bloom, the flower stocks are sturdy and hold up very well for fall and winter interest. The flowers themselves produce mostly non-viable seed and cling to the plant creating a silvery shine whenever sunlight hits it. This can be very useful and dried flower arrangements as well as winter interest gardens. At some point in the winter, all top growth will need to be cut back as this is the only maintenance required. Despite being native to gravel and sand bars along rivers, Iron butterfly Vernonia surprisingly can handle very dry clay, gravelly, or sandy soils along with short periods of flooding. Permanently wet soil is not favored but it can handle the upper portions of a rain garden. Iron butterfly has only one pest problem and that is rabbits! If rabbits are an issue, just put a bowl-shaped chicken wire cage around the plants for the first year. By year #2, the rapidly growing foliage will outgrow any detrimental rabbit browsing. This is definitely one of the most adapted landscape plants in Kansas zone 6a with no problems with heat or cold, dry or wet! It's hard to imagine a perennial garden without this plant!
***Description for this perennial available with future update!***Sunny Border Blue Veronica, is also known as Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'
***Description for this perennial available with future update!*** Veronica spicata 'Purpleicious' is also known as Purpleicious Veronica.
***Shrub descriptions available with future update!*** Viburnum carlesii is also known as Korean Spice Pink Flowering Viburnum.
***Tree descriptions available with future update!*** Viburnum lentago is also known as Nannyberry Viburnum / Edible Tree Viburnum
***Shrub descriptions available with future update!*** Viburnum nudum 'Brandywine' is also known as Brandywine Viburnum.
***Shrub descriptions available with future update!*** Viburnum pragense 'Decker' is also known as Decker Prague Evergreen Viburnum >>>>>>>>>>>>Decker Prague Evergreen Viburnum (Viburnum pragense 'Decker') is a hybrid between leatherleaf viburnum and ‚The key difference is that Prague viburnum is slightly faster growing and more consistent reliable evergreen foliage. Foliage is more of a green color during the winter and very glossy. Craig viburnum has more narrow denser foliage. It can be easily pruned into a green wall or large hedge for screening.
***Shrub descriptions available with future update!***Blackhaw Native Viburnum, is also known as Viburnum prunifolium
***Shrub descriptions available with future update!***Rusty Blackhaw Native Viburnum, is also known as Viburnum rufidulum
Leatherleaf viburnum is a large semi-evergreen shrub with leathery leaves and cream white flowers. Foliage emerges light green with powdery white material on the backside of the leaf. Foliage darkens to a medium green by summer and finally turning to a purplish winter color. About half of the foliage drops in the winter but is still effective enough for a partial screening. Flowers bloom mostly in spring but sporadically throughout the year. If pollination occurs, red fruits follow in the late summer thru fall creating quite a show. More than one variety is typically required for pollination. Leatherleaf viburnum prefers medium to rich garden soil in full to part sun. Being one of the toughest viburnums around, it can handle much less than ideal conditions including dry shade. Typically our are 40 inches of rainfall per year in eastern Kansas is enough without extra water. However, during times of drought, the foliage will wilt and growth will stop. Luckily the foliage is able to survive in a wilted state for a long time (usually up to two or three weeks) before actually dying. This gives you plenty of notice that it needs water. There is virtually no maintenance except rejuvenation on very old plants. Yearly fertilizer application is appreciated. When given plenty of room to grow, Leatherleaf Viburnum can reach up to 8 or 12 feet tall and wide after 20-30 years. Eventually old canes become unproductive and should be removed allowing young vigorous canes to develop. Leatherleaf viburnum grows slow at first especially in rough soils but the key thing is that it will survive and grow faster when established. Cold hardiness is not a problem in Lawrence Kansas zone 6a but in colder climates expect winterkill down to the ground in some years. Considered one of the best plants for solving your most difficult dry-shade landscape challenges. Several improved cultivars exist. Alleghany Leatherleaf Viburnum (Viburnum x rhytidophylloides 'Alleghany') has improved cold hardiness and growth form.
Leatherleaf viburnum is a large semi-evergreen shrub with leathery leaves and cream white flowers. Foliage emerges light green with powdery white material on the backside of the leaf. Foliage darkens to a medium green by summer and finally turning to a purplish winter color. About half of the foliage drops in the winter but is still effective enough for a partial screening. Flowers bloom mostly in spring but sporadically throughout the year. If pollination occurs, red fruits follow in the late summer thru fall creating quite a show. More than one variety is typically required for pollination. Leatherleaf viburnum prefers medium to rich garden soil in full to part sun. Being one of the toughest viburnums around, it can handle much less than ideal conditions including dry shade. Typically our are 40 inches of rainfall per year in eastern Kansas is enough without extra water. However, during times of drought, the foliage will wilt and growth will stop. Luckily the foliage is able to survive in a wilted state for a long time (usually up to two or three weeks) before actually dying. This gives you plenty of notice that it needs water. There is virtually no maintenance except rejuvenation on very old plants. Yearly fertilizer application is appreciated. When given plenty of room to grow, Leatherleaf Viburnum can reach up to 8 or 12 feet tall and wide after 20-30 years. Eventually old canes become unproductive and should be removed allowing young vigorous canes to develop. Leatherleaf viburnum grows slow at first especially in rough soils but the key thing is that it will survive and grow faster when established. Cold hardiness is not a problem in Lawrence Kansas zone 6a but in colder climates expect winterkill down to the ground in some years. Considered one of the best plants for solving your most difficult dry-shade landscape challenges. Several improved cultivars exist. Darts Duke Leatherleaf Viburnum (Viburnum x rhytidophylloides 'Dart's Duke') features larger dark green foliage, larger flowers, better density, and pink cottony flock on the back of new leaves and new stems instead of white. All Proven Winners® plants are legally propagated, healthy and vigorous, true to name, and tagged with color pictures and growing information.
Leatherleaf viburnum is a large semi-evergreen shrub with leathery leaves and cream white flowers. Foliage emerges light green with powdery white material on the backside of the leaf. Foliage darkens to a medium green by summer and finally turning to a purplish winter color. About half of the foliage drops in the winter but is still effective enough for a partial screening. Flowers bloom mostly in spring but sporadically throughout the year. If pollination occurs, red fruits follow in the late summer thru fall creating quite a show. More than one variety is typically required for pollination. Leatherleaf viburnum prefers medium to rich garden soil in full to part sun. Being one of the toughest viburnums around, it can handle much less than ideal conditions including dry shade. Typically our are 40 inches of rainfall per year in eastern Kansas is enough without extra water. However, during times of drought, the foliage will wilt and growth will stop. Luckily the foliage is able to survive in a wilted state for a long time (usually up to two or three weeks) before actually dying. This gives you plenty of notice that it needs water. There is virtually no maintenance except rejuvenation on very old plants. Yearly fertilizer application is appreciated. When given plenty of room to grow, Leatherleaf Viburnum can reach up to 8 or 12 feet tall and wide after 20-30 years. Eventually old canes become unproductive and should be removed allowing young vigorous canes to develop. Leatherleaf viburnum grows slow at first especially in rough soils but the key thing is that it will survive and grow faster when established. Cold hardiness is not a problem in Lawrence Kansas zone 6a but in colder climates expect winterkill down to the ground in some years. Considered one of the best plants for solving your most difficult dry-shade landscape challenges. Several improved cultivars exist. Red Balloon Leatherleaf Viburnum (Viburnum x rhytidophylloides 'Red Balloon') features significant improvements. In spring, large, lacy white flower clusters cover the plant, followed by green fruit which turns brilliant red in late summer. The thick, leathery foliage lends a distinguished, handsome look to the plant all season. This viburnum will develop some berries without another variety as a pollinator, but you'll get more fruit if planted around 'Mohican' or 'Alleghany.' Proven Winners® plants are legally propagated, healthy and vigorous, true to name, and tagged with color pictures and growing information.
Silver Dollar Plant (Xerosicyos danguyi) are unique because they have perfectly round leaves and vining stems. These tropical vines have a few requirements in order to thrive but nothing too hard. Give them bright indirect light and water only when dry. They are usually grown as a house plant in Kansas but can be moved outside if kept in full to part shade. Leaves can sunburn but morning or filtered sun is ok! Xerosicyos danguyi is native to West and South-West Madagascar. In the wild, this species subarid bushland forest and dunes that occasionally frost. Potted plants are hardy to at least 25 degrees F for a short time if kept dry so you are ok if you miss the first light frost. Do not allow the pot with rootball to freeze solid though. Move into a cold garage, basement, or bright window over the winter with occasional watering. As a winter house plant, it will look presentable all winter long with just a few waterings. Repotting may or may not be needed depending on how large you want the plant to grow; plants can continue to grow in the same pot for years. If repotting, make sure to use a sharp draining medium organic cactus mix with plenty of sand and perlite. To play is safe, outside potted plants are best moved in before night temperatures get below 35 degrees F. It is important to avoid the combination of wet and cold. Potted plants are very low maintenance; I have never seen a pest on this plant. This is relatively rare plant never seen at the big box stores and will command a higher price than most other houseplants.
Adam's needle yucca (Yucca filamentosa) is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen perennial. Blue-green leaves form rosettes about 2-3 feet tall and wide. Tall white flower spikes reliably appear on mature plants in May and June. If pollination is successful, attractive seed heads form later turning to black before cracking open. Although yuccas are more typical of western deserts and grasslands, this one is native to central and eastern United States. Tough as nails, yuccas are the ideal plant for a no-maintenance garden. Normally a plant has specific requirements for success but Adam's needle yucca has only one: it cannot tolerate growing in standing water or really wet soil. Plant in full sun to dry shade in any soil! In the landscape yuccas are often seen planted alone by a mailbox or neglected old landscape because they have outlived the original owners and the landscape service life. The root system of decades old plants may take up the underground volume of a large trash can. Yuccas look best when combined with other flowering plants providing texture and color. In mass plantings, yucca can create an interesting architectural look. Combined with ornamental grasses, yuccas can create stunning contrasts with winter grass colors of pink, orange and rust. Yucca flowers are pollinated exclusively by the yucca moth and deserve a place in native plant and pollinator gardens. This is a true 4-season "Once it's there, it's there forever" plant! Color Guard Yucca (Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard') is a beautiful variegated variety with a bright yellow stripe down the middle of the leaf. The yellow color turns pinkish red with full winter sun and cold temperatures creating a stunning effect. Landscape designers often count on this variety for winter color!
Adam's needle yucca (Yucca filamentosa) is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen perennial. Blue-green leaves form rosettes about 2-3 feet tall and wide. Tall white flower spikes reliably appear on mature plants in May and June. If pollination is successful, attractive seed heads form later turning to black before cracking open. Although yuccas are more typical of western deserts and grasslands, this one is native to central and eastern United States. Tough as nails, yuccas are the ideal plant for a no-maintenance garden. Normally a plant has specific requirements for success but Adam's needle yucca has only one: it cannot tolerate growing in standing water or really wet soil. Plant in full sun to dry shade in any soil! In the landscape yuccas are often seen planted alone by a mailbox or neglected old landscape because they have outlived the original owners and the landscape service life. The root system of decades old plants may take up the underground volume of a large trash can. Yuccas look best when combined with other flowering plants providing texture and color. In mass plantings, yucca can create an interesting architectural look. Combined with ornamental grasses, yuccas can create stunning contrasts with winter grass colors of pink, orange and rust. Yucca flowers are pollinated exclusively by the yucca moth and deserve a place in native plant and pollinator gardens. This is a true 4-season "Once it's there, it's there forever" plant! Color Guard Yucca (Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard') is a beautiful variegated variety with a bright yellow stripe down the middle of the leaf. The yellow color turns pinkish red with full winter sun and cold temperatures creating a stunning effect. Landscape designers often count on this variety for winter color!
***Description for this hardy tropical available with future update!*** Zingiber mioga is also known as Japanese Woodland Ginger / Hardy Edible Ginger >>>>>>>>>>>In our trial gardens in Lawrence, KS (zone 6a), three established mulched specimens survived -17 degrees F. During the arctic blast of February, 2021, lows down to -17 degrees F on Feb 16th, 2021 were recorded. The longevity of this cold blast was also impressive: 10 days on a row with highs of 10-15 degrees F or lower, 8 nights of lows in the single digits and negatives, and 36 strait hours of 0 degrees F and mostly lower.
***Description for this hardy tropical available with future update!***White Feather Hardy Edible Ginger / Zingiber, is also known as Zingiber mioga 'White Feather'
***Tree descriptions available with future update!*** Ziziphus jujuba is also known as Chinese Date / Jujube Tree