This gorgeous native accomplishes so much in the landscape! Its lush, full habit (reaching 6-8’ high) makes this shrub a nice choice for screening. The conical white flower heads emerge in late spring, then slowly deepen in color from pink to burgundy throughout the summer. Left to dry, the flowers make a dramatic addition to dried fall arrangements. And the fall color! The deeply lobed leaves are spectacular, ranging from shades of red, bronze and purple. A truly wonderful plant!
Tuscarora Crape Myrtle
The Crape Myrtle is quickly becoming a landscape staple in the Mid-Atlantic region. This small flowering tree is available in a wide palette of long lasting summer blooms, ranging from white, pink, purple to red. Crape Myrtles boast attractive exfoliating bark, particularly lovely in the winter time, and are resistant to deer, drought and disease. Plant this wonderful tree and enjoy great summer color for years to come.
Summer’s heat is much more bearable thanks to these garden gems! Here are some of our favorite summer blooming perennials:
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea Purpurea, Powow Wildberry)
Echinacea loves full sun and this variety will bloom all season, reaching a height of 20-24 inches. Deadheading not required!
Bees love this taller perennial. Growing 2-4 feet, Agastache will nicely anchor the back of a perennial border. It’s flowers are edible and the plant is deer resistant!
This bold Rudbeckia for sun or part shade is filled with lovely brown centered blooms. It stands 16 – 24” high and is resistant to powdery mildew.
Here is a wonderful variegated Dogwood for the shade garden. Cornus kousa ‘Wolf Eyes’
Eye-catching gray-green leaves are accented with ivory along wavy margins, making this dogwood a beautiful specimen. Large, long lasting, star shaped white flowers bloom in late May-early June. Autumn leaves fade into a pink-red hue, and its star-like flowers are followed by bright-red berries. Wolf Eyes grows slowly to 10-15 ft. tall and wide, and prefers partial shade. A show-stopping addition to any shade garden, as their creamy white margins seem to glow in a shady area.
