I Love Norfolk Island Pine, aka Araucaria heterophylla
Name: Norfolk Island Pine aka, Araucaria heterophylla Type of Plant: Evergreen conifer that has a straight trunk and symmetrical branches…Native to Norfolk Island which is in the ocean almost equidistant from New Zealand and Australia, but these are not true pine...
I Hate Oriental bittersweet aka Celastrus orbiculatus
Name: Oriental bittersweet – aka Celastrus orbiculatus aka Chinese bittersweet or round-leaf bittersweet Type of Plant: A vine that has round or oval leaves and orange roots. This plant was brought to this country in the 1800’s as an ornamental vine because it has...
I Love Paperwhite Narcissus aka Narcissus papyraceus
Name: Paperwhite Narcissus aka Narcissus papyraceus Type of Plant: A fragrant variety of narcissus, bulbs that are easily forced and grown indoors at this time of year. Why I Love/Hate this plant: I love paper whites because they are fun to watch grow. In December,...
I Love The American Cranberry – Vaccinium macrocarpon
Name: The American Cranberry – Vaccinium macrocarpon Type of Plant: Not a plant that many people grow in their yards and gardens, but one that most are familiar with, especially at this time of year. This is a low-growing, trailing vine that many think of as a shrub....
I Love Pineapple Mint ~ Mentha suaveolens ‘Variegata’
Name: Pineapple mint aka Mentha suaveolens ‘Variegata’ Type of Plant: A pretty herb with white and green leaves. This mint grows quickly, so it’s perfect for a pot on your deck or patio. Why I Love/Hate this plant: I love how fresh looking this plant is, and I also...
I Love Smokebush, Cotinus x ‘Grace’
Name: Cotinus x ‘Grace’ aka Grace smoke bush Type of Plant: A large shrub that has colorful foliage and delicate “smoke-like” flowers. Why I Love/Hate this plant: I love this smoke bush because the leaves are colorful all season, and when it’s in flower it’s even...
I Love King Richard Leeks
Name: King Richard Leeks aka Allium porrum ‘King Richard’ Type of Plant: Leeks are a hardy biennial that we grow as an annual vegetable in the northeast. It’s in the genus Allium, so you know it’s related to other onions. Why I Love/Hate this plant: I love leeks...
I Love Callicarpa Purple Pearls
Name: Callicarpa Purple Pearls® aka Callicarpa x ‘NCCX1’ USPP 26,000 aka purple pearls beautyberry. Type of Plant: This is a beautyberry that is a deciduous shrub. It grows four to five feet tall and wide, and does the best in full sun. Hardy in zones 5-8....
I Love Variegated Boxwood
Name: Buxus sempervirens ‘Variegata’ aka variegated boxwood. Type of Plant: A slow growing evergreen shrub that does well in full sun to part shade. Hardy in Zones 5 to 9. Why I Love/Hate this plant: Any plant that has variegated foliage adds excitement...