Woodlanders Archive

A rare large shrub or small tree with dark glossy evergreen or semi-evergreen leaves and 1 inch white flowers. (See HIL)

Hardiness

Zones 8–9

Stewartia malacodendron is a much sought native deciduous shrub. It is in the Tea Family so related to Camellia. It is found mostly on streamside slopes in rich woods and is widely scattered in spots from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas. It has beautiful white flowers like a single rose but with purple staymens. If it were easy to grow it would be a standard landscape plant and not a special sought-after connoisseur plant. It is happy in the garden once established in neutral to slightly acid sandy soil with good drainage, adequate moisture, and shade from hot afternoon sun.

Hardiness

Zones 7–9

Height

6–12 ft.

Spread

6–10 ft.

*

This small tree of Chinese origin has showy white flowers and fall foliage that is red or reddish. The smooth whitish trunks with exfoliating bark are an important ornamental feature. It is a plant for moist but well-drained acidic soil in sun or half shade. To 15 to 25 feet. Dirr, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, says: "....a delightful small landscape plant that should be more widely used." and: "Hardy to Boston and should be pursued by discriminating gardeners."

Hardiness

Zones 5–8

Height

15–20 ft.

Spread

6–8 ft.

Bloom

Red

We are indebted to Roger Gossler of Oregon for this plant. He describes it as one of the rarest Stewartias, with a large maroon calyx that will surround the seed pods. ãVery beautifulà, he says.

Stokes Aster is a hardy perennial with dark evergreen leaves which provide beautiful greenery during the winter months. The large blue daisy type flowers typically bloom in summer. These plants are often used in formal gardens and need well-drained soil and sunlight. Stokesia is native to the southern U.S. but while they are widely cultivated they are uncommon in the wild. This selection from Peachie Saxon's garden in Mississippi is compact and very floriferous. The flower color is vivid blue lavender.

Hardiness

Zones 5–9

Height

12–18 in.

Spread

12–18 in.

Thick, dark green foliage and good growth make this Stewartia collected in Yunnan, China, a very promising new plant for southern gardens. We have not been able to locate information on its flowers, ultimate size or hardiness.

Queen Palm is a tall elegant pinnate leaf palm native from Brazil to northern Argentina. It is a common large palm in Florida landscapes and popular in many warmer regions. It is a relatively fast-growing palm with long graceful arching bright green fronds. Most of those in cultivation are likely of Brazilian origin and of limited cold hardiness. This selection from our palm guru friend Tom McClendon are seedlings from his tree from Uruguay in St. Marys Georgia and may be a bit more cold hardy and worth trying in areas just a bit too cold for the Queen Palms commonly available.

Hardiness

Zones 9–10

Height

20–35 ft.

Spread

12–18 ft.

Stoloniferous shrub-tree to 10 feet. White flowers in racemes. (See F&J)

Hardiness

Zones 6–9

Normally a large evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub but can apparently become a small tree. Laurel-like leaves. Clusters of white flowers in summer are followed by red berries. These plants from seed wild collected in western China probably represent the 'salicifolia'type. Related to Photinia. Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil.

Hardiness

Zones 6–8

Height

25–30 ft.

Spread

8–15 ft.

Stokes'Aster is probably much more common in cultivation than in the wild. This most unusual selection of this choice native perennial has flower stalks up to 4 feet tall! Discovered in Georgia by Ron and Sue Dieterman of Atlanta Botanic Garden. Wild plants at original locality apparently now destroyed by development. (See ARM)

Rare evergreen tree or shrub from China. Witchhazel relative with smaller more leathery leaves than S. sinensis. Probably hardy.

Hardiness

Zones 8–9

Comfrey is a large-leafed deciduous groundcover. Best in moist, shade but will grow in drier soils. This variety, believed to be a hybrid, has lovely tubular light blue flowrs. Armitage (Herbaceous Perennial Plants) says: "Some of the clearest and prettiest blue flowers in the plant kingdom occur in this genus". Native to and long cultivated in Europe.

Hardiness

Zones 5–8

Height

1–2 ft.

Spread

3–4 ft.

*

A glossy-leaved small evergreen in the Witchhazel family. Curious-looking yellow-red flowers in winter. Shade tolerant. (See DIR)

Hardiness

Zones 7–9

*

Multistemed, upright arching shrub.

Hardiness

Zones 3–8

(See HRT)

Sweetleaf or Horse Sugar is a small tree with simple slightly toothed deciduous to persistent leaves 4-5 inches long and 1 inch wide. It flowers in very early spring with axillary clusters of fuzzy yellow flowers that can be quite showy. The smooth gray streaked bark is attractive. This ornamental small tree is widespread in woodlands in the southern U.S. coastal plain but is rarely available from nurseries as it is not easy to propagate or transplant. It thrives in better quality sandy soils in sun or semi shade.

Hardiness

Zones 7–9

Height

25–30 ft.

Spread

12–18 ft.

From seed collected in China.