The Shellbark Hickory tree, Carya laciniosa, is also know as bigleaf shagbark, kingnut, big shellbark, bottom shellbark, thick shellbark and western shellbark). This deciduous tree is similar to that of the Shagbark Hickory, but often not quite as shaggy. The fruit is larger than other hickories. This is a big tree and it prefers wet, fertile bottomland. This tall shade tree displays a yellow fall color.
The Rose Joseph\’s Coat produce clustered buds that open to flowers that change from golden yellow to orange and crimson. The loosely formed double flowers are borne in clusters on an upright plant with glossy leaves. Joseph\’s Coat can be grown as a small climber and they are great for hedges. This easy to care for rose is also a rebloomer.
The Daisy Gloriosa Blend, \’Rudbeckia hirta \’Gloriosa\’, has huge 4 to 7 inch flowers. The Gloriosa Blend loves the heat and is drought tolerant. Grown as an annual, Gloriosa Daisy is technically a short-lived perennial and may come back for a second or third year. The large, wide yellow flowers have brown bands or stripes with a brown center. The Gloriosa Blend is excellent for wildflower planting and in beds and borders. They maintain their color after other flowers are beginning to fade in the fall.
The Ixia \’Yellow Emperor\’, \’Ixia acaulis\’, a fall planted bulb, produces beautiful yellow flowers among sword-like leaves. The long flower stems are adorned with the star-shaped flowers. The Ixia are used in borders, beds, containers, perennial gardens, and is an excellent cut flower. Ixia are also commonly called the African Lily. They love the sun and heat. Ixia cut flowers will last 2 weeks or more. Place them in well drained, rich, fertile soil.
The Astilbe `Visions\’, Astilbe chinensis, is a colorful feathery flower with raspberry blooms and lacy blue-green foliage. The flowers contrast wonderfully with the glossy foliage. Astilbe `Visions\’ blooms in mid summer and are 15\” tall and have a plant width of 12-18\”. Astilbe `Visions\’ is more sun tolerant, but is most successfully grown in a shady area. Astilbe can be used as cut flowers, in perennial borders or shade gardens with Hosta\’s and Ferns. Astilbe is considered to be deer resistant and will attract hummingbirds.
The Pumpkin Big Max, \’Cucurbita maxima\’, is a large pumpkin that may reach 100 pounds. Grow the biggest Jack-O-Lantern in the neighborhood and it is good for pies and canning! Big Max is the choice of \”professional pumpkin contestants\”. The smooth light orange skin is perfect for Halloween carving or other holiday decorations. To achieve maximum size, grow one pumpkin per vine. Harvest before the first light frost or when the pumpkin foliage begins to dry out.
The Ceratostigma `Plumbago Leadwort\’, Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, is a beautiful, fast growing ground cover with dark oval green foliage, turning to dark blue in late summer and early fall. The small blue flowers make this ground cover more unusual than the rest because of its late blooming time. `Plumbago\’ works great at the front of the perennial border, shrub borders, rock gardens, or as an edging plant. It looks wonderful with Achillea `Moonshine\’ and Coreopsis `Moonbeam\’.
