Plants of the Week – February 20

Rohdea japonica, with linear strap-like leaves, is an ideal evergreen candidate for dry shade. Looking for a similar effect for soggy soil in partial shade to full sun? Acorus gramineus ‘Oborozuki’, or grassy-leaved sweet flag, has been reliably evergreen around the Cunningham House. The yellow-green leaves add brightness to the garden. Clumps slowly expand, spreading outward via creeping rhizomes.  Photo credit: J. Coceano

The Chinese evergreen oak, Quercus myrsinifolia, is a member of the ringed-cupped oaks subgenus distributed throughout Eastern and Southeastern Asia. Leathery leaves with slight serrations emerge purple-bronze before maturing to a dark green. Growing from 20-30’ in height with a smaller spread, Q. myrsinifolia has numerous applications for those living in southern climes. Discoloration may occur in winter. Photo credit: J. Coceano

A small bulb with a big name Crocus tommasinianus, often dubbed ‘tommies’, were named in honor of botanist Muzio G. Spirito de Tommasini (1794-1879), mayor of Trieste, Italy. Native to Bulgaria and Hungary, the bulb naturalizes with abandon in the Cherry Border. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Three Picea orientalis ‘Gracilis Nana’ provide evergreen structure to the Nason Garden. The conifer creates a slow growing rounded shape that does not require pruning or shaping. Site in full sun. Photo credit: J. Coceano