Plants of the Week – June 11

Despite being native to the coastal Carolinas, Zenobia pulverulenta, or dusty zenobia, is not often seen in gardens or offered in the trade. The ericaceous plant resembles Vaccinium, or blueberry, with alternate, simple leaves covered by glaucous bloom. White, bell-shaped flowers appear in May-June. Cultivars, like Zenobia pulverulenta ‘Woodlanders Blue’, seen here in the Glade Garden, are selected for their pronounced glaucous blue coloration. Provide moist, acidic soil in full sun to partially shaded location. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Sedum sexangulare is described as “tough” and “easy to grow”. Those two attributes make it a durable and integral component of the green roof plant palette atop Alice Paul and Kemp Residence Halls. The succulent foliage helps the plant in times of drought and it roots easily from broken stem cuttings. Brilliant yellow blooms cover the plant from late spring to early summer. Photo credit: J. Coceano

Actinidia pilosula scrambles and twines its way up and along the ramped entryway into Old Tarble. Green leaves are often tipped with varying degrees of white pigment. Unlike other kiwis, Actinidia kolomikta for example, A. pilosula doesn’t lose its distinctive white coloration as the season progresses. Mature plants produce clusters of pink flowers. Fruit doesn’t set as plants offered on the market are male clones. Photo credit: J. Coceano

The Hydrangea collection is coming into its full glory. Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nigra’, growing along a path near the arbor in the Terry Shane Teaching Garden, not only bears rose to blue flowers but also has attractive near-black stems. The blackish-purple stems appear on new growth and contrast well with the fresh green foliage. Plant as an accent or specimen where passersby are sure to see. Photo credit: J. Coceano

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