Anyone who has visited JLBG knows that we are passionate about the genus Aucuba, which is one of the finest woody evergreens for shade. The forms, sizes, and leaf patterns are incredibly diverse. Here are a couple of our brightest spotted clones, Aucuba japonica ‘Lemon Flare’ and ‘Merced’. If you live in Zone 7, and
Aucubas All Aglow Read More »
The cast iron plant, Aspidistra elatior ‘Morning Frost’ is looking particularly dapper in the winter garden. We think the variegated cultivars of cast iron plants provide a lovely touch of brightness in the winter woodland. Typically, cast iron plant foliage lasts for 2-3 years, and by year three, it begins to look ragged. Every spring,
One of the great plants for winter gardens are the sacred lilies of Japan, of the genus Rohdea. Our mass of Rohdea japonica ‘Go Dai Takane’ is looking fabulous in January. Rohdeas do not spread, so these are planted from individual divisions, from a single original clump. Going from a single specimen to a mass
Where we’re going, we need Rohdeas Read More »
One of the most coveted plants in our garden are the variegated forms of the Asian broadleaf evergreen, Daphniphyllum. Of the 30 species, only two have named variegated forms, Daphniphyllum macropodum and Daphniphyllum teysmannii . As best we know, these were first brought into the US from Japan in the early 1990s, by Barry Yinger of
Daphniphyllum ‘Mountain Dove’ Read More »
Looking lovely this fall/early winter is the fascinating Asian beautyberry, Callicarpa rubella, planted here beside the golden, Juniperus conferta ‘All Gold’. This little-known beautyberry species has been a star for us in the garden since 2015. Thanks to the US National Arboretum for sharing their wild collection.
You’d need to be a pretty serious plant nerd to grow members of the obscure evergreen genus, Eurya, in your garden. Of the 160 species in the genus, we’ve tried four, which is possibly some sort of record. Eurya‘s family, Pentaphyllaceae, tells us that it has some other better known relatives, such as Ternstroemia and
Flowering in November is the lovely evergreen shrub, Fatsia japonica ‘Variegata’. If you look closer at the second image, you’ll find that it’s a feast for a range of native insects. Hardiness zone 7b to 10b.
Finding a Fall Fatsia Feast Read More »
Looking lovely on our patio now is the amazing century plant, Agave desmettiana ‘Galactic Traveler’. The coloration on this amazing, tropical, spineless, specimen is truly surreal. We hunted for years, before attaining a single division five years ago, and for the first time this year, we have propagated enough to share through Plant Delights.
Galactic Traveler Read More »
On a recent trip to Asheville, I made a long overdue stop at Hefner’s Nursery in Conover, NC. I have known about Hefner’s Nursery for decades, and always admired their plants at our state nursery trade show, but had never managed to visit. I was prompted to finally stop after running into current president, Randy
Hefner’s Centerfolds Read More »
Back in 1999, we were thrilled to have Alabama magnoliaphile, Dr. John Allen Smith, of Chunchula, Alabama, stop by JLBG on his way to the International Magnolia convention. We never dreamed this would be the last time we’d ever speak, as he passed away a few months later of a brain aneurysm at age 63.
Mattie Mae Smith – the Striped Magnolia Read More »
