Educational outreach
Video Library
Learn, share, educate
We have generated many videos over the years covering seasonal topics, plants spotlights, propagation techniques, plant care, etc. Many of these are recordings of our popular Gardening Unplugged mini lectures that we offer during the Open Nursery and Garden Days. These videos offer valuable insight to zone 7b/8a gardening for beginner gardeners, people who recently moved to the area, and even experienced green thumb folk.
From basics to advanced
Gardening Unplugged
This playlist is a collection of the free lectures that we offer to the public during our Open Nursery & Garden Days events. The topics range from garden tours and plant spotlights, to propagation techniques and soil care. Each video is packed with useful information for both beginner and seasoned gardeners. As our technological prowess improved, so did the audio and video quality, but the knowledge has always been there. Happy learning!
Hello gardeners! In this video our Garden Curator Doug Ruhren is leading a tour around the garden featuring evergreen perennials.
Shop our Evergreen plants collection: https://www.plantdelights.com/collections/evergreen-perennials
Plant Delights Nursery is an award-winning …
Hello gardeners! In this video our Nursery Production Supervisor Aaron Selby shares his tips for sowing seeds, including soil sterilization, seed scarification, seed stratification, supplies, and resources. Every year we host a sexual propagation workshop where you can learn a …
Landscape cloth, salt-based fertilizer, Epsom salt, peat moss, and artificial mulch – if any of these on your spring shopping list you need to watch this video. Don’t waste money on products that harm your plants, learn our simple and proven recipe for a healthy soil and beaut …
Hello gardeners! In this video our taxonomist Zac Hill discusses early spring native plants for a zone 7b/8a garden.
Shop our Spring blooming plants collection: https://www.plantdelights.com/collections/spring-blooming-plants
Plant Delights Nursery is an award-winning nurse …
Hello gardeners! Today we are talking about growing cycads and palms in zone 7b/8a garden. Learn how to take care of these plants and what mistakes to avoid, especially concerning winter damage.
Would you like to add a bit of a tropical feel to your temperate garden? Shop ou …
Hello gardeners! In this video our Nursery Production Supervisor Aaron Selby demonstrates the technique of dividing evergreen perennials. Learning this technique will allow you to keep your plants healthy when the clumps get too crowded, and to get the most value for your mone …
“If your Helleborus x hybridus were planted more than 20 years ago, throw them away and buy the new varieties!” The breeding work has come so far that the old cultivars don’t hold a candle to the new speckled, blotched, two-toned, double-petalled, anemone, and petticoat variet …
Hello gardeners! In this video our Plant Records and Taxonomy Specialist Zac Hill talks about fragrant flowers, beautiful foliage and ornamental fruit in the garden. While many perennials start to go dormant in fall, for others it is their time to shine. We love the bitter alm …
Hello gardeners! In this much requested video we are diving into the intricacies of fern propagation by spore. Our Production Supervisor Aaron Selby discusses frond collection and storage, spore cleaning, media sterilization, spore sowing, gamete fertilization, frond developme …
Hello gardeners! Doug is back with another tour of the Juniper Level Botanic Garden. September is a great time to view blooming sages, toad lilies, goldenrods and asters, enjoy the scent of fragrant tea olive, and marvel at the airy halos of blooming grasses.
Many of the fea …
Hello gardeners! Best gardens not only look beautiful, but also support a large diversity of creatures by providing shelter, habitat, and food sources. By changing just a couple of things in your garden you can help support populations of salamanders, tree frogs, toads, and m …
Hello gardeners! In this video we are talking healthy soils – how to revive and restore soil and how to maintain it. Healthy, active, well-draining soil is the foundation for a successful garden, thus soil prep is the most important step in gardening. In this video JLBG/PDN Fo …
Hello gardeners! In this video we are talking about wasps. In our east coast zone 7b/8a garden the arrival of early fall is marked by emergence of hundreds of blue winged scoliid wasps that quickly get busy pollinating our sedums, tree verbenas, asters, etc. These common preda …
Hello gardeners! On this early September tour of the garden we are looking at the best fall blooming perennials at Juniper Level Botanic Garden. Many of these are available for sale through the Plant Delights Nursery and every purchase supports the garden.
Plants featured in …
Hello gardeners! In this video our lead Grower Kevin Stephens gives tips on how to keep your potted Agave healthy and how to fix common overgrowth issues. Some Agave are very fast growers and can become root bound within a year, while others produce a lot of offsets, and some …
Attention gardeners! If you have an area that seasonally floods or stays muddy most of the time, don’t drain it! Wet soils offer an amazing opportunity to grow fantastic native and exotic perennials that don’t thrive in an average to dry garden bed. In this video our Garden Cu …
Hello gardeners! In this video we showcase 25 great ornamental perennials that proved to be absolute winners during this year’s hot and dry summer. Our Production Supervisor Aaron Selby is always on the lookout for easy to grow and easy to maintain perennials, that he can en …
On this sweltering hot summer day, Juniper Level Botanical Garden Director Tony Avent is sharing his knowledge on growing Agave in the Southeast. These beautiful succulents have evolved into a myriad of shapes, colors and sizes, are extremely heat and drought tolerant, and eas …
Hello gardeners! In this video our Research and Outdoor Production Supervisor Bill Reynolds is giving a tour of the garden focusing on hardy tropical perennials: Curcuma, Hedychium, Canna, Amorphophallus, Musa, Crinum, Trachycarpus, Hymenocallis and Philodendron. All of the pl …
Hello gardeners! In this video our Garden Manager Logan Clark is giving a tour of the garden focusing on native perennials. Please like, share and subscribe to support the channel. Thank you!
Gardening Unplugged mini-lectures are free to attend during our Open Nursery and Ga …
Hello gardeners! In this video our Nursery Production Supervisor Aaron Selby demonstrates the technique of plant propagation through cuttings is a common and effective method of asexual reproduction in plants. It involves taking a part of a plant, usually a stem, leaf, or root …
Welcome gardeners! Today we are talking about positive impacts our gardens can have for biodiversity and also how to balance the presence of nature with our aesthetic goals. Bill offers ecological perspective on common pest control methods and offers alternative solutions to m …
Welcome gardeners! Today we are talking about creating beautiful planting arrangements in containers. If you ever visited us during the Open Nursery and Garden events, you have probably seen the beautiful planters spread around the nursery. Our Marketing Supervisor Chris Hardi …
Welcome gardeners! Today we are taking a look at groundcovers – low growing plants that gently spread in the garden filling in spaces between larger plants. We refer to them as “living mulch” because they eliminate the need for mulch in the area. Their dense foliage helps to k …
Welcome gardeners! Today we are showcasing the ever-popular carnivorous plants, which is a total misnomer, but “insectivorous” is just too much of a mouthful. So please do not feed your Pitcher plants and Venus fly traps meat, it will give them a serious case of rotten tummy. …
Welcome gardeners! Today we are talking about Baptisia, or False indigo, an amazing spring blooming plant that is native to North America. Juniper Level Botanic Garden Director Tony Avent talks about his passion for this spring garden showstopper, how he came to admire them, t …
Welcome gardeners! In this video our Taxonomist and Plant Nerd Extraordinaire Zac Hill showcases some of his favorite ferns and palms in the garden. These versatile perennials lend themselves to a variety of garden conditions from dry shade to sunny bogs. Did you know that som …
Welcome gardeners! In this video our Garden Manager Logan Clark focuses on spring flowers with interesting morphology. Learn how the peculiarly shaped flowers of our native pitcher plants (Sarracenia sp.) get pollinated, the mechanics of the Mountain laurel flowers, how Cyprip …
Hello gardeners! In this video our Nursery Production Supervisor Aaron Selby demonstrates the technique of dividing dormant perennials. Learning this technique will allow you to keep your plants healthy, such as perennial ornamental grasses and hostas. It will also help you ge …
Hello gardeners! In this video our Lead Grower Kevin Stephens answers questions about growing cyclamen in the Southeast US zone 7b/8a. Most people are familiar with Cyclamen persicum, the florist cyclamen that is sold in big stores around springtime and is generally not ground …
Hello gardeners! In this video our Nursery Production Supervisor Aaron Selby demonstrates the technique of propagating dormant plants through cuttings. Learning this technique will allow you to propagate plants from your garden as a safeguard against possible loss during trans …
Hello gardeners! In this video we will be following JLBG Garden Manager Logan Clark on a tour of the garden showcasing winter blooming perennials. Logan is very passionate about native plants and will point out several US native spring ephemerals that make excellent additions …
Hello gardeners! In this video Tony discusses his favorite trees in the garden, including conifers, broadleaf evergreens, and deciduous architectural trees. Even seasoned gardeners will find something interesting in this video. If you have visited the garden you will recognize …
Hello gardeners! Did you know that some birds like to eat flowers? In this video our taxonomist and bird watcher Zac Hill discusses trees, shrubs, and perennials that attract finches, waxwings, chickadees, hummingbirds, and other species of birds to your garden. Learn which t …
Hello gardeners! Does your garden support native pollinators? Fall is a crucial time for our native bees, bumblebees and solitary wasps as they need plants that provide a lot of nectar to help them get through the winter months such as Solidago (Goldenrod), Helianthus (Sunflow …
Hello gardeners! Get ready to learn some new and surprising facts about medicinal plants and their use. Do you like burning sage to purge your dwelling of evil energy? You might be using the wrong one. Did you know that a common gout medicine has also been used by spies? Why a …
Hello gardeners! In this video we discuss 50 best perennials for the zone 7b East Coast garden. Our Production Supervisor Aaron Selby has been working with PDN plants for over two decades, and has picked up a list of favorites. If you are new to the Virginia, North Carolina, S …
Hello and welcome! In this video JLBG founder Tony Avent discusses the importance of soil prep for a healthy, resilient garden. When Tony bought the land that would become JLBG, it was a sandy tobacco field with a 3.5pH. In three years that sandy loam was transformed into a hu …
Bring color and vibrancy to your fall garden with easy to grow native plants. Join our Garden Manager Logan Clark on a walk through the garden as he discusses a variety of native and near-native plants that are beautiful, easy to take care of, and attract many species on nativ …
We love ferns at JLBG and have collected hundreds of species over the years. Ferns are one of the most diverse and versatile plant groups in the garden. They provide backdrop for seasonal flowers, form textural groundcovers, add architectural statements and splashes of color i …
In this episode we are showcasing the greenhouse set up in our nursery. You will learn about the importance of correct geometry, the purpose of cover materials and different methods of attaching them, irrigation options, ventilation options, heater setup, etc. The talk is foll …
Have you heard of Mangave? These beautiful intergeneric hybrids of Agave and Manfreda were first named in 2005. Unlike Agaves, x Mangaves have softer foliage and monocarpic rosettes that produce basal offsets so the clump doesn’t die after flowering. The growth rate of x Manga …
In this informative video our Nursery Production Specialist Aaron Selby discusses the main propagation techniques that we use at Plant Delights Nursery. Learn about seed collection and scarification, soil sterilization techniques, fern spore sowing, different types of cuttings …
Get ready to elevate your gardening game with a selection of stunning and edible ornamental perennials perfect for zone 7b. Here at Juniper Level Botanical Garden we grow many perennials that are not only beautiful, but also tasty as a garden salad or a side dish. From the ele …
Explore the Juniper Level Botanic Garden in July. Our Senior Horticultural Garden Supervisor Doug Ruhren answers questions about Salvia pruning, Hibiscus growing tips, Hedychium edibility, and many more. Are your daylilies and cannas looking ragged in July? Doug has a great ti …
Does your garden support native pollinators? Do you have enough nectar rich plants to sustain them through the summer months? Some plants are favorited by the native bees and butterflies, while other attract solitary wasps and bumblebees. Learn about the benefits of attracting …
Agave is one of the oldest cultivated plants with records dating back over ten thousand years. It was so important in Mesoamerican cultures that they had a goddess of Agave Mayahuel, that symbolized fertility. Agave fibers were used to produce rope, thread, and textiles and th …
In this information packed lecture Juniper Level Botanical Garden Director Tony Avent talks about the triumphs and fails of introducing Agave to the Southeast, history of the species, best growing conditions, and breeding work that has allowed us to introduce several new hybri …
North Carolina has become a hot spot with roughly 1000 people moving to the state each day. If you are one of them, welcome, and lets talk gardening basics. JLBG Director Tony Avent breaks down the challenges and benefits of our climate, and gives actionable advice on how to s …
In this last section of Spring Blooming Plants, our Senior Horticultural Garden Supervisor Doug Ruhren takes the group through our full sun Souto garden. Doug discusses desert plant adaptations, edible flowers, sun loving aroids, rare palm species and heat tolerant native plan …
The spring of 2023 was unseasonably warm resulting in many more than usual plants in bloom at the time of the Spring Open House. There was so much to see that we had to split the video into 3 parts – Shade Garden, Sunken Pond Garden and Souto Sun Garden. In this section, our S …
The spring of 2023 was unseasonably warm resulting in many more than usual plants in bloom at the time of the Spring Open House. There was so much to see that we had to split the video into 3 parts – Shade Garden, Sunken Pond Garden and Souto Sun Garden. In this first section, …
Southeast US is home to eight species of pitcher plants and is the only place where Venus fly traps grow in the wild. How do these interesting plants lure in insects? And why do they need to do that? What makes the Venus fly trap snap shut? Join our Director of Horticulture an …
Not all orchids are delicate tropical creatures destined to reside upon misted moss towers and cork bark. Some orchids are perfectly at home in the cold forests of Canada, and others are amazingly drought tolerant and easy to grow here in the South. Learn about the hardy terre …
Have you ever wondered which of the plants we know today were around when the dinosaurs roamed the earth? Where did flowering plants come from? The most ancient plants today are not ferns or palms, but a group of basal angiosperms called ANITA. Join our Director of Horticultur …
Did you know hostas in the wild are all green? Have you heard about fragrant hostas? Giant hostas? Dwarf hostas? Sun tolerant hostas? Join Tony Avent on an beginner friendly introduction to Hosta history, growing tips, and latest breeding trends.
Thumbnail: Hosta ‘Branching …
Baptisias are wonderful members of the legume family with about 20 species all of which are native to North America. They thrive in both dry and wet soils with at least 4-6 hours of full sun. At JLBG we have 180 different clones and 37 of them have been introduced to horticul …
See what’s in bloom at Juniper Level Botanical Garden with commentary and stories by our Director of Horticulture and Gardens Dr. Patrick McMillan.
Thumbnail: Spigelia marilandica ‘Little Redhead’
https://www.plantdelights.com/products/spigelia-marilandica-little-redhead
Pl …
Trilliums are one of our favorite spring blooming perennials. Some Trilliums emerge from the ground as early as December, thus adding much needed excitement to a winter garden. Native to the Southeast, Trillium plants are very easy to grow in Zone 6a-9b woodland garden. Learn …
Do your plants look burned, brown, or melted after a cold spell? Don’t reach for the pruners yet! Our senior horticultural garden supervisor Doug Ruhren and garden manager Logan Clark explain how to determine the extent of the damage and what you should do next.
Thumbnail: A …
You can have something blooming in your garden every day of the year, just like we do here at Juniper Level Botanical Garden. In 2023 we had an uncharacteristically warm February, so many more plants were in bloom for the Winter Open House. Join our Director of Horticulture an …
Large or small, perennial or woody, deciduous or evergreen – any plant can be moved, if you are a good enough horticulturalist. In this video our Director of Horticulture and Gardens Dr. Patrick McMillan shares his hard learned tips on moving plants. If you have a question abo …
Broad Leaf Evergreen plants add structure and life to your winter garden. Join JLBG Director Tony Avent on walk through the garden as he showcases some of his favorite evergreen shrubs and trees.
Thumbnail: Fatsia japonica ‘Variegata’
For a complete transcript of this …
On this very rainy and cold day we had to start our free lecture in the garage. Only a few brave souls stayed for the garden walk portion, though our senior horticultural supervisor Doug Ruhren was completely unfazed by the steady drizzle. Video quality apologies aside, this i …
Don’t settle for a sea of mulch and leaves as your winter garden! At Juniper Level Botanical Garden in Raleigh, NC, we have trialed many plants to find the best and hardiest evergreen perennials for your south east garden. Join JLBG Director Tony Avent as he discusses some of …
These staples of the winter garden are among the most coveted of garden plants by those who know them, yet they are still relatively unknown outside of plant enthusiast circles. Because they don’t flower quickly from seed and often finish flowering before most folks visit gard …
What is the perfect garden soil? How do you achieve the right amount of moisture and drainage to grow the most plants? Join our Research and Grounds Supervisor Jeremy Schmidt to learn about soil pH, amendments, soil mix ratios, and our strategy for creating the perfect garden …
This video is part of Gardening Unplugged, a free garden chat series held each day during our Open Nursery & Garden Days. Tony Avent leads a small group through the gardens discussing hardy ginger, asarum, at our 2019 Winter Open house.
Complete transcript and additional pla …
Tony shows off some of his favorite tree species, discusses pruning myths and malpractices, and tips to save trees that survive development.
Editor’s note: We apologize for some of the footage being shaky; our cameraman was struggling to keep up with the crowd.
Plant Delig …
Fall is an exciting time at Juniper Level Botanical Garden. In addition to ornamental grasses and bulbs, many of our favorite native plants that belong to the Asteraceae family start blooming in September/October. Dr. Patrick McMillan is an expert in southeast native plants an …
Andropogon, Pennisetum, Eragrostis, Miscanthus, Sorghastrum, Muhlenbergia, Carex, Schizacharium… there are so many varieties of ornamental grasses to choose from. Learn about the origins, myths, habits, and benefits of these species from our Director Tony Avent.
Complete t …
We get a lot of questions about cutting back plants in fall. In today’s video we will address some of the common dos and don’ts of cutting back hosta, aspidistra, ferns, etc. Save your leaves! They make excellent leaf mulch and provide winter shelter for the native insects.
…
Learn how to attract birds to your backyard garden! Our Research Supervisor Bill Reynolds discusses nesting necessities, food sources for the young and adult songbirds, nectar feeders’ best practices, and most importantly, the eco-conscious mindset that is required to create a …
JLBG taxonomist Zac Hill discusses the many fall-blooming geophyte varieties we grow and propagate here at Juniper Level Botanical Garden. Get behind the scenes look at our trial beds area filled with Surprise lilies, Aztec lilies, Rain lilies, and more!
Complete transcript …
Recorded on March 5th, 2022. Join Tony Avent on a walk through the garden as he discusses the different species of conifers at the Juniper Level Botanical Garden. Learn the things garden stores don’t tell you and how to pick the right plant for the right space.
Plant Delight …
Do you have standing water, swampy spots, or washout areas in your garden? Save money and fix it yourself! In this video our Grounds and Research Supervisor Jeremy Schmidt teaches the basics of managing water flow and preventing erosion in your garden.
Complete transcript an …
Recorded on July 24th, 2022 during our Open Nursery and Garden Days. In this episode of Gardening Unplugged, our Research Supervisor Bill Reynolds tries to identify as many sounds as he can while walking the garden. His knowledge of insect noises is so good he can tell when se …
Recorded on July 23rd, 2022. In this episode of Gardening Unplugged, our Horticultural Manager Dr. Patrick McMillan lets you smell everything but the roses. Featured scents: Papa Johns pizza crust, Lysol, Ginseng, and a whiff of lavender.
Complete transcript, additional pics …
Recorded on July 23rd, 2022. In this episode of Gardening Unplugged, our Research Supervisor Bill Reynolds shares his best tips on selecting and establishing tropical plants.
Complete transcript and additional plant pics can be found at – https://www.plantdelights.com/blogs/ …
Recorded on July 22nd, 2022. In this episode of Gardening Unplugged, our Horticultural Manager Dr. Patrick McMillan discusses the importance of the ex situ (off-site) conservation.
Complete transcript and additional pics can be found at – https://www.plantdelights.com/blogs/ …
Recorded on July 22nd, 2022. A sample of the wonderful lecture on Pollinators presented by our Nursery Manager, Meghan Fidler.
Gardening Unplugged are free classes presented by JLBG/PDN staff during the Garden and Nursery Open House days. These are 15 – 30 minute discussions …
Recorded on July 16th, 2022. JLBG Taxonomist Zac Hill tells the origins of the many agave varieties we grow in the garden.
Gardening Unplugged are free classes presented by JLBG/PDN staff during the Garden and Nursery Open House days. These are 15 – 30 minute discussions wal …
Recorded on July 15th, 2022. You may recognize JLBG Volunteer Vince Schneider from our recent video about Agave pollination. Today Vince will show you other spiny gems in our collection.
Complete transcript and additional pics can be found at – https://www.plantdelights.com/ …
Recorded on July 15th, 2022. JLBG Director Tony Avent is a master of the woodland garden. Some of his favorite shade plants may surprise you!
Gardening Unplugged are free classes presented by JLBG/PDN staff during the Garden and Nursery Open House days. These are 15-30 minut …
Recorded on May 8th, 2022. Art is subjective and art is everywhere. Take a walk with our Marketing Coordinator Chris Hardison for a brief discussion of art in the garden.
Plant Delights Nursery is an award winning nursery in Raleigh, NC near Garner. We specialize in rare, a …
Recorded on May 7th, 2022. JLBG Director Tony Avent speaks hosta fluently. Join him for a discussion of the main breeding lines and new varieties.
Hostas that Tony mentions in this video:
Hosta sieboldiana
Hosta venusta
Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ – https://www.plantdelights.c …
Recorded on May 7th, 2022. Rocks gardens give a cozy home for small and medium plants and add visual interest to a flat landscape. JLBG Research and Grounds Supervisor Jeremy Schmidt gives you the essential tips on how to get a rock wall started, the dos and don’ts of plantin …
Recorded on May 6th, 2022. Who knew that mulch could be controversial, and even deadly! Our garden curator Amanda shares her best practices and horror stories in this illuminating talk.
Plant Delights Nursery is an award winning nursery in Raleigh, NC near Garner. We special …
Recorded on May 6th, 2022. Their amazing drought tolerance, resilience, and beautiful architectural form made Tony fall in love with Baptisias in 1994. These primarily scrub and prairie US natives delight our visitors with spikes of blue, white, or yellow blooms every spring. …
Recorded on May 1st, 2022. Learn everything you need to set up an efficient irrigation system in your garden. We have tested many things over the years so you don’t have to.
Plant Delights Nursery is an award-winning nursery in Raleigh, NC near Garner. We specialize in rare, …
Recorded on April 30th, 2022. Few plant genera offer the amazing diversity and ornamental potential found in the genus Salvia. Our garden curator Amanda Wilkins showcases several varieties in bloom and shares knowledge about growth habits, pruning, and origins.
Plant Delights …
Recorded on April 30th, 2022. Learn how to make your own potting mix, which fertilizer to use, where to make drainage holes, and much more from our expert gardeners Chris Hardison and Meghan Fidler.
Plant Delights Nursery is an award-winning nursery in Raleigh, NC near Garne …
JLBG Research Supervisors Jeremy Schmidt and Bill Reynolds explain how the plant breeding program works and what care goes into keeping it going.
Plant Delights Nursery is an award-winning nursery in Raleigh, NC near Garner. We specialize in rare, and unusual perennials and w …
Recorded on April 29th, 2022. Sarracenias, commonly known as Pitcher Plants are carnivorous, hardy, full sun loving plants that are easy to grow when you know how. Juniper Level Botanical Garden Director Tony Avent has collected and propagated many species over the years, and …
Recorded on March 4th, 2022. Shelter, medicine, food source – plants have many roles other than pleasing the eye. Learn more from our garden curator Amanda Wilkins.
Plant Delights Nursery is an award-winning nursery in Raleigh, NC near Garner. We specialize in rare, and unusu …
Recorded on Feb 25th, 2022. There are few perennials that can rival the seasonal interest of hellebores … often called Christmas or Lenten Roses. These staples of the winter garden are among the most coveted of garden plants by those who know them, yet they are still relativ …
Recorded on Feb 26th, 2022. Research Supervisor Bill Reynolds covers ground in the garden while talking about the origins of five different species of hardy palms. Palms make excellent winter statements in the garden and attract many pollinators in the summer. Learn how to pla …
Recorded on Feb 26th, 2022. In North Carolina piedmont zone 7b we are blessed with mild winters, which means there is almost always something blooming in the garden. And no, it’s not all Hellebores. Our garden curator Amanda Wilkins talks about her favorites and must haves for …
Recorded on March 6th, 2022. PDN Nursery Manager Dr. Meghan Fidler talks about plants in the context of culture and history.
Plant Delights Nursery is an award-winning nursery in Raleigh, NC near Garner. We specialize in rare, and unusual perennials and we strive to carry a …
Recorded on February 27th, 2022. Do you ever wonder why some gardens feel comfortable and relaxing, while others feel awkward? Join JLBG Director Tony Avent on a walk through the grounds as he discusses the fundamental principles of garden structure. Learn how to plan your gar …
Recorded on March 5th, 2022. We killed many a cyclamen trying to grow them in our hot and humid NC climate, but no more! Learn how to make your cyclamen thrive in the piedmont zone 7b from the JLBG Garden Curator Amanda Wilkins.
Plant Delights Nursery is an award-winning nur …
Recorded on March 4th 2022. Join Jeremy and Zac on a walk through the Juniper Level Botanical Garden as they discuss our Trillium collection. Southern Trilliums are a native perennial plant that brings mystery and beauty to a woodland garden. Be prepared for an avalanche of pl …
At Juniper Level Botanic Garden we do not use salt based fertilizers in the gardens. We use only organic elements to amend our garden beds. A healthy soil and microbes make for healthy plants. Join Jeremy Schmidt, Grounds and Research Supervisor, as he discusses the different …
Join Juniper Level Botanic Garden curator, Amanda Wilkins, on a virtual tour of the gardens as she discusses fall blooming bulbs. September 17, 2021 during our Fall Open Nursery & Garden Days!
Complete transcript can additional pics of featured plants can be found at – https: …
Join Tony Avent on a walking tour of Juniper Level Botanic Garden as he discusses growing hardy tropical looking plants in our Zone 7b garden.
Visit us by appointment: https://www.plantdelights.com/pages/request-a-visit
Visit during one of our 8 open house weekends: https:// …
This video is part of our Gardening Unplugged garden chat series held each day during our Open Nursery & Garden Days. Join Tony on this virtual tour of the garden recorded in February 2020 as he discusses the history of hellebores, their genetics, and how we have arrived at th …
As part of Gardening Unplugged, our free garden chat series, Mike Papay leads you on a tour through Juniper Level Botanic Garden discussing hardy palms and native palms of North and South Carolina. Learn more about their growth habits, habitats, and companion plants, as well a …
Plant Delights assistant nursery manager, Dennis Carey, leads you on a stroll through the garden discussing historical folklore around certain garden plants. This video is part our Gardening Unplugged Garden Chat series held in conjunction with our Open Nursery & Garden Days.
…
Join our nursery manager, Meghan Fidler, on this amazing insight into the world of bees. Native vs. non-native: this is a much debated topic about the plants we grow in our garden, but did you know it is as much a debate in the world of bees? Our native bees are great pollinat …
We host 5 Gardening Unplugged events during each of our Nursery and Garden Open Houses.
Visit by appointment: https://www.plantdelights.com/pages/request-a-visit
Visit during one of our 8 open house weekends: https://www.plantdelights.com/pages/open-nursery-and-garden-dates
…
In the first entry in our Gardening Unplugged chat series, Tony Avent defines just what makes an “evergreen perennial” and talks about their importance in the garden. Tony shares some of his favorite evergreen plants and tips on their culture and habit.
Complete transcript an …
Join Tony Avent in our Gardening Unplugged Series recorded February 2018 during our Winter Open Nursery and Garden Days. Gardening Unplugged is our series of free classes presented by JLBG/PDN staff during the Garden and Nursery Open House days. These are 15 – 30 minute discus …
Tony Avent leads you on a tour through the gardens discussing Hostas. This is part of our free 15 minutes garden chat series, Gardening Unplugged, held each day during our Open Nursery & Garden Weekends.
Complete transcript and additional pics of hostas featured in this video …
Join Tony Avent as he leads guests on a tour through the gardens discussing Solomon’s seals. This is part of our free garden chat series, Gardening Unplugged, held each day during our Open Nursery & Garden Weekends. This chat was recorded May, 2018.
Complete transcript and ad …
In this episode of Gardening Unplugged, Tony shows guests some of the wonderfully diverse pitcher plants at Plant Delights and Juniper Level Botanic Garden and reveals just how easy it is to grow sarracenias. This talk was recorded during our spring Open Nursery and Garden da …
Join Tony Avent on this virtual garden tour as he discusses trilliums for the South. This is part of our Gardening Unplugged garden chat series recorded on May, 2018 as part of our Open Nursery & Garden Days.
Complete transcript and additional pics of trilliums featured in th …
Tony takes a group attending the Spring 2018 Plant Delights Nursery & Juniper Level Botanic Garden Open Nursery and Garden Days’ Gardening Unplugged Series through the garden focusing on the variety of Baptisias and their breeding. Discussion highlights several examples; Bapt …
Jeremy Schmidt, grounds and research supervisor at Juniper Level Botanic Garden, discusses berm construction using rocks. Rocks add aesthetic interest, help to retain the soil of the berm, and can be used as stepping stones in the bed.
Learn more about Plant Delights Nursery …
Jeremy Schmidt, grounds and research supervisor at Juniper Level Botanic Garden, discusses organic soil amendments, calcium, magnesium and lime used in the gardens. Learn about the importance of pH, drainage, composted organic matter and soil testing.
Visit during one of our …
Divisions and beyond
Propagation
Have you ever wondered how plant nurseries create their stock? How do we take one plant and make it into many? In this series we show different techniques of propagating plants including divisions, cross-cutting, dormant and active cuttings, fern spore sowing, seed sowing, etc. Enjoy!
Hellebore production from seedling to flower at Plant Delights Nursery.
Some of the hellebores mentioned in this video:
Helleborus x hybridus ‘Painted Doubles’
https://www.plantdelights.com/products/helleborus-hybridus-painted-doubles
See our current selection of Hellebourus …
Trillium production from seedling to flower at Plant Delights Nursery.
Learn more about Trillium (Toadshade):
https://www.plantdelights.com/collections/trillium
Visit during one of our 8 open house weekends: https://www.plantdelights.com/pages/open-nursery-and-garden-dates
…
Tony Avent discusses propagating Ophiopogon, aka mondo grass, from seed and division.
Complete transcript and additional pics here – https://www.plantdelights.com/blogs/videos/how-to-propagate-ophiopogon-mondo-grass
Learn more about Opiopogon (Mondo Grass):
https://www.plan …
Tony Avent talks about the growth habit and culture of Solomon seal and demonstrates how to divide and propagate an established clump.
Complete transcript and additional pics – https://www.plantdelights.com/blogs/videos/how-to-divide-solomons-seal-polygonatum
Learn more abou …
Tony Avent discusses rohdea growth and culture and demonstrates how to divide an established clump.
Learn more about Tony here: https://www.plantdelights.com/pages/tony-avent
Learn more about Plant Delights Nursery here: https://www.plantdelights.com/pages/about
Learn more …
Tony Avent discusses wild ginger growth and culture, and demonstrates how to divide an established clump.
Check out all of the Asarum (Wild Ginger) available at Plant Delights:
https://www.plantdelights.com/collections/asarum-wild-ginger-plant-hexastylis
Learn more about Ton …
In this video our Nursery Production Supervisor Aaron Selby demonstrates the technique of cleaning fern spore from the chaff. This important step helps to prevent inoculated soil from growing bacteria and fungi. The amount of spore in this video is quite outrageous and does no …
Hello gardeners! Have you ever wondered how nurseries increase their Century plant stock? In this video our Nursery Production Supervisor Aaron Selby demonstrates a technique of removing the central meristem to stimulate the production of offsets. This technique is used to pro …
Hello gardeners! Do you have an Agave that produces offsets or runners in the pot? In this video our Nursery Production Supervisor Aaron Selby demonstrates the technique of dividing century plants from offsets and runners. No roots? No problem. Learn the process and products w …
Hello gardeners! In this video our Nursery Production Supervisor Aaron Selby demonstrates the technique of propagating dormant plants through cuttings. Learning this technique will allow you to propagate plants from your garden as a safeguard against possible loss during trans …
Have you ever heard a well-meaning relative proclaim “Bulbs should be transplanted only when they are dormant!”? Well, we say “Hogwash! Divide your bulbs in spring, or even in summer, divide them in the green.” Our Garden Curator Doug Ruhren explains the benefits of dividing p …
Hello gardeners! In this video our Nursery Production Supervisor Aaron Selby demonstrates the technique of dividing dormant perennials. Learning this technique will allow you to keep your plants healthy, such as perennial ornamental grasses and hostas. It will also help you ge …
Hello gardeners! In this video our Nursery Production Supervisor Aaron Selby demonstrates the technique of plant propagation through cuttings is a common and effective method of asexual reproduction in plants. It involves taking a part of a plant, usually a stem, leaf, or root …
Today we are in the garden with JLBG/PDN Founder Tony Avent following along as he divides a clump of Trillium ludovicianum ‘Lean and Green’. Contrary to popular belief, Trilliums are quite easy to grow in the garden and they are quite easy to divide too, but there are a couple …
Hello gardeners! In this much requested video we are diving into the intricacies of fern propagation by spore. Our Production Supervisor Aaron Selby discusses frond collection and storage, spore cleaning, media sterilization, spore sowing, gamete fertilization, frond developme …
Today we are in the garden collecting Lycoris sprengeri seeds. Lycoris hybrids are mostly sterile, with exception of Lycoris x rosea which reliably produces seed. Straight species (Lycoris sprengeri, L. radiata, L. aurea, L. chinensis, etc.) also produce viable seed that may t …
Every year we get asked about tips to overwinter elephant ears: Colocasia, Leucocasia, Alocasia, etc. Full disclosure, we recorded this video last year, hence the short sleeve shirt Doug is wearing, but the same advice applies. Once the foliage gets fried by the frost, cut the …
This Patrick McMillan selection of Muhlenbergia dumosa has done great in our winter trials and has proven to be a steady grower, so we now have enough to share. Muhly grasses should only be divided during the cold season, so we are chopping into our clump in mid-December. In t …
Pitcher plants are quite easy to divide due to their shallow roots and most of the time can be snapped apart by hand or cut with a pair of clippers. Tony’s preferred tool is a gintsu knife – “perfect for slicing bread and plants!” Taking cuttings is another method of propagati …
Hello gardeners! In this video our Nursery Production Supervisor Aaron Selby demonstrates the technique of dividing evergreen perennials. Learning this technique will allow you to keep your plants healthy when the clumps get too crowded, and to get the most value for your mone …
Learn how to propagate perennial plants by seed and ferns by spore. Our Production Supervisor Aaron Selby will share his tips on plant hybridization, seed scarification and stratification, as well as spore collection and sowing. You will be taking home every plant you propagat …
Hello gardeners! In this video our Nursery Production Supervisor Aaron Selby shares his tips for sowing seeds, including soil sterilization, seed scarification, seed stratification, supplies, and resources. Every year we host a sexual propagation workshop where you can learn a …
Discover new treasures
Plant spotlight
In this collection we feature individual plants or an individual genus to give gardeners a better insight into their garden worthiness, growing requirements, and growth habits. Some of our plant collections are the largest in the world and we continue to work with plant breeders and collectors to preserve the amazing genetic variety. Many of the plants featured in this videos you can find for sale through our nursery department (Plant Delights Nursery).
We love creeping phlox! In spring, the evergreen carpets are covered with thousands of flowers turning them into pools of color in the garden. Which varieties do you have in your garden?
#phlox #nativeplants #groundcover #sunplants
Shop our Phlox collection: https://www.pl …
Viola pedata ‘Blue Bibb’ is a the non-bicolor selection of the native bird-foot violet from Bibb County, Alabama. They feel right at home on the north side of our dryland berm. Zones: 4a to 8b. We have them scheduled for Spring 2026. Does anyone know the name of the bird singi …
Dryopteris x australis is… magnificent, in our humble opinion. A patch of these 4 foot tall upright fronds creates a beautiful backdrop for flowering perennials and provides lush habitat for frogs, toads, lizards, insects and even small children. This is a US native, natural …
Tiarella ‘Cutting Edge’ is a very lovely and easy to grow US native perennial for the part sun to light shade garden. Foam flowers are happy in average to moist, well-draining soil and are generally avoided by deer and rabbits. We find this selection to perform particularly we …
Oxalis crassipes ‘Cherry Spritzer’ is our selection of an old garden staple that was shared with us by the Yucca Do Nursery. This cultivar stands out for the amount of light pink flowers it produces in the spring and fall. The flowers and leaves can be used as a tangy, lemony …
This is a good story for the plant trivia night! And the plant is great too : ) Another beautiful bulb from Brent and Becky’s Scilla peruviana adds beautiful deep blue color to the spring garden and is reliably hardy for us in zone 7b/8a. This is one of those “plant it and fo …
In this video we are looking at a rare species of iris – Iris dabashanensis. This is an excellent April fools plant, because it looks nothing like an iris until it starts blooming. Our plant is a Darrell Probst collection from Sichuan, China. Winter hardiness is Zone 5a – 8a. …
Primula sieboldii ‘Wildfire’ emerges from the ground in early spring and quickly goes into bloom, taking advantage of the extra sunlight hitting the floor of our woodland garden. There is something very charming about its soft, fresh green foliage, topped with a cloud of magen …
A new addition to the garden that makes us quite excited is the hybrid terrestrial orchid – Pleione ‘Alishan’. This is our third year having it in the ground and the flower show is really good this year! But how is it related to Subaru? 🤔 #orchids #plantfacts #springflowers …
Ajuga tenorei ‘Cordial Canary’ is one of the best- and well-behaved gold-foliage groundcovers in our garden. We love the way it neatly spreads around rocks and requires virtually no maintenance. Ajuga is easy to grow and is generally unbothered by deer and rabbits. Also great …
The horny goat weeds are finally in bloom! Or fairy wings, whatever you prefer. We will stick with Epimedium, and will soon be featuring more of them from the garden. Today we are taking a look at the ‘Pink Champagne’ – a representative of the new hybrid cultivars that have be …
Tulipa clusiana var. chrysantha ‘Thubergen’s Gem’ has been a reliable performer in our garden for two decades. This lovely selection came from our friends at Brent and Becky’s Bulbs and we can’t recommend them and their plants enough. The bright gold flowers stay in bloom for …
Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Storm Cloud’ is a great southeast native for the spring garden. In early spring it emerges with very dark stems that gradually age to green. This low maintenance perennial needs at least 4 hours of direct sun for best flowering, but can tolerate both d …
Calanthes are easy to grow woodland orchids, that are almost as easy as Bletillas, though we wouldn’t plant them in a bog. Some cultivars are even fragrant! The firm, corrugated foliage is attractive most of the year, but we typically cut it back in late winter/early spring be …
Juniper Level Botanic Garden is home to 92 species of Asarum (wild ginger) and today we are showcasing a tiny fraction to illustrate the wide variety of flowers. Dr. Patrick McMillan’s article on wild gingers will be published in the spring edition of the JLBG member newslette …
Carex fraseriana (formerly Cymophyllus fraserianus) is a delightful native sedge that blooms in early spring. The bright white, tuft like flowers combine male and female parts, but are not self pollinating. The evergreen foliage is unusually broad and leathery, and looks good …
Podophyllum peltatum ‘Maid Marion’ is our selection of the native mayapple with deeply lobed leaves. Each stalk produces a single, sweetly fragrant flower hidden underneth the umbrella-shaped leaf. The native mayapples are spreading spring ephemerals, the patch comes up in spr …
Podophyllum difforme is one of the more unusual perennials we offer. They may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is certainly ours. The leaf shape of this Asian mayapple species is quite variable, some are more round while others are more lobed. The deep velvet green leaves …
Erigeron pulchellus ‘Meadow Muffin’ is a lovely selection of the eastern US native evergreen groundcover. We love its fuzzy foliage and very fine petalled, daisy-looking flowers! The rosettes grow pretty close together, but not so close that they smother all the neighbors, suc …
Ahh, the lushness of the silk-like white petals, the bitter sweet fragrance and the buzzing of the bees – our treasured Paeonia ostii is in bloom! This Chinese tree peony is one of the finest spring blooming plants in our collection. Not only is it easy on the eyes, but it gr …
One of our favorite native spring ephemerals is blood root – Sanguinaria canadensis. Named for the red sap that is exuded by the damaged rhizome, this woodland perennial is an easy to grow delight in the late winter/early spring garden. The clumps spread slowly by an undergrou …
What a lovely puddle of blue! Veronica umbrosa ‘Georgia Blue’ in full bloom is a spectacular sight. Our patch of Georgia blue speedwell is planted near a rain chain in well-draining soil. The foliage is green most of the year, and turns dark purple in fall. A must have for a s …
Daphne genkwa, commonly known as the lilac daphne due to the shape of the flowers. If only it had the fragrance too!
Plant Delights Nursery exists to support Juniper Level Botanic Garden – a 28-acre educational, research, and display garden. JLBG campus contains more than 27 …
A beautiful double-flowered form of the Rue anemone, Thalictrum thalictroides ‘Cameo’ is in full bloom this week. The dainty symmetrical flowers are a treasure in our woodland rock garden. Zones: 4a to 8b, at least.
Plant Delights Nursery exists to support Juniper Level Botan …
Syneilesis aconitifolia is in full glory today! Every year we get about a week to admire the beautiful emergence of the umbrella plant. This is the same clump that Doug harvested last fall for the nursery.
#springtime #springgarden #plantsforsale #plantnursery
Plant Delights …
Thalictrum thalictroides (Anemonella thalictroides), commonly known as Rue Anemone is a low-maintenance, delicate looking, shade garden plant that is valued for its long lasting floral display in early spring. It is always well behaved, remaining a single clump that tends to g …
A lovely native plant combo – Cardamine douglassii ‘Southern Lady’ and Dicentra eximia ‘Dolly Sods’. Both thrive in our average moisture, sunny grapevine garden. Dicentra keeps it’s attractive foliage all summer, while the Cardamine disappears in late spring.
#springephemera …
This patch of Erythronium americanum ‘Silver Pigeon’ in full bloom has stopped us in our tracks today. The contrast of solid silver foliage and bright yellow flowers is a beautiful sight in the spring garden. If you bought this plant last year, tell us how it is doing in your …
Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’ is a vigorous, densely spotted selection of the lungworts introduced by the Terra Nova nursery. The fuzzy foliage is unfavored by rabbits and deer. Pulmonarias thrive in part sun to light shade areas with moist well drained soil, neither soggy or dr …
Stellaria pubera ‘Chick-a-boom’ proves that not all plants in a genus are created equal. Unlike its well known weedy cousin, this chickweed selection forms a solitary clump that does not run or seed. In early spring the clumps are topped with hundreds of small bright white flo …
One of our favorite winter fragrances has arrived just in time for the first weekend of the Winter Open Garden and Nursery Days. Edgeworthia chrysantha ‘Snow Cream’ has started to open its small, but very fragrant flowers in the Founder’s garden and by the Mystic Falls in Mich …
Helleborus x ericsmithii ‘Champion’ is gleaming in our crevice garden this week! The dense cluster of creamy, almost butter yellow flowers is a welcome sight on a cold rainy morning. This hybrid has genetics of three different species: H. niger, H. argutifolius, and H. lividus …
Helleborus x lemperii ‘Walberton’s Rosemary’ is looking great even on this cold and rainy day. This hybrid between Helleborus x hybridus and H. niger has the best traits of both parents: early, prolific, large, outfacing flowers, slightly veined evergreen foliage, and good fro …
We just couldn’t pass by this glorious clump of Narcissus romieuxii ssp. romieuxii. This petticoat daffodil species is native to Atlas Mountain in North Africa and is adapted to the dry summer/wet winter climate, growing through the winter and going dormant in summer. We find …
The warming weather has kicked off the Hellebores blooming season! We are big fans of the outfacing hybrids such as this Helleborus x ballardiae ‘Mahogany Snow’. The early blooming time comes from Helleborus niger heritage and the veined foliage comes from Helleborus lividus. …
Helleborus argutifolius (aka. Helleborus lividus corsicus) is a short-lived perennial native to the islands of Corsica and Sardinia. Like the Bearclaw hellebore, this is a stemmed species that blooms quite early in the season. The flowers are pale yellow to light green, and ou …
We love multi-interest plants that play more than one card in the garden. This patch of Penstemon ‘Dakota Verde’ is an example of the east coast native Penstemon digitalis hybrids that have been selected for the beautiful winter foliage in addition to the wonderful flower show …
This clump of Helleborus x iburgensis ‘Sally’s Shell’ as a great example of a clump that can be completely cut back once the flowers start to emerge. The old foliage is splayed out and does not offer protection anymore, so it can be completely removed. Helleborus x iburgensis …
Dentaria diphylla is a lovely native woodland groundcover that is also edible! The flavor is similar to mustard greens. The foliage appears in late fall and lasts all winter, taking advantage of the extra moisture and sunlight on the deciduos forest floor. In spring the patch …
What’s that sweet, fruity fragrance? The answer – small dangling flowers of Chimonanthus praecox, also known as Wintersweet. This large deciduous shrub is smothered with thousands of flowers in January. Chimonanthus praecox is easy to grow in full sun to part shade. Zone 7a-9b …
Remember how we said Carex should be trimmed early? It is a good thing that these clumps of Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’ look great and don’t need to be trimmed, because they are already in bloom! This cultivar has been rock solid in our zone 7b/8a sandy loam garden, it tolerat …
This handsome clump of Aspidistra elatior ‘Goldfeather’ is hiding a dark secret – it had an illicit affair resulting in a herd of illegitimate seedlings. Cast iron plant flowers are produced at ground level and so are the hard, round, green colored seedpods, which can be diffi …
Couple of warm days have brought new flowers to the garden. One of Doug’s favorite winter flowers are snowdrops, so he was happy to talk about this freshly emerged late blooming Galanthus elwesii ‘Mount Everest’. Snowdrops are easy to grow in a woodland garden and are virtuall …
Sedum bithynicum is a perfect groundcover for a very dry and sunny rock garden. It looks especially lovely in winter, when the dense mats of tiny succulent foliage take on a distinct rosy-purplish hue. The silvery grey summer foliage is topped in late summer with tiny star sha …
Hamamelis vernalis ‘Quasimodo’ fooled us into thinking it was in bloom! We should have known better, as the fragrance far precedes the sight when the flowers are fully open. Spring blooming ozark witch hazel is different from the medicinal fall blooming Hamamelis virginian …
Winter is a great time to do maintenance on the evergreen plants, such as this dwarf Cryptomeria here. If your compact cultivars are starting to look a little shaggy, it is time to look for reversions and prune them out.
#gardeningtips #conifers #dwarfplants #pruning
Plant De …
Is it time to cut back helleborus? We are not rushing into anything, but it may be a good time for you depending on several factors.
#gardeningtips #wintergarden #helleborus #winterflowers
Plant Delights Nursery exists to support Juniper Level Botanic Garden – a 28-acre educa …
Why do my rhododendrons look wilted? After a cold spell many broad leaf evergreens look droopy, but don’t rush to cut the affected foliage! These plants have adapted to the cold temperatures by wilting on purpose – they remove water from their cells to prevent them from gettin …
Since we got blessed with whopping 1.5 inches of snow this week, we took the opportunity to do a little garden tour with Doug. In a week and a half we will resuming our monthly garden tours (February 5th @ 10 a.m.) and our Winter Open House is about one month away. We hope to …
Yucca ‘Silver Anniversary’ is our introduction of a hybrid between two native species – Yucca pallida and Yucca filamentosa. The soft, glaucous foliage is easy on the eyes and hands, as well as generally avoided by deer. The flower spikes are tall and lovely and a magnet for p …
Doug is back in the garden part-time and today we caught him collecting Calycanthus chinensis seeds ahead of the cold snap this week. Seed collection is such an important job at JLBG that we have a full-time Seed Curator on staff. Garden volunteers often help us clean the seed …
One of our favorite clumping bamboo species is Fargesia robusta. Clumping bamboos have a pachymorph rhizome, while spreding bamboos have a leptomorph rhizome. Fargesia robusta ‘Ping Wu’ is a medium sized bamboo that tops out at about 8-10 feet tall and remains evergreen during …
Coniogramme japonica is an unusual fern that looks more like a miniature bamboo than a typical clump of fronds. It is quite easy to grow in a moist to slightly moist woodland soil, making it an excellent choice for filling in areas between shrubs in an understory planting. The …
Edgeworthia chrysantha ‘Snow Cream’ is showing off its beautiful branch structure and silver flower buds this week. We love the way this shrub looks in every season, it doesn’t have a bad day! Commonly known as paper bush, it is easy to grow in moist to average well-drained so …
A rare member of our wild ginger collection, Asarum hypogynum ‘Spit Shine’ is in bloom in the garden right now. This was propagated from an original 2008 division from a clump growing near an amusement park in Chiayi County, Taiwan @ 5800′ elevation. Starting in early winter, …
Unlike the very upright form of Aspidistra elatior, Aspidistra sichuanensis and its cultivars have curved foliage that creates a flowy presence in the garden. In late winter the shallow rhizomes produce 1 inch wide red, starry shaped flowers close to the ground. They are slowl …
Helleborus niger is in bloom just hours before the snowstorm! No worries, this very hardy Helleborus species is used to flowering in cold temperatures. For us it is one of the earliest Hellebores to flower, beginning in late December/early January. The flowers of H. niger are …
Agave x victoferox ‘Upstanding’ is our new introduction for 2025. This is one of our selections from a cross we made using Agave victoriae-reginae x Agave x pseudoferox ‘Bellville’. It has taken us 10 years to bring this mid-size, zone 7b hardy cultivar to the market. We love …
Arachniodes standishii surprises many of our garden visitors by its unique “upside down” appearance – an illusion created by the raised and deeply veined mid rib and pinnae. Our specimen comes from Tony’s botanizing trip to Korea in 1997. Arachniodes standishii preffers moist, …
Helleborus foetidus is another early blooming species, but it is quite distinct in its growth habit. This is a stemmed hellebore that produces an above ground stalk up to 3 feet tall draped in attractive evergreen foliage. This particular cultivar was introduced by us in 2007 …
Cyrtomium facatum is easy to recognize by its stiff and glossy foliage that looks great almost all year in our zone 7b/8a garden. Shiny Holly fern is quite tough and unbothered by dry spells, deer, or a couple of hours of direct sunlight. The foliage can differ, our favorite c …
Asparagus virgatus has long been a staple of the florist trade, used as a “filler” for arrangements. But it also makes an excellent garden plant in zone 7b! The large airy clouds of fine green foliage add softness to the undestory ladscape and can be harvested for arrangements …
Asarum nobilissimum ‘Crown Royal’ is a true gem in our collection. The giant, glossy foliage looks stunning in our shade garden almost year-round. Wild gingers grow from a thin underground rhizome that spreads just below the soil surface. Asarum nobilissimum speads quite slow, …
Ruscus aculeatus ‘Elizabeth Lawrence’ is a very slow growing, heavy fruiting, dwarf form of the Mediterranean native butcher’s broom. A mature clump of this cultivar looks incredibly festive in the winter garden with it’s compact dark green foliage and an abundance of red berr …
Sabal minor ‘McCurtain’ is another native palm species, but unlike Sabal palmetto, it has an underground trunk. The crown stays slightly above the soil level, while the trunk pushes further into the ground. For this reason, Sabal minor are very difficult to transplant and shou …
Dryopteris championii is looking great in our winter garden despite lows of 20F. The #evergreen glossy foliage of this wood fern is one of the best in our shade garden. Important gardening tip: do not cut back evergreen ferns is fall or winter, wait till the new fiddle heads ( …
If you need a delicate-looking, lacy, drought tolerant fern that doesn’t melt at the first kiss of frost, look no further than Onychium japonicum ‘Sichuan Lace’. This fern may look dainty, but has proven to be a great performer in our part sun to shade garden. A very beautiful …
Aucuba japonica ‘Ogon-no-Tsuki’ is one of the finest variegated cultivars of the Japanese laurel in our extensive collection. We appreciate its slow growth rate which makes it very suitable for this smaller section of the garden. The beautiful evergreen foliage becomes a cent …
One of the most popular palm species, Sabal palmetto is native to most of the Southeast coast. It is the landscaping palm of choice due to the ease of transport. This specimen is our cold hardy selection from Bald Head Island, NC that has proven to be completely hardy in zone …
This outstanding form on North Mexican native Sedum palmeri was collected in 2002 during Tony’s botanizing trip to Argentina. Since then it has been a reliable staple in our garden. In winter, the tips of normally pale-green foliage turn bright cherry red (similar to the paddl …
Illicium parviflorum ‘Florida Sunshine’ beams like a bright sun in the garden, especially in the fall/winter, when the foliage is brightest. This is one of our best selling introductions and still one of the most asked plants in our garden. Zones: 6a to 9b, Part Sun to Light S …
Pitcher plants are quite easy to divide due to their shallow roots and most of the time can be snapped apart by hand or cut with a pair of clippers. Tony’s preferred tool is a gintsu knife – “perfect for slicing bread and plants!” Taking cuttings is another method of propagati …
This Patrick McMillan selection of Muhlenbergia dumosa has done great in our winter trials and has proven to be a steady grower, so we now have enough to share. Muhly grasses should only be divided during the cold season, so we are chopping into our clump in mid-December. In t …
This deer resistant native to Texas and adjacent northern Mexico is surprisingly little known in cultivation, but we aim to help change that. The pompom shaped, evergreen, glaucous foliage is a delight in a hot and dry spot in the garden but does well in average moisture soil …
We have been working on a new strain of agave cultivars that change color during the cold months. In 2023 we introduced our first selection – Agave lophanta ‘Goldfinger’, that resembles typical Agave lophantha until cold weather, when the top half of each leaf turns brilliant …
This Florida native is hailed as the hardiest palm, with established plants tolerant of lows as far as -20F! We have several in the garden and most are an offsetting form that creates sort of a bush, but we also have a non-offsetting form that makes a short solitary trunk afte …
We are always on the search for hardy palms for our garden, and Trachycarpus fortunei has been a great performer for us in zone 7b/8a. These easy to grow, and fast growing palms add a lot of winter interest in the garden, and serve as a tropical backdrop to spring and summer p …
Rohdea japonica hails from the shady forests of Japan and is highly prized for its evergreen, structural foliage that is quite prone to variegation, pleats, and various combinations of both. Very rare cultivars of Rohdea has been known to go for thousands of dollars, and becau …
We’ve grown the wonderful Pyrrosia ‘Red China’ in our garden since 2010 and finally have enough to share in our 2025 Spring catalog. This species is so slow spreading we consider it a clumper, perfect for baskets and rock gardens! The underside of the leaves has a soft, cordur …
Pyrrosia is a genus of mostly evergreen, epiphytic ferns that like to grow over rocks and down slopes, spreading slowly through an above ground rhizome. Due to their shallow root systems, they lend themselves beautifully to basket planting. We are still surprised at how hardy …
This spreading ribbon fern adds a bit of unexpected color in fall! The lovely evergreen foliage is highlighted by bright orange polka-dot-shaped sporangia – very attractive in the shade garden. Neolepisorus fortunei is a great fern for understory planting in a woodland garden. …
It’s grapefruit season at JLBG! Even in half day sun, these trees have produced quite a bit of fruit this year. The peel of the hardy grapefruit is fragrant, but very bitter, while the flesh is juicy and mouth-puckeringly sour with a hint of waxiness and fragrance of the trifo …
Prized by florists and gardeners alike, the 4′ long green stems of Danae racemosa are clothed with thick waxy-green leaves that remain evergreen all winter. In late fall the clump is adorned by bright orange-red berries that contain a single seed. Poets laurel is a bit hard to …
We love giant tree dahlia and grow it most years just for the height and foliage, but this year our long warm fall season resulted in a pretty good flower show. In the wild, Dahlia imperialis can reach 30 feet tall, but our plant rarely exceeds 8-9 feet. A sunny, well-drained …
Our Metasequoia allee is looking brilliant in late November! Dawn redwood is a deciduous conifer that prefers average moisture well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight. Our allee was planted about 20 years ago, so these trees are considered fast growing. We love the stunning f …
Spring blooming iris blooming in November… that must be a sign, right? A sign of good breeding! Iris x germanica ‘Harvest of Memories’ is an example of a naturally spring blooming perennial that due to hybridization efforts graces our garden with a fall flower show. There ar …
This Heronswood introduction is reliably hardy to zone 5a (up to -20F) and is a fantastic, easy to grow plant for a shade garden. For us it starts blooming in June and continues until frost. Handsome heart shaped leaves and continuous parade of pink flowers make it a winner in …
It is a rainy day in early November and this North American native is looking fresh in the garden. Manfredas are attractive, drought tolerant perennials that are known for their fun, purple-spotted foliage. We are trialing several specimens in the garden for winter hardiness, …
These very spooky fruit clusters appear just in time for Halloween! Produced by the hardy edimental Zingiber mioga ‘Lushan Gold’ the fruit are as edible as the flowers and just as numerous. Zones: 6a to 9b, guessing. #ginger #fruit #shadeplants #edimentals #perennials
Plant …
Doug is very excited to introduce this late blooming perennial from the mountains of Mexico – Salvia puberula ‘Hidalgo’. The hot pink fuzzy flowers are perched atop 6-foot-tall stems clothed in rough, fragrant foliage. Fully hardy in zone 7b, this plant is drought tolerant, de …
Farfugium japonicum var. giganteum ‘Marco’ holds a special place in our hearts for its outstanding glossy foliage and 4 feet tall late blooming flower stalks. While other cultivars tickle our senses with fun and sometimes weird variegation, this one adds a very bold contrast t …
Tinantia pringlei is a charming, easy to grow shade perennial that blooms from early summer all the way to frost. The dark green, purple speckled foliage topped with purple flowers looks great in containers and as a filler between more structural plants. Tinantia has weak shal …
Another great long blooming perenial from Mexico is Malvaviscus drummondii ‘Big Momma’. This hardy Turk’s cap features larger flowers than the typical varieties, very attractive to humming birds. We can’t get enough of the contrast between the handsome foliage and those scream …
This gold foliage cultivar is one of the most admired yuccas in our garden! Yucca x recurvifolia ‘Mellow Yellow’ looks good 365 days of the year, thanks to the beautifully #variegated #evergreen #deerresistant foliage that looks stunning against a backdrop of dark or glaucous …
Fatsia japonica is an easy to grow evergreen shrub with distinct palmate foliage that we find adds a nice tropical touch to the garden. Several variegated cultivars exist, and we have featured then in other videos and blogs. ‘Spider’s Web’ is the only variegated cultivar we cu …
Symphyotrichum elliottii is a superb native aster that thrives in wet and sunny sites. The 8 foot tall stems are topped with dozens of light lavender-pink flowers – a magnet for pollinators! This is one of Doug’s favorite plants for the fall garden and he would be very happy i …
Tradescantia pallida is a fabulous North American native (Northeastern Mexico), known primarily as a hanging basket plant, but we prefer to use it as a groundcover. The beautiful dark purple color holds all season and the small pink flowers in fall are a lovely bonus. The fles …
Salvia ‘Mes Azur’ is one of the longest blooming autumn sages in our garden, starting in mid-spring and continuing until frost. Native to the Southwest US and Mexico, these easy-to-grow shrubs are sun loving, drought tolerant, and deer resistant. A pollinator and hummingbird m …
The pictures never do this great plant justice, so we made a video to show of her true size and beauty. Salvia madrensis ‘Red Neck Girl’ hails from the high mountains in Mexico and has been reliably hardy for us in zone 7b. We love the red stems and foliage during summer, but …
“My precious conifer is loosing needles! Is it dying?” is a common question we hear from beginner gardeners. Many are also surprised to hear that evergreen trees drop their foliage annually. Doug worked at the arboretum for many years and is here to explain the difference betw …
Rolling Stones? No, living stones! Lithops are South African succulents in the Azoiceae family, native to very dry and mostly tropical regions. They are prized for their odd appearance that consists of only two camouflaged succulent leaves that split in two every spring and bl …
Lindernia grandiflora (Blue Moneywort) is a lovely native groundcover that thrives in sunny, wet spots in the garden. Our patch has spread nicely in a mostly soggy rain garden along with Pontederia cordata ‘Sopchoppy’, Macbridea caroliniana, and Japanese iris. Dense mats of at …
Do you need a giant plant that is easy to grow, loves sun, and flowers in fall? We got one in stock! One of our obsessive plant friends, Glen Melcher, of Tioga, Lousiaiana, sent us several seedlings a few years ago, from his cross of Hibiscus paramutabilis x mutabilis. We made …
Add a splash of gold to your shade garden in November with Farfugium japonicum! Also known as ligularia, leopard plant, and tractor seat plant, these easy to grow perennials come in many foliage options: ruffled, crinkled, spotted, streaked, jagged, round, glossy, matte, etc. …
This one-year-old clump of Capsicum frutescens ‘Hawaiian’ is showing off its festive fall fruit! We had an older clump that was planted in 2018, but after 6 years it was very late to emerge so we replaced it with a fresh quart-sized plant from the nursery. This shrubby pepper …
This wonderful princess lily hybrid is a great performer in our zone 7b/8a garden. The blooming is heaviest in spring and fall when the night temperatures are cool. Alstroemerias prefer moist, well-drained soil and morning sun exposure, with at least 4 hours of direct sun for …
This easy to grow perennial is a popular staple in our catalog because it is just so charming! The two-tone bell-shaped flowers of Abutilon megapotamicum are reminiscent of hibiscus and are a favorite of hummingbirds. They are unfortunately not deer resistant, which is why our …
Trick or treat 🎃 Put away the eggs and toilet paper, because this one is definitelly a treat! Gladiolus dalenii ‘Halloweenie’ is not for the shy and faint-hearted – the creaming orange flowers are bright enough to beacon souls back from the underworld. Plant in front of a d …
Once you join the cyclamen club it is hard to get out! While the flower color range is pretty narrow, the leaf variegation patterns seem infinite. We fell in love with the hardy cyclamen due to its beautiful winter foliage, drought tolerance, deer resistance, and long blooming …
Rolling Stones? No, living stones! Lithops are South African succulents in the Azoiceae family, native to very dry and mostly tropical regions. They are prized for their odd appearance that consists of only two camouflaged succulent leaves that split in two every spring and bl …
Schefflera delavayi is one of our long time favorite hardy tropical perennials. The large, glossy, evergreen foliage is very attractive in the garden and the fall flowers smell divine! We love planting Schefflera near a path of a bench where the fragrance can be enjoyed fully …
We adore this fall blooming endangered garlic species from Japan! Allium kiiense looks like tufts of fine grass most of the season before exploding with thousands of tiny purple flowers in October. This reliable perennial is not too fussy about soil as long as it drains well a …
Today we are featuring a variety of beautiful, easy-to-grow, garden-worthy chrysanthemums that have been fool proof for us in zone 7b/8a. Every year in late October the garden lights up with masses of fragrant flowers, a perfect compliment to blooming grasses. These make excel …
Orostachys japonica ‘Ed Scrocki’ was originally gifted to Tony by Brent Horvath of Intrinsic Perennial Gardens in late 2016. The large burgundy-colored rosettes are very showy in a sunny rock garden. During spring and summer they look like a succulent version of Hen-and-Chicks …
Looking great in the garden right now is the native aster – Symphyotrichum grandiflorus ‘Biscoe Belle’. We find this little-known species to be extremely drought tolerant and easy to grow in a well-drained sunny location. Aster grandiflorus works great in combination with autu …
This blue-foliage selection of the native Indian grass is a delight in the fall garden! The 8-12 foot tall vertical flower stalks are topped with attractive bronze plumes, great in combination with more free flowing fall blooming perennials. We hope you’ll add Sorghastrum nuta …
In this video Doug discusses the importance of proper timing when pruning flowering shrubs and trees. Most winter and spring flowering plants already have their flower buds and won’t develop new ones until next season. #pruning #gardentips #gardenadvice #fallgarden
Plant Deli …
Cuphea micropetala, aka Mexican Giant Cigar Plant, provides a nice color contrast to the late-blooming asters, sunflowers and coreopsis. Plant in a sunny, well-drained spot with a bit of space as the clump will continue to grow each year. Now on sale! Zones: 7b to 10b, Culture …
Silver prairie clover, Dalea bicolor var. argyraea, is a sun-loving, drought tolerant perennial native to Texas and Mexico. In the garden it is invaluable for its airy silver foliage, which is topped in October with hundreds of tiny, bright, pink-violet flowers. Great as foil …
We have a special treat for the tropical garden folks today, the legend in the world of elephant ear hybridization – Dr. John Cho. A plant pathology professor, Dr. Cho’s primary focus was breeding edible colocasia for leaf spot resistance, until he met Tony who inspired him to …
Berlandiera pumila ‘Chocoholic’ is a stellar native plant selection from Lee Co. Texas, that emits chocolate fragrance in the morning and blooms for weeks! #nativeplants #sunplants #droughttolerant #fragrantflowers #perennials
Plant Delights Nursery exists to support Juniper …
We are in love with hardy bananas and today Doug, clad in his world-famous shirt, is talking about his two favorite selections – Musa yunnanensis and Musa balbisiana. #tropicalplants #musa #bananaplant #zone7bgardening #raleighnc #botanicgarden #plantnursery
Plant Delights N …
This plant doesn’t need the advertising, but it just looks so good we couldn’t pass by! Coreopsis palustris ‘Summer Sunshine’ is a gently spreading native perennial that is easy to grow in a sunny, moist to average spot. Zones: 6a to 9b, at least, Sun to Light Shade. #nativepl …
Today we are featuring Calylophus berlandieri ssp. pinifolius ‘Fugitive’. This lovely perennial is a Patrick’s McMillan’s collection of the US native sundrop from Kimble County, Texas. Much like its neighbors, it prefers a quick-draining soil and blooms all summer. A lovely ad …
Today we are in the garden with JLBG/PDN Founder Tony Avent following along as he divides a clump of Trillium ludovicianum ‘Lean and Green’. Contrary to popular belief, Trilliums are quite easy to grow in the garden and they are quite easy to divide too, but there are a couple …
You all have beed asking about Agave desmettiana ‘Galactic Traveler’ at the open house, because it looks absolutely stunning on our summer patio. Great news, we finally have it in stock! This is one of the most anticipated new introductions in our Fall catalog, so don’t wait t …
It is peak rain lily season at Juniper Level Botanic Garden and Doug is here to share the best of the Fall Catalog. Zephyranthes are easy to grow bulbs native to North American South West and south to Argentina. Flushes of delicate flowers emerge after summer rains, lighting u …
Amorphophallus titanum is the Holy Grail of the plant kingdom. All plant nuts have seen pictures and then searched for this rarity…indeed only several hundred specimens are known in cultivation. For those new to the titan arum, Amorphophallus titanum has the world’s largest …
Where is Smell-O-Vision when you need it? Aloysia virgata is one of the most fragrant plants in our garden. Known as Sweet almond tree verbena, this deer resistant perennial shrub is easy to grow, drought tolerant, and its tiny white flowers are popular with pollinators. Plant …
Welcome to the Trillium encyclopedia! We are serious trillium nerds and have collected hundreds of specimens over the years. In this video our Taxonomist Zac Hill showcases the many species of Trillium sharing information about their origins, growth habits, scent, conservation …
Epimediums (Fairy wings, Barrenwort, Bishop’s hat) are easy-to-grow perennial wildflowers. They are tenacious flowering shade plants that provide a welcome first breath of spring with spikes of airy flowers. Newly emerging epimedium foliage often has purple or brown tones or p …
In June 2023 we flowered our second giant arum, Amorphophallus titanum ‘Homo Erectus.’ In this time-lapse, taken inside our hosta greenhouse at the nursery, you can see the progression of the spathe unfurling, and all the excitement of the visitors and staff around it. After t …
Hello gardeners! In this video our Garden Curator Doug Ruhren spotlights his favorite fall blooming perennials at this time of the year (early November). These easy to grow, sun loving, drought tolerant plants make a great addition to a pollinator garden, a naturalized area, …
It all started with a question: why do many of our US Native Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia) species produce a flush of new pitchers in fall, when most plants are winding down for the winter? To capture seasonal insects of course! Each pitcher plant species evolved amazing adaptati …
What an amazing statement plant! Unlike the Arundo donax ‘Versicolor,’ ‘Peppermint Stick’ does not loose it’s variegation in summer. It is also not invasive, despite what the internet might say. The plant is sterile (does not produce viable seed), and it does not run. It doe …
In this video Tony discusses the genus Rhodophiala. Although not quite as large as a hybrid amaryllis, rhodophiala makes a colorful statement in the garden. Rhodophiala flowers appear in late summer or fall when the garden is sorely in need of some fresh color. The flowers app …
Today we are discussing Lycoris (aka Surprise Lily, Hurricane Lily, or Spider Lily): what they are, where they came from, and how to grow them. You will also see many new varieties that are currently in production at the Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, NC.
Lycoris are mem …
Helpful tips
Gardening basics
Having to manage a garden with 27000 plants is no small feat, so we learned a couple of tricks to help us get through the day more efficiently. Did you know that daylilies can be cut down to the ground after blooming? Or that many bulbs do great when divided in spring instead of fall? These videos answer many frequently asked gardening questions and bust some myths.
Tony Avent, owner of Plant Delights Nursery, talks about some basics of planting.
Learn more about Plant Delights Nursery here: https://www.plantdelights.com/pages/about
Learn more about Juniper Level Botanical Gardens here: https://www.jlbg.org/
Visit during one of our 8 o …
Tony Avent, owner of Plant Delights Nursery, describes a few perennial salvias for sale at Plant Delights Nursery.
Learn more about the genus Salvia (sage):
https://www.plantdelights.com/collections/salvia-greggii-guaranitica-farinacea-nemorosa
Here are a few of the perennia …
JLBG Garden Supervisor Keith Lukowski demonstrates how last year’s Sarracenia foliage is removed to improve the appearance of the plant in time for this year’s flowering.
Plants mentioned in this video:
Sarracenia flava ‘Yellow Trumpet Pitcher Plant’
https://www.plantdelight …
How we protect newly emerging hostas from a late winter freeze at Juniper Level Botanic Garden.
Learn more about Plant Delights Nursery here: https://www.plantdelights.com/pages/about
Learn more about Juniper Level Botanical Gardens here: https://www.jlbg.org/
Visit during …
Thomas Thornton, Garden Supervisor at JLBG, discusses methods for frost protection on newly emerging perennials.
Visit during one of our 8 open house weekends: https://www.plantdelights.com/pages/open-nursery-and-garden-dates
Visit by appointment: https://www.plantdelights. …
A tutorial video detailing steps for unpacking and maintaining newly received shipped plants, from Plant Delights Nursery. Remember to unpack your box as soon as you receive it, to give your plants air. Follow the instructions in the video to determine how much sun and/or wa …
Don’t pull the dead leaves one by one! Learn this fast and easy way to cleanup your yucca plants.
Yuccas are excellent textural plants in the garden that are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance. After a year or so, you might notice some dead foliage in and around the …
Hello gardeners! Do you avoid planting peonies during the cold time of the year for the fear of your precious plants getting damaged while dormant? We are here to bust that myth. Peonies are very cold hardy and get a boost from getting planted while dormant. Their roots remain …
We love tall ornamental grasses in our winter garden! But now is a good time to cut them back, before the new foliage starts coming in. Trim your pampas grass, plume grass, indian grass clumps in minutes!
When is a good time to prune your Pitcher plants? Our Garden Manager Logan Clark explains when and how to remove old pitchers to get your Sarracenia ready for the spring flower show. Would you like to learn more about these wonderful southeast native plants? Check out other vi …
Have you ever heard a well-meaning relative proclaim “Bulbs should be transplanted only when they are dormant!”? Well, we say “Hogwash! Divide your bulbs in spring, or even in summer, divide them in the green.” Our Garden Curator Doug Ruhren explains the benefits of dividing p …
Today we are in the garden with JLBG/PDN Founder Tony Avent following along as he divides a clump of Trillium ludovicianum ‘Lean and Green’. Contrary to popular belief, Trilliums are quite easy to grow in the garden and they are quite easy to divide too, but there are a couple …
Clean up your Dayliles in 15 seconds! Now that many early blooming Daylilies are done flowering the clumps are looking tired and in need of a clean up. But what’s the most efficient way to do it? Watch the video to learn Doug’s master technique. #gardeningtips #howto #cleanup …
A third instalment in Doug’s Garden Clean-Up series, today we are talking about making your Canna clumps look great again. Learn how to deadhead the flower stalks without loosing potential blooms and how to quickly tidy up tired foliage without having to trim every leaf. #gard …
Not all plants play by the rule of waking up in spring, blooming in summer, winding down in fall, and staying dormant through winter. Many plants from areas of the world with very hot and dry summers evolved to take advantage of the cooler and wetter winter months by producing …
Every year we get asked about tips to overwinter elephant ears: Colocasia, Leucocasia, Alocasia, etc. Full disclosure, we recorded this video last year, hence the short sleeve shirt Doug is wearing, but the same advice applies. Once the foliage gets fried by the frost, cut the …
Here at Plant Delights we make a great effort to grow the plants, sometimes a decade worth of effort, and it is our greatest wish for you to receive them in the best possible condition. Every order is carefully picked from our greenhouses, checked for accuracy, marked for nece …
Sedges have edges while grasses are flat, trim your Carex early and leave the grasses till March. ❄️🌞🌿 #gardeningtips #gardenmaintenance
Plant Delights Nursery exists to support Juniper Level Botanic Garden – a 28-acre educational, research, and display garden. JL …
Community feedback
Do you have a comment or a suggestion for a video we should make? Let us know below.