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Willis Farm Shrubs & Trees, Perennials & Fruits
Catalogs
1. Plants are arranged in alphabetical order by binomial name.2.
Photographs of selected plant names below can be viewed by
clicking on the blue colored plant names.3. This list includes
plants that we grow. Please call for availability.
Shrubs & Trees: Please Note that We Do Not Grow All Plants
in this
Catalog at Any One Time. We Leave Notes Here For Your
Information. Please Call for Availability.
Call or Text 318-210-4507, 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday
Maples: Family: Sapindaceae (Soapberry)
NATIVE MAPLES:
Acer Barbatum / (southern sugar maple)Designated as Louisiana
Super Plant by LSA Ag.30’ - 45’ Deciduous tree, with good,
generally yellow, to yellow-orange fall color in south. Wildlife:
Yellow bellied sapsucker, seed eaten by song sparrows and
orioles.Culture: Z7-9, Prefers sun, some shade OK, likes rich
well-drained, but not dry, soil. Adaptable to most soil conditions
including basic soils. Likes slopes, tolerates heat & humidity.
Moderate to fast growth. Medium spread.Native to Southeastern
USA.
Acer rubrum ‘Brandywine’ / (brandywine red maple)Brilliant
red-purple fall color. Cross of A rubrum ‘October Glory’ and
‘Autumn Flame’. Deciduous tree grows to 40’, prefers slightly acid
soil but adaptable. Introduction of National Arboretum. A Male
selection so no weedy seedlings. Leafhopper resistance is
significant, a major problem of landscape maples.Culture: Z4-8,
full sun to partial shade, OK in wet or dry areas, needs acid soil
for good health and best color, but fairly tolerant of wide range
of soil conditions.Propagation: Easily from softwood cuttings under
mist, 1-3000 IBA.Landscape Use: Excellent shade tree, street and
park tree. Vermont like color.- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719,
Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am
to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �1
www.willisfarm.net / [email protected]
http://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Acer_rubrum_Brandywine.htmlhttp://www.willisfarm.netmailto:[email protected]
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Willis Farm Shrubs & Trees, Perennials & Fruits
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Native: cultivar, to moist soils of eastern North America.
EXOTIC MAPLES:JAPANESE MAPLE SUBGROUP:
Acer palmatum / “Japanese Maple”Deciduous tree, round headed,
15-25’H x 20’W. Has shallowly to deeply 5-9 lobed mid green leaves,
2-5” long that turn orange to yellow to red in fall. Tiny purple
red flowers produced in small pendant corymbs are followed by red
winged fruit in late summer. Culture: Z7-8. Nearly all of the
Japanese Maples need afternoon sun protection in the south,
however, the straight Japanese maple, Acer palmatum (green Japanese
maple), does very well in full sun here in our nursery, starts off
with green leaves with margin of red in spring, the leaves do not
burn in summer, and turns very a nice red color in fall. Most of
the cultivars below that start out red in spring will develop sun
burned leaves in summer, if not in a protected area. There are rare
exceptions, note below. The green Japanese maple is in general the
best performing Japanese Maple for the deep south. Exotic:
Introduced from China, Korea, Japan.
Buckeyes: Family: Hippocastanaceae (Buckeye or Horse
Chestnut)
Aesculus parviflora / (bottlebrush buckeye)Average 10’-10’
shrub, suckering, with upright, slender branches, with very good
form. Very few other plants grow under this buckeye. Culture:
Prefers moist, well drained soil, acid - but adaptable, and in this
zone likely to do best with some shade. Pruning not necessary, but
can be rejuvenated by pruning to ground. Zones 5-9, 9-4. Neutral to
slightly basic soil best.Features: Attractive foliage, and very
showy large, creamy white flower racemesUses: As specimen or massed
in larger space, background planting, or under shade
trees.Wildlife: Hummingbirds.Native: Southeast US - Alabama &
Georgia, especially in sandy soil.
Aesculus pavia / (red buckeye) or (southern buckeye)This plant
with 4-8” red bloom spikes in early spring following leaves, can
grow into a15-25’ deciduous tree, however many in our area remain
in shrub form. It tends to lose leaves in mid to late summer and
this is accelerated if it is in full sun or receives little
moisture.Culture: Z5-9, 9-5. It grows in part shade in a wide range
of soils from slightly acid to slightly basic that are moist but
tolerates only brief flooding. Many of ours here grow on dry
hillsides.
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �2
www.willisfarm.net / [email protected]
http://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Acer_palmatum.htmlhttp://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Aesculus_parviflora.htmlhttp://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Aesculus_pavia.htmlhttp://www.willisfarm.netmailto:[email protected]
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Willis Farm Shrubs & Trees, Perennials & Fruits
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Wildlife: In this very important example of mutualism this plant
is pollinated only by the Ruby Throated Hummingbird, and is the
first spring food for this bird.Native: WV to FL to TX.
Serviceberry: Family: Rosaceae (rose)
Amelanchier arborea / (downy serviceberry)A small deciduous tree
or large shrub, it may sometimes reach 30’. Use in mixed natural
setting, shrubby border, or understory tree.Culture: Zones 4-9,
9-4. Grows well in moderately moist to dry Acidic soil, full sun to
full shade. They seem to grow well on hillsides.Flowers: Small,
creamy white flowers. Fruit is 1/4” red pome.Wildlife: Fruits eaten
by birds and flowers attractive to hummingbirds.Native: Eastern
USA, ME to FL, to midwest.
Azaleas: see Rhododendrons
Beautyberry: Family: Verbenaceae, (verbena or vervain)
Callicarpa americana / (American beautyberry) or (French
mulberry)4-6’ open woodland shrub with tiny white spring flowers
and showy purple fall fruit in 2” bunches. Big green leaves are
showy. Good for flower arrangements.Cultivation: Z5-9, 9-1. Will
grow in a variety of soils,, from dry to wet. It can be pruned
severely right before new spring growth to control size and refresh
an older plant. Does well in filtered shade, but more fruitful and
denser in full sun.Wildlife: Important bird foodNative to eastern
North America.
Sweet Shrub: Family: Calycanthaceae (sweetshrub)
Calycanthus floridus / (sweet shrub) or (carolina allspice)6-8’
shrub, sun to shade, sweet smelling, distinctive, 2” maroon blooms
on current seasons growth in spring. A first rate native shrub.
Masses of these shrubs can be viewed at Briarwood. Cultivation: Sun
to shade. Prefers acid to neutral, moist soil, flooding tolerated.
Z6-8.Native: to woodlands, hillsides, and sandy streams from PA
& OH to FL & LA.
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �3
www.willisfarm.net / [email protected]
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Willis Farm Shrubs & Trees, Perennials & Fruits
Catalogs
Camellias: Family: Theaceae (tea plant family)
All plants in the camellia genus are exotic (non-native), we do
grow a few Camellia japonica, but none are being grown at the
present time and only two Camellia sasanqua listed below. They are
both very desirable plants and both are in the LSU list of
“superplants”.Exotic: All Camellias originate from the far
east.
Sasanquas
Camellia sasanqua / (sasanqua)Upright to spreading shrub growing
to 20 x 10’, the species bearing single,
fragrant cup shaped white flowers in fall to winter.
Cultivation: Z 7-10. In contrast to the C. japonica the sasanqua
group will grow
in full sun, otherwise culture is similar. Exotic: Introduced
from China, Japan, Korea.
Camellia hiemalis ‘Shishigashira’ / (shishi sasanqua) Designated
Louisiana super plant by LSU.4-5’ evergreen shrub, 4-5’’ wide, with
diffuse bright rose semi-double blooms. Flowers are perfect for
cutting. Excellent choice for a colorful low hedge, espalier, or
ground cover. Lower growing than most camellias, it is excellent in
foundation plantings and at our home is in bloom at Christmas
time.It grows slowly enough so that a yearly trimming will keep it
down to 2 or 3 feet if desired. Blooms November into January. A
hedge as well as a specimen plant.Exotic:
Camellia sasanqua ‘Leslie Ann’ Louisiana super plant. This
sasanqua is a very beautiful fall flowering plant with exquisite
3”-4” white semi-double blooms edged in pink. It tends to grow in a
tall, upright fashion about 10’ or slightly more and about 6’-8’ in
diameter. It is hardy in zones 7-9, and is best in sandy, acid
soil. It forms beautiful specimen plants in our yard, and with it
upright form is good for allees and to form borders.Exotic:
Button Bush:Family: Rubiaceae (madder family)
Cephalanthus occidentalis / (buttonbush)
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �4
www.willisfarm.net / [email protected]
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Willis Farm Shrubs & Trees, Perennials & Fruits
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This is a deciduous wetland shrub generally 8-10’ tall and wide
with tiny creamy white flowers in 1 1/4” spherical heads which are
rather showy. It is at its best beside ponds or
streams.Cultivation: It is best in full sun, with moist soil. It
cannot tolerate drought. Z 5-10.Wildlife: A very good plant for
wildlife, it attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds and the
seeds are important for birds including ducks. Medicinal: Choctaw
and Seminole Indians used the bark for treating diarrhea and
stomach aches.Native: Across eastern USA, and southwest to CA.
Redbuds:Family: Fabaceae
Cercis canadensis / (redbud)20-35’ deciduous tree, often
multistemmed with heart shaped leaves, pointed at the tips, to 4”
long, bronze when young turning yellow in autumn. Has rosy purple
blooms before leaves appear. One of the outstanding southern native
small flowering trees. Cultivation: Z5-9. Will grow in acid to
alkaline soil, moist, well drained locations best, in full sun to
light shade.Native: to Eastern USA.
Fringe TreeFamily: Oleaceae
Chionanthus virginicus / (fringetree) or (Grancy
gray-beard)20-30’ tree, sun to part shade, white, fragrant 4-10”
drooping clusters beforeleaves appear in spring. Chionanthus means
“snow” and “flower”. One of the most refined and beautiful of our
small flowering trees. Cultivation: Prefers moist, acid soil, but
widely adaptable, and will tolerate dry soil. Will grow in full sun
to filtered shade.Wildlife: Berries attractive to birds, larval
host to Manduca rustica “Rustic Sphinx Moth”.Native: to
Southeastern USA.
Summersweet:Family: Clethraceae
Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’ / (ruby spice summersweet)5-10’
deciduous shrub, sun to shade, fragrant, darkest pink of any
clethra with 6” spikes on new growth in summer. Cultivation:
Prefers acid, wet soil, but tolerates fairly dry soil.
Z5-8.Wildlife: Seeds resemble peppercorns and are good bird food.
Blooms are available in summer for butterflies, hummingbirds, and
bees.
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �5
www.willisfarm.net / [email protected]
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Willis Farm Shrubs & Trees, Perennials & Fruits
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Native: to eastern USA, NJ to FL to LA.
Clethra alnifolia ‘Sixteen Candles’ / (sixteen candles
summersweet)3’ seedling of ‘Hummingbird’ with 4-6” long white
fragrant flowers in July that are held upright and do not splay. A
fine dwarf native cultivar, whose cultivation and flowering period
are similar to ‘Ruby Spice’ above.Native:
Buckwheat tree or Black Titi:Cliftonia monophylla ‘Chipola Pink’
Family: Cyrillace / (black titi) or (buckwheat tree)12-30’
evergreen tree with pink, fragrant axillary blooms in early spring
on current year twigs and dark, shiny, thick leaves. Flowers and
later ornamental fruit give ornamental season. ‘Chipola Pink’ is a
Margie Jenkins selection. Cultivation: It prefers very acid, moist
to wet soil and sun to moderate shade. It is multi-trunked but can
be pruned to a single trunk.Native: to Southern coastal plain from
Florida to Mississippi river.
Cedar: Family: Pinaceae
Cedrus deodara ‘Bracken’s Best’ / (Bracken’s best deodar
cedar)50’-60’ x 20-30’ evergreen specimen tree, with a graceful
pendulous habit. Can grow to 30’ in its first 10 years. Needles are
about 1” and turn yellow to brown in fall and in spring as new
needles emerge. The ‘Bracken’s Best is more blue-grey than species,
less broad, & better suited to a wider range of conditions.
Cultivation: Z7-9, Needs well drained soil in full sun.Exotic:
China
Smoketree:Family: Anacardiaceae
Cotinus obovatus / (American smoketree) or (chittamwood)A large
upright shrub or small round headed tree growing to 20-30’. The
dark green to slight bluish leaves turn a very nice yellow, orange,
or red in fall. A very good tree for fall color. Flowers are in
red-purple blush panicles that range from 6-10” long and not quite
as wide that give the tree a hazy smoke like appearance in the
spring.Cultivation: Adaptable to a wide range of of soils and pH
ranges, prefers well drained soil and sunny exposure. Will grow
well in limestone soils. Z4-8.Native:
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �6
www.willisfarm.net / [email protected]
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Willis Farm Shrubs & Trees, Perennials & Fruits
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Haws:Family: Rosaceae (rose)Crataegus marshalli / (parsley
hawthorn)15-20’ deciduous tree, with white early spring blooms.
Cultivation: It prefers moist, rich, acid soil, sun to shade.
Z7-9.Native: to bottomland woods in Southeastern USA.
Leatherwood or Titi:Family: CyrillaceaeCyrilla racemiflora /
(titi) or (swamp cyrilla) or (leatherwood)30’ tree, that will take
sun or shade, and has 4-6” white, fragrant racemes in early summer.
The red scaly trunk divides just above the ground. It stays shrub
like for several years but matures into a slender tree that makes a
good small patio tree. Very tolerant of flooding. Semievergreen.
Cultivation: Z7-10. Sun or moderate shade. Acid, moist to wet soil.
Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds and honeybees.Propagation: Seed or
cutting, but low germination rate. Cold moist stratification may
help. Root cuttings fall or winter or softwood cuttings in early
summer.Native: to acid bottomlands from Virginia into east Texas,
and into Latin America.
American strawberry bush / hearts-a-bustinFamily:
CelastraceaeEuonymus americanus / American strawberry bushEastern
USA native to east Texas. It grows to about 2 meters tall, is
deciduous with opposite, leathery leaves that may be up to 10 cm
long. The flowers are borne in the leaf axils with yellow green
sepals 1-2 cm long and the greenish red petals above are smaller.
The fruit capsule is about 1.5 cm across and splits into 5 sections
revealing the 5 bright red seed which are the very showy fall
occurring episode for this plant. The seed may cause severe
diarrhea if eaten. We use this plant next to buildings where deer
have not bothered ours - to date.Native:
Parasol Tree:Family: Sterculiaceae (cacao or chocolate
family)
Firmiana simplex / (Chinese parasol tree)30-40’ upright,
relatively slender deciduous tree with huge leaves in a “parasol
arrangement”. It is an excellent patio tree. Cultivation: Adaptable
to sun or shade. Grows in a wide variety of conditions.Exotic:
Introduced from China / Japan in 1757.
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �7
www.willisfarm.net / [email protected]
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Willis Farm Shrubs & Trees, Perennials & Fruits
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Witch Alder:Family: Hamamelidaceae
Fothergilla major ‘Mt Airy’ / (Mt Airy witch-alder)6-10’ tall
rounded deciduous shrub, with ovate to nearly round 3-5” leaves,
that are glossy dark green with coarsely toothed margins and which
turn red, orange, and yellow often on the same plant in the fall.
Flowers are small white bottlebrush like spikes 1-2” long, with
stamens and no petals, and which appear in early spring before the
leaves, last 2-3 weeks, and smell like honey. Yellow-orange fall
color. A Georgia Gold Medal Selection.Cultivation: Z5-8. Sun to
part shade. Acid, moist, well drained soil, preferably sandy and
peaty.Native: To dry woods & mountains North Carolina to
Alabama.
Gardenias:Family: Rubiaceae (coffee family)
Gardenia jasminoides ‘Frostproof’ / “Frostproof Gardenia” “Cape
Jasmine”Designated a Louisiana super plant by LSU.4’ shrub with
very delightfully fragrant double white flowers in summer. It has a
compact growth habit and lance shaped leaves. Plant often has sooty
mold fungus growing on the sticky “honeydew” deposited by various
insects, which may be easily removed.Cultivation: Full sun to
partial shade. Needs acid, moist, well drained, high organic soils.
Ideal pH is about 5.5 - 6 and your pH may be lowered using sulfur.
If leaves are not lustrous dark green color add sulfur and Iron.
They are susceptible to root rot and good drainage is necessary and
they should not be over or under watered. Do not apply nitrogen in
excess amounts. ‘Frostproof’ is thought to be the currently best
performing gardenia for our area by LSU Ag.Exotic: China, Taiwan,
Japan. A southern Heirloom Plant.
Gardenia thunbergii ‘Martha Turnbull’ / (hip gardenia)Very old
heirloom shrub grown at Rosedown plantation prior to civil war. It
has single white, fragrant flowers, and in fall the fruit is a
spectacular show of orange and yellow ‘hips’. Evergreen, 5-10’ tall
& 5-8’ wide. Rosedown was built in 1834 for Martha Turnbull by
her husband, and she remained a gardener at this place all of her
life, tending her garden even after all the family wealth was gone.
Sometimes known as the ‘Rosedown’ gardenia.Cultivation: Zones 8-10,
Sun to filtered shade,needs moist well drained soil. See
above.Exotic: South Africa. A southern heirloom plant.
Loblolly Bay:- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA,
71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm
Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �8
www.willisfarm.net / [email protected]
http://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Fothergilla_major_Mt_Airy.htmlhttp://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Gardenia_jasminoides_Frostproof.htmlhttp://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Gardenia_thunbergii.htmlhttp://www.willisfarm.netmailto:[email protected]
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Willis Farm Shrubs & Trees, Perennials & Fruits
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Family: Theaceae (tea plant family)
Gordonia lasianthus / (loblolly bay)30-60’ evergreen tree, with
a narrow crown, and white, fragrant blossoms 3” across starting in
early summer with flowers throughout the summer. It is a very good
native for wet sites and flowers during summer months when few
other things are flowering. It makes an excellent specimen tree or
grove in wet areas or at the edge of a pond. It also works very
well in a lawn, and young specimenswork very well in containers
around patios with evergreen leaves and summer flowers. A first
rate native under many conditions.Cultivation: Z 6-9, sun to part
shade, needs moist to wet, acid soil. It can tolerate swampy
conditions.Native: to SE USA.
Silverbells:Family: Styraceae
Halesia diptera / (two-winged silverbell)15-25’ deciduous tree,
that grows in sun or shade and has 1’ white bell shaped blooms
before leaves in spring. Cultivation: It prefers acid, moist soil.
Z7-8. Does well in filtered shade, however we grow ours in full
sun.Native: Southeast USA.
Halesia dipterra ‘Magniflora’ / “Magniflora Silverbell”A larger
flowered form, naturally occurring, Flowers generally almost twice
size of normally occurring form, otherwise similar.
Witch-Hazels:Family: Hamamelidaceae
Hamamelis virginiana / (witch-hazel)15-20’ deciduous tree,
broadly oval, with oval, obovate, or nearly rounded leaves to 6”
long, turning yellow in fall. Small yellow blooms from September to
December, usually after leaves fall. In the fall the leaves turn a
beautiful yellow color and later the scent of the flowers waft
through the autumn air. A typical native for this area, preferred
by native plant enthusiasts because of late fall, early winter
bloom period.Cultivation: Z5-8. It prefers rich, acid soil, either
moist or dry in either shade or part sun.Native: Eastern North
America
Hibiscus:- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023-
Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �9
www.willisfarm.net / [email protected]
http://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Gordonia_lasianthus.htmlhttp://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Halesia_diptera.htmlhttp://www.willisfarm.netmailto:[email protected]
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Willis Farm Shrubs & Trees, Perennials & Fruits
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Family: Malvaceae (Mallow Family)
Hibiscus coccineus / (scarlet rose mallow) or (scarlet
hibiscus)4-7’ slender, herbaceous perennial that dies back in
winter and re-sprouts in the spring, with great deeply lobed five
petal 5” scarlet blooms atop erect stems, that may be single or
usually multiple, in the heat of summer. Each bloom lasts only one
day but they continue to open through summer into fall. It is an
eye catching specimen particularly next to a pond or water garden,
or at the back of a bed where the brilliant flowers will catch the
eye. Cultivation: It will grow in most conditions. Does well in
moist to wet areas with full sun. Z7-11. Will freeze back to
ground, but return each year. Cut back in winter. In normal soil it
will need extra water in dry spells.Native: to Florida, Georgia,
and Alabama in swamps, marshes, and ditches.
Hibiscus mutabilis / (cotton rose) or (confederate
rose)Extremely poplar multi-stemmed shrub in the deep south, that
thrives in the southern gulf states. It can grow up to 15’ tall and
10’ wide, with large leaves. From late summer until frost it will
have beautiful blooms that start out white or light pink and over a
three day period change color until they end up a deep pink, and as
they die they assume a dark blue-pink color. This is a striking
plant in full bloom partly because there are flowers of three
distinct colors at one time. Leaves are dropped in
winter.Cultivation: Needs sun and will bloom best with lots of
water, although it will survive with little care at all. Z7-9. It
will die back to ground if there are several days of hard freeze,
but will regrow from roots in spring. In normal winters in our area
the stems remain green. It is at its best as a single plant in full
sun. It needs little or no pruning.Exotic: China.
Hibiscus paramutabilis / (Chinese hibiscus)8’ multi-stemmed
deciduous shrub, with 6-8” beautiful red single flowers summer
until frost. In severe winters will die back to ground in our area,
but will grow back in the spring. We enjoy this shrub at the corner
of our porch during the entire flowering season which is about four
months.Cultivation: Sun, otherwise very adaptable.Exotic:
China.
Hydrangeas:Family: Hydrangeaceae
Hydrangea arborescens / (smooth hydrangea)3-5’ deciduous shrub
in wild, forming large suckering colonies.
Cultivation: Z4-9. Flowers on New Wood, so prune in late fall or
early spring. Very adaptable, but proliferates best in moist, rich,
well drained soil. Needs partial shade
here in deep south. If spent flowers are removed usually get
re-bloom in fall, although - 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719,
Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am
to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �10
www.willisfarm.net / [email protected]
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Willis Farm Shrubs & Trees, Perennials & Fruits
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flowers at this time are smaller. Needs additional water in dry
periods. We grow the cultivar listed below.
Native: to eastern USA.
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ / “Annabelle Hydrangea”6’
shrub has extremely large corymbs to 1’ across. The white
inflorescences mature to green. Rated as best of H. arborescens
cultivars by Dirr. Georgia Gold Medal winner.Cultivation: Z4-9.
Flowers on New Wood, so prune in late fall or early spring. Very
adaptable, but proliferates best in moist, rich, well drained soil.
Needs partial shade Cultivation: See under Hydrangea macrophylla
above, blooms on old wood.
Hydrangea paniculata / (peegee hydrangea)Vigorous, spreading
deciduous shrub to 10’ to 20’ x 8’ with ovate, pointed, toothed,
mid- to dark green leaves 3-6” long, and with 3-8” conical panicles
3-8” tall of creamy white fertile flowers and large white sterile
flowers borne in late summer and early fall.
We grow the cultivars listed below. Cultivation: Requires more
sun than other hydrangeas. It will do in full sun, or partial
shade. It blooms on new wood so one may prune in late winter,
early spring, or right after bloom. A few cultivars do well in Zone
8.
Exotic: Russia, China, Japan.
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Phantom’ / “Phantom PeeGee Hydrangea”This
is an upright form, which grows rapidly to 7 to 9 feet, with dense,
conical, mostly sterile flowers, said to be the largest of any of
the paniculatas, in July - September. The flowers are white, do not
expect this or ‘Limelight’, a sister seedling, to be green this far
south. Excellent new introduction in this country that "supersedes
’Grandiflora’" according to the RHS trial of Hydrangea paniculata
cultivars. Received their highest rating and an Award of Garden
Merit (AGM). Dirr: "Spectacularly large (immense) inflorescences.
." Full sun to light shade for zones 3 - 8. Blooms on new wood, as
do other paniculatas.
Hydrangea quercifolia / “Oakleaf Hydrangea”6-8’ deciduous shrub,
with white 4-12” blooms in late spring turning rose pink, then
purple.Cultivation: Z 7-8. Shade to part sun, will not do in
full sun here in zone 8.
Prefers acid soil, either moist or dry.Native: To Eastern USA in
zones 6-8.
Hydrangea quercifolia / oak leaf hydrangeaClassic southern
flowering shrub 8-12’ tall and 6-10’ wide, deciduous, with huge
flower heads opening slightly green, turn white, then to an umber
to burnt orange, then to brown. Flower heads are good dried vase
flowers or short lasting fresh flower heads. The leaves are a
beautiful fall orange red color as fall comes on and provide
stunning - 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �11
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Willis Farm Shrubs & Trees, Perennials & Fruits
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landscape color in the deep south. The plants need exceptionally
good drainage and are best planted on a sandy hillside or on well
raised beds.
Hollies:Family: Aquifoliaceae
Ilex x attenuata ‘Savannah’ / “Savannah Holly”A popular cultivar
discovered in the 1960’s near Savannah,GA, which definitely leans
toward the “American Holly” in character. A group of hollies (Topal
hollies) that has arisen naturally and by man made crosses between
Ilex opaca “American Holly” and Ilex cassine “Dahoon Holly”and
perhaps Ilex myrtifolia. It is lighter textured than the “American
Holly”, with smaller, softer, less spiny leaves, on thinner twigs,
and more likely to by multistemmed, and often conical in habit. The
more vigorous cultivars may reach 40’ in 30 years. It is female and
bears vivid red berries in clusters of 2 or 3.
Ilex Cassine / “Dahoon Holly”20-30’ rounded, pyramidal, densely
branched, evergreen tree with narrow green leaves and abundant
orange-yellow to red berries.Cultivation: Z8-9. Adapts to wet
areas.Wildlife: Berries for birds.Native: to bogs, cypress ponds,
etc NC to FL & TX.
Ilex decidua / “Possomhaw”20-30’ deciduous tree, with tiny white
flowers in spring and with showy red to orange fruit in early fall
to spring on females only. The female is the showiest of hollies in
winter. We grow the 2 cultivars listed below.Propagation: Roots
easilyCultivation: Z6-8. It will grow in sun to shade on a wide
range of soils.Native: Southeastern USA.
Ilex decidua ‘Warren Red’ / “Warren Red Possomhaw”20’ shrub that
is more upright than specie and has lustrous dark green leaves and
abundant long persistent, glossy, bright fruit which is the largest
of any deciduous Ilex on the the market.Cultivation: Z4-9.
Ilex decidua ‘Finch’s Gold’ / “Finch’s Gold Possomhaw”Similar to
Warren Red except that berries are gold colored.
Ilex opaca / “American Holly”Evergreen tree, with tiny yellowish
white blooms in spring and red fruit on females in late fall to
spring. We grow the cultivar listed below.Cultivation: Z6-9. It
will adapt to wide range of wet to dry conditions, from sun to
shade.- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �12
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Native: Eastern USA, Zones 6-9.
Ilex opaca ‘Greenleaf’ / “Greenleaf American Holly”A 20 to 30
foot holly with a spread of 10 to 15 feet. This holly has a
pyramidal form with glossy, medium-green, spiny foliage, and bright
red berries in the fall. Moderate growth rate. It is somewhat
softer in texture and may be used as a specimen, grouping, or for
screening.
Ilex verticillata / “Black Alder” “Winterberry”Suckering,
deciduous shrub which in mid-spring produces white flowers and dark
red to scarlet fruit in fall. Outstanding for shrub borders, mass
plantings, and in wet soils. We grow the 2 cultivars listed below.
Cultivation: Z5-8. Does well in wet to flooded areas.Native; to the
eastern USA.
Ilex verticillata ‘Southern Gentleman’ / “Southern Gentleman
Winterberry”5-8’ male pollinator for Winter Red, Sparkleberry, and
many others. Late season blooming.
Ilex verticillata ‘Sunset’ / “Sunset Winterberry”Up to 8’ tall
female winterberry with orange-red berries, larger than ‘Winter
Red’. Very heavy blooming and later flowering than most. Needs a
late season blooming pollinator.
Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’ / “Winter Red Winterberry”10 x
10’ robust, broad female shrub with dark green leaves.Cultivation:
as above, needs male pollinator either mid or late season.
Ilex verticillata x serrata ‘Apollo’ / “Apollo Winterberry”Late
blooming male pollinator to 12’ feet tall
Ilex vomitoria / “Yaupon Holly”Large evergreen shrub with
usually bright red fruit. Leaves are high in caffeine and may be
used for tea. It is an easily grown holly that is suitable for
screening, hedges, specimen, espalier, or barrier planting. Scarlet
fruit is borne in large quantities on the fast growing plant. We
grow the cultivar listed below. Cultivation: Will take a wide range
of sun, water, pH, and abuse. It is most adaptable small leaf
evergreen holly for southern gardens. Responds well to high
fertility.Native: VA to FL to TX.
Ilex vomitgoria ‘Hoskin Shadow’ / Hoskins Shadow female yauponA
native female cultivar of Ilex vomitoria (yaupon holly), grows
usually about 6-12’ x 4-6’ as a pyramidal, dense, evergreen shrub
with large dark, lustrous green foliage and abundant beautiful
scarlet fruit which generally holds through spring. Z6-10. It
prefers full sun and regular watering and may be best of the red
fruited forms.- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023-
Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �13
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Illicium / Anise:Family: Schisandraceae (sole genus of the
Illiciaceae)
Illicium floridanum / “Florida Anise”15-25’ tree, with maroon to
red 1-1 1/2” blooms in early spring. It is evergreen, with crooked,
multiple trunks.Cultivation: Z8-9. Part to almost full shade. Acid,
rich, moist soil.Native: Florida panhandle to SE Louisiana.
Illicium floridanum ‘Alba’ / “White Florida Anise”A white
selection of Illicium floridanum it is a15-25’ tree, with white 1-1
1/2” blooms in early spring. It is evergreen, with crooked,
multiple trunks.Cultivation: Z8-9. Part to almost full shade. Acid,
rich, moist soil is preferred.Native: Florida panhandle to SE
Louisiana.
Illicium parviflorum / “Ocala Yellow Anise”An 8-10’ evergreen
with distinctive yellow-green foliage, it is a hardy landscape
foliage plant, which does well sun to shade and moist to partly
dry, but will wilt in extreme drought. The blooms are very small
and yellow-green which are not at all showy. This is a plant for
foliage mass or screen.
Sweetspire:Family: Iteaceae
Itea virginica / “Virginia Sweetspire”3-4’ deciduous shrub with
white 4” spires in late spring. It may colonize to form
ground-cover or thicket. We grow the cultivar listed
below.Cultivation: Z6-9. Prefers shade to part sun, moist to wet
soil, and will take variable pH, but prefers acid soil.Native: to
eastern USA.
Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’ / “Henry’s Garnet
Sweetspire”3-6’ Deciduous shrub with white, fragrant 6” racemes in
summer, and with brilliant garnet / burgandy foliage in fall and
red stems in winter.
Walnut:Family: Juglandaceae (walnut family)
Juglans nigra / “Black Walnut”100 x 70’ vigorous, spreading tree
with pinnate, aromatic leaves to 24” long, each with 11-23
ovate-oblong, glossy, dark green leaflets. Grown for edible fruit
and high value of - 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA,
71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm
Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �14
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wood. Chemicals produced by this species may inhibit the growth
of certain other plants growing under or near it.Cultivation:
Z4-9Native: Eastern US
Mountain Laurel:Family: Ericaceae (heath family)
Kalmia latifolia / “Mountain Laurel” “Calico Bush”10-15’
evergreen shrub, with 4-5” cluster of fragrant white to pink
flowers in April.Cultivation: Z5-8. Prefers some shade and acid
soil, either moist or dry.Native: to gulf coast on the bluff sides
of streams and creeks.
Leucothoe:Family: Ericaceae (heath family)
Leucothoe axillaris / “Doghobble” “Coastal Leucothoe”2-4’
Evergreen shrub with 1-3” white blooms flushed with pink on
previous years growth in early spring. We grow the cultivar listed
below.Native: to SE USACultivation: Z7-8. Prefers part sun to
shade, in moist to wet, rich, acid soil.
Leucothoe axillaris ‘Margie Jenkins’ / “Jenkins’ Fetter
Bush”3x3’ evergreen shrub with white, fragrant blooms in April in
full shade. It has dark green leaves with low arching
branches.Cultivation: Needs well drained but not dry soil, and
shade.
Leucothoe populifolia (Agarista populifolia) “Florida
Leuchothoe”8-12’ evergreen shrub with bell like white flowers with
honey like fragrance in late spring on last year’s wood. It creates
a naturalistic effect along stream sides, bluffs, and
woodlands.Native: in moist hammocks and wet woodlands in coastal
plains from SC to FL.Cultivation: Z8-9. Prefers shade to some sun,
in acid, moist soil.
Spicebush:Family: Lauraceae (laurel family)
Lindera benzoin / “Spicebush”3-10’ multi-trunked shrub, with
yellow spicily fragrant flowers before leaves appear, followed by
1/3” glossy scarlet fruit. Native: Eastern USA Z 4-8.Cultivation:
Z4-8. Prefers sandy, acid soil, moist to dryish, sun to shade, with
more berries in sun.- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA,
71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm
Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �15
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Wildlife: Larval plant for “Spicebush Swallowtail” and “Tiger
Swallowtail” butterflies.
Poplar:Family: Magnoliaceae (magnolia family)
Liriodendron tulipfera / “Tulip Popular” “Yellow-Poplar”75-100’
vigorous, broadly columnar deciduous tree with saddle shaped , dark
green leaves to 6” long , which are squarish and indistinctly lobed
at the tips, hollowed at the bases, with pointed lobe at each side.
Cup shaped, pale green tulip like flowers in early summer can only
be fully appreciated from above. Cultivation: Z5-8. Will grow in
sun to part shade and prefers moist, acid to neutral, rich
soil.Wildlife: Butterflies and hummingbirds attracted to flowers.
Cardinals and Finch like the seed. Spicebush and Tiger Swallowtail
butterfly larvae feed on leaves. Native: Eastern North America.
Magnolias:Family: Magnoliaceae (magnolia family)
Native: Eastern North America, in Piedmont and Coastal
plain.
Magnolia ashei / “Ashe Magnolia”Spreading, deciduous shrub or
small tree, 30’+ x 25’+ with large obovate leaves, glossy and light
green above and glaucous underneath, up to 24” long, born on thick
shoots. Flowers are 8-10’ across, white, with maroon at petal base,
in early summer. This tree reaches flowering stage very early,
sometimes within 2 years. It is very closely related, likely a
variety, to Bigleaf Magnolia, and very similar in leaf and flower
size, but the tree is smaller. Bigleaf Magnolia may take 15 years
to produce flowers in some instances. This tree from northern
Florida is a superior tree form because of earlier flowering and
smaller tree size, with flowers that are still comparable to the
Bigleaf Magnolia.Cultivation: Z7-9. Acid, moist, rich soil. With
huge leaves like the Bigleaf, it needs wind protection (by other
trees) and some shade.Native: NW Florida.
Magnolia grandiflora / “Southern Magnolia”60’ evergreen tree,
with creamy white 6-9” blooms in May to June. One of 75 great
plants for American gardens chosen by American Horticultural
Society.Cultivation: Z7-9. Prefers part sun. Will of course grow in
full sun.Native: to lowland woods SE USA.
Magnolia macrophylla / “Bigleaf Magnolia”
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
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50’ deciduous tree with huge leaves to 3’ long. It has very
large creamy white, fragrant flowers in April and May that may be
1’ across. The large leaves need some protection by other trees
from the wind. One of the great southern trees.Cultivation: Z7-9,
9-6. It does best on moist, well-drained, slightly acid slopes. It
will need wind protection by other trees to protect the huge leaves
in heavy winds. Best in some shade.Native: to KY, FL, & LA in
woodlands.
Magnolia pyramidata / Pyramid MagnoliaKnown so for its pyramid
shaped crown, It is one of the rarest magnolias in North America
and has potential for a landscape tree due to its compact crown and
beautiful creamy-white flowers. Growing up to 20-30’ in height, it
occurs in isolated colonies throughout the southern coastal plain.
The deciduous leaves are about 9” long and 4” wide. The white,
fragrant, terminal flowers are 5-6” in size and the rosy red seed
pods are 2 1/2” long. Cultivation: This tree needs acidic, sandy,
moist soil and lots of shade.
Magnolia virginiana / ‘Sweetbay”Designated a Louisiana Super
Plant by LSA Ag.50’ tall by 30’ spread, semi-evergreen tree with
creamy white 3-6” blooms in spring to early summer. One of 75 great
plants for American gardens chosen by the American Horticultural
Society. var. Australis is southern form.Cultivation: Z6-9, Best in
sun to part shade and wet to moist, acid soil.Native: to coastal
plain MA to FL to TX
Magnolias: Oriental:Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’ / “Royal Star
Magnolia”10’ spreading deciduous shrub, with silky buds opening to
star shaped, mostly erect, fragrant, faintly pink flowers to 5”
across, which are profuse in early spring, before leaves. A good
patio, lawn, or accent specimen.Cultivation: Prefer moist, acid
soils. It flowers best in full sun. Prune after flowering. Exotic:
Japan
Blackgum: Family: Cornaceae (dogwood family)
Nyssa sylvatica / “Blackgum”50-75’ deciduous tree, with most
reliable deep orange red foliage in south.Native: Eastern USA Zones
5-8.Cultivation: Z5-8. Prefers sun to part shade and dry acid soil.
Will not tolerate prolonged flooding. Do not overwater.
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �17
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Olive, Sweet:Family: Oleaceae
Osmanthus americanus / “Wild Olive” “Devilwood” “American Sweet
Olive”An evergreen shrub or small tree with pale bark, leathery
leaves, small greenish to creamy white flowers in axillary panicles
on previous year’s wood. Fruits are dark blue drupes April -
October. This is a desirable native shrub in a naturalized
landscape or as foundation planting around a home.
Osmanthus fragrans / “Sweet Olive”A quintessential southern
shrub. It is evergreen, usually 10-15 feet, but sometimes to 25
feet. The small flowers appear over and long period of time in the
fall and on warm winter days. The smell is wonderful and we plant
them near our porches and many people plant them along commonly
used pathways for the wonderful fragrance. Cultivation: Z 7-9. Full
sun to part shade. Prefers fertile, moist, acid soil.Exotic:
Introduced from China, Japan, Himalayas in 1856.
Osmanthus fragrans var. ‘Aurantacus’ / “Yellow-Orange Sweet
Olive”As above except for unique yellow-orange blooms. This sweet
olive has wonderful fragrance, was once used to make perfume, and
blooms only once in fall, a small price for the extra special
fragrance.
Sourwood:Family: Ericaceae (heath family)
Oxydendrum arboreum / “Sourwood” or “Sorrel Tree”20-30’
deciduous tree, with white fragrant 1/4” blooms on long curving
6-10” panicles in midsummer. The dark green foliage turns a vivid
red in the fall.Cultivation: It needs an acid soil for successful
growth, which may be either moist or dry. Plant in sun to part
shade. It does not tolerate flooding.Native: Southeastern
USA.Wildlife: Seed eaten by songbirds & turkey, hummingbirds
and bees come to flowers and sourwood honey is thought a
delicacy.
Pines:Family: Pinaceae (pine family)
Pinus palustrus / “Longleaf Pine”80-125’ evergreen conifer,
tall, straight, high branching. Most stately of southern Pines. In
its early years it has a very distinctive columnar form covered by
the long needles. - 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA,
71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm
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We get asked “what is this” about this tree in the first 10-15
years of its life, when it goes from “Grass Stage” to its early
columnar form, more than about almost any other plant we have. It
then assumes the tall, high branched form of the stately pine that
is a perfect backdrop for azaleas.Cultivation: Z8-9, outside of its
normal range this tree with its long needles may suffer
considerable ice storm damage. Needs sun, in acid sandy soil. It
may stay in “grass stage” for a considerable period of time,
although this is very much shortened by water and
fertilizer.Native: to coastal plains in southern USA.
Flowering Plums / Cherries:Family: Rosaceae (rose family)
Prunus mexicana / “Mexican Plum”25’ tall deciduous tree, which
in spring is smothered with fragrant, white blooms, which are then
followed by purple, tart, juicy fruits which can be used to make
jams and jellies. This tree is native to our area in North LA, the
“American Plum” Prunus americana is generally found a little
further north in Arkansas.Cultivation: Best in full sun or partial
shade, on rich well drained soil, but will tolerate most any soil.
It is drought tolerant once established. It is a good tree for
naturalizing or for residential landscapes, but should not be
planted next to a patio because of the fruit which drops.Native: to
south central USA.
Hoptree:Family: Rustaceae (rue or citrus family)
Ptelia trifoliata / “Wafer Ash” or “Hoptree”Rutaceae (Rue or
Citrus) Family20’ plus deciduous tree or sometimes large shrub,
with compound, three part leaves. Flowers are small greenish white
in May and seed mature in October and cling until midwinter. It is
the northern most new world member of the Citrus family. It is an
often used tree by native preferring landscape architects. Fruit
have been used as a substitute for hops in making of beer, hence
common name.Cultivation: Z4-9, Sun to dappled shade. It prefers
moist, well watered areas, but will do in dry areas.Landscape
Value: An attractive understory small tree or large shrub,
adaptable to both moist and dry conditions. If in full sun and
pruned it will be very bushy. Wildlife: Very good nectar source for
Butterflies. Larval host for Papilio glaucus “Eastern Tiger
Swallowtail” and Papilio cresphontes “Giant Swallowtail”.
Attractive to birds.
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �19
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Oaks:Family: Fagaceae (beech family)
Quercus michauxii / “Swamp Chestnut Oak”An outstanding Native
landscape tree, it grows to a stately 60-70’.
Quercus nuttallii / “Nuttall Oak”A 60-80’ tall, deciduous tree,
with rounded crown and dark green leaves that tend to turn
orange-red in fall. It is a beautiful specimen tree, similar to
Quercus shumardii “Shumard Oak”, but tolerant of a wider range of
conditions. It is a good shade or lawn tree.Cultivation: Full sun
to some shade, it grows in slightly acidic to slightly basic soil,
and will tolerate infrequent flooding.Native: Eastern USA into east
Texas.
Quercus virginiana / “Live Oak”Massive 40-80’ x 60-100’ wide
spreading semi-evergreen tree with shallow grooved, red-brown bark
and elliptic-ovate, leathery, shiny, dark green leaves 1.25-5”
long, softly wooly beneath. Bears acorns 0.75-1” long singly or in
clusters of 2-5. This is classical oak of the deep
south.Cultivation: Z8-10. Grows in full sun in a wide range of
soils.Native: North America - Virginia, to Florida to Mexico.
Azaleas:Family: Ericaceae (heath or blueberry family)
We generally divide this group, all of which are in the genus
Rhododendron, into the 1) deciduous azaleas, many of which are
native, particularly in this list, and which includes cultivars of
the natives and the hybrids of this group, which are mainly native
crosses,2) then the evergreen azaleas, none of which are native to
North American and nearly all of which are hybrids, and 3) the
Rhododendron group. In this genus Rhododendron, the Rhododendron
group have flowers with 10 stamens each, and the azalea group, both
the deciduous and evergreen, have flowers with 5 stamens each.
Because the name Rhododendron is used both as the broader genus
name and as a group within the genus it is somewhat confusing.
Deciduous Native Azaleas & Cultivars:
Rhododendron alabamense / (Alabama azalea)In nature this plants
varies in height from 3 to 10 feet. The flowers are in late spring
to early summer and are white, to white with yellow blotches, to
some with a pink flush. They have a musky, sweet, lemon like
fragrance.
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
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Native: to Alabama and into MS, FL, GA, & TN.
Rhododendron alabamense ‘Mary Brooke’ (Webb) / (Mary Brook
Alabama azalea)A pale yellow form of the specie described above.
Selected by Amy Webb and named after a member of the Webb family.
See next below.
Rhododendron alabamense ‘Yellow’ / (yellow Alabama azalea)A
yellow form from Ernest Koone similar to ‘Mary Brooke’ above.
Rhododendron alabamense ‘Nancy Callaway’ (Koone) / (Nancy
Callaway azalea)A superior form spotted by Ernest Koone selected
for it's abundant flowering habit. In late spring, highly fragrant
white, yellow blotched flowers appear on plants that eventually top
out at 6'. Native. Give afternoon sun protection.
Rhododendron atlanticum ‘Marydel’ / (Marydel coastal azalea)This
azalea was collected by plantswoman Polly Hill along the Maryland /
Delaware border and was originally thought to be a cross between R
periclymenoides and R atlanticum. It is now thought to be a very
good selection of R atlanticum by most experts and is a beautiful
medium pink with a quite wonderful fragrance. It grows 3-5’
tall.
Rhododendron austrinum / (Florida azalea)6-10’, sometimes 15’
deciduous shrub, with early spring blooms that vary from clear
yellow to orange-red. Although native east of here, this is perhaps
the easiest of the deciduous azaleas to grow in our area.
Cultivation: Z6-9. Will take sun to shade, prefers acid, moist
soil, but must be well drained.Native: to FL panhandle and AL.
Rhododendron arborescens var ‘Georgiana’Rhododendron arborescens
var georgiana (decid azalea) fragrant white/pink flower Aug/Sept,
5-10'h, average to dry well drained acidic soil, part to full sun,
orange/yellow/red fall color, this variety found in GA and AL
Rhododendron austrinum ‘Escatawpa’ / (Escatawpa Florida azalea)A
selection of R austrinum found along the Excatawpa River in
Alabama, it has brilliant yellow-orange flowers in early spring,
usually with more orange than the specie. Cultivation: is similar
to specie above.
Rhododendron austrinum ‘Millie Mac’ / (Millie Mac azalea)This
was an austrinum limb sport, with absolutely unique, fragrant,
vivid yellow, picotee flowers with a 1/8 inch pure white margin and
red tubes. Strong basal shoots may revert to solid yellow flowers.
About 6 feet. Blooms in spring with Florida and Honeysuckle
Azaleas.
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �21
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Rhododendron canescens / (honeysuckle azalea) or (Piedmont
azalea)8-10’ deciduous shrub, with early spring fragrant pink to
white blooms. This pink flowered native azalea is native in our
area.Cultivation: Z6-10. Prefers acid, rich, wet to moist, but well
drained soil. Will grow in sun to part shade.Native: to coastal
plains and piedmont in SE USA.
Rhododendron canescens ‘Camilla’s Blush’ / “Camilla’s Blush
Honeysuckle Azalea”This 8’ tall at maturity selection of R
canescens has very soft pink flower forms which on our plants
appear to be slightly smaller and somewhat more numerous than the
specie. Cultivation is as above.
Rhododendron canescens ‘Varnadoes Phlox Pink’ / “Phlox Pink
Honeysuckle Azalea”A more upright form of R canescens, with a
narrow base, the blooms appear to be a slightly darker, more
uniform pink. See cultivation above.
Rhododendron colemanii / ‘Red Hills Azalea’ is a newly
discovered specie (2008) in the ericaceae family, previously
confused with R alabamense. It is native to the Red Hills regions
in the upper coastal plain of Alabama and western Georgia, where it
grows on sandy ridges, creek banks, and damp slopes. In the native
range it is 10’+ in height with a shrubby form. The flowers are
white to pink to yellow, in May.
Rhododendron eastmanii / is a very rare species growing in only
a few locations in two South Carolina counties. Introduced 1999.
Like several of the native azaleas in the "white group", R.
eastmanii flowers after the leaves have expanded. It is clearly
different from R. arborescens with the familiar red stamens, since
R. eastmanii's stems are not smooth but are covered with hairs, or
pubescense.
Rhododendron flammeum / “Oconee Azalea”This is a 6-8’ shrub with
flowers ranging from yellow to pink to salmon to orange-red in
April, which are not fragrant. It will hybridize with R canescens.
We currently grow both orange and red selections. Red forms and
Orange forms have been selected by the Webb family in Lee, FL, and
by Ernest Koone in Pine Mountain, GA. We grow both.
Rhododendron flammeum ‘Ed Stephens’ / (Ed Stephens oconee
azalea)This is a 4-6’ plant with dark pink to red blooms in late
spring. It needs partial shade.
Rhododendron flammeum ‘Florence’ / “Florence Oconee AQzalea”
*************A beautiful yellow tinged orange form of the Oconee
Azalea selected by the Webb family of Lee, FL. See under
Rhododendron flammeum above.
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �22
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Rhododendron flammeum ‘Magenta Rose Flame’This Summerfield
introduction has beautiful bright pink blooms with a yellow flair
in late spring.
Rhododendron flammeum ‘Red Inferno’ (Koone) / “Red Inferno
Oconee Azalea” A good red cultivar from Ernest Koone. 3-6 feet tall
plant.
Rhododendron prunifolium / “Plumleaf Azalea”12’ slow growing
deciduous shrub which takes a few years to bloom, but then one is
rewarded with orange to bright red blooms in summertime when very
few other shrubs are blooming. This azalea is widely planted at
Calloway Gardens in Georgia, but not native to North LA, and rarely
seen in gardens here.Cultivation: Z4-8. Needs to be well drained.
It needs afternoon shade to prolong the flowers during the hot
summer months. Flower buds are generally formed for the next season
before the current season’s bloom. Native: To southwestern Georgia
and eastern Alabama.
Rhododendron viscosum / “Swamp Azalea”This azalea is very
variable in size, from low and mounding, up to about 8 feet. The
flowers are fragrant as spicy fragrant white appearing in late may
to early June. Other native azaleas including R oblongifolium and R
serrulatum have been lumped with R viscosum.
Rhododendron viscosum var glaucum / swamp azalea
Rhododendron viscosum var oblingifolium / (Texas azalea)2-5’
spreading shrub, deciduous, alternate, simple leaves are oblong
(name derivative), pure white, fragrant flowers in March after
leaves appear. Native: to Sandy woods, sandy stream banks, and
sandy bog margins in TX, OK, AR, LA. Some taxonomists argue it is
not a separate specie from R viscosum. Culture: Acid, sandy, well
drained soil, Z7-9.
Rhododendron viscosum ‘Summer Eyelet’ / “Summer Eyelet Swamp
Azalea”This compact native azalea grows to about 5’ and has spicy,
clove-like scented white flowers in summer. The foliage is dark
green. ‘Summer Eyelet’ cultivar is better adapted for garden use,
because of the more uniform size than the specie. Cultivation: Z
4-9. Sun to part shade, we grow in full sun in the nursery. Needs
acid soil, and tolerates wet but not soggy soil, although some
native colonies are in dry hills. Native: The specie to a
triangular zone from Maine to Florida to Southern Mississippi, with
a separate long zone along the AR / OK border and the LA / TX
border.
Rhododendron serrulatum / “Hammock Sweet Azalea”See R viscosum
above, horticulturally this azalea is different from above, as it
leafs out very early, the leaves are shiny and the leaves and new
stems contain red pigment, as
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �23
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do the buds. The flowers are white and clove scented, appearing
in July or August, usually the last native azalea to bloom. It may
be a tall plant growing to 12 feet.
Deciduous Hybrid Azaleas:
Rhododendron x ‘#3’ / “#3 Deciduous Azalea”This azalea is a
cross with our native R austrinum, it has the same habit, and has
the clearest yellow flowers of any azalea that we grow. It is a
beautiful azalea and my favorite although less spectacular than
than the orange-golds of ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Stonewall Jackson’. This is
an Aromi hybrid and was identified only as ‘#3’. It is a hybrid
cross between our native R austrinum and most likely one of the
Exbury cultivars, possibly ‘Hotspur Yellow’.Cultivation: Same as R
austrinum above.A Native hybrid.
Rhododendron x ‘Admiral Semmes’ / (Admiral Semmes deciduous
azalea)A hybrid between R austrinum and the Exbury hybrid R
‘Hotspur Yellow’, the source of many of our hybrid forms of
deciduous azaleas. As most of the austrinums, depending on local
conditions, the size is about 8-10’ tall and half that wide. The
flowers are a very good yellow, fragrant, and occur in the early
spring. A Tom Dodd hybrid.Cultivation: As with most of the native
azaleas it needs moderate moisture, with good drainage, and
although we grow in the nursery in full sun with lots of water, it
does best in filtered shade. It has been bred to do well in heat
and humidity. The soil needs to be acid, and as with all the
deciduous azaleas there can be no salt in the irrigation water.A
Native hybrid.
Rhododendron x ‘Millenium’ / (Millenium deciduous azalea)A cross
of ‘Sparkler’ & ‘Parade’ Weston hybrids by Mezitt (ARS 992), an
Oconee cross with velvety red buds and fragrant hot pink to red
flowers. Very late blooming in June - July, about 4’ tall. Hardy to
-5ºF.
Rhododendron x ‘My Mary’ / “My Mary Deciduous Azalea”An 8’ tall
hybrid deciduous azalea, a cross between R austrinum and (R
atlanticum x R periclymenoides), it is one of the “Maid in the
Shade” series. The flowers are pure yellow with red tubes, and dark
green foliage in summer.Cultivation: As above.A Native hybrid.
Rhododendron x ‘Pennsylvania’ / “Pennsylvania Deciduous Azalea”A
Weston Hybrid (R viscosum x R prunifolium),
Rhododendron x ‘Stonewall Jackson’ / “Stonewall Jackson
Deciduous Azalea”
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �24
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Another one of the “Confederate series” by Tom Dodd, bred for
the heat and humidity of the south. This has spectacular gold
flowers in the early spring, which are fragrant. Again one of the
hybrids of R austrinum and R ‘Hotspur Yellow’.Cultivation: As with
other deciduous Azaleas: Well drained acidic soil, best with
afternoon shade.A Native hybrid.
Rhododendron x ‘Sunrise’ / “Sunrise Deciduous Azalea”One of the
remarkably beautiful Aromi hybrids, again most likely a cross
between R austrinum and R ‘Hotspur Yellow’. This azalea has a
stunning yellow-gold flower in early spring, similar to R
‘Stonewall Jackson’ above but with more yellow, although the
flowers in all of these vary somewhat. The habit is very like
Rhododendron austrinum.Cultivation: As above.A Native cross.
Evergreen Azaleas:
Rhododendron ‘Koromo shikibu’ / “Lavender Spider Azalea”3-5’ x
3-5’ spreading evergreen shrub, a highly unusual azalea that does
not fit well into the Kurume group, it may be a Rhododendron
macrosepalum hybrid. The leaves are hairy and may turn reddish in
fall, The flowers are very unusual lavender, 5-petaled, with narrow
1/2” x 1 1/2” petals with dark spots at the base. In bloom, this is
a definite attention-getter in our nursery. Again, although we grow
in full sun in our nursery with plenty of water, this plant is
definitely better off with a good amount of shade.
Pericat:
Rhododendron ‘Hampton Beauty:Evergreen, compact azalea to 5 x 5
feet, with beautiful funnel shaped rose-pink flowers. Needs partial
sun and well drained acid soil. Most beautiful when planted in
drifts along edge of woods. Shear / prune annually.
AZALEAS: Evergreen Aromi Hybrids:Dr. Aromi developed a large
number of evergreen hybrids. We carry a few of them.
Rhododendron ‘Amelia Rose’ / “Amelia Rose Azalea”6’ Evergreen
shrub with rose or peony like, 3” double, hose-in-hose rose pink to
lavender blooms, with deep red blotch in midseason. This is a
distinctly unusual plant because of the rose-like blooms and rare
in the trade. A collectors item. A mid-sized,
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �25
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although we grow in full sun in nursery with plenty of water, it
is better off with filtered shade or afternoon shade.
ROSES:Family: Rosaceae (rose family)
Rosa ‘Belinda’s Dream’ / “Belinda’s Dream Rose”This is a shrub
rose that will grow to 5-6’, but is usually maintained at about 4’.
The flowers are semidouble and medium pink, and unlike others of
this type that have 8-12 petals per flower this rose has 40-45
petals per flower. The first rose to receive Louisiana Super Plant
status.Cultivation: It requires little or no spraying, little
fertilizer, and is drought tolerant. Prune back about 1/3 in late
Aug - early Sept and 1/3-1/2 in late Jan to early Feb.Exotic:
(non-native)
Rosa ‘Peggy Martin’ / “Peggy Martin Rose”This rambler rose is
named in honor of the rosarian Peggy Martin, whose yard in
Plaquemines Parish, LA, was covered by 20 feet of salt water by
Hurricane Katrina. This is the only rose of hundreds that survived
and since then it has become a symbol of a tenacious plant
associated with the spirit of renewal after a devastating event.
Our plants are cuttings from Aubry King with whom Dr Bill Welch
shared cuttings from Ms Martin’s rose. This is a thornless climber,
with bright green foliage, and clusters of dark pink flowers. This
rose has good disease resistance.Exotic: (non-native)
SNOWBELL:Family: Lauraceae
Styrax americanus / “American Snowbell”6-10’ shrub, with white
1/2” bell shaped flowers after leaves in spring. Along with
silverbells (Halesia diptera) this is good dogwood substitute where
anthracnose is a real problem.Cultivation: Shade to part sun.
Prefers acid, moist to wet soil.Native: to swampy areas in southern
Missouri.
CYPRESS TREES:Family: Cupressaceae (bald cypress family)
Taxodium ascendens / “Pond Cypress”A tree very similar to Bald
Cypress, a deciduous conifer, with branches that tend to be more
ascending, and which has less tendency to form knees (but don’t
count on it) and - 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA,
71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm
Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �26
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when they occur they tend to shorter and more rounded. It is
usually more columnar than bald cypress, but they can be hard to
tell apart, and this is complicated by the fact that hybridization
probably occurs. It tends to be a somewhat smaller tree and may be
somewhat faster growing. It is probably a better choice for the
homeowner.Cultivation: It does best in full sun, is somewhat more
dependent on acid soil than Bald Cypress, and although it occurs
naturally in wet sites it does well on upland site just as Bald
Cypress does. Z5-10. Native to shallow ponds and wetlands from
Virginia to Louisiana.
Taxodium distichum / “Bald Cypress”70-100’ deciduous conifer,
which resists strong winds and is good soil stabilizer for wet
areas. It is a popular ornamental tree for the same reasons as a
Pond Cypress, with light feathery foliage, and orange brown fall
color. The state tree of Louisiana.Cultivation: It can be grown in
a wide variety of conditions from swampy to upland site. See under
Pond Cypress above. Native: from Delaware Bay to Florida to Texas,
a somewhat wider range than Pond Cypress.
MEXICAN BUCKEYE:Family: Sapindaceae
Ungnadia speciosa / “Mexican Buckeye”12’ tree, sometimes taller,
deciduous, covered with early 1” pink fragrant spring blooms.
Leaves turn yellow in fall. Cultivation: Prefers full sun to part
shade in well drained soil. Will grow in sand, loam, or clay soil.
It needs basal pruning to maintain the tree shape, otherwise it
will be a multi-stemmed shrub, which works well as a tall
background shrub or deciduous screen.Native: to well drained
limestone soils on stream banks in south, central, and west Texas.
It has done well here in NW LA for us.
SPARKLEBERRY: Family: Ericaceae
Vaccinium arboreum / “Sparkleberry” or “Farkleberry”This is a
shrub to 20 foot understory, deciduous tree with bright orange to
red fall foliage. It is one of our best looking understory natives,
known for it’s heat and drought tolerance. The fruit there are
small white flowers in spring and then small black fruits which are
not edible.Cultivation: Understory, acid soil, zones 7-9, drought
and heat tolerant.Native: to the southeastern coastal plain.
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �27
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VIBURNUMS:Family: Adoxaceae (formerly Caprifoliaceae)
Viburnum acerifolium / “Maple Leaf Viburnum”4-5’ deciduous shrub
with creamy-white 2-3” flower clusters in spring after leaves with
small purply black fruit with red to purple leaves in
fall.Cultivation: One of best shrubs to use in deep dappled shade.
Prefers shade to part sun. It takes range of moist to dry
soil.Native: A rare specimen native to eastern north America from
Ontario to Florida to Texas.
Viburnum dentatum / “Arrowwood”5-15’ upright, deciduous shrub,
with white 2-4” flat top bloom clusters in spring. It has opposite
leaves typical of viburnum. Cultivation: Z3-8. Will grow in sun to
part shade, prefers acid, rich, moist to wet soil, but will grow in
dry soil.Wildlife: Important bird food.Native: to wet habitats and
flood plain forest in Piedmont and coastal plain, from ME south to
FL, & TX.
Viburnum macrocephalum / “Chinese Snowball Viburnum”8-15’
semi-evergreen shrub (in the south) with dense white very showy
flowers in terminal cymes to 8” across that start out chartreuse
and turn to pure white.Cultivation: Z7-9. It needs moist well
drained soil. Sun to partial shade. It is helped by removing older
limbs and cutting a few others back by 1/3. It can be renewed by
cutting completely back, but there will probably be no bloom in the
following year.Exotic:
Viburnum obovatum / “Walter’s Viburnum”12-20’ nearly evergreen
multiple trunk tree or shrub, with 1-3” white bloom clusters in
spring with new leaves. It is an outstanding shrub for foliage and
for the showy spring bloom period, which is showier in full sun. It
makes a very dense hedge and tolerates pruning very well. A single
tree makes a handsome specimen. Cultivation: Prefers sun to part
shade and rich, acid, sandy soil that is moist to wet.Wildlife:
Butterflies like the nectar in the spring and birds eat the autumn
drupes.Native: to coastal plain - SC, GA, FL, & AL.
Viburnum obovatum ‘Mrs Schiller’s Delight’ / “Mrs Schiller’s
Delight Viburnum”A dwarf selection of the above specie, mound
shaped, growing about 3’ tall and 4’ wide and covered with white
flowers in the spring is well suited to formal hedging and as a
specimen plant. We have one planted by a pond in full sun and one
of the plants that I most enjoy each spring, a rounded, no care
plant that is a real harbinger of spring. Cultivation as above.-
3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones:
Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, -
Land: 318-745-3048 page: �28
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Cultivation: Z4-8, Needs part shade and supplemental water in
our climate. Best in moist, well drained soil, it does not do well
in heavy, clayey, poorly drained soils. Overgrown specimens are
best handled by cutting back to 12” from ground from which they
rejuvenate very well.Exotic: From Europe, N Africa, and N Asia.
Viburnum prunifolium / “Blackhaw”12-15’ x 8-12’ Round headed
tree or stiffly branched shrub with broadly elliptic to ovate,
toothed, hairless, shiny dark green leaves1.5-3.5” long, which are
pale green beneath, turning purple to reddish purple in fall. In
late spring there are flattened cymes, 2-4” across, of creamy white
flowers, followed by ovoid, glaucous, edible, rose pink fruit, to
0.5” long, ripening to bluish black. It is one of our prime
natives, performing well as a small specimen tree and in shrub
borders.Cultivation: Z3-9, It does well in a variety of soils, sun
or shade, and seems to do well in relatively dry conditions.Native:
Eastern USA, from Connecticut, to FL, to TX.
Viburnum rufidulum / “Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum” or “Southern
Blackhaw”10-20’ multi-trunked or sometimes single-trunked small
tree or large shrub with dark blocky bark resembling older
dogwoods. It is covered in springtime with striking 5” clusters of
small white blooms,followed by clusters of dark blue waxy 0.5” long
fruits savored by wildlife. The buds are covered with a deep rusty
brown pubescence, which distinguishes it from other
viburnums.Cultivation: Sun to shade, it is denser in sun, and it is
very drought tolerant. Native: Virginia to Fl, Illinois to Tx.
Perennials: Please Note That We Do Not Grow all These Plants
at Any One Time. They Are left Here for Your Information. Call
or Text 318-210-4507 for Availability 8 am to 4 pm Monday to
Friday.
Aquilegia canadensis / (eastern red columbine)Ranunculaceae
(Buttercup) FamilyAn erect perennial up to 2’ tall with red and
yellow flowers.Native: to North America east of the
Rockies.Cultivation: Shade to part shade, Alkaline soil preferred,
high drought tolerance- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA,
71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm
Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �29
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Asclepias incarnata / (swamp milkweed)Asclepiadaceae (milkweed)
family2-4’ showy perennial with terminal rose purple flowers, and
with opposite long narrow leaves on an erect stem.Cultivation: Sun
to part shade, moist to wet soil, pond edges, always has aphids
which are not a problem.Native: to central and eastern USA from
Canada to gulf. Wildlife: Larval food for Monarch and Queen
Butterflies. Attracts many butterflies and hummingbirds. Generally
deer resistant. Special value for native bees, honey bees and
bumble bees.
Asclepias tuberosa / (butterfly weed)Asclepiadaceae (milkweed)
family18” bushy perennial with flat-topped cluster of bright orange
flowers 2-4” across. The 2-4” dark green leaves are alternate and
pointed. Wildlife: Nector plant for Butterflies & Hummingbirds,
larval host plant for Monarch, Queen, and Grey Hairstreak
butterflies. High deer resistance.Native: to eastern and central
USA & southern Canada.Medicinal: The root was chewed by
American natives for pulmonary complaints, and tea of root for
diarrhea. It is toxic if eaten.
Crinum americanum / (southern swamp lily)Amaryllidaceae,
subfamily AmaryllidoideaeThis bulb is a monocot with six flower
petals, white, about 10 cm diameter. An aquatic angiosperm it is
native from Texas to South Carolina. In the wild it grows in small
clumps in still water habitats. Leaves are 2-4’ and flower stem is
1” diameter, 2-3’ tall, with 2-6 white flowers that have sepals
3-4” long and 1/2” wide, which at the base join to form a long
tube. Sometimes the flowers are marked with pink. The upper half of
the stamen is purple, with purple anthers. Some still consider this
to be in the Lily family.
Echinacea purpurea / (purple coneflower)Asteraceae / Compositae
(Aster / Daisy) Family.A herbaceous perennial that dies to the
ground in the winter and sprouts back in the spring. Mature clumps
may be 2-3’ across and 2-3’ in height. The 3-8” sandpapery leaves
are generally lance shaped. The 3” flowers are daisy like with
purple rays and cone shaped brown centers. Native: from OH to IA to
LA & GA.Cultivation: Full sun best, drought
tolerant.Propagation: Seed or division of roots.Aquilegia Landscape
Value: Mixed borders, wildflowers meadows, Cut flowers with long
stems and will dry well.Wildlife: Butterflies.
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �30
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Medicinal: Native Americans used them for medicinal purposes and
200+ pharmaceutical products are made from the extracts.
Eupatorium (Eutrochium) fistulosum / (Joe-Pye weed)Asteraceae
(Compositae) familyThis plant has been segregated lately into the
genus Eutrochium by DNA analysis. They are found generally in moist
to wet areas, and grow to 5-8’ in sun to part shade. The leaves are
whirled, with usually about 6 per whirl and are serrate and lance
shaped, on purplish, hollow stems, which often bend under the
weight of the pale pink flower heads. It is highly valued as a
perennial because of its robust habit and significant ability to
attract butterflies. The name Joe-Pye is said be for an American
Indian medicine man, jopai, thought to be translated as typhus,
thought to be in regard to its probable use as a
medicinal.Wildlife: Butterflies galore, very attractive to Queen
butterfly in fall.Native: to eastern USA and Canada.Culture: Full
sun with consistent moisture. Z3-9. In the deep south we need
plants from southern seed sources.Landscape value: Architectural
structure in the autumn garden, a showy perennial, with hordes of
butterflies.
Eupatorium (Conoclinium) greggii / (Gregg’s mist flower) (blue
mist flower) (Texas ageratum) (palmleaf thoroughwort)Asteraceae
(Compositae) familyNow included in the genus Conoclinium this 1-3’
perennial has lavendar blue thistle like blooms that peak in
September and October and are very attractive to butterflies,
especially the Queen butterfly, and bees. It is named for Josiah
Gregg (1806-1850), who has his name attached to 23 species of
plants.Culture: Z7-10, full to part sun, water requirements medium
to low. Prefers hot dry locations. Goes dormant over winter.Native:
to TX, NM, AZWildlife: Attracts hordes of butterflies in the fall,
especially the Queen butterfly. A strong addition to the butterfly
garden.
Iris brevicaulis / (zigzag iris) (short stemmed iris) - a
Louisiana irisIridaceae (Iris) FamilyNamed for the zigzag stems,
the flowers occur deep in the foliage rather than at the top and
are usually a light bluish violet, with rare white forms. The
smallest of the Louisiana irises, it is also the most upland. There
is a leaf at every bend, and a flower bud at each bend. It grows to
about 1’, and tends to bloom in June. Culture: this iris tolerates
wet soil, but not standing water, in full sun to part shade. It
will naturalize and is deer resistant.Native: S central USAIris
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �31
www.willisfarm.net / [email protected]
http://www.willisfarm.netmailto:[email protected]://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Eutrochium_fistulosum.htmlhttp://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Eupatorium_greggii.htmlhttp://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Iris_brevicaulis.html
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Willis Farm Shrubs & Trees, Perennials & Fruits
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Iris cristata / “Dwarf Crested Iris”Iridaceae (Iris) FamilyThis
small Iris with narrow pointed leaves is generally 4-12” tall. In
the spring the sepals of the blue-violet flowers are blue-violet
and have a central yellow or white purple striped band. Crested
ridges, beards, are present along the band. Colors will range from
purple to white. Cultivation: shade to part shade, moist to dryish,
well drained, acid soil Native: to southern wooded
uplands.Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds & bees.
Iris verna / “Dwarf Violet Iris”Iridaceae (Iris) FamilyThis Iris
differs from Iris cristata above has no crests (beards) on its
sepals. The blue to violet to brown very fragrant blooms appear in
early spring before leaf growth starts.Native: to southern
pinelands, Post Oak woods, and coastal plains.Cultivation: part to
full shade, moist to dry, acidic soil.Usage: Southeastern shade
gardens, with conspicuous, fragrant flowers.
Iris x ‘Black Gamecock’ / (black gamecock Louisiana
iris)Iridaceae (Iris) FamilyThis Louisiana iris hybrid is rather
cold hardy probably because of the Iris brevicaulis part of it’s
parentage. It grows 2-3’, with violet black petals with a yellow
central streak in early summer. It is deer and rabbit resistant.
Culture: it has consistent water needs and may grow in shallow
water, in acid soil, in full to 1/2 sun. Z4-10.
Liatris spicata / “(dense blazing star)Asteraceae / Compositae
(Aster / Daisy) Family.A member of the Aster / Compositae family
there are numerous garden useful species in this genus. There are
slender grasslike leaves 1/2” wide and 6-12” long, and becoming
smaller as they ascend the stem. The tiny disk flowers are borne in
heads up to 12” long on long slender stalks usually about 3’ tall,
and are purple in color. Differing from most of the spike flowers
this one opens from the top downward. Native: Throughout eastern
North America, often in moist habitats.Cultivation: Best in full
sun. This specie does best in moist sites, although many of the
other species of Liatris like dry soil. Z3-9.Propagation: Seed sown
in autumn, or division of cormlike root.Landscape value: Wildflower
gardens, mixed flower beds and borders, and cutting gardens. The
flowers bloom over long period of time.Wildlife: Butterflies, bees,
birds, to some extent hummingbirds.
Lobelia cardinalis / (cardinal flower)Campanulaceae (Bellflower)
Family
- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm
Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru
Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �32
www.willisfarm.net / [email protected]
http://www.willisfarm.netmailto:[email protected]://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Iris_verna.htmlhttp://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Iris_LA_BlackGamecock.htmlhttp://www.willisfarm.net/willis_farm/Lobelia_cardinalis.html
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Willis Farm Shrubs & Trees, Perennials & Fruits
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This is a herbaceous perennial that grows in small clumps with a
basal rosette of 5-7” elliptic leaves flat on the ground and in the
spring one or several unbranched stems 1-3’ long ascend and by
midsummer terminal racemes of brilliant red tubular 1-2” flowers
appear which are bilaterally symmetrical with 2 lips. The upper lip
has 2 + or - lobes and the lower 3 lobes. The flowers continue to
develop at the tip until frost.Native: to eastern North American
from southern Canada to FL to E TX, in moist meadows and stream
banks. Cultivation: Full sun to part shade, moist soil, flooding
tolerated but not drought, it must be watered regularly in a flower
bed, Z3-10Propagation: By seed or separating the basal offshoots.
It is short lived.Landscape Value: A spectacular show at edge of
pond, wet area, or stream.Wildlife: This plant is pollinated by
ruby-throated hummingbirds and is magnet for them. Also
Butterflies.Medicinal: Native Americans had many uses for the
plant, but it contains poisonous alkaloids and if ingested can make
humans very ill or even cause death.
Monarda fistulosa / (beebalm) or (wild bergamot)Lamiaceae (Mint)
FamilyThis is a popular, showy, 2-5’ tall perennial with clusters
of lavender, pink, or white flowers in summer into fall. The leaves
smell minty and may be used to make mint tea. It is considered a
medicinal plant. This is an old garden standard.Cultivation: Sun to
part shade, modest water needs, near neutral pH best, but will
tolerate wide range of pH and soil conditions. Mildew may be
prevented by good drainage and air circulation.Native: over most of
eastern and midwestern USA.Wildlife: Birds, Hummingbirds,
Butterflies. Larval host plant for Sphinx cremitus (hermit sphinx
moth) and Agriopedes teratophora (grey marvel moth)Food: Leaves
boiled for tea, seasoning, flowers edible.Medicinal: American
Indians used te