Download Botanical Garden GA - State Botanical Garden of Georgia

GEORGIA
G LD
MEDAL
PLANTS
SUMMER ANNUAL
HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL
Black-eyed
Susan
Rudbeckia
hirta ‘Indian
Summer’,
‘Denver Daisy’
and ‘Irish Eyes’
Nippon Lily
Rohdea
japonica
shade
Zones 6-10
sun
2011
Native black-eyed Susans are familiar,
cheerful flowers, often seen in meadows, woodland edges and roadsides.
Indian Summer and Denver Daisy
both have blooms that can reach 6 to
8 inches across and Irish Eyes is 4
inches across. Indian Summer has the
classic golden yellow petals around a
brown center cone. Denver Daisy has
two-toned petals creating a golden
halo around a large chocolate-russet
center. It was introduced in 2008 to
celebrate the 150th anniversary of the city of Denver. Irish
Eyes has bright yellow petals around a green cone. All are
on 24 to 36 inch tall plants. Although it may take an
Internet search, seeds are available for all three of these
annuals. Still, it is when a person sees one of these plants
in a nursery in full bloom that it is truly irresistible.
These black-eyed Susans bloom from early summer
until first frost, offering months of bright blooms on plants
that stand taller and brighter than many annuals. This
makes these cultivars perfect for the middle of the border
or to make an impact on a large scale. The golden yellow
blooms stand out against a dark background and can
appear either carefree or dramatic. They also are great cut
flowers and attract butterflies.
Plant seeds inside before the first frost date, direct sow
seeds in spring (complete directions are on the seed
packet), or purchase plants in a nursery in late spring.
Rudbeckia hirta likes full sun and medium moisture but is
somewhat drought tolerant once established. Removing
spent seedheads will encourage more blooms, but toward
the end of the season you may choose to leave the seedheads on to feed the birds and encourage self-sowing.
Rohdea japonica, the sole species
in the genus Rohdea, is a flowering
plant in the family Ruscaceae, native
to eastern Asia from southwestern
China to Japan. Common names
include Nippon Lily, Sacred Lily, and
Japanese Sacred Lily. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant, with
fibrous roots. Although sometimes
misspelled as Rhodea, the genus
was named after Michael Rohde, a
botanist from Bremen, Germany. The
plant is also used in traditional Chinese medicine, though it
is generally regarded as inedible and possibly toxic.
This perennial is a great solution for gardeners who
cannot grow hosta because of browsing deer. The leaves
slowly create a 2 foot wide clump. Thick green leaves
about 12 inches long and two inches across rise from the
base like a hosta, only more upright, thick and shiny. The
bonus is that Nippon Lily is evergreen, adding year-round
color to the shade garden. Spring blooms on a short spike
are barely noticeable, but then each bloom turns into a fat,
bright red berry in late fall, creating a colorful berry cluster
that contrasts with rich green leaves and mulch in winter.
The easiest-to-find species has a solid green leaf and
can take shade to deep shade. Variegated forms exist, but
can be expensive. Plant Nippon Lily in slightly moist to
dry shade about 12-16 inches apart. Once established, it is
drought tolerant. After the plants have been in the ground
a few years, you can divide the clumps into several plants
and eventually create a large understory planting.
Liven up the winter woodland with Nippon Lily’s bold
evergreen foliage. Deer and drought resistant, it is a good
choice for Georgia landscapes.
winners
Take home a Gold Medal Plant . . . and take home a winner!
Georgia Gold Medal Winners are selected each year by the Georgia Plant Selection Committee,
comprised of Green Industry professionals and faculty from The University of Georgia. The Committee
promotes the production, sale and use of superior ornamental plants in Georgia. For information on
other Georgia Gold Medal Winners visit www.georgiagoldmedalplants.org.
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EVERGREEN SHRUB
Camellia
Camellia
japonica and
Camellia
sasanqua
part shade
Zones 7-9
There are two primary camellia species in cultivation, C.
japonica (Japanese camellia) and C. sasanqua (sasanqua
camellia). Sasanqua camellia boasts a less formal, but still
dense rounded habit when compared to Japanese camellia.
Sasanquas flower in late fall and are less likely to suffer
from early freezes than japonicas, which bloom in winter.
Unlike Japanese camellia, the sasanqua drops its floral
petals individually, for an extended display both on the
plant and on the ground. Sasanquas are more tolerant of
sunny conditions than Japanese camellias, which like only
morning sun. Both grow best with afternoon filtered shade.
Camellias will reach 5 to 20 feet high with an equal
width. Mature size varies widely between the hundreds of
cultivars. They are utilized in mass plantings (screens,
hedges, or formal foundation plantings) and espaliers, and
larger cultivars have been successful as specimen plants,
particularly when lower limbs are removed.
Flower color varies from white to pink to red (including
mottled flowers) and includes single and double flowers.
Plant sasanquas in an area with adequate late summer soil
moisture because water stress and high heat can cause
flower abortion.
Spring planting in a neutral to slightly acidic soil that
has been amended with organic matter is recommended. Fertilize both new and established plants in early spring
with a complete fertilizer such as 16-4-8. Prune immediately following flowering, no later than the last frost.
DECIDUOUS TREE
Nuttall Oak
Quercus nuttallii
full sun/part
shade
Zones 6b-8b
One of the many Red Oaks, Quercus nuttallii (Nuttall oak)
highly resembles the shumard red oak (Quercus shumardii),
and is often confused with it. Nuttall oak has smooth bark
and a deep acorn cup compared to the furrowed bark and
saucer-like acorn cup of a shumard oak. Additionally, the
Nuttall oak is more widely adaptable, especially to poor
soils, and typically has a more intense red fall color. It also
has a better branching structure, and a higher transplant
survival due to a stronger root system. Nuttall oak is often
used in residential plantings for shade and as a specimen
tree. It is particularly good for planting areas that are poorly
drained. Nuttall oak is also an important species for wildlife
management, due to its heavy acorn production, a valuable
food source for squirrels, deer and other animals.
Nuttall oak frequently adds one to two feet of new
growth per year. It produces few surface roots and can be
planted more closely to sidewalks, pavements and buildings than some other oak varieties. Growth is up to 100 feet
in height, although often closer to 60 feet in landscape
situations. The crown of the tree can spread to 80 feet and
is rounded with a moderate density and medium texture.
The outline of the tree is fairly irregular.
Nuttall oak can tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions including clay, loamy and sandy soils. It prefers acidic
and well-drained soils, but can tolerate extended periods of
flooding and is moderately drought tolerant. Full sun is best
for rapid growth, particularly in the first few years following
planting. Once established, this tree requires little to no
care or pruning.
Maintenance of Nuttall oak in the landscape is quite
easy. During plant establishment, irrigation will be necessary for the first season when there is insufficient rainfall.
Fertilize both new and established plants in early spring
with a complete fertilizer such as 16-4-8. Look for a
fertilizer containing a slow-release nitrogen source.
NATIVE PLANT
Fringetree
Chionanthus
virginicus
full sun/part
shade
Zones 5-9
Chionanthus virginicus (fringetree) is native from eastern TX
east and north to MD, including all counties in Georgia.
One of the most beautiful flowering small trees, fringetree
can bloom as long as six weeks in spring. At the end of the
bloom period, emerging lime-green leaves accent the
snowy blooms for an impressive finale. It’s no wonder the
fringetree has been a garden favorite and heritage plant for
generations! It is adaptable to a variety of light and soil
conditions, although full sun ensures optimum flowering.
Fringetree is attractive to a variety of insects while in
bloom, and to birds and small mammals when fruiting in
late summer.
A large shrub or small tree, fringetree grows about 20
feet high and a similar width, with one or a few trunks and
a rounded crown. Its sweet fragrance is potent but never
overpowering. Fringetree bears brown, maturing to purple,
oval drupes in late summer.
Fringetree prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soils, but
tolerates a wide variety, including the red clay of the South.
It seldom needs pruning, but benefits from thinning if an
open habit is desired. Tolerant of air pollution, it adapts
well to urban environments.
Fertilize both new and established plants in early
spring with a complete fertilizer such as 16-4-8. Prune
immediately following flowering to ensure you do not
remove the next year’s flower buds.
Take home a Gold Medal Plant . . . and take
home a winner!
Prepared by Connie Cottingham, The State Botanical Garden of
Georgia, and Matthew Chappell, Extension Horticulturist, The University of Georgia. Shelly Prescott, The State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Flower Garden Curator, is the Gold Medal Committee Chair.