Emerald Arborvitae | Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’

Emerald Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’) is one of those trees that everyone seems to know. They’re a really popular screening tree, which is why you see them all over neighborhoods in Virginia. As I’ve been researching plants for these blog posts, I’ve been digging around … Continue readingEmerald Arborvitae | Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’

Little Gem Magnolia | Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’

Little Gem Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’) may just be the tree you didn’t know you were looking for. If you’ve spent any time in the South, you’ve most likely seen massive Southern magnolias. At places like George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the magnolias are so … Continue readingLittle Gem Magnolia | Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’

Annabelle Hydrangea | Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’

Starting a few years ago, I went on a pretty huge Annabelle hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’) kick. I think this mass planting I saw at Barren Ridge Vineyards is partly to blame. The thing is, Annabelle hydrangea has a lot going for it. Those white … Continue readingAnnabelle Hydrangea | Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’

Forsythia | Forsythia x intermedia ‘Lynwood’

Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia ‘Lynwood’) is somehow underappreciated and overused. How does that even happen? The first yellow blooms you see in Virginia, often as early as February, are Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum). They’re a pale, sort of washed-out yellow. The next set of yellow … Continue readingForsythia | Forsythia x intermedia ‘Lynwood’