Articles Index

Black Foliage Shrubs to Add Color to the Border
Shrubs add four season stucture to a garden. They are considered the bones of a garden's design. Elderberries (Sambucus) have long been garden favorites because so many shrubs in the species Sambucus offer great foliage, fall color and wonderful berries. Sambucus Black Beauty (Sambucus nigra ‘Gerda’ PP12305, Canadian BRAF) and Sambucus Black Lace (Sambucus nigra ‘Eva’ ppaf) are two recent introductions that add depth and interest to any garden with their deep purple, almost black foliage.

Winterberry Holly: A Deciduous Native Holly with Breathtaking Berries
Ilex verticillata, Winterberry Holly, or Winterberry is our native, wetland holly that loses it leaves each autumn. This beautiful shrub is all the more showy because its lack of winter leaves makes its berry display all the more showy. After the leaves have turned yellow and have fallen off, you are left with a breathtaking view of thousands of brightly colored berries clinging to every stem. What a joy to have such color in the middle of winter.

Changing the Color of Your Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas have a reputation for being chamaeleons, but not all hydrangeas change color. Generally you will need to grow Big Leaf Hydrangeas, Hydrangea macrophylla, to get the pink or blue color you are seeking. You needn’t become a chemist, but you will need to understand why your hydrangeas change color. Here's why.