Old Plants That Are Becoming New Again

Many gardeners are seeking out new plants these days, and in the process are rediscovering some antiques. These include several of the older hardy flowering perennials that have been overlooked and underused for several generations. Some things come full circle.

Kerria japonica, or Japanese Kerria, was introduced in the early 1800s and has graced landscapes from shanties to mansions in the deep south ever since. This shrub grows to 8 feet in height with informal growth yielding small yellow rose-like blooms from spring through summer.

Fuzzy deutsia or Deutsia scabra also grows to 8 feet with an informal habit. It shows color in late spring, with white flowers that are pink around the edges.

Calycanthus floridus, also known as sweet shrub or Carolina allspice, is one of the more fragrant plants for the landscape. It grows best in areas that receive partial shade. The flowers are deep reddish brown or maroon, occurring in late spring.

Clethra alnifolia or sweet pepperbush, is a native to Northwest Florida. It grows 3 to 8 feet in height and blooms during mid-summer. Flowers are very fragrant, white and occur on terminal spikes.

Lilac Chaste Tree, or Vitex agnes-castus, makes a beautiful accent plant. It reaches a maximum height of 20 feet and flowers repeatedly all during the summer. Though the blue flowering form is by far the most striking, it is also available in white and pink.

The banana shrub, Michelia figo, was found in Southern back yards through the mid-1900s. For some reason, like the other landscape plants mentioned here, it fell out of favor and saw decreased use during this period. This is a large, spreading shrub that flowers during the spring and early summer. The yellow flowers have a banana-like fragrance.

Known by southerners as the “snowball bush,” the Chinese Snowball Viburnum makes a good specimen plant in full sun or partial shade. It produces very showy large ball shaped clusters of white flowers during late spring. Growth and flower production will probably be better in the more northern portions of the coastal counties.

Hybiscus syriacus, commonly known as Shrub Althea or Rose of Sharon is an old time favorite. Once established, it thrives on heat and bright light but will tolerate partially shaded conditions. The flowers occur from late spring through early fall. There are many cultivars including choices of flower color including white, pink and lavender.

Florida Anise is a large, evergreen shrub that produces maroon colored flowers during spring. It will grow under a wide range of light conditions from full sun to shade and makes an excellent border planting or hedge. The crushed foliage is fragrant.

Philadelphus coronarius is known locally as English dogwood, though it is not closely related to the true dogwood. Flowers appear in March or April soon after our native dogwoods and azaleas have finished flowering. The growth habit is very informal, reaching a height of about 10 feet. There is a fragrant cultivar that is sold in some areas as sweet mock orange.

Look for some of these “old timey” flowering shrubs when visiting nurseries and garden centers this fall. They have been around for a long time, but can still add interest to the landscape.

Question of the week: I have planted grass plugs to establish a new lawn and weeds are coming up between the plugs. Is there a weed killer that can be used to kill the weeds that is safe on the grass?

Answer: I cannot recommend a weed killer at this stage of growth. Newly establishing grass is more susceptible to herbicide damage. Do as much mechanical weed control as is practical. This means hand pulling and hoeing between the plugs until coverage is complete.

Begin mowing as soon as the plugs have grown about an inch above the suggested cutting height. Frequent mowing will help to control many of the broadleaved weeds.