Hackberry Trees are Favorites for Birds and Wildlife

Hackberry Trees, Celtis occidentalis, are U.S. native trees that are also referred to as common hackberry, sugarberry, nettletree, beaverwood, northern hackberry and American hackberry. Hackberry grows best in organically rich, well drained soil in full sun to part shade. Hackberry Trees tolerate wind, urban pollutants and many soil conditions. Common hackberry can often be found growing in wet, dry and poor soils. 

You will find your hackberry producing greenish flowers (mostly insignificant) in April to May. By fall, the blooms have pollinated and are not berry-like drupes that mature to deep purple. These fruits are a favorite for many birds and other wildlife. 

Midwest cities like Hackberry Trees as street trees because of their tolerance to wide ranges of soil and moisture conditions plus it is drought tolerant. Also, hackberry is a favorite for planting in hunting food plots.

Fire Light Hydrangea Sets the New Standard for Hydrangea Paniculatas

The Fire Light Hyrangeas set the new standard for Hydrangea paniculatas. White flowers open in early summer on this strong upright shaped hydrangea shrub. As the temperatures begin to cool, usually in September, these white blooms on the Fire Light Hydrangea begin changing to pink almost red colors for its fall presentation.

Fire Light Hydrangeas are hardy hydrangeas and will grow as far north as into zone 3 and heat hardy into zone 9. With its range, the Fire Light can grow in most any location. It's upright growth habit will mature in the 4 to 6 foot height range with an equal spread. You will want to space these gorgeous fall bloomers approximately 4 to 6 feet for an amazing summer to fall color show. 

The easy to grow Fire Light Hydrangea will bloom on new wood so should be pruned or trimmed in late winter to early spring. 

Fire Light Hydrangea paniculata 'SMHPFL' USPPAF, Can PBRAF

Sunny Anniversary Reblooming Abelia Flowering Shrubs Perfect for Small Yards

The Abelia Sunny Anniversary is a new plant introduction for 2014 and a break through for abelia shrubs. This beautiful flowering shrub is not only a reblooming abelia, but a long blooming one as well. The Sunny Anniversary Abelia blooms from mid to late summer on new season growth. Perfect for small yards or limited garden space, the Sunny Anniversary Abelia grows approximately 3 to 4 feet tall with the same width. 

What makes the Sunny Anniversary Abelia so special is it's blooms. In mid summer the upright cascading branches fill with buds that open into wonderfully fragrant yellow blooms painted with shades of pink and orange. Though abelia is generally deer resistant, the Sunny Anniversary attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. 

Plant abelia in moist, well-drained soil. Prune to shape in late winter to early spring.

Sunny Anniversary Abelia 'Minduo1' USPP 24,445

Variegated Liriope is Beautiful Fall Interest Perennial Plus It's Deer Tolerant

Liriope muscari 'Variegata' or Variegated Lilyturf is a semi-evergreen grass like plant with long variegated leaves and purple lavender blooms in late summer to early fall turning to dark purple berries. Lilyturf is often used as garden or landscape borders. The long leaves are green with creamy edging. In warmer climates, liriope is often an evergreen. 

Variegated Liriope grows approximately 1 to 1/2 feet tall with a spread of 1 to 3 feet. Plant in partial shade to full shade areas with well draining soil. Water weekly during extreme heat.

• Fall interest
• Deer tolerant
• Salt tolerant
• Berries for winter food for birds
• Brightens shaded areas

New Non-Invasive Privet Available at Greenwood Nursery

Finally a non-invasive privet shrub, the Golden Ticket Ligustrum Privet was developed by Dr. Thomas Ranney of NCSU. This easy to grow privet shrub offers fragrant white flowers in spring. A golden vicary privet, the foliage is yellow green and deer resistant. Golden Ticket Ligustrum grows to the 4 to 6 foot tall range with an equal spread. An excellent choice as a low maintenance hedge. 

Prune your Golden Ticket Privet to shape after blooming. Fertilize in early spring. Blooms on old wood.

Golden Ticket Ligustrum x vicaryi 'KCLX1' USPPAF   Can PBRAF

Also available are the non-invasive fast growing shrub Ibolium Privet and the California Privet.

Native Pawpaw Trees are Easy to Grow and Produce Tropical Looking Fruits

Pawpaw trees are native to the eastern United States, yet also grows wild through many parts of the midwest. The botanical name for the native pawpaw is Asimina triloba, while nickname includes American Custard Apple.

The yellow fruits of the Pawpaw tree is easy to grow in home gardens  and unusual in looks and flavor resembling that of tropical fruits. Pawpaw fruit is wonderfully aromatic with a clean, light fruity fragrance. Pawpaw fruit can be compared to bananas, pears and mangos. 

Best grown in full sun with wind protection, Paw paw can also fruit in some shaded areas, Slightly acid soil is recommended (pH 5.5 to 7) along with good drainage. 

Container grown Asimina triloba or Pawpaws provide the best results in transplanted growth. The first 2 years after transplanting are the most critical and attention should be given for root growth promotion. Water well and provide shade protection during harsh summer months. Pawpaw generally begins fruiting when the trees reach roughly 6 feet in height which can take approximately 5 to 7 years.

Pawpaw fruit is extremely perishable which is why it is rarely found in farmers markets or grocery stores. 

PawPaw does require a second tree that is genetically separate from the other. Our native paw paw comes from a wide enough selection to cross pollinate as their genetics will not be exactly the same. We sell our Pawpaw as 2 plants. Order more for even better fruiting.

For more information on the native Pawpaw Tree or Asimina triloba, visit the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service site and read the fact sheet on Growing Pawpaws.

PawPaw Tree Fruit