Native Spotlight: Fothergilla

Guest Blog by Rachel Shaw 

I like to advocate for plants that are native to our region, by which I generally mean the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and the closer to home the better. But today I’m going to talk about one that falls outside of the Mid-Atlantic region. This is Fothergilla, a lovely shrub for all seasons. According to the USDA Plants Database, its native range is limited to a handful of states to the south of us, of which North Carolina is the closest.  Not only is this sweet little shrub not native to our immediate area, most (including mine) are probably hybrids. But I would love to see this genus replace the ubiquitous Nandina, favored by the nursery trade and many landscapers, which to my mind it is both unattractive and invasive.

Before reading a very thorough and informative article by Rick Darke on Fothergilla, I knew little about this plant except what I had seen: beautiful fall color, attractive and fragrant spring flowers, and am upright habit. From Darke’s article, I learned that it is in the witch hazel family and that there are two species, both native to the southeastern U.S.: Fothergilla gardenii, or Dwarf Fothergilla, and Fothergilla major or Large Fothergilla. The dwarf form is a low growing coastal species, the larger form is found in more mountainous areas. In recent years the two have apparently hybridized when grown in proximity in the nursery trade, creating Fothergilla x intermedia, which now has numerous cultivars.

Fothergilla was growing close to my front door when we moved into the house. Its tallest stems are about six feet; it has never gotten much taller or spread, and has been quite well behaved. Its biggest vice is that following heavy rains, some of the exterior stems tend to droop over our walkway and need to be trimmed back. Other than that, it has required no care. The bottlebrush-like flowers are a delight in spring, the leaves are a pleasing shape, and the fall color is reliably attractive. Sometimes what I’d call a near-native, even a likely cultivar, is just too good to be overlooked!

About the author:

Rachel Shaw focuses on vegetable gardening and growing native plants in her small yard in Rockville, MD. She blogs at http://hummingbirdway.blogspot.com/

This guest blog post is part of a monthly Native Plants series posted around the 10th of each month. \

Garden Book Club 2016 Selections

Here are the 2016 selections for the Washington Gardener Magazine's Garden Book Club:

WINTER - The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World by Andrea Wulf

SPRING - The Rambunctious Garden:  Saving Nature in a Post-Wild World by Emma Marris

SUMMER - Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West

FALL - Paradise Under Glass: An Amateur Creates a Conservatory Garden by Ruth Kassinger

The Washington Gardener Magazine's Garden Book Club is free and open to all. We meet quarterly on a weekday evening near a metro-accessible location in the DC-area. We will announce the details of each upcoming meeting about two months in advance. Please check back on this blog for schedule updates and announcements.

Local First Friday: American Plant

Guest Blog by Joelle Lang

The History Behind It:

“When we were children our father instilled in us the importance of respect, politeness and honesty in our work. Our grandfather built this business on the principle of treating your customers like they are a guest in your own home.” 

That statement was made by Brett Shorb, who co-owns the 90-year-old garden business, American Plant, along with his brothers Todd and Erik.

The brothers, standing on the shoulders of their grandfather and father, said that they believe the strong generational commitment to American Plant will allow for the company to continue thriving.   

When the Shrob brother’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, the company began to place a large emphasis on removing chemical pesticides and fertilizers. They stand as the leader in chemical removal still today.

What’s It Like Today:

American Plant has two locations on River Road in Bethesda, serving the entire metro area form 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday. They sell plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs as well as a line of tools, seeds, soils, and mulches. They also sell decorative items for the home. American Plant has a landscape design team that customizes outdoor spaces as well.  

Tinge, the company’s lifestyle boutique, is just a few years old. While the company offered home décor items in the past, they have only recently build a separate space in their stores to showcase the boutique.  

The store located at 5258 River Road is currently being redesigned.

American Plant has an active voice on social media, posting on Facebook and Twitter about garden facts, deals, and plant news almost daily.

What Makes It Special:

American Plant is a family-owned business. It is run by generations of passionate gardeners, and when a new generation begins to manage the company, a whole new set of goals, and idea come with them.

American Plant is full-service location both for inside and outdoor spaces, and they offer a large variety of specialty plants all year round. 

About the Author 

Joelle Lang, a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, is a multi-platform journalism student in the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. This autumn, she is also an editorial intern for Washington Gardener Magazine.

"Local First Friday" is a weekly blog series profiling independent garden businesses in the greater Washington, DC, and Mid-Atlantic region. Washington Gardener Magazine believes strongly in supporting and sourcing from local businesses first!

ADVERTISER OF THE WEEK: Yard By Yard Makeovers, LLC

Yard By Yard Makeovers, LLC

Specializing in Garden
Renewals & Renovations

7304 Carroll Avenue, #229
Takoma Park, MD 20912
301-270-4642
yardmakeovers@yahoo.com
www.yardmakeovers.com

"We can reshape and beautify neglected yards."

ADVERTISER OF THE WEEK Details:
Every Thursday on the Washington Gardener Magazine Facebook page, Blog, and Yahoo list we feature a current advertiser from our monthly digital magazine. To advertise with us, contact wgardenermag@aol.com today.

Video Wednesday: Heirloom Mums

Leon A Carrier and Carol Heitmuller Carrier of PlantsMasters in Laytonsville, MD, are growers of specialty cut flowers and selected plants. Here they talk about their heirloom mum selections and growing tips.

Make a Harvest Flower Arrangement

Make a Harvest Flower Arrangement

for your Thanksgiving Table 

Date: Sunday, Nov 22

Time: 1:00-2:30pm

at On The Purple Couch

4228 Howard Ave. Kensington, MD

Classes led by Kathy Jentz,

editor of Washington Gardener Magazine

    We will create a harvest-themed arrangement using locally sourced flowers and seasonal materials.

   This will be a hands-on flower arranging session. No prior floral experience is needed. Each attendee will leave with a harvest arrangement suitable for their Thanksgiving table centerpiece.  

Register at www.onthepurplecouch.com or at

http://www.onthepurplecouch.com/event/make-a-harvest-flower-arrangement/

DIY: Make Your Own Birdbath Container Garden

Guest blog by Gaby Galvin 

Want to draw in birds to your garden while still making something pretty and useful? Try out this simple birdbath that doubles as a small container garden. The best part is, you can use it year-round, going from a full birdbath to this cool hybrid.

Supplies:

17-inch urn

12-inch poly urn

10-inch terra-cotta saucer

Craft paint

Flowers

Potting mix

Instructions:

1. Drill about five holes in the bottom of the larger urn to allow for drainage. These should be evenly spaced, but all closer to the center of the urn.
2. Paint your urns and saucer whatever color you like. Make sure the paint you use is safe for the birds. Wait for the paint to dry.
3. Place the smaller urn upside down in the bigger one and glue it down.
4. Fill the bottom urn with potting mix and plant your flowers. I recommend smaller ones like Alyssum, Violas, or Lobelia so they don’t become too overgrown.
5. Place the saucer on top of the smaller urn and glue it down. Add some water for the birds and you’re done!

Make sure to place your new birdbath somewhere accessible for the birds – probably an elevated space outside. With this two-in-one project, you’re sure to hear birds chirping and see beautiful flowers you might not normally think to have them. Enjoy!

About the author:

Gaby Galvin is a Washington Gardener Magazine summer 2015 intern who is studying multiplatform journalism at the University of Maryland. She does some gardening at home in Davidsonville, MD, with her mother and grandparents. 

 
This is the fourth in a 5-part series on DIY projects for the home gardener. Look for the next installments in this DIY blog series on the 1st of each month (through December 2015) here at washingtongardener.blogspot.com. 

 

Image sources: Lowes.com