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Plant varieties and zone information

From "Garden Sense"
episode DGAR-107

(Continued from page 2)

Spiraea japonica 'Shirobana' – Shirobana Spirea

Note: This non-native plant on the invasive watch list in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and the U.S. Forest Service. It is best avoided near moist areas.

Deciduous shrub with red, white and pink flowers blooming at the same time in early summer
Plant in full sun
Plant in rich, but well-drained soil
Water regularly until established; fertilize in spring; prune ½ to 1/3 when dormant
Deadhead to prevent the formation of seeds that produce unwanted seedlings
Height: 2-3 feet; Width: 2-3 feet
Hardy in USDA zones 4-8:
- Zone 4: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost to prevent winter heaving; avoid contact with salt.
- Zone 5: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost to prevent winter heaving; avoid contact with salt.
- Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after first hard frost.
- Zone 7: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall.
- Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; may defoliate early in hot, dry weather.

Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' – 'Emerald' Eastern Arborvitae

Upright, large evergreen shrub noted for its tight pyramidal shape and green foliage
Plant in full sun to light shade in rich, moist, but well-drained soil
Water regularly first season and in times of dry weather
Fertilize in mid spring with acid-based fertilizer
Dog urine may leave brown spots on foliage
Height: 12-15 feet; Width: 4-6 feet
Hardy in USDA zones 2-7(8):
- Zone 2: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; avoid exposure to harsh winter wind.
- Zone 3: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; avoid exposure to harsh winter wind.
- Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; avoid exposure to harsh winter wind.
- Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; avoid exposure to harsh winter wind.
- Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first frost.
- Zone 7: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; apply extra mulch after first frost.
- Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; apply extra mulch in fall.

Vinca minor – Creeping Variegated Periwinkle

Evergreen spreading groundcover with variegated leaves and blue flowers from spring to summer
Plant in partial sun to moderate shade
Can be invasive
Plant in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
Water regularly until established; prune to keep in bounds in early spring
Height: 4-8 inches Width: to infinity
Hardy in zones 3-8:
- Zones 3: Plant in spring; plant in light shade; mulch after first frost to prevent winter heaving; remove mulch in spring; avoid exposure to salt; may suffer some foliage damage in extreme cold weather.
- Zones 4: Plant in spring; plant in light to partial shade; mulch after first frost to prevent winter heaving; remove mulch in spring; avoid exposure to salt.
- Zones 5: Plant in spring; plant in light to partial shade; mulch after first frost to prevent winter heaving; remove mulch in spring; avoid exposure to salt.
- Zones 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in partial to moderate shade; prune hard in early spring to keep in bounds.
- Zones 7: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in partial to moderate shade; prune hard in early spring to keep in bounds.
- Zones 8: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in partial to moderate shade; prune hard in early spring to keep in bounds.

Ilex cornuta 'Carissa' – Carissa Holly

Compact, evergreen shrub with stiff, shiny leaves and a single sharp point on the end
Plant in moist, but well-drained soil; water when dry
Maintains rounded shape; prune, if needed, in early spring before new growth
May produce "sport" branches containing spiny leaves, which can be pruned away
Plant in full sun; fertilize once or twice each year
Height: 3-4 feet; Width: 3-5 feet
Hardy in USDA zones (6)7-9:
- Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; mulch in fall; fertilize in spring and fall with balanced fertilizer; plant in a protected location; may suffer some tip dieback in this zone.
- Zone 7: Plant in early fall; mulch in fall; fertilize in spring and fall with balanced fertilizer.
- Zone 8: Plant in early fall; mulch in fall; fertilize in spring and fall with balanced fertilizer.
- Zone 9: Plant in early fall; mulch in fall; fertilize in spring and fall with balanced fertilizer.

Gardening by Zip Code
If you're looking to start a gardening projectbut don't know your gardening zone—visit the National Gardening Associations's USDA Hardiness Zone Finder. Enter your Zip Code to identify the proper zone.

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