Sue Hunter

American Hollies are beautiful year round, but as the days turn colder and shorter, they come into their full glory, with their glistening dark green leaves and glowing red berries. In my view, American Hollies are the unrivaled crown jewel of the horticultural world.

For spectacular red and orange color in the fall, plant the native Pagoda Dogwood, Cornus alternifolia . A companion species to native Eastern Dogwood, Cornus florida , in the natural environment, Pagoda Dogwood is much more resistant to the anthracnose fungal disease that affects Eastern Dogwood. A native Pagoda Dogwood here at Heartwood Pagoda Dogwood trees provide a dark blue fruit for birds in the summer, before displaying stunning color in the fall. As its name implies, branches of the...

Lindera benzoin, commonly known as Spicebush, is a native North American shrub that grows in the understory of wooded areas, along streams, and in moist thickets. Gardeners appreciate its year round ornamental value. This graceful deciduous shrub blooms in early spring and fruits in late summer. Spicebush berries are a food source for many birds. Here at Heartwood, we've seen Cardinals and other birds strip a branch full of berries in a matter of minutes!