Sue Hunter

I'm honored to share that one of my best Hollies, the native American Holly Ilex opaca 'Sundown', has been chosen as the 2026 Holly of the Year by the Holly Society of America.  Meeting the criteria for this distinguished designation requires years of research and dedicated observation. Most of us have heard the old saying “Oaks from little acorns grow.” But have you ever witnessed the growth progression of a Holly tree from a tiny seed?

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...