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Sue Hunter, Owner, Heartwood Nursery As many of you know, Hollies are one of our specialties at Heartwood Nursery. Each spring we hear from customers who are worried because while they see leaves coming out on other trees, they see some leaves on their Holly turning yellow and dropping off.   American Holly starting to shed leaves this spring If this is happening to your Holly, don't worry! Your Holly isn't sick or dying. It’s just going through its natural, yearly spring leaf-shedding process.  Rather than shedding leaves in the fall, all evergreen Hollies naturally shed their older leaves in the spring.  When Hollies lose leaves in the spring, it means new growth will emerge soon. This spring, Holly leaf shedding is heavier than usual, due to the prolonged extreme cold temperatures we had this winter. In some situations, it may appear that complete defoliation is occurring. In most cases, Hollies recover by mid-summer. Spring leaf shedding has no negative effect on Holly flowering or fruit set. The fruit of female American Holly is an excellent food source for many birds in the winter. Male American Holly flowers attract many beneficial insects in the spring. These are among many reasons I consider American Holly the crown jewel of horticulture. Some Hollies show a natural genetic predisposition for less spring leaf shedding. Native selections of Hollies that fall into this category include the American Hollies (Ilex opaca) 'Martha's Vineyard', 'Dan Fenton' (female), 'Boiler Boy', and 'Sundown', the 2026 Holly Society of America Holly of the Year, to name a few. Hardy non-invasive, non-native Hollies such as Ilex koehneana and Ilex pedunculosa also consistently show minimal spring leaf shedding.  It should be mentioned that although the non-native evergreen 'Nellie Stevens' Holly has been a popular choice for gardeners and landscapers for decades, this winter proved what Holly growers have been saying for years: 'Nellie Stevens' is not that cold-hardy in USDA zones 6 and 7.  This photo shows extreme winter damage on 'Nellie Stevens' that occurred in January 2026. As temperatures rise, this tree will shed all its leaves. It will likely take 2-3 years to recover. American Holly on left and winter damaged 'Nellie Stevens' nonnative Holly on right, January 2026 Consider adding deer-resistant and cold hardy American Hollies to your property for beautiful, year-round environmental sustenance. The Heartwood Holly Arboretum: Over 300 mature Hollies, beautiful year round

Heartwood Team Many people equate the arrival of spring with the appearance of non-native daffodils, tulips, and crocuses. These early bloomers are called spring ephemerals. They thrive in the gentle sunlight that filters through the bare branches of trees and shrubs in late winter and early spring. Once they bloom and produce seeds, these early emergers die back, leaving no trace before hot summer temperatures begin. Did you know there are native spring ephemerals? Skunk Cabbage, Trout Lily, Mayapple, Dutchman's Breeches, and Virginia Bluebells may all be found growing naturally in our local woodland areas. These native spring ephemerals are every bit as cheerful a sight as nonnative ones. The important difference: Native spring ephemerals are pollinated by native bees, flies, wasps, and ants, who find them a crucial source of early nectar. Virginia Bluebells at Heartwood Nursery Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica) is one of our favorites. It grows along stream beds and in moist woodlands, preferring rich soil and leaf litter. Virginia Bluebells can bloom as early as March and into April, flowering in pretty shades of light blue, purple, and pink. Deer proof, they spread well once established through seed, and can quickly cover the ground in a shady area. After they bloom, it's crucial to let Virginia Bluebell foliage die back naturally and disappear into the early summer soil on its own. The dense foliage adds a small amount of nutrients to the soil and provides cover for beneficial insects. It's best to plant Virginia Bluebells in very early spring or late in the fall. Adding organic matter such as leaf compost to the soil can help them establish more easily. Interestingly, Bluebells can be a hardy reclamation species in areas where the soil in the understory has been mechanically disturbed. Come visit us for Bluebells and other seasonal spring ephemerals!

Sue Hunter, Owner, Heartwood Nursery What is the one of the most recognizable trees in the winter time? If you said Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), you are right!  With their satiny smooth and luminous white bark, Sycamores only get more beautiful as they age. Not many species can boast that! The sight of their pearly, irregular limbs stretching toward the heavenly blue sky when it’s freezing cold can make any nature lover feel a warm spark of joy. I am always in awe of the birds who sit high on the topmost branches and the compelling view they must have from their lofty perspective.  Mature Sycamore trees are valuable nesting sites and a food source for Finches, Juncos, Chickadees, Nuthatches and Orioles to name a few. Eagles and Heron prefer nesting in the top of the Sycamore’s crown, which can reach a height of one hundred feet. Owls, Raccoons and Squirrels nest in the hollow portions of the branches. Sycamores will habitat in sun or shade, and tolerate wet or dry soil. A common place to see a community of naturally occurring Sycamore is along a stream or river bank. Tiny seed no larger than a speck of dust are deposited by the late winter winds into the water. Floating with the current, some of the seed will be gently washed ashore onto a muddy bank and rest there, waiting to germinate as the days become longer and warmer. Other seeds may become fish food, and be deposited to grow much farther from their parent tree! When my children were little, one of their favorite books was The Ghost-Eye Tree by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault. The book is about two children who are sent on a nighttime errand to town and must pass by a tree with long, spooky branches. My youngest quickly compared the Sycamore tree to the Ghost Eye tree, and as he got older, Sycamore became one of his favorite trees. Growing up and listening to stories passed down by older friends of the family, I remember one story in particular. Mrs. B grew up in a family with many sisters. It was hard on the family making ends meet, especially at Christmas time. The sisters were resourceful and creative. They would collect the Sycamore balls (seeds) while they were still hard and unripe in December, and wrap them with scraps of aluminum foil they saved all year-round. Such beautiful, silvery, shiny Christmas ornaments to adorn their tree! Along the property line in the back of my woods stands one lone, aging Sycamore. In a woods full of Hickories, Oaks, and Maples, it’s a mystery as to how one tiny seed ever germinated there. Most of the Sycamore trees I grow and sell here at the Nursery are seeds from that tree. I haven’t been able to sit with it much this winter because of the ice and the snow. We’re looking forward to a visit soon.

Sue Hunter, Owner, Heartwood Nursery 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 Research & Development & Test Holly Program and Holly of the Year Committee.  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 Holly berries and seeds at Heartwood Nursery Ninety-five percent of American Holly trees that start out in the wild were deposited as seed in the soil by birds roosting in the trees in the fall through winter. The young Holly seedlings often go unnoticed until they’re a few years old and displaying their evergreen foliage among the bare deciduous woods during the winter. As a lifelong Holly selector and grower, I look with a keen eye for outstanding characteristics of every Holly seedling I see, as no two are exactly alike. These characteristics include: Leaf size Leaf color Growth habit Branching habit Berry size Berry shape Berry color Overall plant vigor   Fifteen years ago, I happened upon the American Holly seedling I would later name 'Sundown' when I was walking the edge of my woods here at Heartwood. I knew right away this Holly was special: Even at a few feet tall, she already had exceptionally met the above-listed criteria. As Hollies move into summer dormancy around the end of July through August, I decided to move Sundown one day in late summer when she was about 12 feet tall. The timing was perfect for transplanting Hollies. The days were 90 degrees, humid, and we’d just had a soaking rain two days prior. So perfect were the conditions that I tagged seven Holly seedlings that day, each displaying different characteristics, and had them moved closer to the greenhouses, where I could observe them daily. The Hollies we moved received supplemental water until the rainfall caught up for this area. After that, they were not pruned, shaped, or modified in any way. It's always preferable to let Hollies develop on their own. We began taking cuttings of 'Sundown' one year after transplanting. She was continuing to show outstanding aesthetics: Larger than normal leaf Darker green than normal leaf Strong terminal leader Evenly distributed and equal branching habit Bright red consistent berry-set Minimal spring shedding of older leaves In addition, the cuttings proved easy to root and grow on into larger containers. These are all qualities growers want to see in a Holly of the Year. That was just the beginning! Our next steps included registering the Holly selection through the Holly Society of America, who is recognized as the Official Registrar for the genus Ilex by the Royal Horticultural Society International Registrar.   We consistently took countless photos of the new selection throughout the year in all seasons, to give growers and retail customers a chance to envision 'Sundown' in their landscape or garden. Rooted starter plants of Heartwood American Holly 'Sundown' at the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, January 2026 We also take trays of rooted starter plants to horticulture trade shows every year to enable industry professionals to ask questions, scrutinize the rooted cuttings, and determine when to fit rooted cuttings into their growing schedules. There are many American Holly selections, and occasionally people ask me why there are so many. The answer is, because no other Genus has the genetic diversification exhibited. Holly growers love Hollies. We want to share these remarkable plants with our customers. When taking cuttings of a selection such as 'Sundown', I'm sharing with you a vigorous, healthy, bird-loving, long-lived, native American evergreen that I call the Crown Jewel of the Horticulture World. Every time birds eat a berry from an outstanding, naturally occurring Holly selection, the seeds that grow from those deposited berries are NOT clones, but rather carry the genetic diversity being passed down through naturally occurring pollination! Want to learn more about Heartwood Hollies? Visit our Holly propagation and Holly Arboretum pages and see our Holly list . And give me a call at (717) 993-5230. From a seed planted by a bird, a young American Holly grows in its natural habitat at Heartwood Nursery

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. It's known for its pleasing aromatic qualities, with the leaves, twigs, and berries emitting a spicy fragrance when crushed. 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 Nursery, we've seen Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Catbirds strip a branch full of berries in a matter of minutes! Spicebush is also a host for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly, whose caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves. Lindera benzoin has been used for various medicinal and culinary purposes by Native American tribes. The seeds were dried and ground to be used as a spice, while twigs, leaves, and roots were brewed into teas for various ailments. Gardeners appreciate Spicebush for its year-round ornamental value. Tiny yellow flowers emerge along the stems in early spring. Male or female flowers bloom on separate plants. Following pollination, bright red fruit develops on female plants in late summer. As day length gets shorter, the bright green foliage gives way to an attractive yellow in the fall, adding a splash of color to the autumn garden and landscape. Lindera benzoin is versatile, too. Although it prefers dappled shade, it can adapt to most planting situations. And don't mistake its graceful appearance for delicateness: Once established, Spicebush will survive drought and extreme cold. The super native Spicebush is available now at Heartwood. Here's how to contact and visit us. Lindera benzoin , Spicebush, fruiting now at Heartwood Spicebush in bloom in the spring at Heartwood Nursery

Sue Hunter, Owner, Heartwood Nursery Popular throughout history for Christmas greens and bright red berries,  Ilex opaca , American Holly, has been harvested for cut branches over the past century to near extinction in much of its natural range.   Ilex opaca 'Liberty Belle', a Heartwood Nursery registered selection American Holly is an evergreen native species that matures into statuesque, sentinel trees that can live over 300 years. Her berries provide food for birds and small mammals and pollen for honey bees. The dense, evergreen foliage provides great cover for wildlife, with spiny leaves protecting small birds and mammals from larger predators and the elements. 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, both female and male trees, are the unrivaled crown jewel of the horticultural world.  At Heartwood, we’re proud to be leading advocates for American Holly. We’re the  largest propagator of American Holly  in the United States, and our  Holly Forest , including over 75 mature American Hollies, is a Holly Society of America Certified Arboretum and Test Center. Holly shrubs and trees in their glory in the Heartwood Nursery Holly Forest When I began my horticulture career in the late 1980s, I didn't anticipate becoming a leading professional propagator of  Ilex opaca . Upon reflection, though, maybe there were early signs… In fourth grade, I was selected to be the Holly Girl in our school Christmas play, for which I spent hours making a holly costume out of a paper bag with green and red construction paper leaves and berries pasted all over it. Later in the 1960s and 1970s, I loved visiting the Millville Holly Farm every year with my family on our way to Ocean City, NJ.  In the 1980s, the nursery trade focused mainly on species from Europe and Asia. Researchers and plant breeders competed to develop the latest hybrids and crosses, trying to claim the best looking plants, the biggest berries, the prettiest flowers. The market was then, and still is, flooded with a carnival of non-native plant material that has forever changed our landscape and natural ecosystem.  I went in the opposite direction: native plants. I started my native tree nursery in 1987 in the basement of my home with a 3’ x 3’ cold frame built from leftover baseboard and a fluorescent light from the hardware store tied to the ceiling with bungee cords.  The first crop I sowed in a wooden flat were wild Black Cherry,  Prunus serotina,  seeds I had collected from the woods behind my house. The next spring, every seed had germinated and the black cherry were growing quickly.  Within weeks I sold every seedling to another nursery for resale. I was addicted to woody propagation.  When I gained a reputation as an intuitive propagator of over 300 native species, the retail and commercial production of  Ilex opaca became a top focus for me, because of the wonderful aesthetic value of the mature plants and their great benefits for wildlife and birds. Ilex opaca cuttings in the propagation greenhouse at Heartwood  Today Heartwood propagates over 20,000 American Holly plants yearly for nursery businesses and organizations. At the nudging of a colleague, I joined the Holly Society of America and have served as Executive Director/President for 13 years. I use this platform to increase awareness of Hollies' many positive attributes and to connect with horticulture and educational institutions to broaden their programs to include Hollies. I believe we’re at the point where almost every species of native plant needs an advocate. I’ve been an advocate for the American Holly most of my life, not only propagating it, but also writing botanical articles, giving presentations, incorporating scientific data and hands-on labs into my college teaching, participating in countless horticulture shows, and giving tours and talks about this spectacular native plant species. Want to catch some fresh air and birdsong among Hollies in their seasonal glory? Join me on Sunday, December 7, for a walk and talk in our Holly Forest, featuring over 75 American Hollies . Details at The Holidays at Heartwood.

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 Pagoda Dogwood grow in true pagoda-tiered style, making this species easy to identify, particularly in the winter, when branches are bare. The young trees grow quickly, and will perform best when given some partial, high shade for a few hours each day. A medium sized tree, Pagoda Dogwood usually reaches 20-25 feet upon maturity. We love the Pagoda Dogwoods on the Heartwood property, and have young trees available in our nursery that you can plant now for the birds and future fantastic color. Come visit, or for more info, contact us at (717) 993-5320 or heartwoodnurseryinc@gmail.com