The witch-hazel is blooming and that makes me happy

That it's the best bloom in years adds to my delight.

Every branch is covered with fragrant spidery crepe paper flowers that never fail to charm as they furl on cold days and unfurl on warm ones!

It's a darn shame that it is overlooked by most nurseries in favor of the flashier non-native witch-hazels. Just step away from those Chinese witch-hazels and ask for Hamamelis virginiana! You won't be disappointed and that's a promise.


H virginiana is a great all around small tree/shrub for most gardens and those of you who garden for wildlife might consider planting it for the good wildlife value it adds to a shady garden.

In case you are still thinking non-native!

• A tough, adaptable plant suitable for a variety of garden settings (Hardiness Zones: 4-9)
• Tolerates clay soil and poor drainage  
• Since it's often the last blooming plant found in most woodlands it's invaluable for providing nectar to late visiting pollinators
• It's upright spreading branches are good nesting sites for birds. 
• Some moth caterpillars predate on it
• The dispersed seeds are eaten by birds and small rodents. Now don't turn your nose up at the mere mention of rodents, yes, they are pests, but, they are also extremely important critters for hungry owls and hawks.
• Lovely fragrant, bright yellow flowers that bloom from October through November.
• Great fall foliage color 
• It's native to eastern North American, including Louisiana and Texas. 

 xoxogail

Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone. She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.

Underappreciated Native Plants: Xanthorhiza simplicissima

Go ahead and repeat that name at least 5 times. I want you to remember it!

 If that's too much, you can always call it Yellowroot.  This groundcovering, Spring flowering semi-woody plant is another of the underapppreciated natives that I think should be in more gardens.

I love the tiny, delicate purplish flowers that show well before the foliage arrives. I also appreciate it's rather fine foliage that has been described as resembling celery. It's a fantastic shaped leaf to add to a garden that already has a lot of small leaves. The foliage looks good all summer, then turns a delightful purple every Autumn.

But, let's not stop there! Yellowroot provides food and cover for over 50 different birds and mammals in the wild. This includes upland game birds, songbirds, and small animals that feed on the fruit. Because it can grow in fairly deep shade, the plant can provide understory habitat and food where few other plants can survive. Imagine how happy the songbirds and other critters that visit and live in your garden will be if you plant Xanthorhiza simplicissima.

Pretty flowers, a wet shade ground cover, good wildlife value and gorgeous fall color puts this beauty on the please plant this underappreciated native list!

Now, what was that name I wanted you to remember? 
Xanthorhiza simplicissima!

xoxogail

Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone. She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.