ornamental bark

Draped in Crape Myrtle

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Growing up in the wilds of western New York State, crape myrtles were as foreign to me as winters without snow.  I had a vague notion that they were nearly as important in the South, as camellias, but even northeastern greenhouses that were chock full of winter-flowering camellias were devoid of crape myrtle. I was … Read more

Willow Wrangler

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I do not make a habit of wrestling with trees, but occasionally it becomes necessary.  Last week I finished a several-round bout with the coral bark willow, Salix alba subspecies vitellina ‘Britzensis’, which grows smack in the middle of my front border. I want to emphasize that ‘Britzensis’ is a wonderful plant.  A male member … Read more