July Plants of the Month

July Plants of the Month:Clethra barbinervis – Japanese Clethra

An uncommon large shrub or small tree in the residential landscape, Clethra barbinervis is rarely seen but deserves a prominent place where its refined foliage, exfoliating bark and fragrant white flowers can be seen up close.

The white flowers appear in 4 to 6” long terminal racemose panicles from July thru August. Typically reaching a mature size of 10 to 20’ tall, this shrub has a variable habit – in height and width — and is an easy care, trouble-free plant, preferring well drained, organic soils in partial shade conditions.

As the plant matures with age, the stems develop an attractive cinnamon brown to gray exfoliating bark, similar in appearance to Stewartia pseudocamellia.

This plant is suitable as a specimen or inter-planted within a mixed border and is a nice addition to the winter landscape. Hardy zones 5 to 7

Clethra barb fall color — Clethra Barb Fall color

Hypericum prolificum – Shrubby St. John’s Wort

Hypericum prolificum, is a pollinator-friendly multi-season compact, dense shrub – three to four feet tall, that makes a fine addition to virtually any landscape. Native to the eastern United States where it occurs on rocky ground, dry wooded slopes, uncultivated fields, gravel bars along streams and in low, moist valleys, this shrub features handsome blue-green foliage. The large bright yellow flowers bloom on the current season’s growth, for an extended period – July into October, and draw a multitude of pollinators.

Shrubby St. John’s Wort will grow in average soils, from sandy to clay. While it prefers to stay moist, it will tolerate dry soil. The plant will grow in full sun or partial shade, but full sun will maximize blooms. It is a slow grower with an erect, round habit, and will tolerate drought. Its root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length but can be kept under control with spring pruning.

This plant can be used in a mass or group in the shrub border or native plant garden, in a rain garden, as a hedge and for stabilizing embankments. Hardy in zones 3-8.