Plants of the Week for July 23rd 2019

The Phantom Hydrangea Tree is a small patio tree that grows to 8 to 10 feet tall and wide. It flowers in Mid July with lots of large pointed clusters of white blooms. As the flowers age they turn to a soft pink giving it a long bloom season. The flowers also stay upright. It enjoy full sun conditions to some shade. This works well when you need a “tree” for look but not really a tree. Like the corner of a house or in a small flower bed. You can plant smaller shrubs or perennials around it for year round interest.

Tuscarora Crape Myrtle is a cold hardy, shrub variety that can handle negative ten degrees Fahrenheit! They prefer full sun but can handle morning shade. They start flowering in mid summer clusters of hot pink flowers and continue into late summer. They grow to 15 feet tall and wide. In fall their leaves turn red and oranges colors. Now some winters can freeze a Crape Myrtle back to the ground; simply prune the dead out in May after it sets new leaves. This works great for a backdrop to smaller growing evergreens and perennials.