Plant of the Week: Sunjoy Todo™ Berberis

Some plants just like the heat. Berberis is one of them.

Heat hasn't been a problem in Michigan (yet). We've had a cool, rainy spring so far. But we know that warmer days are coming. That's great for an afternoon on Lake Michigan but can be rough on some plants.

Barberry, however, thrives in full sun and plenty of heat. New to garden centers this year, Sunjoy Todo™ (pronounced tow-dough) is no exception. It has deep purple color that just grows richer as the August sun beats down on it.

With its semi-dwarf size and nice, consistent habit, this is an easy and responsible way to add durable color to hot, dry areas. As with other barberries, it has good deer resistance and will do best in full sun and well-drained soil.

Sunjoy Todo™ Berberis in flower

Sunjoy Todo™ barberry grows 1.5-2' tall and is hardy to USDA Zone 6. It's a semi-evergreen selection with really showy yellow flowers. Don't worry - the berries produced by these flowers do not have seeds. They are hollow!

Barberry rehabilitated.
It's easy to hate barberry; Berberis is considered invasive in many areas. And we don't want to plant things that will become a problem.

Sunjoy Todo™ Berberis

But barberry came to be a popular landscape plant because it is a really useful option for challenging sites. Heat, drought - even deer are not a problem for this plant. I'm thinking of some businesses I've seen on busy streets - they want a landscape but whatever is there needs to tolerate air pollution and general neglect. In goes the barberry.

So providing a non-invasive barberry for such conditions is something we're really proud of. We know some people have those difficult spaces to fill in their landscapes, or maybe they just want something colorful and durable for their yards. Let's use the plants that meet this need but don't cause problems for the environment.

It's not just barberry - if there's a problem plant in your area, see if there's a non-invasive alternative. If you're not sure, ask. Plant geeks love to help other plant geeks discover new plants!

Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles

Plant of the Week: Sonic Bloom® Weigela

This is a spring for reblooming plants.

It's been cold. Sure, we've had some lovely Chamber of Commerce-worthy blue sky days, but on the whole it's been a wet, cold spring. They've even been using the "F" word in parts of West Michigan.

Reblooming plants are pretty awesome in years like this. Even if we do have an untimely frost or freeze, rebloomers like the Sonic Bloom® Weigela will still reward us with flowers. Better late than never, right?

Sonic Bloom® Pink Weigela

Sonic Bloom® Weigela are very rewarding plants in more ways than one.

They're pretty, of course. Those classic weigela flowers are a charming addition to any spring garden. They're eye-catching in the landscape, and really easy to grow.

And they rebloom, so everyone gets to enjoy the flowers multiple times through the year. It's not just people who like the flowers: butterflies and hummingbirds like them, too.

Sonic Bloom® Weigela come in several colors, including Pink, Pure Pink (which is a more pastel pink), Red  and a red flowered variety with chartreuse foliage, called Ghost. If you'd like something a little more genteel, Sonic Bloom® Pearl has white flowers that transform to a soft pink.

Sonic Bloom® Pure Pink Weigela has an upright habit and is a good choice for hedging. The others have a more rounded habit.

Sonic Bloom® Pure Pink Weigela

All are hardy to USDA Zone 4 (Pure Pink even down to zone 3) and will get about 5' tall. You'll want to put them in full sun.

Weigela have good deer resistance, and will also tolerate clay soil They're more than just a pretty face!

Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles

Plant of the Week: Magenta Chiffon® rose of Sharon

You've seen Lavender, and White. Blue, and even Pink.

Are you ready for Magenta Chiffon® rose of Sharon?*

It has the same lacy tuft in the center of its large flowers, but it's a deeper, more intense color than the rest of the series. This should appeal to folks who aren't fans of pastels but want the reliable summer flowers of this durable plant.

Hibiscus syriacus is tolerant of some tough conditions, including heat, drought and clay soil.

In addition to their distinctive flowers, the Chiffon® Hibiscus syriacus have strong, uniform growth and nice container presentation. While older varieties can seem stiff and awkward, these plants are full and quite appealing.

All will grow best in full sun, and are hardy to USDA Zone 5. They will get 8-12' tall and wide.

If you'd prefer a lighter color for your summer garden, take a look at the other colors in this video. You're sure to find one that works!

*Magenta Chiffon® Hibiscus syriacus will be available at garden centers in 2020.

Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles

Plant of the Week: Golden Shadows® Cornus

We're in the peak of Tulip Time here in West Michigan. Really, the only thought people are giving to trees right now is to complain about their allergies.

I say take some allergy medicine and carry on, because trees are great. (Seriously, I say this. Everyone in my house, including the dog, is on allergy medicine.)

Tulips are nice enough, but trees will delight us for far longer than a couple of weeks in the spring.

Golden Shadows® Cornus alternifolia, in particular, is a plant that brings me a great deal of joy.

It has a lovely horizontal branching structure that adds an elegant touch to any garden. The bright color of the foliage is appealing, too, brightening the murky corners of a property.

Golden Shadows® will be happiest in filtered shade - just where you need that cheery green and gold foliage.

It's hardy to USDA Zone 3, and will grow 10-12' tall and wide.

If you haven't grown this plant, please do. I can say rather smugly that I've had it in my yard for years. and it never fails to make me happy.

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Did you know? Proven Winners® is getting into the tree game!

Golden Shadows® has been a favorite here at Spring Meadow Nursery for a long time. We've been hoping to make it fit into the Proven Winners® brand, but it wasn't quite right mixed in with the hydrangeas, etc. By teaming up with Maria Zampini, we've found a group of other fantastic ornamental trees and so have enough varieties to establish a Proven Winners® tree program.

As the former President of Lake County Nursery, Inc., Maria brings a wealth of tree experience to this partnership. We're confident that she will provide our customers with the same outstanding options for trees as they have come to expect from the shrubs coming from Spring Meadow Nursery's own breeding programs.

Finally, if you really want to talk trees you might want to use a special tree font to do it. Yes, such a thing exists. I know at least one graphic designer who will be going down a font rabbit hole after reading this.


Plant of the Week is written by Jane Beggs-Joles

Plant of the Week: Tiny Wine® Physocarpus

Tine Wine® Physocarpus

Hello and happy Friday! 

It's hopefully extra happy for us, as the rain has cleared and we can dig into the dirt all weekend!

I mentioned on Monday that I had been in Iowa last week. So before I get to the Plant of the Week, which is Tiny Wine® ninebark (pictured right) I wanted to share a couple of pics I took in the Better Homes & Gardens test garden.

I'm lucky I have an "in" there since, although it is open to the public, it doesn't officially open for a couple of weeks. It was fun to see the gardens waking up and the tulips all in their glory. Very different from my trip there last June when the bulbs were done blooming and other plants were capturing the spotlight.

The Helleborus were also in full bloom and absolutely gorgeous, as were many other plants like Sunjoy® Citrus Berberis! Click here for my online photo album that contains all the pictures.

Now, as promised, here is Jane's Plant of the Week: