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Swapping Huckleberries

Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album)  Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album) has been an attractive feature along our north-facing foundation since I planted it in 2016. You will have to take my word for it since I cannot locate a photo although I know one exists somewhere in the realm of the Internet or floating on a cloud somewhere.  I did locate a photo of how it looked when it was first planted - It took a few years to fill out but it did so nicely to an attractive mound about 2 feet high by 3 feet wide.  Last year, it started to look bad.  I cut it back but it had not improved and this is how it looked a few weeks ago - I decided to rip it out and plant another huckleberry - this time Vaccinium ovatum , more commonly known as the "Evergreen Huckleberry".  This is a plant that I've wanted for ages and kept putting off getting one because I could not find a good place for it. By most accounts, this is an amazing plant, a native one and excellent for
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Huntsville Botanical Gardens Plant Sale

We went to Huntsville yesterday for the fall plant sale at the Botanical Gardens. This is the first time I had been to one of their plant sales and boy, was I impressed. It was a tad overwhelming and I could have spent more time there, not to mention more money. Most of the plants were around $5 - $10. There were some larger plants and my most expensive purchase was a large witch hazel "Arnold's Promise" which was $40. We were in Michael's Pathfinder and came home with the back loaded. Most of these plants are going to be planted on the property. I would liked to have bought more dogwoods and native azaleas but I'm a little wary of planting more than I can take care of  and I'm not sure how well they will do out there. I don't ever recall seeing dogwoods growing anywhere in that area.

Here is what we came home with (for future reference):


  • Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia "Brilliantissima")
  • Snowbell, Big Leaf (Styrax grandiflora)
  • Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)
  • Dogwood (no name)
  • Magnolia, Big Leaf (Magnolia macrophylla)
  • Magnolia, Sweet Bay (Magnolia virginiana)
  • Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
  • Silver Bell (Halesia carolina)
  • Golden Raintree (Koelreuteria paniculata)
  • Snowball (Viburnum Opulus 'Sterile')
  • Native azaleas (4): Piedmont, Austrinum, Flame, Admiral Semmes seedling

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 16, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    Phillip, Beware the Koelreutaria, there will be seedlings everywhere.
    Sounds like a fabulous haul!!

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  2. scottweberpdxOctober 16, 2011 at 6:49 PM

    I bet that Witch Hazel will be amazing...it's one of my wish-list plants for if I ever get a bigger garden :-) drove past a house today with a large one in the front yard...the autumn color was outstanding!

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  3. debsgardenOctober 16, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    I love a good plant sale, and I always buy too much. You have purchased some terrific plants; some are on my own wish list. Good luck!

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  4. UnknownOctober 16, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Dogwoods are hardy but need to have a bit of shelter. I have been nursing one in my front yard (south side) for about 5 years. This past summer we had no rain and temperatures up to 114F and it was just baked. They grow wild in wooded areas here (Tulsa) with some high shade and a bit more rain. It was a lovely pink dogwood and will be missed. Good luck. If I am ever your way I will stop and ask for the nickel tour.

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  5. Rosedale GardenOctober 17, 2011 at 3:54 AM

    Phillip that's why I refused to let myself go this fall. I went to the spring sale and came back with a pickup load. This is the first time they've had a fall sale. I still have a lot of plants to get into the ground before I have knee surgery in 3 weeks. Witch hazel is one plant on my to get list plus a kousa dogwood. Maybe next year. Mary

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  6. DarlaOctober 18, 2011 at 4:18 AM

    It appears that your choices will not need much care after they are established. Looking forward to seeing where you plant them.

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  7. LonaOctober 18, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    Got to love those plant sales. Sounds like you literally brought home a load of them.The Magnolias and Witch Hazels are great additions. Love the blooms.

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