shrubs & trees - willis · azaleas: see rhododendrons beautyberry: family: verbenaceae,...

Willis Farm Shrubs & Trees, Perennials & Fruits Catalogs

1. Plants are arranged in alphabetical order by binomial name.2. Photographs of selected plant names below can be viewed by

clicking on the blue colored plant names.3. This list includes plants that we grow. Please call for availability.

Shrubs & Trees: Please Note that We Do Not Grow All Plants in this

Catalog at Any One Time. We Leave Notes Here For Your Information. Please Call for Availability.

Call or Text 318-210-4507, 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday

Maples: Family: Sapindaceae (Soapberry)

NATIVE MAPLES:

Acer Barbatum / (southern sugar maple)Designated as Louisiana Super Plant by LSA Ag.30’ - 45’ Deciduous tree, with good, generally yellow, to yellow-orange fall color in south. Wildlife: Yellow bellied sapsucker, seed eaten by song sparrows and orioles.Culture: Z7-9, Prefers sun, some shade OK, likes rich well-drained, but not dry, soil. Adaptable to most soil conditions including basic soils. Likes slopes, tolerates heat & humidity. Moderate to fast growth. Medium spread.Native to Southeastern USA.

Acer rubrum ‘Brandywine’ / (brandywine red maple)Brilliant red-purple fall color. Cross of A rubrum ‘October Glory’ and ‘Autumn Flame’. Deciduous tree grows to 40’, prefers slightly acid soil but adaptable. Introduction of National Arboretum. A Male selection so no weedy seedlings. Leafhopper resistance is significant, a major problem of landscape maples.Culture: Z4-8, full sun to partial shade, OK in wet or dry areas, needs acid soil for good health and best color, but fairly tolerant of wide range of soil conditions.Propagation: Easily from softwood cuttings under mist, 1-3000 IBA.Landscape Use: Excellent shade tree, street and park tree. Vermont like color.- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �1

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Native: cultivar, to moist soils of eastern North America.

EXOTIC MAPLES:JAPANESE MAPLE SUBGROUP:

Acer palmatum / “Japanese Maple”Deciduous tree, round headed, 15-25’H x 20’W. Has shallowly to deeply 5-9 lobed mid green leaves, 2-5” long that turn orange to yellow to red in fall. Tiny purple red flowers produced in small pendant corymbs are followed by red winged fruit in late summer. Culture: Z7-8. Nearly all of the Japanese Maples need afternoon sun protection in the south, however, the straight Japanese maple, Acer palmatum (green Japanese maple), does very well in full sun here in our nursery, starts off with green leaves with margin of red in spring, the leaves do not burn in summer, and turns very a nice red color in fall. Most of the cultivars below that start out red in spring will develop sun burned leaves in summer, if not in a protected area. There are rare exceptions, note below. The green Japanese maple is in general the best performing Japanese Maple for the deep south. Exotic: Introduced from China, Korea, Japan.

Buckeyes: Family: Hippocastanaceae (Buckeye or Horse Chestnut)

Aesculus parviflora / (bottlebrush buckeye)Average 10’-10’ shrub, suckering, with upright, slender branches, with very good form. Very few other plants grow under this buckeye. Culture: Prefers moist, well drained soil, acid - but adaptable, and in this zone likely to do best with some shade. Pruning not necessary, but can be rejuvenated by pruning to ground. Zones 5-9, 9-4. Neutral to slightly basic soil best.Features: Attractive foliage, and very showy large, creamy white flower racemesUses: As specimen or massed in larger space, background planting, or under shade trees.Wildlife: Hummingbirds.Native: Southeast US - Alabama & Georgia, especially in sandy soil.

Aesculus pavia / (red buckeye) or (southern buckeye)This plant with 4-8” red bloom spikes in early spring following leaves, can grow into a15-25’ deciduous tree, however many in our area remain in shrub form. It tends to lose leaves in mid to late summer and this is accelerated if it is in full sun or receives little moisture.Culture: Z5-9, 9-5. It grows in part shade in a wide range of soils from slightly acid to slightly basic that are moist but tolerates only brief flooding. Many of ours here grow on dry hillsides.

- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �2


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Wildlife: In this very important example of mutualism this plant is pollinated only by the Ruby Throated Hummingbird, and is the first spring food for this bird.Native: WV to FL to TX.

Serviceberry: Family: Rosaceae (rose)

Amelanchier arborea / (downy serviceberry)A small deciduous tree or large shrub, it may sometimes reach 30’. Use in mixed natural setting, shrubby border, or understory tree.Culture: Zones 4-9, 9-4. Grows well in moderately moist to dry Acidic soil, full sun to full shade. They seem to grow well on hillsides.Flowers: Small, creamy white flowers. Fruit is 1/4” red pome.Wildlife: Fruits eaten by birds and flowers attractive to hummingbirds.Native: Eastern USA, ME to FL, to midwest.

Azaleas: see Rhododendrons

Beautyberry: Family: Verbenaceae, (verbena or vervain)

Callicarpa americana / (American beautyberry) or (French mulberry)4-6’ open woodland shrub with tiny white spring flowers and showy purple fall fruit in 2” bunches. Big green leaves are showy. Good for flower arrangements.Cultivation: Z5-9, 9-1. Will grow in a variety of soils,, from dry to wet. It can be pruned severely right before new spring growth to control size and refresh an older plant. Does well in filtered shade, but more fruitful and denser in full sun.Wildlife: Important bird foodNative to eastern North America.

Sweet Shrub: Family: Calycanthaceae (sweetshrub)

Calycanthus floridus / (sweet shrub) or (carolina allspice)6-8’ shrub, sun to shade, sweet smelling, distinctive, 2” maroon blooms on current seasons growth in spring. A first rate native shrub. Masses of these shrubs can be viewed at Briarwood. Cultivation: Sun to shade. Prefers acid to neutral, moist soil, flooding tolerated. Z6-8.Native: to woodlands, hillsides, and sandy streams from PA & OH to FL & LA.



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Camellias: Family: Theaceae (tea plant family)

All plants in the camellia genus are exotic (non-native), we do grow a few Camellia japonica, but none are being grown at the present time and only two Camellia sasanqua listed below. They are both very desirable plants and both are in the LSU list of “superplants”.Exotic: All Camellias originate from the far east.

Sasanquas

Camellia sasanqua / (sasanqua)Upright to spreading shrub growing to 20 x 10’, the species bearing single,

fragrant cup shaped white flowers in fall to winter. Cultivation: Z 7-10. In contrast to the C. japonica the sasanqua group will grow

in full sun, otherwise culture is similar. Exotic: Introduced from China, Japan, Korea.

Camellia hiemalis ‘Shishigashira’ / (shishi sasanqua) Designated Louisiana super plant by LSU.4-5’ evergreen shrub, 4-5’’ wide, with diffuse bright rose semi-double blooms. Flowers are perfect for cutting. Excellent choice for a colorful low hedge, espalier, or ground cover. Lower growing than most camellias, it is excellent in foundation plantings and at our home is in bloom at Christmas time.It grows slowly enough so that a yearly trimming will keep it down to 2 or 3 feet if desired. Blooms November into January. A hedge as well as a specimen plant.Exotic:

Camellia sasanqua ‘Leslie Ann’ Louisiana super plant. This sasanqua is a very beautiful fall flowering plant with exquisite 3”-4” white semi-double blooms edged in pink. It tends to grow in a tall, upright fashion about 10’ or slightly more and about 6’-8’ in diameter. It is hardy in zones 7-9, and is best in sandy, acid soil. It forms beautiful specimen plants in our yard, and with it upright form is good for allees and to form borders.Exotic:

Button Bush:Family: Rubiaceae (madder family)

Cephalanthus occidentalis / (buttonbush)



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This is a deciduous wetland shrub generally 8-10’ tall and wide with tiny creamy white flowers in 1 1/4” spherical heads which are rather showy. It is at its best beside ponds or streams.Cultivation: It is best in full sun, with moist soil. It cannot tolerate drought. Z 5-10.Wildlife: A very good plant for wildlife, it attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds and the seeds are important for birds including ducks. Medicinal: Choctaw and Seminole Indians used the bark for treating diarrhea and stomach aches.Native: Across eastern USA, and southwest to CA.

Redbuds:Family: Fabaceae

Cercis canadensis / (redbud)20-35’ deciduous tree, often multistemmed with heart shaped leaves, pointed at the tips, to 4” long, bronze when young turning yellow in autumn. Has rosy purple blooms before leaves appear. One of the outstanding southern native small flowering trees. Cultivation: Z5-9. Will grow in acid to alkaline soil, moist, well drained locations best, in full sun to light shade.Native: to Eastern USA.

Fringe TreeFamily: Oleaceae

Chionanthus virginicus / (fringetree) or (Grancy gray-beard)20-30’ tree, sun to part shade, white, fragrant 4-10” drooping clusters beforeleaves appear in spring. Chionanthus means “snow” and “flower”. One of the most refined and beautiful of our small flowering trees. Cultivation: Prefers moist, acid soil, but widely adaptable, and will tolerate dry soil. Will grow in full sun to filtered shade.Wildlife: Berries attractive to birds, larval host to Manduca rustica “Rustic Sphinx Moth”.Native: to Southeastern USA.

Summersweet:Family: Clethraceae

Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’ / (ruby spice summersweet)5-10’ deciduous shrub, sun to shade, fragrant, darkest pink of any clethra with 6” spikes on new growth in summer. Cultivation: Prefers acid, wet soil, but tolerates fairly dry soil. Z5-8.Wildlife: Seeds resemble peppercorns and are good bird food. Blooms are available in summer for butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.





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Native: to eastern USA, NJ to FL to LA.

Clethra alnifolia ‘Sixteen Candles’ / (sixteen candles summersweet)3’ seedling of ‘Hummingbird’ with 4-6” long white fragrant flowers in July that are held upright and do not splay. A fine dwarf native cultivar, whose cultivation and flowering period are similar to ‘Ruby Spice’ above.Native:

Buckwheat tree or Black Titi:Cliftonia monophylla ‘Chipola Pink’ Family: Cyrillace / (black titi) or (buckwheat tree)12-30’ evergreen tree with pink, fragrant axillary blooms in early spring on current year twigs and dark, shiny, thick leaves. Flowers and later ornamental fruit give ornamental season. ‘Chipola Pink’ is a Margie Jenkins selection. Cultivation: It prefers very acid, moist to wet soil and sun to moderate shade. It is multi-trunked but can be pruned to a single trunk.Native: to Southern coastal plain from Florida to Mississippi river.

Cedar: Family: Pinaceae

Cedrus deodara ‘Bracken’s Best’ / (Bracken’s best deodar cedar)50’-60’ x 20-30’ evergreen specimen tree, with a graceful pendulous habit. Can grow to 30’ in its first 10 years. Needles are about 1” and turn yellow to brown in fall and in spring as new needles emerge. The ‘Bracken’s Best is more blue-grey than species, less broad, & better suited to a wider range of conditions. Cultivation: Z7-9, Needs well drained soil in full sun.Exotic: China

Smoketree:Family: Anacardiaceae

Cotinus obovatus / (American smoketree) or (chittamwood)A large upright shrub or small round headed tree growing to 20-30’. The dark green to slight bluish leaves turn a very nice yellow, orange, or red in fall. A very good tree for fall color. Flowers are in red-purple blush panicles that range from 6-10” long and not quite as wide that give the tree a hazy smoke like appearance in the spring.Cultivation: Adaptable to a wide range of of soils and pH ranges, prefers well drained soil and sunny exposure. Will grow well in limestone soils. Z4-8.Native:



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Haws:Family: Rosaceae (rose)Crataegus marshalli / (parsley hawthorn)15-20’ deciduous tree, with white early spring blooms. Cultivation: It prefers moist, rich, acid soil, sun to shade. Z7-9.Native: to bottomland woods in Southeastern USA.

Leatherwood or Titi:Family: CyrillaceaeCyrilla racemiflora / (titi) or (swamp cyrilla) or (leatherwood)30’ tree, that will take sun or shade, and has 4-6” white, fragrant racemes in early summer. The red scaly trunk divides just above the ground. It stays shrub like for several years but matures into a slender tree that makes a good small patio tree. Very tolerant of flooding. Semievergreen. Cultivation: Z7-10. Sun or moderate shade. Acid, moist to wet soil. Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds and honeybees.Propagation: Seed or cutting, but low germination rate. Cold moist stratification may help. Root cuttings fall or winter or softwood cuttings in early summer.Native: to acid bottomlands from Virginia into east Texas, and into Latin America.

American strawberry bush / hearts-a-bustinFamily: CelastraceaeEuonymus americanus / American strawberry bushEastern USA native to east Texas. It grows to about 2 meters tall, is deciduous with opposite, leathery leaves that may be up to 10 cm long. The flowers are borne in the leaf axils with yellow green sepals 1-2 cm long and the greenish red petals above are smaller. The fruit capsule is about 1.5 cm across and splits into 5 sections revealing the 5 bright red seed which are the very showy fall occurring episode for this plant. The seed may cause severe diarrhea if eaten. We use this plant next to buildings where deer have not bothered ours - to date.Native:

Parasol Tree:Family: Sterculiaceae (cacao or chocolate family)

Firmiana simplex / (Chinese parasol tree)30-40’ upright, relatively slender deciduous tree with huge leaves in a “parasol arrangement”. It is an excellent patio tree. Cultivation: Adaptable to sun or shade. Grows in a wide variety of conditions.Exotic: Introduced from China / Japan in 1757.





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Witch Alder:Family: Hamamelidaceae

Fothergilla major ‘Mt Airy’ / (Mt Airy witch-alder)6-10’ tall rounded deciduous shrub, with ovate to nearly round 3-5” leaves, that are glossy dark green with coarsely toothed margins and which turn red, orange, and yellow often on the same plant in the fall. Flowers are small white bottlebrush like spikes 1-2” long, with stamens and no petals, and which appear in early spring before the leaves, last 2-3 weeks, and smell like honey. Yellow-orange fall color. A Georgia Gold Medal Selection.Cultivation: Z5-8. Sun to part shade. Acid, moist, well drained soil, preferably sandy and peaty.Native: To dry woods & mountains North Carolina to Alabama.

Gardenias:Family: Rubiaceae (coffee family)

Gardenia jasminoides ‘Frostproof’ / “Frostproof Gardenia” “Cape Jasmine”Designated a Louisiana super plant by LSU.4’ shrub with very delightfully fragrant double white flowers in summer. It has a compact growth habit and lance shaped leaves. Plant often has sooty mold fungus growing on the sticky “honeydew” deposited by various insects, which may be easily removed.Cultivation: Full sun to partial shade. Needs acid, moist, well drained, high organic soils. Ideal pH is about 5.5 - 6 and your pH may be lowered using sulfur. If leaves are not lustrous dark green color add sulfur and Iron. They are susceptible to root rot and good drainage is necessary and they should not be over or under watered. Do not apply nitrogen in excess amounts. ‘Frostproof’ is thought to be the currently best performing gardenia for our area by LSU Ag.Exotic: China, Taiwan, Japan. A southern Heirloom Plant.

Gardenia thunbergii ‘Martha Turnbull’ / (hip gardenia)Very old heirloom shrub grown at Rosedown plantation prior to civil war. It has single white, fragrant flowers, and in fall the fruit is a spectacular show of orange and yellow ‘hips’. Evergreen, 5-10’ tall & 5-8’ wide. Rosedown was built in 1834 for Martha Turnbull by her husband, and she remained a gardener at this place all of her life, tending her garden even after all the family wealth was gone. Sometimes known as the ‘Rosedown’ gardenia.Cultivation: Zones 8-10, Sun to filtered shade,needs moist well drained soil. See above.Exotic: South Africa. A southern heirloom plant.

Loblolly Bay:- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �8


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Family: Theaceae (tea plant family)

Gordonia lasianthus / (loblolly bay)30-60’ evergreen tree, with a narrow crown, and white, fragrant blossoms 3” across starting in early summer with flowers throughout the summer. It is a very good native for wet sites and flowers during summer months when few other things are flowering. It makes an excellent specimen tree or grove in wet areas or at the edge of a pond. It also works very well in a lawn, and young specimenswork very well in containers around patios with evergreen leaves and summer flowers. A first rate native under many conditions.Cultivation: Z 6-9, sun to part shade, needs moist to wet, acid soil. It can tolerate swampy conditions.Native: to SE USA.

Silverbells:Family: Styraceae

Halesia diptera / (two-winged silverbell)15-25’ deciduous tree, that grows in sun or shade and has 1’ white bell shaped blooms before leaves in spring. Cultivation: It prefers acid, moist soil. Z7-8. Does well in filtered shade, however we grow ours in full sun.Native: Southeast USA.

Halesia dipterra ‘Magniflora’ / “Magniflora Silverbell”A larger flowered form, naturally occurring, Flowers generally almost twice size of normally occurring form, otherwise similar.

Witch-Hazels:Family: Hamamelidaceae

Hamamelis virginiana / (witch-hazel)15-20’ deciduous tree, broadly oval, with oval, obovate, or nearly rounded leaves to 6” long, turning yellow in fall. Small yellow blooms from September to December, usually after leaves fall. In the fall the leaves turn a beautiful yellow color and later the scent of the flowers waft through the autumn air. A typical native for this area, preferred by native plant enthusiasts because of late fall, early winter bloom period.Cultivation: Z5-8. It prefers rich, acid soil, either moist or dry in either shade or part sun.Native: Eastern North America

Hibiscus:- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �9


http://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Gordonia_lasianthus.html

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Family: Malvaceae (Mallow Family)

Hibiscus coccineus / (scarlet rose mallow) or (scarlet hibiscus)4-7’ slender, herbaceous perennial that dies back in winter and re-sprouts in the spring, with great deeply lobed five petal 5” scarlet blooms atop erect stems, that may be single or usually multiple, in the heat of summer. Each bloom lasts only one day but they continue to open through summer into fall. It is an eye catching specimen particularly next to a pond or water garden, or at the back of a bed where the brilliant flowers will catch the eye. Cultivation: It will grow in most conditions. Does well in moist to wet areas with full sun. Z7-11. Will freeze back to ground, but return each year. Cut back in winter. In normal soil it will need extra water in dry spells.Native: to Florida, Georgia, and Alabama in swamps, marshes, and ditches.

Hibiscus mutabilis / (cotton rose) or (confederate rose)Extremely poplar multi-stemmed shrub in the deep south, that thrives in the southern gulf states. It can grow up to 15’ tall and 10’ wide, with large leaves. From late summer until frost it will have beautiful blooms that start out white or light pink and over a three day period change color until they end up a deep pink, and as they die they assume a dark blue-pink color. This is a striking plant in full bloom partly because there are flowers of three distinct colors at one time. Leaves are dropped in winter.Cultivation: Needs sun and will bloom best with lots of water, although it will survive with little care at all. Z7-9. It will die back to ground if there are several days of hard freeze, but will regrow from roots in spring. In normal winters in our area the stems remain green. It is at its best as a single plant in full sun. It needs little or no pruning.Exotic: China.

Hibiscus paramutabilis / (Chinese hibiscus)8’ multi-stemmed deciduous shrub, with 6-8” beautiful red single flowers summer until frost. In severe winters will die back to ground in our area, but will grow back in the spring. We enjoy this shrub at the corner of our porch during the entire flowering season which is about four months.Cultivation: Sun, otherwise very adaptable.Exotic: China.

Hydrangeas:Family: Hydrangeaceae

Hydrangea arborescens / (smooth hydrangea)3-5’ deciduous shrub in wild, forming large suckering colonies.

Cultivation: Z4-9. Flowers on New Wood, so prune in late fall or early spring. Very adaptable, but proliferates best in moist, rich, well drained soil. Needs partial shade

here in deep south. If spent flowers are removed usually get re-bloom in fall, although - 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �10


http://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/hibiscus_coccineus.html

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flowers at this time are smaller. Needs additional water in dry periods. We grow the cultivar listed below.

Native: to eastern USA.

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ / “Annabelle Hydrangea”6’ shrub has extremely large corymbs to 1’ across. The white inflorescences mature to green. Rated as best of H. arborescens cultivars by Dirr. Georgia Gold Medal winner.Cultivation: Z4-9. Flowers on New Wood, so prune in late fall or early spring. Very adaptable, but proliferates best in moist, rich, well drained soil. Needs partial shade Cultivation: See under Hydrangea macrophylla above, blooms on old wood.

Hydrangea paniculata / (peegee hydrangea)Vigorous, spreading deciduous shrub to 10’ to 20’ x 8’ with ovate, pointed, toothed, mid- to dark green leaves 3-6” long, and with 3-8” conical panicles 3-8” tall of creamy white fertile flowers and large white sterile flowers borne in late summer and early fall.

We grow the cultivars listed below. Cultivation: Requires more sun than other hydrangeas. It will do in full sun, or partial

shade. It blooms on new wood so one may prune in late winter, early spring, or right after bloom. A few cultivars do well in Zone 8.

Exotic: Russia, China, Japan.

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Phantom’ / “Phantom PeeGee Hydrangea”This is an upright form, which grows rapidly to 7 to 9 feet, with dense, conical, mostly sterile flowers, said to be the largest of any of the paniculatas, in July - September. The flowers are white, do not expect this or ‘Limelight’, a sister seedling, to be green this far south. Excellent new introduction in this country that "supersedes ’Grandiflora’" according to the RHS trial of Hydrangea paniculata cultivars. Received their highest rating and an Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Dirr: "Spectacularly large (immense) inflorescences. ." Full sun to light shade for zones 3 - 8. Blooms on new wood, as do other paniculatas.

Hydrangea quercifolia / “Oakleaf Hydrangea”6-8’ deciduous shrub, with white 4-12” blooms in late spring turning rose pink, then

purple.Cultivation: Z 7-8. Shade to part sun, will not do in full sun here in zone 8.

Prefers acid soil, either moist or dry.Native: To Eastern USA in zones 6-8.

Hydrangea quercifolia / oak leaf hydrangeaClassic southern flowering shrub 8-12’ tall and 6-10’ wide, deciduous, with huge flower heads opening slightly green, turn white, then to an umber to burnt orange, then to brown. Flower heads are good dried vase flowers or short lasting fresh flower heads. The leaves are a beautiful fall orange red color as fall comes on and provide stunning - 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �11




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landscape color in the deep south. The plants need exceptionally good drainage and are best planted on a sandy hillside or on well raised beds.

Hollies:Family: Aquifoliaceae

Ilex x attenuata ‘Savannah’ / “Savannah Holly”A popular cultivar discovered in the 1960’s near Savannah,GA, which definitely leans toward the “American Holly” in character. A group of hollies (Topal hollies) that has arisen naturally and by man made crosses between Ilex opaca “American Holly” and Ilex cassine “Dahoon Holly”and perhaps Ilex myrtifolia. It is lighter textured than the “American Holly”, with smaller, softer, less spiny leaves, on thinner twigs, and more likely to by multistemmed, and often conical in habit. The more vigorous cultivars may reach 40’ in 30 years. It is female and bears vivid red berries in clusters of 2 or 3.

Ilex Cassine / “Dahoon Holly”20-30’ rounded, pyramidal, densely branched, evergreen tree with narrow green leaves and abundant orange-yellow to red berries.Cultivation: Z8-9. Adapts to wet areas.Wildlife: Berries for birds.Native: to bogs, cypress ponds, etc NC to FL & TX.

Ilex decidua / “Possomhaw”20-30’ deciduous tree, with tiny white flowers in spring and with showy red to orange fruit in early fall to spring on females only. The female is the showiest of hollies in winter. We grow the 2 cultivars listed below.Propagation: Roots easilyCultivation: Z6-8. It will grow in sun to shade on a wide range of soils.Native: Southeastern USA.

Ilex decidua ‘Warren Red’ / “Warren Red Possomhaw”20’ shrub that is more upright than specie and has lustrous dark green leaves and abundant long persistent, glossy, bright fruit which is the largest of any deciduous Ilex on the the market.Cultivation: Z4-9.

Ilex decidua ‘Finch’s Gold’ / “Finch’s Gold Possomhaw”Similar to Warren Red except that berries are gold colored.

Ilex opaca / “American Holly”Evergreen tree, with tiny yellowish white blooms in spring and red fruit on females in late fall to spring. We grow the cultivar listed below.Cultivation: Z6-9. It will adapt to wide range of wet to dry conditions, from sun to shade.- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �12





Native: Eastern USA, Zones 6-9.

Ilex opaca ‘Greenleaf’ / “Greenleaf American Holly”A 20 to 30 foot holly with a spread of 10 to 15 feet. This holly has a pyramidal form with glossy, medium-green, spiny foliage, and bright red berries in the fall. Moderate growth rate. It is somewhat softer in texture and may be used as a specimen, grouping, or for screening.

Ilex verticillata / “Black Alder” “Winterberry”Suckering, deciduous shrub which in mid-spring produces white flowers and dark red to scarlet fruit in fall. Outstanding for shrub borders, mass plantings, and in wet soils. We grow the 2 cultivars listed below. Cultivation: Z5-8. Does well in wet to flooded areas.Native; to the eastern USA.

Ilex verticillata ‘Southern Gentleman’ / “Southern Gentleman Winterberry”5-8’ male pollinator for Winter Red, Sparkleberry, and many others. Late season blooming.

Ilex verticillata ‘Sunset’ / “Sunset Winterberry”Up to 8’ tall female winterberry with orange-red berries, larger than ‘Winter Red’. Very heavy blooming and later flowering than most. Needs a late season blooming pollinator.

Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’ / “Winter Red Winterberry”10 x 10’ robust, broad female shrub with dark green leaves.Cultivation: as above, needs male pollinator either mid or late season.

Ilex verticillata x serrata ‘Apollo’ / “Apollo Winterberry”Late blooming male pollinator to 12’ feet tall

Ilex vomitoria / “Yaupon Holly”Large evergreen shrub with usually bright red fruit. Leaves are high in caffeine and may be used for tea. It is an easily grown holly that is suitable for screening, hedges, specimen, espalier, or barrier planting. Scarlet fruit is borne in large quantities on the fast growing plant. We grow the cultivar listed below. Cultivation: Will take a wide range of sun, water, pH, and abuse. It is most adaptable small leaf evergreen holly for southern gardens. Responds well to high fertility.Native: VA to FL to TX.

Ilex vomitgoria ‘Hoskin Shadow’ / Hoskins Shadow female yauponA native female cultivar of Ilex vomitoria (yaupon holly), grows usually about 6-12’ x 4-6’ as a pyramidal, dense, evergreen shrub with large dark, lustrous green foliage and abundant beautiful scarlet fruit which generally holds through spring. Z6-10. It prefers full sun and regular watering and may be best of the red fruited forms.- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �13





Illicium / Anise:Family: Schisandraceae (sole genus of the Illiciaceae)

Illicium floridanum / “Florida Anise”15-25’ tree, with maroon to red 1-1 1/2” blooms in early spring. It is evergreen, with crooked, multiple trunks.Cultivation: Z8-9. Part to almost full shade. Acid, rich, moist soil.Native: Florida panhandle to SE Louisiana.

Illicium floridanum ‘Alba’ / “White Florida Anise”A white selection of Illicium floridanum it is a15-25’ tree, with white 1-1 1/2” blooms in early spring. It is evergreen, with crooked, multiple trunks.Cultivation: Z8-9. Part to almost full shade. Acid, rich, moist soil is preferred.Native: Florida panhandle to SE Louisiana.

Illicium parviflorum / “Ocala Yellow Anise”An 8-10’ evergreen with distinctive yellow-green foliage, it is a hardy landscape foliage plant, which does well sun to shade and moist to partly dry, but will wilt in extreme drought. The blooms are very small and yellow-green which are not at all showy. This is a plant for foliage mass or screen.

Sweetspire:Family: Iteaceae

Itea virginica / “Virginia Sweetspire”3-4’ deciduous shrub with white 4” spires in late spring. It may colonize to form ground-cover or thicket. We grow the cultivar listed below.Cultivation: Z6-9. Prefers shade to part sun, moist to wet soil, and will take variable pH, but prefers acid soil.Native: to eastern USA.

Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’ / “Henry’s Garnet Sweetspire”3-6’ Deciduous shrub with white, fragrant 6” racemes in summer, and with brilliant garnet / burgandy foliage in fall and red stems in winter.

Walnut:Family: Juglandaceae (walnut family)

Juglans nigra / “Black Walnut”100 x 70’ vigorous, spreading tree with pinnate, aromatic leaves to 24” long, each with 11-23 ovate-oblong, glossy, dark green leaflets. Grown for edible fruit and high value of - 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �14




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wood. Chemicals produced by this species may inhibit the growth of certain other plants growing under or near it.Cultivation: Z4-9Native: Eastern US

Mountain Laurel:Family: Ericaceae (heath family)

Kalmia latifolia / “Mountain Laurel” “Calico Bush”10-15’ evergreen shrub, with 4-5” cluster of fragrant white to pink flowers in April.Cultivation: Z5-8. Prefers some shade and acid soil, either moist or dry.Native: to gulf coast on the bluff sides of streams and creeks.

Leucothoe:Family: Ericaceae (heath family)

Leucothoe axillaris / “Doghobble” “Coastal Leucothoe”2-4’ Evergreen shrub with 1-3” white blooms flushed with pink on previous years growth in early spring. We grow the cultivar listed below.Native: to SE USACultivation: Z7-8. Prefers part sun to shade, in moist to wet, rich, acid soil.

Leucothoe axillaris ‘Margie Jenkins’ / “Jenkins’ Fetter Bush”3x3’ evergreen shrub with white, fragrant blooms in April in full shade. It has dark green leaves with low arching branches.Cultivation: Needs well drained but not dry soil, and shade.

Leucothoe populifolia (Agarista populifolia) “Florida Leuchothoe”8-12’ evergreen shrub with bell like white flowers with honey like fragrance in late spring on last year’s wood. It creates a naturalistic effect along stream sides, bluffs, and woodlands.Native: in moist hammocks and wet woodlands in coastal plains from SC to FL.Cultivation: Z8-9. Prefers shade to some sun, in acid, moist soil.

Spicebush:Family: Lauraceae (laurel family)

Lindera benzoin / “Spicebush”3-10’ multi-trunked shrub, with yellow spicily fragrant flowers before leaves appear, followed by 1/3” glossy scarlet fruit. Native: Eastern USA Z 4-8.Cultivation: Z4-8. Prefers sandy, acid soil, moist to dryish, sun to shade, with more berries in sun.- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �15





Wildlife: Larval plant for “Spicebush Swallowtail” and “Tiger Swallowtail” butterflies.

Poplar:Family: Magnoliaceae (magnolia family)

Liriodendron tulipfera / “Tulip Popular” “Yellow-Poplar”75-100’ vigorous, broadly columnar deciduous tree with saddle shaped , dark green leaves to 6” long , which are squarish and indistinctly lobed at the tips, hollowed at the bases, with pointed lobe at each side. Cup shaped, pale green tulip like flowers in early summer can only be fully appreciated from above. Cultivation: Z5-8. Will grow in sun to part shade and prefers moist, acid to neutral, rich soil.Wildlife: Butterflies and hummingbirds attracted to flowers. Cardinals and Finch like the seed. Spicebush and Tiger Swallowtail butterfly larvae feed on leaves. Native: Eastern North America.

Magnolias:Family: Magnoliaceae (magnolia family)

Native: Eastern North America, in Piedmont and Coastal plain.

Magnolia ashei / “Ashe Magnolia”Spreading, deciduous shrub or small tree, 30’+ x 25’+ with large obovate leaves, glossy and light green above and glaucous underneath, up to 24” long, born on thick shoots. Flowers are 8-10’ across, white, with maroon at petal base, in early summer. This tree reaches flowering stage very early, sometimes within 2 years. It is very closely related, likely a variety, to Bigleaf Magnolia, and very similar in leaf and flower size, but the tree is smaller. Bigleaf Magnolia may take 15 years to produce flowers in some instances. This tree from northern Florida is a superior tree form because of earlier flowering and smaller tree size, with flowers that are still comparable to the Bigleaf Magnolia.Cultivation: Z7-9. Acid, moist, rich soil. With huge leaves like the Bigleaf, it needs wind protection (by other trees) and some shade.Native: NW Florida.

Magnolia grandiflora / “Southern Magnolia”60’ evergreen tree, with creamy white 6-9” blooms in May to June. One of 75 great plants for American gardens chosen by American Horticultural Society.Cultivation: Z7-9. Prefers part sun. Will of course grow in full sun.Native: to lowland woods SE USA.

Magnolia macrophylla / “Bigleaf Magnolia”






50’ deciduous tree with huge leaves to 3’ long. It has very large creamy white, fragrant flowers in April and May that may be 1’ across. The large leaves need some protection by other trees from the wind. One of the great southern trees.Cultivation: Z7-9, 9-6. It does best on moist, well-drained, slightly acid slopes. It will need wind protection by other trees to protect the huge leaves in heavy winds. Best in some shade.Native: to KY, FL, & LA in woodlands.

Magnolia pyramidata / Pyramid MagnoliaKnown so for its pyramid shaped crown, It is one of the rarest magnolias in North America and has potential for a landscape tree due to its compact crown and beautiful creamy-white flowers. Growing up to 20-30’ in height, it occurs in isolated colonies throughout the southern coastal plain. The deciduous leaves are about 9” long and 4” wide. The white, fragrant, terminal flowers are 5-6” in size and the rosy red seed pods are 2 1/2” long. Cultivation: This tree needs acidic, sandy, moist soil and lots of shade.

Magnolia virginiana / ‘Sweetbay”Designated a Louisiana Super Plant by LSA Ag.50’ tall by 30’ spread, semi-evergreen tree with creamy white 3-6” blooms in spring to early summer. One of 75 great plants for American gardens chosen by the American Horticultural Society. var. Australis is southern form.Cultivation: Z6-9, Best in sun to part shade and wet to moist, acid soil.Native: to coastal plain MA to FL to TX

Magnolias: Oriental:Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’ / “Royal Star Magnolia”10’ spreading deciduous shrub, with silky buds opening to star shaped, mostly erect, fragrant, faintly pink flowers to 5” across, which are profuse in early spring, before leaves. A good patio, lawn, or accent specimen.Cultivation: Prefer moist, acid soils. It flowers best in full sun. Prune after flowering. Exotic: Japan

Blackgum: Family: Cornaceae (dogwood family)

Nyssa sylvatica / “Blackgum”50-75’ deciduous tree, with most reliable deep orange red foliage in south.Native: Eastern USA Zones 5-8.Cultivation: Z5-8. Prefers sun to part shade and dry acid soil. Will not tolerate prolonged flooding. Do not overwater.



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Olive, Sweet:Family: Oleaceae

Osmanthus americanus / “Wild Olive” “Devilwood” “American Sweet Olive”An evergreen shrub or small tree with pale bark, leathery leaves, small greenish to creamy white flowers in axillary panicles on previous year’s wood. Fruits are dark blue drupes April - October. This is a desirable native shrub in a naturalized landscape or as foundation planting around a home.

Osmanthus fragrans / “Sweet Olive”A quintessential southern shrub. It is evergreen, usually 10-15 feet, but sometimes to 25 feet. The small flowers appear over and long period of time in the fall and on warm winter days. The smell is wonderful and we plant them near our porches and many people plant them along commonly used pathways for the wonderful fragrance. Cultivation: Z 7-9. Full sun to part shade. Prefers fertile, moist, acid soil.Exotic: Introduced from China, Japan, Himalayas in 1856.

Osmanthus fragrans var. ‘Aurantacus’ / “Yellow-Orange Sweet Olive”As above except for unique yellow-orange blooms. This sweet olive has wonderful fragrance, was once used to make perfume, and blooms only once in fall, a small price for the extra special fragrance.

Sourwood:Family: Ericaceae (heath family)

Oxydendrum arboreum / “Sourwood” or “Sorrel Tree”20-30’ deciduous tree, with white fragrant 1/4” blooms on long curving 6-10” panicles in midsummer. The dark green foliage turns a vivid red in the fall.Cultivation: It needs an acid soil for successful growth, which may be either moist or dry. Plant in sun to part shade. It does not tolerate flooding.Native: Southeastern USA.Wildlife: Seed eaten by songbirds & turkey, hummingbirds and bees come to flowers and sourwood honey is thought a delicacy.

Pines:Family: Pinaceae (pine family)

Pinus palustrus / “Longleaf Pine”80-125’ evergreen conifer, tall, straight, high branching. Most stately of southern Pines. In its early years it has a very distinctive columnar form covered by the long needles. - 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �18





We get asked “what is this” about this tree in the first 10-15 years of its life, when it goes from “Grass Stage” to its early columnar form, more than about almost any other plant we have. It then assumes the tall, high branched form of the stately pine that is a perfect backdrop for azaleas.Cultivation: Z8-9, outside of its normal range this tree with its long needles may suffer considerable ice storm damage. Needs sun, in acid sandy soil. It may stay in “grass stage” for a considerable period of time, although this is very much shortened by water and fertilizer.Native: to coastal plains in southern USA.

Flowering Plums / Cherries:Family: Rosaceae (rose family)

Prunus mexicana / “Mexican Plum”25’ tall deciduous tree, which in spring is smothered with fragrant, white blooms, which are then followed by purple, tart, juicy fruits which can be used to make jams and jellies. This tree is native to our area in North LA, the “American Plum” Prunus americana is generally found a little further north in Arkansas.Cultivation: Best in full sun or partial shade, on rich well drained soil, but will tolerate most any soil. It is drought tolerant once established. It is a good tree for naturalizing or for residential landscapes, but should not be planted next to a patio because of the fruit which drops.Native: to south central USA.

Hoptree:Family: Rustaceae (rue or citrus family)

Ptelia trifoliata / “Wafer Ash” or “Hoptree”Rutaceae (Rue or Citrus) Family20’ plus deciduous tree or sometimes large shrub, with compound, three part leaves. Flowers are small greenish white in May and seed mature in October and cling until midwinter. It is the northern most new world member of the Citrus family. It is an often used tree by native preferring landscape architects. Fruit have been used as a substitute for hops in making of beer, hence common name.Cultivation: Z4-9, Sun to dappled shade. It prefers moist, well watered areas, but will do in dry areas.Landscape Value: An attractive understory small tree or large shrub, adaptable to both moist and dry conditions. If in full sun and pruned it will be very bushy. Wildlife: Very good nectar source for Butterflies. Larval host for Papilio glaucus “Eastern Tiger Swallowtail” and Papilio cresphontes “Giant Swallowtail”. Attractive to birds.






Oaks:Family: Fagaceae (beech family)

Quercus michauxii / “Swamp Chestnut Oak”An outstanding Native landscape tree, it grows to a stately 60-70’.

Quercus nuttallii / “Nuttall Oak”A 60-80’ tall, deciduous tree, with rounded crown and dark green leaves that tend to turn orange-red in fall. It is a beautiful specimen tree, similar to Quercus shumardii “Shumard Oak”, but tolerant of a wider range of conditions. It is a good shade or lawn tree.Cultivation: Full sun to some shade, it grows in slightly acidic to slightly basic soil, and will tolerate infrequent flooding.Native: Eastern USA into east Texas.

Quercus virginiana / “Live Oak”Massive 40-80’ x 60-100’ wide spreading semi-evergreen tree with shallow grooved, red-brown bark and elliptic-ovate, leathery, shiny, dark green leaves 1.25-5” long, softly wooly beneath. Bears acorns 0.75-1” long singly or in clusters of 2-5. This is classical oak of the deep south.Cultivation: Z8-10. Grows in full sun in a wide range of soils.Native: North America - Virginia, to Florida to Mexico.

Azaleas:Family: Ericaceae (heath or blueberry family)

We generally divide this group, all of which are in the genus Rhododendron, into the 1) deciduous azaleas, many of which are native, particularly in this list, and which includes cultivars of the natives and the hybrids of this group, which are mainly native crosses,2) then the evergreen azaleas, none of which are native to North American and nearly all of which are hybrids, and 3) the Rhododendron group. In this genus Rhododendron, the Rhododendron group have flowers with 10 stamens each, and the azalea group, both the deciduous and evergreen, have flowers with 5 stamens each. Because the name Rhododendron is used both as the broader genus name and as a group within the genus it is somewhat confusing.

Deciduous Native Azaleas & Cultivars:

Rhododendron alabamense / (Alabama azalea)In nature this plants varies in height from 3 to 10 feet. The flowers are in late spring to early summer and are white, to white with yellow blotches, to some with a pink flush. They have a musky, sweet, lemon like fragrance.






Native: to Alabama and into MS, FL, GA, & TN.

Rhododendron alabamense ‘Mary Brooke’ (Webb) / (Mary Brook Alabama azalea)A pale yellow form of the specie described above. Selected by Amy Webb and named after a member of the Webb family. See next below.

Rhododendron alabamense ‘Yellow’ / (yellow Alabama azalea)A yellow form from Ernest Koone similar to ‘Mary Brooke’ above.

Rhododendron alabamense ‘Nancy Callaway’ (Koone) / (Nancy Callaway azalea)A superior form spotted by Ernest Koone selected for it's abundant flowering habit. In late spring, highly fragrant white, yellow blotched flowers appear on plants that eventually top out at 6'. Native. Give afternoon sun protection.

Rhododendron atlanticum ‘Marydel’ / (Marydel coastal azalea)This azalea was collected by plantswoman Polly Hill along the Maryland / Delaware border and was originally thought to be a cross between R periclymenoides and R atlanticum. It is now thought to be a very good selection of R atlanticum by most experts and is a beautiful medium pink with a quite wonderful fragrance. It grows 3-5’ tall.

Rhododendron austrinum / (Florida azalea)6-10’, sometimes 15’ deciduous shrub, with early spring blooms that vary from clear yellow to orange-red. Although native east of here, this is perhaps the easiest of the deciduous azaleas to grow in our area. Cultivation: Z6-9. Will take sun to shade, prefers acid, moist soil, but must be well drained.Native: to FL panhandle and AL.

Rhododendron arborescens var ‘Georgiana’Rhododendron arborescens var georgiana (decid azalea) fragrant white/pink flower Aug/Sept, 5-10'h, average to dry well drained acidic soil, part to full sun, orange/yellow/red fall color, this variety found in GA and AL

Rhododendron austrinum ‘Escatawpa’ / (Escatawpa Florida azalea)A selection of R austrinum found along the Excatawpa River in Alabama, it has brilliant yellow-orange flowers in early spring, usually with more orange than the specie. Cultivation: is similar to specie above.

Rhododendron austrinum ‘Millie Mac’ / (Millie Mac azalea)This was an austrinum limb sport, with absolutely unique, fragrant, vivid yellow, picotee flowers with a 1/8 inch pure white margin and red tubes. Strong basal shoots may revert to solid yellow flowers. About 6 feet. Blooms in spring with Florida and Honeysuckle Azaleas.



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Rhododendron canescens / (honeysuckle azalea) or (Piedmont azalea)8-10’ deciduous shrub, with early spring fragrant pink to white blooms. This pink flowered native azalea is native in our area.Cultivation: Z6-10. Prefers acid, rich, wet to moist, but well drained soil. Will grow in sun to part shade.Native: to coastal plains and piedmont in SE USA.

Rhododendron canescens ‘Camilla’s Blush’ / “Camilla’s Blush Honeysuckle Azalea”This 8’ tall at maturity selection of R canescens has very soft pink flower forms which on our plants appear to be slightly smaller and somewhat more numerous than the specie. Cultivation is as above.

Rhododendron canescens ‘Varnadoes Phlox Pink’ / “Phlox Pink Honeysuckle Azalea”A more upright form of R canescens, with a narrow base, the blooms appear to be a slightly darker, more uniform pink. See cultivation above.

Rhododendron colemanii / ‘Red Hills Azalea’ is a newly discovered specie (2008) in the ericaceae family, previously confused with R alabamense. It is native to the Red Hills regions in the upper coastal plain of Alabama and western Georgia, where it grows on sandy ridges, creek banks, and damp slopes. In the native range it is 10’+ in height with a shrubby form. The flowers are white to pink to yellow, in May.

Rhododendron eastmanii / is a very rare species growing in only a few locations in two South Carolina counties. Introduced 1999. Like several of the native azaleas in the "white group", R. eastmanii flowers after the leaves have expanded. It is clearly different from R. arborescens with the familiar red stamens, since R. eastmanii's stems are not smooth but are covered with hairs, or pubescense.

Rhododendron flammeum / “Oconee Azalea”This is a 6-8’ shrub with flowers ranging from yellow to pink to salmon to orange-red in April, which are not fragrant. It will hybridize with R canescens. We currently grow both orange and red selections. Red forms and Orange forms have been selected by the Webb family in Lee, FL, and by Ernest Koone in Pine Mountain, GA. We grow both.

Rhododendron flammeum ‘Ed Stephens’ / (Ed Stephens oconee azalea)This is a 4-6’ plant with dark pink to red blooms in late spring. It needs partial shade.

Rhododendron flammeum ‘Florence’ / “Florence Oconee AQzalea” *************A beautiful yellow tinged orange form of the Oconee Azalea selected by the Webb family of Lee, FL. See under Rhododendron flammeum above.



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http://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/R_canescens_Varnodoes_Phlox_Pink.html

http://www.tjhsst.edu/~dhyatt/azaleas/arborescens.html

http://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/R_flammeum.html

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Rhododendron flammeum ‘Magenta Rose Flame’This Summerfield introduction has beautiful bright pink blooms with a yellow flair in late spring.

Rhododendron flammeum ‘Red Inferno’ (Koone) / “Red Inferno Oconee Azalea” A good red cultivar from Ernest Koone. 3-6 feet tall plant.

Rhododendron prunifolium / “Plumleaf Azalea”12’ slow growing deciduous shrub which takes a few years to bloom, but then one is rewarded with orange to bright red blooms in summertime when very few other shrubs are blooming. This azalea is widely planted at Calloway Gardens in Georgia, but not native to North LA, and rarely seen in gardens here.Cultivation: Z4-8. Needs to be well drained. It needs afternoon shade to prolong the flowers during the hot summer months. Flower buds are generally formed for the next season before the current season’s bloom. Native: To southwestern Georgia and eastern Alabama.

Rhododendron viscosum / “Swamp Azalea”This azalea is very variable in size, from low and mounding, up to about 8 feet. The flowers are fragrant as spicy fragrant white appearing in late may to early June. Other native azaleas including R oblongifolium and R serrulatum have been lumped with R viscosum.

Rhododendron viscosum var glaucum / swamp azalea

Rhododendron viscosum var oblingifolium / (Texas azalea)2-5’ spreading shrub, deciduous, alternate, simple leaves are oblong (name derivative), pure white, fragrant flowers in March after leaves appear. Native: to Sandy woods, sandy stream banks, and sandy bog margins in TX, OK, AR, LA. Some taxonomists argue it is not a separate specie from R viscosum. Culture: Acid, sandy, well drained soil, Z7-9.

Rhododendron viscosum ‘Summer Eyelet’ / “Summer Eyelet Swamp Azalea”This compact native azalea grows to about 5’ and has spicy, clove-like scented white flowers in summer. The foliage is dark green. ‘Summer Eyelet’ cultivar is better adapted for garden use, because of the more uniform size than the specie. Cultivation: Z 4-9. Sun to part shade, we grow in full sun in the nursery. Needs acid soil, and tolerates wet but not soggy soil, although some native colonies are in dry hills. Native: The specie to a triangular zone from Maine to Florida to Southern Mississippi, with a separate long zone along the AR / OK border and the LA / TX border.

Rhododendron serrulatum / “Hammock Sweet Azalea”See R viscosum above, horticulturally this azalea is different from above, as it leafs out very early, the leaves are shiny and the leaves and new stems contain red pigment, as





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do the buds. The flowers are white and clove scented, appearing in July or August, usually the last native azalea to bloom. It may be a tall plant growing to 12 feet.

Deciduous Hybrid Azaleas:

Rhododendron x ‘#3’ / “#3 Deciduous Azalea”This azalea is a cross with our native R austrinum, it has the same habit, and has the clearest yellow flowers of any azalea that we grow. It is a beautiful azalea and my favorite although less spectacular than than the orange-golds of ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Stonewall Jackson’. This is an Aromi hybrid and was identified only as ‘#3’. It is a hybrid cross between our native R austrinum and most likely one of the Exbury cultivars, possibly ‘Hotspur Yellow’.Cultivation: Same as R austrinum above.A Native hybrid.

Rhododendron x ‘Admiral Semmes’ / (Admiral Semmes deciduous azalea)A hybrid between R austrinum and the Exbury hybrid R ‘Hotspur Yellow’, the source of many of our hybrid forms of deciduous azaleas. As most of the austrinums, depending on local conditions, the size is about 8-10’ tall and half that wide. The flowers are a very good yellow, fragrant, and occur in the early spring. A Tom Dodd hybrid.Cultivation: As with most of the native azaleas it needs moderate moisture, with good drainage, and although we grow in the nursery in full sun with lots of water, it does best in filtered shade. It has been bred to do well in heat and humidity. The soil needs to be acid, and as with all the deciduous azaleas there can be no salt in the irrigation water.A Native hybrid.

Rhododendron x ‘Millenium’ / (Millenium deciduous azalea)A cross of ‘Sparkler’ & ‘Parade’ Weston hybrids by Mezitt (ARS 992), an Oconee cross with velvety red buds and fragrant hot pink to red flowers. Very late blooming in June - July, about 4’ tall. Hardy to -5ºF.

Rhododendron x ‘My Mary’ / “My Mary Deciduous Azalea”An 8’ tall hybrid deciduous azalea, a cross between R austrinum and (R atlanticum x R periclymenoides), it is one of the “Maid in the Shade” series. The flowers are pure yellow with red tubes, and dark green foliage in summer.Cultivation: As above.A Native hybrid.

Rhododendron x ‘Pennsylvania’ / “Pennsylvania Deciduous Azalea”A Weston Hybrid (R viscosum x R prunifolium),

Rhododendron x ‘Stonewall Jackson’ / “Stonewall Jackson Deciduous Azalea”





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http://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/R3.html

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Another one of the “Confederate series” by Tom Dodd, bred for the heat and humidity of the south. This has spectacular gold flowers in the early spring, which are fragrant. Again one of the hybrids of R austrinum and R ‘Hotspur Yellow’.Cultivation: As with other deciduous Azaleas: Well drained acidic soil, best with afternoon shade.A Native hybrid.

Rhododendron x ‘Sunrise’ / “Sunrise Deciduous Azalea”One of the remarkably beautiful Aromi hybrids, again most likely a cross between R austrinum and R ‘Hotspur Yellow’. This azalea has a stunning yellow-gold flower in early spring, similar to R ‘Stonewall Jackson’ above but with more yellow, although the flowers in all of these vary somewhat. The habit is very like Rhododendron austrinum.Cultivation: As above.A Native cross.

Evergreen Azaleas:

Rhododendron ‘Koromo shikibu’ / “Lavender Spider Azalea”3-5’ x 3-5’ spreading evergreen shrub, a highly unusual azalea that does not fit well into the Kurume group, it may be a Rhododendron macrosepalum hybrid. The leaves are hairy and may turn reddish in fall, The flowers are very unusual lavender, 5-petaled, with narrow 1/2” x 1 1/2” petals with dark spots at the base. In bloom, this is a definite attention-getter in our nursery. Again, although we grow in full sun in our nursery with plenty of water, this plant is definitely better off with a good amount of shade.

Pericat:

Rhododendron ‘Hampton Beauty:Evergreen, compact azalea to 5 x 5 feet, with beautiful funnel shaped rose-pink flowers. Needs partial sun and well drained acid soil. Most beautiful when planted in drifts along edge of woods. Shear / prune annually.

AZALEAS: Evergreen Aromi Hybrids:Dr. Aromi developed a large number of evergreen hybrids. We carry a few of them.

Rhododendron ‘Amelia Rose’ / “Amelia Rose Azalea”6’ Evergreen shrub with rose or peony like, 3” double, hose-in-hose rose pink to lavender blooms, with deep red blotch in midseason. This is a distinctly unusual plant because of the rose-like blooms and rare in the trade. A collectors item. A mid-sized,





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although we grow in full sun in nursery with plenty of water, it is better off with filtered shade or afternoon shade.

ROSES:Family: Rosaceae (rose family)

Rosa ‘Belinda’s Dream’ / “Belinda’s Dream Rose”This is a shrub rose that will grow to 5-6’, but is usually maintained at about 4’. The flowers are semidouble and medium pink, and unlike others of this type that have 8-12 petals per flower this rose has 40-45 petals per flower. The first rose to receive Louisiana Super Plant status.Cultivation: It requires little or no spraying, little fertilizer, and is drought tolerant. Prune back about 1/3 in late Aug - early Sept and 1/3-1/2 in late Jan to early Feb.Exotic: (non-native)

Rosa ‘Peggy Martin’ / “Peggy Martin Rose”This rambler rose is named in honor of the rosarian Peggy Martin, whose yard in Plaquemines Parish, LA, was covered by 20 feet of salt water by Hurricane Katrina. This is the only rose of hundreds that survived and since then it has become a symbol of a tenacious plant associated with the spirit of renewal after a devastating event. Our plants are cuttings from Aubry King with whom Dr Bill Welch shared cuttings from Ms Martin’s rose. This is a thornless climber, with bright green foliage, and clusters of dark pink flowers. This rose has good disease resistance.Exotic: (non-native)

SNOWBELL:Family: Lauraceae

Styrax americanus / “American Snowbell”6-10’ shrub, with white 1/2” bell shaped flowers after leaves in spring. Along with silverbells (Halesia diptera) this is good dogwood substitute where anthracnose is a real problem.Cultivation: Shade to part sun. Prefers acid, moist to wet soil.Native: to swampy areas in southern Missouri.

CYPRESS TREES:Family: Cupressaceae (bald cypress family)

Taxodium ascendens / “Pond Cypress”A tree very similar to Bald Cypress, a deciduous conifer, with branches that tend to be more ascending, and which has less tendency to form knees (but don’t count on it) and - 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �26





when they occur they tend to shorter and more rounded. It is usually more columnar than bald cypress, but they can be hard to tell apart, and this is complicated by the fact that hybridization probably occurs. It tends to be a somewhat smaller tree and may be somewhat faster growing. It is probably a better choice for the homeowner.Cultivation: It does best in full sun, is somewhat more dependent on acid soil than Bald Cypress, and although it occurs naturally in wet sites it does well on upland site just as Bald Cypress does. Z5-10. Native to shallow ponds and wetlands from Virginia to Louisiana.

Taxodium distichum / “Bald Cypress”70-100’ deciduous conifer, which resists strong winds and is good soil stabilizer for wet areas. It is a popular ornamental tree for the same reasons as a Pond Cypress, with light feathery foliage, and orange brown fall color. The state tree of Louisiana.Cultivation: It can be grown in a wide variety of conditions from swampy to upland site. See under Pond Cypress above. Native: from Delaware Bay to Florida to Texas, a somewhat wider range than Pond Cypress.

MEXICAN BUCKEYE:Family: Sapindaceae

Ungnadia speciosa / “Mexican Buckeye”12’ tree, sometimes taller, deciduous, covered with early 1” pink fragrant spring blooms. Leaves turn yellow in fall. Cultivation: Prefers full sun to part shade in well drained soil. Will grow in sand, loam, or clay soil. It needs basal pruning to maintain the tree shape, otherwise it will be a multi-stemmed shrub, which works well as a tall background shrub or deciduous screen.Native: to well drained limestone soils on stream banks in south, central, and west Texas. It has done well here in NW LA for us.

SPARKLEBERRY: Family: Ericaceae

Vaccinium arboreum / “Sparkleberry” or “Farkleberry”This is a shrub to 20 foot understory, deciduous tree with bright orange to red fall foliage. It is one of our best looking understory natives, known for it’s heat and drought tolerance. The fruit there are small white flowers in spring and then small black fruits which are not edible.Cultivation: Understory, acid soil, zones 7-9, drought and heat tolerant.Native: to the southeastern coastal plain.





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VIBURNUMS:Family: Adoxaceae (formerly Caprifoliaceae)

Viburnum acerifolium / “Maple Leaf Viburnum”4-5’ deciduous shrub with creamy-white 2-3” flower clusters in spring after leaves with small purply black fruit with red to purple leaves in fall.Cultivation: One of best shrubs to use in deep dappled shade. Prefers shade to part sun. It takes range of moist to dry soil.Native: A rare specimen native to eastern north America from Ontario to Florida to Texas.

Viburnum dentatum / “Arrowwood”5-15’ upright, deciduous shrub, with white 2-4” flat top bloom clusters in spring. It has opposite leaves typical of viburnum. Cultivation: Z3-8. Will grow in sun to part shade, prefers acid, rich, moist to wet soil, but will grow in dry soil.Wildlife: Important bird food.Native: to wet habitats and flood plain forest in Piedmont and coastal plain, from ME south to FL, & TX.

Viburnum macrocephalum / “Chinese Snowball Viburnum”8-15’ semi-evergreen shrub (in the south) with dense white very showy flowers in terminal cymes to 8” across that start out chartreuse and turn to pure white.Cultivation: Z7-9. It needs moist well drained soil. Sun to partial shade. It is helped by removing older limbs and cutting a few others back by 1/3. It can be renewed by cutting completely back, but there will probably be no bloom in the following year.Exotic:

Viburnum obovatum / “Walter’s Viburnum”12-20’ nearly evergreen multiple trunk tree or shrub, with 1-3” white bloom clusters in spring with new leaves. It is an outstanding shrub for foliage and for the showy spring bloom period, which is showier in full sun. It makes a very dense hedge and tolerates pruning very well. A single tree makes a handsome specimen. Cultivation: Prefers sun to part shade and rich, acid, sandy soil that is moist to wet.Wildlife: Butterflies like the nectar in the spring and birds eat the autumn drupes.Native: to coastal plain - SC, GA, FL, & AL.

Viburnum obovatum ‘Mrs Schiller’s Delight’ / “Mrs Schiller’s Delight Viburnum”A dwarf selection of the above specie, mound shaped, growing about 3’ tall and 4’ wide and covered with white flowers in the spring is well suited to formal hedging and as a specimen plant. We have one planted by a pond in full sun and one of the plants that I most enjoy each spring, a rounded, no care plant that is a real harbinger of spring. Cultivation as above.- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �28


http://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Viburnum_dentatum.html

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Cultivation: Z4-8, Needs part shade and supplemental water in our climate. Best in moist, well drained soil, it does not do well in heavy, clayey, poorly drained soils. Overgrown specimens are best handled by cutting back to 12” from ground from which they rejuvenate very well.Exotic: From Europe, N Africa, and N Asia.

Viburnum prunifolium / “Blackhaw”12-15’ x 8-12’ Round headed tree or stiffly branched shrub with broadly elliptic to ovate, toothed, hairless, shiny dark green leaves1.5-3.5” long, which are pale green beneath, turning purple to reddish purple in fall. In late spring there are flattened cymes, 2-4” across, of creamy white flowers, followed by ovoid, glaucous, edible, rose pink fruit, to 0.5” long, ripening to bluish black. It is one of our prime natives, performing well as a small specimen tree and in shrub borders.Cultivation: Z3-9, It does well in a variety of soils, sun or shade, and seems to do well in relatively dry conditions.Native: Eastern USA, from Connecticut, to FL, to TX.

Viburnum rufidulum / “Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum” or “Southern Blackhaw”10-20’ multi-trunked or sometimes single-trunked small tree or large shrub with dark blocky bark resembling older dogwoods. It is covered in springtime with striking 5” clusters of small white blooms,followed by clusters of dark blue waxy 0.5” long fruits savored by wildlife. The buds are covered with a deep rusty brown pubescence, which distinguishes it from other viburnums.Cultivation: Sun to shade, it is denser in sun, and it is very drought tolerant. Native: Virginia to Fl, Illinois to Tx.

Perennials: Please Note That We Do Not Grow all These Plants

at Any One Time. They Are left Here for Your Information. Call or Text 318-210-4507 for Availability 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday.

Aquilegia canadensis / (eastern red columbine)Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) FamilyAn erect perennial up to 2’ tall with red and yellow flowers.Native: to North America east of the Rockies.Cultivation: Shade to part shade, Alkaline soil preferred, high drought tolerance- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �29




http://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Aquilegia_canadensis.html


Asclepias incarnata / (swamp milkweed)Asclepiadaceae (milkweed) family2-4’ showy perennial with terminal rose purple flowers, and with opposite long narrow leaves on an erect stem.Cultivation: Sun to part shade, moist to wet soil, pond edges, always has aphids which are not a problem.Native: to central and eastern USA from Canada to gulf. Wildlife: Larval food for Monarch and Queen Butterflies. Attracts many butterflies and hummingbirds. Generally deer resistant. Special value for native bees, honey bees and bumble bees.

Asclepias tuberosa / (butterfly weed)Asclepiadaceae (milkweed) family18” bushy perennial with flat-topped cluster of bright orange flowers 2-4” across. The 2-4” dark green leaves are alternate and pointed. Wildlife: Nector plant for Butterflies & Hummingbirds, larval host plant for Monarch, Queen, and Grey Hairstreak butterflies. High deer resistance.Native: to eastern and central USA & southern Canada.Medicinal: The root was chewed by American natives for pulmonary complaints, and tea of root for diarrhea. It is toxic if eaten.

Crinum americanum / (southern swamp lily)Amaryllidaceae, subfamily AmaryllidoideaeThis bulb is a monocot with six flower petals, white, about 10 cm diameter. An aquatic angiosperm it is native from Texas to South Carolina. In the wild it grows in small clumps in still water habitats. Leaves are 2-4’ and flower stem is 1” diameter, 2-3’ tall, with 2-6 white flowers that have sepals 3-4” long and 1/2” wide, which at the base join to form a long tube. Sometimes the flowers are marked with pink. The upper half of the stamen is purple, with purple anthers. Some still consider this to be in the Lily family.

Echinacea purpurea / (purple coneflower)Asteraceae / Compositae (Aster / Daisy) Family.A herbaceous perennial that dies to the ground in the winter and sprouts back in the spring. Mature clumps may be 2-3’ across and 2-3’ in height. The 3-8” sandpapery leaves are generally lance shaped. The 3” flowers are daisy like with purple rays and cone shaped brown centers. Native: from OH to IA to LA & GA.Cultivation: Full sun best, drought tolerant.Propagation: Seed or division of roots.Aquilegia Landscape Value: Mixed borders, wildflowers meadows, Cut flowers with long stems and will dry well.Wildlife: Butterflies.



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Medicinal: Native Americans used them for medicinal purposes and 200+ pharmaceutical products are made from the extracts.

Eupatorium (Eutrochium) fistulosum / (Joe-Pye weed)Asteraceae (Compositae) familyThis plant has been segregated lately into the genus Eutrochium by DNA analysis. They are found generally in moist to wet areas, and grow to 5-8’ in sun to part shade. The leaves are whirled, with usually about 6 per whirl and are serrate and lance shaped, on purplish, hollow stems, which often bend under the weight of the pale pink flower heads. It is highly valued as a perennial because of its robust habit and significant ability to attract butterflies. The name Joe-Pye is said be for an American Indian medicine man, jopai, thought to be translated as typhus, thought to be in regard to its probable use as a medicinal.Wildlife: Butterflies galore, very attractive to Queen butterfly in fall.Native: to eastern USA and Canada.Culture: Full sun with consistent moisture. Z3-9. In the deep south we need plants from southern seed sources.Landscape value: Architectural structure in the autumn garden, a showy perennial, with hordes of butterflies.

Eupatorium (Conoclinium) greggii / (Gregg’s mist flower) (blue mist flower) (Texas ageratum) (palmleaf thoroughwort)Asteraceae (Compositae) familyNow included in the genus Conoclinium this 1-3’ perennial has lavendar blue thistle like blooms that peak in September and October and are very attractive to butterflies, especially the Queen butterfly, and bees. It is named for Josiah Gregg (1806-1850), who has his name attached to 23 species of plants.Culture: Z7-10, full to part sun, water requirements medium to low. Prefers hot dry locations. Goes dormant over winter.Native: to TX, NM, AZWildlife: Attracts hordes of butterflies in the fall, especially the Queen butterfly. A strong addition to the butterfly garden.

Iris brevicaulis / (zigzag iris) (short stemmed iris) - a Louisiana irisIridaceae (Iris) FamilyNamed for the zigzag stems, the flowers occur deep in the foliage rather than at the top and are usually a light bluish violet, with rare white forms. The smallest of the Louisiana irises, it is also the most upland. There is a leaf at every bend, and a flower bud at each bend. It grows to about 1’, and tends to bloom in June. Culture: this iris tolerates wet soil, but not standing water, in full sun to part shade. It will naturalize and is deer resistant.Native: S central USAIris





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Iris cristata / “Dwarf Crested Iris”Iridaceae (Iris) FamilyThis small Iris with narrow pointed leaves is generally 4-12” tall. In the spring the sepals of the blue-violet flowers are blue-violet and have a central yellow or white purple striped band. Crested ridges, beards, are present along the band. Colors will range from purple to white. Cultivation: shade to part shade, moist to dryish, well drained, acid soil Native: to southern wooded uplands.Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds & bees.

Iris verna / “Dwarf Violet Iris”Iridaceae (Iris) FamilyThis Iris differs from Iris cristata above has no crests (beards) on its sepals. The blue to violet to brown very fragrant blooms appear in early spring before leaf growth starts.Native: to southern pinelands, Post Oak woods, and coastal plains.Cultivation: part to full shade, moist to dry, acidic soil.Usage: Southeastern shade gardens, with conspicuous, fragrant flowers.

Iris x ‘Black Gamecock’ / (black gamecock Louisiana iris)Iridaceae (Iris) FamilyThis Louisiana iris hybrid is rather cold hardy probably because of the Iris brevicaulis part of it’s parentage. It grows 2-3’, with violet black petals with a yellow central streak in early summer. It is deer and rabbit resistant. Culture: it has consistent water needs and may grow in shallow water, in acid soil, in full to 1/2 sun. Z4-10.

Liatris spicata / “(dense blazing star)Asteraceae / Compositae (Aster / Daisy) Family.A member of the Aster / Compositae family there are numerous garden useful species in this genus. There are slender grasslike leaves 1/2” wide and 6-12” long, and becoming smaller as they ascend the stem. The tiny disk flowers are borne in heads up to 12” long on long slender stalks usually about 3’ tall, and are purple in color. Differing from most of the spike flowers this one opens from the top downward. Native: Throughout eastern North America, often in moist habitats.Cultivation: Best in full sun. This specie does best in moist sites, although many of the other species of Liatris like dry soil. Z3-9.Propagation: Seed sown in autumn, or division of cormlike root.Landscape value: Wildflower gardens, mixed flower beds and borders, and cutting gardens. The flowers bloom over long period of time.Wildlife: Butterflies, bees, birds, to some extent hummingbirds.

Lobelia cardinalis / (cardinal flower)Campanulaceae (Bellflower) Family





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This is a herbaceous perennial that grows in small clumps with a basal rosette of 5-7” elliptic leaves flat on the ground and in the spring one or several unbranched stems 1-3’ long ascend and by midsummer terminal racemes of brilliant red tubular 1-2” flowers appear which are bilaterally symmetrical with 2 lips. The upper lip has 2 + or - lobes and the lower 3 lobes. The flowers continue to develop at the tip until frost.Native: to eastern North American from southern Canada to FL to E TX, in moist meadows and stream banks. Cultivation: Full sun to part shade, moist soil, flooding tolerated but not drought, it must be watered regularly in a flower bed, Z3-10Propagation: By seed or separating the basal offshoots. It is short lived.Landscape Value: A spectacular show at edge of pond, wet area, or stream.Wildlife: This plant is pollinated by ruby-throated hummingbirds and is magnet for them. Also Butterflies.Medicinal: Native Americans had many uses for the plant, but it contains poisonous alkaloids and if ingested can make humans very ill or even cause death.

Monarda fistulosa / (beebalm) or (wild bergamot)Lamiaceae (Mint) FamilyThis is a popular, showy, 2-5’ tall perennial with clusters of lavender, pink, or white flowers in summer into fall. The leaves smell minty and may be used to make mint tea. It is considered a medicinal plant. This is an old garden standard.Cultivation: Sun to part shade, modest water needs, near neutral pH best, but will tolerate wide range of pH and soil conditions. Mildew may be prevented by good drainage and air circulation.Native: over most of eastern and midwestern USA.Wildlife: Birds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies. Larval host plant for Sphinx cremitus (hermit sphinx moth) and Agriopedes teratophora (grey marvel moth)Food: Leaves boiled for tea, seasoning, flowers edible.Medicinal: American Indians used tea for colic, respiratory conditions, and a wide variety of other things.

Monardia x ‘Peter’s Purple’ (fistulosa ‘Claire Grace’x bartlettii) / Peter’s purple bee balm)Lamiaceae FamilyThis is a result, according to Peter Loos, that came about when an American Monarda fistulosa ‘Claire Grace’ and Mexican Monarda bartletti got frisky under the moonlit sky. An outstanding cultivar, highly resistant to mildew, 36-48” tall with rich violet-lavender to purple flowers in late spring to midsummer. It forms a robust, heat loving 4’ tall clump in June and JulyWildlife: nector source for butterflies and hummingbirds. Culture: Z6-9, full sun.

Phlox divaricata / (Louisiana phlox)Polemoniaceae (Phlox) Family- 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �33


http://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Monarda_fistulosa.html




Also known as “Blue Woodland Phlox” or “Sweet William”, it sends up 8-15” rather erect branches that bear 1” pinkish-blue flowers at the ends of the stem in the spring. The stem is sticky and produces creeping shoots at the base. Native: to the eastern USA, in moist, rich deciduous woods.Cultivation: Part shade to shade, moist, acid to slightly alkaline soil, sand to clay.Propagation: Root division, seed (cold moist stratification), softwood stem cuttings in late spring.Landscape value: Beautiful woodland ground cover.Wildlife: Butterflies.

Rudbeckia fulgida / (orange coneflower)Asteraceae / Compositae (Aster / Daisy) Family.These plants may reach 3’ and are a butterfly magnet from mid-summer until fall. The daisy like flowers have yellow-orange rays and brown centers. It can form large colonies. Culture: adapted to wet to dry mesic soils, in prairie or savanna conditions.Wildlife: butterfly favorite.Native: to the eastern USA.

Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldstrum’ / “Goldstrum Coneflower”Asteraceae / Compositae (Aster / Daisy) Family.This cultivar originated in a German nursery in 1937, and has become one of the most popular perennials in the world. The plants are about 2 feet tall with 4” flowers that have 10-20 yellow orange petals and a brown central disk. 1999 Perennial Plant of the Year. Native: to eastern USA.Cultivation: Best in full sun but part shade OK, with soil that is kept moist. Will withstand moderate drought. Z 3-9. Propagation: The cultivar ‘Goldstrum’ can only be propagated by division.Landscape value: Masses of yellow gold flowers are produced all summer long on sturdy stems, very good in perennial borders and in butterfly gardens. Good cut flowers, deadhead to increase bloom. Wildlife: Butterflies, birds.

Rudbeckia hirta / “Black-eyed Susan”Asteraceae / Compositae (Aster / Daisy) Family.Black-eyed Susan may act as an annual, biennial, or perennial. Generally it will be a basal rosette the first year and then flower the second year on upright stems 2-3’ tall. The flowers are about 2 1/2”, with 10-20 yellow-gold petals and a brown central disk or cone. The basal leaves are 4-6” long with 3 easily seen veins with a rough texture. The stems are branched and bristly with hairy lance shaped leaves less than half the size of the basal leaves.Native: to N Am excluding the SW.



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Cultivation: Full sun to part shade. Water helps the first year and they perform better with adequate moisture, but after established will withstand drought. Z3-10.Propagation: Seed out before last frost. Roots may be divided during dormant months with the those that have a perennial nature.Landscape Value: Summertime bloomer in borders, flower beds, cutting gardens, wildflower meadows, porch planter.Wildlife: Butterflies, birds.Medicinal: Native Americans used root teas for various ailments.

Salvia farinacea ‘Henry Duelberg’ / (Henry Duelberg salvia)Lamiaceae (mint) familyThis Texas superstar plant was discovered in a graveyard by the famous plantsman Greg Grant at the gravesite of Henry Duelberg. The flowers are five petaled showy blue velvet masses, with a sage like fragrance. It is not preferred by deer, and is mildew resistant. 3’ tall, it blooms from spring until frost. A bedding plant that produces good cutflowers.Culture: It is low maintaince and heat tolerant, drought tolerant, but will not tolerate boggy conditions. Z7-10. Cover beds with pine straw in hard winters.Native: to TX and Mexico.Wildlife: attracts butterflies and bees.

Sisyrinchium ‘Suwannee‘ / “Suwannee Blue-Eyed Grass”Iridaceae (Iris) FamilyThis new 8 inch high blue-eyed grass was found by plantsman Charles Webb in Madison Co., Florida, on the limestone banks of the Suwannee River. It is very different from the typical weedy Sisyrinchium angustifolium, producing an outstanding floral display. This possible new species makes fast-multiplying, 8" tall clumps that are covered with clouds of sky blue flowers in early May. Sisyrinchium 'Suwannee' seems to thrive in both dry sunny areas and wet shady areas. Native: This cultivar identified in the wild in N FL, native to the southern coastal plain.Cultivation: Sun to moderate shade, Z 7-9.

Spigelia marilandica / “Indian Pink”Loganiaceae (logania) FamilyHerbaceous perennial, unbranched, clump forming, with scarlet flowers, yellow green inside, borne on 12 to 24” stems, in early summer.Native: to southeastern USA.Cultivation: Part to full shade, in moist, well drained, organically rich soil. Propagation: Division, direct sowing of seed.Landscape Value: Shaded borders and gardens, woodland gardens, native plant gardens.Wildlife: Hummingbird nectar plantMedicinal: Contains spigeline, a poisonous alkaloid. Has been used by native Americans as a vermifuge (dewormer).



http://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Salvia_farinacea_Henry_Duelberg.html

http://www.willisfarm.net/Willis_Farm/Spigelia_marilandica.html




Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’ / “Fireworks Goldenrod”Asteraceae / Compositae (Aster / Daisy) Family.This cultivar is more compact than most of the species and flowers much more heavily. It is a fall bloomer, grows 3-4’ tall and as wide, spreads, and may be divided in early spring. The bright yellow flowers are a good addition to the fall garden.Native: This cultivar found in the coastal plain of NC, the specie native to much of N Am.Cultivation: Sun to part sun. Adaptable to wide variety of soils & pH’s, it needs average to moist soil. It is easy care.Propagation: Division of clumps in early spring.Landscape value: Showy flowers and seed heads, cutting flowers, deer resistant, wildflower beds. Wildlife: Butterflies.

Stokesia laevis / “Stokes Aster”Asteraceae / Compositae (Aster / Daisy) Family.This is a herbaceous perennial with 6-8” evergreen, stalked, basal leaves. Several erect 1-2’ sprouts with smaller clasping leaves emerge in late spring with 1-4 shaggy cornflower like 3-4” flowers which may be blue, purple, or sometimes white, slightly darker in the center. There is only one specie in this genus. Native: to the southeastern coastal plain from SC, to FL, to LA, where it generally grows in wetlands.Cultivation: Full sun for best bloom. Acidic soil. Needs plenty of moisture, but needs to be well drained and essential that soil by dry in winter. Z 5-10. Will bloom through summer if flowers are cut before they seed.Propagation: Seeds must stratified for 6 weeks at 40F. Root clumps may be divided. Landscape Value: Use at front of bed, it has evergreen basal leaves. Late spring blooming and adaptable. Cut flowers.Wildlife: Butterflies

Fruits & Nuts: Please Note that We Do Not Grow All Plants in this

Catalog at Any One Time. We Leave Notes Here For Your Information. Please Call for Availability. Call or Text 318-210-4507,

8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday

PAW PAW: Family: Annonaceae (custard-apple family)





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Asimina triloba / (paw paw) The largest edible fruit of any Native plant indigenous to North America. It may grow 8 to 25 feet tall and is an understory tree found in fertile bottom land as well as hilly uplands. The fruit contains seeds and has no shelf life. It is yellow or brown when ripe and has flavor similar to banana and mango. Web site pawpaw.kysu.edu. They require shade the first 2 years, but produces more fruit if transplanted to more open situation. Cultivation: They do best in acid, deep, fertile, well drained soil. Wildlife: Larval food plant for Eurytides marcellus “Zebra Swallowtail”, which will be a pest if prime purpose is fruit production. And also larval host for Dolba hyloeus (pawpaw sphinx moth).

CHESTNUTS: Family: Fagaceae (Beech family)

Castanea mollissima / (Chinese chestnut) Fagaceae Family This is a 40-60 tree, rounded in habit and often low branched. Very good edible nuts are generally produced starting in about the 5th year of age. Leaves are rich green in summer and often yellow to bronze in fall. Cultivation: This tree prefers acid, well drained soil and needs full sun. It does well in hot dry climates and responds well to fertilization.

CITRUS: Satsumas: Family: Rutaceae (Rue family)

Citrus ‘Early St Ann’ / (early St Ann satsuma) This cultivar produces satsuma fruits that have a light yellow, thin leathery skin, which is easy peeling, with orange colored flesh. It has excellent taste and flavor. A mature tree will produce 90 pounds of fruit, with an average diameter of 2 3/4”. The tree is of medium size and can be harvested from early September with fruits occurring to mid-October.

PERSIMMON: Family: Ebenaceae (Ebony family)

Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’ / (Fuyu persimmon) This grafted self-fruitful tree produces a medium sized, non-astringent, persimmon, considered by many to be the best quality persimmon of all. There is the danger of freeze injury in North LA, but because of fruit quality this is a persimmon we are beginning to propagate. This fruit can be eaten green without being astringent. If there is excessive fruit shedding, a pollinizer such as ‘Gaily’ can be planted to eliminate the problem.






FIGS: Family: Moraceae (mulberry or fig family)

Ficus carica ‘Brown Turkey’ / (brown turkey fig) This variety has the longest ripening season of any of the usual varieties, generally from sometime in June until August. The fruit is excellent for preserves. It is somewhat less cold hardy than ‘Celeste’, but will produce fair to good crops on new sucker wood. The fruit size is medium to large.

Ficus ‘Cecchi’ / (Cecchi fig) This fig was brought from southern Italy by the Cecchi family, Dr Ann Hollister’s family, and has been performing well just south of Shreveport since the early 20th century.

Ficus carica ‘Celeste’ / (celeste fig) This is the most cold hardy of any of the Louisiana figs, and is large, vigorous, and productive. The fig is small, brown to purple and ripens in mid June before most of the other Louisiana figs. It is an excellent processing fig, either frozen or processed as fig preserves. Do not excessively prune mature ‘Celeste’ figs since this can reduce the crop.

Ficus carica ‘King South Carolina Lemon Fig’ / (King South Carolina lemon fig) This is medium to large fig, with yellow-green skin and white to amber flesh. The fig does well for canning, drying, and fresh eating. Some forms have been called “Italian Honey Fig”. The fig is very sweet with a lemon flavor.

Ficus carica ‘Texas Everbearing” / (Texas everbearing fig) This tree produces a medium fig that begins to ripen in May, with main crop in June, then continues to ripen into August. The tree is vigorous, large, and productive.

POMEGRANATE: Family: Punicaceae (pomegranate family) recently reclassifed: Lythraceae family

Punica granatum ‘Cloud’ / (Cloud Pomegranate) These plants are adapted to areas with cool winters and hot summers. This cultivar comes from the University of California at Davis and the fruit is medium-sized with a green-red color and the juice is white and sweet. The fruit contains seed. Cultivation: Best in full sun. Needs well drained soil but is adaptable to mild acid to slightly alkaline. They are fairly drought resistant once established. Cut them back when about 2’ high and then trim to 4-5 stems arising from a single 1 foot high trunk. Fruit is produced on new wood so for first 3 years branches should be moderately shortened and after that remove only suckers and dead wood. We are currently propagating this plant, none for sale yet.






Punica granatum ‘Wonderful’ / (Wonderful Pomegranate)

Plums: Family: Rosaceae (rose family)

Prunus salicina ‘Methley’ / (Methley plum) This tree produces a medium to large, reddish-purple plum, with red flesh and a good flavor. It is a good pollinizer. If you have only one plum in Louisiana this is the one to have.

Prunus salicina ‘Santa Rosa’ / (Santa Rosa plum) This tree produces large reddish fruit, with yellow flesh, a cling type fruit, in early June. It is a good pollinizer.

BLUEBERRIES: Family: Ericaceae (heath family)

Cultivation: Blueberries require a soil pH between 4.5 and 5.5 and if it does fall within this range it must be adjusted. The soil must be loose and if sandy needs addition of peat moss, pine bark, or compost. They will not grow well in tight clay soils. The soil must be well drained and there can be no salt in soil or irrigation water. Have your water tested if plants are not doing well under other desirable conditions. They tend to do well in much of North Louisiana, are very desirable, abundant producers, and when conditions are right require little car. They should be planted about 6‘ apart in rows that are about 12‘ apart. Two varieties are needed for pollination.

Blueberries should be included in almost all southern landscapes. Other then the berries they offer late winter flowers, arching stems and wonderful orange fall foliage.

Vaccinium ashei (rabbiteye blueberries)

Vaccinium ashei ‘Brightwell’ / (Brightwell blueberry) This plant produces a medium sized fruit in early season.

Vaccinium ashei ‘Climax’ / (climax blueberry) Medium sized fruit is produced early in the season.

Vaccinium ashei ‘Premier’ / (premier blueberry) This bush produces a large berry in early seaon Vaccinium ashei ‘Tifblue’ / (Tifblue Blueberry) This bush produces a large berry in midseason.

Vaccinium corymbosum (southern highbush blueberries) - 3100 Herren Road, P O Box 719, Doyline, LA, 71023- Farm Phones: Cell: 318-210-4507, Available 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday, - Land: 318-745-3048 page: �39





Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Georgia Gem’ Great fall foliage turns coppery orange.





shrubs & trees - willis · azaleas: see rhododendrons beautyberry: family: verbenaceae,...

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