Long-Term Losers in Southeastern Landscapes
Long-Term Losers in Southeastern Landscapes: What to Avoid and What to Plant Instead
Gardening in the southeast United States comes with its own set of challenges because of the region’s unique climate and soil conditions. Certain popular plant species have proven to be poor performers in this environment. UT Extension Horticulture Specialist Celleste Scott looks at some of the "long-term losers" in southeastern gardening and recommends some better alternatives.
Leyland Cypress: A Cautionary Tale
Leyland cypress was once a popular choice for large-scale plantings, It features rapid growth and dense foliage. However, this tree has increasingly struggled in the Southeast due to a disease called Seiridium Canker, which is exacerbated by the region’s humidity and summer droughts. The disease causes the tree to develop unsightly brown branches and decline in health over time. Steer clear of Leyland cypress and consider alternatives like the Eastern Redcedar or Arborvitae. Eastern Redcedar, a native species, is resilient, adaptable to various soil types, and offers attractive form and color. Arborvitae, provides similar evergreen qualities with diverse options in size and appearance.
Bradford Pear: A Plant to Avoid
Bradford Pear, a cultivar of Callery Pear, is infamous for its invasiveness and structural weaknesses. It suffers from weak branch unions that can easily break under stress resulting in a short-lived tree. It is highly recommended to avoid planting Bradford Pear in favor of more reliable options. Birds disperse the seeds which produce thickets of thorny growth. The Eastern Redbud is an excellent alternative, offering vibrant purple blooms in early spring and a variety of leaf colors. Another option is the American Fringetree, which produces striking white, billowy blooms in late spring and features lush, dark green foliage.
Flowering Shrubs: What Works and What Doesn’t
When it comes to flowering shrubs, roses and azaleas can be problematic in the Southeast. Roses are prone to Rose Rosette disease, spread by mites and currently without a cure. Azaleas, while beloved for their vibrant blooms, require specific conditions to thrive: Proper light, low pH soil, and consistent irrigation. Without proper care, they are susceptible to pests like the Azalea Lace Bug.
For those seeking alternatives, the Red Twig Dogwood (technically Silky Dogwood, Cornus amomum) stands out. Celeste especially likes the cultivar 'Cayenne.' This shrub offers year-round interest with bright red stems in winter, white blooms in spring, and vibrant foliage that transitions to purple in fall. Hydrangeas are another good choice, with species that adapt well to varying light and soil conditions. Viburnums, also provide a range of options, including the popular Spring Lace variety, which resembles hydrangeas in bloom and is well-suited to southeastern landscapes.
While no plant can be guaranteed to thrive perfectly in every garden, selecting species suited to the southeastern climate can significantly enhance gardening success. Avoiding known problem plants like Leyland cypress and Bradford Pear, and choose resilient alternatives like Eastern Redcedar, Arborvitae, Eastern Redbud, and Viburnum, These plants will help you build a more sustainable and beautiful garden.
Related Videos:
Seven Great Landscape Trees
Viburnum
Related Resources:
Trees in the Home Landscape
Small Deciduous Trees
Search for the best tree based on site characteristics
Gardening in the southeast United States comes with its own set of challenges because of the region’s unique climate and soil conditions. Certain popular plant species have proven to be poor performers in this environment. UT Extension Horticulture Specialist Celleste Scott looks at some of the "long-term losers" in southeastern gardening and recommends some better alternatives.
Leyland Cypress: A Cautionary Tale
Leyland cypress was once a popular choice for large-scale plantings, It features rapid growth and dense foliage. However, this tree has increasingly struggled in the Southeast due to a disease called Seiridium Canker, which is exacerbated by the region’s humidity and summer droughts. The disease causes the tree to develop unsightly brown branches and decline in health over time. Steer clear of Leyland cypress and consider alternatives like the Eastern Redcedar or Arborvitae. Eastern Redcedar, a native species, is resilient, adaptable to various soil types, and offers attractive form and color. Arborvitae, provides similar evergreen qualities with diverse options in size and appearance.
Bradford Pear: A Plant to Avoid
Bradford Pear, a cultivar of Callery Pear, is infamous for its invasiveness and structural weaknesses. It suffers from weak branch unions that can easily break under stress resulting in a short-lived tree. It is highly recommended to avoid planting Bradford Pear in favor of more reliable options. Birds disperse the seeds which produce thickets of thorny growth. The Eastern Redbud is an excellent alternative, offering vibrant purple blooms in early spring and a variety of leaf colors. Another option is the American Fringetree, which produces striking white, billowy blooms in late spring and features lush, dark green foliage.
Flowering Shrubs: What Works and What Doesn’t
When it comes to flowering shrubs, roses and azaleas can be problematic in the Southeast. Roses are prone to Rose Rosette disease, spread by mites and currently without a cure. Azaleas, while beloved for their vibrant blooms, require specific conditions to thrive: Proper light, low pH soil, and consistent irrigation. Without proper care, they are susceptible to pests like the Azalea Lace Bug.
For those seeking alternatives, the Red Twig Dogwood (technically Silky Dogwood, Cornus amomum) stands out. Celeste especially likes the cultivar 'Cayenne.' This shrub offers year-round interest with bright red stems in winter, white blooms in spring, and vibrant foliage that transitions to purple in fall. Hydrangeas are another good choice, with species that adapt well to varying light and soil conditions. Viburnums, also provide a range of options, including the popular Spring Lace variety, which resembles hydrangeas in bloom and is well-suited to southeastern landscapes.
While no plant can be guaranteed to thrive perfectly in every garden, selecting species suited to the southeastern climate can significantly enhance gardening success. Avoiding known problem plants like Leyland cypress and Bradford Pear, and choose resilient alternatives like Eastern Redcedar, Arborvitae, Eastern Redbud, and Viburnum, These plants will help you build a more sustainable and beautiful garden.
Related Videos:
Seven Great Landscape Trees
Viburnum
Related Resources:
Trees in the Home Landscape
Small Deciduous Trees
Search for the best tree based on site characteristics