Bill's Favorite Native Plants: February

Allen, Sterling & Lothrop's nursery manager Bill Kennie has been working with the Falmouth Open Space committee to help eradicate invasive plants from the Maine landscape. Bill believes that it is very important to include native species in ornamental landscape gardens. Indeed, the more native plants a garden has the better--native plants are typically low maintenance, they provide food and shelter for wildlife and are visually in keeping with our native "wild" landscape.

Microbiota Decussata " Russian Cypress"

Height: 1'      Spread: 4 - 6'

Not offically a native but it is one of the hardiest and most versatile evergreen.
Russian Cypress is one of my favorite evergreens (as many of you who know me know already!). It has soft cypress-like foliage that turns burgundy red in the winter.  I have planted several of these in my yard.  When they reach matuirty they can reqally fill a space and are good for sloping areas.  I have planted these in full sun & part shade and they have done great!  The only thing they don't like is wet feet; so be sure to plant Russian Cypress in well-drained soil. It is very hardy and wind tolerant.