Q: When shopping for plants, I see the term “semi-evergreen” mentioned occasionally. What does this mean, exactly?
A: It’s a catch-all term that refers to the fact that the plant in question is neither fully, reliably evergreen (keeping a full complement of leaves through the winter) nor always deciduous (shedding all leaves for winter). Factors that play a role in leaf shed or retention include weather conditions during the winter and the genetics of the individual plant. For example, some subspecies and cultivars of sweetbay magnolia tend to be more evergreen than others, depending on where within the native range the original plant or seeds were collected.
In Maryland conditions, trees and shrubs that tend to be semi-evergreen include the aforementioned sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana), bayberry or waxmyrtle (Myrica / Morella species), glossy abelia (Abelia x grandiflora), nandina (Nandina domestica, which is invasive), and Chinese fringeflower (Loropetalum chinense).
To avoid confusion, it’s worth noting that even regular evergreens shed some foliage each year, either in spring when new growth is about to emerge or in fall around the time deciduous plants start changing color or shedding foliage. Eastern white pine trees are a good example of the latter, and hollies are a good example of the former, both of whose foliage yellowing and dropping often alarms gardeners.
That seasonal, reduced shedding phenomenon for evergreens is normal, though it could be exacerbated by over-pruning or planting in too much shade when sun is preferred. It’s the plant’s way of jettisoning old foliage that has outlived its usefulness (either due to age, wear-and-tear, or becoming too shaded by younger growth above it), and it will be more noticeable on some evergreens than others.
Q: In a public garden, I recently saw clusters of large reddish flowers on bare stems. I like trying to ID unknown plants, but these didn’t seem to have any foliage to examine, which is weird. Any guesses?
A: Sounds like Lycoris! These bulbs of eastern Asian origin are amaryllis relatives. Common names include surprise lilies, naked ladies, and hurricane lilies. Why? They surprise us with flowers late in the growing season and are “naked” of foliage while blooming. Peak bloom time varies a little, but overlaps with peak hurricane season along the east coast.
Depending on the species, leaves emerge later in autumn or in early spring, and flower colors range from pink to red, orange, yellow, or white. I’ve seen some pink selections with blue highlights in the petals, which is a pleasant surprise indeed.
Dormant in summer, you can plant the bulbs in early autumn, and don’t be surprised if they need time to settle in before flowering the following year. Don’t plant too deeply, or that will discourage flowering. Choose a location in either full sun or semi-shade, and where soil drains very well. Deer supposedly bypass the toxic foliage but might nip flowers, so plant with caution if deer are regular visitors to your landscape.
University of Maryland Extension’s Home and Garden Information Center offers free gardening and pest information at extension.umd.edu/hgic. Click “Ask Extension” to send questions and photos.