Plant of the Week – Dusty Zenobia

Native to the coastal regions, bogs and among low thickets of evergreen shrubs, of the Eastern U.S., from North Carolina to Florida, Dusty Zenobia was introduced to the plant community in 1801, and was discovered by famed Philadelphia Naturalist William Bartram during his explorations in the 1780?s. A member of the Ericaceae family, which is composed of rhododendrons, azaleas and blueberries, Zenobia is a genus with just a single species. The name ?pulverulenta? means powdered in Latin, and actually refers to the appearance of the new growth from the plant.

The most striking feature of the plant is its blue-green, semi-evergreen foliage with a hint of a silver cast. The leaves are oval to oblong and are 1 to 3? long, entire and rounded at the base. Even though the plant is native to the southeast, it is hardy to zone 5 where the foliage may turn yellow to red in the fall. Zenobia is a gracefully arching shrub that grows 2 to 3? high by 6? wide, and requires acid, moist, well-drained soil like its other Ericaceae family members. And like its family, it is hermaphroditic, flowering from May through June eventually producing a brown capsule seed. The flowers are white pendant or lantern-like bells producing on old wood in clusters. Zenobia will grow in full sun or partial shade, may even tolerant heat and some drought, and is relatively pest free.

If there is a wet location in your yard or you wish to have some textural difference throughout the winter months, then Dusty Zenobia may be the plant to try. Massing along borders or in a shade garden are among other possibilities for this plant. The City of McMinnville?s Main Street project has used this plant as part of their landscape design in several of the planters. For further information or questions, please call Patrick Haller at Quality Trees at 931-261-5885.