Plants

Deer Resistant Flowers for the Nantucket Garden

, Posted by Brad MacDonald

Although nature made flowers for her own purposes, I am certain that humans have enjoyed them since we appeared on Earth.  Archaeologists have determined that we began cultivating plants some 12,000 years ago.  Most of the archaeological studies have found evidence of agriculture for the purposes of food production, but I think it would be fair to assume that very soon after, we began growing plants for their beauty as well.  Arguably, flowers are the most beautiful part of many plants and for that reason, most modern gardeners design their spaces to include their favorites.  There are thousands upon thousands of flowering plants that are suitable for garden use.  Unfortunately, the robust deer herd on Nantucket seems to enjoy our flowers even more than we do!

It used to be shocking to head out the door in the morning to see a swath of the garden torn down over night.  Not so much so today.  Every hopeful, plant-loving, Nantucketer has a story about putting a new favorite plant in the ground one day, just to find it sheared off or ripped out of the ground in the morning.    The deer’s dinner menu has severely limited the array of flowers that we can recommend to customers.  If I bring to mind classic Nantucket cottage garden flowers like Hydrangeas, Lilies, Hollyhocks, Delphiniums, Cosmos etc. – nearly all of them are favorites of the deer.  Luckily, there are still some amazing flowers that the deer seem to stay away from.

Below is a chart with our favorite very deer resistant plants:

Very deer resistant flowers

 

 

 

 

Native Sedges

, Posted by Brad MacDonald

A long time ago it was pointed out to me that nature likes to cover the ground with plants.  Up to that point, I hadn’t really thought about it.  When you really look, most every empty space around us that is left to nature is filled with plants – so much so that you can’t see the bare earth.  Anywhere the soil is disturbed, nature immediately goes to work covering it back up as seeds from below the surface germinate and grow.  Even in the shade of the forest floor, there are lots of green plants popping up to cover any area that doesn’t have a thick duff layer.  In areas of dappled light, there are often even more plants and denser cover.  In sunny areas like meadows, wetlands and bogs the variety seems endless.

I’d surmise that people who live in the Northern hemisphere subconsciously find this green blanket to be soothing, as it’s what we have experienced as natural and normal.  No wonder landscapes with enormous beds of mulch punctuated with a few lonely shrubs and token perennials sprinkled around feel so uncomfortable.  That type of planting is simply unnatural looking.

In order to create comfortable landscapes, small scale herbaceous plants should be used as the “living mulch” that covers the surface of the soil.  In a perennial border, they can be planted among the more ornamental plants.  In shrub beds, groundcovers can be used to fill all the available open space.  Native sedges can be a great option, especially in shady or semi-shady areas.  There are many species of these grassy looking plants.  Recently, Carex pennsylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge), has been quite popular.    However, lots of the other species have a similar look, and may be easier to grow.  Below are some of the common species:

 

Carex appalachica – Appalacian sedge: Fine-textured, bunching habit. Found naturally in dry to mesic deciduous forests. Performs best in shade. 8-12″ tall when in flower. Flowers in late spring. Prefers dry to average soils. Perhaps easier to grow than Carex pensylvanica, but very similar look.

Carex pennsylvanica – Pennsylvania sedge:  Fine-textured, clumping habit. 8″ tall. Native to thickets and dry woodland areas. Flowers in late spring. Prefers part shade to shade and average moisture.
Makes a nice groundcover in shaded areas.

Carex radiata – Eastern star sedge:  Fine-textured, clumping habit. Forms denser tufts than Carex pennsylvanica. Flowers appear in summer. Thrives in moist soil in part shade. Well-suited to rain gardens, as it can withstand periodic flooding and drought.

Carex rosea – Rosy sedge:  Fine-textured, clumping habit. 6-12″ tall and wide. Tolerates a range of growing conditions. Performs well in dry shade under deciduous trees.

Carex socialis – Fine-textured, bunching – rhizomatous habit. 12-24″ tall. Found naturally in lowland forests, riverbanks and other wet areas. Prefers silty soils and dappled shade. A good rain garden plant. Can tolerate occasional flooding.

Carex woodii – Wood’s sedge:  Somewhat wider foliage than many of the other native sedges we carry. Green foliage has a slightly blue cast. Forms clumps that slowly grow with rhizomes. Creamy yellow seed heads in June. Highly recommended by Mt Cuba Center in their Carex trials. Very adaptable. Will grow in full sun, unlike many other native sedges.

Hellebores – Lenten Roses

, Posted by Brad MacDonald

Spring on Nantucket can be a real “touch and go” kind of season.  In early April, most gardens are still bare, with few plants in flower, or even budding.  There can be beautiful days with light breezes and temps in the 50’s as well as cold, nasty days when the wind feels like it could rip your face off.  On nice April afternoons, many gardeners in northern states on the mainland are enjoying violas, pansies, bellis and a wide variety of spring bulbs … but not us!  When it’s nice enough to go outside and we are able to check on our spring flowers we notice that the rabbits have eaten the tulips and the deer have mowed off any perennials that dare to push up new growth.  What’s a gardener in need of a spring pick-me-up to do?

Number ONE – Grab some potted daffodils and get those in the ground right away.  The critters won’t bother them and they’ll come back forever.

Number TWO – Come on over to Surfing Hydrangea and pick up some Lenten Roses!

Helleborus ‘Ice N Roses Picotee’ & ‘Mindy Marble’

 

 

 

Lenten Roses, aka Hellebores, Helleborus orientalis and their hybrids, are fantastic plants for those of us with sheltered gardens and some shade.  Hellebores are reliable perennials with nearly no pest issues whatsoever.   They have thick, semi-evergreen, leathery, palm-shaped leaves that form an attractive rosette.   Planted in evenly moist (but well-drained), fertile soil, these elegant plants will reward you with blooms from Early April, through May.  The flowers come in several forms, from single, to fully double – some facing up towards us, and some with nodding flowers.  They range in color from green to off-white to deep burgundy/black and every hue in between.  Unbelievably, the deer and rabbits haven’t taken a liking to them yet.

Depending on the winter and how much exposure the plants get, the foliage may get brown over the winter.  If that is the case, feel free to trim off the least attractive leaves as the flowers and fresh foliage emerge in early spring.  Besides that, they really don’t require any other care.  Plant and enjoy!

Maiden Grass is NO MORE!

, Posted by Brad MacDonald

Clumping ornamental grasses are a standard in Nantucket landscapes.  They are easy to care for, deer-resistant and fit in perfectly with the coastal garden vibe.  Over the years, they have continued to grow in popularity, with many new species and cultivars becoming available in the trade.  One of the OG-all-around -best-in-show species for garden worthy grasses has been Miscanthus sinensis (Maiden grass, Chinese silver grass, Eulalia grass).  As of December 8, 2025 this species of grass has been deemed, “a threat to land in Massachusetts” and is now on the “Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List”.  As such, we are no longer allowed to grow or bring in any more Miscanthus sinensis cultivars including popular cultivars like ‘Gracillimus’ and ‘Adagio.’   We are allowed to sell through existing stock until the end of the season, but we’ll likely have none left in stock past May.

Although the conversation surrounding invasive plants can be polarizing, none of us at the nursery are surprised about this determination by MDAAR (Massachusetts department of agricultural resources).  Thousands upon thousands of these grasses are in island landscapes, which each plant producing countless quantities of seeds every fall.  These seeds are spread around the island in numerous ways, most notably by  landscapers, as they transport the spent growth to the dump after the plants are cut back.

Because these grasses have been used in island landscapes for years, many gardeners may not be aware of similar plants that can be used in their place.  One of our senior sales associates, Ashley Twiggs, has compiled the following list to help:

Alternatives for Miscanthus ‘Adagio’

  • Panicum ‘Purple Tears’ (3-4ft tall)
  • Panicum ‘Northwind’ (4-6ft tall)
  • Panicum ‘Niagara Falls’ (4ft tall)
  • Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’ (3-5ft tall)
  • Schizachyrium ‘Standing Ovation’ (3-4ft tall)
  • Schizachyrium ‘Ha Ha Tonka’ (3-4ft tall)
  • Schizachyrium ‘Blue Heaven’ (3-4ft tall)
  • Sorghastrum nutans (3-5ft tall)

Alternatives for Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’

  • Panicum ‘Totem Pole’ (5-6ft tall)
  • Andropogon gerardii (4-8ft tall)

Alternatives for Miscanthus ‘Little Kitten’

  • Deschampsia flexuosa (1.5′)
  • Carex pensylvanica (0.5-1′)

 

Harlequin Glorybower aka Peanut Butter Tree

, Posted by Brad MacDonald

With a common name like “Harlequin Glorybower,” you would think this plant just fell from Mount Olympus or something!  In fact, the botanical name for this genus, Clerodendron, stems from the Greek words kleros (meaning fate) and dendron (meaning tree).  The common name references the fact that the flowering structures resemble the costume of Harlequin, a character from ancient Italian classical theatre – fancy!  “Glorybower” is a semi made-up word meaning, “stunning garden arbor” which presumably refers to the domed shape of the mature plant.  I find this part of the name particularly funny, since it is considered a “trash- tree” in much of the southeastern US where it has become naturalized since its introduction from Japan in the 1860’s.

The species of Clerodendron that is most suited to growing in our area, C. trichotomum, is a large shrub or small shrubby tree, native to Asia.  It grows well in full sun to part shade in rich, well-drained soils.  The stems and bark look somewhat like elderberry, beginning green and aging to a nubbly brown.  The medium green, ovate leaves have a slight downy texture and range in size from 4″ to 9″ long by 2″-5″ wide.  One of the distinguishing characteristics of this plant is immediately apparent when any part of the plant is bruised — They have a very peculiar peanut butter scent, hence the second common name, Peanut Butter Tree.  In Mid-August the plant produces clusters of blush-pink flower buds that open to white.  As the flowers fade, the calyxes, just below the petals, become a vibrant magenta-red.  The fruit appears in the center of the calyxes, beginning white, changing to a bright blue and aging to a deep blue-black.

Dr. Michael Dirr does not have a glowing review for this plant in his Manual of Woody Landscape Plants.  He says, “Over the years, my feelings toward this plant have ebbed and flowed like the tide.  In flower and fruit it is delightful but at its worst has the appearance of an overturned Dempster Dumpster.” I somewhat agree, but I think it’s definitely worth a try.  I’ve observed this plant growing in my neighbor’s yard mid-island since being planted perhaps 8 years ago.  With little to no care, the plant is now chest-high with an equal spread.  It has never been browsed by deer and seems perfectly happy in unirrigated typical Nantucket soil in part sun.

ONE FINAL NOTE: This plant is at the edge of its hardiness range here in zone 7 ish.  During a prolonged cold winter, the plant may die back somewhat, or perhaps even to the ground.  If it dies back considerably, it is very likely to rebound from the roots.

Sassafrass

, Posted by Brad MacDonald

Just as cities become known for their monuments and architecture (like Paris and the Eiffel Tower or New York and the Statue of Liberty) for plant people, places can become linked with iconic plants that grow there.  Over the years, Nantucket has become well-known for some of the Asian plants that are widely planted and naturalized around the island like blue hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) and beach rose (Rosa rugosa).  Although there is a lot to love about these plants, I sometimes think it’s a shame that more people don’t remember the island for the wide variety of native North American plants that grow here.  For instance, we are lucky to have one of the largest collections of American Elms (Ulmus americana) in any town in the United States.  These stately trees are undeniably amazing as they tower over the cobbled streets and historic buildings that downtown is known for.  In the less developed areas of the island there is a much wider variety of humble trees and shrubs growing together in the natural ecosystem that has developed here over thousands of years.  They may not be as striking as blue hydrangeas or as breathtaking the stately elms, but their quiet beauty is nonetheless amazing.  One of my favorite native trees is the American Sassafrass (Sassafrass albidium).

Colonies of Sassafrass are easily identified from a distance by their “Dr. Seuss-looking” growth habit of more or less upright, wiggly trunks and branches.  Up close, the youngest twigs are a shiny green while more mature branches and the trunks become grayish and furrowed over the years.  In early May, yellow flowers seem to burst out of the tips of the twigs, filling the whole canopy in a bright sunny haze.  Another easy way to identify these trees is by the leaves.  While most trees have leaves that are all the same shape, these trees have a set of three different leaves that appear throughout the canopy at the same time: a simple ovoid shape, a “mitten” shape and a shape with three lobes, resembling a trident.  During the growing season the leaves are a medium green, but they take on hues of brown, maroon, orange and deep scarlet in the fall.

Sassafrass is a medium-sized tree, averaging a height of more than 35′ on the island, depending on exposure.   They can be found growing in a variety of conditions, from the windy “Nantucket Serengeti” in the middle moors, to lower-lying areas like Squam swamp.  Their adaptability and unique look lend them well to use in many landscaped areas.  Consider planting them in groups of varying sizes to get the most naturalistic effect or use one to punctuate a focal point.  No matter where they are grown, they always make a great conversation starter!

All parts of the plant are fragrant when crushed, emitting a sweet, spicy smell that is difficult to explain to those that haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy it yet.  The roots have traditionally been used to make root beer and the dried and pulverized leaves (known as file powder) are used to flavor and thicken the popular Cajun dish, Gumbo.

Because these trees are difficult to cultivate in the field, there aren’t many tree farms that are able to supply them for us.  If you are interested in using some in your landscape, make sure to plan ahead and leave plenty of time for us to source them.  If you want to get a grove started in an economical way, we just received some well-grown #3 gallon containers that can get you off to a great start!

Mountainmint

, Posted by Brad MacDonald

Having been in business for 25 years on Nantucket, we have seen many trends in the islands’ landscape community come and go.  When I started at the nursery 14 years ago, there was a huge demand for ‘Knock Out’ series roses, for example – but today we only sell a modest number of shrub roses of any type.  When I was actively landscaping, many projects called for broad swaths of hydro-seeded, exotic, love grass but now (thankfully) landscape architects are using a wide variety of native grasses for those applications.  In fact, incorporation of native grasses, shrubs and perennial plants in the landscape is a massive trend that we don’t see slowing down.  Unfortunately, we’ve also seen an incredible increase in deer pressure across the island, which has spurred the movement toward planting only the most deer-resistant plants available.

We’ve seen that many of the native plants recommended for our climate are no longer deer-resistant at all.  For shrubs, we still recommend Myrica pensylvanica (Bayberry) and Baccharis halimifolia (Groundsel) as the backbone of a native planting plan.  Native grasses like Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass), Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem), Sporobolus heterolepsis (Prairie Dropseed) and Deschampsia sps. (Hair Grass) are a good choice as well.  Recently, I’ve been impressed with the various species of Pycnanthemum (Mountainmint) for good deer and rabbit resistance.

There are several species of Pycnanthemum in the trade that can be planted in a variety of conditions.  All are native to North America, and attract a wide variety of pollinators.  They look great mixed with other native plants and grasses in meadow gardens but are also a great addition to butterfly gardens and traditional perennial borders.  These herbaceous perennials are members of the mint family, with fragrant foliage and varying degrees of hairy leaves and stems.  They are generally 3-4′ tall and flower in shades of white and pale lavender in high summer to early fall.  Mountainmint grows in spreading clumps that are enlarged by runners; when they are happy, they can spread quickly, but the edges of the clumps can be easily managed by spading and pulling up the runners once or twice a year.

Some of the most commonly available species are listed below:

Pycnanthemum curvipes (Stone Mountainmint):  2-3′ tall.  Ovate silvery/green leaves with purple-spotted white flowers.  Native to rocky outcrops, bluffs, dry hillsides, open rocky woodlands and fields of the South Eastern United States.

 

 

 

 

Pycnanthemum flexuosum (Appalacian Mountainmint):  2-3′ tall.  Ovate green, hairless leaves with white/pale laender flowers.  Native to South Eastern United States where it occurs in a variety of conditions.

Pycnanthemum muticum:  2-4′ tall.  Ovate silver/green fuzzy leaves with pale lilac flowers and showy bracts.  Native to moist woods and meadows of the North Eastern United States.

 

 

 

 

 

Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Narrowleaf Mountainmint):  3′ tall.  Narrow green, hairless leaves with clusters of tiny white flowers.  Native to a wide variety of conditions in the North Eastern United States.

 

 

 

 

 

Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum aka P. pilosum (Whorled Mountainmint):  1-3′ tall.  Grey/green leaves with clusters of white flowers.  Native to forests and meadows of a wide swath of the Eastern and Central United States.

 

 

 

 

Pycnanthemum virginianum (Virginia Mountainmint):  2-3′ tall.  Narrow lance-shaped leaves with white flowers dotted in lavender.  Native to moist woodlands and wetlands of Eastern United States.

Milkweed

, Posted by Brad MacDonald

There are many reasons to plant a garden: to add beauty to your surroundings, grow food or medicines, add value to your home, etc.  In recent years, islanders have become more and more interested in gardening to support our native ecosystem by providing shelter and food for native fauna.  Butterflies are always at the top of the list of insects that gardeners would like to support.  Many are amazingly beautiful, but also in real need of our help as their habitat is ever-shrinking due to human activities like development and farming.

Loads of native plants are a food or nectar source for caterpillars and butterflies, but we get the most questions about milkweed this time of year.  There are several species of milkweed that are native to the northeast, with more cultivated varieties in the trade as well.  We love these plants because they are easy to grow in full sun with average garden conditions.  The most popular of these is butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa, but we also stock others.

All milkweeds ooze a white latex sap when the leaves or stems are broken that prevents many insects from eating them.  However, monarch butterfly caterpillars have evolved to use milkweed as their only food source.  Many species of butterflies and other insects use the flowers as a source of nectar as well.  Milkweeds produce copious viable seeds in pointy pods.  When the pods mature and dry out in the fall it’s super fun to break them open and dispel the fluffy seeds on the wind!

Notable characteristics of the most commonly available milkweeds are listed below:

Asclepias incarnata – Swamp Milkweed.  The tallest milkweed that we stock at 36-48″ tall.  This plant is naturally found in sunny, moist areas like wet meadows and swamps with organically rich soil, but it adapts well to average garden conditions.  Flowers appear in July and August, varying in color from deep to light pink or even white.  The leaves of these plants are long and narrow, with a medium green color.

 

 

 

 

Asclepias syriaca – Common Milk Weed.  34-36″ tall.  This plant is found all over the island along roadsides, fields and disturbed areas.  They thrive in average soil in full sun.  The globe-like composite flowers appear in late June, persisting through summer.  The leaves are a dusty green, and wider than swamp milkweed.  This plant tolerates a wide variety of growing conditions, but is useful in areas with little supplemental water, as they are very tolerant of drought when established.

 

 

 

Asclepias tuberosa– Butterfly Weed.  The shortest of the common native milkweeds at 24-36″.  Found in sunny dry meadows, this plant makes a fantastic garden plant in dry areas without excessive irrigation. Make sure to plant it in full sun in average soil, and it will be happy for many years.  It has a bushy habit and narrow, ovate leaves.  The orange flowers appear in early July and persist for weeks in the height of summer.  Perennial plant of the year 2018!

 

Bluestar – Amsonia

, Posted by Brad MacDonald

Bluestar is one of my favorite plants of all time.  I like them because they are easy to grow with few, if any, pest and disease issues.  If sited correctly, they are super low-maintenance – just cut them down along with your other perennials at the end of the growing season or in early spring.  They have beautiful flowers, but also look great before and after flower, with disease-free green foliage in summer and yellow fall color.  Their bitter latex sap is said to make them unpalatable to deer (but the deer at 91 Somerset Road seem to like them just fine).  Several species and selections are available, each with its own characteristics.

Amsonia are long-lived herbaceous perennials that are native to the southern and south eastern United States.  Found in open meadows and fields as well as near lakes and wetlands, they tolerate a wide range of growing conditions.  In part sun, they tolerate less water, but planted in full sun, they benefit from consistent moisture.  Although they prefer fertile, well-drained soil, I’ve had good luck planting them in average garden soil with no additional fertility.  If the taller varieties are planted a shadier spot, they may benefit from a trim after flowering to promote a stockier habit that won’t flop open.

Their common name, bluestar is the perfect description of their flowers.  In late spring / early summer, these plants produce clouds of delicate, periwinkle blue, star-shaped flowers, each with five petals.  They don’t require deadheading, and look clean and tidy as the flowers fade.  These plants are right at home in the perennial border, but are also workhorses in prairie or meadow-style gardens.  The narrow-leafed varieties ‘String Theory’ and hubrichtii, in particular, contrast beautifully with bolder flowers like Echinacea, Shasta daisies, Black-eyed Susan’s, Crocosmia and the like.  Planted in a bright woodland situation, they would be excellent companions to Hostas and Heuchera as well.

The following plants are most commonly available:

Amsonia tabernaemontana:  Eastern Bluestar – 2-3′ tall and wide, with ovate leaves.

Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Blue Ice’:  More compact than the species at only 12-18″ tall and 18-24″ wide.  Deep blue buds and lavender flowers.  Ovate leaves.

Amsonia 'Blue Ice'
Image courtesy Walters Gardens, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Storm Cloud’: This Proven Winners selection emerges with near black stems and deep green leaves.  24″ tall by 38″ wide at maturity.  Periwinkle blue flowers.  Stems become green as season progresses.  Ovate leaves.

Amsonia 'Storm Cloud'
Image courtesy Walters Gardens, Inc.
Amsonia 'Storm Cloud' Black stems
Image courtesy Walters Gardens, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amsonia x ‘Starstruck’: This hybrid bluestar blooms up to 2 weeks later than ‘Storm Cloud’.  It’s also more compact at 20″ tall x 30-38″ wide, with broader ovate leaves.

Amsonia 'Starstruck'
Image courtesy Walters Gardens, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amsonia hubrichtii:  Thread-leaf bluestar.  Narrow leaves appear needle-like, but soft and fluffy.  2-3′ tall.

Amsonia hubrichtii
Image courtesy Walters Gardens, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amsonia x ‘String Theory’:  A Proven Winners introduction.  Much like A. hubrichtii, but more much more compact.  18-22″ tall x 30=36″ wide.

Amsonia 'String Theory' fall color
Image courtesy Walters Gardens, Inc.
Amsonia 'String Theory'
Image courtesy Walters Gardens, Inc.

Hardy Kiwi

, Posted by Brad MacDonald

A great many years ago, I was visiting a friend’s farm back home in Nova Scotia and noticed a wild-looking plant covering a shed at the edge of the property. It was a huge tangle of broad leaves and tendrils from the soil up past the roof line. I had never seen anything like it, so I asked her what it was. She told me that it was a kiwifruit.  The only kiwi I was aware of were brown, fuzzy, tropical fruit that you could buy at the grocery store, so I just assumed she was off her gourd and moved on.  Since then, I have learned a lot more about plants and have grown to really appreciate the hardy kiwi species that are available for gardeners in the northern hemisphere. We have offered both Actinidia kolomikta (Arctic Kiwi) and Actinidia arguta cultivars in the past.

Hardy Kiwi are native to Eastern Russia, Korea, Japan and parts of China. These plants are extremely vigorous vines with twining tendrils that require strong support.  Their leaves are generally glossy-green and oval shaped, but there is variation among the cultivars and species.  Some are more serrated, or with red leaf-stocks and vines, others are even variegated with pink and white splotches.  Hardy kiwi have no particular pests to speak of (which is a marvel for a fruiting plant).  These kiwis are smaller than the typical grocery store kiwi, but the skin isn’t fuzzy, so they can be eaten right off the vine.

Like hollies, bayberry and many other plants, hardy kiwi is dioecious.  So, just like people, they have separate male and female plants.  In order to get fruit, it is important to plant either a self-fertile variety like ‘Issai’ or both a male and female of the same species. ‘Kens Red'(female), for example, should be planted along with another male Actinidia arguta in order to fruit.  They do require specialized care to produce fruit dependably, so it’s a good idea to do some in-depth research if fruit is the major goal.  Proper pruning and trellising can really help with getting a consistent crop.  That being said, I’d highly recommend growing them just for their ornamental value.

If fruit-set is just a bonus, why not give one or two a try and just see how they do?  Any garden situation where a Wisteria would be the traditional choice could absolutely handle a hardy kiwi vine.  They are equally, if not more, vigorous but with more handsome leaves.  They would look stunning covering a pergola or trained up along the side of a building. If allowed to grow across the slats of a pergola, this vine would provide quite a lot of shade below.  They could also do a great job of beautifying the fencing around a tennis court or pool, while providing good screening.

Including edible plants in primarily ornamental landscapes has been gaining in popularity over the last number of years.  As hardy kiwis are both attractive and productive, I think they are a perfect addition to the wisterias, roses and clematis that most gardeners are used to planting.  So, if you are up for a little challenge, and have some room – hardy kiwi is a great new(old) plant to try!