PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH
JIM FUNAI, Ph.D
Cuyahoga Community College Neviusia alabamensis, commonly referred to as Alabama Snow-wreath.
SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
NEVIUSIA ALABAMENSIS ALABAMA SNOW-WREATH
We thought we would have this month’s article synced perfectly with the timing of this shrub’s blooming period, yet as we write, blooms are trending a solid two to three weeks early this spring. That said, take a moment to tune out of your regularly scheduled spring chaos to consider this month’s Hendricks Experience Plant of the Month, Neviusia alabamensis, the Alabama snow-wreath. Most of you have likely never heard of this flowering shrub – a member of the very popular Rosaceae family – as it is now quite rare to find, even in its native range of Northern Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia and up to southern Missouri. Fossil records indicate this plant actually had a much broader distribution, but habitat destruction and development caused it to go extinct in much of its historic range. In researching this plant for our purposes, Bill was quick to mention the obvious – that many contractors will think it seems pretty unlikely that a plant with Alabama in the name could possibly be cold-hardy to zone 5. Fear not. We have great evidence to support that it will be right at home, here
22 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association
in Ohio, including one specific instance we know of that, for many years, could be found thriving in the Children’s Garden at the Cleveland Botanical Garden, even after a harsh winter. Horticulture is actually pretty well acquainted with this flowering shrub. It was named by Dr. Asa Gray, after receiving samples from Reverend Dr. Reuben Denton Nevius, in 1857. Before the Civil War broke out in the states, samples had been sent to Kew Botanical Gardens and other major plant collectors from across Europe. This novel member of the Rose family captured all of the plant nerd’s attention at the time, yet – despite this popularity – it has more recently continued on page 24 become all but forgotten.
