A Better Sense of Place

2014 October 25 (Sat)

Exotics that I haven't killed yet

I've planted and left alone species fairly native to my parish and I've pulled up many an exotic from the ground, but there are still many larger individuals in the yard that are definitely not from 'round these parts. I thought it'd be a good exercise to write about them and why I haven't killed them yet. I also list alternatives that I would plant instead (and which are not necessarily what native appears the most similar).

Abelia

In alphabetical order by common name, abelia comes first. Really, it's glossy abelia (Abelia × grandiflora). I bought four of these for the yard from Arbor Day Foundation back when I didn't think too much about what's native. They are just about 3 years old now.

Azalea

Next is the azalea (Rhododendron sp?). There are two large ones by the garage that have light pink flowers and two stubby ones that have dark red flowers. They came with the house.

Camphor trees

On to the camphor trees (Cinnamomum camphora). The main tree in question is growing on the southwest corner of the house.

Crepe myrtle

No list of exotics for Baton Rouge is complete without a crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia sp?). There are two in the yard, one giant one as a street tree and one in the backyard.

Nandina

Then there's nandina (Nandina domestica). It's in the Chicken Yard and taller than the fence.

Sago palm

The final species I want to look down on is the sago (Cycas revoluta). There are four in the front yard.