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Three Summer Beauties
The summer garden has many tried and true plants that are at their peak now. Set your garden apart with these unusual, late-blooming beauties.
Callicarpa Beautyberry 'Issai'  This shrub is grown for its showy lavender fruit in late summer. Issai is a heavy-fruiting variety that matures earlier than other Beautyberry varieties (as in at an early age). It's graceful branching habit matures quickly to 3-4 feet tall and wide and bears small pink blossoms in the spring. The flowers are followed by irridescent, purple clusters of berries that the attract birds and persist into the fall. The berry stems also do splendid in cut flower arrangements. Plant 'Issai' in rich, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. For best fruiting, prune in late winter and plant more than one.
Tibouchina 'Princess Flower'  This late-blooming tropical is a native of Brazil. It's large purple flowers and soft leaves add interest and a burst of color. Princess Flower does great in containers in full sun, but as a true princess she appreciates a little afternoon shade. This year we are also offering it in a small tree form that would look stunning on a patio. Beware: virtually everyone who encounters this princess falls for her. Aphrodite Hosta  Hostas are known and grown for the variety in texture and foliage color they offer to the shade garden. Hosta pl. 'Aphrodite' is an unusual treasure because of her flowers. She has unassuming large green leaves, but truly shines when she sends up beautiful double white flowers that are highly fragrant in late summer. This hosta is drought tolerant and thrives in the heaviest shade. She is tough but her beauty lives up to her name making her the goddess of the shade garden. DESIGN TIP: Place 'Aphrodite' along a path so you can enjoy her fragrance every time you pass by. | 
Tomatoes can also develop brown/black spots on their bottoms. This is 
