Plant Profile: Zenobia pulverulenta

Zenobia is a shrub that can be either deciduous or evergreen, found primarily in certain areas of the southeastern United States. The most effective methods for propagating this plant are through softwood cuttings taken in early summer, as well as layering or division during early spring. It's important to note that Zenobia may not produce true-to-type offspring from seeds. In USDA zones 6 and 7, it typically sheds its leaves in winter, while in regions south of these zones, it tends to remain semi-evergreen. This species thrives in moist environments, often found in sandy or peaty pine savannas, shrub bogs, and along the edges of ponds and swamps, as well as in natural depression ponds. Its native range extends along the coastal plain of the southeastern U.S., from Virginia to Georgia, according to the Flora of North America. Zenobia is characterized by its striking green to bluish-green leaves, but it does not tolerate high heat or drought conditions well.