Once the leaves break down, you can use them as mulch, a soil amendment, or as a potting soil base. However, Renusch notes that it can take up to three years for the leaves to fully break down into a ...

* What it is: Sometimes nicknamed “dog hobble,” this southeastern-U.S. native broad-leaf evergreen is distinctive for its red new leaves in spring and then its burgundy-purple fall foliage that holds ...