Search Results

< Back Peony (PAEONIA LACTIFLORA) - 'Sarah Bernhardt' Previous Next

< Back Pine, Mountain (PINUS MUGO) - 'Pumilio' Hardy evergreen shrub with short, dark green needles and a compact, dense, spreading habit of upright branches. Adorned with small, dark brown cones and unique 'candles' of new growth. Grown mostly for its beautiful foliage and low, open, spreading habit. This slow-growing, naturally dwarf version of Mugo Pine is hardy and adds color, lower level of height, and texture to landscapes. Relatively low maintenance, but can be pruned as needed. Drought tolerant. The somewhat globe, rounded form of 'Pumilio' reaches about 3-4 feet tall and 6 feet wide, but is capable of spreading further while maintaining its relatively low height. It grows best in full sun to partial sun and is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 3. Of the small conifers, this is the easiest to grow in gardens and is often used as an accent or in mass plantings, or in rock gardens in combination with boulders. Popular as an evergreen contrast in perennial borders; adds texture variation when planted with other dwarf shrubs. Best used amidst other dwarf shrubs needing texture variations. Although relatively trouble free, it may be susceptible to wind damage. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Reduce watering frequency once established and water when the top 2 inches of soil become dry. Fertilize in the spring before new growth appears with a general purpose fertilizer. Grows best in enriched, loamy, and well-drained soils but is not particular to soil type or pH and is able to handle environmental salt. Highly tolerant of urban pollution and drought tolerant. It will not thrive, and may even die, in standing water. Low maintenance, but if pruning is desired, only trim back the new growth of the current season; remove dieback as needed. Previous Next

< Back Lilac Tree (SYRINGA PEKINENSIS) - 'Copper Curls' 'Copper Curls' Pekin Lilac is a new introduction of a species that features showy, airy plumes of fragrant creamy white flowers rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer. It has dark green deciduous foliage whose pointy leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color. The real show-stopper of 'Copper Curls' is the peeling coppery-bronze bark of the trunk that is beautiful year round but really steals the show in winter against the backdrop of snow. Furthermore, 'Copper Curls' is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Growing to a mature size of 25 feet tall and 18 feet wide, 'Copper Curls' is rated to Hardiness Zone 3a. Thrives in full sun to partial shade and average to evenly moist soil conditions. Will not tolerate standing water, but is not particular as to soil type or pH. Highly tolerant of urban pollution. Like most Lilac cultivars, this is a relatively low maintenance tree, but should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. A lovely accent shade tree, 'Copper Curls' has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 5 feet from the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard and has no significant negative characteristics. Previous Next

< Back Apple - 'Honeygold' Semi-Dwarf Apple Tree Similar taste to 'Golden Delicious' but with a hint of honey, the 'Honeygold' apple is juicy and delightful for fresh-eating, salads, and cooking. A cold-hardy tree excellent in northern climates that bears pinkish-white blooms in spring that mature to medium to large size fruit in summer. Honeygold' boasts hardiness to zone 3 tolerating temperatures down to -50 degrees Farenheit. Trees bear fruit between 2-3 years after planting. Growth rate is moderate and trees reach 12-16 feet tall and wide. 'Honeygold' needs moist, well-drained soil in full sunlight. This tree does not like to have wet feet, though, so be sure to plant in areas that don't experience pooling of water. As is true for apple trees in general, be sure to provide adequate drainage. Disease-resistant and hardy against apple-scab. Requires another variety of apple/crabapple tree for pollination. Could be paired with 'Granny Smith', 'Honeycrisp', 'Fuji', 'Red Delicious', 'McIntosh'. Fruit ripens in late September and can be stored for 2-3 months. Previous Next

< Back Chokecherry (PRUNUS VIRGINIANA CANADA RED) -'Canada Red' Prunus virginiana ‘Canada Red’ is magnificent with it's oval to rounded crown, straight trunk and showy white blooms in the spring. Leaves emerge green in the spring, but around 90% of the foliage has turned a lovely dark purple hue by June. Many selections of purple foliaged chokecherries have circulated within the nursery trade, but this selection from Bailey Nurseries seems to be superior because of its central leader, its upright growth habit, its lighter fruit set and better purple color retention in late summer. This tough, but beautiful, ornamental chokecherry is the perfect choice for difficult spots. This gorgeous, hardy tree reaches a mature height of 25 feet and spread of 18 feet. Comfortable down to a USDA Hardiness Zone 2, The 'Canada Red' Chokecherry is an excellent selection for colder regions. Plant 'Canada Red' in a location that recieves full sun, however, it can tolerate partial shade. It is a very hardy tree able to tolerate heat, cold, wind, and poor soil. It will appreciate well-drained soil, however, so be sure to plant accordingly, but it really is very adaptable. Because of its natural inclination to send suckers from the base of this tree, prune these back as they emerge. New leaf growth on branches as well as suckers will emerge green. Water when top 2 inches of soil become dry. This tree would make an ideal specimen tree or used in a group planting of trees in areas with extremely difficult conditions. Useful as a lawn tree, in parkway plantings, open spaces, wildlife gardens, natural prairies and homesteads. Also a highly attractive ornamental tree for city yards. 'Canada Red' is highly adaptable. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established, reduce frequencyas this tree prefers regular water but tolerates mild, periodic dry spells as well. Previous Next

< Back Juniper Tree (JUNIPERUS CHINENSIS) - 'SPARTAN' Juniper Juniper trees have unique 'needle-leaves' that separate their appearance both from Spruces and Pines. 'Spartan' Juniper has dense branches, a handsome pyramidal shape, and rich green foliage that keeps it's color year round. It is an excellent choice for a windbreak or screen. This hardy, low-maintenance, versatile tree creates a dense, lush privacy screen in groups or can be planted alone as a specimen tree. 'Spartan' has a handsome shape, but can also be clipped into a stunning spiral topiary and it's size is perfect for compact yards or small spaces. Junipers can thrive in harsh climate conditions and survive both drought and cold. This lovely tree grows to be around 15-20' tall with a narrow spread of 5-6' wide. 'Spartan' is hardy in Zones 4-9. It requires full sun to partial shade and is highly adaptable to soil, able to withstand salt and many different soil conditions including heavy clay. 'Spartan' does need well-drained soil, but prefers moist and acidic soil. Although pruning is not required to retain it's columnar shape, 'Spartan' can be shaped as desired and makes excellent topiaries and if you decide to clip them, do so in the summer. 'Spartan' Junipers require very little water, but should be watered two to three times per week for the first month after being planted. Continue to monitor throughout the first year by using a trowel to uncover the first two or three inches of soil and checking moisture levels. Once established for a year, fertilize once in early spring (around April) and again in late summer (September) with a slow-release granular fertilizer with an NPK of 16-4-8 or 12-4-8. Junipers can be used in xeriscaping for water wise plantings. For privacy screens, plant 'Spartan' five feet apart, or three feet apart for a solid wall. Another option is to plant two rows three feet apart from one another, staggering the Spartan junipers every four feet. Previous Next

< Back Plum - 'Mount Royal' Plum Tree Considered by many to be the best all-around plum for consistent crops, fruit quality and yield in tougher climate regions. Heirloom blue, European type that ripens in early to mid-Septmeber, Mount Royal Plum has dark green foliage throughout the season with leaves that turn yellow in fall. An advantage of this cultivar is that it is self- pollinating with white, showy, fragrant blooms that emerge in the spring. Blue drupes are ripe in August and are sweet and tender. They can be eaten fresh, dried, or in baked goods. This tree would fit perfectly as part of an edible landscape, orchard, under power lines, and would even make an ideal stand-alone specimen tree due to a wide opening canopy. It is extremely cold hardy. This cold-hardy variety is comfortable at Zone 4-7. It is a smaller tree, reaching a mature height of 10 to 12 ft and width of 8 to 10 ft. Mount Royal plum needs full sun and even soil moisture. It is tolerant of inner-city environments, soil type, and most pH levels. The fruit is loved by both humans and wildlife, but can be messy if it is not harvested. As for all fruit bearing trees, maintenance is needed for this tree; pruning should be done in late winter after an extreme cold. It's expected average age is 40 years in ideal conditions. For general care and maintenance of plum trees, watch for plum aphids, caterpillars, fruit tree red spider mite, brown scale, plum moth, bullfinches, silver leaf, bacterial canker, and brown rot. Previous Next

< Back Apple - 'Zestar' Apple Tree Superior cold hardiness combined with large, crunchy, juicy red fruit with a sprightly sweet-tart flavor makes 'Zestar' a must have for northern gardeners. It is an excellent choice for both fresh eating and cooking and would be a beloved treat in a lunchbox or apple pie. It will store for 6 to 8 weeks while still maintaining crunch and flavor. The tree is vigorous, upright and ripens late August to early September. An early season apple that surpasses other varieties with a crisp, juicy texture, and an exciting zesty flavor with a hint of brown sugar! Hardy in zones 3-7, 'Zestar' will grow to be approximately 12-15 feet tall and wide. Apple trees require full sunlight, and moist, well-drained, mulched soil. Also requires a pollinator, and as an early bloomer needs one of these pollinators: 'Dolgo' and 'McIntosh'; possibly, 'Honeycrisp', 'Jonathon', or 'Wealthy'. Very susceptible to apple scab so plan to treat for this fungus accordingly and watch for signs of infection. Previous Next

< Back Spruce, Colorado Blue (PICEA PUNGENS) - 'HOOPSII' This stately variety of Colorado Blue Spruce is not only extraordinary and eye-catching, but robust and strong. It is considered to be the bluest of all the Colorado Blue Spruce cultivars with its long, thick, silvery blue needles on spreading branches. In addition to it's rich, attractive foliage, it produces large magenta cones in spring. It has gained a reputation as an exceptional specimen tree and grows with a full, pyramidal form. Not one to be passed over, 'Hoopsii' definitely demands a space in the landscape. This larger spruce tree grows under ideal conditions from 30-50 feet tall and 10-20 feet wide with a moderate to fast growth rate of 15+ inches per year. It is cold hardy at USDA Hardiness zone 3 and like other spruces needs full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Colorado Blue Spruces are listed as a selection in the University of Wyoming "Conservation Trees & Shrubs For Wyoming" guide. In general, Colorado Blue Spruces can be susceptible to needle cast, canker, and rust. Aphids (particularly spruce gall aphids), scale, budworms, and bagworms can also be an issue. Spider mite invasions can cause significant problems with new growth and overall tree health. Previous Next

< Back Spruce, Colorado Blue (PICEA PUNGENS) - 'FAT ALBERT' This evergreen is a Simply Sunshine favorite due to it's tough, stout stature and it's ability to be content with very little care. 'Fat Albert' It is noted for its near perfect conical shape with a strong, straight central leader and full, pyramidal form from the time it is young through maturity. It's dense ascending branches and steel blue needle color adorned with light brown cones make this everything an evergreen should be. It can be used as a windbreak, screen, or accent tree. Because it is typically found in elevations from 6,000 feet to 11,000 feet, it is an excellent high elevation selection. Additionally, it prefers cool climates and will struggle in heat and humidity of southern states making it the perfect choice for northern plantings. Once established, 'Fat Albert' has some drought tolerance, however, the soil should be kept consistently moist in the early years. Requires no staking or training to achieve it's stature and is considered a "perfect and predictable Colorado Blue Spruce". (Iseli Nursery) Our supplier states that at maturity, 'Fat Albert' should reach 10-15 feet tall and 10-12 feet wide, although other nurseries indicate that under ideal conditions it could reach 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide. USDA Hardiness puts 'Fat Albert' at a zone 2, making this tough little evergreen very cold hardy. Colorado Blue Spruces are listed as a selection in the University of Wyoming "Conservation Trees & Shrubs For Wyoming" guide. It has a moderate to fast growth rate at 15+ inches per year. It requires full sun and moist, well-drained soil. During the early years while it is getting established, it needs consistent moisture. In general, Colorado Blue Spruces can be susceptible to needle cast, canker, and rust. Aphids (particularly spruce gall aphids), scale, budworms, and bagworms can also be an issue. Spider mite invasions can cause significant problems with new growth and overall tree health. Previous Next

< Back Virginia Creeper (PARTHENOCISSUS QUINQUEFOLIA) - Virginia Creeper Previous Next

< Back Spruce, Colorado Blue (PICEA PUNGENS) - 'BAKERI' This large, broadly conical selection of Colorado Blue Spruce has a nice pyramidal shape and beautiful silvery-blue needles. 'Bakeri' has long, stiff, dense foliage making it an excellent choice in the landscape. Furthermore, it is drought tolerant and adaptable to different soil conditions making it perfect for xeriscaping applications or traditional landscapes in dry climates. With a mature height of 20 and spread of 12 feet, 'Bakeri' deserves a presence in the landscape. This tough tree is rated at USDA Hardiness zone 3-7 and has a moderate growth rate. Colorado Blue Spruces are listed as a selection in the University of Wyoming "Conservation Trees & Shrubs For Wyoming" guide. It is drought tolerant once established and is very adaptable to different soils, but should be planted in a well-drained site with full sun. It is susceptible to a few minor pest and disease issues, but these are very limited. In general, Colorado Blue Spruces can be susceptible to needle cast, canker, and rust. Aphids (particularly spruce gall aphids), scale, budworms, and bagworms can also be an issue. Spider mite invasions can cause significant problems with new growth and overall tree health. Previous Next