Archive for the ‘compact shrub’ Category

Evaluating Weeping Bald Cypress Cultivars

Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a large 75 -80 foot deciduous conifer tree. They are long-lived, often 100 years or more. Bald cypress is incredibly hardy from the warm humid Florida swamps to the cold winter temperatures and loamy soils of central Michigan. Bald cypress is tolerant of a wide range of soil and moisture [...]

Making A Case for Mugo Pine

Mugo pine (Pinus mugo) is a slow growing needle evergreen shrub of variable heights ranging from 5 feet to 20 feet and more. Mature height depends on the cultivar planted and environmental conditions on site. Mugo pine is native over many hundreds of miles of alpine climes across Europe. It is winter hardy in USDA zones [...]

Summer Wine™: The Taming of The Ninebark

Over the past 25 years our native Eastern ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) has been reborn. Its overly vigorous nature has been tamed. Latest up is Summer Wine™ ninebark with small, deeply cut, wine burgundy leaves, quite different from the medium green foliage of old-fashioned ninebarks. Summer Wine is a more compact (5-6 feet in height and width) grower. Grow ninebark in [...]

Edgeworthia Deserves A Try

Edgeworthia flowering in March garden First, I must thank South Carolina nurseryman, Mr. Ted Stephens, who gifted me  a Chinese paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha) nearly 6 years ago. Most plant authorities rate its winter hardiness to USDA zones 7 and 8. It struggled through its first winter and spring  in my zone 6-b garden, but has never since [...]

Two Sensational New Oakleaf Hydrangeas

Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a popular native shrub in the Southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8). Two new compact forms of oakleaf hydrangea were recently introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum. In early summer, ‘Ruby Slippers’ is covered with 9-inch-long floral clusters that are held upright above the foliage. ‘Ruby Slippers’ grows [...]

Lo and Behold ‘Blue Chip’ Buddleia is a Winner

photo taken at JC Raulston Arboretum in June 2009 Lo & Behold® ‘Blue Chip’ is a very dwarf butterfly bush (buddleia) for the summer garden. Take advantage of its compact 3 x 4 foot height and width by planting it in the garden or in a container on a sunny patio deck or patio by [...]