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Broadening the gardeners palette |
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Broadening the gardeners palette |
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Botanical Name: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Enkianthus
Euphorbia - Spurge
Enkianthus Deciduous shrub Full sun to part shade This genus in the Heath family contains a handful of plants of landscape merit. All are deciduous shrubs grown for their drooping clusters of urn-shaped flowers, which appear as the leaves emerge in May, and for their often fantastic fall color. Their habit is rigidly upright or vase shaped in youth, becoming more rounded with age, and their branches are usually produced in whorls, radiating upward and outward like spokes on a wheel. Enkianthus thrive in the same conditions as Azaleas and Rhododendrons (full sun or partial shade, moist but well-drained soil with an acid pH) and make ideal companions for them. Zone 5.
E. campanulatus. This is the species most often seen in gardens. The bell-shaped flowers are cream with red veins, and they appear in profusion at the tips of the stems in spring. Fall color varies from bright yellow to orange to red, sometimes blending all three shades. Very old plants can attain a height of 15ft or more; 8–10ft is more typical in this area.
E. c. var. sikokianus. Similar in most respects to the species, except that the flowers, which open from dark maroon buds, are a deep red with streaks of pink. Stems on the new growth are also red. In keeping with the red theme, the leaves turn a searing scarlet in fall. Height: 8–10ft.
E. cernus f. rubens. A compact version of E. campanulatus. It is smaller in leaf, flower, and overall size. The flowers are a deep red. Fall color is red-orange. Plants vary in height from 5 to 10ft. The hardy Heaths are ground-hugging or mounding, evergreen shrubs with very fine, needlelike foliage and small but showy, barrel-shaped flowers that appear in bunches at the tips of the stems. Although some Heaths bloom in summer and fall, the most valuable for the landscape are the winter-blooming kinds. They are among the first plants to flower, producing colorful spikes of bloom from February through March and into April, with only the Witch Hazels and small, early-flowering bulbs for companions. Most of the cultivars we grow are selections of E. carnea and E. x darleyensis. E. carnea forms wide-spreading, ground-covering carpets, while E. x darleyensis hybrids have a bushy habit with colorful spring growth tips, dark green foliage tinged with bronze in winter, and flowers that deepen in color with age. Both kinds make fine edging or rock garden plants and combine perfectly with Callunas in Heath and Heather gardens. E. carnea selections are hardy to Zone 4, all of the others to Zone 5. We offer a long list of these colorful early bloomers on the erica link, along with detailed cultural information. Erica cultivars are listed in the heath and heather page. Euonymus Deciduous shrub/Evergreen shrub/vine Full sun to shade A diverse genus of woody plants that includes trees, shrubs, and vines native to many parts of the northern hemisphere. Some are evergreen; others (including the ubiquitous Burning Bush, E. alatus) are deciduous. Their flowers are generally inconspicuous, but their fruits (as in the case of E. americanus below) can be highly ornamental. The Euonymus we offer are all exceptionally adaptable plants, growing well both in full sun and quite dense shade and thriving in any kind of soil, so long as it is well drained. E. japonicus is one of the few broadleaf evergreens that tolerates salt spray.
E. americanus. Strawberry Bush, Hearts-a-Burstin’. This native understory shrub has a distinctive and very showy autumn fruit and seed display. In early fall, the warty fruit capsules turn scarlet, then pop open to reveal the bright red seeds, which remain ornamental for several weeks after the leaves drop. Strawberry Bush is an upright, suckering shrub that produces whiplike, matt green branches that remind us of a Scotch Broom. It is useful for naturalizing in a wild garden or along the edge of woods. Height: 4–5ft. Zone 6. Euonymus fortunei – Wintercreeper A variable and therefore extremely useful group of hardy evergreens. Most cultivars, including the ones we grow, are inclined to be vines, and if planted against a wall or at the base of a tree, will climb upward to great heights with the aid of rootlike holdfasts that appear along the stems. If denied a support, they become creeping ground covers or low, mounding shrubs. Wintercreepers are very tolerant of dry shade; they’re one of the few plants that will grow under a Norway maple. Zone 5.
E. f. ‘Emerald Gaiety’. A very showy variegated selection. The dark green leaves have an irregular white margin that shines in shade. In winter, the margins turn pink. Planted on its own, ‘Emerald Gaiety’ forms a densely branched, upright shrub that grows to a height of 4–5ft.
E. f. ‘Emerald ’n Gold’. This low-growing cultivar has glossy dark green leaves that are edged with gold. If grown as a shrub, it reaches a height of 11/2–2ft.
E. f. ‘Harlequin’. A low, creeping plant whose leaves and stems are variously edged and streaked with white; sometimes entire leaves are white. Grows slowly to a height of just 12–15in.
E. f. ‘Kewensis’. This 100-year-old selection bears very small, dark green leaves on a spreading, prostrate plant. It also offers beautiful fall and winter color, as many of the leaves turn red, creating a striking tapestry of red and deep green. Clings, climbs and creeps slowly. Easily maintained as a dense, fine textured groundcover. Works great at the foot of a low rock wall.
E. japonicus ‘Green Spire’. A fastigiate evergreen with very dark green foliage. Makes a striking accent plant among rounded and vase-shaped shrubs. Very tolerant of salt spray. 6ft x just 8in. Zone 7.
NEW E. j. Silver Princess™ (‘Moness’). We grew this variegated cultivar at the suggestion of Pamela Harper, the renowned gardener and horticultural photographer, and have been very impressed with its performance. It forms a compact globe that’s a bit taller than wide and clothes itself with handsome dark green leaves, each outlined with a crisp strip of white. Makes a sparkling accent plant along a foundation or in a shrub border. To date we’ve seen no pest or disease problems, and best of all, no sign of all-green shoots. Easy to grow in full sun or partial shade. Size after 5 years: 3ft x 2ft. Zone 7.
NEW E. “Kosho-mayumi.” Here is an interesting and attractive variation on the ubiquitous Winged Euonymus. It forms a low, wide, flat-topped bush that is less than a third as tall as E. alatus ‘Compactus’, which can easily grow 10ft high. In autumn, its fine green leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink, and its branches bear many small red or orange fruits. It needs plenty of sun for best foliage color but is not particular about soil. Our plant puts on a fabulous fall display in our dry garden. 3ft x 6ft. Zone 5. Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae Evergreen ground cover Part shade Spurge An evergreen ground cover that is all the more useful because it tolerates both shade and dry soil. It spreads by rhizomes to form a thick mass of fleshy stems lined with green, spoon-shaped leaves. In late May and early June, it produces showy and long-lasting chartreuse flowers (bracts, actually) at the tips of the stems. This hardy and rugged ground cover makes plush emerald carpets under trees and large shrubs. Height: 2ft. Zone 5.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Environmentals, Inc., 22275 Main Road, Cutchogue, New York 11935, (631) 734-6439, Fax (631) 734-6452 info@environmentalsnursery.com
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