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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

Fagus Deciduous shrub/Deciduous tree Full sun

Beech

The Beeches are stately shade trees with glossy leaves and lovely smooth gray bark. The purple-leaved European Beech (F. sylvatica) is coveted by almost everyone who has seen a mature specimen, but it is suitable for only the grandest of landscapes. We’ve chosen to focus our energies instead on producing fastigiate, dwarf, and weeping cultivars that have a much broader range of application. Like their giant cousins, they grow best in full sun and evenly moist but well-drained soil that is on the acid side. Zone 4.

F. sylvatica ‘Dawyck Gold’. A narrow, columnar tree that has golden yellow leaves in spring. The leaves turn bright green in summer, then gold again in fall. This cultivar has been in the trade for less than 30 years, so the mature dimensions are not yet known. We estimate that plants will eventually reach 40–50ft in height, with a spread of just 8–10ft.

NEW F. s. ‘Dawyck Purple’. Similar in size and habit to ‘Dawyck Gold’, but the foliage is a deep purple. Makes a striking exclamation point in the landscape. Mature size: 40–50ft x 8–10ft.

F. s. ‘Purpurea Nana’. Imagine a Purple Beech with a somewhat oval shape growing side by side with shrubs instead of shading them out. What you’re imagining already exists, and it’s called ‘Purpurea Nana’. Its leaves are small (in keeping with the scale of the plant) and purplish brown. 10ft x 6ft.

F. s. ‘Purpurea Pendula’. As the name suggests, this is a weeping Purple Beach. Because it has no central leader, it has a broad, mushroom-like shape. A striking specimen plant. Slow growing. Eventual height: 8–10ft.

F. s. ‘Roseomarginata’. (‘Purpurea Tricolor’.) An unusual and very appealing variegated selection with deep purple-green foliage that has an irregular edge of rose and pinkish white. It needs afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch in hot, dry weather. Mature size: 30ft x 20ft.

Forsythia viridissima ‘Bronxensis’ Deciduous shrub Full sun to part shade

The glowing fountains of bright yellow spring blooms that everyone knows and loves hardly need an introduction. In fact, one could ask whether the world needs another Forsythia. Well, there’s no denying the enduring appeal of these cheerful shrubs, so why not look for interesting variations on a familiar theme? We offer a charming dwarf named F. viridissima ‘Bronxensis’ that grows less than 2ft tall with a slightly larger spread. It’s ideal for small gardens and foundation plantings and can be massed as a ground cover. The flowers appear a week or two after those of the hybrids, and they have a slight green tinge. Plants round out the season with a nice display of yellow fall foliage. 18–24in x 24–36in. Zone 5.

Fothergilla Deciduous shrub Full sun to part shade

A small genus of small- to medium-size deciduous shrubs native to the southeastern United States. Their outstanding fall color and honey-scented, bottlebrush-like spring flowers have earned them a growing following among landscape designers and woody plant enthusiasts. They flower and color best in full sun but get by quite well in partial shade. They require acid soil (which is not hard to come by in the Northeast) that is moist but well drained. Pests and diseases are rarely a problem. Zone 5.

F. gardenii. Fragrant, white, bottlebrush flowers appear at the tips of the bare stems in early May. Handsome, leathery leaves clothe the plant for the summer, then turn spectacular shades of yellow, orange, and scarlet before they drop in fall. Plants have a bushy habit and sometimes sucker, forming dense colonies. An excellent shrub for a foundation planting or for massing. Makes a good companion for Azaleas and Rhododendrons and fits nicely in a mixed perennial garden. Height: 4–6ft.

F. g. ‘Blue Mist’. An attractive, blue-leaved form of the above. It’s also more compact, generally topping out at 4ft.

F. major ‘Mt. Airy’. Selected by Michael Dirr, author of the book on woody plants, for its abundant and larger than usual flowers, its dark blue-green foliage, and its consistently striking fall color. It has an upright habit and grows vigorously to a height of 4–6ft.

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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