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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 Paxistima
Pinus - Pine Paxistima canbyi Evergreen ground cover Part shade to shade A distinctive evergreen ground cover from the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia that thrives in shade and moist woodsy soil. It has very narrow, almost needlelike, dark green leaves and a low spreading habit. Paxistima is ideal for underplanting Rhododendrons and other woodland plants. The key to success is even moisture and excellent drainage. Dig in lots of organic matter for best results. 1ft x 4ft. Zone 3.
Philadelphus ‘Innocence’ Deciduous shrub Full sun to part shade Mock Orange The Mock Oranges are grown primarily for their 4-petaled white flowers and their intoxicating fragrance, which carries over a long distance. The flowers open in late May and are set off nicely by the dark green foliage. Mock Oranges are a must in fragrance gardens, and folks who are partial to their sweet scent should plant them outside an oft-used window. We grow a large-flowered cultivar called ‘Innocence’ whose pure white blooms measure up to 13/4in across. The foliage shows creamy variegation, but the appeal of this plant is its big, powerfully fragrant flowers. Stunning with Columbines, Ferns, and white-variegated Hostas. ‘Innocence’ is easy to grow in full sun or light shade and almost any soil. Its upright canes arch with age, giving the plant a rounded silhouette. Height: 8ft. Zone 4.
Physocarpus Deciduous shrub Full sun to part shade Ninebark If you’ve never heard of Ninebark, you’re not alone. Although this exceptionally rugged deciduous shrub is native to the eastern United States, it is rarely seen in gardens. Recent selections made on the other side of the Atlantic promise to change that, and we offer two of the finest to date. Both have colorful, 3- to 5-lobed leaves, handsome exfoliating bark, and clusters of buttonlike flowers in midsummer. They are adaptable plants that thrive in either full sun or partial shade and in almost any soil. They also tolerate drought and a wide range of soil pH. Plants have an upright, spreading habit and benefit from an annual pruning in early spring to manage size and form and encourage the production of new shoots. 4–8ft x 4–8ft. Zone 3.
NEW P. opulifolius ‘Dart’s Gold’. The new growth is a stunning yellow that gleams in spring and early summer. As the season progresses, the foliage turns lime-green, then goes golden yellow for a bright fall finale. Best foliage color is found on plants growing in full sun.
P. o. ‘Diablo’. This German introduction has outstanding deep burgundy leaves that serve as an incredibly bold accent in the landscape. Alone or in combination with green, blue, silver, or gold foliage, it draws the eye, then the feet, for a closer look. The striking leaves are complemented by pinkish white flowers in midsummer that are excellent for cutting. An excellent specimen can be seen in the Longwood evaluation garden.
Picea Conifer Full sun to part shade Spruce The Spruces are handsome conifers bearing dense coats of short, stiff needles on equally stiff branches. The species are generally tall trees with rigidly conical habits, but there are numerous dwarf selections offering a variety of growth habits and needle colors. They are strong candidates for foundations, borders, and rock gardens, and the blue-needled cultivars in particular make outstanding specimen plants. All that’s needed for success is full sun or light shade and evenly moist, acid soil. Spruces perform well in clay soil, as long as it drains well. The American Conifer Society classifies conifers by their rate of growth, as follows. Except as noted, sizes provided in the descriptions are estimates at 10–12 years. Miniature: Maximum annual growth rate of less than 3in. Estimated size after 10–12 years would be 2–3ft. Excellent in rock gardens or troughs or as a special accent. Dwarf: Average annual growth rate of 3–6in. Expected size after 10–12 years: 3–6ft. Ideal for use at the front or in the middle of a border, or as a foundation plant. Intermediate: Annual growth of 6–12in. Height after 10–12 years will be in the neighborhood of 6–12ft. These conifers make handsome lawn or garden specimens and can also be used to make a hedge. Large: Annual growth rate in excess of 12in. Anticipate a height after 10–12 years of 12ft or more. Use as a lawn specimen or screen. Appropriate only for large properties. The lumbering Norway Spruce is suited only to large landscapes, but over the years, many witches-brooms have been discovered and propagated. They come in almost every size and shape you can think of, and fill almost any need in the landscape. Their needles are short and sharp and green—usually a handsome dark green. Zone 4.
P. a. ‘Elegans’. Dwarf. A neat little bush with a low dome shape. It looks like a green gumdrop. 2ft x 4ft.
P. a. ‘Little Gem’. Miniature. This diminutive cultivar forms a flat, rounded bun that is densely covered with short, deep green needles. A sport of ‘Nidiformis’ (see below). Perfect for use in a rock garden. 1ft x 3ft.
P. a. ‘Mucronata’. Miniature. Short dark green needles and prominent reddish brown buds cover a compact, broad-mounding plant that becomes more upright with age. 24–30in x 24–30in.
P. a. ‘Nidiformis’. Dwarf. The Bird’s Nest Spruce is the best known of all the cultivars of the Norway Spruce. It makes a low, flat-topped, densely layered mound of light green needles. It will grow 2ft tall, 4ft wide in your lifetime. Your children (or your children’s children) may see it reach twice that size or more. A great foundation plant no matter its age.
P. a. ‘Pendula’. Dwarf. A weeping plant with dark green needles and graceful, pendulous branches. Can be trained as an upright specimen or allowed to flow over the soil, in which case it makes a richly textured ground cover. If staked, it will grow 5ft x 6ft in 10–12 years and much larger over time.
P. a. ‘Pumila Nigra’. Dwarf. Very dark green, glossy needles borne on sharply ascending branches. Forms a low, flattened globe. 3ft x 4ft.
P. a. ‘Pygmaea’. Dwarf. A globose to broadly conical shrub with an irregular branching pattern and short green needles. It has the picturesque, billowing look of a large dust cloud but grows just 3ft x 3ft. This native of Canada and the northern United States is most often represented in gardens by P. g. var. albertiana ‘Conica’, the Dwarf Alberta Spruce, but there are other equally attractive and useful forms. They are frequently conical or pyramidal in habit, and their needles, which vary in color from bright green to blue-green, are finer and softer than those of most other Spruces. These plants also tolerate wider extremes of climate and soil type than do their kin. Zone 3.
P. g. var. albertiana ‘Conica’. Dwarf. The Dwarf Alberta Spruce has become so widely known that every garden center must stock it. There is a danger that the plant will become a cliché (it already is in some neighborhoods), but where a near-perfect green cone shape is required, this plant will always remain indispensable. Size in 10–12 years: 6ft x 3ft. It will eventually grow twice that size.
P. g. ‘Jean’s Dilly’. (Pronounced “John’s Dilly.”) Dwarf. Similar to ‘Conica’ but more compact (it grows about two-thirds the rate of ‘Conica’) and finer in texture, with short thin needles. The tips of the new shoots are twisted in a distinctive way. 4ft x 2ft.
NEW P. g. ‘Pendula’. Intermediate. The weeping White Spruce forms a graceful spire of gray-green needles borne on downward-sweeping branches. We stake the central leader to encourage it to grow straight up, and the plant does the rest. Placed at the corner of a house, it serves as a handsome anchor for a foundation planting. 8ft x 3ft. P. mariana ‘Nana’. Miniature. This selection of the Black Spruce forms a handsome cushion of deep gray-blue needles. A gem for the rock garden or conifer border with its low spreading, dense form.Size in 10–12 years : 1ft x 11/2ft in. Mature size 1 1/2ft x 3ft. Zone 3. Picea omorika – Serbian Spruce A graceful and adaptable species from Yugoslavia. It bears short branches that droop downward then curve up at the tips. The needles are generally dark green tinged with blue. Zone 4.
P. o. ‘Berliner’s Weeper’. Intermediate. Narrow upright form with a pronounced weeping habit and attractive bicolored needles that are dark green above, with two white bands on the underside. From a distance, they read as an attractive, silvery blue-green. Makes a narrow specimen tree. 8–10ft x 3ft.
P. o. ‘Nana’. Dwarf. A very compact cultivar with dark blue-green needles. Conspicuous white stomatic bands on the underside of the needles give the plant a bicolored look. Forms a very broad, dense globe, becoming somewhat pyramidal with time. 3ft x 3ft. Picea orientalis – Oriental Spruce This species and its cultivars are highly esteemed for their beauty at every age and in every season. They are densely branched, and their needles, which are shorter than those of any other species, are overlapping, giving the plants a very neat appearance. Zone 4.
P. o. ‘Aurea Compacta’. Dwarf to intermediate. A colorful selection whose fingerlike new growth looks as though it has been dipped in bright gold paint. Makes a distinctive specimen or accent plant. Turns lime green when planted in shade. Its form is relatively narrow, upright, and ascending. A slow starter, growing perhaps 5ft x 3ft in 12–15years. We have a specimen of unknown age at the front of the nursery; it is about 15ft tall but no more than 4ft wide.
P. o. ‘Nana’. Dwarf. Short, glossy, dark green needles clothe a low, spreading plant. Attractive the year round but especially so in winter, when the needles turn almost black. 18in x 4ft. Picea pungens – Colorado Spruce This native of the western United States is prized for its many blue-needled selections. They vary widely in habit and offer every shade of blue from powder to bright. Excellent accent plants for border, foundation, or rock garden. More tolerant than other Spruces of dry soil. Zone 3.
P. p. ‘Glauca Globosa’. Miniature. This selection forms a perfect globe covered with bright blue needles. A good choice for a dwarf conifer border. Size in 10–12 years: 11/2–2ft x 11/2–2ft. Mature size: 3–4ft x 3–4ft.
P. p. ‘Glauca Pendula’. Dwarf. A weeping version of the Colorado Blue Spruce. It can be trained up to create a curtain of glowing silver-blue needles or allowed to pool on the ground. It’s striking either way. Size depends on training.
P. p. ‘Iseli Fastigiate’. Large. As the name indicates, this is a columnar selection with branches that grow skyward instead of horizontally. Its needles are a cool steel blue. A good choice where a tall conifer is needed but space at ground level is limited. 15ft x 4–5ft.
P. p. ‘Montgomery’. Dwarf. A compact bush with a broad, globe-shaped habit, becoming pyramidal with age. Its stiff, dense needles are silvery blue. Ideal for a small, sunny garden. 2ft x 2ft.
P. p. ‘Procumbens’. Dwarf. This selection creeps along the ground, forming a dense carpet of bright blue needles. It grows very slowly when young, then picks up steam. 18in x 4ft.
P. p. ‘Saint Mary’s Broom’. Miniature. An extremely slow growing witches-broom. Forms a low mound of bright blue foliage, becoming slightly globose with age. Perfect for the rock garden or dwarf conifer border. 1ft x 1ft.
P. p. ‘Walnut Glen’. (‘Walnut Goldie’.) Miniature to dwarf. The familiar blue needles of this Colorado Spruce are overlaid with cream-colored needles, which appear on the upper side of the new shoots. The contrast is striking. The foliage has a tendency to burn until the plant is well established, but it’s more than worth the wait to see ‘Walnut Glen’ in its glory. Upright, conical form. 3ft x 3ft.
P. sitchensis ‘Tenas’. (‘Papoose’.) Miniature. This dwarf selection of the Sitka Spruce has handsome bicolor needles that are gray blue on one side, green on the other. It has a dense, broadly conical habit. Makes an attractive little shrub with endless uses. 2ft x 3ft. It’s less hardy than the other Spruces we offer—to Zone 6.
Pieris Evergreen shrub Full sun to shade Fine, shrubby evergreens in the Heath family that offer beauty in every season. Their narrow, dark green foliage is handsome all through the year. The flower buds, which are produced in spikes or sprays in summer, take on prominence in fall and winter, providing a light and often colorful accent. They open to showers of small white bells in early spring that bear a close resemblance to the blooms of Lily-of-the-Valley. The new growth that follows can be stunning, especially on P. japonica cultivars, upstaging all but the brightest of spring flowers. We offer a wide variety of Pieris to appeal to every taste and suit any landscape setting. All thrive in full sun or shade (flowers and spring foliage color last longer in shade) and evenly moist but well-drained, acid soil. They tolerate higher pH than do other members of the Heath family, but they won’t perform well in alkaline soil. Excellent with early-spring bulbs. Pieris floribunda and Its Hybrids Mountain Pieris or Fetter Bush is a low-growing native shrub with a neat, rounded habit and lightly fragrant flowers borne in upright panicles. The foliage is evergreen, with an olive tone and a matt finish. Mountain Pieris is hardier and more compact than its better known Japanese cousin, and it is rarely bothered by lacebugs. Hybrids between the two species offer the best of both worlds. Zone 4.
P. ‘Evie’. This variegated sport of the hybrid ‘Karenoma’ was discovered by our propagator, Bambi Sadeli. It has very ornamental, white-edged leaves, pink buds in fall and winter, and white spring flowers. The amber-colored new growth glows like the sun. ‘Evie’ is a compact shrub with an upright, spreading habit. A bright, showy accent for a lightly shaded border. 3ft x 4ft.
P. floribunda. Our native species is a slow-growing evergreen shrub. It’s a good choice for foundation plantings and shady woodland gardens. 2–3ft x 2–3ft.
P. floribunda x japonica. An unnamed hybrid with a broad, compact habit; crisp evergreen foliage; and pristine sprays of white flowers borne in erect sprays in early spring. Foliage turns dark bronze to red in fall. 3ft x 3ft.
P. ‘Spring Snow’. This hybrid combines the deep, dark green foliage of P. japonica with the upright flower panicles of P. floribunda. The flower buds are pink, and the exceptionally large spring flowers are snow-white. They are held in wine-colored calyxes. A sharp-looking plant that sells itself. Very adaptable and easy to grow. Habit is upright, spreading with age. Height: 4–5ft. A highly variable but always attractive species. There are dwarf selections and large shrubs that, in time, grow 10ft tall or more. Some offer showy buds and flowers, others brilliantly colored new growth. All have lustrous evergreen foliage that earns them a place in almost any landscape. Zone 5, except as noted.
P. j. ‘Bisbee Dwarf’. A very slow-growing dwarf that never flowers. Forms a small, dense globe covered with dark green leaves that are just half the usual size. In fall, they turn a deep burgundy color. Makes an attractive low-growing hedge. 2ft x 3ft.
P. j. ‘Bonsai’. This rare selection is the smallest we’ve seen. It grows just 12in tall and wide and has a dense, upright habit. The foliage is small and tightly set. The buds are pink, opening white in early spring. A natural bonsai that’s ideal for use in a rock garden. 1ft x 1ft.
P. j. ‘Dorothy Wycoff’. What sets this cultivar apart is its superb, wine-colored winter foliage. The flowers are white, each set in a contrasting burgundy calyx. A showy plant with a compact habit. Height: 5–7ft.
P. j. ‘Mountain Fire’. The industry standard for showy new growth. The spring flush is a searing red, and there’s usually a smaller encore performance in summer. Especially effective against dark siding on the north side of a house. The mature foliage is a glossy, emerald green, the flowers white. Height: 5–7ft.
P. j. ‘Scarlett O’Hara’. A strong performer with an especially upright habit and, as you would expect from the name, bright red new growth. The white flowers appear later than those of most other cultivars and bloom over a long period of time. Height: 5–7ft.
NEW P. j. ‘Shojo’. Black-red buds open to deep pink flowers that verge on red. This is as close to true red as a Pieris is likely to get. Makes a lovely accent in the company of white-flowered Pieris and looks marvelous against a Forsythia. It’s more vigorous than ‘Valley Valentine’ but not much bigger. 4ft x 5ft.
P. j. ‘Valley Rose’. Glossy, deep green foliage serves as the perfect foil for the soft pink flowers, which turn white with age. A mature plant, covered in these exquisite blooms, is a lovely sight. Height: 4–6ft.
P. j. ‘Valley Valentine’. If you think Pieris flowers come only in white, we have a pleasant surprise for you. ‘Valley Valentine’ produces an abundance of beautiful deep reddish pink flowers that brighten as they mature. They open from maroon buds that decorate the plant through the winter and are presented against lustrous deep green leaves. ‘Valley Valentine’ is a slow-growing shrub with an upright habit. Height: 4ft.
P. j. ‘Variegata’. The familiar glossy green leaves are edged with creamy white, making this selection a valuable accent plant for a shady corner. The flowers are also white, but the new growth is pink or red, providing a nice warm accent in spring. Slow growing, as variegated plants often are. Height: 3ft. Pieris japonica var. yakushimensis The following are compact cultivars selected by a nursery in Holland from seed that came from the island of Yakushima in Japan. All are low, bushy plants, smaller than most P. japonica selections (except the dwarfs), and they tend to bloom later. Their flowers are often held upright, similar to P. floribunda. The small stature and profuse bloom of these plants make them especially good candidates for foundation plantings, for layering with larger Pieris, and for adding formal structure to a shade garden. Zone 5.
P. j. var. yakushimensis ‘Cavatine’. Lots of fluffy white early-spring flowers followed by handsome, dark red new growth. The small, stiff leaves turn dark green as they mature. ‘Cavatine’ has a dense, domed habit and grows just 24in x 18in.
P. j. var. yakushimensis ‘Prelude’. Similar to ‘Cavatine’, but the flower buds are pink in winter (opening to white flowers in early spring) and the new growth is also pink. ‘Prelude’ also has a more upright habit, which isn’t to say that it gets very tall. 21/2ft x 2ft.
P. j. var. yakushimensis ‘Sarabande’. The most vigorous of this musical trio and the last to bloom. Foliage is light green, the flowers white. Habit is distinctly upright. A reliable, heavy-blooming selection with a bright future. 3–4ft x 3ft. Pinus Conifer Full sun Pine A large and important genus of evergreen conifers. In the wild, the species are generally large trees, but as is often the case, there are many dwarf selections, some of the best of which are listed below. Their needles—bunched in pairs, threes, or fives—are longer and softer than those of most other conifers, and the plants often have a more open and elegant habit. Pines require full sun and slightly acid, well-drained soil to prosper. As noted below, some are well adapted to growing in dry, sandy soil; others are tolerant of salt spray. None of the ornamental Pines likes wet feet. The American Conifer Society classifies conifers by their rate of growth, as follows. Except as noted, sizes provided in the descriptions are estimates at 10–12 years. Miniature: Maximum annual growth rate of less than 3in. Estimated size after 10–12 years would be 2–3ft. Excellent in rock gardens or troughs or as a special accent. Dwarf: Average annual growth rate of 3–6in. Expected size after 10–12 years: 3–6ft. Ideal for use at the front or in the middle of a border, or as a foundation plant. Intermediate: Annual growth of 6–12in. Height after 10–12 years will be in the neighborhood of 6–12ft. These conifers make handsome lawn or garden specimens and can also be used to make a hedge. Large: Annual growth rate in excess of 12in. Anticipate a height after 10–12 years of 12ft or more. Use as a lawn specimen or screen. Appropriate only for large properties. Pinus cembra – Swiss Stone Pine Long, very thin needles are densely set on the branches, giving the appearance of blue-green bottle brushes. The spring shoots are orange-brown, which sets this species apart from other 5-needled Pines. In our experience, the cultivars are always reliably attractive; we’ve never seen a bad specimen. Zone 4.
P. c. ‘Blue Mound’. Miniature. This selection forms a dense mound of very attractive silver-blue needles. With age, it takes on a more conical form. Size in 15 years: 3ft x 2ft.
P. c. ‘Chalet’. Dwarf. A dense, columnar or narrowly conical plant with soft, blue-green needles. Because it takes up so little space at ground level, it can be squeezed into a small landscape. A pair make effective sentries on either side of a gate or garden entrance. 4ft x 18in.
P. c. ‘Pygmaea’. Dwarf. This compact shrub has an irregular, flat-topped form. Its needles are a deep rich blue-green. Excellent in a Japanese or dwarf conifer garden. 3ft x 2ft. Pinus densiflora – Japanese Red Pine A 2-needled species with long, fine needles and an open, irregular form. The bark on young branches is orange-red and exfoliating, providing a nice foil for the bright green needles. Cultivars of this species are ideal for specimen use, because each plant exhibits its own artistic habit. Zone 4.
P. d. ‘Jane Kluis’. Dwarf. A small, shrubby version of the Japanese Red Pine. Its long, light green needles cover a very neat, layered, flat-topped mound. An excellent subject for bonsai. 3ft x 4ft.
P. d. ‘Oculus-draconis’. Intermediate. Dragon’s Eye Pine. The long soft needles bear alternating bands of bright green and cream, giving this small tree a striking variegated look. Its habit is upright and irregular, which only adds to its appeal. A bright accent for an all-green corner. 5ft x 4ft.
P. d. ‘Pendula’. Large. The Weeping Japanese Red Pine bears long, stiff, pale green needles on pendulous branches. Left to its own devices, it makes an undulating ground cover that is especially effective when planted to cascade over a stone wall. It can also be staked to form an elegant, irregular mound that appears to flow across the landscape. Size depends on training. A handsome native of the Rocky Mountains that grows just fine here in the Northeast. Its needles, borne in tufts of 5, are a rich green, often tinged with blue. Zone 4.
P. f. ‘Cesarini Blue’. Intermediate. A lovely blue-needled selection. Its habit is broadly upright. Height: 8ft..
P. f. ‘Pendula’. Large. This cultivar forms a low-growing, wide-spreading ground cover or, if staked, a graceful weeping tree. It has a heavy texture and lovely gray-blue needles. Can grow quite large with time. Pinus mugo – Swiss Mountain Pine The bushy, 2-needled Mugo or Swiss Mountain Pine is naturally small by conifer standards, but the species and many of the cultivars can grow quite large with time. We offer two miniature selections that grow so slowly they’ll never get out of hand. They are good choices for rock gardens or for use as a low, massing ground cover. Like the species, they thrive in dry, sandy soil and are very tolerant of alkaline soil. Zone 3.
P. m. ‘Mops’. Miniature. This selection forms a neat, dense, globose bush that needs no pruning to maintain its shape. 21/2ft x 3ft.
P. m. ‘Valley Cushion’. Miniature. A low, mounding plant that grows very slowly. Its short needles are a medium green. A great rock-garden plant. 12in x 18in. Pinus parviflora – Japanese White Pine This 5-needled species is prized for its many attractive dwarf cultivars. They vary greatly in growth rate and size, with stiff, brushlike needles that range in color from mid-green to silvery blue. The one thing they have in common is a propensity to develop their own unique character, which becomes more pronounced and more appealing with age. Cone production is generally heavy even on young plants. Tolerant of salt spray. Zone 4.
P. p. ‘Adcock’s Dwarf’. Miniature. This very compact selection of the Japanese White Pine has short, gray-green needles bunched at the tips of the branches. It has a somewhat irregular, globose form. Makes an effective focal point in a rock garden. 2ft x 2ft.
P. p. ‘Bergman’. (‘Bergmani’.) Miniature to dwarf. A handsome plant with very distinctive, long, twisted, blue-green needles and bright red pollen cones. Its habit is wide spreading yet upright, often with more than one leader. 11/2ft x 3ft.
P. p. ‘Fukuzumi’. Dwarf. Twisted, gray- blue needles adorn a low, spreading plant that eventually produces a thicket of upright branches. It’s hard to predict exactly how it will grow, but we can promise that it will be remarkably handsome. 3ft x 5ft.
P. p. ‘Glauca Nana’. Dwarf. The cultivar (or botanical form) ‘Glauca’ is a very ornamental, gray blue-needled tree, but it gets too large for many landscapes. This selection grows more slowly and has a more narrowly upright, open habit. The needles are shorter as well and are a rich blue-green in color. 2ft x 1ft.
P. p. ‘Hagoromo’. Miniature. A very dense, congested Japanese White Pine. It has blue-green needles with white stomata and a flat-topped, bun-shaped form. Ideal for the rock garden or a Japanese garden. It grows very slowly to 10–12in x 10–12in.
P. p. ‘Ogon-janome’. Miniature. A Dragon’s Eye Pine that is somewhat similar to P. densiflora ‘Occulus-draconis’, but the banding in this case is a bright golden yellow. Very distinctive and very showy. ‘Ogon-janome’ is difficult for us to propagate but worth all the trouble. 3ft x 3ft.
P. peuce ‘Nana’. Dwarf. A compact selection of the Macedonian Pine. Forms a dense mound, eventually taking on an upright, globe shape. The needles are a deep, dark green, the candles an unusual dark brown. 3ft x 4ft. Zone 5.
P. pumila ‘Glauca’. (‘Dwarf Blue’.) Dwarf. Selected form of the Japanese Stone Pine with lovely gray-blue needles and a low, bushy, spreading habit. Very handsome and very adaptable. 21/2ft x 6ft. Hardiness appears to be in question. Zone 5 for sure and probably much colder. Our native White Pine is a tall, stately tree that has been kind enough to give us many compact and colorful cultivars. The long, fine needles, clustered in 5s along the branches, give both large and small plants a soft, feathery look. Zone 3.
P. s. ‘Blue Mist’. Dwarf. ‘Blue Mist’ is a slow-growing, upright form with soft gray-blue needles. A good choice for the back of the conifer border or for specimen use in a lawn. 3ft x 4ft.
P. s. ‘Brevifolia’. Miniature. Dark blue-green needles, silvery underneath, clothe an extremely compact, pyramidal form. Very slow growing—just 2ft x 1ft.
P. s. ‘Green Shadow’. Dwarf. A multitrunked shrub with a rounded outline and long thick needles of bright green. 4ft x 4ft.
P. s. ‘Horsford’. Miniature. A bun-shaped selection with light lime green needles. 18in x 18in.
P. s. ‘Merrimack’. Dwarf. This cultivar forms a neat, compact, globose mound of long, closely packed, gray-blue needles. It has a crisp, formal outline. 3ft x 3ft.
P. s. ‘Nana’. Dwarf. A compact, globe-shaped plant with attractive blue-green needles. 5–6ft x 3–4ft. Very old plants may grow 8ft tall or more and just as wide, but that’s still a small fraction of the size of the species.
P. s. ‘Pendula’. Large. The Weeping White Pine is an exceptionally graceful tree with pendulous branches and long, soft, blue-green needles. An excellent specimen for a large lawn or garden. It needs to be staked to form a leader. Height and spread depend on how the plant is trained.
NEW P. s. ‘Stony Brook’. Intermediate. Golden needles cover a broad rounded form. Valuable as a year-round accent plant, but we find that it’s at its best in winter, when it seems to glow against snow or the many browns that dominate the landscape at that time of year. 6ft x 6ft. The Scots Pine has long been cultivated in this country because it is adaptable and attractive, with a picturesque branching pattern. The needles, which vary from mid- to blue-green and appear in pairs, are set off by handsome orange or reddish brown peeling bark. Tolerant of poor, dry soil. Zone 3.
P. s. ‘Globosa Viridis’. Dwarf. This selection forms a globose mound that is densely clad with long, shaggy, deep green foliage. It produces two flushes of growth per season. The spring flush is long needled. The late-summer growth is composed of short tufts of bright green juvenile needles that surround white winter buds. 3ft x 2ft.
P. s. ‘Hillside Creeper’. Dwarf to intermediate. A completely prostrate, spreading plant with short, stiff, mid-green needles that turn yellow-green in winter. Makes an attractive and distinctive ground cover. 1ft x 5ft.
P. s. ‘Nana Compacta’. (‘Tabuliformis’.) Dwarf. This selection makes a very dense, flat-topped, tiered mound. The short needles are a handsome gray-blue color. 2ft x 2ft.
P. s. ‘Repens’. Miniature. ‘Repens’ is a prostrate selection that spreads slowly to form an irregular mat covered with long, stiff, gray-green needles. With age, it mounds up in the center. Useful in the rock garden or for filling out a conifer bed. 10in x 2ft. Pinus thunbergii – Japanese Black Pine This 2-needled species is easily distinguished from all other Pines by its large, candlelike buds, which are silvery white and very showy. It thrives in dry, sandy soil and endures salt spray with no ill effects. In fact, Japanese Black Pines have been used to prevent erosion of sand dunes. Zone 6.
P. t. ‘Banshoho’. Dwarf. A compact selection with a broad, flat-topped habit. It produces an abundance of white buds that complement the light green needles. 4ft x 5ft.
P. t. ‘Kotobuki’. Dwarf to intermediate. This selection has a pyramidal habit and short, very dark green needles. Winter buds are white. Height: 6–7ft.
P. t. ‘Thunderhead’. Dwarf. Each branch is covered with densely packed, dark green needles and crowned in winter with large silver white candles. The candles are as attractive as flowers, and their striking contrast with the foliage is visible over a long distance. ‘Thunderhead’ has a tight, low, mounding habit. Worthy of specimen use. 4ft x 5ft.
P. virginiana ‘Wate’s Golden’. Intermediate. The green needles of this Virginia Pine turn bright gold in fall, providing a warm spark in the winter landscape. The shift from green to gold always seems to happen quickly, as though someone has flipped on a light. We often find ourselves calling it “Watt’s” instead of ‘Wate’s Golden’. The habit is upright but irregular. Height: 8ft. Zone 4.
P. wallichiana ‘Zebrina’. Intermediate. A variegated selection of the Himalayan Pine with very long, thin needles that have showy yellow bands. The contrast is effective year round, but especially so in winter. A showy accent plant with a graceful pyramidal habit. 8ft x 4ft. Zone 6.
Potentilla Deciduous shrub Full sun Bush Cinquefoil The shrubby Potentillas are small bushy plants with a rounded habit, dainty leaves, and a propensity to bloom from one end of summer to the other. Only annuals flower for as long as these colorful little shrubs. Potentillas require full sun but grow in practically any soil, from dry to wet, acid to alkaline. They will happily provide their color to shrub or mixed borders and make terrific edging and foundation plants. All they require is light pruning in late winter or early spring to maintain their form. There are probably over a hundred cultivars now. Here are two of the best. Zone 2.
P. fruticosa ‘Abbotswood’. Dark blue-green foliage offers a nice contrast to the large (11/2in) white flowers, which appear heavily in June and continue to open right through summer. 3ft x 3ft.
P. f. ‘Primrose Beauty’. The name describes the flowers, which are indeed primrose yellow, paling with age, but says nothing about the equally handsome gray foliage. A small but very nice package. Harmonizes perfectly with blue-needled conifers. 3ft x 4ft.
Pseudotsuga menziesii ‘Fletcheri’ Conifer Full sun to part shade Douglas Fir ‘Fletcheri’ has short, soft, blue-green needles and an irregular, flat-topped, bushy habit. Some authorities rate it among the best of all dwarf conifers. It makes a handsome foundation or border plant. Color holds well in part shade. Grows about 21/2ft tall in 10 years. A mature plant tops out at around 6ft. Zone 5.
Pyracantha Evergreen shrub Full sun Firethorn Pyracanthas are grown for their lustrous evergreen leaves, their showy masses of white spring flowers, and perhaps most of all for their heavy fall crops of red or orange berries. They are medium to large shrubs with stiff, spiny branches that make them perfect for informal hedges or barriers—no one would dare to push through them. They can also be trained into marvelous espaliers. Pyracanthas need full sun to flower and fruit well, and they also require well-drained soil. They are very tolerant of dry soil and drought and perform well in soils that range from acid to mildly alkaline. Some Pyracanthas are susceptible to scab and fire blight, but the two National Arboretum introductions we grow are very resistant.
P. ‘Mohave’. An abundance of small white flowers in late May results in masses of orange-red berries that ripen in fall and persist through winter. Densely branched, upright habit. Height: 6–10ft. Zone 7.
P. ‘Teton’. A very vigorous, very upright hybrid that bears white flowers in spring and a good crop of yellow-orange berries in fall and winter. Height: 10–15ft. It is hardier than ‘Mohave’—to Zone 6. 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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