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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 Salix - Willow
Spartium - Spanish Broom Salix Deciduous shrub/Deciduous tree Full sun Willow This genus of moisture-loving trees and shrubs contains many weedy species and a handful of highly ornamental plants. Their leaves are generally long and narrow, their branches arching, giving the plants a fine-textured, graceful look. Some, like the Pussy Willows, bear fuzzy catkins that appear before the leaves emerge in spring. Willows thrive in full sun and moist, even wet, soil and tolerate a wide range of soil pH. They grow happily in poorly drained areas where most other woody plants would soon rot, and they are ideally suited to stream- and pondside plantings.
S. babylonica ‘Crispa’. An uncommon and unusual Weeping Willow with narrow leaves that are curled into spirals, completely changing the look and feel of the plant. Some may question the appeal of this cultivar, but for the collector or the designer seeking to make a statement, it is irresistible. Its natural tendency is to form a 30ft x 40ft tree, but it can be pruned to the desired size. Zone 6.
S. ‘Boyd’s Pendulous’. This is a low, creeping plant that rarely exceeds 1ft in height but spreads several feet across. It has handsome, dark red stems that bear small white catkins in early spring and small linear leaves. It looks terrific draped over a wall and can be staked to create a miniature Weeping Willow. 1ft x 4–6ft. Zone 4.
S. gracilistyla ‘Melanostachys’. Black Pussy Willow. An interesting and attractive twist on a familiar theme. The stems and early-spring catkins are a deep purplish black. The anthers in the catkins are brick red, then yellow. This plant stands out strongly in the landscape, and its branches can be forced along with those of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) to make striking winter bouquets. ‘Melanostachys’ is a spreading shrub with a height of 6–10ft. Zone 5.
S. integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’. This variegated cultivar is grown for its showy tricolor foliage, which is green with pink and white tips. Makes a bright and colorful accent for a waterside planting. Left unpruned, it grows upright to a height of 6–10ft, but an annual crew cut in late winter will keep it much more compact. Zone 5.
Sambucus Deciduous shrub Full sun to part shade Elderberry A small group of deciduous shrubs and small trees with large, compound leaves; broad, flat-topped heads of creamy flowers in early summer; and dense clusters of shiny black fruits that birds, and occasionally people, devour. We offer two selections of the Common or European Elder (S. nigra) that offer colorful foliage as well as flowers and fruit. Both make attractive and distinctive additions to the shrub or mixed border. They need full sun for best foliage color and prefer evenly moist soil, but they aren’t picky about pH. Left unpruned, these Elderberries quickly form large, suckering, upright shrubs. They can be kept smaller through pruning in early spring, which also encourages them to produce more of their colorful new growth but may inhibit flowering (flowers and fruits are produced on the previous year’s growth). Some gardeners forsake the flowers altogether and treat the plants like perennials, cutting them to the ground every spring. Zone 4.
NEW S. nigra Black Beauty™ (‘Gerda’). PPAF. This recent introduction from the UK was named for its incredible dark purple foliage, which, in our experience thus far, holds its color through summer. It also offers broad heads of light pink blooms (rather than the usual cream) and a soft lemony scent—this is the first Elderberry with fragrant flowers. The fruits (those that the birds don’t get) make a tasty jam. Black Beauty is a standout no matter where it’s planted, but we like its dark coloring with silver-leaved plants and those bearing pink flowers. Size (if not pruned) after 5–7 years: 8–10ft x 5–6ft.
S. n. ‘Madonna’. A variegated selection with green, gold, and cream foliage that is often outlined with golden yellow. Serves as a bold garden highlight. Try planting it with Weigela ‘Red Prince’. Height: 5–7ft.
Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis Evergreen ground cover Part shade to shade Sweet Box Sweet Box is a welcome addition to the short list of evergreen ground covers for shade. It spreads slowly by stolons to form a very plush carpet of narrow, glossy, dark olive-green leaves. In very early spring (March here), it makes small, creamy white flowers that would probably go unnoticed if it weren’t for their fragrance, which is strong and sweet. Sweet Box needs shade and moist, humus-rich, acid soil. Once established, it tolerates drought well. An excellent choice for the north side of a house, for a woodland garden, or as an underplanting for a specimen tree or large shrub. Height: 12in. Zone 6.
Schizophragma Deciduous ground cover Full sun to shade This awful tongue twister is the label applied to a small genus of very handsome vines. They are quite similar in appearance to the Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris), but they are generally less vigorous, they hug whatever they are climbing (they don’t have the layered look of the Climbing Hydrangea), and they bloom later, toward the end of June, when the Climbing Hydrangea is on the wane. Cultural requirements are the same—full sun or shade and rich, moist, well-drained soil. Plants are slow to become established, then come on strong. Height: 20–30ft. Zone 5.
S. hydrangeoides ‘Moonlight’. A deciduous, clinging vine or ground cover that attaches itself to almost any surface with rootlike holdfasts. The serrated, heart-shaped, blue-green leaves are lightly frosted with silver, which contrasts nicely with the dark green veins. The lacy, flat-topped clusters of white flowers appear in late June.
S. h. ‘Roseum’. As above, but the foliage is dark green, the flowers flushed with pink, giving the display a hint of warmth. This cultivar is new to this country and highly desirable.
Sciadopitys verticillata Conifer Full sun to part shade Umbrella Pine This evergreen conifer makes an exceptionally elegant specimen tree. Its long, thick, glossy, dark green needles are arranged in whorls around the stems, like the spokes of an umbrella, and give this plant a most distinctive and appealing texture. The Umbrella Pine is very slow starter but will grow large in time. It has a rigid, upright, conical form but is nevertheless quite refined. The needles typically turn olive-green in winter. The Umbrella Pine does well planted in either full sun or light shade. It requires rich, moist, well-drained acid soil. Height: 20ft or more. Zone 5.
Skimmia Evergreen shrub Part shade to shade A small group of shade-loving, evergreen shrubs native to the Far East. They are generally compact in habit, forming low, rounded bushes that are ideal companions for large Azaleas and Rhododendrons in a woodland garden. They are also useful for edging a shady border or decorating a north-facing foundation. Skimmias need shade and evenly moist, acid soil enriched with plenty of organic matter to perform well. They are fully hardy in Zone 7 and in protected locations in Zone 6.
S. japonica. This species bears glossy, dark green, oval leaves on a dense, compact shrub. Plants are either male or female. Male plants bear large, showy heads of reddish pink buds that open in April to creamy white, sweetly scented flowers. The flowers of female plants are smaller and less fragrant, but they are followed by clusters of bright red berries that ripen in fall and persist through winter. Females only bear fruit if they have a male plant to pollinate them. One male will pollinate up to 6 females. When ordering, please specify whether you want male or female plants. 3ft x 4ft.
S. j. subsp. reevesiana. A smaller version of the species that bears bisexual flowers, which means that each plant produces berries without need of a pollinator. Has a more open habit than the species. 11/2–2ft x 2–3ft.
Sorbaria kirilowii Deciduous shrub Full sun to part shade False Spirea (Formerly S. arborea.) A suckering deciduous shrub with slender, pointed leaflets and fleecy, plume-like white flowers in large (12–15in) panicles in midsummer. We have a 10-year-old specimen here at the nursery that puts on a terrific show every year. Its flowers are so large that they weigh down the branches, making it look as though it’s weeping. This species is easy to grow in full sun or partial shade and evenly moist soil. Tolerant of a wide range of soil pH. Useful in the shrub border or massed in a natural garden. 8ft x 8ft. Zone 5
Spartium junceum Evergreen shrub Full sun Spanish Broom This uncommon Mediterranean species is closely related to the more familiar Broom that goes under the botanical name Cytisus. The Spanish version is a fine-textured deciduous shrub with small leaves and rushlike green stems that remain attractive through winter. In June, it produces an abundance of large, fragrant, golden yellow, Pea-shaped flowers followed by intermittent blooms through summer and often a strong finish in September. Like Cytisus, it’s a fast-growing plant that needs lots of sun and thrives in well-drained, sandy soil, making it ideal for seaside gardens. Left unpruned, it grows quite large (to 12ft) and straggly. An annual hard pruning (of the green wood only) in early spring results in a fuller, more floriferous plant with a more manageable height of 4–6ft. Zone 7.
Spiraea Deciduous shrub Full sun An important genus in the Rose family that includes a large number of spring- and summer-flowering deciduous shrubs. Those that bloom in summer (including all of the cultivars we list, except S. betulifolia ‘Tor’) provide color over a long period that begins in June and continues into August (if plants are sheared after the first round of flowers go by). In addition to flowers, many Spiraeas have colorful new growth and attractive fall foliage, and their twiggy, cinnamon-colored stems look delightful when dusted with snow. All are easy to grow in full sun and any well-drained soil, and they tolerate drought once established. They’re also easy to use in the landscape, because they make ideal plants for edging and massing and combine readily with conifers and perennials in a mixed border. Zone 4.
S. betulifolia ‘Tor’. Birch Leaf Spirea. Bright clusters of white flowers in May and distinctive bright green foliage that turns excellent shades of reddish purple in fall. This is the only spring-flowering Spiraea we offer. It has a compact, dense, rounded form. Height: 2ft.
S. x billiardii ‘Triumphans’. (S. x pseudosalicifolia.) A suckering, upright shrub that mounts an impressive display of purple-pink flowers borne in dense, plumed spikes in summer. It is under-represented in gardens. Prefers acid soils. Height: 5ft.
NEW S. fritschiana Pink Parasols™ (‘Wilma’). The Korean Spiraea is little known in this country, but the introduction of Pink Parasols promises to raise its profile. Pink Parasols produces lots of large flat heads of soft pink flowers in early June over low mounds of handsome blue-green foliage that remains attractive through summer. In fall, the leaves turn a vibrant orange-red, providing a third season of interest. This appealing variation on a familiar theme should spark interest in customers who are showing signs of Spiraea fatigue. 2–3ft x 3–4ft.
S. japonica var. alpina. (S. j. ‘Nana’.) This low-growing form produces flat heads of pink flowers that are set off by delicate, blue-green leaves. Fall color is an unusual gray-plum. 15in x 3–4ft.
S. j. ‘Candle Light’. (S. x bumalda.) The name describes the foliage, which is a soft butter yellow that is easy on the eye and does not war with the pink flowers. In fall, the leaves turn a deep orange-red. Compact habit. 2ft.
NEW S. j. ‘Fire Light’. A recently introduced foliage Spiraea from England. The leaves are a deep red-orange that holds well through the growing season, then turns fiery red in fall. The early-summer flowers are pink, which clashes a bit with the orange, but they soon pass and the spectacular foliage keeps on burning. 2–3ft x 2–3ft.
NEW S. j. ‘Golden Elf’. PP #12,025. The name tells you what need to know. This is a very dwarf Spiraea with bright golden yellow foliage. It has the usual pink flowers in late spring (with occasional rebloom in summer), but what sells this plant is its dainty golden leaves and its diminutive size. Excellent for massing as a ground cover. It can also be used in containers and is small enough for the rock garden, where it provides a patch of color after the spring-bloomers have faded. 6–9in x 24in.
S. j. ‘Goldflame’. (S. x bumalda.) The outstanding characteristic of this selection is its showy new growth. For two weeks in spring, the emerging leaves are a blazing orange-red, turning mid-green for the summer. The same orange-red coloring returns in fall. Pink flowers. Height: 3ft.
S. j. ‘Little Princess’. A very popular selection. It is similar to S. j. var. alpina, but a bit more vigorous. It bears lots of pink flower heads above fine green foliage. Fall color is golden yellow. Height: 24–30in.
S. j. ‘Shibori’. (‘Shirobana’.) This cultivar has a split personality. It produces pink and white flowers on the same plant and often side by side in the same flower head. The foliage is an especially handsome dark green and turns golden yellow in fall. Nice, wide-spreading form. 3ft x 5ft.
NEW S. j. ‘White Gold’. PPAF. For those who love gold-leaved Spiraeas but hate to see them bloom, we’re pleased to offer ‘White Gold’. It has handsome golden foliage and pure white flowers rather than the typical pink. This cultivar is new and in short supply. 3ft x 3ft.
NEW Stachyurus praecox Deciduous shrub Full sun to part shade After a long winter, gardeners hunger for signs of spring, and the few plants willing to flower in the face of lingering frost are highly prized. Most of these hardy souls are familiar, but there is one that has managed to avoid the limelight. Stachyurus praecox is a deciduous shrub from Japan that puts on a charming late-winter display. Beginning in the first half of March, its bare branches produce a shower of 2–3in, dangling racemes composed of small, pale yellow flowers. They are most effective when presented in an evergreen context, with (for example) Pinus strobus behind and Rhododendrons in the foreground. After the flowers fade, the broad smooth leaves emerge, cloaking the plant’s upright, arching form in quiet green while creating the energy needed to mount the following winter’s bright show. Stachyurus is at home in full sun or partial shade and evenly moist, acid soil, preferably laden with plenty of organic matter. 6–8ft x 6–8ft. Zone 6.
Stephanandra incisa ‘crispa’ Deciduous ground cover Full sun to part shade A deciduous ground-covering shrub from Japan and Korea with deeply cut, bright green leaves borne on graceful, arching stems that root where they touch the ground. Fall color is often a nice reddish orange. The plant makes creamy flowers in May, but they are largely inconspicuous; the foliage is what counts. Stephanandra grows in full sun or partial shade and prefers evenly moist, acid soil. That said, it gets by quite well in dry soil and tolerates some salt spray. An excellent cover for a sunny bank that’s too steep to mow. 2ft x 3ft. Zone 4.
Stranvaesia davidiana var. undulata ‘prostrata’ Evergreen shrub Full sun to part shade This little-known shrub with the impossibly long name (stran-VEE-see-uh is all you need to say) is a highly ornamental broad-leaved evergreen with a low-growing, wide-spreading habit. It would be worth growing for its glossy, wavy, dark green foliage alone, but it also offers flattened clusters of white flowers in summer that are followed by dangling bunches of long-lasting red berries. In fall, the berries are upstaged by the leaves, which turn a very striking burgundy. An interesting and attractive foundation and border shrub for folks who are looking for something different. It grows happily in full sun or light shade and evenly moist, acid soil to which organic matter has been added. 3ft x 6ft. Zone 6.
Symphoricarpos Deciduous shrub Full sun to part shade A group of small to medium-size deciduous shrubs, many of which are native to North America. They attract little notice until fall, when abundant clusters of berries appear as if from nowhere. The berries hold up well despite repeated frosts and are of no interest to birds, so they remain effective long after the leaves drop—often into early winter. We offer two Dutch hybrids of American species that bear especially heavy crops of fruit. Both thrive in full sun or partial shade and almost any soil, from sand to clay, acid to alkaline. They make a distinctive presence in a shrub border or a garden designed for winter interest. Zone 4.
S. ´ doorenbosii ‘Magic Berry’. This upright shrub produces loads of rose-pink berries that deepen in color to an unusual, eye-catching cranberry as they age. Striking in the garden—and in a fall display at the garden center. 5ft x 3ft.
NEW S. ´ d. ‘White Hedge’. Large white berries appear at the tips of the stems, as well as along the sides, making for an especially showy fall finale. As the name suggests, the habit is upright, at least until the sheer weight of the fruit causes the stems to arch downward. Plants may need a year or two to settle in before they fruit heavily. 5ft x 3–4ft.
Syringa Deciduous shrub Full sun to part shade Lilac Lilacs need little introduction. Their fragrant flowers have always been near and dear to American gardeners. The Common Lilac (S. vulgaris) remains the most popular, with hundreds of cultivars to choose from. We’re especially fond of some of the lesser known species, which are generally more compact than the Common Lilac and resistant to powdery mildew. With few exceptions, Lilacs flower best in full sun and require well-drained, fertile soil with a pH that is slightly acid to neutral.
NEW S. laciniata. The Cutleaf Lilac is unlike any other Lilac you’ve seen. The bright green foliage, rather than being round or heart-shaped, is deeply lobed, giving the plant a distinctive feathery look that will have even your most knowledgeable customers scratching their heads. The soft purplish blue flowers are on the small side, but they are arranged in 3in panicles that are produced in abundance in early May, and they have that unmistakable Lilac scent. The other thing that sets this Lilac apart is its tolerance of shade; it will bloom satisfactorily even where it gets no more than a few hours of direct sun. Plants have a dense, rounded habit and a tendency to sucker. 6–8ft x 6–8ft. Zone 4.
S. meyeri ‘Palibin’. A dense, compact shrub with small, cupped leaves that are a lustrous dark green in summer and often turn reddish purple in fall. The fragrant, lavender-pink flowers open from reddish purple buds in early May. Its compact size makes it ideal for use in mixed borders. 4ft x 6ft. Zone 3.
S. microphylla ‘Superba’. The Littleleaf Lilac has the useful habit of blooming twice—first in late May and then, less heavily, in August or September. It’s also quite willing to bloom in partial shade. Buds are burgundy in color, the ensuing flowers white and pink. Very fragrant. Plants are generally much broader than they are tall. 5ft x 7ft. Zone 4.
S. patula ‘Miss Kim’. A late bloomer that waits until late May or early June to produce its panicles of fragrant, icy violet blooms. The broad, pointed leaves turn gold and burgundy in fall. Plants have an upright habit, becoming more rounded with age. Terrific with blue Tall Bearded Irises, which bloom at the same time. 6ft x 6ft. Zone 4.
S. vulgaris ‘Sensation’. This Common Lilac earns a place in our list with its picotee flowers, which are purple with a fine white edge. They’re just as fragrant as the ones your grandmother grew. Introduced by the late Father Fiala, originator of many fine Lilacs. 10ft x 6ft. Zone 3. 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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