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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 Vaccinium Vaccinium Deciduous shrub/Evergreen ground cover Full sun to part shade A genus of acid-loving shrubs in the Heath family, some of which produce berries of commercial importance, most notably the High-bush Blueberry (V. corymbosum) and the American Cranberry (V. macrocarpon). They earn a place in the lanDeciduous shrubcape with their clusters of dainty, bell-shaped flowers and colorful berries. Many are evergreen, and the deciduous kinDeciduous shrub generally have striking fall color. We offer several low-growing species and cultivars that make hanDeciduous shrubome and unusual ground covers or edging plants. Their cultural requirements vary, but there is one thing they all demand: decidedly acid soil (pH below 6).
V. angustifolium. The Low-bush Blueberry is indeed a low, dense bush that produces blue berries in summer. The berries are very sweet, delicious on their own or in pies, jams, and muffins. They are preceded by pinkish white flowers in April. Plants are deciduous. Their lustrous dark green leaves turn shades of bronze, scarlet, or crimson before they drop in fall. The Low-bush Blueberry thrives in lean, well-drained, acid soil and full sun. In Maine, where it grows wild, it is often found in very poor, sandy or rocky soil. 6–24in x 2–3ft. Zone 2.
V. crassifolium ‘Wells Delight’. An evergreen ground cover with very densely set, lustrous dark green foliage covering a thick carpeting form. The new growth in spring is a brilliant, eye-catching bronze-red, and the little white flowers that follow give way to small, dark-colored berries. 5in x 4–6ft. Hardier than the species—to Zone 6.
V. macrocarpon ‘Hamilton’. This dwarf selection of our native Cranberry is a highly ornamental plant. It’s a mat-forming evergreen with small, rounded, tightly set, dark green leaves that turn a deep cranberry in fall. The pinkish white flowers that appear in late May aren’t very showy, but they are succeeded by hanDeciduous shrubome, dark red berries in autumn. Slow to become established but quite stunning when planted en masse. You don’t need a peat bog to grow this Cranberry, but full sun and evenly moist, acid soil are essential. Size after 8 years: just 2in x 12in. Zone 2.
V. vitus-idaea var. majus. This variety of the Cowberry or Lingonberry is a dense, shrubby, evergreen ground cover with glossy, dark green foliage; clusters of pink buDeciduous shrub that open to small white flowers in May; bright red fruits in fall; and striking mahogany winter foliage color. It creeps by underground stems to form a low thicket. A very decorative plant that deserves wider use. Plant in full sun or partial shade and evenly moist, acid soil. A thick layer of mulch helps keep the soil moist and cool. 10in x 2ft. Zone 2.
V. v. var. minus. A dwarf version of the foregoing. Its leaves are smaller, and it grows just half as tall. It has spectacular bright pink buDeciduous shrub that open to white blooms in May. A very nice evergreen for the rock garden. Native to much of Canada and down into Massachusetts. Height: 5in. Zone 2.
Viburnum Deciduous shrub/Evergreen shrub Full sun to part shade Among the Viburnums can be found some of the most attractive, adaptable, and useful of ornamental shrubs. They offer, alone or in combination, hanDeciduous shrubome foliage, showy and sometimes fragrant flowers, striking fruit displays, and memorable fall color. All are easy to grow in full sun or partial shade and in reasonably moist but well-drained soil. Although they prefer slightly acid soil, they perform quite well both in very acid and slightly alkaline conditions. Hardiness varies with the species or cultivar.
V. carlesii ‘Compactum’. A compact Korean Spice Viburnum that forms a neat rounded bush. In all other respects, it is similar to the species, producing domed heaDeciduous shrub of intensely fragrant white flowers just as the dark green leaves are emerging in April. 3ft x 3ft. Zone 5.
V. ‘Conoy’. This evergreen hybrid has very hanDeciduous shrubome, glossy, dark green leaves that take on a maroon shade in fall and persist through winter. They offer a nice backdrop for the clusters of lightly fragrant, creamy white flowers, which open from knots of rose-pink buDeciduous shrub in late April. Plants grow slowly to form a broad, spreading mound. 3ft x 5ft. Zone 6.
V. nudum ‘Winterthur’. This selection of our native Smooth Withe Rod produces broad clusters of creamy white flowers in June. The fruits that follow are even more attractive, as they change from white to pink to blue and finally to black. The foliage is lustrous and turns a deep reddish purple before it drops in fall. Winner of the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society’s Gold Medal. Upright, rounded habit. 5ft x 3ft. Zone 5.
NEW V. opulus ‘Roseum’. The European Snowball Bush, or Guelder Rose, as it is known in England, bears an abundance of 3in balls of sterile flowers that open apple green and mature creamy white against a backdrop of three-lobed leaves. The early May display is carried on a large, upright, multistemmed shrub whose lower branches often arch down to the soil and take root. The European Snowball Bush has a casual, old-fashioned look that allows it to blend easily in the shrub border. It also makes an excellent informal screen and, space permitting, can be used as a specimen at the foot of a dark-colored old farm house or Victorian cottage. More tolerant of wet feet than most other Viburnums. 12ft x 8ft. Zone 3. Viburnum plicatum – Doublefile Viburnum The Doublefile Viburnum is an exceptionally elegant shrub with a horizontal branching pattern that gives it a broad, tiered look. The sweeping branches are lined with serrated, dark green leaves that hang down like pennants. In May, double rows of buDeciduous shrub on top of the branches open to pure white (occasionally pink) lacecap or snowball flowers that gleam like freshly fallen snow and outshine any other plant that has the misfortune to bloom at the same time. If two cultivars are planted near each other, the flowers are succeeded in late summer by bunches of small red fruits that turn black as they mature. The leaves take on a deep wine color to close out the growing season, and the tiered branches are attractive through winter. An outstanding addition to the shrub border; the larger selections are suited to specimen use. Plants need a few years to settle in before they bloom well. Zone 5.
V. p. ‘Nanum Semperflorens’. (‘Watanabe’.) The Latin describes the virtues of this selection succinctly: a compact everbloomer. It grows about half the size of the species and blooms continuously from May to September. The glistening white, lacecap flowers are a refreshing sight in summer heat; they look like falling snowflakes. 5ft x 8ft.
V. p. ‘Shasta’. Especially large lacecaps of pure white. At peak bloom, they almost obscure the foliage. A first-rate introduction from the National Arboretum. 6ft x 12ft.
V. p. ‘Shoshoni’. A seedling of ‘Shasta’ that is similar in every way except size: it grows just 4ft x 6ft. A good choice for a small property.
NEW Vitex agnus-castus ‘Shoal Creek’ Deciduous shrub Full sun Chaste Tree If your customers feel restricted by the small palette of summer-flowering shrubs, we suggest you introduce them to the Chaste Tree. In June and July, it throws 12in panicles of lightly scented, blue-violet flowers above equally attractive gray-green compound leaves. After the main show is done, smaller panicles continue to appear right through summer. The Chaste Tree is vase-shaped when young, becoming rounded with age. Here on Long Island, where it is perfectly hardy, we never have to prune it (though we could to keep it more compact). In Zone 6, plants often suffer winter dieback, and in severe winters may be killed to the ground. Give them a hard haircut and they will grow 4–7ft in just a few months and flower on or close to schedule. The Chaste Tree requires full sun but isn’t fussy about soil. It likes some moisture during the growing season, but true to its Mediterranean origins, it will get by just fine in a drought. 8–10ft x 8–10 ft. 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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