DAPHNE x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie'

BETULA Fox Valley™ (Betula nigra 'Little King')The river Birch ranks high among the genus as a superior landscape tree with light textured foliage that beautifully captures the sunlight and flutters on even the slightest breeze , closely imitating the Quacking Aspen, (foliage is highly resistant to birch bore), plus  beautiful exfoliating bark that peels away in contrasting cinnamon and cream colored strips, and, an upright, oval structure with a light, airy quality. 'Little King' has all the above attributes, combined in a small, sturdy package, attaining only 12ft. in height in 20 yrs.  This smaller size allows for group planting as well as specimen use wherever a beautiful small tree or large shrub is desired. Moist, acid soil is preferred; leaf chlorosis may develop in high pH situations. Zone 4.

jacquemontii Whitebarked Himalayan BirchThe brilliant white bark of this selection is considered the whitest of all birches. See Michael Dirr's 'Manual of Woody Landscape Plants' for a complete discussion of this beautiful yet obscure birch. Reaches 30-40ft. in height with a pyramidal/oval shape. Foliage is medium green, fine textured. Zone 5. '

BUDDLEIA (Butterfly Bush) alternifolia 'Argentea'Large shrub or small tree to 10-12'. Silvery leaves on graceful arching branches, bright lilac-purple flowers in dense clusters in June. Handsome and truly hardy and therefore should not be cut back hard each spring as is recommended for the dividii types. Blooms on old wood, so any pruning should be done right after flowering. Zone 5.

'Black Knight'Prized for its showy dark violet to dark purple flower panicles. Gray-green foliage on tall, upright stems. Full sun, good drainage. Zone 5.

'Petite Purple' New Lower growing, attaining only 5ft. in height, with shorter,(3-4in.), lavender-purple, fragrant flowers produced all summer long over willowy, gray-green foliage. Zone 5.

'Pink Delight'A strong grower with true pink, slightly fragrant flower panicles, 6 - 12 ins. long, profusely borne. Compact, rounded habit. Zone 5.

BUXUS sempervirens 'Graham Blandy' Striking, very narrow upright habit. Tremendous focal point and excellent for hedging where space is limited. Very slow growing, in 10 yrs. reaching 9ft. high by 1 1/2ft. wide. Not fussy about soil but does best when pH is 6 or higher. We've had our plant in the ground for many years and have experienced negligible winter burn. No special winter protection is applied. Zone 4.

BUXUS x 'Green Mountain'A cross between the Littleleaf and Common Box displaying the best qualities of both parents, - hardiness, compact size, and good leaf color year round. 'Green Mountain' has a neat, upright, pyramidal habit, 5 ft. tall by 3 ft. wide at the base. Great for hedging. Leaves retain good green color all winter. Easy in average, alkaline soil with a pH of 6 or higher. Zone 5.

CALLUNA vulgaris (Scotch Heather)Popular dwarf flowering evergreen shrubs for rock gardens, perennial gardens and groundcovers, beautiful in both flower and foliage. Some Callunas have especially colorful foliage, which tend to peak in the cooler temperatures, and assume more demure shades of green in summer, when flowering.  Callunas prefer acidic, sandy, organic, moist, well drained soil. Avoid windy spots, and do not over-fertilize. All are hardy to zone 5, and even colder zones with protection. 

CALLUNA v. 'Allegro' New 18ins. high by 24ins. across with dark green, upright foliage and crimson flowers in July-Sept..

CALLUNA v. J. H. 'Hamilton' 4ins. tall,(foliage), by 12ins. across with dark green foliage and double, deep pink flowers in Aug.- Sept., spreading habit.

CALLUNA v. 'Firefly' New 18ins. tall by 20ins. wide. Summer foliage exhibits showy amber/orange tones.  Winter foliage is vibrant brick-red. ERICA carnea 'Pirbright' N Deep mauve flowers in Aug.-Sept. on a sturdy, dense frame.

CALYCANTHUS floridus Sweetshrub   Dense, rounded shrubs with clean, glossy, dark green foliage and 2in. wide, white flowers from mid April into mid May. Flowers may be strongly scented with sweet, fruity scent, or, they may not be. The only way to be sure is to wait until they bloom and then give them the smell test. Buying a named cultivar is another way to guarantee fragrance. 6-9ft. tall and at least as wide. Grow in rich, moist soil in sun or shade. Prune after flowering. Zone 4.

CARYOPTERIS x clandonensis (Blue Mist Shrub)Clusters of brilliant blue to violet-blue flowers on spikes of new wood. Blooms in late summer just in time to combine with Heleniums, Rudbeckias, and Sedum for a last burst of color! Requires hot, full sun and good drainage. In our borders, all Caryopteris are cut back to within 6-12ins. of the ground in early spring. They quickly regrow, and bloom unfailingly.

'Dark Knight'Deep, startlingly blue flower clusters overspread mounds of silvery-grey foliage in late summer. Grows 1 1/2ft. tall by 2ft. wide.

CEANOTHUS americanus New Jersey TeaA native shrub with a dense mounding habit, dark green, glossy leaves and a pretty display of white flowers in June and July. Flowers are followed by attractive seed pods. Best in full sun, very drought tolerant, and nitrogen fixing. Zone 4.

CERCIDIPHYLLUM japonicum 'Pendula' Katsuratree New This is the weeping form of the more commonly seen upright, pyramidal type. It retains all the 1st class qualities of the species and then goes one better by displaying its branches in a graceful, down-sweeping confluence. Handsome blue-green leaves pack the closely placed branches forming a dramatic, cascading specimens that, at maturity, can measure 15-18ft. high by 20-30ft. wide. Zone 4.

CERCIS canadensis 'Covey'A weeping Redbud with branches that arch gracefully to form an umbrella-shaped crown. Flowers are bright rosy purple, produced all along the stem in early spring, before the leaves unfurl. Grows 8-10 ft. tall. Plant in full sun to light shade, in moist but well drained soil. Adapted to a wide range of soil types except those that are constantly moist Zone 5.

'Forest Pansy' New foliage emerges a shimmering red-purple, greening up somewhat as the season progresses, though always retaining a purple cast. Rosy pink flowers emerge in very early spring before the leaves. Flowers are held very close to the stems, looking as though they had burst right through the smooth, gray, flesh-like bark. A small tree, 20-30 ft. tall with a handsome rounded silhouette, often multi stemmed. Zone 5.

CHAENOMELES (Flowering Quince) 'Cameo'Lovely, double peach-colored 2" flowers bloom in late April-early May, on practically thornless branches. Will attain 4' high and wide after several years. Zone 5. 

CHAMAEDAPHNE (Leatherleaf)  calyculata 'Tiny Tom'A small, under 2' tall, evergreen shrub with an open habit of thin, wiry branches. Leaves are dusty green, 1-2ins. long and half as wide. The small individual white flowers which appear in June are grouped together in 3 to 5" long terminal racemes. Requires moisture and is an ideal subject for a wet, boggy, even partially shaded area. Hardy to zone 3.

CHIONANTHUS virginicus (Fringe Tree)Beautiful and fragrant pendulous white flower clusters in spring. One of the finest native shrubs/small trees available, with medium to dark green foliage and a spreading, slightly open habit, 12-20' high and wide. Zone 4.

CLEMATIS - see Vines for descriptions of both climbing and non-climbing types.

CLETHRA alnifolia (Summersweet)Highly fragrant July blooming spikes, bright yellow fall color. One of the few summer-flowering shrubs that bloom in shade, 3-8' high and 4-6' wide. It has been our experience that all Summersweets bloom best in full sun or light shade and are very forgiving of soil types and moisture levels. Hardy to Zone 4. The following cultivars have proven to be the best performers to date:

CLETHRA 'Ruby Spice'Flowers are red in bud, opening to a deep pink.

 

barbinervis (Japanese Clethra)A beautiful large shrub or small tree. Dark green leaves cluster at the ends of the branches in a whorled pattern, as do the lightly fragrant, 6" long, white flower panicles. Bloom lasts from mid July into August. An outstanding ornamental feature is its beautiful cinnamon brown, exfoliating bark. Plants will reach 15 to 20' in height and are hardy in zone 5.

COMPTONIA peregrina (Sweetfern)2-4' high and wide with colonizing, mostly upright branches that form a fairly rounded mass. The deciduous leaves are long and narrow and wonderfully fragrant. Grows in full sun to light shade in the most infertile, driest locations, and also in more favorable spots. Has the ability to fix nitrogen. This shrub is a delight to bushwhack through in the wild, as one becomes completely enveloped in its pungent aroma. Especially good for difficult, more naturalistic areas. Hardy to Zone 2.

CORNUS alba 'Cream Cracker'A new, variegated, shrub dogwood with lots of color as well as excellent resistance to leaf spot. Older leaves have cream colored variegation while the younger leaves have a golden yellow margin. Decorative purple-red stems in winter. 6ft. high and wide. Like most of the shrub dogwoods, 'Cream Cracker' can be cut back hard in early spring to promote fresh new growth. Zone 3.

controversa New A standout small tree to large shrub, especially appealing for its horizontally held, wide spreading branches that lend great architectural bearing. Dark green leaves and flat-topped, creamy white flower clusters in early spring, followed by dark blue to black fruit in late summer. Zone 5, possibly 4.

kousa 'Elizabeth Lustgarten' New A beautiful weeping shrub developing a rounded, downward flowing crown, 7ft. high and 5ft. wide after 12yrs. Zone 5.

sericea ( formerly C. stolonifera ) 'Arctic Fire'A compact shrub dogwood with dark red winter twigs and a smaller, ( 3-4 ft. tall ), nonsuckering habit. A handsome shrub year-round, but especially effective in the winter landscape against a snowy background. Prefers moist soil but plants are very adaptable to a wide range of conditions. Its extensive fibrous root system and ease of culture make it a good choice where erosion control is needed. Zone 3.                                 

CORYLOPSIS spicata (Spike Winterhazel)A somewhat open, spreading habit, 6ft.(10ft.) tall, of artfully angled and curved branches that create an architecturally pleasing scaffolding from which dangle the 2in. long, fragrant, yellow recemes in April. Plant in rich, moist, well drained soil, in full sun to part shade. Because they bloom so early , it's worthwhile siting plants so they receive as little exposure as possible to late winter, early spring sun, in an effort to delay bloom and avoid damage from late frosts. To my mind, this is a shrub that comes close to having it all, interesting form year-round, plus stylishly presented, fragrant recemes in spring. Native to the mountains of Japan. Zone 5.

CORYLUS avellana 'Contorta' (Harry Lauder's Walking Stick) A fascinating tangle of twisted, coiled and swirled branches 8-10ft. tall. Always a curiosity, but especially effective in winter when twigs are clearly discernable. Plant in full sun to light shade in all but the worst soils. Important to remove suckers as they develop. Zone 4.

'Majestic'Curly, contorted branches forming a unique and outstanding specimen for the garden in all seasons, but particularly in winter when the twisted branches are fully visible. Add deep red foliage, and you have a stunning ornamental that looks great all year. Ultimate size is 10-12' high and wide. Prune out suckers to maintain contorted form. Hardy to zone 4.                           

COTINUS 'Golden Spirit'    A new smokebush with golden yellow leaves that transforms to shades of coral, orange and red in Autumn. Leaves do not scorch in direct sunlight. Easy in average to poor, well drained soils in full sun. Zone 5.

COTONEASTER horizontalis 'Perpusillus'  A spreading habit, 1ft. high by 5-7ft. wide. Plants flow outward through a series of tiered, horizontal branches clothed in tiny, lustrous, ½in. dark green leaves. Leaves are tightly packed, forming a solid mat. Flowers appear in late May into June, ¼in. wide, light pink. Though small, they are profuse and create a nice show. The same can be said of the fruit which are ¼in. bright red pomes, smallish but profuse enough to make a pleasing display. Excellent in rock gardens, for hanging over walls or trained to splay up and across a wall, or, as a specimen anywhere a broad swath of uninterrupted foliage is wanted. Best in full sun in good to average, fertile soil, and while they appreciate moisture, they need to be well drained. Zone 5.

CYTISUS (Scotchbroom)5-6ft. tall, green stems, sparcely dotted with modest protrusions passing for leaves. As plants mature, stems open out and arch over. Flowering occurs in May with a fantastic eruption of color unrivalled by many other shrubs. Should be pruned after flowering, limiting cuts to newer, outer growth, avoiding any trespass into older, larger stems. Another pruning method embraced by seasoned, no-nonsense gardeners is to hack plants half way back and have done with it. Both methods work. Any expectations of having a show quality specimen through the entire season should be lowered. After flowering and pruning, most of us end up with a subject of mere passing interest which is best concealed with more attractive plants. Nevertheless, definitely worth growing for the terrific spring show, and for their tolerance of sandy, infertile, soil. Full sun. Zone 5.

scoparius 'Burkwoodii'Garnet-red flowers in mid May.

scoparius 'Madame Butterfly'Bi-colored, yellow flowers with orange centers.

x 'Lilac Time' Dark lavender-purple flowers.

DAPHNE x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie'One of the finest compact shrubs, with fragrant pink June blooms. Grows into a perfect, dense 3-4' mound of blue-green fine-textured foliage edged with a creamy white band. Zone 5.

DAPHNE x transatlantica 'Eternal Fragrance'Unmatched for fragrance, this dense, globe-shaped plant covers itself with pure white flowers that fill the landscape with their heady aroma. Plants continue to produce substancial bunches of flowers throughout the summer. Locate plants with some protection from the hottest summer sun and harshest winter wind. Zone 5.

DEUTZIA Chardonnay Pearls™ New Valued especially for its bright yellow foliage that holds up without burning even in the sunniest part of the garden. Adding to the appeal are the fragrant, pure-white, pearl-like flowers that bloom for several weeks in May. Grows 3-4ft. tall with a slightly wider spread. Zone 5.