HYDRANGEA paniculata 'Endless Summer'

HALSIA tetraptera (formerly H. carolina) Carolina Silverbell    White 3/4in. flowers are borne in pendulous clusters, 2 to 5 flowers per cluster, in late April-early May, before leaves unfurl. The effect can be spectacular. Grows 30-40ft. tall and does best in sun to part shade in rich, acid, moist but drained soil. Zone 4.

HAMMMELIS (Witch Hazel)          

x intermedia 'Arnold's Promise'  Certainly one of the best yellow flowering Witch Hazels. Begins blooming in February with clear yellow, ribbon-like flowers that continue into March. Green summer leaves turn bright yellow/orange or red in fall. Grows to 20' in full sun or light shade. Prefers a moist, well drained and slightly acid soil. A Witch Hazel in full bloom in February-March is sure to gladden the heart of any winter weary gardener. Zone 5. Plant in photo is growing and blooming at a home in Ashfield, MA, 03/20/07.

 

x intermedia 'Feuerzauber' ('Fire Charm')   Grows 15-20' tall with an upright, spreading habit. In late Jan. and into Feb. large, ¾" long, coppery orange ribbons are abundantly produced. Fall color is orange-yellow. Grow in sun or partial shade in acid, moist but well drained, fertile soil. Zone 5.

HEATHS & HEATHERS See under Culluna in Shrubs B-D.

HEPTACODIUM miconioides (Seven Son Flower) A large shrub or small tree, 15 - 20 ft. tall, either single or multi stemmed. Many ornamental features beginning with the overall form which is upright, loose, attractively irregular. leaves are 5 - 6 ins. long by 2 ins. wide, dark green.  Showy flowers appear in August in the form of large white panicles. Fruit is perhaps even more effective than the flowers as large bunches of bright red to rosy-purple capsules replace the flowers in late Aug. - early Sept. and persist for 2 - 3 weeks. Last but not least is the bark, which exfoliates revealing contrasting shades of darker and lighter brown. Prefers moist but well drained, acid soil, in sun. Zone 5.

HIBISCUS syriacus 'Blue Satin'   There are lots of Rose-of-Sharons but 'Blue Satin' is one of our favorites. Large, elegant, single, royal blue flowers in profusion for an extended period in mid to late summer,- just when most gardens really need an infusion of color. This is a woody shrub not to be confused with the perennial hibiscus.  Easy and undemanding, Rose-of-Sharon prospers in average, even poor, well drained soil, in full sun. Will tolerate any amount of pruning so may be kept at whatever size is desirable. Zone 5.

syriacus 'Blush Satin'Large, single, soft blushing pink flowers with a prominent red eye. Strong growing and long blooming. Grows 8-12ft. high. Zone 5

syriacus 'Lil' Kim'A unique, "miniature" Rose of Sharon, growing only 3-4ft. tall, with nearly standard sized, white flowers, liberally brushed purple-red in the center and held on the plants for three days, unlike flowers of other Hybiscus which last only one day,  Foliage is especially thick textured and dark green in color. This smaller size opens up many new landscape possibilities such as container plantings and mixing in the perennial border and use as a low hedge. Zone 5.

syriacus 'Purpureus Variegatus'     Some of the nicest variagation to be found on any plant is present on this hibiscus. The leaves are a clean, gray/green, bordered by a crisp, creamy margin that remains stable throughout the season. The foliage is the main ornamental feature since the purple flowers never fully open. Easy in sun, in average to poor soil. Zone 5.  

HYDRANGEA 'Endless Summer™' This is a new blue, mophead hydrangea that will bloom reliably, year after year, here in zone 5, regardless of the vagaries of winter. Unlike the many so-called hardy blue hydrangeas that thrive in warmer areas but stubbornly refuse to put out a single flower here in zone 5, 'Endless Summer' will bloom reliably because it blooms on new wood. Flowers are bluer on acid soil and more pink as the pH rises. Soil pH is easily adjusted. Ask at the desk for a handout on this topic.

HYDRANGEA macrophylla 'Blue Billow'  A gorgeous, true, deep blue, Lace-Cap hydrangea which has proven to be absolutely bud hardy here at the nursery. If you've visited Bay State in mid to late summer you know this plant, since it's impossible to be here and not be drawn to its beauty. Our plant is perfectly happy in 50% shade with no special treatment except perhaps extra water during dry spells. 3 to 4' tall and wide. Zone 5.

HYDRANGEA macrophylla 'Pia'Compact growing at only 2-3ft. tall. Startting in mid summer and continuing for many weeks, large 3-5" wide, bright pink flower clusters adorn the tidy, low branches. Grow in afternoon shade or full sun if ample moissture is available. Zone 5.

HYDRANGEA paniculataThis species blooms on new wood, so it can be pruned in early spring, and is rock hardy.  We offer the following cultivars:

'Limelight' Huge clusters of bright, lime-green flowers cover this hardy and vigorous shrub in late summer. Excellent for cutting,-one stem is its own bouquet, fresh or dried! 6-8' tall and wide; hardy to zone 4.

'Little Lamb' A new selection which the grower describes as "having the most delicate flowers ever seen on a Hydrangea paniculata. The flowers are like those of the Pee Gee Hydrangea but much smaller, forming smaller panicles that look like little lambs dancing above the foliage." Grows 6 to 8' tall and wide. Zone 3.

'Pinky Winky'    A new hydrangea with unique, two-toned flower heads in mid-summer. Large 12-16in. long flower heads emerge white, turn pink and continue to push new white flowers from the tip of the panicle. The flowers are held upright on strong stems, and contrast nicely against dark green foliage. 6-8ft. tall. Zone 4.

 

'Unique'   10-13ft. high with huge,12-16ins. long by 8-10ins. wide, pure white inflorescences in late summer – fall. Valued for its terrific flower display late in season. Zone 3.

quercifolia 'Snow Queen' (Oak-leaf Hydrangea New growth emerges grayish green, turns deep green, and in fall assumes spectacular shades of red, orange, and purple. 10-12" erect white flower panicles in June and July and fade to a pleasing pink. Did we mention the attractive exfoliating bark? Does not appreciate dry soil but will tolerate a bit of shade.

serrata 'Preciosa' New A smaller growing, compact and tidy Hydrangea with a mophead type inflorescence which opens pink and gradually changes to crimson. New stems are dark maroon-red and the leaves a very deep green taking on some burgundy tones as the season progresses. A widely admired Hydrangea which should be bud hardy here in zone 5. I planted one in our border in the fall of '07' just before the onset of one the coldest winters in years. We'll be watching it closely to see how it holds up. 

serrata 'Blue Bird' Very similar in appearance to H. macrophylla 'Blue Billow', having the same dimensions and the same lacecap-type inflorescences. The difference is in the flower color, 'Blue Bird' being more indigo blue, while 'Blue Billow' is as close to true blue as a flower can be. The fact that they're assigned different specie status is academic as the two groups, ( macrophylla and serrata ), are so abused and confused in the literature as to render identification more a coin toss than a scientific fact,( current opinion seems to favor serrata as correct.). In the end, they're both gorgeous. We've grow 'Blue Billow' here at the nursery for many years and are convinced of its bud hardiness, (zone 5). We have not had 'Blue Bird' in the ground but believe it to be equally hardy. 

serrata 'Coerulea Lace' New I'm not familiar with this hydrangea and can only report what I've read which is that it has beautiful, deep blue, lacecap flowers and that it's one of the hardier forms.

HYPERICUM (St. Johnswort) 

'Blue Velvet' New ;Attractive blue foliage on neat, compact, globe-shaped plants and abundant golden flowers in mid summer.  Prospers in hot full sun with good drainage, and without any interference from the gardener. Zone 4.

calycinum 'Brigadoon' Colorful from spring through fall, this low-growing shrub exhibits orange toned, gold leaves and masses of 2 in. yellow blooms in summer. Leaves steadfastly retain their brilliant color through the heat of summer. Effective when massed for groundcover and as accents in borders and containers. Grows 16ins . tall by 24ins. wide. Best cited with protection from hot afternoon sun.  Zone 5.

frondosum 'Sunburst   A nicely rounded, compact shrub, 3ft. tall by 4ft. wide, with very handsome blue-green leaves which, by themselves, would make this shrub worth growing. In June-July, 2in. wide, bright golden yellow flowers with stamens prominently clustered in a central tuft overspread the plants. At left is a plant in bloom. At right,the same plant displaying the decorative post-bloom seed pods. Zone 4

ILEX (Holly)

crenata 'Sky Pencil'  A definite exclamation point in the garden, growing to 6' high but a mere 6-10" in width.  An exceptionally narrow column of dark green that creates high dramatic interest. There are as many people who successfully overwinter this Holly as there are those who, upon assessing winters casualties in spring, are greeted by a crispy brown column of burned-as-toast, dead leaves. It's such a fantastic form that many of us just keep trying to get it right. Goes without saying that a position out of the wind is essential. Beyond that, anything one can dream up to mitigate winters onslaught is worth trying. I haven't yet resorted to the labor intensive practice of wrapping plants, but it's probably a really good thing to do. Zone 5.

pedunculosa (Longstalked Holly)  15ft. tall, often less, with evergreen, lustrous, dark green, spineless leaves.  Bright red berries 1/4in. across develop in October and persist into November. Berries are gracefully suspended at the ends of 2in. long pedicels, - from whence comes the common name. Berries are eaten by birds. As with all hollies, both a male and a female plant are necessary for pollination. We have both male and female plants for sale. Zone 5.   

verticillata (Winterberry) 'Apollo'  Recommended consort for 'Sparkleberry' and 'Red Sprite'.

'Berry Heavy' Makes a spectacular winter show with its heavy set of large, bright red berries. Use "Jim Dandy' as the pollinator.

'Berry Nice'  The dark red berry display is so vivid that the original plant was selected by sight at a distance of 1/4 mile. It will make you stop and take notice. Good mildew resistance. Use I. 'Jim Dandy' as a pollinator. Zone 3.  

'Jim Dandy'Male pollinator for 'Berry Heavy', 'Berry Nice' and 'Red Sprite'.

'Red Sprite' A lower growing Winterberry, growing only 3-4ft. tall. Useful on smaller properties where space is limited but where the year-round interest of a shrub is desired. 'Jim Dandy' is a pollinator.

INDIGOFERA kirilowii  A small 2-3' shrub with airy, bright green, compound leaves and, in June and July, abundant rose-colored 4-5" flower racemes held upright on the branches. In most winters plants will die back to the ground but will regrow from the crown and bloom on new growth. Any lingering dead twigs should be cut off. Easy in full sun and tolerant of soil types except those that are overly moist. Its smaller size makes it suitable for mixing with perennials.  Can be put to good use as a groundcover for a sunny dry spot. Zone 5.

heterantha We like the foliage of the Himalayan Indago as much as the flowers. Mature plants are 3-4ft,(possibly 6ft.) tall with a slightly wider spread, with branches thickly clad in delicate, blue/grey, compound leaves creating a fern-like appearance. Flowers appear from early Aug. into Sept. in the form of 3-5in. long, rosy purple recemes. Flowers begin appearing towards the back of the stems, slowly working their way forward towards the branch tips as the season progresses. Behaves as a die-back shrub here in Whately requiring only that the previous years dead twigs be cut away in spring. An excellent filler plant for both the shrub and perennial borders. Full sun in average, well drained soil.

pseudotinctoria 'Rose Carpet'  A prostrate shrub, 3' wide and never more than 1' tall, clothed in tiny, refined, kelly-green foliage and, in June, with 1 to 2" long, rose-pink flower spikes. Easy in full sun, in any well-drained soil. Attractive for its foliage alone, and might well be considered for use as a ground cover in hot sunny locations. Tends to die back in the north but quickly regrows in spring.