TAXUS x media ‘Viridis’ awash in a sea of AMSONIA hubrichtii

Sambucus ‘Black Lace’    Wispy, threadlike foliage that is dark purple, nearly black in color. The striking color and texture combine to form a compact yet airy plant that has the appearance of a Japanese Maple. And there are flowers too! In early June, massive 10”’ wide, lightly fragrant, flattened, lacy pink flower heads contrast dramatically with the dark foliage. Grow in sun to part shade, in average or better, evenly moist soil. 5-6’ tall. Zone 5.

Sarcococca hookenriana var. humilis (Sweet Box)    A low-growing, broadleaved evergreen, stoloniferous but very slow spreading. Contrary to all expectations, our 5 year old specimen has consistently endured both frigid and mild winters. Creamy white, small flowers bloom in spring and are unremarkable except for what the literature cites as a strong, sweet, fragrance. I’ve pretty much convinced myself that I’m picking up “some” fragrance, but I’m still trying for the strong and sweet bit. It must be my nose since all the reference books can’t be wrong! 10-15” high with a wider spread, (our plant has never gotten more than 10” high with a 24” spread). Spreads slowly by stolons and is well-behaved in the shade with acidic soil, moist but well drained. Zone (5).

Stewartia pseudocamellia (Japanese Stewartia)    Distinctive multi-colored exfoliating bark and large white flowers in summer. 30-40' at maturity, fantastic fall color. No disease or insect problems. Zone 5. A gem!

Symphoricarpos ‘Amethyst’ (Coral Berry)    A new S. doorenbosii hybrid from Germany with vivid, deep purple-pink, late summer fruit, instead of the more familiar white fruit. Very tolerant of soil types and does well in sun to light shade. Height ranges from 3-5ft. with an ever increasing width due to a tendency to sucker and form colonies.  Fruit display is striking in fall, especially when plants are grouped for greater impact. Because of their rugged constitutions, highly ornamental fruit and suckering tendencies, plants might be considered for use as a large scale ground-cover for problem areas such as eroding embankments or sites with poor, droughty soil. Zone 4. 

Syringa (Lilac)    Lilacs are sentimental favorites with fragrant spring flowers excellent for cutting. Ideal conditions are fertile, organic rich soil with a pH close to neutral and, for best flowering, a position in full sun. It’s not a bad idea to add some lime at planting time. Every gardener has seen plants growing in conditions far from idea, and doing very well thank you very much! No question, these are resilient shrubs which, once established, seem capable of thriving in a range of conditions as demonstrated by the numerous big old plants that have survived for decades in farmsteads and churchyards throughout New England.

laciniata (Cutleaf Lilac)    Lacy, fine textured foliage distinguishes this lilac from all others. Worth growing for the foliage alone. Forms a dense, rounded silhouette, 5 - 6 ft. high. Fragrant light lavender flowers in May. Grows 5 - 6 ft. tall. Zone 4.

meyeri ‘Palibin’      A very handsome smaller growing lilac with a tidy, perfectly rounded form only 5-6’ high with an equal spread. Leaves are small, spade or heart shaped, dark green, glossy and not susceptible to mildew. Flower buds form and begin opening before the leaves fully open. Rich, violet-purple flowers are tightly packed on 4” long panicles that are abundantly produced over the entire surface of the plant. One of the easiest Lilacs to grow, requiring not special care, in fact, the beautiful specimen in our border thrives on neglect, never failing to put on a spectacular show from late April into May. Zone 3.

vulgaris ‘Yankee Doodle’     With this new lilac selection we have an answer to that frequently asked question, "have you got that deep purple lilac?". The answer is yes! 'Yankee Doodle' boasts the deepest, darkest purple flowers of any other lilac, nearly covering the plants with very large, upright, cones that perfume the garden with their much-loved lilac scent. 8-10ft. high by 8-10ft. wide. Zone 3.

x 'Lilac Sunday'    New from the Arnold Arboretum. Pale purple, fragrant flowers appear in mid-May and are produced in great abundance in panicles not only at the branch tips, but also further back along the stems at lateral buds, creating an amazing flower display. We have a nice specimen growing at the nursery, so come in, take a look, and see if you don’t agree. Zone 2.

x ‘Bloomerang Purple’    A dense, compact Lilac with an intense mid-May bloom followed by more deliciously frangrant blooms throughout the summer and into the fall. The May bloom covers the plant with large, upright clusters of purple/pink flowers and then this initial show is followed-up with substantial repeat blooms through the rest of the season. It’s a one-of a kind plant, easy to grow and especially useful in smaller spaces because of its dense, compact form, growing only 4-5’ tall by 3-4’ wide. Will grow in average soil in sun, but really flourish in rich, organic, well-drained soil with a pH that’s neutral or slightly higher. Zone 4.

TAMARIX ramosissima ‘Pink Cascade’    A loose, open crown of narrow, wispy branches, possibly reaching 10-15ft. or more. Blooms in summer with large, feathery, rich pink panicles at the ends of the stems measuring from 1-3ft. long. These are very tough plants, actually preferring droughty, infertile soils in full sun. Also remarkably salt tolerant and able to thrive in sand, within sight of the ocean. These plants are so fond of sparse soil that growing them in containers in the usual commercial mix presents the challenge of keeping them hungry and thirsty enough! Should be cut back hard as needed to maintain a semblance of tidiness. Garners attention for both foliage and flowers. Extremely hardy, zone 2.

TAXODIUM distichum (Common Baldcypress) A large, deciduous conifer, with fine, thread-like foliage on trees that reach 50-70ft. in 50yrs. with a stately, pyramidal form. Adapted to both wet and well drained, acidic sites and especially at home growing in swamps where its roots are underwater. When grown near water, curious protrusions of the roots develope called “knees” which are thought to serve as anchors to stabilize the tree. Zone 4.

TAXUS x media ‘Viridis’ see evergreens

Vaccinium angustifolium ‘Brunswick’    The Lowbush Blueberry is a tenacious native that thrives under the harshest conditions, producing significant amounts of tasty blueberries. Dry, acidic, infertile soil, in full sun to light shade is their preferred habitat and under these extreme conditions, plants will grow to 12” high by 2-3’ or more in width and produce copious amounts of tasty blueberries that are relished by humans, birds, small and large mammals and even box turtles. The glossy green, summer leaves turn to brilliant shades of scarlet, orange and bronze in fall. This is the state fruit of Maine. Definite groundcover potential for difficult locations, dry banks, etc. and a reasonable choice for those unfortunate gardeners struggling to grow plants in the lunar landscape conditions described above. Of course, it goes without saying that plants will also prosper in less harsh conditions. One of my favorite natives both for its tenacity and for its delicious berries. Extremely hardy.

Viburnum nudum ‘Brandywine’ New      'Brandywine' delivers one of the most beautiful berry displays to be found on any plant, with loads of breathtaking berries that transform over summer from green to shades of vivid pink and blue. Foliage is lustrous green in summer and takes on gorgeous shades of dark maroon-red in autumn, always retaining a brilliant, glossy sheen. Habit is dense, compact with a relatively low height of only 5-6'. It is recommended for best fruit set that two clones be planted in close proximity. We are carrying the cultivar 'Winterthur' as well as 'Brandywine'. Grow in sun to light shade in rich, moist but well-drained soil. Zone 5.

Viburnum nudum ‘Winterthur’ New      Exceptionally beautiful foliage and fruit on compact, low-growing plants. Large, white, flower panicles in spring are followed by clusters of berries that begin white and evolve to hot pink and then blue. Foliage is also beautiful when in summer the large, elongated green leaves carry a glossy luster that continues to be evident in autumn on leaves that turn a brilliant wine-red. We've had 'Winterthur' here in our border for five years and it's only 5' tall, albeit it is having to deal with our silty, sandy, very well drained soil. In richer, wetter soil it would be larger. Some sources give the mature height as 5-6'. It is recommended for best fruit set that more than one cultivar be planted close together. We carry 'Brandywine', (same beautiful foliage and berries ), as well as 'Winterthur'. Grow in sun to light shade, in rich, moist but well-drained soil. Zone 5.

VIBURNUM plicatum var. tomentosum ‘Shasta’    One of the all-time best ever shrubs and, along with Hydrangea m. ‘Blue Billow’ the most asked after shrub in our border. Habit is low,(6ft.), and wide, (12ft.), with long, gracefully arching branches held horizontally to the trunk. In June, the branches are laden from end to end with 6in. wide, pure white inflorescences. Grow in sun if ample moisture is available, otherwise place in part shade, out of the afternoon sun. Zone 5. 

VIBURNUM sargentii 'Onondaga'     Valued for both flowers and foliage. New leaves emerge a velvety dark maroon and retain a trace of maroon even when mature. Flowers in May with 5", flat-topped, pinwheel-like panicles with red buds opening creamy white with a trace of pink. Grows 5-7' tall and wide and does best in sun or light shade with sufficient moisture. Very hardy, to at least zone 4.

x juddii (Judd Viburnum)   Grows 6-8' tall and in late April-May produces masses of 3" panicles with the most intoxicating fragrance. When compared with V. carlesii, juddii is judged equal in flower size and fragrance and superior in disease resistance. We've had a mature specimen here at the nursery for years, and every year it perfumes the entire square acre of the sales yard! Grow in sun in good soil that is moist but well drained. Zone 4. At left, early bloom. To the right, full, fragrant bloom.

Viburnum x ‘Summer Hill’ New     From Summer Hill nursery, a V. carlesii hybd. of unknown origin. Retains the characteristic, 3" wide, fragrant, "snowball" flower of V. carlesii, though with slightly less fragrance, but then goes on to develop an improved, compact habit that show none of the ranginess that V. carlesii may exhibits as it ages. The shiny leaves are a marked improvement over the dull green leaves of carlesii. A fifteen year old plant will have a round, densely branched habit, 8' tall with a similar width. All and all, an attractive shrub with a dense, compact habit, shiny green leaves and large, "snowball" flowers in April-May. V. carlesii is a terrific shrub, but 'Summer Hill' may have a slight edge. At the very least, it's nice to have the choice of two very fine landscape Viburnums. Both appreciate slightly acid, evenly moist soil with best flowering in full sun, thougth not much bloom is lost in light shade. Zone 5, and almost certainly into zone 4.

VITEX agnus-castus ‘Abbeville Blue’ (Chastetree)    Deep blue, fragrant, flower spikes at the ends of 4-5ft. stems, starting in early August and continuing into September. The compound leaves are large, deep green with a somewhat exotic, tropical look. In the north, stems die back to the ground and should be removed in late winter, early spring. Does best when grown in sun to light shade, in average, well-drained soil. A seldom encountered and easy to grow shrub valued for its late blue flower spikes and attractive foliage. We have had our plant in the ground for many years and have no concern for its hardiness. We’re in zone 5.

Weigela Ghost™    A new Weigela with dark reddish-pink flowers and remarkable foliage that turns a "friendly" ghostly, iridescent buttercream as the summer progresses. Provides season long interest. Reblooms. 4-5ft. high. Zone 4.

Weigela Midnight Wine®    A low mounding, dwarf version of 'Wine and Roses' with dark burgundy-purple foliage and pink flowers, 12ins. tall. Uses include group plantings to get the full impact of the burgundy foliage and bright rose flowers; edging; container growing and, even, massing for ground cover purposes. Zone 5.

Wikstroemia trichotoma New     A choice little gem with a very clean, neat appearance. Leaves are ½" -¾" long, narrow-ovate, olive green lightly suffused with the merest hint of yellow, abundant, yet adaquatly spaced so as not to interfere with the play of light through the branches. Habit is a tidy, rounded form with stems carried somewhat horizontally creating an airy, delicate impression.  Flowers are small, sulfur yellow trumpets profusely borne throughout the branches starting in mid August and continuing until frost. Not having a clue as to its cultural preferences I placed it in full sun in average to good, well drained soil where it has thrived. Grows 3' tall, possibly to 4', with an equal spread. Its debut in our border created quite a buzz. It has the effect of drawing you back for a second look and I've made it one of the plants that I revisit every day on my morning rounds before opening for business.

Xanthoceras sorbifolium (Yellowhorn)    A striking shrub, one that when seen for the first time leads one to ask, where has this gem been hiding all these years! It’s big, really a small tree or large shrub, 18-20ft. tall with a somewhat stiff, irregular habit, but it’s the flowers that really get your attention. In May, beautiful white flowers, 1in. wide, in large,10in. long clusters occur throughout the plant. The edges of the flowers are delicately ruffled and each petal is dabbed at the base with a yellow splotch that changes to red, (flowers remind me of Catalpa flowers). Grow in full sun, not fussy about soil though at least average moisture should be maintained. Native to northern China. Zone 3.