A few unique shrubs and trees
Yard n’ Garden Land is a large nursery and if you wander about, you might notice some rare and unusual treasures tucked here and there. Want something that your neighbors probably don’t have ? Here are just a few unique plants that we found this week. (Quantities of these items are extremely limited, so please call and inquire first!)
Photo credit: hortulus on VisualHunt / CC BY
Silk Tassel (Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof) –
A conversation piece and a striking large shrub or small tree for the late winter garden with long pendulous catkins that appear in February and March. This is best grown in a sunny or part-shade area that is protected by wind. It can also be trained on a fence or wall.
Photo credit: David Paul Ohmer on VisualHunt / CC BY
Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) –
Also known as the “Cucumber Magnolia”, this tree is notable for its huge leaves (up to 30″) which are the largest leaves of any native tree in North America. It is native to the Southeastern United States where it grows in wooded areas. The large, white flowers appear in May to June. The tree can grow to 30 to 40 feet high. Grows in full sun to part shade.
Photo courtesy Visual Hunt
Mountain Gordlinia (Gordlinia x grandiflora)
A cross between the Franklin Tree (Franklinia alatamaha) and Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus), this tree has evergreen leaves and large, white camellia-like blooms during the summer. It is a fast grower and can reach 15′-20′ feet in height. Grow in sun or part shade in moist, well-drained soil.
Photo by Phillip Oliver
Whipcord Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
A dwarf red cedar with arching branches that rise up and cascade in a fountain-like fashion. Grows in sun or part shade to 2′ feet tall x 3′ feet wide in ten years, eventually reaching 4 to 5′. The foliage turns to bronze in the fall season.
Photo by Phillip Oliver
Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
A beautiful small tree that produces show-stopping, airy, fringe-like blooms in early spring. The tree is sometimes grown as a multi-stemmed shrub. It grows anywhere from 12′ to 20′ feet and blooms when very young.
Photo courtesy Monrovia
Compact Mugo Pine ‘Sherwood’ (Pinus mugo)
Perfect for containers or rock gardens, this densely branched mugo pine grows slowly to 2′ x 2′. The deep green needles develop golden tips during the winter season.
Photo by Phillip Oliver
Sourwood Tree (Oxydendrum arboreum)
Also known as “Sorrel Tree”, this is a slow-growing ornamental tree that can reach 15′ to 25′ feet, it blooms in summer with cascading panicles of white flowers which bees love. In fall, the leaves turn orange or scarlet and are quite spectacular. This tree doesn’t like competition so do not plant it where grass will grow underneath it or other plants that require cultivation.
Photo courtesy First Editions
Viburnum ‘Spring Lace’
An evergreen viburnum with dark green leaves that turn wine-red in early fall. Pure white flowers appear in late Spring. This shrub will grow to about 5′ x 5′ in full sun or part shade.
Stowe Pillar Pine (Pinus strobus)
If you need a very narrow conifer that that tight spot, consider ‘Stowe’ Pine. It grows in a narrow column with branches that stand straight up. In ten years, the tree will get around 8′ to 10′ feet tall and only 3′ wide. A nice choice to flank an entrance or provide a vertical interest in a border.
Japanese Maple ‘First Ghost’ (Acer palmatum)
Creamy white leaves with dark green veins and edged with red highlight this lovely Japanese maple introduced by Talon Buchholz Nursery in Gaston, Oregon. The leaves age to green and then turn to yellow, orange and crimson in the fall. It prefers morning sun and afternoon shade. It may reach 5 ft. wide and tall in 10 years. This maple is available in small pots inside our greenhouse.
Japanese Snowbell ‘Evening Light’ (Styrax japonicus)
You probably are familiar with the regular Japanese Snowbell but this variety is a truly special specimen. Growing less than 8 ft. tall, the leaves are dark maroon. The white flowers with the dark leaves make a stunning combination.
