digging dog nursery mendocino coast   shrubs from digging dog nursery

Shrubs at Digging Dog
Agapetes to Halimiocistus

Includes Arctostaphylos, Buddleia, Calluna (Heather), Erica (Heath), & Cistus

shrubs/bushes intro drawing

When the joy of gardening with shrubs is discovered, the gardener can begin to think in terms of the future.

Ease of care and permanence are the two great attributes of this plant group, but the prime motivation for planting shrubs is surely their infinite variety of form, which enables them to fulfill a vast range of functions.

The classic concept of gardens as outdoor rooms is based on planting shrubs for garden walls (hedges) and screens. A sense of anticipation and excitement can be created by dividing and defining space with these living barriers, either seasonally with a deciduous selection or year-round with an evergreen.

Developing character with age, shrubs can set the overall tone of a garden, bridging the gap between smaller plants and trees. They can also stand alone as specimens.

Low hedges, clipped or left au naturale, unify the garden by framing beds. Now that we’ve discussed function, we hope the following descriptions will provide an idea of the varied beauty available and inspire you to plant some of these treasures.

Agapetes

Agapetes ‘Ludgvan Cross’ partial shade
<i>Agapetes</i> ‘Ludgvan Cross’

Hailing from the moist forested foothills of the Himalayas, this intriguing Ericaceae family member is a vigorous hybrid between incurvata and serpens that bears lustrous Huckleberry-like foliage. Large woody tubers give way to upright and arching branches neatly lined with red-suffused new growth and slender green leathery leaves.

In an enchanting summertime display, pendulous fairy-tale flowers, each embellished by a tiny maroon checkerboard pattern, resemble narrow, 5-sided creamy white lanterns. Superb as a hanging container specimen or elevated along a pathway amid ferns, ‘Ludgvan Cross’ prefers bright shade, well drained acid soil and a sheltered spot. Zone 8/9.

Blooms June – August.

Size: 4' high x 4' wide; hardy to zone 9.


Agapetes ‘Ludgvan Cross’ (s-0688)
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Arctostaphylos

Manzanita

Sinuous and smooth earthy red branches, waxy urn-shaped blossoms, and handsome, rounded evergreen leaves—that’s Manzanita. From the coast to the mountains, over 40 varieties are indigenous to the Golden State.

Manzanitas require very well drained soil. The best time to transplant is autumn so winter rains can stimulate root growth. Manzanita is a strong, sturdy shrub if these guidelines are followed, even in the interior valleys. By summer, it will be ready for drought, needing only monthly irrigation once established. This is a fine plant for native or Mediterranean settings, and birds will appreciate its tiny apple-shaped fruit.


Arctostaphylos hookeri ‘Wayside’ full sun  partial shade
Monterey Manzanita

Full of vigor and bright, fine textured greenery, this coastal California native spreads to form a low, handsome mound. Rubescent brown branches gracefully sweep upwards and sometimes grow in twisted shapes, forming a framework for the upfacing, pointed leaves, reddened stems and dainty white flowers.

Always appreciative of well drained sites, and when grown inland, summertime watering with a little shade, ‘Wayside’ is a superb candidate for banks, rock gardens or native plantings accompanying Erigeron ‘Ron’s Pink’ and Deschampsia ‘Goldgehänge’.

Blooms February–April.

Size: 2'–3' high x 6'–8' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Arctostaphylos hookeri ‘Wayside’ (S-0599)
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Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Radiant’ full sun  partial shade
Bearberry

Polished, trim and fresh-looking, this prostrate evergreen ground cover keeps its composure all year long. Small, rich green leathery leaves glow with wintertime reddish purple tinges while ushering in quantities of light pink urn-shaped flowers, followed by showy red berries. A northern California native reputed to possess astringent qualities, ‘Radiant’ is distinguished by its lush close-to-the-ground mat that requires little care except for light afternoon shade and occasional watering in hot areas.

Blooms March – April.

Size: 6"–8" high x 3'–5' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Radiant’ (S-0668)
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Aronia


Aronia melanocarpa ‘Iroquois Beauty’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Aronia melanocarpa</i> ‘Iroquois Beauty’

A versatile North American native originating in Morton Arboretum, this small-statured deciduous shrub proposes something exceptional for each season: fragrant spring flowers, courtly summer foliage, brilliant fall color and persistent winter berries. Flaunting an autumnal pageant of stunning red, burgundy and purple hues, lustrous, deeply green, thickened leaves garb the compact, dense multitude of suckering stems. Airy, Hawthorne-like flowers gathered in white, 2 in. wide, eye catching corymbs precede the heavy clusters of polished purple-black berries that gracefully weigh down branches and bring color to gray December days.

Obliging of low-lying wet areas, dry sandy sites and some shade, easy-to-grow ‘Iroquois Beauty’ thrives in full sun and can reside with equal ease in a small garden, a mixed border or a naturalized setting when planted en masse.

Blooms April–May.

Size: 3' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 3.


Aronia melanocarpa ‘Iroquois Beauty’ (S-0600)
Each $10.75
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Azara


Azara microphylla ‘Variegata’ full sun  partial shade <i>Azara microphylla</i> ‘Variegata’
Variegated Boxleaf Azara
<i>Azara microphylla</i> ‘Variegata’

While the species hails from Chile, Azara microphylla ‘Variegata’ originated in Ireland and everything about this evergreen shrub is elegant. Its dainty dark green polished leaves are delicately painted with broad alabaster margins as they cloak sprays of gracefully downward arching branches. Achieving a unique herringbone look, the diminutive leaflets feature smaller, overlapping leaves at their bases and in early spring, tufted flowers laden with the heavenly sweet scent of vanilla.

Slowly growing into a large specimen that emphasizes sophisticated texture and pattern, especially when superimposed against a wall, it begs a sheltered west or south facing site, sulks in hotter climates and can easily be pruned to fit just about any other garden spot.

Blooms March–April.

Size: 13' high x 9' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Azara microphylla ‘Variegata’ (s-0624)
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Berberis

Barberry


Berberis thunbergii ‘Golden Ring’ full sun
<i>Berberis thunbergii</i> ‘Golden Ring’

Graham Stuart Thomas once commented that the incredible beauty of Barberry foliage must be the reason why gardeners are willing to overlook their thorns, and he went so far as to say “perhaps they are valuable in combating hooliganism.” This compact Berberis is named for the golden edge that rings its dark reddish purple leaves, a lustrous accent more pronounced in the spring.

Sparkling against the opulent foliage, the small, bell-shaped yellow flowers are enhanced with warmly colored sepals and eventually give way to bright red fruit.

Blooms March–April.

Size: 3' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Berberis thunbergii ‘Golden Ring’ (S-0411)
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Brugmansia

Angel's Trumpet

Brugmansia ‘Betty Marshall’ full sun  partial shade
White Angel’s Trumpet

Graceful branches and broad pale green leaves make a compact backdrop for enormous, 8 to 10 in. long, creamy white trumpets that dangle in a fanciful manner. The splendid blooms are subtly infused with chartreuse at the base and are borne in abundance, sometimes numbering as many as 50 at any given time.

Position this stellar specimen on the patio or near a path in a terra-cotta container, and you too will be bewitched by its sweet spicy nighttime perfume and dreamy essence. Indigenous to South America, this exotic-looking evergreen member of the Potato family and Brugmansia suaveolens hybrid needs winter protection at around 20 to 25° and judicious pruning to curb its vigorous growth and maintain a sophisticated shape.

Blooms July – mid-November.

Size: 6'–10' high x 6'–9' wide; hardy to zone 9.


Brugmansia ‘Betty Marshall’ (S-0723)
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Brugmansia x insignis ‘Pink’ full sun  partial shade <i>Brugmansia</i> x <i>insignis</i> ‘Pink’
Pink Angel's Trumpet

Gracefully spreading branches and broad dark green leaves are the backdrop for enormous, 8 to 10 in. long, softly colored trumpets that dangle in a fanciful manner. The splendid blooms are pale pink at the base, then subtly graduate to a deep salmon-pink where the floral shaft flares out. Position this stellar specimen on the patio or near a path in a terracotta container, and you too will be bewitched by its sweet floral perfume and dreamy essence.

Indigenous to South America, these exotic-looking evergreen members of the Potato family need winter protection at around 20 to 25° and judicious pruning to curb their vigorous growth and maintain a sophisticated shape.

Blooms July – mid-November.

Size: 5'–10' high x 6'–8' wide; hardy to zone 9.


Brugmansia x insignis ‘Pink’ (S-0704)
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Buddleja

Butterfly Bush

Around midsummer, when the pendulous racemes of flowers weigh down its boughs, it’s hard to decide which is more satisfying: Buddleia’s abundant, often fragrant blossoms, or the myriad butterflies they attract.


Buddleja crispa full sun
Himalayan Butterfly Bush
<i>Buddleja crispa</i>

One of the softest looking plants in our garden, this exceptional Himalayan native invites a touch every time we stroll by. Displaying white wooly undersides and toothed, wavy-edged margins, the 6 in. long, broadly shaped gray-green leaves are oh so fuzzy! In summer, stout felted branches host densely set lilac panicles of fragrant, orange-throated flowers. With its downy silver visage, Buddleja crispa makes a luminous partner for Phlox ‘David’ in the mixed border.

Blooms July–October.

Size: 4'–5' high x 4'–5' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Buddleja crispa (S-0583)
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Buddleja davidii ‘Summer Beauty’ full sun
<i>Buddleja davidii</i> ‘Summer Beauty’

‘Summer Beauty’ is our favorite pink blooming Butterfly Bush. Headlining large, conical and richly rosy, fragrant trusses that make gorgeous cut flowers, and a tidy, fast growing, yet compact stature of gently curving branches, this Buddleia makes an excellent small specimen.

The handsome pewter-tinged leaves can be blended with the like-hued foliage of Salvia clevelandii. ‘Aromas’ and Lavenders for a restful, silvery garden vista. Include Euphorbia ‘Dean’s Hybrid’s acid-yellow blooms for a more exuberant summer display.

Blooms June–early October.

Size: 6'–7' high x 4'–5' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Buddleja davidii ‘Summer Beauty’ (S-0584)
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Buddleja davidii ‘White Profusion’ full sun
<i>Buddleja davidii</i> ‘White Profusion’

A classy mainstay for the border that entices hummingbirds, butterflies and beneficial insects as well as two-legged garden visitors, ‘White Profusion’ lives up to its name. This fast growing ultrahardy shrub spotlights silver-backed green leaves beneath a sparkling blanket of huge, arching snowy white clusters crowded with fragrant yellow-eyed flowers. Deadheading will keep the brilliant blooms coming all summer long, while a hard spring pruning will help maintain a smaller, more manageable size.

Blooms June – August.

Size: 8' high x 5'–7' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Buddleja davidii ‘White Profusion’ (S-0709)
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Buddleja ‘Ellen’s Blue’ full sun

Copious, deeply blue trusses and a shorter compact carriage earned this stellar new Butterfly Bush a tie for first place at Longwood Garden’s Buddleja trials. Originally springing up as a chance ‘Lochinch’ seedling in Ellen Hornig’s New York garden and later introduced by Heronswood Nursery, ‘Ellen’s Blue’s gray-green foliage and light stems shape a relatively small, versatile shrub that is easier to slip into your garden than her more hefty cousins. Good-sized and opulent with a sweet fruity aroma, the floriferous performance lulls zesty summertime shades like the orange torches of Kniphofia ‘Shining Sceptre’.

Blooms June to early October.

Size: 4'–5' high x 4'–5' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Buddleja ‘Ellen’s Blue’ (S-0670)
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Buddleja knappii full sun

This uncommon South African Buddleja soothes the garden with a composed evergreen appearance. Offsetting the darker green-gray leaf tops, a downy white felt envelops the new growth, foliar undersides and arching stems. Tiny teeth and a bumpy texture define the long narrow, leatherlike foliage that’s reminiscent of willow leaves, while lavender flowers borne in short racemes embellish them.

Stage amid Molinia ‘Bergfreund’ and Sedum ‘Indian Chief’ for contrasting forms and color.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 6' high x 6' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Buddleja knappii (S-0649)
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Buddleja x pikei ‘Hever’ full sun

Originating at England’s Hever Castle, this fine textured Buddleja is graceful and early to bloom. The gray-green deciduous foliage is small and fuzzy, oblong-shaped and silver on the flip side, inheriting the good looks of its Buddleja alternifolia parent. Laden with dense fragrant sprays that showcase orange-throated mauve flowers, the fast growing arched stems die back in colder climates and can be maintained by a hard pruning just after the first frost in warmer areas. Zone 6/7.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 7' high x 6' wide; hardy to zone 7.


Buddleja x pikei ‘Hever’ (S-0648)
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Buddleja x weyeriana ‘Bicolor’ full sun  shade lover  new plant

Hats off to esteemed horticulturist Michael Dirr for this unprecedented breakthrough hybrid with 8 to 10 in. long trusses simultaneously featuring two completely different hues. ‘Bicolor’s happy-looking colorful fusion, includes lavender buds and peachy pink blooms, which attain a canary yellow cast as they mature. Amid a compact, easily managed profile clothed in soft gray-green leaves, the fragrant spectacle arrives during the dog days of summer, luring butterflies and appearing particularly upbeat when matched with Panicum ‘Cloud Nine’ and Lavandula ‘Violet Intrigue’.

Blooms July – early October.

Size: 6'–8' high x 6'–8' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Buddleja x weyeriana ‘Bicolor’ (S-0740)
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Buddleja x weyeriana ‘Honeycomb’ full sun

Esteemed for its glorious yellow flowers, this recent Mike Dirr hybrid is a cross between davidii and globosa. A handsome silvery foundation supports the breathtaking spectacle of saturated clear yellow blooms. Enhanced by orange eyes, the flowers are held in globe-shaped terminal panicles some 4 to 6 in. long. Blooming for months on end, ‘Honeycomb’ looks vivacious with Persicaria ‘Summer Dance’ and Salvia ‘Blue Ensign’ in the mixed border.

Blooms mid-June–October.

Size: 5'–7' high x 4'–5' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Buddleja x weyeriana ‘Honeycomb’ (S-0558)
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Bupleurum

Bupleurum fruticosum full sun
Shrubby Hare’s Ear
<i>Bupleurum fruticosum</i>

Imbued with soft soothing hues, a dense, round and shapely hummock hosts narrow, leathery sea green foliage that’s lustrous, oval-shaped and dons gray undersides. Tiny sulphur yellow flowers swirling in neat, airy umbels stage a light-hearted dance upon this medium-sized evergreen shrub for most of the summer and early fall.

Whether positioned as a specimen, massed as a screen or windbreak or utilized as a backdrop for a mixed planting, its quiet, yet handsome persona is sure to please.Though this Mediterranean dweller may need some winter protection, it easily endures tough dry sites and exposed coastal conditions. Zone 6/7.

Blooms July – October.

Size: 6' high x 6' wide; hardy to zone 7.


Bupleurum fruticosum (S-0731)
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Buxus

Boxwood

Buxus microphylla japonica ‘Green Beauty’ full sun  partial shade  shade lover
Littleleaf Boxwood

Hallmarked by a well groomed verdure, the low growing ‘Green Beauty’ is second-to-none for hedging or edging, accenting the rock garden or making an architectural statement just about anywhere. Polished, small rounded leaves maintain a crisp, dark green look all year long while cloaking the upright, yet compact semidwarf form.

This versatile evergreen can handle hot and cold weather and makes a plucky counterpoint amid Westringia ‘Smokey’ or Teucrium fruticans (Select Form).

Size: 4'–6' high x 4' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Buxus microphylla japonica ‘Green Beauty’ (S-0650)
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Buxus sempervirens ‘Vadar Valley’ full sun  partial shade  shade lover

This handsome Boxwood is distinguished by a lustrous mass of tiny dark green leathery leaves, maintaining superb winter color then transmuting a pronounced bluish cast in spring, while dressing a hardy, broad spreading habit. ‘Vadar Valley’ thrives with sun or shade, stays fairly short and rounded, grows at a moderate pace, and is the perfect choice for foundation plantings, low hedges or grouped statements, anywhere its emerald hues can shine.

Size: 2-1/2' high x 5' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Buxus sempervirens ‘Vadar Valley’ (S-0710)
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Buxus sinica var. insularis full sun  partial shade
Korean Boxwood

With a tailored demeanor clipped or not, this undemanding Boxwood is second-to-none for hedging, edging, accenting the rockery or sculpting a topiary or bonsai specimen. Young downy branches and lustrous, small elliptical leaves in crisp dark greens define the dwarf rounded form that grows slowly and a little less densely.

A reliably cold tolerant evergreen, it can be planted as a low and refined verdant border, allowing more rambunctious plants to exuberantly spill over.

Size: 2' high x 20" wide; hardy to zone 4.


Buxus sinica var. insularis (S-0669)
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Callicarpa


Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Early Amethyst’ full sun  partial shade <i>Callicarpa dichotoma</i> ‘Early Amethyst’
Purple Beautyberry

A beacon for the fall border, this deciduous Korean species is considered by many to be the most refined Beautyberry, and its boldly hued early September fruit occurs well before other varieties. Small and shiny, rounded berry clusters achieve an astonishing, almost electric lavender hue. Flowers are delicate, diminutive and pink, quietly dressing up its handsome, very green leaf mass and gracefully rounded form.

‘Early Amethyst’ prefers well drained soil, tolerates some drought, appreciates a late winter pruning and produces more fruit when planted in groups.

Blooms August.

Size: 3'–4' high x 3'–4' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Early Amethyst’ (S-0587)
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Heaths and Heathers

Heaths (Erica) and Heathers (Calluna) are best en masse. Drifts of their varied forms and flower and foliage colors blend beautifully. They’re also fine companions for Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Pieris and other acid-loving plants in the evergreen shrubbery. The timid might try adding a few winter bloomers to the herb or perennial border for year-round interest. But be forewarned—to plant one is to want them all!

Requiring good drainage and poor, acidic soil, the Heaths and Heathers are ideal for the coastal garden. Some will perform well inland, preferring light shade, but they're sensitive to extremes of heat and cold. Wind and salt spray are tolerated as long as the plants are away from the front lines. Prune annually, with a shearing after the blooms are spent.

Calluna

Heather

Callunas’ tiny, scalelike leaves range from deepest green to silver, gold and bronze, with some changing color after a frost. Flowering from mid-to-late summer in cool whites, pinks and purples, the small, bell-shaped flowers are frozen in graceful repose on one-sided spikes. Heathers are marvelous fresh or dried.


Calluna vulgaris ‘Corbett’s Red’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Calluna vulgaris</i> ‘Corbett’s Red’

Named for the Oregon nursery where it originated, this reliable American cultivar offers striking crimson flowers that nearly obscure its low mound of handsome greenery. ‘Corbett’s Red’ is a compact, spreading Heather whose richly hued blooms can be partnered with Spiraea ‘Magic Carpet’.

Blooms August–September.

Size: 12" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Calluna vulgaris ‘Corbett’s Red’ (S-0601)
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Calluna vulgaris ‘Dark Beauty’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Calluna vulgaris</i> ‘Dark Beauty’

With full bodied colors similar to a fine Pinot Noir, this enticing beauty queen flaunts the darkest hued flower of all Callunas. Deep red buds reveal showy and plentiful, semi-double dark cherry blooms that shade to ruby amid a good-looking, compact darkly green silhouette.

Earning Holland’s prestigious Gold Medal award, ‘Dark Beauty’ will beckon you to her side whether she’s poised in the rockery, along a pathway or in a container.

Blooms August–October.

Size: 8"–10" high x 14"–16" wide; hardy to zone 4.


Calluna vulgaris ‘Dark Beauty’ (S-0654)
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Calluna vulgaris ‘Firefly’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Calluna vulgaris</i> ‘Firefly’

Renowned for entertaining the richest, most vibrant brick-red foliage, ‘Firefly’ never fails to snap us out of a gray, winter-day funk. Splendid warm shades ranging from salmon to terracotta imbue the foliage the rest of the year, while deep mauve flowers festoon its upright, compact frame in late summer.

Awarded Britain’s coveted AGM award, this vividly colored heather merits a choice niche in your garden.

Blooms August–September.

Size: 18"–20" high wide; hardy to zone 4.


Calluna vulgaris ‘Firefly’ (S-0653)
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Calluna vulgaris ‘Kinlochruel’ full sun  partial shade

Without a doubt, this AGM winner plays host to the most lovely double white flowers in the genus. Slowly opening, tiny buds reveal long, downward curving frosty blooms, illuminating the fine textured, bright green foliage that possesses a mounding habit, and in winter, bronze dipped tips.

Blooms July – August.

Size: 16" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Calluna vulgaris ‘Kinlochruel’ (S-0008)
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Calluna vulgaris ‘Martha Herman’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Calluna vulgaris</i> ‘Martha Herman’

Forming a dense low mat of showy bright green foliage, ‘Martha Herman’ is outstanding as a foil or accent with other Heathers and Heaths. Snow white flowers and horizontal spread are the icing on the cake. A real find!

Blooms July–August.

Size: 12" high x 2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Calluna vulgaris ‘Martha Herman’ (S-0009)
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Calluna vulgaris ‘October White’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Calluna vulgaris</i> ‘October White’

Offering a clean and classic look out in the garden, this Calluna’s frosty white spires are highly valued by florists inside as well. Later to flower than most Heathers, the elegant fall blooms are showcased against handsome deep green foliage on upright branches. Counterpose its pert stance with Acaena saccaticupula’s low-lying, silvery blue leaves.

Blooms September–October.

Size: 16" high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 4.


Calluna vulgaris ‘October White’ (S-0576)
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Calluna vulgaris ‘Pat’s Gold’ full sun  partial shade

‘Pat’s Gold’ celebrates tidy bright golden foliage all year long. Intensely colorful and steeped in opulence, her upstanding compact habit is painted with fiery orange and rich mahogany tones, while pretty pale lavender blooms offer pastel summertime shades. Create a lively display by planting multiples amid green-leafed Callunas or Ericas, and we promise you won’t be disappointed for inviting her into your garden.

Blooms July – September.

Size: 15" high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 4.


Calluna vulgaris ‘Pat’s Gold’ (S-0430)
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Calluna vulgaris ‘Robert Chapman’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Calluna vulgaris</i> ‘Robert Chapman’

Bedizened with golden foliage in spring that bronzes during the warmer months, asserts orange highlights in fall and for a Christmas time display radiates red tinges, ‘Robert Chapman’ is a year-round carousel of color. His glowing dense habit supports stiff stems arranged at varied heights and come summer, abundant soft lavender-pink blooms.

J. W. Sparkes just might have been contemplating this celebrated heather’s zealous display when he named it after his friend, Charlie Chapman’s hard working son.

Blooms August–September.

Size: 18" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Calluna vulgaris ‘Robert Chapman’ (S-0627)
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Calluna vulgaris ‘Silver Knight’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Calluna vulgaris</i> ‘Silver Knight’

Heralding handsome woolly gray foliage throughout the year, this knightly cultivar is yet another J. W. Sparkes introduction. Colder weather paints violet tinges on the leaves, while late summer finds upright branches studded with purple flowers near the tips. Plant ‘Silver Knight’ amid deep green companions such as Calluna vulgaris ‘Dark Beauty’ and Erica ‘Rackliff’ and a captivating contrast is yours to enjoy.

Blooms August – September.

Size: 20" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Calluna vulgaris ‘Silver Knight’ (S-0180)
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Calluna vulgaris ‘Sister Anne’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Calluna vulgaris</i> ‘Sister Anne’

Bursting with lush growth in spring, ‘Sister Anne’s gray-green foliage contrasts nicely with its shell pink flowers. A winter chill will add a hint of purple to the foliage. This Heather is a dense mounding ground cover for lining walks or filling rocky nooks.

Blooms July–September.

Size: 6" high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 4.


Calluna vulgaris ‘Sister Anne’ (S-0011)
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Calluna vulgaris ‘Spring Torch’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Calluna vulgaris</i> ‘Spring Torch’

New foliage growth blazes orange-yellow, maturing to deep green, with medium pink flower spikes on a loosely mounding form.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 20" high x 2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Calluna vulgaris ‘Spring Torch’ (S-0013)
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Calluna vulgaris ‘Tib’ full sun  partial shade  new plant

Way back in 1938, a Miss Isabel Young, who was nicknamed Tib, happened upon this exceptional Heather in Scotland’s Pentland Hills. Unparalleled as a cut flower, either fresh or dried, the splendid rosy crimson double blooms, borne on long, erect slender stems, festoon a compact bushy mound of fine textured dark green foliage.

Eventually winning a coveted AGM, ‘Tib’ has withstood the test of time and promises to be a champion in your garden, especially when juxtaposed against the contrasting foliage of other Callunas such as Calluna ‘Firefly’ and Calluna ‘Sister Anne’.

Blooms July – September.

Size: 18"–2' high x 2'–2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Calluna vulgaris ‘Tib’ (S-0711)
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Calluna vulgaris ‘Wickwar Flame’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Calluna vulgaris</i> ‘Wickwar Flame’

With so many upright and horizontal stems, this Heather has an especially wild appearance in its youth. When it matures, however, it develops into a dense, tight mound of unusual foliage: burnt orange-yellow on the upper half and lime-green below, where it is protected from the sun.

During the winter months the color intensifies, making the shrub appear almost as though it’s on fire. During the summer, the color spectrum is extended with lavender- pink flowers blooming along the upper portion of the stems.

Blooms late July–August.

Size: 15" high x 2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Calluna vulgaris ‘Wickwar Flame’ (S-0177)
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Calluna vulgaris ‘Winter Chocolate’ full sun  partial shade

A delightful melding of warm colors, ‘Winter Chocolate’ is a year-round standout in our Heather garden. Radiantly cloaked with chartreuse, chocolate and golden hues for winter, spring's new growth brings creamy salmon red tips. As the days grow longer, the foliage coloring broadens to a pleasing range of oranges, pinks and yellows, toned by bright greens. As if this isn’t enough, soft lavender blossoms just about smother the plant in late summer.

Blooms August – October.

Size: 12"–20" high x 18"–2' wide; hardy to zone 4.

AVAILABLE SPRING 2012


Calluna vulgaris ‘Winter Chocolate’ (S-0470)
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Daboecia

Irish Heath

Daboecia x scotica ‘William Buchanan’ full sun  partial shade

Premiering some of the biggest flowers amongst the Heathers and Heaths and attractive rosy seed pods perfect for dried arrangements, this vigorous low shrub was first spotted in the namesakes Glasgow garden. Diminutive, dark green, oval-shaped leaves with silvery undersides serve as a lustrous foil for the elongated spiky racemes of large, lantern-shaped crimson-purple blossoms.

‘William Buchanan’ is a close-knit long blooming Heath that appreciates well drained acid soils, a trim after flowering and a natural setting. He’s at home on a hillside, around the rockery or oceanfront. Zone 6/7.

Blooms June – October.

Size: 16" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 7.


Daboecia x scotica ‘William Buchanan’ (S-0692)
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Erica

Heath

Heaths have fine, short, needlelike evergreen leaves that vary from deep green to silver, gold, or chartreuse. Tiny, urn-shaped flowers sparkle like hoarfrost, in shades from white to pinks and rosy purples. Though most floriferous in winter and early spring, (and highly welcome at that dreary time!), a scheme for year-round color can be developed by combining with Callunas.


Erica carnea ‘Ann Sparkes’ full sun  partial shade

A beacon of dazzling color, the low-to-the-ground mat is cloaked in distinctive needlelike foliage set aglow with gilded yellow hues and bronzy red tips. Resulting as a sport from ‘Vivellii’ and named by J. W. Sparkes in 1955 for his sister-in-law, this lambent beauty is further heightened when her carmine-red racemes unfurl, cheering up a drab winter landscape.

Blooms February – March.

Size: 6"–9" high x 12"–15" wide; hardy to zone 4.


Erica carnea ‘Ann Sparkes’ (S-0637)
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Erica carnea ‘Golden Starlet’ full sun  partial shade

This shining starlet guarantees a year-round performance. Bred by Germany’s Kurt Kramer, ‘Golden Starlet’ is favored for its bright golden foliage, snowy white blooms and tidy, low spreading habit. During the summer months, the leaves attain a glowing yellow hue, while cooler weather brings lime-green accents and splendid flowers that last all winter.

Blooms December–March.

Size: 6" high x 16" wide; hardy to zone 5.


Erica carnea ‘Golden Starlet’ (S-0457)
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Erica carnea ‘King George’ full sun  partial shade

Deemed one of the loveliest and most decorative Heaths, this highly touted Erica displays bright rosy red flowers on a tidy, compact mound of Yew green foliage. Be sure to reserve a prominent spot for ‘King George’s abundant blooms, so you can easily relish them during winters’ gray days.

Blooms December–March.

Size: 6"–9" high x 18"–2' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Erica carnea ‘King George’ (S-0214)
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Erica carnea ‘Myretoun Ruby’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Erica carnea</i> ‘Myretoun Ruby’

Donning the name of a castle in Wigton, Scotland, ‘Myretoun Ruby’s low spreading, Yew-green needles and deep reddish purple blooms achieve a gemlike opulence. Perhaps the darkest red flowering carnea cultivar in cultivation, this Erica’s saturated blossoms age with bright crimson highlights. Nestle amid Ajuga ‘Emerald Chip’, and relish the wintertime splendor.

Blooms December–March.

Size: 10"–12" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Erica carnea ‘Myretoun Ruby’ (S-0175)
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Erica carnea ‘Pink Spangles’ full sun  partial shade

Distinguished by large, two-toned blooms and a robust yet gracious form, ‘Pink Spangles’ paints the winter landscape with a truly dynamic floral display. Shell pink sepals and rosier pink petals that open from lime-colored buds ornament this superb ground cover’s medium green, spreading foliage.

Blooms January–March.

Size: 9"–12" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Erica carnea ‘Pink Spangles’ (S-0213)
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Erica carnea ‘Springwood Pink’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Erica carnea</i> ‘Springwood Pink’

Clear pink flowers engulf the forest green foliage, followed by vigorous spring growth that sprouts bright bronze. Pair it in a drift with ‘Springwood White’.

Blooms October-January.

Size: 10" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Erica carnea ‘Springwood Pink’ (S-0015)
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Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ full sun  partial shade

Creamy buds open into white flowers on this old favorite in the trade. A vigorous ground cover, it can handle inland heat and tough conditions. ‘Martha Herman’ is its best mate.

Blooms October–January.

Size: 10" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5.

AVAILABLE LATE SPRING 2012


Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ (S-0016)
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Erica carnea ‘Vivelli’ full sun  partial shade

This Heath brings carmine red flowers that cover a low spreading form. Its deep green summer foliage bronzes after the first frost. Match this gem with white varieties.

Blooms October-January.

Size: 12" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Erica carnea ‘Vivelli’ (S-0725)
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Erica cinerea ‘C. D. Eason’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Erica cinerea</i> ‘C. D. Eason’

Distinctive for its deep green, fine textured foliage and pleasing form, this summer blooming Erica was named in honor of the man who discovered it—Australian born Charles Eason. Very tiny short needles and slender branches make an ideal foil for the freely borne, dense clusters of glowing dark pink flowers.

Blooms June – September.

Size: 12" high x 15"–20" wide; hardy to zone 5.


Erica cinerea ‘C. D. Eason’ (S-0565)
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Erica cinerea ‘Purple Beauty’ full sun  partial shade
Twisted Heath

It was a British couple, Mr. and Mrs. Letts, whose keen eyes first noted this summer flowering beauty in the wilds of Cornwall and later introduced it. Ample-sized, more than abundant and long blooming, the luminous amethyst flowers sparkle like jewels upon the vigorous dark green needlelike foliage that defines ‘Purple Beauty’s exquisite, low bushy habit.

Blooms June – October.

Size: 12" high x 22" wide; hardy to zone 5.


Erica cinerea ‘Purple Beauty’ (S-0471)
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Erica x darleyensis ‘Furzey’ full sun  partial shade

Deep magenta flowers decorate this durable evergreen when most plants are dormant. It’s happiest in full sun and interesting with Hebe ‘New Zealand Gold’. Some experts believe ‘Furzey’ has the best flower color among Ericas.

Blooms October–January.

Size: 12" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Erica x darleyensis ‘Furzey’ (S-0018)
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Erica x darleyensis ‘Kramer’s Red’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Erica</i> x <i>darleyensis</i> ‘Kramer’s Red’

Unparalleled among red flowering Ericas, this ornate Heath takes its name from Kurt Kramer of Germany. Stiff branches hold darkly green foliage, enhanced in winter by bronze highlights and closely set chartreuse buds that open into cerise-magenta blooms.

Blooms November–January.

Size: 15" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Erica x darleyensis ‘Kramer’s Red’ (S-0564)
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Erica x darleyensis ‘Margaret Porter’ full sun  partial shade

Dainty lilac urns embellish ‘Margaret Porter’s attractive mid-green needles that comprise her low spreading form.

Blooms January-May.

Size: 10" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Erica x darleyensis ‘Margaret Porter’ (S-0019)
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Erica mediterranea ‘W. T. Rackliff’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Erica mediterranea</i> ‘W. T. Rackliff’

The pristine white flowers stand out against the deep green foliage, yet we favor this Heath for its form, which clumps to an almost spherical mound.

Blooms November-February.

Size: 18" high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 8.


Erica mediterranea ‘W. T. Rackliff’ (S-0020)
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Erica vagans ‘Mrs. D. F. Maxwell’ full sun  partial shade
Cornish Heather
<i>Erica vagans</i> ‘Mrs. D. F. Maxwell’

Applauded throughout the world as one of the most cherished heaths, this Erica’s deep cherry-red blooms have as much charm as the story behind them. Mrs. Maxwell’s discerning eye first spotted its good-looking, robust form while on her honeymoon in Cornwall, England and promptly sent home cuttings! Elevated above a low, deep green bush, the long, upright racemes of cylindrically arranged, irresistible blooms open from the bottom up and when spent, persist through the winter burnished in russet-brown hues.

Blooms July–September.

Size: 18"–2' high x 2'–2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Erica vagans ‘Mrs. D. F. Maxwell’ (S-0607)
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Calycanthus

Sweetshrub, Spice Bush

Calycanthus x ‘Venus’ full sun  partial shade  new plant
Venus Sweetshrub

The crown jewel of Dr. Tom Rainey’s breeding efforts at North Carolina State University, this undeniably beautiful hybrid is a complex one, involving Calycanthus chinensis, Calycanthus floridus, and Calycanthus occidentalis.

Spreading branches draped in large lustrous dark green deciduous leaves that broadcast golden yellow hues for fall support her medium-sized stance. Distinguished by a central infusion of yellow and purple markings and a divine spicy fragrance, evoking strawberries and melons, the 4 in. wide, exquisite ivory Magnolia-like blooms unfurl from big creamy yellow buds primarily in spring, but sporadically throughout the growing season.

‘Venus’ can pose amongst other shrubs or serve as a beckoning sentinel by your front door; well-drained soil and ample light will ensure its vitality. (pp#15,925)

Blooms May – July.

Size: 5'–6' high x 5'–6' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Calycanthus x ‘Venus’ (S-0741)
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Carpenteria

Mock Orange

Carpenteria californica ‘elizabeth’ full sun  new plant
California Mock Orange

First discovered by Colonel John Charles Fremont, this elegant evergreen was considered by the British to be “one of the most splendid acquisitions from the Californian flora.”

Fragrant yellow-eyed, double white flowers that resemble Japanese Anemones embellish gorgeous flaking bark and thick, dark green linear leaves sporting a lustrous sheen on top and a whitish down on their undersides.

Peerless as an understory for taller trees or as a backdrop for perennials, ‘Elizabeth’ can be found growing along hillsides in California’s Fresno County and is happiest in cool, moist and well-drained abodes with protection from the hot afternoon sun, though once established it can handle some drought.

Blooms May – June.

Size: 3'–6' high x 3'–6' wide; hardy to zone 9.


Carpenteria californica ‘elizabeth’ (S-0193)
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Caryopteris

Bluebeard

   
Caryopteris x ‘Lissilv’ full sun

(Sterling Silver™)

We have esteemed English shrub breeder, Peter Catt to thank for the exceptional attributes this award winning Caryopteris promotes: small stature, elegant illuminated foliage and copious late season blooms. Whorled bright blue-violet flowers garnish a trim gathering of shimmering silver leaves that draws attention months before the blossoms appear.

An ideal addition to the mixed border, its sterling shades can be combined with the yellow umbels of Achillea ‘Hella Glashoff’ or boldly mixed with orange flowering Leonotis ‘Savannah Sunset’. (PPAF)

Blooms August – September.

Size: 18"–2' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Caryopteris x ‘Lissilv’ (S-0732)
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Ceanothus


Ceanothus ‘Concha’ full sun
California Lilac

One of the oldest and most dazzling of all Ceanothus hybrids, ‘Concha’ premiers a spectacular spring display of deep cobalt blue clustered flowers unfurling from tight pinkish red buds. Gracefully arching branches can withstand light pruning and are clad in lustrous, small dark green textured leaves, which etch an attractive evergreen foil.

Persisting some 15 to 25 years in a well-drained site with little or no irrigation, but amiable to minimal summer water and heavier soils, this adaptable Ceanothus can be employed as a dense hedge, a specimen shrub or for erosion control on slopes. Birds savor its seeds and seek its stately shelter, while Mediterraneans make worthy companions.

Blooms April – May.

Size: 5'–7' high x 6'–10' wide; hardy to zone 7.

AVAILABLE SPRING 2012


Ceanothus ‘Concha’ (S-0561)
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Ceanothus x delileanus ‘Gloire de Versailles’ full sun
<i>Ceanothus</i> x <i>delileanus</i> ‘Gloire de Versailles’

The large, glossy green foliage of this relaxed-looking Ceanothus creates an excellent foil for the profuse powdery blue flowers. More so than other species in the genus, this one will tolerate summer irrigation. Try it in the mixed border with white Lavender or yellow blooming Buddleja ‘Honeycomb’ and you’ll see why it came to be called the ‘Glory of Versailles’.

Blooms June – September.

Size: 6' high x 6' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Ceanothus x delileanus ‘Gloire de Versailles’ (S-0191)
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Ceanothus x pallidus ‘Marie Simon’ full sun
New Jersey Tea

The heritage of this versatile hybrid is uncertain, but her reputation as a flirty, long blooming semi-evergreen is widespread. Amid speculation about an additional cross between x delileanus and the eastern species, Ceanothus ovatus, ‘Marie Simon’ is not adversely affected by summer watering, which is unusual for a Ceanothus.

Try planting her in the mixed border, where she flaunts a decidedly feminine display of fluffy rose-pink panicles and ornamental red seed capsules cushioned by wine-colored stems and long, serrated leaves.

Blooms June–October.

Size: 5' high x 5' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Ceanothus x pallidus ‘Marie Simon’ (s-0246)
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Cercis

Redbud

Cercis chinensis ‘Don Egolf’ full sun  partial shade  new plant

Named in honor of the illustrious American shrub breeder Don Egolf, this compact free flowering treasure has a lot to offer. Its clustered, bright rosy mauve blooms gather “stem to stern”, orchestrating an abundant spring display that nearly engulfs the attractive multibranched frame.

Thankfully incapable of spawning unwanted seedlings, the vibrant nonfruiting flowers herald heart-styled, dark green deciduous leaves. Unfazed by hot dry conditions and different soil types, but sensitive to poorly drained sites, ‘Don Egolf’ exhibits excellent disease and pest resistance and makes a stellar slow growing specimen for the smaller garden, a shrubby border or the woodland’s edge.

Blooms April – May.

Size: 8'–9' high x 8'–9' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Cercis chinensis ‘Don Egolf’ (S-0742)
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Cestrum

Cestrum ‘Newellii’ full sun  partial shade
Red Cestrum
<i>Cestrum</i> ‘Newellii’

Beloved by hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, this lush Central and South American member of the Potato family has a colorful allure nearly all year round. Arching stems coated with mahogany-colored fuzz showcase profuse nodding clusters of waxy, deep red tubular flowers and purplish red berries dramatically set amid burgundy-tinged leaves, which are soft as velvet and taper to a point.

A tall-standing vigorous evergreen shrub well-suited for a container, ‘Newellii’ blooms summer through winter and in some instances much longer, appreciating a protected wall or overhang, a light or heavy pruning to maintain its shape, moderate moisture and where its warm, partial shade.

Blooms May – November.

Size: 6'–8' high x 3'–5' wide; hardy to zone 9.


Cestrum ‘Newellii’ (s-0689)
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Chaenomeles

Quince

Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Cameo’ full sun  partial shade

While Quince were once coined “one of the most precious and invaluable of the early flowering shrubs” by British author, Mrs. C. W. Earle, this particular cultivar headlines numerous top ten lists as a preeminent spring blooming woody. Heralding winter’s end, gorgeous double blossoms with soft apricot-pink shades are poised in stalkless clusters on stout naked stems. Fine-toothed, deciduous leaves later host edible and perfumed reddish yellow berries known to make delicious preserves.

Easily maintained when allotted a sunny, well drained site, numerous springy branches form a dense, compact thicket that can be grown along a pathway or dramatically spotlit against a wall.

Size: 4'–5' high x 3'–5' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Cameo’ (S-0655)
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Choisya


Choisya ‘Aztec Pearl’ full sun

Valued for its fragrant flowers and aromatic, evergreen foliage, this elegant small shrub is a hybrid bred to life by Peter Moore, Hillier’s propagator. The white blossoms burst forth in profuse clusters from pink buds. Almost almond in scent, they are hosted terminally on slender, glossy and trifoliate dark green leaflets.

Resistant to deer, ‘Aztec Pearl’s handsome rounded visage will form a close-knit and finely textured low screen or informal blooming hedge in your garden.

Blooms June–July.

Size: 4'–5' high x 4' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Choisya ‘Aztec Pearl’ (S-0562)
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Cistus

Cistus

Rockrose

This genus from the Mediterranean region fortunately grows exceptionally well in our mild climate. These evergreens are called Rockroses for their conspicuous single papery blooms, resembling wild rose blossoms. Though these last only a day, they arrive in such profusion, carpeting the ground beneath, that one can count on color for 2 or 3 months.

Fast growing and appreciative of well drained sites, they tolerate drought, poor soil, ocean winds, salt spray and even desert heat. Cistus vary from low spreaders to tall, imposing bushes, and are terrific for informal hedging and screens.


Cistus x aguilarii ‘Maculatus’ full sun

We favor this upright, robust Cistus for its decorative leaves and large showy flowers. A Cistus ladanifer and Cistus populifolius hybrid backcrossed once again with Cistus ladanifer, ‘Maculatus’s foliage is fastened by reddened petioles, tapers to a point and features margins so evenly rippled that the edges are pulled up. The intriguing slender greenery elevates 3 in. wide, billowy white blossoms whose closely arranged petals flaunt a striking, almost triangular, wine-colored mark at their bases while encircling a bright gilded hub of stamens.

Blooms late April–mid-July.

Size: 6' high x 4'–5' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus x aguilarii ‘Maculatus’ (S-0603)
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Cistus ‘Ann Baker’ full sun

Olivier Filippi, guardian of the French National Cistus collection, kindly gave us this delightful Eric Sammons hybrid. A robust descendant of Cistus dansereaui ‘Decumbens’, ‘Ann Baker’ is pleasingly attired with delicate, white saucer-shaped flowers, centered by a singular sanguine marking and a small yellow splash on each petal. Slightly undulating and lacking petioles, the handsome, dark green leaves clasp arching, red-tinged stems.

Noteworthy for blooming later than most other Rockroses, ‘Ann Baker’ prolongs the flowering period well into September, and is a welcome addition to the Mediterranean garden alongside Lavender, Rosemary, and other Rockroses.

Blooms May–September.

Size: 2-1/2'–3-1/2' high x 5' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus ‘Ann Baker’ (s-0559)
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Cistus ‘Anne Palmer’ full sun
<i>Cistus</i> ‘Anne Palmer’

Silvery pink, crepe-paperlike petals float over this evergreen shrub’s ripple-edged gray-green foliage. Equally at home in tough coastal or inland environments, it combines beautifully with Rosmarinus ‘Santa Barbara Blue’ and Lavandula ‘Richard Gray’.

Blooms May–September.

Size: 2-1/2'–3' high x 6' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus ‘Anne Palmer’ (S-0187)
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Cistus creticus f. albus ‘Tania Compton’ full sun

This well-mannered Cistus wins a place in our garden for its neat rounded habit that stays relatively small. Knitting a handsome upright foil, the easily shorn, maroon-tinted stems and small, wavy and textured gray-green leaves parade quantities of 1-½ in. blooms with prominent golden eyes and white parchmentlike petals tinged pale yellow at each base.

Blooms June – July.

Size: 3'–4' high x 3'–4' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus creticus f. albus ‘Tania Compton’ (S-0691)
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Cistus x dansereaui ‘Decumbens’ full sun

An excellent shrubby ground cover, this Cistus displays luminous flowers against a vigorous and glossy, dark green foil of wavy-margined, lance-shaped leaves. Each ornate snowy white petal is elegantly marked with a prominent burgundy blotch at its base.

Blooms May–July.

Size: 2' high x 4' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus x dansereaui ‘Decumbens’ (S-0413)
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Cistus x dansereaui ‘Jenkyn Place’ full sun

A merlot-colored triangular brush stroke boldly brands each overlapping tissuelike petal, etching a distinctive 5-pointed star with a pronounced golden center. Large blossoms, spanning 3 snowy white in. across, are cupped, rimpled and renown for their long lasting flowery pomp.

Named after a private English garden and parented by Cistus ladnifer and Cistus inflatus, ‘Jenkyn Place’s small vigorous frame blends shapely red-tinged green stems and narrow sticky, pucker-edged deep green leaves that smell spicy and taper toward their tips.

Blooms April – July.

Size: 4'–5' high x 4'–5' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus x dansereaui ‘Jenkyn Place’ (S-0621)
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Cistus ‘Jessamy Beauty’ full sun

Created and named by British Cistus aficionado, Eric Sammons, this Cistus ‘Little Gem’ and Cistus laurifolius cross celebrates not only showy blooms but a low comely mound, which responds well to pruning. The gold-centered, 2-½ in. white papery flowers are engraved with striking, nearly triangular burgundy marks at each petal’s base, while gracing long, matt-finished, dark green slender leaves and somewhat lax, wine-infused stems.

Full of vigor, ‘Jessamy Beauty’ merits her name especially when set against Melianthus ‘Antonow’s Blue’s large blue-tinged foliage.

Blooms June – July.

Size: 3' high x 5' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus ‘Jessamy Beauty’ (S-0690)
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Cistus ladanifer var. petiolatus ‘Bennett’s White’ full sun
<i>Cistus ladanifer</i> var. <i>petiolatus</i> ‘Bennett’s White’

From afar, its easy to mistake this Cistus’ pure white, 5 in. wide flowers for those of a Romneya. Against cinnamon-colored stems and two-toned leathery leaves that are a glistening bright green on top and silver beneath, the frilly, unusually large, gold-centered blooms deliver an awe-inspiring presentation.

Yielding a sticky, sweetly fragrant resin known as Labdanum, the vigorous growing ‘Bennett’s White’ can be planted with Lavandula ‘Ana Luisa’ in a dry Mediterranean garden where its superlative flowers and pleasant aroma will undoubtedly turn quite a few heads.

Blooms April–May.

Size: 4'–5' high x 4' wide; hardy to zone 8.

AVAILABLE SPRING 2012


Cistus ladanifer var. petiolatus ‘Bennett’s White’ (s-0596)
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Cistus ‘Little Gem’ full sun

A refined Eric Sammons hybrid of Cistus inflatus parentage and distant Cistus ladanifer ancestry, this small-statured Cistus presents delicate white flowers. A single dark maroon mark is attractively painted at the base of each petal, enhancing the sunny yellow center. Lining red-tinged stems, the textured linear leaves are slightly reflective and provide a contrasting foil for Helianthemum ‘Cheviot’.

Blooms May–June.

Size: 3' high x 4' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus ‘Little Gem’ (S-0477)
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Cistus monspeliensis ‘Vicar’s Mead’ full sun

Dotted with soft yellow, one inch wide, paper-thin blooms, this splendid Rockrose celebrates a flower color that is pleasantly unique! Rose-scented, overlapping petals swirl around a sunlit hub, while slender green leaves—long, tapering and ripple-edged—garb its small, well-branched frame. Collected on the Mediterranean island of Majorca by Harold Read, ‘Vicar’s Mead’ makes an airy evergreen companion for Isoplexis canariensis.

Blooms April–May.

Size: 4' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus monspeliensis ‘Vicar’s Mead’ (S-0636)
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Cistus x oblongifolius full sun
<i>Cistus</i> x <i>oblongifolius</i>

With overlapping, sheet white petals drawn together by prominent, golden clusters of stamens, the jubilant-looking, 2 in. wide flowers remind us of sunnyside-up eggs. A Cistus laurifolius and Cistus inflatus progeny, this vigorous, tall growing Cistus hosts long and pointed, dark green leaves that are gray-green below, narrowly shaped and sticky. Its sizable presence, handsome foliage and perky floral display makes it a good neighbor for Rhamnus ‘Variegata’.

Blooms late

Size: 6' high x 4'–5' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus x oblongifolius (S-0604)
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Cistus palhinhaii ‘Red Eye’ full sun

So named because of the ½ in. blood red spot at the base of each good-sized, paper-thin white petal, this dense, striking Cistus comes to us from Ken Montgomery of Boonville, California. Its deep green, glossy linear leaves and young stems are fragrant and sticky to the touch. Bold, deer resistant and adorned with eight-chambered brown seed pods, ‘Red Eye’ deserves to be displayed as a specimen.

Blooms March–May.

Size: 5' high x 5'–6' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus palhinhaii ‘Red Eye’ (S-0024)
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Cistus x pauranthus ‘Natacha’ full sun  new plant

With a high-born lineage that includes Cistus parviflorus and Cistus salviifolius, it’s no wonder this seldom offered, easy-to-maintain Cistus is shapely and small statured, unlike so many other Rockroses. ‘Natacha’ displays attractive textured gray-green foliage and delicate pink-tinged, yellow-centered white flowers. Stimulated by pruning, her rounded profile makes a superb companion for more diminutive plants like Ballota pseudodictamnus and Calamagrostis foliosa.

Blooms April – June.

Size: 4' high x 4' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus x pauranthus ‘Natacha’ (S-0745)
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Cistus populifolius full sun
<i>Cistus populifolius</i>

The unique, apple green foliage of this hearty species has undulating margins and grows in dense mounds, creating a luxurious backdrop for white flowers embellished with yellow centers. When the plant is budding, red-hued sepals contrast brilliantly with the delicate flowers.

Blooms April – June.

Size: 6' high x 6' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus populifolius (S-0273)
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Cistus x purpureus ‘Alan Fradd’ full sun
<i>Cistus</i> x <i>purpureus</i> ‘Alan Fradd’

Achieving the delicacy of parchment, each white overlapping petal features a striking maroon brush mark at its base. The large flowers are drawn together by a predominant yellow eye, while poised amongst wavy, dark green narrow leaves. Upright and sticky, red-flushed stems forge a rounded profile that can be associated with Perovskia abrotanoides and Eryngium ‘Blaukappe’ for an arresting union.

Blooms May–June.

Size: 5'–6' high x 5'–6' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus x purpureus ‘Alan Fradd’ (S-0652)
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Cistus ‘Silver Pink’ full sun

Parented by Cistus laurifolius and Cistus canescens, this compact, mounding Cistus delivers a wild, undomesticated presence to the landscape. A lavish display of silvery pink flowers dressed in tissue-paper delicacy shimmer against green, lance-shaped leaves with gray undersides and undulating margins. Showy gilded stamens upstage the cheerful, white-centered petals.

Plant ‘Silver Pink’ amid Nepeta ‘Snowflake’ and fellow Mediterranean Euphorbia myrsinites for an engaging collage of foliar colors, flowers and textures.

Blooms May–July.

Size: 3' high x 4'–5' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus ‘Silver Pink’ (S-0602)
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Cistus ‘Snow Fire’ full sun
<i>Cistus</i> ‘Snow Fire’

Regarded by Eric Sammons as perhaps the most successful of his unreleased hybrids, this well-bred Cistus claims Cistus populifolius subsp. major and Cistus inflatus as its parents. ‘Snow Fire’ closely resembles ‘Snow White’, except for a slightly smaller, more spreading stance and its decorated blooms, whose blazing marks undoubtedly kindled the “fire” in this cultivar’s name. Dainty white overlapping petals surround a golden eye, and each is brushed by a prominent burgundy-red patch at its base. The bright green, wavy-edged leaves and reddish stems respond quite well to pruning.

Blooms April–August.

Size: 4'–4-1/2' high x 4'–5' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus ‘Snow Fire’ (S-0560)
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Cistus ‘Snow White’ full sun

The name ‘Snow White’ surely refers to the multitude of orange-centered, papery white flowers that embellish this choice mounding Cistus. Perhaps even more noticeable are the large, intricately-winged buds. Deep red in color, and covered with a downy fuzz, they nearly obscure the bright green, undulating foliage for most of the season, adding to its soft, alluring appearance.

Blooms April–August.

Size: 6' high x 8' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cistus ‘Snow White’ (S-0401)
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Clerodendrum

Glory Bower


Clerodendrum bungei full sun  partial shade
<i>Clerodendrum bungei</i>

Indigenous to China and the Himalayas, the Glory Bower grows into a vigorous suckering, semiwoody shrub that rouses a lot of spirited appeal, especially late in the season. Numerous, straight-backed deep purple-red stems stand in sharp relief to a dark green sea of large, coarsely textured heart-shaped foliage. Ruggedly bold and handsome, the somewhat reflective, paired leaves are toothed and patterned with wine-tinged midribs, while ample-sized, fragrant clusters of loosely arranged rose-red florets float overhead.

Flourishing in the shade of larger woodies as deer pass it by and dying to the ground during cold winters, Clerodendrum’s compact form must be maintained in warmer climates by a hard, early spring pruning and subsequent pinchings, and where it’s very hot, shade is a must.

Blooms August–mid-October.

Size: 4'–5' high x 3' & spreading; hardy to zone 7.


Clerodendrum bungei (S-0625)
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Clerodendrum trichotomum full sun  partial shade  new plant
Harlequin Glorybower

A denizen of China and Japan, this exotic large deciduous shrub has a big impact. Clothed with fuzzy dark green oval leaves, the sparse upright branches and pendulous lower ones define its elegant, often multitrunked silhouette. Gracefully drooping terminal panicles of slightly upturned white flowers make a sweetly perfumed late summer appearance. Tended by large pinkish green prominently ribbed calyxes, the blooms age to a pale mauve and are followed by extraordinary jewel-like, small steel blue fruit cradled in star-shaped magenta calyxes.

Harlequin Glorybower is a sublime contender for the mixed border or a large patio pot, where it fancies full sun and moist well-drained soil.

Blooms August – September.

Size: 10'–12' high x 10'–12' wide; hardy to zone 7.


Clerodendrum trichotomum (S-0743)
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Clethra

Summersweet


Clethra ‘Sixteen Candles’ full sun  partial shade
Summersweet

Just like candles on a birthday cake, the larger, more upright flowers of this superlative Michael Dirr selection are a splendid sight. A glossy late spring flush of tooth-edged leafage in emerald hues sets the stage for the abundant creamy white flowers. Made even more dazzling by their spiced-honey scent, the 6 in. long blooms form nearly horizontal, close-knit cylindrical spires.

In autumn, foliage matures to a pleasing yellow. Strongly vertical, slightly downy brown branches and persistent seed spikes etch winter’s somber landscape. With a compact mounding habit, this Clethra offers a winsome presence in small spaces, and is a choice feature for a patio pot. Give this easy-to-grow shrub moist, slightly acidic soil and, where summers are hot and dry, shade each afternoon.

Blooms late June–July.

Size: 2-1/2' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Clethra ‘Sixteen Candles’ (S-0585)
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Coprosma

Valued for their handsome evergreen foliage and easy care even when the going gets tough, this well groomed genus hails from the Southern Hemisphere. Their rounded, leathery leaves are borne in opposite pairs and garb a fast growing, sun-loving frame that appreciates good drainage, handles drought, wards off deer and begs an easily viewed position anywhere fine foliar texture is appreciated.


Coprosma ‘Beatson’s Gold’ full sun
<i>Coprosma</i> ‘Beatson’s Gold’

A twiggy stage where shadows and light become the cast, ‘Beatson’s Gold’ captivates an audience with variegated foliage and a distinctive horizontal branching pattern. The narrowly oval, tiny leaves are lime-yellow and rimmed by a crisp dark green. Stiff and upright, this handsome New Zealand native can be planted as a specimen, a formal or informal hedge or as a screen. It happily resides in coastal climates, obliging nearly any soil type, especially very dry ones.

Size: 8' high x 6' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Coprosma ‘Beatson’s Gold’ (S-0026)
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Coprosma kirkii ‘Variegata’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Coprosma kirkii</i> ‘Variegata’

Because of the handsome horizontal growth of its long slender stems, and the exceptionally elegant variegation of its small lustrous leaves, this New Zealand native is a first-rate evergreen ground cover. Small, neatly cream-margined gray-green leaves display attractive, translucent white berries preceded by inconspicuous flowers. Its low-lying branches provide a deft transition between upright shrubs such as Rosmarinus ‘Herb Cottage’ or Cistus ‘Bennett’s White’.

‘Variegata’ willingly accepts a wide range of soils, can handle wind and salt spray, and promises a dense handsome form if pruned regularly.

Size: 12"–2' high x 4'–6' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Coprosma kirkii ‘Variegata’ (S-0586)
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Coprosma ‘Roy’s Red’ full sun
<i>Coprosma</i> ‘Roy’s Red’

Accentuated by a marvelous surface so highly sheened it seems unreal, small, thick, almost succulent-looking foliage exhibits bronzy red and green hues. The lustrous, ovoid-shaped leaves angle upward while their tips curve down, and come winter transmute deep purply rubescent shades. Erect and not as wide-angled as ‘Beatson’s Gold’, light-colored reflective stems define a compact bushy shrub that casts cozy glimmers on Mediterraneans or fellow New Zealanders like Uncinia rubra or Carex tenuiculmis.

Size: 4'–6' high x 3'–4' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Coprosma ‘Roy’s Red’ (s-0651)
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Cornus

Dogwood

Cornus capitata full sun  partial shade
Evergreen Dogwood
<i>Cornus capitata</i>

An elegant, large evergreen shrub or small tree, this slow growing Dogwood is a perfect anchor for the shrubby border. Handsome, curved leathery leaves with light green veins provide a pleasing texture and turn bronze in the winter months. Buttonlike flower heads surrounded by creamy yellow bracts precede the long lasting, prominent, pinkish red strawberry-shaped fruit that appears in November and can be brought inside as a colorful complement to holiday greenery.

Blooms June

Size: 16' high x 8' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Cornus capitata (S-0364)
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Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’ full sun  partial shade
Red Osier Dogwood
<i>Cornus sericea</i> ‘Cardinal’

With common names like Hart’s Rouges, Kinnikinnik and Shoemack, who would expect this North American riparian native to be a vibrant beauty igniting the winter landscape? ‘Cardinal’ sculpts an unflappable, extremely cold-hardy multi-stemmed shrub that has a lot to offer: fiery red-hued stems in winter, flat-topped clusters of petite white flowers in spring, creamy white summertime fruit, and dark green deciduous foliage manifesting a purple-red fall display.

Beloved by gardeners, birds and the azure butterfly, the Red Osier Dogwood prefers rich, somewhat moist soil, but tolerates a variety of sites and can be ensconced near Acer griseum for an intriguing blend of colors and textures.

Trim roots to remove unwanted suckers and prune 30% of the old wood in early spring to stimulate brilliant new growth.

Blooms August – September.

Size: 6'–8' high x 6'–8' wide; hardy to zone 3.


Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’ (S-0733)
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Correa

Australian Fuchsia


Correa alba (Bronze Select) full sun  partial shade

Everyone loves this chance evergreen hybrid from U.C. Davis, except those pesky deer. It makes a great windbreak, forming a dense, tidy mound of smooth topped, fuzzy bottomed leaves and soft rust-colored stems, while tolerating coastal breezes. Small white, star-shaped flowers borne at the leaf axils are a nice touch in the drab months of late winter. Beware of overwatering!

Blooms January – March.

Size: 8' high x 8' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Correa alba (Bronze Select) (S-0343)
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Correa alba ‘Western Pink Star’ full sun

Hailing from Down Under, in Australia’s western Victoria on a limestone cliff top, it’s a happy chance that Mr. Pat Urbonus came upon this stalwart beauty. The tidy, semi-upright mound entertains a dainty gathering of pretty pink starry flowers, whitening as they age. Enveloped by a soft-looking rust-colored fuzz, the light stems and green oval-shaped leaves with pale gray-green undersides possess an untiring resilience to drought, wind, coastal frontlines, pesky deer and pruning. ‘Western Pink Star’ can be sited in a favored patio vessel or massed in a dry border amid Mediterraneans and grasses such as Stipa arundinacea.

Blooms May–June.

Size: 3' high x 4'–6' wide; hardy to zone 8.


Correa alba ‘Western Pink Star’ (S-0638)
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Correa ‘Dusky Bells’ full sun  partial shade
Red Australian Fuchsia

Sprinkled amongst waxy green leaves, ‘Dusky Bells’s pendulous red tubular flowers, dressed in chartreuse calyxes and flared tips, become one of winter’s more endearing attractions. The dainty long lasting blooms appear in autumn and persist through early spring, luring both gardeners and hummingbirds alike.

Whether utilized as a low mounding specimen in a large vessel or as a tidy evergreen ground cover for banks, hillsides or other tough spots, the Red Australian Fuchsia favors good drainage and light shade where it’s hot. This densely branched shrub is undaunted by deer, ocean frontage, poor rocky sites, and occasional drought. Affiliate with other steadfast companions like Ceanothus ‘Concha’ and Stipa arundinacea.

Blooms November – early March.

Size: 18"–2' high x 2'–3' wide; hardy to zone 9.


Correa ‘Dusky Bells’ (S-0735)
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Corylopsis


Corylopsis pauciflora partial shade
Buttercup Winter Hazel
<i>Corylopsis pauciflora</i>

This choice delicate shrub will grace a woodland garden with the scent and sight of primrose yellow flowers on 3 in. racemes. The bristle-toothed leaves, which cluster densely on gently arching branches, are smaller than others in the genus. Long lasting as a cut flower, Buttercup Winter Hazel is irresistible with an understory of early flowering blue Brunnera.

Blooms March – April.

Size: 5' high x 8' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Corylopsis pauciflora (s-0028)
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Corylopsis spicata partial shade
Spike Winter Hazel
<i>Corylopsis spicata</i>

Stiff, twiggy branches zigzag dramatically among the pale yellow flowers, accented with cardinal red anthers, and petals both buttery yellow and pistachio green. The final touch to all this beauty is the sweet, incenselike perfume. The new leaves that follow often emerge with a pinkish tinge, maturing to crisp deep green. Their rounded shape resembles hazelnut leaves.

Provide a sheltered location and acid soil, and be sure to include the flowers in an early spring bouquet.

Blooms March–April.

Size: 6' high x 8' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Corylopsis spicata (S-0029)
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Cotinus

Smoke Bush

       
Cotinus ‘Golden Spirit’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Cotinus</i> ‘Golden Spirit’

Hallmarked by a lambent-leafed spectacle bridging three seasons and signature gauzy panicles, this new upright Cotinus makes a dynamic mainstay for any garden. Young leaves emerge a lime-green color, turn a brilliant golden hue in summer, and then broadcast a glorious mélange of coral, orange and red in autumn.

An Adriana Sanders-van Harn introduction and a lively companion for blue flowering Clematis, Aconitums and Oakleaf Hydrangeas, ‘Golden Spirit’ develops as an open multistemmed deciduous shrub that appreciates average moisture, some protection from hot scorching sun and a pruning to maintain its size and good form. (pp#13,082)

Blooms July – August.

Size: 8' high x 8' wide; hardy to zone 5.

AVAILABLE SPRING 2012


Cotinus ‘Golden Spirit’ (S-0734)
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Cotinus ‘Grace’ full sun  partial shade
Smoke Bush

An arresting beacon as the sun casts a ruby glow through its purple-black leaves, ‘Grace’ inherits her elegance from Cotinus coggygria ‘Velvet Cloak’ and Cotinus obovatus. The sprays of tiny deep pink flowers throw a smoky, wine-colored fog over its robust form, and a close glance reveals bright yellow at the center of each bloom. Lovely in contrast with the silver foliage of Teucrium fruticans (Select Form), ‘Grace’ conveys a stately presence matched by few other plants.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 12' high x 12' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Cotinus ‘Grace’ (S-0394)
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Deutzia

These profuse and long blooming deciduous shrubs are Asian natives named after Johann van der Deutz, a lawyer, town councilor and amateur botanist from Amsterdam. Easy to cultivate in any well drained soil, Deutzias are some of the most beautiful early summer flowering shrubs.


Deutzia gracilis ‘Chardonnay Pearls’ full sun  partial shade

Drink in the pearlescent splendor of this fresh vintage whose frosty, star-shaped blossoms sparkle amid spirited lemon-green foliage that is serrated and burn resistant. Exploding from immaculately white, clustered buds, the delicate fragrant flowers adorn gently arching branches.

A luminous companion for Viburnum ‘Mary Milton’s deep greenery with the small textural leaves of Ajuga ‘Emerald Chip’ skirting below, ‘Chardonnay Pearls’s compact profile assures a bright crispness all season. (PPAF)

Blooms late May–early June.

Size: 3'–4' high x 3'–4' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Deutzia gracilis ‘Chardonnay Pearls’ (S-0605)
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Deutzia gracillis ‘Nikko’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Deutzia gracillis</i> ‘Nikko’

Dainty white flowers are borne in abundance on this dwarf, compact shrub. Perfect for the rock garden, by steps, or any other small nook.

Blooms March – April.

Size: 2' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Deutzia gracillis ‘Nikko’ (S-0140)
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Deutzia x magnifica full sun  partial shade

As the name implies, this is a magnificent hybrid that comes to us via the famous Lemoine Nursery in France, where many Deutzia and the closely related Philadelphus were hybridized between 1894 and 1927. It is a vigorous, upright shrub with a dense branching habit. Its exfoliating bark and pure white double flowers, carried in tightly clustered sprays along the branches, create much interest, especially in a shrubby or mixed border with a dark background.

In our garden, we contrast the white flowers with purple-leafed Cotinus ‘Grace’ and summer blooming Hydrangea ‘Blue Wave’.

Blooms June–July.

Size: 6'–8' high x 6' wide; hardy to zone 6.


Deutzia x magnifica (S-0196)
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Diervilla

Bush Honeysuckle

Named after a French surgeon called Dierville who introduced the plant to Europe in the early 1700s, this small staunch genus counts Honeysuckle and Weigela among its cousins and calls the southeastern U.S. its home.


Diervilla lonicera ‘Copper’ full sun  partial shade

‘Copper’s vigorous, low mounding form makes a colorful statement with red-tinted stems, delicate lemon yellow flowers and opposite lance-shaped, deciduous green leaves that transmute copper shades when unfurling and red and purple hues come autumn.

Undeterred by varying soil pH and excessive moisture or drought, the highly enduring Bush Honeysuckle can serve as a honey plant, while underground stolons control erosion. It’s the best choice for dry alkaline sites and looks attractive just about anywhere else.

Blooms June – August.

Size: 4' high x 4'–5' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Diervilla lonicera ‘Copper’ (S-0736)
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Edgeworthia

Paper Bush

Edgeworthia chrysantha ‘Akebono’ full sun  partial shade  new plant
Red Paper Bush

This remarkable Daphne relative offers an unprecedented late winter visual feast. Erect and thick, yet pliable, the smooth silver-laced naked branches congregate in a noteworthy open fashion and entertain prominent silky white buttonlike buds at their tips. Exploding from unique tightset clusters, a bevy of small waxy tubular blooms flaunt luscious tangerine orange shades and waft a pleasant fresh fragrance. Dark green, 4 in. long deciduous leaves populate branch apexes.

Native to Asia where the bark is prized for crafting high-class paper, ‘Akebono’s slow growing rounded form favors a shady, somewhat moist protected locale and lends an exotic panache to broad leafed shrubs such as Oakleaf Hydrangeas or Physocarpus ‘Coppertina’ in any garden.

Blooms late February to March

Size: 5'–6' high x 4' wide; hardy to zone 7.


Edgeworthia chrysantha ‘Akebono’ (S-0747)
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Elaeagnus

Elaeagnus ‘Quicksilver’ full sun
Russian Olive

Aptly named, this topnotch undemanding shrub quickly composes an upright, multistemmed silvery frame well-suited for hedging or screening. The dapper deciduous leaves—long, slender and alternate—manifest tiny bronze dots, which reflect sunlight, and create a splendid sparkle, while small cream-colored flowers tucked into leaf axils exude a sweet fragrance.

Originating in England as a chance hybrid seedling first identified by celebrated British plantsman Roy Lancaster, the ever-acquiescent ‘Quicksilver’ dresses the garden with luminous accents and withstands wind, drought and most soils.

Blooms June.

Size: 8' high x 4' wide; hardy to zone 4.

AVAILABLE SUMMER 2012


Elaeagnus ‘Quicksilver’ (S-0697)
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Eleutherococcus


Eleutherococcus sieboldianus ‘Variegata’ partial shade
Variegated Five-Leaf Aralia

Wherever this carefree east Asian native is staged, it quickly matures into an engaging, medium-sized specimen full of panache. Buckeye-style, bright green five-fingered leaves are artfully splashed with irregular creamy white margins and sport small spines at their bases, while lining numerous upright and arching canelike stems.

The hardy thicketlike, deciduous mound has so much fortitude—easily adapting to a wide range of soils, which includes drought, and flourishing in sun or shade—the only dilemma you’ll encounter is narrowing down the myriad choices of where to plant it. The shade garden, a backdrop in a perennial or shrubby border, a screen or a hedge-row are just a few of the possibilities.

Size: 6'–8' high x 6'–8' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Eleutherococcus sieboldianus ‘Variegata’ (s-0628)
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Enkianthus


Enkianthus campanulatus full sun  partial shade
<i>Enkianthus campanulatus</i>

The Chinese call the blossoms of this shrub Tsiau-Tsung-hoa or Suspended Bells. Botanically speaking, the true flowers are enclosed in an assemblage of clustered bracts, for a flower-within-a-flower appearance. Borne in clusters, each petal of these ivory green blooms is lightly veined with pink and ends in a delicately scalloped deep pink tip. The glossy, jade-colored foliage provides brilliant fall color. Enkianthus campanulatus is an elegant specimen to star in the shrubby border.

Blooms May.

Size: 10'–16' high x 4' wide; hardy to zone 4.


Enkianthus campanulatus (S-0038)
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Eucryphia

Eucryphia x nymansensis ‘Mount Usher’ full sun  partial shade
<i>Eucryphia</i> x <i>nymansensis</i> ‘Mount Usher’

This splendid evergreen hybrid between two Chilean species, Eucryphia cordifolia and Eucryphia glutinosa comes from Mt. Usher in Ireland. Its name translates “well covered” and reflects the abundant, sweetly fragrant bowls of pearl-white flowers with spry yellow stamens.

Appreciating moist soils and protection from harsh winds, glossy toothed leaves garnish the compact narrow profile that can be utilized as a first-class pest free screen or as a backdrop for other shrubs and perennials. Highly welcome, applelike blossoms unfurl when few other woodies bloom, thereby securing it a celebrated position in our mixed border.

Blooms August – September.

Size: 20'–22' high x 7'–8' wide; hardy to zone 7.


Eucryphia x nymansensis ‘Mount Usher’ (S-0120)
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Eupatorium

 


Eupatorium ligustrinum full sun

Butterflies and garden visitors alike will flock to this fragrant Mexican beauty. Small bronzy green leaves and stems fashion a dense, twiggy evergreen shrub that broadcasts a luminous last hurrah when fluffy masses of large, flat white flower heads nearly engulf its upright frame.

Discovered in 1867, Eupatorium ligustrinum creates an extraordinary and easily maintained backdrop for a mixed planting. It appreciates well drained soil, periodic deadheading and protection from wind and winter cold. Zone 8/9.

Blooms August – November.

Size: 8' high x 6' wide; hardy to zone 9.


Eupatorium ligustrinum (S-0714)
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Fothergilla

Witchalder


Fothergilla major ‘Mount Airy’ partial shade

Originating in the Southeast, deciduous Fothergilla bears the name of a British physician who specialized in growing American plants. Selected by Mike Dirr, ‘Mount Airy’ is an outstanding new cultivar featuring attractive leaves, good-sized blooms and consistently spectacular red, orange and yellow autumn color.

Possibly a hybrid between Fothergilla gardenii and Fothergilla major, this vigorous upright shrub has handsome, heavily textured deep green foliage with whitish undersides and an abundance of fragrant white flowers borne in large terminal clusters.

Blooms April–May.

Size: 5'–6' high x 5'–6' wide; hardy to zone 5.


Fothergilla major ‘Mount Airy’ (S-0416)
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