Featured Plants : bark

Fox Valley River Birch Is A Little King

patti-nhn — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:06:00 GMT

The Fox Valley River Birch Betula nigra 'Little King' is a dwarf birch variety that will grow from 8 to 10 feet tall, it will spread out from 8 to 10 feet as well so is a compact tree. It is also fast growing and can grow to this height and spread in approximately ten years in good conditions. As with most birch trees the Fox Valley has an exfoliating bark with orange and red hues.

Its compact growth is eye-catching and makes it a desirable tree in your landscape, especially if you are looking for something different from everyone else. This River Birch is adaptable in soil type and resistant to pests and diseases. It is hardy from zones 3 to 8. It will make a great focal point in your landscape and with it's compact size it would be an easy fit.

Heritage River Birch 'Cully' Adaptable To Weather

patti-nhn — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:20:00 GMT

The Heritage River Birch Betula nigra 'Cully' is a very hardy plant. It is adaptable to cold winters 40 degrees or lower as well as hot summer temperatures. Overall this tree gives lots of reasons to make it very desirable such as the fast growth and the fact that is it widely adaptable to different types of soil. It also resists bronze birch borer. The Heritage Birch has also received an honor in 2002 as the Urban Tree of The Year by the Society of Municipal Arborists.

As an ornamental tree, the bark of the tree is a salmon to white colored exfoliating bark which peels very interestingly on the trunk. The leaves of the Heritage River Birch are large and dark green in color. In fall, the leaves will turn a golden yellow. It is a tall tree when it matures at up to 50 feet. It has a widely desired oval crown and spreads up to about 35 feet wide. This would make a wonderful tree to really show off your landscape.

Dakota Pinnacle An Asian White Birch

patti-nhn — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:40:00 GMT

White Birches are one of the most popular Birch trees for their year-round interest. The Dakota Pinnacle Asian White Birch Betula platyphylla 'Fargo' is no exception and stands at the head of its class. It stands tall like a soldier with its narrow columnar habit and stands strong amongst drought, heat and winds.

Their decorative peeling bark is considered one of its most interesting assets. Like other Birch trees the bark changes color as it ages and matures. The Dakota Pinnacle will start with a dark-orange-white coloring and eventually mature to the yellowish white color of the bark. This an extremely cold hardy tree from zones 3/4 to zones 7/8. The Dakota Pinnacle will also adapt well to heavy soils and even with elevated PH. This makes a great choice for the Midwest and Mountain states.

Beijing Gold Peking Lilac A New Tree Lilac

patti-nhn — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 01:32:00 GMT

If you love the smell of Lilacs but would prefer a tree to a bush, this is the answer for you. The Beijing Gold Syringa pekinensis 'Zhang Zhiming' is a new tree lilac. It flowers with yellow fragrant blooms and has cinnamon colored bark making it a wonderful ornamental tree for your landscape.

It is a hardy tree and works in tough landscapes where other types of trees just don't fit the design. Lilacs tend to prefer full sun to partial shade. It will grow to approximately 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide. This Lilac tree is hardy from zone 7 all the way down to zone 4. Lilacs are very pretty as cut flowers in the home and their fragrance will fill the room so you can enjoy them both inside and out.

Cutleaf Weeping Birch Famous And Graceful

patti-nhn — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:51:00 GMT

The Cutleaf Weeping Birch Betula pendula 'dalecarlica' is famous for its pronounced weeping form. It sways gracefully in the breeze. The branches are pendulous and features fine leaves that have a deeply cut fern look to them. The dark green leaves take on a wonderful yellow hue in the fall. The bark is white so would really stand out in your lawn or near your garden with all of its color.

It is one of the most popular birch trees for an accent tree in your yard and is often found in parks. This Cutleaf Weeping birch is a fast growing and can grow from 30 feet to 40 feet tall and 25 feet wide. It is hardy from zone 2 to zone 6. It grows best in full sun and is widely adaptable in soil type. This is a lovely and enjoyable tree to plant near a patio or balcony.

Here's a Gold Nugget for You!

patti-nhn — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:31:00 GMT

It seems like gold has had the attention of the world almost since the beginning of it's creation. The color of gold is often considered warm, like the gold flames of a fire. It is most prized in jewelry and to award someone for a job well done. In the garden, it can have the same effect.

May I suggest a bush that will be prized in your landscape? The "Dart's Gold" Ninebark bush fits this description. The golden yellow leaves of this versatile shrub are bright and colorful. They are a ray of sunshine! They are deciduous so will lose their leaves to reveal papery looking branches which is attractive in the winter as well. If you are a bird watcher, there are also red berries to attract them to your yard.

Dart's Gold Physo. o. 'Dart's Gold'' generally grow about 4-5 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide so would also make a nice border plant in your yard or around or behind a flower garden. They are low maintenance and can handle dry conditions. If you want to add some sunshine, plan on a few of these bushes in your landscape.

Beauty Bush-A bush by any other name...

patti-nhn — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 14:02:00 GMT

How can you resist a bush that is named "beauty"? The Beauty Bush - Kolkwitzia amabilis is tall, about 6-8 feet. It's arching shape is like an upright vase. It's sometimes even referred to as a fountain shape. The soft pink spring flowers are very dainty looking and bell shaped. They really show off among the dark green leaves that turn yellow and red in the fall. It is drought tolerant and does well in sandy soil. It can become leggy as it ages so you might need to do some pruning to the older stems. It can get as wide as it is tall so you'll want plenty of room for it's full growth when planting.

It works well as a hedge plant and if you are a bird lover, they will be attracted to the tan, hairy seeds it produces. It has an interesting bark that is light brown and will split from top to bottom and then peels and exfoliates. Your family and friends will enjoy admiring the many changes this bush goes through. You might even get some envious neighbors.