Featured Plants : cold hardy

Cloud 9 Dogwood Provides Year Round Interest

barb-nhn — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:06:00 GMT

A beautiful flowering dogwood, Cloud 9 is a strong grower with light green foliage, and it produces distinctive, large, overlapping, pure white petal-like blooms in April and May. The nectar and pollen attracts butterflies and other pollinators. This tree will provide a landscape with year round interest.

After displaying its lovely spring flowers, Cloud 9 Dogwood keeps its green foliage all summer, then the foliage turns to a bright scarlet red in the fall. Clusters of glossy red fruit mature in late fall and persist into winter when they are eaten by birds, squirrels, and rabbits. This dogwood also furnishes nesting sites for a number of birds.

Dogwood Cloud 9 does best in partial shade, but if planted in full sun, it must receive adequate water. It is not a drought or pollution tolerant plant. Mulch well (about four inches) to keep shallow roots cool and retain valuable moisture. Dogwood Cloud 9 is perfect along the wood’s edge, in combination with azaleas and rhododendrons, or as a small, specimen lawn tree. This tree requires well-drained, acidic soil, rich in organic matter.

Dogwoods in general are an understory, deciduous tree, with a horizontal to upright branching form. Cloud 9 has a short trunk, horizontal branches, and a moderately globe-shaped crown. This is one of the most cold hardy cultivars, thriving in zones 5-9 and growing 12-15 feet in height.

Beach Plum Shrubs, You don't have to go to the beach to enjoy them!

patti-nhn — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:24:00 GMT

Beach Plum shrubs are often found on the East Coast, along the shoreline. If you live in a colder area, not on the beach, here is your best option. They can be grown from zones 3 to 6, the colder regions of the country. Full sun is required for proper fruiting and the soil should be well-drained. The shrub can handle some drought as long as the soil is loamy or sandy, slightly acidic and moderately fertile. It will not do well if your soil is heavy clay. This shrub matures from 5 to 6 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide which makes it easy to pick the plums. It does grow upright and has a medium growth rate.

Before the fruit sets, the shrub will begin flowering in early May with white blooms that can be single or double blooming. The flowers grow in clusters of two to three. This bush shrub is pollinated by bees and also can be carried by the wind. After pollination the flowers will become a whitish pink color. It will produce edible fruit that ripens in August. The fruits are round and 1/2 to 3/4 inches in diameter. This plum is delicious and decorative with its wonderful dullish purple coloring. They can be eaten right off the bush or used in fruit salads, made into jams or jellies and anything else you might like to try. How easy can it be to have ripe plums right in your back yard and you shouldn't have to climb tall ladders.

The Orange Mollis Hybrid Azalea Ranges In Colors

patti-nhn — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:32:00 GMT

This Orange Mollis Hybrid Azalea shrub blooms are very unique in that they include cream to rich yellow and orange to orange-red colored flowers. They are truly beautiful and would gather lots of attention from the neighbors and guests to your home. The flowers are grown in clusters and they range from 2 to 3 inches in size. You will see them popping out in spring to early summer. The shrub that grows from 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide has been hybridized to be hardy into some of the colder zones in the Northern part of the country. This shrub can grow from zone 5 to zone 8.

Orange Mollis is basically trouble free. It does require full sun, acidic soil and excellent drainage. If it is allowed too much shade or dries out in midsummer, you may find that it will not bloom as well the next year. This bush is a slow grower but is well worth the wait. Its rounded shape fits well into most areas of your landscape. They are grown often as hedges, borders or even on their own. This is a shrub that will certainly add a lot of interest and color to your landscape. Everyone will want to know where you found such colorful flowers!

Azalea White Mollis Hybrid Has Large Clusters of White Flowers!

patti-nhn — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:30:00 GMT

If you are a fan of Azaleas, you will want to try this Hybrid White Mollis Azalea. The flowers call out to those who walk by, they just have to come closer to get a better look. The funnel-shaped blooms and clean white petals make this Azalea bush burst with beauty from spring into early summer. Its fall color adds more interest. Being hybridized, it is hardy in colder regions from zone 5 to the warmer regions of zone 8. With their funnel shaped blooms, they can attract hummingbirds and butterflies as well as other birds.

Growing conditions for this Azalea require full sun, too much shade will reduce blooming the next year. Soil should be acidic and well-drained otherwise they could get too dry midsummer and that will also affect next year's growth. It is a slow grower but your patience will be well rewarded. It will grow 4 to 6 feet tall and spread from 3 to 4 feet wide. This is a relatively trouble free plant and low maintenance. Azaleas look great planted alone, especially in a bare spot where you need some pizazz. They can also be planted as a hedge or border plant, wherever you want showy flowers.

Red Mollis Hybrid Azaleas Are Lush And Hardy

patti-nhn — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:28:00 GMT

This Red Mollis Hybrid Azalea is hybridized to be hardy in the colder climates. This shrub has funnel shaped blooms that attract attention with their reddish-orange blooms in spring to early summer. The flowers grow in large clusters and the flowers are 2 to 3 inches in size. There are large trusses that hold the many flowers that fill this shrub giving it quite a beautiful appearance. Red Mollis is known for its fall color as well. With its rounded shape and height of 4 to 6 feet and a 3 to 4 foot spread, it is a wonderful specimen in any landscape.

As with most Azaleas, full sun is required. Moist well-drained acidic soil is needed. The hardiness of the shrub makes it almost completely free of any problems. The foliage is green and it is deciduous meaning it will lose its leaves in the late fall/early wintertime. It does well in zones 5 to 8 and is a slow grower but well worth the wait! These shrubs add a lot of color to your landscape and can be planted individually or in groups. Shrubs are often used by birds for protection and cover as well as butterflies and hummingbirds may be attracted to the flowers.

Concorde Barberry Shrubs Are Compact And Colorful

patti-nhn — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:00:00 GMT

If you are looking for a compact shrub, the Concorde Barberry shrub is an excellent choice. It has a round form that will mature to 2 foot tall and spread to 3 foot wide. Like its name says, it has reddish-purple leaves that will remind you of the color of Concorde grapes. Their color is deeper than most and will keep their color no matter the heat. They can be used as hedges and are often used to pop some color in front of other landscape borders or hedges. In the fall they have wonderful red, orange and yellow foliage color. The red fruits that grow in the fall are desired by birds and other wildlife.

The Concorde is also pest tolerant and allergy free. It grows best in full sun, if it is planted in the shade the leaves will be green and not have the great purple coloring. They prefer moist, well-drained soil but can grow in dry soil. It is a slow grower so you will want to be patient with it. This shrub will grow in zones from 4 to 8. What a versatile shrub this is and will make your neighbors green with envy. You will enjoy the coloring and beauty of this bush for years to come.

Try The Green Mound Alpine Currant For Early Spring Interest

patti-nhn — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:11:00 GMT

The Green Mound Alpine Currant is a compact shrub that will grow from 3 to 4 feet tall and spread from 2 to 3 feet wide. It makes a great small hedge or as a border plant along your fence, driveway, sidewalk or even on its own used to fill in a bare area. Often you will find the Green Mound planted in masses in shady woodland areas. This shrub has all season interest. Early in the spring it will begin to leaf out with beautiful dark green foliage that will last well into summer. It has yellowish green flowers that show off against the dark green foliage. Its foliage is very full and dense and has a mounding shape. It is considered spineless and is deciduous meaning it will lose its leaves in the winter. The branches will add interest during the winter months.

This shrub is very winter hardy from zone 2 to zone 7 so can handle the coldest of temperatures. It does require well drained soil but can adapt to many types of soil. It will need partial sun and is a moderate grower. The Green Mound Alpine Currant is a dioecious shrub which means that if you want the scarlet berries (that are inedible) you will need a male and female plant. This is a male plant so you would need a female to bear fruit. It requires partial sun preferably normal to moist soil. This shrub would do well in many areas including an urban setting. It is very hardy and tough. A low maintenance plant, it would work well for a new gardener.

Burgundy Carousel Barberry Bushes Colorful And Fun

patti-nhn — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:15:00 GMT

If you like burgundy and purple, the foliage of this Burgundy Carousel Barberry shrub will fit in with your color scheme. When I think of Carousels at the fair, I think of the assortment of colors that brighten it up. The same with this shrub. It will continue its bright burgundy/purple colored foliage from spring into fall. It makes a colorful hedge and a good barrier due to its thorns. It also makes a great landscape shrub to add color that is not your typical plant colors. The leaves will give a good contrast to other plants and shrubs. In the spring it will provide bright red berries that will attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

This shrub grows 3 feet tall and will spread from 4 to 5 feet and has a moderate growth rate. The spreading habit of the shrub droops a bit for more interest. It does require full sun and moist well-drained soil. It will grow from zone 4 to zone 7 so is cold hardy. If you are a bird watcher, birds love bushes with berries. They are also great for birds to rest, groom and protection from the weather. They will give them a good roost to watch for predators and finding food like insects and many other types of bugs. A versatile shrub always makes a great addition to your landscape and this one is no exception.

Technito Arborvitae Makes A Great Evergreen Hedge

patti-nhn — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:11:00 GMT

Looking for a tall evergreen bush for a hedge or as a single specimen? The Arborvitae Technito fits that bill. It matures from 5 to 6 feet tall and will spread from 2 to 3 feet wide. It is an evergreen so will continue with its dark green color throughout the winter. It is similar to the Techny variety however the Techny is much bigger at 15 to 20 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. The dark green color of the Techny and the fact that it does retain its wonderful color into the winter are two of the similarities. The Technito is very dense and does not need much trimming. You will also enjoy the reddish-brown bark that is furrowed adding lots of interest. The foliage has a texture that is medium/fine making it a little softer than some other Arborvitae's can be. This Technito has an attractive pyramidal shape and can be used as a screen for privacy, you would probably want at least two depending on the space you have available.

The Technito requires well-drained soil and it does best in a very fertile soil. The soil should be moist and not left to dry out between watering. Technito does best in sun to light shade and has a slow to moderate growth rate. This is a low-maintenance bush that is hardy from zone 3 to 7. It can handle the cold weather very well. The soft look of this Arborvitae is very pleasing as an accent to your landscape.

The Sem Ash Leaf Spirea Appeals With Its Pink Fern-Like Foliage

patti-nhn — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 11:00:00 GMT

For a low hedge or small bush, the Sem Ash Leaf Spirea could be the answer for you. If you also like Pink, then the foliage of this plant will also be right up your alley. This bush will grow from 3 to 4 feet tall and from 3.5 to 4 feet wide making it also useful in a small bare spot or an accent in your landscape. The pink/red foliage grows on deep pink stems. As it unfurls in the spring, you will enjoy the fern look of this Spirea. There are also creamy white blossoms that will appear in July and August. Its shows off its wonderful bronze color in the fall. This Sem is a newer variety that, if you are familiar with the older Sorbaria varieties, is quite improved.

This bush will fill in tightly and be dense which is very attractive. It is hardy from zones 3 to 7 and would be a good choice in northern climates. It does well in partial shade and is a moderate grower. The Sem Ash Leaf Spirea is well branched, grows upright and is compact. For small spaces this fills in well and looks very elegant. As an easy to grow bush, this would be a great beginner bush. Being so versatile gives you many options for planting. Make sure you put it in a spot that you can enjoy it every day!

Alpine Currant Bushes Make Great Hedges

patti-nhn — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:38:00 GMT

The Alpine Currant makes a dense and decorative hedge that will enhance your landscape with its glossy green foliage and its yellowish green flowers. In the winter, it will also add interest and beauty. It is one of the best bushes for privacy due to the fact that it fills in so completely. This bush can grow from three to five feet tall and spread from five to six feet wide. If you prefer a smaller hedge, it can be trimmed back as low as eighteen inches to four feet above the ground.

Alpine Currant's are low maintenance and are able to withstand the cold winters to as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit. It can grow well from zone 2 to zone 7. They are also drought tolerant so they would grow well in dry soil areas. It requires full sun to partial sun. Insects and plant diseases generally leave this bush alone. These make great borders for gardens or flower beds as well as along a walkway or driveway. They can even be planted as an individual bush to fill in a bare spot or a small area where you want something that will enhance your home.

Blue Eyed Lobelia Flowers, Check Them Out!

patti-nhn — Sat, 16 May 2009 12:26:00 GMT

The Lobelia Laguna Compact Blue with Eye a Lobelia Hybrid is one of the Proven Winners collection. The flower is very large and the blue flower has a bright white eye that will wink at you as you admire them. This Compact Blue will flower all summer. It can stand alone in a planting or also adds great punch mixed with other colors. It also looks great in a container.

Lobelias can also handle both heat and cold weather. They grow upright from 8 to 12 inches. They will spread from 8 to 10 inches. The Laguna has a moderate growth rate and can handle full sun to partial sun. It will also grow from zones 3 to 11. In zones 9 to 11 it can be a perennial and in zones 3 to 9 it will be an annual. Growing this beautiful, unique flower will be very pleasing and enjoyable to watch.

Zucchini That Saves Space

patti-nhn — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:07:00 GMT

If you are looking for a space saving zucchini, the Organic Raven Zucchini would fit the bill. Cucurbita Raven (USDA Organic) Zucchini, Cucurbita pepo 'Raven' is great for small areas. It won't take up a lot of space like typical zucchini plants do. The planting area would need to allow for the plant to grow about 2 feet high and 3 feet wide. This zucchini will also give you high yields and meatier and more flavorful than some other varieties. The fruits will grow to about 7 or 8 inches and will be 2 inches around.

Zucchini requires moderate, well-drained soil and full sun. You will want to wait to plant until the temperature is in the 65 degrees plus. It will be able to be harvested in 48-50 days. The Raven is hardy from zones 3 to 9. This zucchini has high lutein. It is great for baking, adding to casseroles and steamed fresh. Being compact and space saving as well as being able to pick it fresh from your garden is a great plus. As well as saving on gas and the cost of zucchini at the store.

For A Nice Variety Try The Organic Roman Candle Tomatoes

patti-nhn — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:14:00 GMT

The Organic Roman Candle Tomato Solanum Roman Candle (Tomato) is quite an eye catcher. The shape is similar to a banana. It's bright yellow skin is a wonderful contrast with other regular red tomatoes or any mix of tomatoes. The flesh is white and tasty. Their size is 4 to 6 inches long. You will want to make sure to wait until the danger of frost and freezes has passed before you plant. Once planted you will be able to harvest these beauties in 80 to 85 days.

The Roman Candle is hardy from zones 3 to zone 9. You will need full sun and well drained moderately moist soil. It will need some type of support as it grows. One of the best benefits besides besides being good for you is that you can have the freshest, tastiest tomatoes right outside your door. This is a cost savings to you as well. Plus gardening is fun!

An Organic Pepper That Looks Like A Carrot!

patti-nhn — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:40:00 GMT

The Organic Bulgarian Carrot Pepper Capsicum Bulgarian Carrot (Pepper) is a Pepper that thinks its a carrot! The flavor, however is far from it. This Pepper has a flavor that is hot and spicy. They not only look like a carrot they also have a crunch when you bite into them. The Organic Bulgarian Carrot Pepper grows to 3.5 inch fruit that have a bright yellow-orange color. The plants will grow to about 18 inches tall and can be harvested in 75 to 80 days.

As with most Peppers, this Pepper will require moderately well-drained soil as well as full sun. It is cold hardy from zones 3 to zones 7. This Bulgarian Carrot Pepper should come with a warning label as it is HOT!!!! It can be used in many recipes as well as made into salsas or chutney. The Bulgarian is also great roasted for the person who can handle the heat. Full sun and high temperatures will help for the best production of this Pepper.