Plants We Love
Weeping Alaskan Cedar
(Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Pendula')
Weeping Alaskan Cedar has long been a favorite for the striking weeping habit in a plant that is strongly pyramidal. The combination of branches that point up and out with their weeping branchlets is a unique look that is hard to match with any other tree in our region. Here are some additional facts;
- Will grow medium slowly to 30 - 45 feet tall but only 10 -15' wide.
- Evergreen
- Is actually a Cypress not a Cedar
- Mildly deer resistant - can be damaged in severe deer situations
- Makes a great specimen plant or a uniquely beautiful hedging/screening tree.
- With only a 15' spread and a medium slow growth rate can be used as a corner piece near a home or office (keep it at least 10 feet away from the structure - 15'+ is even better).
- A great way to screen a neighbor.
- On larger properties dotting or massing this tree on the border of the property can create some stunning visual effects as well as providing the screening. This is a tree that can really grab your eye.
- Upright branches tolerate snow loads reasonably well.
Orange Rocket Barberry
(Berberis thunbergii 'Orange Rocket')
Berberis thunbergii ‘Orange Rocket’ - Orange Rocket Barberry is a new upright variety with a number of great characteristics.
- Full to half day of sun.
- Stunning orange red spring leaves. Our experience with summer leaves is that in full sun the predominate color is still red - there is some greening, but the red remains strong. Fall color is a particularly bright red.
- 4-5' tall and 4-5' wide.
- Deer resistant.
- Little care.
Learn more about this great Barberry variety in our news post
Joe Kozey Japanese Umbrella Pine
(Sciadopitys verticillata ‘Joe Kozey’ )
Japanese Umbrella Pine is a unique, slow-growing evergreen pine with distinct needles and a compact growth habit. Joe Kozey Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata ‘Joe Kozey’) is a favorite variety of Umbrella Pine that has a particularly narrow growth habit.
Mature width is only 6' with a 20' height. The narrower form is due to compact, more upright branches that help resist damage from snow loads. The needles are a glossy green color.
Will grow slowly to 20', growth may be as little as 4-6" inches per year. Makes an excellent corner piece that will not overgrow it's space.
Prefers full sun, must get half day of sun or more.
Goshiki Osmanthus
(Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki')
A holly-like evergreen with colorful new growth that matures to variegated glossy leaves. Goshiki translates in Japanese as "five colors". New leaves emerge red and quickly turn green. The green leaves have spots of creamy white, gray/green, and yellow/green colors. The change in colors is beautiful to watch and the plant retains a distinctly variegated appearance.
Grows 4 - 6 feet tall and 5+ feet wide in 10 years. Easily pruned. Ultimately ends up wider than tall.
Prefers strong sun, can tolerate half day. The more sun = more color.
Makes a great hedging plant - deer resistant - leaves are prickly. Works as a stand alone plant. Can be shaped to fit the space.
Paper Bark Maple
(Acer griseum)
Paperbark Maple is a favorite medium size tree that is best known for its' exfoliating bark. We feel that there is a lot more to this tree than just beautiful bark. First of all the tree tops out at about 20 -25' in our area but grows relatively slowly. This makes it a great mid-size tree that can be brought within 10 - 12 feet of structures, without fear of growing too big. It makes a great pool, or patio tree. The growth rate is relatively slow - perhaps 6" per year in our area.
The leaves are relatively small for a Maple and are arranged in sets of three. The summer color is a nice medium to deep green and leaves turn bright red in fall. The red fall color is another notable characteristic.
The bark is amazing. It is brown on the outside and orange underneath. As it naturally peals back (exfoliates) the orange color becomes more prominent. The texture of the bark, and the randomness of the exfoliation make every tree different.
The tree has no real problems. The lower branches can be removed if they get in the way of mowing, but generally the shape is upright.
If you are looking for a medium size tree with multi-season interest, consider Acer Griseum - it's a great choice.
