Plant Profile: Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia)
Karen When the large pearl like buds open into white camellia-like flowers against dark green foliage in summer, a time when few other trees or shrubs are blooming, you will know…
Plant Profile: Weeping Willow Leafed Pear (Pyrus salicifolia ‘Pendula’)
One of the prettiest trees for a small garden is the weeping willow-leaf pear. Its small size and fine-textured silver-green foliage are enough to recommend it but it has even…
Plant Profile: Kilmarnock Willow (Salix caprea ‘Kilmarnock’)
This dwarf pussy willow has year round interest with its beautiful weeping habit and fuzzy catkins. The male clone has the large (1½ to 2 inch) attractive catkins that appear…
Plant Profile: European Weeping Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’)
There are few trees that can match the beauty of the European weeping beech. In summer the simple, glossy dark green leaves form a dense canopy from the top of…
Plant Profile: Paperbark Cherry (Prunus serrula)
Also called birchbark cherry, paperbark cherry, cellophane bark cherry or red bark cherry, this deciduous tree is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes prunes, lady’s mantle,…
Plant Profile: Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)
Native to the Mediterranean region and western Europe, this broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree is a member of the heather family, Ericaceae, that also includes rhododendron, blueberry, and mountain…
Plant Profile: Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)
The bright white trunks with black markings of this cold weather tree are striking and very eye-catching. Used as a specimen tree or grown in clumps it brings a beautiful…
How to Grow Sweet Peas in Warm Climates
I am drawn to sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) like a magnet; their colors, fluffy petals, and sweet scent never fail to attract me. When I lived in New York State…
Plant Profile: Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)
This maple is a very special tree that gives year round interest to the garden. Its dark green leaves turn orange to red relatively late in autumn to reveal the…
Plant Profile: Andromeda ‘Mountain Fire’ (Pieris japonica x florabunda ‘Mountain Fire’)
The bright red new growth of this wonderful shrub is a delight in late winter to early spring (and sometimes in summer). The rest of the year the fine textured…