85 Chief Justice Cushing Hwy ~ Rt. 3A ~ Scituate, MA 02066 ~ 781-545-1266

 

New Shrubs, Trees & Grasses
2008


Shrubs

Corylus avellana Red Majestic – Our supplier does not list this as new, but I have never heard of this plant.  This is a red leafed version of the Harry Lauder’s Walking stick.  The green leafed original is an unusual plant with its twisting contorted branching pattern that is noticed by all observers.  This one sounds even better.  Grows 6-10’ tall. Zone 4.

Hydrangea macrophylla Mini Penny – There is not a lot of information available on this plant yet, but this might just be the Holy Grail of Hydrangeas.  Penny Mac is similar to Endless Summer (blooms long and reliably).  This is supposed to be a dwarf version of this.  I think this is a big break through in hydrangeas.  Blue flowers almost guaranteed to bloom on a dwarf plant.  I can’t wait until our Monrovia shipment arrives!

Hydrangea macrophylla Blushing Bride – This is the white version of the extremely popular ‘Endless Summer’ Hydrangea.  The long lasting and reliable blooms are what makes Endless Summer superior to most other hydrangeas.  The flowers of Blushing Bride are white with a hint of pink. 

Hydrangea macrophylla Cityline Series – ‘Paris’, ‘Venice’, and ‘Vienna’.  These three varieties form Europe that keep a nice dense compact sizes.  Mature sizes range from 2-3’ tall and wide. Paris has large ball shaped red or violet blue flowers.  Advertised as long blooming and hardy.  Venice has bright fuchsia flowers and Vienna pink flowers.

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Lemon Daddy’ – Great new yellow leaf form of Hydrangea.  Large lemon yellow leaves add shocking contrast to any shade garden.  Large soft pink or light blue flowers.  Grows about 4’ tall and wide.  Hardy to zone 5. 

Hydrangea quercifolia Little Honey  - Bright, beautiful yellow spring foliage emerges in spring on this new variety of Oakleaf Hydrangea.  The screaming foliage will hold your attention in spring until they fade to green and the white flower cones emerge in early summer.  The flowers last a long time and fade to a pink color before the fall foliage turns a brilliant scarlet color.  A nice plant for all four seasons because of the interesting exfoliating bark looks great in winter too.  Grows 3-4’ tall and wide.  Zone 5.

Hydrangea paniculata Pink Winky -  An improvement of the old fashioned PG Hydrangea.  This variety is the pinkest variety to date with very strong stems.  Starts flowering in late July and looks great even as they dry on the stem through the fall.  Grows 6-8 tall and wide.  Hardy and easy.

Kolkwitzia amabilis ‘Dream Catcher’ – As a beginning gardener I did not like yellow plants, there are so many nice ones available, this being one of the best.   Dream Catcher looks striking in the photos I have seen.  Sure to add color and contrast to a garden that has periods where its all green.  Golden yellow foliage is startling spring through fall.  Pink flowers along the arching branches make quite an effect in the spring.  Grows 6’ feet tall or more.  Zone 4.

Rhododendron Little Olga – Bright pink flowers in early May. Evergreen leaves that are smaller than a typical Rhododendron.  Compact habit.  Grows only 2-3’ tall and wide.  Nice plant for foundation planting and other sports where you need a smaller shrub.  Part sun is best, but tolerant to more sun or shade. 

Salix integra ‘Flamingo’ - Flamingo is a sport of the beautiful and now popular willow, ‘Hakaro Nishiki’. It is just as easy to grow, with superior color than its parent.  Light pruning will help keep the plant in bounds and retain its brilliant color all summer. Can be planted in most soils, wet or dry, in sun.  Grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. Zone 4.

Sambucus Black Lace - This was the hot new plant last year.  So hot, we have to at least mention it again.  Exciting crimson foliage that looks like a Japanese Maple.  Not a heavy bloomer, but the soft pinks blooms go nicely with the foliage.  Grows 5-6 tall and wide.  See our specimen planted to the right of the waterfall.

Syringa x Josee - I saw this plant at a booth the New England flower Show several years ago.  This is the first year I have seen it available to us.  It’s claim to fame is it supposed to be the only lilac to have the ability to bloom continuously.  Advertised to bloom spring through fall.  Dwarf plant with nice fragrance.  Lavender buds open to lavender pink flowers.  Grows 4-6’ tall and wide.

Weigela Fine Wine – an improvement on the popular Wine & Roses.  Nice red foliage on a compact plant.  Deep pink flowers are a bonus in late spring/early summer.  Great for contrast in the garden or can be used as a nice low hedge. Grows 2-3’ tall and wide.

Weigela My Monet – This is probably the most talked about new shrub for 2007.  I have seen the foliage at a trade show and it is stunning.  Crisp, clean white and green leaves with a hint of pink.  The foliage is supposed to change color and have more pink at different points in the season.  In addition, varying shades of pink flowers cover this plant in late spring.  Nice dwarf compact habit.  Grows to only about 18-24”.

Weigela subsessilis Canary – They have been trying to find a yellow flowering Weigela that that does not fade.  This new French introduction of an old fashioned turned modern plant looks promising.  The bright yellow flowers arrive in late spring/early summer. Grows 3-4 tall and wide.  Zone 4.

Trees

Albizia ‘Summer Chocolate’ - Spectacular burgundy- brown foliage, and keeps its color from summer through fall, even in hot, humid conditions. Originally developed in Japan,’Summer Chocolate’ has been released in the U.S. in limited quantity the last couple years. This tree is so special, famous plantsman Michael Dirr wanted to buy one on display at a Massachusetts trade show last summer, but our nursery manager Susan Cheever beat him to the punch!!  It has the same soft pink, fragrant, fuzzy looking blooms as other mimosa’s.  A very beautiful and unusual tree.  Size 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide.  Zones 6. 

Magnolia Black Tulip – This stunning Magnolia has extremely deep burgundy flowers that are quite large with a unique tulip shape and heavy texture. Flowers will appear before the foliage in very early spring and are quick to bloom when the plant is young.  Its slender upright growth makes this Magnolia an excellent small specimen tree.  Grows 15 to 20 feet tall with a six to 10-foot spread.  Full sun.

Grasses

Carex ‘Beatlemania’ – Cool name.  Long thin, deep green blades edged in gold arise from a center crown and weep over creating a loose mounding effect that will make you start looking for those old Beatles 8-tracks.  Tolerant to sun or shade and mosit soils. Zone 5.

Hakonechloa ‘All Gold’ – Electric foliage!  A gorgeous form of golden Japanese forest grass with arching graceful foliage more upright and spiky then the type. The reddish inflorescence in the fall adds color and grace.  One of the best new plants.  Besy in at least half day of shade.

Hakonechloa Beni Kaze – Similar to the very popular yellow variegated Hackony grass, but the foliage in the fall is even more impressive.  Yellow foliage turns a striking red in autumn that transforms the shade garden.  Zone 6.  Part shade for best results.

Miscanthus ‘Rigaletto’- This new introduction has strong, creamy white and green vertical variegation and a neat, more compact yet graceful habit. An easy to grow plant that matures at only 3’ tall and wide.  Full sun.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Mysterious Maiden’ - This new grass is being offered through Blooms of Bressingham. It has slender foliage with golden cross variegation. This grass is the perfect size; large enough to make a statement but not so big it overwhelms smaller plantings. It grows at least 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Late in the season graceful plumes hover a foot above the foliage. It is not fussy about soil types as long it has lots of sun, plenty of moisture and good drainage.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Rigaletto’ – Finally a dwarf version of the original and beautiful Variegated Maiden grass.  This one grows only to about 3’ and keeps a nice dense full form.  The foliage is outstanding and this plant can be used in mass or as a single specimen.  Blooms in early fall.  Zone 5. 

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Last modified: February 05, 2008