Plants

Berberis aquifolium 'Compactum'

[Compact Oregon Grape Holly]

Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea 'Crimson Pygmy'

[Red Dwarf Japanese Barberry]

The Red Dwarf Japanese Barberry is exceedingly popular due to its dense, low growing form, brilliant foliage, and tolerance to tough urban conditions. For the best leaf coloration, place in full sun. This plant tolerates dry soils, but will suffer in wet, poorly drained soils.

Betula alleghaniensis

[Yellow Birch]

Graceful tree, interesting for its shining bark beginning yellowish or bronze and exfoliating in thin shreds, becoming reddish brown until finally forming blackish-brown plates. Especially well adapted to wet soils. Does not do well in dry situations. Less subject to the borer troubles of B. papyrifera in the Midwest.

Betula papyrifera 'Renci' [sold as Renaissance Reflection®]

[Renaissance Reflection Paper Birch]

Betula papyrifera 'Renci' is faster growing and more heat resistant than the straight species. This tree requires full sun and is not suitable for poor or polluted city conditions.

Betula populifolia

[Gray Birch]

Beautiful white bark, although becomes dirty gray with age. Does well on the poorest of sterile soils, seeds, and suckers quickly. Grows on sandy, rocky and even gravelly sites. Tolerates both wet and dry conditions. Prefers full sun. Susceptible to leaf miner and cankers; more resistant to the bronze birch borer. Leaf minors especially problematic.

Buxus sinica var. insularis

[Korean Littleleaf Boxwood]

The Korean Littleleaf Boxwood grows best when placed in areas of moderate shade that are away from strong winter sun and wind. It has shallow roots and prefers moist, cool soils. This shrub flowers in April; flowers can attract bees due to the fragrance but are not showy.

Buxus × 'Green Velvet'

[Green Velvet Boxwood]

This species is a hybrid of Buxus sinica and Buxus sempervirens and is primarily used for smaller spaces.

Carpinus betulus 'Columnaris'

[Columnar European Hornbeam]

Carpinus betulus is relatively trouble-free and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and some shade. This plant is also very tolerant of heavy pruning, making it useful as a hedge. The cultivar 'Columnaris' is a narrow, columnar cultivar that is slow-growing with densely set branches and leaves.

Carya ovata

[Shagbark Hickory]

The bark of Carya ovata gives the tree its common name and is characteristically rough and shaggy on mature trees, growing in long flat plates, making especially good winter interest. The wood of this tree is especially hard, making it useful for a variety of products. This tree develops a large taproot, making it difficult to transplant.

Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea'

[Golden Southern Catalpa]

The Golden Southern Catalpa can tolerate full sun, but does best in part sun to part shade. This species is weak wooded and should not be placed where it is open to wind and storm damage. 'Aurea' is known for its rich yellow leaf coloration and its broad form. Its flowers are trumpet shaped and white with yellow and purple spots.