Shrub Buxus sp. [Boxwood] Boxwoods do best when planted away from strong winter sun and wind and prefers moderate shade. Winter desiccation injury (browning) in full sun is a real concern, but this plant often recovers in spring with new growth. The Boxwood's shallow roots prefer moistness and coolness.
Shrub Buxus × 'Green Velvet' [Green Velvet Boxwood] This species is a hybrid of Buxus sinica and Buxus sempervirens and is primarily used for smaller spaces.
Tree Calocedrus decurrens [California Incensecedar] The California Incensecedar is a large, handsome plant, excellent for formal plantings. In youth it is distinctly columnar and may develop a more conical habit at maturity. This plant is quite adaptable to different types of soils and is drought and heat tolerant once established. The California Incensecedar is known to be quite long-lived and large in the wild, even over 1000 years old and reaching more than 150' in height.
Tree Calocedrus decurrens 'Columnaris' [Columnar California Incensecedar] The Columnar California Incensecedar is a large, handsome plant, excellent for formal plantings. This cultivar is very narrow-columnar in habit, retaining this form well into maturity. Quite adaptable to different types of soils, this plant is also drought and heat tolerant once established.
Shrub Calycanthus floridus [Common Sweetshrub] The Common Sweetshrub was one of the first native plants in the US used as an ornamental. Widely adapted to soil and sun or shade. Certain selections can permeate an area with fragrance. Can be forced for indoor fragrance. Not all plants have equally fragrant flowers; don't use seed propagated plants for that reason. Seeds are poisonous, causing convulsions, myocardial depression, and hypotension.
Liana (Climbing Vine) Campsis radicans [Common Trumpetcreeper] Very tolerant of soils and environment, except it does not tolerate shade. Can be trained as a standard. May require special support on some surfaces, especially as it becomes large and heavy (could pull down weaker structures). May also require pruning to keep size in check.
Shrub Caragana arborescens [Siberian Peashrub] The Siberian Peashrub is quite a tough and adaptable, nitrogen-fixing plant that can grow in extremely difficult conditions, but it has very limited use ornamentally. Best reserved for tough environments, such as in a windbreak, hedge, or screen.
Tree Carpinus betulus [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.
Tree 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.
Tree Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata' [Fastigiate 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 'Fastigiata' is a narrow, columnar cultivar with densely set, broom-like branches. Over time this cultivar tends to broaden and open up into a more oval-vase form.