Plants

Aesculus parviflora

[Bottlebrush Buckeye]

Can be kept at a smaller size for a time with careful pruning, but it will in time occupy much space. Tolerates some shade, and can even be attractive under large shade trees. Suckers quite freely.

Buxus 'Glencoe'

[Chicagoland Green Buxus]

Low maintenance cultivar popularized in Illinois through partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden. Broad mounded shrub that is a fast grower in full sun.

Buxus 'Green Gem'

[Green Gem Boxwood]

This species is a hybrid of Buxus sinica and Buxus sempervirens and is described as a perfect round ball. Hardier than var. insularis 'Winter Beauty'. Requires little prunning and shearing. Avoid cultivating around plants because they have a shallow root. Roots appreciate a good mulch ( 1-2"). Thin plants and remove damaged branches annually to improve air circulation. Buxus X 'Green Gem' is best suited to a sheltered lacation which protects it in the winter…

Calycanthus floridus 'Aphrodite'

[Aphrodite Sweetshrub]

'Aphrodite' has an upright form with deep red flowers. The flowers are fragrant and large and bloom throughout the summer season. Large bright green leaves, can grow to be bigger than a human hand.

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.

Cercis canadensis 'Alba'

[White Eastern Redbud]

'Alba' is a white-flowering Eastern Redbud ("Whitebud"). Relatively trouble-free and drought-resistant. Requires some protection from the sun in hotter climates, however flowering decreases with deep shade. Canker, leaf spot, and verticillium wilt can be problematic for older trees, or trees weakened by other environmental stresses. Long tap root means that older plants transplant poorly.

Cercis canadensis 'Hearts of Gold'

[Gold-Leaf Eastern Redbud]

'Hearts of Gold' is a striking redbud cultivar with reddish-orange tinted emerging leaves that turn bright yellow and finally deepen to a bright green towards the end of the summer. The yellow color develops most intensely under higher light conditions. A fine small tree that is relatively trouble-free and drought-resistant (although the yellow foliage color will become green in drought conditions). Canker, leaf spot, and verticillium wilt can be problematic for older trees, or trees…

Cercis canadensis 'Rubye Atkinson'

[Pink Flowering Eastern Redbud]

'Rubye Atkkinson' has strongly pink and slightly smaller flowers, distinctly different from the purplish-pink flowers of the straight species. A fine small tree that is relatively trouble-free and drought-resistant. Requires some protection from the sun in hotter climates, however flowering decreases with deep shade. Canker, leaf spot, and verticillium wilt can be problematic for older trees, or trees weakened by other environmental stresses. Long tap root means that older plants transplant poorly.

Clematis 'The President'

[The President Clematis]

Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'

[Midwinter Fire Bloodtwig Dogwood]

'Midwinter Fire' is a suckering shrub that is notable for its yellow winter twigs that are tipped in red and golden fall foliage. Grows well in a variety of situations, including alkaline soil. Easy to transplant. Relatively trouble-free. A three-year pruning cycle improves form, vigor, and winter stem color effect. Cutting all stems 6-12" from ground in late winter has similar effect. Best in mass plantings. Excellent for winter color.