Shrub Philadelphus coronarius [Sweet Mockorange] Well adapted to different light (even shade) and soil conditions, especially to dry situations. Relatively trouble-free, and one of the most fragrant of the mockoranges. None of the mockoranges have much landscape interest after the season of bloom. Becomes leggy if not pruned. Pruning should be done after flowering (flower buds form on previous years wood), and to maintain fullness of form.
Shrub Philadelphus'Snowbelle' [Snowbelle Mock Orange] 'Snowbelle' is noted for having good heat and cold tolerance. It has minimal ornamental interest when not flowering.
Shrub Physocarpus opulifolius 'SMNPOTW' [sold as Tiny Wine®] [Tiny Wine Ninebark] Tiny Wine Ninebark is noted for its features as it is interesting season round. The exfoliating bark on mature wood reveals red-brown inner bark, this is how the common name Ninebark was chosen as the color is ever changing.
Tree Picea glauca [White Spruce] Best in full sun, but tolerates some shade. Withstands heat, cold, drought, wind, and crowding. Often found at the arctic tree line. Slight susceptibility to trunk and root rots, bagworms, sawflies, and mites. Except for its use in the far North, other evergreens have better overall aesthetics for Midwestern and Eastern states.
Shrub/Tree Picea glauca var. conica [Dwarf Alberta Spruce] This commonly available dwarf variety has a very dense, conical habit. Best in full sun, but tolerates some shade. Withstands heat, cold, drought, wind, and crowding. Slight susceptibility to trunk and root rots, bagworms, sawflies, and mites. Except for its use in the far North, other evergreens have better overall aesthetics for Midwestern and Eastern states.
Tree Picea glauca var. densata [Black Hills Spruce] Widely considered a superior form, this variety is denser and more compact with brighter foliage, when compared to the straight species . Best in full sun, but tolerates some shade. Withstands heat, cold, drought, wind, and crowding. Slight susceptibility to trunk and root rots, bagworms, sawflies, and mites.
Tree Picea pungens [Colorado Spruce] One of the most striking of the conifers in color and habit, especially f. glauca. Some drought tolerance. Cost of most glaucous forms is high because they are produced by grafting and then intensively pruned to shape in nursery rows. Must be used with restraint because the strong blue color (especially prominent in f. glauca) does not combine well with other plantings in the landscape. Some susceptibility to Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid (Adelges cooleyi).
Shrub Pinus mugo var. pumilio [Dwarf Mountain Pine] The Pinus mugo var. pumilio dwarf shrub is found in the wild in the mountains of eastern and central Europe. The shrub can spread up to 10' wide but typically stays short in height, 3'-5' at maturity. Avoid planting in poorly-drained wet soils.
Tree Pinus nigra [Austrian Pine] An excellent plant for screening when young. Needs a companion planting eventually for low screening as it loses branches at the base. Tolerates city conditions. Tolerates clay, dry, and alkaline soils, and heat. May be badly damaged by sapsuckers. Sphaeropsis tip blight is a more serious problem. Pine foliar nematode (transmitted by a beetle) can also be problematic.