Shrub Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer' [sold as Endless Summer®] [Endless Summer Bigleaf Hydrangea] 'Bailmer' is an excellent mophead (hortensia) cultivar for cold climates, as it is hardy to USDA zone 4 and produces flowers on both old and new growth, unlike other Hydrangea macrophylla variants. As the name Endless Summer suggests, this plant blooms all summer, and even into the fall. An acidic soil will produce a very blue colored flower and alkaline pink. High quality foliage. Performs poorly on hot dry sites. A few pest problems, including…
Shrub Hydrangea macrophylla 'Mariesii Variegata' [Variegated Bigleaf Hydrangea] This cultivar has beautiful variegated foliage and lacecap flowers. An acidic soil will produce a very blue colored flower, and alkaline pink. High quality foliage. Lower flower production in cold climates, and performs poorly on hot dry sites. A few pest problems, including scale, mites, powdery mildew, and leaf spot.
Shrub Hydrangea quercifolia [Oakleaf Hydrangea] A unique plant with attractive flower panicles and large, coarse, handsome foliage. Tops (including flower buds formed in fall) can die back when winter temperatures go much below 20 degrees F (often in Zone 6b and colder). Flowers form on previous season's growth. Thus, no flowers will appear in the years when the tops are killed. May be best used for foliage effect in cold areas. Not very drought tolerant. Spreads by stolons forming…
Shrub Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice' [Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea] Alice is an upright, stoloniferous shrub with a broad, rounded habit which grows 5-8' tall and similar in witdth. In optimum growing conditions, Alice can reach heights of 12' tall. The flowers of this shrub are the highlight of any landscape with creamy-white, feathery panicles that change to a rosy-pink color with age. Large, coarse green leaves change to a burgundy-red in the fall. Exfoliating stems add texture and color during the winter months. Tops…
Shrub Hydrangea quercifolia 'Flemygea' [sold as Snow Queen™] [Snow Queen Oakleaf Hydrangea] A unique plant with attractive flower panicles and large, coarse handsome foliage. 'Flemygea' is known for its larger and more numerous showy, sterile flowers in each panicle. This cultivar also has stronger flower stems that can withstand a heavy rain better than many Hydrangea quercifolia variants. Tops (including flower buds formed in fall) can die back when winter temperatures go much below 20 degrees F (often in Zone 6b and colder). Flowers form on…
Shrub Hydrangea quercifolia 'Pee Wee' [Dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea] A unique plant with attractive flower panicles and coarse, handsome foliage. 'Pee Wee' is an excellent compact cultivar (up to 3' high and wide) that has smaller leaves and flower panicles than the species type. Tops (including flower buds formed in fall) can die back when winter temperatures go much below 20 degrees F (often in Zone 6b and colder). Flowers form on previous season's growth. Thus, no flowers will appear in the years…
Shrub Hydrangea quercifolia 'Sike’s Dwarf' [Dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea] A unique plant with attractive flower panicles and coarse, handsome foliage. 'Sike's Dwarf'' is an excellent compact cultivar (up to 3' high and 4' wide) that has smaller leaves and flower panicles than the species type. Tops (including flower buds formed in fall) can die back when winter temperatures go much below 20 degrees F (often in Zone 6b and colder). Flowers form on previous season's growth. Thus, no flowers will appear in the…
Shrub Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snowflake' [Double Oakleaf Hydrangea] A unique plant with attractive flower panicles and large, coarse, handsome foliage. 'Snowflake' is a large cultivar (up to 8' high and 10' wide) that has large (up to 15" long) flower panicles of double sterile flowers. Tops (including flower buds formed in fall) can die back when winter temperatures go much below 20 degrees F (often in Zone 6b and colder). Flowers form on previous season's growth. Thus, no flowers will appear in…
Shrub Ilex crenata 'Hetzii' [Hetz Japanese Holly] This species, like other hollies, is dioecious and 'Hetzii' is a female cultivar that will only be able to produce fruit if there is a male pollinator planted nearby. Nice mounded broadleaf evergreen that holds its color through winter. Withstands severe pruning. Winter desiccation injury to leaves in exposed sites. Spider mites can be serious. Avoid high pH soils as chlorosis may occur.
Shrub Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' [Sky Pencil Holly] 'Sky Pencil' is a nice extremely narrow, upright, fastigiate broadleaf evergreen that holds its color through winter. This species, like other hollies, is dioecious and 'Sky Pencil' is a female cultivar that will only be able to produce fruit if there is a male pollinator planted nearby. Withstands severe pruning. Winter desiccation injury to leaves in exposed sites. Spider mites can be serious. Avoid high pH soils as chlorosis may occur.