Plants

Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford'

[Bradford Callery Pear]

The cultivar 'Bradford' was exceedingly popular in the recent past, becoming overused because of its beautiful white flower show and outstanding scarlet to purple fall color. However, it is now advised not to use this short-lived cultivar, as it has very weak wood and tight branch angles and is quite prone to serious breakage. Forms narrow crotch angles that can result in a larger tree literally splitting in two. Flowers are malodorous and often killed…

Pyrus calleryana 'Capital'

[Capital Callery Pear]

Overused, weak wooded, short-lived. Flowers are malodorous and often killed by late spring freezes. Forms narrow crotch angles that can result in a larger tree literally splitting in two. Very small fruits are a litter problem when abundant. 'Capital' is narrow-columnar in form and is severely susceptible to fireblight. The aesthetics of this cultivar decrease considerably with age. Considered invasive in many areas.

Pyrus calleryana 'Glen’s Form' [sold as Chanticleer®]

[Chanticleer Callery Pear]

Generally considered to be one of the best cultivars of P. calleryana. While still prone to limb breakage, it is stronger wooded than other variants. The Chanticleer Callery Pear is also known for its resistance to fireblight. Flowers are malodorous and often killed by late spring freezes. Very small fruits are a litter problem when abundant. Considered invasive in many areas.

Pyrus calleryana 'Redspire'

[Redspire Callery Pear]

'Redspire' is one of the better P. calleryana cultivars, with a looser form and somewhat slower growth rate (less prone to limb breakage), but it does have severe fireblight susceptibility. Flowers are malodorous and often killed by late spring freezes. Very small fruits are a litter problem when abundant. Considered invasive in many areas.

Rhamnus cathartica

[Common Buckthorn]

Tolerates most sites. Dioecious. Very invasive, by the seeds that birds love to eat; probably best to refrain from planting this species in the landscape. Susceptible to rusts (Puccinia coronata), that also attacks oats (in oat growing areas, buckthorn eradication is recommended). The bark, leaves, and fruit were once used in purgatives, thus one of this plant's common names, "Purging Buckthorn".

Ulmus pumila

[Siberian Elm]

Grows under almost any conditions, especially useful in dry sites. Resists Dutch elm disease. Leaf beetles can defoliate trees. Brittle branches and subsequently messy. Avoid planting this tree in the landscape, unless there is no other choice. Considered invasive in many areas.

Vinca minor

[Common Periwinkle]

One of the best evergreen ground covers for a shady location. Spreads quickly after establishment. Subject to stem-rot disease when grown vigorously and in wet soil. Also does not like very dry soil and full sun. Does best with regular watering on well-drained soil.

Vinca minor 'Atropurpurea'

[Atropurpurea Periwinkle]

'Atropurpurea' is an excellent cultivar that has large, dark plum-purple flowers. One of the best evergreen ground covers for a shady location. Spreads quickly after establishment. Subject to stem-rot disease when grown vigorously and in wet soil. Also does not like very dry soil and full sun. Does best with regular watering on well-drained soil.

Vinca minor 'Bowles'

[Bowles Periwinkle]

Vinca minor 'La Grave'

[La Grave Periwinkle]

Also known as cultivar 'Bowles', this very common and vigorous variant has large, blue-purple flowers. One of the best evergreen ground covers for a shady location. Spreads quickly after establishment. Subject to stem-rot disease when grown vigorously and in wet soil. Also does not like very dry soil and full sun. Does best with regular watering on well-drained soil.