Plants

Picea pungens f. glauca 'Montgomery'

[Montgomery Colorado Blue Spruce]

'Montgomery' is a dwarf cultivar that forms a dense, silvery-blue, broad cone to mound. 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 does not combine well with other plantings in the landscape. Some susceptibility to Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid (Adelges cooleyi).

Pinus densiflora 'Umbraculifera'

[Dwarf Japanese Red Pine]

This species is outstanding for its landscape interest, making a uniquely picturesque specimen. 'Umbraculifera' is an interesting dwarf cultivar, with a spreading, umbrella-like head and can be grown as a shrub or small tree. The flaky, orange-red bark of this plant is quite attractive.

Platycladus orientalis

[Oriental Arborvitae]

Best in at least fairly moist soils, and with fairly high humidity. Habit tends toward becoming thinner (open) with age. Subject to "winter-burn" near the edge of its useful range. Certain forms provide very positive accent, but can be over-used. Bagworms can also be a problem.

Prunus americana

[American Red Plum]

Common shrub or small tree, often forming large colonies along roadsides, in waste areas, and other uncultivated habitats.

Prunus hortulana

[Hortulan Plum]

Prunus nigra

[Canadian plum]

Prunus sp.

[Cherry]

Prunus is a large and important genus of over 400 species of mostly deciduous trees and shrubs, in addition to countless hybrids. Important members of this genus include cherries, almond, peaches, plums, and apricots. Prunus can be subject to many pests and diseases.

Prunus virginiana

[Common Chokecherry]

The Common Chokecherry can be a suckering small tree or large shrub that produces fragrant white racemes followed by small, purple-black cherries. These fruits can be used for pies, jellies, and jams (do not eat fresh). Suckers must be immediately removed to control growth.

Ptelea trifoliata

[Hoptree]

A widely adaptable species which performs best in well-drained soils, can be grown in full sun or even under heavy shade. This plant is susceptible to several leaf spot and even a rust disease, but none are serious. It's fruit can also be use as a substitute for hops, thus giving rise to one of its common name: the 'Hoptree'. This tree's bark can also be utilized for medical purposes, and its stems when bruised…

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".