February 2011 Newsletter©

February 2012 Newsletter©

Early Spring Flowers & Chores

It gets lonely around the nursery this time of year. There’s plenty of work to be done, but the smiling customer faces we look forward to each day are few and far between. I’m always happy to see the early flowering shrubs start to bloom, because I know that very soon the customers (and cash flow) will return!

Here’s a little info about spring flowering shrubs. Some of these varieties we try to keep in stock all the time, some are expected new arrivals this spring, some are only available through specialty nurseries and some are older varieties that you might have in your yard.

This is waaaaay more info than most of you want, so I’ll understand if you skip down to the January Chores and the monthly contest. However… REAL plant people will read every word!

Just kidding!

The two things you usually know if you are thinking about a flowering shrub is the flower color you like and the mature size you want, so this will give you a place to start and some idea of what’s available.

Chaenomeles

Quince

This spring flowering deciduous shrub should be pruned immediately after flowering if needed. Most have thorns and produce a fruit that looks like an apple and makes excellent jelly. There seems to be some discussion about whether these cultivars should be listed under C. speciosa, C. japonica or C. x superba which is a hybrid between the two, so they are listed as they are most commonly seen in the trade. I’m very impressed with the three “Storm” varieties. The flowers are huge, double and there are no thorns. My favorite of all flowering shrubs is Toyo Nishiki. Plant quince in a sunny location with good drainage.

C. japonica – Low growing to 3’. Flowers are normally red, but white and pink flowers do occur.

Embers – Dwarf plant to 3’ tall, deep red flowers, tends to re-bloom in late summer to fall.

Minerva - Cherry red flowers, produces green fruit good for jelly, to 4’.

Super Red (Moned) – Very large bright red flowers. A Monrovia Nursery offering said to grow to 8’ tall and wide. Just from the size, I suspect it really should be C. x superba.

C. speciosa – Large growing shrub to 10’ tall and usually wider than tall. Like C. japonica, most specimens have red flowers but white and pink do occur.

Apple Blossom (Moerloosei) – Flowers are mostly white with a pink tinge, some solid pink. Large spreading habit to 8’ tall and nearly twice as wide.

Dragon’s Blood – Double deep red flowers, dwarf plant to 3’ tall and 5’ wide, thornless.

Geisha Girl – Apple blossom pink flowers, grows to 5’ tall and wide.

Jet Trail - White sport of Texas Scarlet, compact growth, to 4’.

Kingishi – Deep orange/red flowers, dwarf plant to 4’tall and wide.

Madame Butterfly – Salmon pink flowers, matures to 5’ tall and wide.

Nivalis – Rapid growing, upright white flowered cultivar to 8’ tall and wide.

Orange Delight - Soft orange flowers, to 3’ or so, often reblooms.

Orange Storm - A double flowered hybrid with large double orange flowers, no thorns or fruit, to 4’.

Pink Beauty – Rose pink flowers, vigorous growth to 6’, good fruit producer.

Pink Storm - Produces large double pink flowers with yellow stamens, resembles a camellia flower. No thorns or fruit, drought tolerant and grows to 4’ tall.

Scarff’s - Bright red flowers, upright growth, nearly thornless, to 5’.

Scarlet Storm - Double scarlet flowers. No thorns or fruit, to 4’ tall.

Simonii – Blood red flowers, dwarf plant to 3’ tall and wide.

Spitfire – Orange/red flowers, grows to 8’ tall and wide.

Texas Scarlet - Orange red flowers, almost thornless, to 4’ tall.

Toyo Nishiki - Spectacular flowers. White, white and pink variegated, pink or red flowers…all on the same branch. Upright grower to 6’. If you have room for only one flowering shrub, this should be it. The bloom time is just a few weeks, but Toyo Nishiki in full bloom is stunning.

C. x superba – Resulted from crosses of C. japonica and C. speciosa.

Cameo - Soft peachy double pink flowers, few thorns, to 4’ tall and 5’ wide..

Crimson & Gold - Stunning, brilliant deep red flowers with yellow anthers, to 3’ and 5’ wide.

Estate Select - Crimson flowers, 2’-3’ tall.

Fire Dance – Vivid red blooms, matures to 4’ tall and a little wider.

Knap Hill Scarlet – Orange/scarlet flowers, grows to 5’ tall and 8’ wide.

Low n’ White – A compact selection with white flowers, matures to 3’ tall and 4’ wide.

Pink Lady - Unusual dark pink flowers followed by yellow fruit, to 4’.

Edgeworthia

Paperbush

E. chrysantha – This one is best planted at the woodland edge. It prefers shade but looks best and flowers better with some sun. It can be grown in full sun with enough water, but wilts quickly if dry and recovers quickly when watered. Produces clusters of lemon yellow, tubular flowers in March. They are very fragrant, more so at night. It is used to make paper in China, thus its name. Very attractive large leaves, grows to 6’ tall and wide.

Grandiflora – Larger flowers and leaves than the species.

Red Dragon – A selection with red flowers, growth like the species.

Forsythia

Forsythia is a sun loving, late winter to spring flowering deciduous shrub with attractive yellow to gold flowers. Pruning should be done immediately after flowering and fertilize them in March and June. They prefer full sun and a well drained location. The white and pink forsythias are in the genus Abeliophyllum and are listed at the bottom.

F. suspensa aka Weeping Forsythia - Arching growth habit to 10’ tall, 15’ wide, large plant but not as showy as most Forsythia when in bloom.

F. viridissima aka Greenstem Forsythia -

All Gold (var. koreana) – Golden leaved sport of Ilgwang, to 5’ tall.

Bronxensis – A very dwarf cultivar to 18” tall and spreads wide. Light yellow flowers, more of a groundcover than a shrub.

Citrus Swizzle (McKCtrine) - A variegated sport of Bronxensis, with green leaves edged in golden yellow that matures to white.

Kumson (var. koreana) - Striking green foliage with silver veins, greenish yellow flowers, to 6’ tall and wide.

Ilgwang (var. koreana) – Light yellow flowers, green leaves edged with golden yellow, to 6’ tall

F. x intermedia – Resulted from a cross of F. suspensa x F, viridissima.

Arnold’s Dwarf - Greenish yellow flowers, to 3’-4’ tall and 6’-8’ wide. Often doesn’t bloom until 4-5 years of age.

Arnold Giant – Large golden yellow flowers, very large plant to 10’+ tall and wide.

Beatrix Farrand – Profuse golden yellow flowers, large plant to 8’ tall and wide.

Border (Spectablis) - Bright yellow flowers, can grow to 10’, but 6’-8’ more common.

Fiesta – A dwarf variegated cultivar to 3’ tall. Dark green leaves, creamy yellow centers, golden yellow flowers, mounding habit.

Gold cluster (Courtaneur) – Compact growth habit to 5’ tall, Tightly packed light yellow flowers, burgundy fall foliage.

Golden Peep (Courdijan) - Dwarf compact plant, 2’ x 2’. Golden yellow flowers.

Golden Times – Attractive variegated foliage, dark green leaves, irregular golden yellow margins, lemon yellow flowers, grows to 5’ tall and wide.

Goldilocks (Courtacour) – Golden yellow flowers packed tightly together gives it a tubular appearance, compact plant to 3’ tall.

Gold Leaf – Light yellow flowers, unique golden yellow foliage to 5’ tall.

Gold Tide (Courtasol) - Dwarf spreading form, 2’ tall x 4’ wide. Light yellow flowers.

Happy Centennial – Very dwarf plant to 30” tall, light yellow flowers.

Little Renee – A dwarf cultivar to 2’ tall and 4’ wide, light yellow flowers.

Lynwood Gold - Abundant golden yellow flowers, to 10’ tall and wide.

Magical Gold (Kolgold) - Upright growth to 5’, very prolific bloomer, golden yellow flowers from base to tip.

Meadowlark – Very cold hardy, arching habit to 10’+ and wide, bright yellow flowers, purple fall foliage.

Minigold (Flojor) – A dwarf cultivar to 2’ tall, variegated foliage, bright yellow flowers.

New Hampshire Gold – A compact cultivar to 5’ tall and wide, golden yellow flowers, very cold hardy.

Northern Gold - Lemon yellow flowers, to 10’.

Northern Sun – Light yellow flowers, growth to 10’ tall and wide, very cold hardy.

Show Off (Mindor) – A compact cultivar to 5’ or so. More upright habit than most, profuse bright yellow flowers.

Spring Glory - Sulphur yellow flowers, to 8’ tall and 6’- 8’ wide.

Sunrise – Bright yellow flowers, compact plant to 5’ tall and wide.

Abeliophyllum distichum aka White Forsythia - White flowers to 6’, should be trimmed hard every few years to improve shape. Arching, vase-like habit.

Pink Forsythia (Rosea) - Soft pink flowers, like the white, it should be cut back hard every couple of years. Grows to 5’ tall and wide.

Hamamelis

Witch Hazel

Witch hazels are grown for their attractive, mop-like flowers that bloom in the winter. They are large deciduous multi-stemmed shrubs and most of them sucker readily so often they are wider than tall. Most have good fall foliage colors of yellow, purple or red. They’ll look and flower best with full sun, but easily wilt in areas too dry. They prefer moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 5 to 7. Most have some fragrance. These are some of the earliest plants to flower, so if you don’t go in the garden in January, you might miss the flowers. We stock several varieties of H. x intermedia with red, yellow or orange flowers. The other varieties listed here are available through specialty nurseries.

H. japonica – Large shrub to 15’ tall and wide with pale yellow flowers.

Arborea – Similar in height to the species but not as wide, to 10’. Slight fragrance.

Canary Yellow – Similar in size to the species but with unscented brighter yellow flowers.

H. mollis aka Chinese – Probably the most fragrant of them all. Yellow flowers February through March. Grows to 10’. Occasionally larger. Yellow to orange fall color.

Bonny Brook – Very fragrant bright yellow flowers to 8’ tall and wide.

Boskoop – Old variety with golden yellow flowers to 10’ tall and wide.

Goldcrest – Golden yellow flower with maroon base, very fragrant, to 15’ tall and wide.

Gold Edge – Blue/green foliage with an irregular, creamy yellow margin, golden yellow flowers.

Imperalis – Pale yellow flowers to 10’ tall and wide.

Pallida – Selected for its profuse flowering, a little smaller than the species, to 12’.

Princeton Gold – A compact form to 6’ tall and wide, golden yellow flowers.

Sweet Sunshine – Matures to 10’ or so, golden yellow flowers.

Wisley Supreme – Light yellow flowers, new growth is yellowish/green maturing to dark green, to 12’+.

H. vernalis aka Vernal or Ozark –– A smaller plant, usually 6-8’ with yellow and occasionally red flowers in February and March.

Christmas Cheer – Very fragrant red and yellow flowers to 10’ tall but 6’ more common.

Lombart’s Weeping – Orange/red flowers, weeping habit to 5’ tall and twice as wide, very fragrant.

Squib – Compact cultivar to 8’ tall with yellow and green flowers.

Washington Park – Red/purple flowers, compact plant top 8’ tall and wide.

H. virginiana – Large deciduous shrub that produces yellow, moplike, flowers in late fall. Stunning yellow fall foliage when conditions are right. Likes moist woodland soil in sun to part shade. Grows to 20’.

Green Thumb – A variegated selection. Dark green leaves, irregular light green margins. Growth like the species. Not striking variegation.

Mohonk Red – Flowers are red with pale yellow tips, growth like the species.

H. x brevipetala – Often listed as a species or as H. mollis ‘brevipetala’, more likely a hybrid. Yellow flowers becoming reddish towards the bottom of the flower. Grows to 12’ tall.

H. x intermedia – Hybrids between H. japonica and H. mollis.

Agnes – A red flowered selection, petal tips are light yellow. Grows to 8’ tall and twice as wide.

Allgold – Very attractive yellow flowered cultivar, grows to 8’ wide and tall.

Aphrodite – Dark brownish/orange flowers to 6’ tall and 8’ wide.

Arnold’s Promise – Somewhat vase shaped growth with arching branches to 15’ or more. Produces abundant clusters of yellow, moplike, flowers in February and March.

Barmstedt Gold – A selection with golden yellow flowers, grows to 10’ tall and wide.

Diane – A selection with copper red flowers. Grows to 12’.

Double Gold – Unique variegated foliage. Green leaves with irregular yellow margins and some yellow flecks and streaks. A compact variety that matures to 6’ tall and wide.

Early Bird – A selection chosen for its very early bloom. Yellow flowers, compact, upright habit to 8’ tall and wide.

Fire Charm (Feuerzauber) - An dark orange (nearly red) flowered cultivar, grows to 10’ tall and wide.

Jelena – An orange flowered selection that grows to 12’ or so.

Livia – A compact red flowered cultivar that grows to 5’ tall and wide.

Moonlight – Very pale creamy yellow flowers, grows to 12’ tall and wide.

Orange Beauty – Deep yellowish/orange flowers, mature, s to 12’ tall.

Primavera – A yellow flowered cultivar chosen for its unusually late bloom time. Large plant to 15’ tall and wide.

Robert – Flowers are dark orange with lighter tips, to 10’ tall and wide.

Savill Starlight – A compact yellow flowered cultivar to 5’ tall and wide.

Sunburst – An upright selection with light yellow flowers. Grows to 12’ tall and 8’ wide.

Vesna – Another cultivar that tends to be taller than wide. Grows to 12’ tall and 8’ wide with yellow flowers that have a touch of red.

H. x Rochester – Probably a hybrid of H. mollis and H. vernalis. Very early bloomer, yellow flowers, strong fragrance. Grows to 10’ and tall and 12’+ wide.

Jasminum

Jasmine

J. nudiflorum aka Winter Jasmine – A somewhat vining, green stemmed shrub that forms a mound 4’ tall. It roots wherever a branch touches the ground, so it can get quite large. Yellow 1” – 2” flowers in late winter. USDA Zone 6 hardy. An interesting addition to the garden, but blooms sporadically so it is never a mass of color like Forsythia and, unlike most Jasmine, it has no fragrance.

Kerria

Kerria is one of the few deciduous flowering shrubs that prefers partial shade. Flowers last longer and are more vivid if protected from the sun. Flowers late March to early April with an occasional flower throughout the summer. Prune after flowering if needed.

K. japonica – A green stemmed spring flowering shrub with 2” bright yellow 5-petaled flowers. Arching growth habit to 6’tall and wide.

Albescens – A cultivar with pale, creamy yellow 2” flowers. Growth similar to the species.

Golden Guinea – Larger, single, 5 petal yellow flowers than the species to nearly 3” wide. Grows to 8’ tall.

Picta – A dwarf form to 2’ tall with variegated green leaves edged in white and single yellow flowers.

Pleniflora – A double yellow, dandelion like flower, grows to 8’ or more.

Shannon – A single yellow selection chosen for its improved vigor.

Simplex – Growth similar to the species but with paler yellow flowers.

Lonicera

Shrub Honeysuckles

L. fragrantissima aka Winter Honeysuckle – Very fragrant (citrus-like) white flowers before the foliage emerges. Bushy growth habit to 8’ tall and wide. Produces small red berries. Deciduous. Hardy USDA Zones 4-8.

L. kamtschatica aka L. caerulea var. kamtschatica and Honeyberry – Arching deciduous shrub to 4’ tall and wide. Produces an elongated edible blue fruit that taste, and can be used, like blueberries. Slightly fragrant white flowers in late winter. Hardy from USDA Zone 7 and north to Zone 3. Grows best in moist, well-drained soil. Plants at the southern end of its range should be protected from the hot afternoon sun. Grows well in neutral to acidic soils. Like blueberries, you should plant 2 different cultivars to produce fruit.

Prunus

Flowering Almond

P. glandulosa aka Flowering Almond – Multi-stemmed, somewhat open and airy habit with pendulous branches. Small pink flowers in late March to early April, followed by an occasional dark red berry (if any). Matures to 5’ tall and nearly as wide. Hardy to USDA Zone 4.

Alba Plena – A white flowered form.

Rosea Plena – Double pink flowers to 5’ tall. This is the most commonly seen variety.

Spiraea

Bridalwreaths

S. prunifolia aka Bridal Wreath – Early spring flowers. Arching habit to 8’ tall and often wider with age. Clusters of small white flowers all along the stems prior to the leaves emerging. Dark green serrated leaves turn purple in the fall.

Bridal Wreath (Plena) - Old favorite, double white flowers in late February to early March, to 8’.

S. cantoniensis aka Double Bridal Wreath or Reeves – Species seldom seen, Lanceata is the variety offered in most nurseries.

Lanceata - Bluish green foliage, double white flowers in March, mounding habit, to 6’.

January/February Chores…

Trim Liriope (monkey grass) back to 1” tall.

Prune ornamental grasses back to 3” - 6” tall. Wear gloves, long sleeve shirts and eye protection (especially with pampas grass). The blades can cause severe cuts.

Prune summer flowering shrubs: Crape Myrtles, Althea, Vitex.

Trim hybrid tea, grandiflora and floribunda roses to 2’ - 3’ tall if you haven’t already.

Prune shrub roses (Knock Out, etc) if you need to. If you want them to get 6’ tall, you don’t have to prune them. However, you can cut them back to 12” tall if you like.

Remember to monitor and water any container plants. Winter wind can dry containers quickly.

Spray feed pansies at least once in January.

Remove fallen, matted leaves off the crowns of perennials.

Come visit us!

The 2012 Dan West Rose List is on our website. Here’s a direct link.

http://www.danwestonline.com/roses/2012%20ROSE%20LIST%20PDF.pdf

This was the December contest…name the plant below!

Italian Arum (Arum italicum) also known as winter hosta. The attractive variegated foliage is up all winter and in mid summer a single flower spike emerges that ultimately is covered with red berries.

This month our contest is another photo contest. Send me a picture of “winter interest”. What you think is a dead flower; I call winter interest, so it doesn’t have to be a fresh flower. Could be a bird in your garden or just about anything…wow me!

The contest ends on February 29th. Email your entry to questions@danwestonline.com or to plantdr54@gmail.com. One winner will be selected from all entries to receive a $25 Dan West Gift Certificate.

Thanks for shopping with us at Dan West.