Rare Unusual Shrubs M-R at Lazy S'S Farm

Most people have never seen a shrub in a quart pot. Many garden centers don't even offer Perennials in quarts any more. In garden centers, shrubs are generally only available in much larger containers: 1-3 gallons. Please take a look at this photo of Quart Shrubs to get a sense of what shrubs in a quart pot look like and read about Plant Size and Age on this page so that you have realistic expectations. We want you to be happy! If you're not familiar with a quart size shrub you should take the time to look at these links!

Some trees on this page may incur a $4.00 Oversize Plant Surcharge

$9.99 Qt.

Maackia amurensis Amur Maackia Zone: 3-7

A small deciduous tree with a broad, rounded habit. Slow to moderate rate. Erect, narrow, spike-liek clusters of 4-6" long fragrant, white, peak-like blooms in late spring. These are followed by flat seed pods 2-3" long. Dark olive green leaves composed of 7-13 leaflets each. Coppery-bronze bark exfoliates when the tree is mature. Discovered in the region of the Amur River which separates Siberia and China. Similar to Cladrastis -- Yellowwood but is smaller.

Soil: Well-drained H: 20-30' W: B/M: White/Late spring.

$12.99 Qt.

Magnolia biondii Chinese Willow Leaf Magnolia Zone: 6, maybe colder

With white flowers with a pink to purple flush to their base and smell like LEMONS and shiny green leaves, this Chinese Magnolia is a delight. The blooms appear before the foliage. A deciduous form that can be grown as a shrub or tree. This rare, hardy Chinese species is related to M. salicifolia and was introduced into cultivation in 1977 but it's next to impossible to find in the trade. Can form a big tree. Buds look like Pussy Willow buds.

Soil: Moist but well-drained H: 55' W: B/M: White/Early spring

$13.99 Qt.

Magnolia liliiflora 'Jane' Magnolia, Jane Zone: 5-8

Lily Magnolias are rounded, shrubby plants reaching 8-12' in height. The 3-4" wide flowers are vinous-purple outside and white inside. Jane has an erect growth habit for a Lily Magnolia. The FRAGRANT blooms on this tree is "TDF" - To-Die-For! Really, really gorgeous. Prune after flowering. Introduced by the National Arboretum as part of the 'The Girls' (occasionally called erroneously, Little Girls) series of magnolias. It blooms 2-4 weeks later, so it isn't damaged by frost nearly as often as the species.

Soil: Deep, preferably acid H:8-12' W:8-12' B/M: Reddish purple outside, white inside /4-5

New 2008

$11.99 Qt.

Magnolia sieboldii Oyama Magnolia, Lily Tree Zone: 5-9

A delightful deciduous that's more wind tolerant than most. Spectacular, INTENSELY fragrant, lemon scented pendulous white blooms to 3" in early summer with rose crimson and yellow centers (Botany Photo of the Day) followed by carmine fruit make this Japanese species much sought after. Occasional sporadic blooms through summer. Large, dark green leaves are downy on the undersides. Needs some shade and is actually a great woodland understory tree.

Soil: Acid to neutral, well-drained H: 10-15 W: 6-8' B/M: White/5-6+

$13.99 Qt.

Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star' Star Magnolia Zone: 5-8

Medium, upright growing deciduous shrub or small tree, depending on how it's pruned. Abundant white fragrant flowers w/ many more petals than Saucer Magnolia & later bloom time. The Best in the trade. In winter, the buds for the coming springs flowers make it look like a pussy willow. One of the hardiest Magnolias but needs to be planted on Northern exposures in Zone: 4-7 to delay flowering until warmer weather. Southern exposure makes it flower earlier and the blooms can get nipped by frost although the blooms are more cold hardy than Saucer Magnolias. Enchants with the occasional bloom all summer.

Soil: Peaty, organic based H: 12-15' W: B/M:White/3-4+sporadic blooms all summer

$15.99 Qt.

Magnolia virginiana Sweetbay Magnolia Zone: 5-9

2-3" white blooms with a light lemony scent with 3-5" shiny long green aromatic leaves that are evergreen to semi-evergreen in the South. 2" long pink cone-like fruit clusters of follicles ripening to reddish brown with bright scarlet-red seed in late summer. A small tree that is often multi-stemmed if left to it's own devices. Moderate to rapid growth. Generally 20' tall but can grow much larger. One of the few shrubs or trees that prefer Spring or Summer planting rather than Fall. Blooms Spring and sporadically all summer.

Soil: Average to wet, acid to neutral H: 20' W: 10-20' B/M: White/4-5+

$11.99 Qt.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides Dawn Redwood Zone: 4-8

It looks a little like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree when young but when it has a bit of maturity, it's gorgeous. Perfect pyramidal shape with feathery, bright green foliage. The single, straight trunk of it's youth develops into a broad, rounded crown with age. Excellent tree. National Arboretum Introduction. Pruning rarely necessary. 3/4-1" cones. Growth Rate: Fast 2.5' - 3' per year. Great Plant Picks - Miller Botanical Garden.

Soil: Moist but well-drained, slightly acid H:70-100' W:25' B/M: Insig.

$16.99 Qt.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Ogon' (Goldrush) Golden Dawn Redwood Zone: 4-8

As above but with golden foliage. Absolutely stunning! Chartreuse Gold when young, getting more gold with age.

Soil: Moist but well-drained, slightly acid H:70-100' W:25' B/M: Insig.

$11.99 Qt.

Microbiota decussata Russian Arborvitae Zone: 3-8

A fairly rare Russian plant touted as the 'Juniper for Shade'. It's not a juniper but a 'Look Alike' but it will take shade. Delicate looking, ferny foliage is bright green in spring & takes on a bronzy-purple caste in winter. Described by the U. of Conn. as a "top notch groundcover for Part Shade". Great in groupings. Very cold hardy. Water during dry spells. Great Plant Picks - Miller Botanical Garden.

Soil: Moist but well-drained H: 12-18" W: 6-10' B/M: Insignificant

$9.99 Qt.

Myrica pensylvanica Northern Bayberry Zone: 2-7 bestok

A deciduous shrub, native to Eastern North American where it even grows on the seashore. Can take dry, infertile soil. Narrow, leathery glossy gray-green leaves to 4" long are dotted with resin and aromatic when crushed. Female plants have attractive clusters of tiny, grayish-white fruits in late summer which persist through winter. Birds love them. Used in the shrub border, combining well with evergreens for a contrasting color. Colonizing nature.

Soil: Well-drained, acid H: 9-10' W: 9-10' B/M: Insignificant

$9.99 Qt.

Nandina domestica Heavenly Bamboo Zone: 6-9

A marvelous shrub. New foliage is pinkish to bronzy-red maturing to green then turning red & purple in winter. Stupendous red berries are perfect for Christmas decorating. Best color in full sun but does fine in part shade. AKA, Heavenly Bamboo (but it's not a bamboo). Truly, a 4-Season Shrub. We can't imagine a garden without this classic shrub.

Soil: Well-drained H:5-7' W: 5-6' B/M: Pinkish white/Spring

$9.99 Qt.

Neillia affinis Chinese Ninebark Zone:5 with protection 6-7

A deciduous shrub, Native to China and reminiscent of Spiraea. Pink blooms in late spring to mid summer on this member of the rose family with 2-4" long leaves which may turn shades of dark red in autumn. Pink Campanula-like blooms in 1-3" long racemes on this easily grown shrub. Prune immediately after flowering, thinning old stems as needed and removing suckers unless you want it to colonize. May need protection in zone 5. Can be used as a hedge.

Soil: H: 3-6' W: 3-6' B/M: Pink/5-7

$9.99 Qt.

Neillia sinensis Chinese Ninebark Zone: 5-7

Popular in Europe, this Chinese lovely is not well-known in the US. Ovate leaves are double serrated and fresh, deep green. Interesting, crumbling bark on older plants. Rose-colored, tubular flowers in clusters of 10-20 blooms in May thru July. Very long blooming and blooms profusely. Easy to grow in any but very dry soil. Arching canes of Spiraea-like stems. Young foliage is bronzy-purple.

Soil: Moist but well-drained H:6-8' W:6-8' B/M: Pink/Spring

$12.99 Qt.

Neillia thibetica (N. longiracemosa) Tibetan Ninebark Zone: 5

Small tubular pink flowers in groups at the stem tips (long terminal racemes if you prefer the jargon of the trade) Gracefully arching branches. A Tibet/Chinese native related to Spiraea's but with very attractive, larger, toothed leaves on downy stems. A blooming powerhouse that can have as many as 60 blooms per raceme. Looks delicate but tough as nails as long as soil doesn't dry out - which positively annoys Neillia's! Prune after flowering.

Soil: MOIST but well-drained H: 5-8' W: B/M: Pink/5-6

$11.99 Qt.

Neillia thyrsiflora (AKA Stephanandra thyrsiflora) Chinese Ninebark Zone: 2-8

A neat little deciduous shrubs from the Eastern Himalayas and one of the easiest to grow in the Genus. With rounded habit and long, gracefully arching, reddish stems and fabulous textured, dark glossy green leaves (doubly serrated and three lobed). It bears large panicles of small but charming, fringed creamy-white cup-shaped flowers in summer. As hardy as Eastern Ninebark and is of more evergreen habit. As of 5-20-07, we were the only source in the US for this plant as far as we could tell with a Google search.

Soil: Moist but well-drained H:8-10' W: 8-10' B/M: Creamy white/summer

$11.99 Qt.

Nyssa sylvatica Black tupelo, Black gum, Pepperidge Zone: 3-9

Fantastic fall color, it's always the center of attention in any Fall garden where it's found. Glossy leaves produce some of the brightest and most reliable fall colors Autumn has to offer. It has a rounded pyramidal crown with a dominant central leader and lower branches that often arch to the ground. It's lateral branches form a pattern that, when seen from beneath, look like spokes on a wheel. New leaves are slightly reddish purple maturing to a good dark, shiny green about 4-5" in length. Casts light shade rather than heavy, tap-rooted so you can plant beneath it. Plants of Merit - Missouri Botanical Garden. Great Plant Picks - Miller Botanical Garden. "No matter how often I behold the bright yellows, oranges, reds and purples of the black tupelo, I never cease to be inspired by its beauty, year after year, specimen after specimen. The brightness of its display are enough to make even harried commuters pull over to the side of the road in awe of this species' beauty." Mallorn Plant of the Month

Soil: Moist, well-drained, acid to neutral H: 30-50' W: 20-30' B/M: White, insignificant

Osmanthus or False Holly - Worth the trouble of providing protection.

If you're trying to push the hardiness zone, try placing plants on the West side of your house in the most protected spot. Site them where they have protection from winter's drying winds and they should do very well. If the plant is extremely small, extra protection for the first winter in your landscape might be advisable. Perfect drainage is critical. Best planted in spring so they have all summer to get ready or keep them inside for the first winter until they grow/toughen up.

$8.99 Qt.

Osmanthus fragrans False Holly, Tea Olive, Fragrant Olive, Sweet Olive Zone: (7B*) 8B-10

Osmanthus fragrans A large shrub/small tree that can reach 20' but can be pruned to control height. Absolutely delicious, apricot-like fragrance. Leaves are dark, shiny green. With maturity, most of the foliage is out toward the tip but the plant still retains a lovely architectural presence. From Autumn thru Early spring, white flowers cover the shrub. Like Eleagnus pungens, the flowers are small and inconspicuous BUT oh my goodness what a scent! In colder zones, this is just worth bringing in for the scent! Young plants, in particular, need some shade. They can perfume a large area of your landscape Fall thru spring if you in 8B-10. Otherwise, they'll perfume your house! If you're in Zone 7, see the form below. (See photo link of plant in parking lot in *Zone 7B!) I'm betting they gave it great winter protection for several years until established.

Soil: Moist but well-drained H:10' (20') W: 6-8' B/M: White/10-4 Growth Rate: Slow to moderate

$11.99 Qt.

Osmanthus frangrans v. aurantiacus More Hardy Fragrant Tea Olive Zone: 7A-10

AKA, Orange Sweet Olive, Japanese Orange Osmanthus. The Orange Osmanthus is a small tree or shrub bearing large clusters of creamy orange blossoms on the stems and a pleasant, distinct sweet floral scent of Apricots that fills the Autumn Garden. Large, dark green leathery leaves and an upright to oval growth habit making it a natural backdrop for other smaller plants. It can be pruned to maintain shape. A Chinese Native that's become a Southern Heirloom. Zone 7A per Raulston Arboretum Needs protection the first several winters.

Soil: Well-drained H: 12-18'' W: 8' B/M: Yellowish orange/Fall

New 2/19

$11.99 Qt.

Sold out

Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki' Variegated False Holly Zone: (7A) 7B-9

A striking but extremely tough shrub. Goshiki means 5-colored and that's what you find on each leaf - cream, pink, orange, yellow and white appear in spots and swirls to create stunning foliage. Beautiful against dark evergreens. Does not bloom until it's mature. Small the first year. It takes about 2 1/2 years to grow to 24". PHS 2004 Gold Medal plant winner. Great Plant Pick - Miller Botanical Garden.

Soil: H: 8-10' W: 6-8' in 20+ years about 6" a year B/M: White/8-9 Growth Rate: Slow to medium

$11.99 Qt.

Osmanthus x fortunei 'Fruitlandii' Fortune's Osmanthus Zone: 7-9

A superb hybrid with the best qualities of each parent: Outstanding fragrance from O. fragrans and increased hardiness over that species from O. heterophyllus. Blooms almost continuously from late summer until Fall. More solidly hardy throughout zone 7 than O. fragrans.

Soil: Well-drained, Acid to neutral H: 10-15' W:8-12' B/M: Fragrant White/3-10

POSSIBLY THE BEST OF THE BEST - FRAGRANT AND HARDY

$11.99 Qt.

Oxydendrum arboreum Sourwood Zone: 5-9

A medium sized, deciduous tree with a pyramidal form and round top growing to a height of 25-30 feet and spreading 20 feet. The leaves are bronze tinted, iridescent green in early spring, dark green in summer and turning yellow red and purple in the fall. In July and August, white bell-shaped flowers are produced in clusters and seem to hang on thru Fall. Blooms a LONG time. A fabulous 3-Season tree. Needs acid soil. Great Plant Picks - Miller Botanical Garden

Soil: Moist but well-drained H:25-30' W:20' B/M: White cluster/ Growth Rate: Slow, a foot per year

New 3/13

$8.99 Qt.

Parahebe perfoliata (Dewertia) Digger's Speedwell Zone: (6)7-10

Technically, a sub-shrub with semi-woody stems, it's still best treated as a perennial. With evergreen foliage of rounded blue-grays leaves, it makes a handsome foliage plant but the blue, arching somewhat Veronica-like blooms produced in April and May definitely make it look like a perennial rather than a shrub. It's low growing with a graceful arching habit and looks great at the front of the border. It's root hardy, so even if it dies completely back to ground, will come back from the roots. Prune/shape immediately after flower as it blooms on old wood. Good article at Rainy Side website.

Soil: Very well-drained H: 24" W: 36" B/M: Blue/5-6

$14.99 Qt.

Parasyringa sempervirens Zone: 7-9

Discovered in China growing on slopes, thickets by rivers in 1932, growing also in Korea, but unheard of in the trade. It has dark green, rounded, leathery leaves. Wonderful shiny leaves remind one of a Ligustrum, which fits since an alternate names is Ligustrum sempervirens, and Syringa sempervirens, albeit both incorrect. In actuality it is somewhere between a Syringa (Lilac) and a Ligustrum because it has the fruit of the first and the bloom of the second. Evergreen. Small, creamy white, fragrant flowers are produced in terminal panicles in late summer and are followed by black fruit. Easily grown. Fast Growing -- makes a good, quick screen or hedge.

Soil: Moist but well-drained H: 5-10' W: B/M: White/6-7

$14.99 Qt.

Parrotia persica Persian Parrotia, Persian Witch Hazel, Persian Ironwood Zone: 4-8A

"One of the best small specimen trees that I know", Dirr. The foliage is reddish purple when unfolding changing to lustrous medium to dark green during summer & developing brilliant yellow to orange to scarlet fall color. ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FOR FOLIAGE EFFECT. Bark peels to reveal silver, green, white, and cinnamon colors. Will take light shade. Will not take wet or poorly drained soil. Plants of Merit - Missouri Botanical Garden. Great Plant Picks - Miller Botanical Garden

Soil: Well drained H:20-40' W: 15-30' B/M: Crimson Red/5-6 Growth Rate: Medium

$12.99 Qt.

Sold out

Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana Parrotia jacquemontiana, Fothergilla involucrata Zone: 5-9

This Himalayan Native is deserving of greater fame! The rare, unusual small tree is beautiful in flower with clusters of 1" white flowers backed by 4-6 white bracts of similar size and rounded puff-ball of yellow stamens in April and May. It may also flower again throughout the summer. In effect, similar to a small dogwood. Also, it will stump you 'know it all' garden friends if that's of interest!

Soil: Most any reasonable H: 8-12' W: 8-12' B/M: White/4-5

$10.99 Qt.

Paxistima canbyi Mountain Lover Zone: 3-7

Evergreen spreading, sub-shrub with bronze fall color and small greenish-white pendent spikes of flowers. Best in humus-rich, moist soil. pH adaptable. A wonderful, unknown plant that deserves wider popularity. Great in either the woodland or larger rock garden. Works great as a slow groundcover. Unknown, underused and fabulous!

Soil: Moist but well-drained, humus rich H:12-16" W: 36-48" B/M: Greenish white, insig.

$8.99 Qt.

Phellodendron amurense Amur Corktree Zone: 4-8

A heat-loving, cold-tolerant tree that forms a magnificent, broad spreading shade tree. It does self seed IF it has a mate -- plants are male or female. Without a mate, there is no self-seeding. It shouldn't be planted where it could encroach into 'minimally managed areas' unless there are no others in the area and you only plant one. This is true for various maples as well. But a single plant doesn't self seed and makes a great, great, wide-spreading shade tree that doesn't get terribly tall! This can be a great tree BUT we are all steward of the earth so plant responsibly.

Soil: Most any including sand and clay H: 30-45' W: B/M: Green Yellow/6

Philadelphus - Mockorange

"When you first experience the heady scent of Philadelphus you could be forgiven for thinking you've gone to heaven. The only mystery is why this wonderful shrub isn't more popular, because it deserves to be. This super shrub really does deserve wider recognition as one of the most versatile spring flowering plants for our gardens, especially if you're in an area with cool winters." Burke's Backyard

$9.99 Qt.

Philadelphus lewisii 'Snow Velvet' Mockorange Snow Velvet Zone: 4-8

Beautiful, large, sweetly scented flowers are semi-double white and 3" across on this magnificent/ Blooms in late spring and often will repeat bloom later in the season. A select form found in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. Powerfully fragrant! Yum! Name P. lewisii for Merewether Lewis who discovered it on his expedition. The species is Idaho's state flower.

Soil: Moist but well-drained H: 5-6' W: 5-6' B/M: White with heavenly scent! May-June

New 01-07

$10.99 Qt.

Philadelphus 'Snow Dwarf' Mock Orange, Mockorange Zone: 4-8

A new Canadian Introduction noted for its dwarf growing habit and its abundant white fragrant blooms. Multi-stemmed and compact, this deciduous shrub with an upright, arching habit typically grows 2-3' tall and wide. Fragrant 4-petaled DOUBLE white flower to 1 1/2" appear in late spring in loose clusters.

Soil: Moist but well-drained H: 2-3' W:2-3' B/M: White/5-6

New 2008

$9.99 Qt.

Philadelphus virginalis Mockorange Zone 4-8

A double-flowering form of Mockorange that generally reaches 9' tall. A multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub with an upright, arching habit features fragrant, double white flowers to 2" that appear in loose clusters in late spring, usually in 5-7 flowered terminal racemes. It epitomizes the reason for the common name Mockorange as it smells sweetly of orange blossoms. Mockoranges can get a ragged stature BUT they can be cut back to the ground after flowering and start afresh. Can be used as a hedge.

Soil: Well-drained H: 6-9' W: 6-9' B/M: White/5-6

$9.99 Qt.

Philadelphus x 'Belle Etoile' Mockorange, Sweet Mockorange Zone: 5-9

Mockoranges are fast-growing, vigorous shrubs with fountain-like shapes. What they are most know, however, is their showy white flowers with orange stamens and their strong fragrance reminiscent of orange blossoms. 'Belle Etoile' produces profuse and exceptionally fragrant white flowers 2¼ inches in diameter, with yellow anthers and a light purple blotch at the base of each petal. Great Plant Picks - Miller Botanical Garden who describes the fragrance as "sensational".

Soil: Moist but well-drained H: 6-8' W: 8' B/M: White/5-6

$9.99 Qt.

Philadelphus x 'Buckley's Quill' Mockorange Zone: 4-9

First introduced to Europe along with lilacs by Ambassador Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq in 1562, this classic and easy-to-grow hollow-branched shrub was used by the Turks to make pipes. Its Latin name means “brotherly love” and its orange blossom-like fragrance has enhanced teas, perfumes, and almost certainly, many friends’ walks in the garden." 30 quill-petaled blooms are stunning.

Soil: Moist but well-drained. Lots of organic matter. H:8' W: 6' B/M: White/6-7

$10.99 Qt.