Shrubs & Trees: 'S'    2008

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$9.99 Qt. 

Salix alba Flame   Willow 'Flame'   Z:3-7    

In autumn, the thin willow leaves glow w/ long-lasting, vibrant yellow leaves against the fiery orange stems. The stems remain flame colored all winter. The oval crown is dense and compact. The tips of the branches curl upward & inward. An improved, dense, ornamental red-stemmed willow released by Bergeson Nursery, Fertile, Minnesota. Good windbreak.

Soil:  Best in moist soil; pH adaptable     H:18-20'` W: 10-15'    B/M:  Bottle brush-like catkins/Spring

$10.99 Qt. 

Salix caprea   Goat Willow       Z:4-8

A small tree whose best feature is the large 1-2" long male catkins, before it leafs out, which are commonly known as Pussy Willows because of their silky softness. (Often confused with S. discolor -- true Pussy Willow -- which is plagued by canker.) Goat willow is a much healthier plant & doesn't have to be grown in a wet spot. Actually in average soil, they are typically trees & in wet spots, more shrub-like with multiple trunks.

Soil:  Ave. to moist      H:10-25'  W: 12-15'      B/M:  Pussy Willow-like/March-April

Salix species are Host Plants for the Dreamy Duskywing, Striped Hairstreak, Mourning Cloak and Viceroy Butterfly Caterpillars.  These are great plants in the garden because they're rapid growers and can easily sustain the needs of the Caterpillars without damage to the plant and they feed the caterpillars lot of different and splendid Butterflies.  To REALLY have butterflies in your garden, you need to feed them at all stages of their life -- when they're flying AND when they're crawling!

$9.99 Qt.  

Salix chaenomeloides   Japanese Giant or Silver Pussy Willow          Z:5-8B

Large white catkins on red stems called Japanese Pussy Willow but like many, really from China.  A fairly quick grower, 18" per year.  An early budding pussy willow that is very eye-catching due to the contrast of the gray furry buds against the red stems (which add winter interest).  The buds open up to 2-3" long white 'catapillers' that emerge from dark red buds in early spring.  One of our favorite Hort writer on the Internet, Paghat describes them as looking like "fur balls that look like roosting owls."  Visit her site at 'Phagat's Garden' to see what else wonderful she has to say about this and others!

Soil: Moist but WELL-DRAINED        H:10-12'    W:10-12'       B/M:  Pink to white/Early Spring

New 2008

$9.99 Qt.

Salix x cottetii    Cottet Willow, Streamco Willow, Dwarf Banker's Willow   Zone:5

A low growing willow with trailing stems which root where they touch down and which makes an excellent tall groundcover.  The dark, shiny green leaves are paler on the underside. From Europe and the Alps, it's an excellent choice for stream-bank or hillside stabilization.  Growth rate 18" per year.  Yellow male catkins.

Soil: Acid to Neutral, average to moist         H: 5'  W: 5-11'        B/M:  Yellow/Spring

$9.99 Qt.

Salix discolor 'Rosea'      Pink Pussy Willow        Zone: 4-9     

The shrub of our childhood still fascinates children. The soft, furry, pale pink catkins are beautiful as cut flowers and cover the branches in early spring. Requires little maintenance. OK in any soil but loves wet soil. Useful in erosion control. Actually a very small tree.  Best in full sun but will take some shade.  Appreciates regular pruning after blooming but doesn't need it.  Good for 'forcing' in flower arrangements.

Soil: Any but loves wet       H: 5-10'   W:12-15'        B/M: Pink Catkins/Early Spring

Inquiring minds want to know...

We acquired the following plant (along with many others) about 5 years ago when a wonderful local horticulturist sold us the stock from his fledgling Rare Plant Nursery to take an exciting job in Ireland!  Obsessive about Botanical nomenclature, he always had the plants labeled correctly BUT the stuff was so-o-o-o rare that we have had to dig and dig to find out what the heck they were!  Such was the case for the following...  17 pages of search results on Google, all in foreign languages, and then, finally, a mention that the name had changed and then we were in business!  And, thankfully in English!

$9.99 Qt.  

Salix eleagnos angustifolia     Rosemary Leaf or Graybush Willow    Z:(3)4-7       

(S. rosmarinifolia marinus officinalis)  

A beautiful small Willow  with a dense, upright form sporting slender, 1-2" catkins that appear with the lovely, unique foliage.  Emerges spring green, then matures to 8" long leaves, green on top, white-hairy underneath and finish their display yellow in Fall.

Soil:  Moist           H: 5-10'  W: 5-10"       B/M:   Catkins/2-3

New 3/12

$8.99 Qt.

Salix gracilistyla    Rose-Gold or Rosegold Pussy Willow     Zone:  4-8      

Native to China, Japan and Korea with cool bluish gray foliage, green stems and HUGE 2" silver gray catkins are shaded coral and gold in early spring.  The anthers are reddish but when they start to open filling with gold pollen, it's a sight to behold.  The larger, more colorful catkins are found a 'yard size' plant generally reaching no more than 10' in height.  This lovely plant will fit in most yards where the 'big willows' won't.  Great in flower arrangements.

Soil:  Moist best, most any ok       H: 8-12'  W:      B/M: Pinkish silver/Early Spring

$9.99 Qt.

Salix gracilistyla 'Melanostachys'      Dwarf Black Pussy Willow      Zone: 4-8    

A slow growing (in a fast genus) Pussy Willow with a rounded form and showy black catkins in spring.  Highly ornamental.  Tolerates a wide range of soil types and can be pruned to control size.  Often blooms (displays it catkins) before the snow melts when the effect is dazzling.  Jet-black catkins with red-orange anthers puts it in a class by itself.  The dwarf form of the species (which is 23' feet tall).

Soil:  Moist best, most any ok       H: 10-12'  W:      B/M: Black/Early Spring

$10.99 Qt.

Salix hylematica     Creeping Alpine Willow         Zone: 5-8

This AROMATIC dwarf creeping groundcover willow happily creeps long rocks or over open ground with very tiny, shiny dark green leaves and red/brown stems..  The leaves ARE small but are made to appear even smaller because they're dwarf by large, upright 1" orange-red catkins - 5-6 times as big as a leaf.  "Way Cool" as the teens would say.  Stunning cascading out of a trough, rock garden or the small suburban garden.  Rare and choice.

Soil: Most Any       H: 2" W: Indef.        B/M: Orange Red/ Spring

$10.99 Qt. 

Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki'   Willow, Dappled     Z:5-7      

A loosely branched shrub with bright pink shoots which open to mottled pink, cream & green variegated leaves. A real showstopper in our gardens. Red stems in winter. The Japanese name refers to the brocade coloring of the leaves. From Japan. Can be pruned into a Standard. (AKA, S. integra 'Alba Maculata'. Needs shearing to maintain variegation.

Soil:  Ave. to moist      H:  3-5'  W: 3-5'      B/M:  Insig.

Visit our very favorite website on the Internet, Paghat's Garden, to read all about Corkscrew Willows!

$9.99 Qt.  

Salix matsudana 'Golden Curls'   Corkscrew Willow    Zone: 4-8      

A small tree with amazing form -- everything about it looks like it went to a beauty salon -- every branch, twig and leaf is curly!  There isn't a time of the year that it isn't attractive - even in the dead of winter when you can really appreciate it's form and new yellow limbs.  Easy to grow and much cold hardier than it's one parent, S. matsudana 'Tortuosa', Peking Willow.  Beautiful golden leaf color in Fall.  Doesn't need soil as moist as the typical willow.  Does NOT show much curling as a year old plant.  Takes a few years.

Soil: Ave. to moist       H: 20-30'  W: 15'    B/M:  Typical willow catkins in early spring

$10.99 Qt.  

Salix matsudana 'Scarlet Curls'  Corkscrew Willow      Zone: 5-8   

Like the above but one zone less hardy but it has twisted SCARLET RED stems.  This red becomes more intense after the first frost.  Doesn't need soil as moist as the typical willow.  Good in flower arrangements.  A bit more robust in growth than Golden Curls.

Soil: Ave. to moist       H:25-30'  W:       B/M:   Typical willow catkins in early spring

$9.99 Qt. 

Salix matsudana 'Snake' (Willow)    Corkscrew Willow     Zone: 5-8     

Corkscrew willow develops an oval-rounded head of fine textured branches. Emerging leaves are bright green, turn darker green & yellow-green in fall. MORE DROUGHT TOLERANT THAN OTHER WILLOWS! 'Snake' has more branch contortions & canker resistance than the species.

Soil: Average to moist       H:20-30'   W:15'       B/M: Catkins/Spring

New 3/12

$9.99 Qt.  

Salix nakamurana var. yezoalpina      Yezo, Dwarf or Groundcover Willow    Z: 4-8   

Yezo Willow is a treasure is in a class by itself!  A groundcover Pussy Willow with gorgeous wide, reticulate deep green leaves that emerge in spring with beautiful silvery hair on top and bottom, much like you would find on a Pasque Flower and, it has typical (and beautiful) Pussy Willow blooms on Mahogany colored stems in early spring right after the snow melts.  Beautiful flowing over a slopping spots, especially with a rock or two.  Bright Yellow Fall Color.  Doesn't like heat too much, so plant in shade in warmer zone.  A  Great Plant Picks - Miller Botanical Garden.

Soil: Ave. to Moist      H: 6-12"   W:3-6' or even more if happy    B/M: Yellow & white pussy willow/Spring

$8.99 Qt.  

Salix purpurea nana   Dwarf Blue Leaf Arctic Willow, Small Purple Osier         Zone: 3-8

A graceful plant with very slender blue-green leaves (yellow in Fall) on burgundy stems that thrives in poor soil and is somewhat drought tolerant. Compact and refined, it can be easily shaped.  It can actually be pruned to a formal head or even a topiary. It actually loves being shaped and is happy to be kept at 2-3 or even Bonsai size!   Sways beautifully in the breeze.  Tremendous design potential.  Fast grower.  Extremely cold hardy.  Great Plant Picks - Miller Botanical Garden.

Soil: Most any      H:5-6'  W:5-6'       B/M:  Spring 

$9.99 Qt.  

Salix x blanda     Wisconsin Willow    Zone:  4-8    

Rapid growing, smooth, green barked tree to 40 feet with pendulous branches reaching to the ground. Excellent ornamental tree. Leaves are glossy dark green and bluntly toothed. This willow doesn't have to have wet soil!  A cross between S. babylonica and S. pentachdra.  Yellow leaves in fall.

Soil:  Average to moist   H: 30-40'  W:     B/M: Insig./NA  

Sambucus - European Elderberry

If you love birds, then you MUST have one of these Elderberries.  More than 120 species of birds eat them!  And if they, by chance, leave any, you can make jelly or wine with them.  All but Liciniata are best cut back in late winter to promote strong, colorful shoot according to Dirr.  A replacement for but much quicker (and cheaper) than Japanese Maples.  

Throughout history, Elders have been considered powerful trees and shrubs both for good luck, to drive away serpents and robbers and for 'magical' medical properties to ward off rheumatism!   
For us now, they can offer wind protections, screening and a means for providing quick shade as well as for their beauty and maybe still, a little magic!

All elders are best and give the best foliar performance if cut back to the ground each year.  Yeh, that's scary but still a good than to do in late winter.  They usually take a year or two to settle in after planting and then take off.  Some plants are just like that.  In Zone 9 and even 8, should be planted in Part Shade.  They don't like heat and also...

SAMBUCUS, like Buddleias, must be shipped during Cool Weather - Spring or Fall only.

New 3/13

$11.99 Qt. 

Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace'^TM ('Eva' PP#15,575)   Elder Black Lace/Eva    Z:4-7    

Named the "Best New Plant" of 2006 at the NMPro ANLA New Plant Pavilion, this is unlike anything you can put in your garden.  With soft pink blooms that age to white and a lemony scent, turning to red berries in the fall above attractive, finely cut, dark purple black foliage.  Full sun for best color.  Best in moist soil but will take dry. Looks like a purple black Japanese Maple! Tends to grow horizontal with young.  Pinch to shape for the first couple of years. 

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

$10.99 Qt. 

Sambucus nigra 'Guincho Purple'       Elder, Guincho Purple       Z:3-8(9)    

What a great show. Dark green leaves maturing to chocolate or blackish purple, passes thru a green stage, then turning to a spirited red in the fall. An abundance of pink tinged flowers on purple stems develop into purple-black fruits. Superb upright bushy deciduous shrub. Elders are often included in wildlife gardens for their invaluable crop of autumn berries, but this one is really pretty too.  Lemon Fragrance!

Soil: MOIST but well-drained    H: 8-10' W: 8'     B/M:  Cream tinged pink/5-6

$9.99 Qt. 

Sambucus nigra f. laciniata   Fern Leaf Elder  AKA Sambucus canadensis 'Laciniata'   Z:3-8(9)

An Elderberry that looks like Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Filagree Lace' -- one of the best Japanese Maple.  This small tree/shrub has the most gorgeous, cut-leaf foliage.  No one passes buy it without taking a second look!

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

$9.99 Qt. 

Sambucus nigra 'Madonna'   Elder, Madonna       Z:3-8(9)    

The hottest Shrub/Tree in the trade. The large green leaves are splashed & marbled in bright gold. This is a slower growing form which makes it a candidate for a small garden. White flat flowers borne in clusters in early summer followed by glossy black fruit. Looks great against a dark background (house or evergreens.) 

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

$9.99 Qt. 

Sambucus nigra 'Variegata'   Elder, Variegated       Z:3-8(9)    

The hottest Shrub/Tree in the trade. The large green leaves have a clear white margin. This is a slower growing form which makes it a candidate for a small garden. White flat flowers borne in clusters in early summer followed by glossy black fruit. Looks great against a dark background (house or evergreens.) 

Soil: MOIST but well-drained      H: 6-12' W: 6'       B/M:  White/5-6

$10.99 Qt.  

Sambucus racemosa 'Sutherland Gold'      Red Elder, Sutherland Gold        Z:3-8(9)    

Conical clusters of creamy white flowers are followed by red, glossy fruit.  The deeply cut, bronze young leaves mature to golden yellow with better ability to stand up to sun scorch than other gold forms.   The arching stems of this Elder makes a riveting specimen.  Like a gold Japanese maple!  US Native Plant.

Soil: MOIST but well-drained      H: 8-12' W:8-10'       B/M:  Creamy white/ 5-6

$9.99 Qt.

Sarcococca confusa       Sweet Box             Zone: (6b)7-9

S. confusa has a lot of things going for it:  It blooms in winter and when you walk by, the fragrance is wonderful in a season when you expect to smell nothing in the garden. It's much more fragrant than the more common, S. hookeriana.  The white bloom is small and is on the bush at the same time as the glossy black berries which is just maturing from red from the previous year's blooms!   How cool!  It was introduced in 1916 so it's stood the test of time.  It will take deep shade!  Spreads by underground shoots.  Plant of the Month and more information at Bellevue Botanical Garden.  Great Plant Picks - Miller Botanical Garden.

Soil: Organically rich, well-drained acid           H: 3-5'  W: 3'        B/M: White/1-3

$9.99 Qt. 

Sarcococca hookeriana var. 'Humilis'       Sweetbox, Christmas Box               Zone: 6-9  

Lustrous dark evergreen foliage with clusters of fragrant white flowers in later winter to early spring followed by 1/2" round black fruit.   Makes a lush filler or medium height groundcover, spreading by underground runners with restrained slow to moderate growth.  Takes shearing.  This and the above are without peer for growing, blooming and fruiting in deep shade.  AKA, Himalayan Sarcococca

Soil: Organically rich, well-drained acid      H: 12-24"  W: 24-36"     B/M:  White/ 1-3

New 2-19 $9.99 Qt.

Sassafras albidum     Sassafras         Zone: 4-9

An attractive tree that can reach 80' but rarely tops 20-30' with a rather slender, pyramidal shape and horizontal branches in distinct tiers.  This long lived tree starts flowering young and the leaves are variable even on a single plant but remind one of mittens!  The blooms open before the leaves in early spring and give way to fleshy dark blue drupes.  In Fall, it turns brilliant shade of yellow, orange and red.  All parts have an aromatic smell like root beer.  Native from SW Maine to Iowa, south to Texas and florida.  VERY FAST it can grow 4' a year.  Tap rooted so plant it where you want it to stay!

Soil: Well-drained     H:20-30' (80') W: 25-40'     B/M: Small yellow green/4-5

$8.99 Qt. 

Serissa foetida 'Kyoto Variegata'    Dwarf Yellow Rim or Tree of a Thousand Stars   Z:7-9   

Very tiny dwarf from of Yellow Rim with the smallest foliage in the Serissa family. Rarely grows over 12" high and is native to the holy city of Kyoto, Japan. Single white, trumpet-shaped flowers that appear heavily in May and only and off the rest of the season. Great in the rock garden, front of the border or outstanding as a Bonsai (which must be brought inside for winter.) Needs a break from the hottest part of the sun.

Soil: Well-drained     H: 12" W: 12"     B/M:  White/ May-June plus on and off later

$9.99 Qt. 

Serissa foetida 'Variegata'    Yellow Rim or Tree of a Thousand Stars   Z:(6)7-9   

An absolutely beautiful shrub. Beautiful all summer, especially when the pink buds open to starry white flowers in late spring. Flowers profusely. Adaptable and adjusts to most any site except permanently wet. 

Soil: Well-drained     H: 12-24" W: 12-30"     B/M:  White/ May-June plus on and off later

The following choice vines are on the Vines Page

    Schisandra     Magnolia Vine   

    Schizophragma  Japanese Hydrangea Vines

$10.99 Qt.

Sinocalycanthus chinensis       Calycanthus chinensis  Chinese Allspice     Zone: (5)6-8

This Chinese Native is closely related to the US Native Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus).   Is is a dense, rounded deciduous shrub that reaches 5-10' in height and width with 4" Camelia-like flowers with blush-pink to white outer tepals, yellow inner tepals with maroon markings and a mounded ring of yellow stamens growing on the stem ends for a month or mid.  The trade off from the Carolina Allspice is a prettier bloom but no fragrance.  Glossy, 6" medium green leaves turn yellow in fall.

Soil: Well-drained           H: 5-10'  W: 5-10'         B/M: Pinkish white/5-6

$11.99 Qt. 

Sinojackia xylocarpa     Woodyfruit Jacktree    Zone: 6-9   

An uncommon small tree or deciduous shrub with extraordinary 3-5 white blooms in axillary leafy racemes that look like down-facing white Jonquil or Styrax blooms in spring followed by a woody yellow and brown round fruit that reminds us of a decorative acorn!  Distributed narrowly around Jiangsu and Nanjing, growing along the margin of forests or in sparse forests on hillsides, it will probably become extinct soon in it's native China.  Nice furrowed bark for winter interest.  A wonderful addition to the category 'Small Flowering Trees'.

Soil: Well-drained       H: 15-20'  W:12-15'      B/M: White/3-4

Sorbaria sorbifolia     Ural False Spiraea     Z:3-7  

Looks a great deal like a giant white Astilbe. It has bold, dramatic 6-10" flowers during July and August. Bold, tropical looking leaves. It has a suckering habit, so you get a lot of bank for your bucks with this one. Very easy to grow. Very, very cold hardy. It will appreciate a dose of lime each year when you lime your grass. Great for the shrub border or a wild or woodland garden. Foliage looks like a Mountain Ash.

Soil: Moist but well-drained, Neut. to Alk.      H: 5-10' W: 5-10'       B/M:  White/7-8

Spiraea?  or Spirea? 

The Latin spelling is Spiraea.  The Common name doesn't have an a before the e - so it's Spirea. 

Regardless of how you spell it, these are some of the most easy care,