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Here are eight of Robert's choices for what's new and exciting at Gum Tree this season:
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Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Miss Grace'
A wonderful new Dawn Redwood with strongly pendulous branching habit. The soft feathery textured leaves make a striking statement when mixed with more bold plants. The needles have a blue cast to it soon after leafing out and retaining this until fall. Typical orange-brown fall color . The growth rate should be around a foot a year, a deal at $30. 8-10' tall and 4-6' wide in ten years. |
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Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Ogon'
I refuse to call this plant Gold Rush even though it is a good marketing name. Delicious deciduous bright gold color that mixes well with burgundy Japanese maples and blue conifers. No more big 11 footers like last year, these are all around 3 to 4 feet tall at $30. 10-15' tall and 6' wide in five years. |
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Taxodium distichum 'Peve Minaret'
Distinct Dutch selection of our native bald cypress.This cultivar is super wicked, kinda like the jam from Reba. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Super soft and lush green exploding needles contrast the exfoliating bark. Everything about this plant is diminutive. The denseness makes this perfect for smaller gardens or most anywhere there is moisture. 6-8' tall and 3' wide in ten years. 1.5 gallon - $26; 2 gallon - $32; 7 gallon - $60 |
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Taxodium distichum 'Falling Waters'
Much thanks go to Harald Neubauer for getting this into the U.S.. Don Shadow named this new gem from Europe. I was more fond of 'Burning Spear' myself as this tree keeps it leader as it ages. This tree is so different than the quirky 'Cascade Falls'. 'Falling Waters' will need to be staked, but it grows fast and stays narrow. The largest I have seen is about 12' tall and only a foot wide . Super hard to find this thing, so get them while they last and be the first on the block. These are in a 1.5 g for only $40 and are around 5' tall on a high graft. |
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Calycanthus 'Venus'
See what happens when you alter the genetic makeup. This exciting new hybrid from the guru Dr. Tom Ranney boasts 5" white flowers with a splash of yellow and magenta in the center . Highly fragrant, 'Venus' smells like strawberries and melons. Expect this low maintenance shrub to be 6' by 6' and have good yellow fall color. I have seen the same size plants as I have for $40 , so enjoy for only $8.50 . Right now these are in a 6" deep pot and around 6-8". |
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Calycanthus raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine'
I remember the first time I saw this in flower at J.C. Raulston Arboretum, and it was super fine. Richard Hartlage successfully crossed this from Sinocalycanthus sinensis with Calycanthus floridus. 'Hartlage Wine' features awesome merlotesque flowers that do not smell. I have read that there is a fragrance, but I have yet to find it and we have had 3 in the ground for four years. This shrub will get big if not cut back - 8-10' tall and wide. We offer nice 1 gallon pots around 6-10" tall, most loaded with flowers, and also a few 3 gallons left for $25. |
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Fothergilla major 'Blue Shadow'
I have similar experiences where I freak out when I see something cool. The summer of 2003 at Gary Handy's gave me a good feeling seeing this plant for the first time in person. This was a branch sport off 'Mt. Airy,' so would the species really be major? I am a believer that it is a cross between major and gardennii. Anyways, the main way this plant is available is thanks to tissue culture. Some people think it will not retain its blue color. My experience is that the new growth is green - notice the photo to the right. (Yeah, those do look good.) I hear people moan and groan that 'Blue Mist' does poorly in the south but I have had wonderful success with all fothergillas... just put the right plant in the right spot. "If you are not killing something, you are not growing as a gardener." These are a deal for $7 in a 5" deep pot. |
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Acer palmatum 'Mikawa yatsubusa'
This is definitely in my top five Japanese Maples. Do not attempt to smoke this plant! This gorgeous thing has super dense nodes giving it a stacked appearance with overlapped leaves. Only grows to 6' tall in many years. Being much in demand and hard to locate forces the price of this goody to be higher than normal from the get-go, and worth every penny. The growth is dense forming a compact plant for any and all gardens. Congrats to Dr. Ralph of Florence, Alabama who only bought 5 from me last year. He has it bad. Do you? These are stout 1 gallon size ranging from 8-12", for the low price of $35.
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Acer palmatum 'Fairly Hair'
This west coast seedling from Talon boasts the most slender & delicate leaves of any Acer palmatum, even smaller than 'Kto ito kmoachi.' The spent leaves are fun to pull off and hold in your hand. Words really can't describe this fabulous tree. |
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Nyssa sylvatica 'Zydeco Twist'
Something really new & cool! This contorted black gum looks similar to Corylus avellana 'Contorta' (Harry Lauder's Walking Stick). Apparently, it may readch 35' to 40' tall and wide, but I have yet to see anythign over 6'. Dang, this is a fun plant! |
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