Every week we’re publishing a NEW Plant Picks of the Week story, showcasing our Plant Specialists’’ top plant picks. Get ready to be inspired!
We recently asked Leslie Hammond to share her top plant picks. Here’s what she had to say:
Espresso™ Kentucky Coffeetree
Gymnocladus dioicus ‘Espresso-JFS’
A stately large shade tree with massive yet delicate compound leaves; a seedless cultivar; rather coarse outline when young and when bare in winter, but very attractive when in leaf; tolerant of adverse growing conditions; for larger landscapes
Fireglow Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum ‘Fireglow’
Amazing crimson fall colour and summer foliage in rich burgundy-red; less dense canopy than other types; fairly sun tolerant; Japanese maples are the most coveted of all small landscape trees, it has almost the perfect shape, habit, and fall colors
Columnar Norway Spruce
Picea abies ‘Cupressina’
This narrow fastigiate form of this spruce is in high demand for urban and boundary plantings where strong vertical accents are desired; this selection grows quite quickly and withstands snow loads better than other columnar types
Red Osier Dogwood
Cornus sericea Allegen spruce
One of the best general purpose shrubs for northern landscapes, very hardy; good fall color, and brilliant red stems are highlighted by winter snow; can actually grow quite large, plan well ahead, tends to sucker