From the category archives:

Plants

Butternut (Juglans cinerea)

Trees

Butternut also commonly known as white walnut or oilnut  is a deciduous tree native to the eastern U.S. and southeast Canada. The rounded topped canopy of this species of walnut reaches 40-60′ in height and 30-50′ wide.
Light gray ridged and furrowed bark. Leaves are dark green, alternate, pinnately compund 10-20″ long comprised of 11 to [...]

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How to Grow Your Own Fresh Air

Benefits

I saw this TED talk a while back and came across it again today. Researcher Kamal Meattle shows how a selection of three common houseplants can result in measurably cleaner indoor air quality.

The three plants he references in the video are:

Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue or Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum)

For a more [...]

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Himalayan Sarcococca (Sarcococca hookeriana var. ‘Humilis’)

Shrubs

The 3 inch long glossy green leaves are definitely an outstanding feature of this shade tolerant evergreen shrub. Native to the western Himalayas this low growing plant is ideal for foundation planting, or locations that require a lower overall height,  as it grows only 18-24″ tall yet spreads 3 feet wide.

When planted in well drained [...]

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Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)

Conifers

The Japanese Cedar, not a true cedar, is a beautiful evergreen and is a worthy consideration when looking for alternatives to more common evergreen selections. Hardy in zones 5-9 this conifer develops a dense pyramidal or conical habit. Overall mature height is about 50 feet and a spread of 20 feet.
As the tree matures [...]

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Tall Stewartia (Stewartia monadelpha)

Featured

Stewartia monodelpha known commonly as Tall Stewartia or Orangebark Stewartia is a slow growing deciduous tree hardy in zones 6-8. Reaching a mature height of 20 to 25 feet and a spread of 15-25 feed this tree develops a rather symmetrical pyramidal crown in its youth developing into a vase shaped outline as it matures.

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Acer platanoides ‘Pond’ (Emerald Lustre® Maple)

Trees

This fast growing Norway Maple variety forms a rounded canopy that is densely branched. Hardy in USDA Hardines Zones 3 to 7, this deciduous shade tree reaches heights of 45′ and spread of 40′. Medium green color in spring and summer turing yellow in the fall. Performs best in full sun to part shade, [...]

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Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)

Trees

Attractive, spreading small deciduous tree hardy in Zones 3-8. The new stem growth is covered in a reddish brown pubescence reminiscent of the new horns on a male deer, hence the name. As the stems mature the bark turns grey and are smooth in texture.
Rapid growth rate can grow two feet or more per season, [...]

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European Beech (Fagus sylvatica)

Trees

This stately deciduous tree is native to Europe. Hardy to USDA Zones 4-7, it will reach 50-60′ in height and 35-45′ in general landscape cultivation, however can reach 100′. Rather slow growing and dense pyramidal to oval habit produces a eventual specimen with quite a stately presence.
In spring the leaves emerge as a bright, shiny [...]

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Amur Maple (Acer ginnala)

Shrubs

The Amur maple is a deciduous small tree or large shrub hardy to Zones 3-6. Often used in a landscape as a screen or massing plant due to its rather dense, compact habit. Mostly sold in the nursery trade as a multi-stemmed plant it can be trained and maintained as a single stem tree with [...]

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Hollywood Juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Kaizuka’)

Conifers

The Hollywood Juniper is a cultivated variety originating in Japan. Hardy to zones 3-9 it is a conifer that grows to a height of 25 feet and 15 feet wide. Regularly chosen for use as a specimen in the landscape. This evergreen conifer has blue-green cones and a combination of juvenile and adult foliage. Once [...]

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