Locally Grown – Selected for Connecticut Gardens

Evergreen and flowering shrubs are the backbone of any landscape. Whether it is in a foundation planting or a garden border there is a wide range of plant material that can add depth and dimension to your garden. There are two types of shrubs: deciduous and evergreen. Deciduous shrubs such as Lilac, Forsythia and certain types of Azaleas will flower, foliate and then lose their foliage in the fall season.

Evergreen shrubs like Rhododendron, most Azaleas and Andromeda will feature evergreen foliage all year round, flower and then flush with new growth by summer. The benefit of flowering evergreens is that you benefit from the best of both worlds – beautiful flowers in spring and evergreen foliage for privacy and structure to support the overall landscape plan.

Evergreens, or conifers, are generally needled and retain their needles year round. Evergreens can function as a unifying element in the landscape, or in some cases, a focal point. These focal points, or specimens, can add real drama to a landscape.

We carry a wide selection of plant material selected just for our growing zone. With the improvement in breeding techniques today’s plant material blooms longer, in some cases, re-blooms and is more disease and pest resistant.

Shrubs: Partial Sun / Partial Shade

These plants enjoy a mix of sunlight and shade throughout the day or prefer protection from intense midday sun.

  • Acer (Japanese Maples): Offers stunning foliage colors and shapes, ideal for focal points in garden design.
  • Azalea: Popular for spring display of brightly colored flowers; prefers acidic soil.
  • Camellia: Evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and large, beautiful flowers in shades of pink, red, and white.
  • Hydrangea: Known for large flower heads in colors ranging from blue and purple to pink and white, depending on soil pH.
  • Ilex (Holly): Offers evergreen foliage and red berries; great for hedges and wildlife support.
  • Pieris (Andromeda): Evergreen shrub with cascading clusters of white or pink flowers in early spring.
  • Rhododendron: Large genus of shrubs with spectacular clusters of flowers in a wide range of colors.
  • Viburnum: Versatile shrubs with a variety of flower forms, fragrances, and berry colors; attracts wildlife.

Shrubs: Full Sun

Plants in this category thrive with several hours of direct sunlight each day.

  • Buddleia (Butterfly Bush): Fast-growing shrub known for attracting butterflies with its long, fragrant flower spikes.
  • Caryopteris (Blue Mist Shrub): Deciduous shrub featuring blue flowers in late summer to fall, attracting bees and butterflies.
  • Cotinus (Smokebush): Ornamental shrub with stunning, smoke-like flower plumes and vibrant foliage colors.
  • Forsythia: Early spring bloomer with vivid yellow flowers, signaling the arrival of spring.
  • Ligustrum (Privet): Hardy shrub commonly used for hedges, offering white flowers followed by black berries.
  • Potentilla: Durable shrub producing cheerful, daisy-like flowers throughout the summer.
  • Rose: Classic garden favorite known for its beautiful and often fragrant flowers in a variety of colors.
  • Syringa (Lilac): Beloved for its sweetly fragrant flowers, available in shades of purple, pink, and white.
  • Weigela: Deciduous shrub with trumpet-shaped flowers and attractive foliage, blooming in late spring to early summer.

Shade Trees

Shade trees are invaluable assets to both urban and suburban landscapes, offering not just relief from the sun’s intensity but also contributing significantly to the ecological balance and aesthetic beauty of their surroundings. These trees provide cool, shaded areas that can significantly reduce temperatures in their immediate vicinity, making outdoor spaces more comfortable during hot weather. Additionally, they help in reducing energy costs by cooling homes and buildings, improve air quality, and support wildlife by offering shelter and food. Proper selection, planting, and care are essential to ensure these trees reach their full potential, providing benefits for generations. Below is a list of some notable shade trees, organized alphabetically, each with a brief description:

  • Acer (Maple): Maples are celebrated for their stunning fall coloration, ranging from bright yellows to deep reds. They are versatile trees that can adapt to a wide range of soil types and conditions, making them a popular choice for many landscapes.
  • Betula (Birch): Birch trees are known for their distinctive white bark and delicate leaves, offering a striking visual contrast in any garden setting. They prefer cooler climates and moist soil, making them a beautiful addition to northern landscapes.
  • Fagus (Beech): Beech trees are majestic with smooth, gray bark and a dense canopy that provides ample shade. Their leaves turn a lovely bronze in the fall, and the tree’s strong structure makes it a long-lasting presence in any landscape.
  • Ginkgo: The Ginkgo tree, with its unique fan-shaped leaves, is a living fossil that has remained unchanged for over 200 million years. It is highly resilient to pollution and disease, making it an excellent choice for urban environments. Its leaves turn a vibrant yellow in the fall.
  • Oxydendrum (Sourwood): Sourwood is notable for its summer flowers and brilliant fall foliage. It produces drooping clusters of white flowers in the summer, followed by leaves that turn vivid shades of red, orange, and purple in the fall.
  • Quercus (Oak): Oaks are powerful symbols of strength and endurance, offering expansive canopies that provide deep shade. They are vital to wildlife, supplying acorns for food and large branches for shelter.
  • Salix (Willow): Willows are known for their graceful, drooping branches and love of water. They can grow quickly, providing fast shade and adding a sense of elegance and tranquility to waterside settings.
  • Ulmus (Elm): Elms were once a staple of American landscapes until many were lost to Dutch elm disease. Resistant varieties are bringing these majestic trees back to streets and parks, where their large, vase-shaped canopies provide extensive shade and aesthetic appeal.

Flowering Trees

Flowering trees bring a burst of color and fragrance to landscapes, marking the seasons with their beautiful blooms. These trees not only enhance the visual appeal of any garden but also support local wildlife by providing habitat and food sources. Their flowers attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem. Caring for flowering trees involves ensuring they are planted in the right location with enough sunlight and well-drained soil, regular watering, appropriate fertilization, and pruning to maintain shape and health. Here’s a list of some remarkable flowering trees, organized alphabetically, each with a brief description:

  • Amelanchier (Shadblow): Known for its delicate white spring flowers and vibrant fall foliage, the Amelanchier is a hardy tree that also produces edible berries, adding both beauty and function to landscapes.
  • Cercis (Redbud): This tree is celebrated for its stunning pink flowers that bloom directly on the branches in early spring, before the leaves emerge, creating a striking display against the backdrop of the changing seasons.
  • Cornus (Dogwood): Dogwoods are cherished for their beautiful spring flowers, which come in shades of white, pink, and red. They also feature attractive fall foliage and berries, providing year-round interest.
  • Cotinus (Smokebush): With its unique, fluffy flower clusters that resemble smoke and its purple or gold foliage, the Smokebush adds a touch of whimsy and color to any garden space.
  • Hamamelis (Witchhazel): Known for its fragrant, spider-like flowers that bloom in late fall to early spring, Witchhazel is a captivating addition that provides color and fragrance during the cooler months.
  • Hibiscus (Rose of Sharon): This late-summer bloomer offers large, colorful flowers ranging from white to pink to blue, adding a tropical flair to temperate gardens.
  • Hydrangea: With its large, showy blooms that can change color based on soil pH, Hydrangeas are a favorite for adding drama and a splash of color to shaded areas.
  • Magnolia: Magnolias are known for their large, fragrant flowers that appear in early spring, often before the leaves, on grand, stately trees that can become the centerpiece of any garden.
  • Malus (Crabapple): Crabapples delight with their spring blossoms and small, colorful fruits in the fall, which also provide food for wildlife, making them both beautiful and beneficial.
  • Stewartia: Featuring stunning white flowers in the summer, exfoliating bark, and brilliant fall colors, Stewartia trees are a four-season wonder that thrives in partial shade.
  • Styrax (Japanese Snowbell): This tree graces gardens with its fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers in late spring, hanging delicately under fine, green foliage, creating a serene display.
  • Syringa (Lilac): Renowned for their sweet fragrance and dense clusters of flowers in shades of violet, blue, pink, and white, Lilacs are a harbinger of spring and bring a nostalgic charm to any landscape.