PERENNIALS
Bleeding hearts dicentra
-graceful, soft green foliage. Prefers shade
- foliage usually goes dormant no later than mid-summer
Bugleweed ajuga
-slow invasive prostrate groundcover with attractive vertical spikes of flowers in late spring, and semi-evergreen foliage for year-round interest.
-flowering stalks may be removed or entire patch may be cutback after bloom to
enhance the foliage effect through summer.
Coral Bells heuchera
-showy foliage, semi-evergreen perennial with a radiating tight clump of green, purple, or marbled foliage, also having diminutive fine-textured flowers on thin stalks rising high above the foliage
-reblooming encouraged by dead-heading
Coreopsis coreopsis verticillata
-perennial that has cut-leaf foliage and a relatively long bloom period in Summer
- rebloom if deadheaded
Daylily hemerocallis
-perennial effectively used along borders, wide edgings, or in mass plantings, commonly planted in sunny sites but also used in partially shaded areas, noted for
showy summer-blooming, trumpet-shaped flowers with many colors to choose
from.
-remove dead, previous year's foliage in early spring prior to new growth.
Dianthus dianthus gratianopolitianus
-Low growing blue-green foliage often used as groundcover
-rebloom if deadheaded
Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia
-A showy and durable perennial with dark green foliage. Yellow daisy like flower with black cone from July through September
-prune after flowering
Dwarf Goatsbeard aruncus aethusifolius
-Mounding dark green foliage. Flowers are cream colored 12" tall spikes in early summer
False Spirea astilbe
-Herbaceuos perennial with dark green compound leaves and fluffy flower
Spikes.
-remove debris from previous year's growth in early spring, before new growth
emerges.
Cranesbill hardy geranium
-bushy herbaceous perennial that can be used alone or as a ground cover and has light green round leaves with curvy edges
- rebloom if deadheaded
Hardy Lily lilium
-Hardy lilies emerge from bulbs and have a single long stem with pairs or clusters of leaves emerging along its length. Depending upon variety chosen, may need staking.
-require only minimal care
Hosta
-bold-textured foliage perennial for partial sun to full shade conditions, also having moderately attractive flowers on long stalks in Summer
-Division in early Autumn or early Spring
Lungwort pulmonaria
-perennial with excellent blue and pink flowers and speckled silvery-green foliage, best sited in partial shade to full shade
-remove older leaves to encourage plant to rejuvenate during the heat of the summer.
Myrtle vinca
-evergreen groundcover for sun or shade with lavender-blue flowers in May
-a light mulch will retain soil moisture and reduce the invasion of weeds until established.
Pachysandra pachysandra terminalis
-Glossy evergreen groundcover for shady areas
- a light mulch will retain soil moisture and reduce the invasion of weeds
Peony paeonia
-Hardy herbaceous perennial that boast large flowers in early summer
-cut down and remove leaves after frost dieback. Natural sugars in the flowers will attract ants so not recommended for foundation plantings.
Purple Coneflower echinacea
-perennial for sunny to partially shady sites, with a distinctive array of Summer-blooming pink-lavender or white-cream flowers. Many new varieties available now with color choices of yellows, peaches, oranges and hot pinks.
- rebloom if deadheaded
Salvia salvia nemerosa
-Perennial for sunny areas in the front of the garden. Spikes of lovely purple flowers
-rebloom if deadheaded
Shasta Daisy leucanthemum
-Summer white floral display above lush dark green foliage, with an overall upright to rounded habit. Does best in full sun.
-periodically deadhead to remove unsightly spent flowers and to promote further flowering.
Silver Mound artemisia
-silver-foliage, fine-textured, mounding perennial that serves as an excellent edging plant
-splitting can be prevented or delayed by shearing the foliage back halfway in July, before flowering begins
Wisteria
-architecturally useful, showy woody vine that is cherished for its extremely fragrant, pendulous spring blossoms that are often blue-purple in color. Plants
generally don't bloom until five years of age.
-Prune back hard every year, either after frost or in late winter/early spring
BROADLEAF EVERGREANS
Shrubs
Boxwood buxus
-slow-growing, fine-textured, dense evergreen shrub or hedge
- can be sheared into a formal hedge, shrub, or topiary
Euonymus euonymus fortunei
-small broadleaf evergreen shrub with many variegated cultivars
-shearing in early Spring, prune leaders
Gold thread false cypress chamaecyparis
-Brilliant gold foliage with drooping branches
-prune after new growth in late spring
Holly ilex meserveae
-cold-hardy broadleaf evergreen shrub with both attractive winter fruits and waxy foliage
- can be sheared into various shapes
Pieris japonica
-upright to spreading ornamental shrub, noted for its emerging bronzed foliage, dark shiny evergreen mature foliage, showy floral buds that mature in late Summer and are attractive in Autumn and Winter, and showy white (or pink) inflorescences that bloom in early Spring
-Prune in Spring after flowering. Deadhead annually
Rhododendron
-small to medium-sized shrubs that flower prolifically in Spring, but are slow- growing and require acidic, organic, moist, and well-drained soils in shady situations
-prune in late spring or early summer (variety specific), after flowering. Prune one year's growth immediately after flowering to maintain size; remove only dead or diseased branches and deadhead; cut back hard to renovate, leaving balanced framework of old wood
CONIFERS
Arborvitae thuja
-evergreen shrub, having cultivars that are narrow pyramidal, columnar, or globed in shape
-responds well to continuous shearing
Austrian Pine pinus nigra
-bold-textured, long-needled, and dark green pine tree
-remove the unwanted candles 1/2 inch above the new growth and shape the tree by removing those you don't want and leaving those you do for the shape
Birds Nest Spruce picea abies
-a miniature spreading shrub with a depression in the center of the shrub
-prune new tips after they emerge in spring
Canadian Hemlock tsuga canadensis
-graceful, fine-textured, shade-tolerant evergreen tree that performs best in cool and moist northern climates
-Prune in spring and summer, if needed. Withstands heavy pruning and shearing
Colorado Blue Spruce Picea pungens
-stately pyramidal evergreen tree that serves as a bold focal point in the landscape, especially with the numerous silvery-blue, blue-green, or sky-blue foliaged cultivars
-prune if you wish to promote denser foliage. Prune off half of the fresh growth on each candle
Dwarf Alberta Spruce picea glauca ‘conica'
-small- to medium-sized, slow-growing pyramidal evergreen shrub that often serves as a focal point in landscapes
-best time to prune a spruce is the end of May
Juniper juniperus
- a very common evergreen woody plant for various groundcover, spreading shrub, or upright shrub usages
-Maintain shape or eliminate undergrowth of groundcover types by thinning during the growing season. Do not cut into old wood because new growth will not occur.
Mugo Pine pinus mugo
-spreading, slow-growing evergreen shrub with ascending branches and relatively short needles
-shear newly emergent growth (candles) back halfway
Siberian Cypress microbiota
-fine-textured evergreen woody groundcover that tolerates partial shade
-Prune anytime Nov. through Apr.
Taxus Yew taxus media
-a tough, drought-tolerant evergreen shrub with flat-needled shiny foliage, often spreading and used as a formal or informal hedge, especially at entranceways and foundations and very common in landscapes
-smaller size can be maintained with trimming
DECIDUOUS
Dwarf Burning Bush euonymus alatus compactus
-compact growing deciduous shrub with brilliant red foliage in fall
-tolerates shearing and responds well to rejuvenation pruning in early spring
Bradford Pear pyrus calleryana
-Ornamental tree grown for its pyramidal, symmetrical growth habit that rapidly establishes in the landscape. Its glossy dense dark green foliage ripples in the breeze. Good but very late fall color. Best recognized for its white dense showy flowers in the spring.
-Prune in winter or early spring
Butterfly Bush buddlea davidii
-profuse Summer-flowering shrub whose fragrant flowers attract many butterflies and hummingbirds
-prune annually removing the dead wood
Cotoneaster cotoneaster apiculata
-low shrub or tall woody groundcover noted for its arching branches and spreading habit, small glossy foliage, and red fruits
-mulch thoroughly underneath shrub to prevent weeds from arising from beneath
Crimson Pygmy Barberry berberis thunbergii atropurpurea
-spiny small shrub, of very fine texture and very urban tolerant, with a wide selection of foliage color varieties.
-Tolerant of shearing
Flowering Crabapple malus
-spectacular Spring floral display, various growth habits and sizes, and Autumn/Winter fruits
-best pruned from autumn to early spring before active growth begins
Forsythia
-deciduous shrub with an abundance of golden-yellow flowers in early spring
-tolerates heavy pruning
Golden Vicary Privet ligustrum
-Hedge or specimen shrub with brilliant gold deciduous foliage
-amenable to shearing
Honeylocust gleditsia triacanthos inermis
-an urban tolerant tree, excellent for its filtered Summer shade and majestic winter silhouette coupled with its bold texture
-prune after fully leafed out
Hydrangea hydrangea macrophylla
-rounded shrub with huge leaves and ball shaped flowers
-prune as soon as the flowers have faded
Japanese Bloodgood Maple acer palmatum
-focal point, specimen, foundation, entranceway, or raised planter small tree with beautiful red foliage
-prune Japanese maples in late fall or winter, while they are dormant, removing any dead or damaged branches. They adapt well to pruning and are easily thinned and sculpted to accentuate their graceful shape. You may prune further to control the size, or create the shape which suits your landscape needs.
Kousa Dogwood cornus kousa
-multi-season small tree, noted for its early Summer long-lasting flowers, Autumn fruits, good Summer foliage and occasional fall color
-may be pruned in early spring, but keep pruning to a minimum as wounds heal slowly
Lilac syringa vulgaris
- A medium to large hardy shrub with stout, spreading branches developing a somewhat oval to irregularly rounded crown. Showy, fragrant
flowers.
- prune after flowering
Norway Maple acer platanoides
-Norway maple is a deciduous tree that grows 40-60 feet tall
-prune to remove dead, dying and, diseased limbs
Pin Oak quercus palustris
-symmetrical shade tree that can tolerate dry or wet sites, with characteristic downswept lower branches and ascending upper branches
-Prune in winter or early spring
Potentilla potentilla fruticosa
deciduous shrub that does best in full sun and will flower all summer if trimmed in late June or July
-Prune after flowering to keep plant shaped, neat and compact
Purpleleaf Sandcherry prunus cistena
-deciduous shrub with pinkish-white flowers in May with purple foliage
-prune hard after flowering
Rose of Sharon hibiscus syriacus
-a shrub with large showy flowers (in single or double flowering form, with solid colors or bi-colors) that blooms all summer long and has a distinctive vase-shaped growth habit
-Prune in late winter or early spring
Serviceberry amelanchier
-four-season plant of great ornamental value for spring flowers, summer fruits and autumn fall foliage color.
-train and prune the trunks and branches so they will not touch each other
Spirea spiraea japonica
- compact small shrub that has multi-season appeal
-Trim lightly after flowering for rebloom. Shape in summer or fall if needed
Star Magnolia magnolia stellata
-upright large shrub or small tree with layered branches that create a mounding effect with age. White showy spring flowers that emerge before the foliage
-prune after blooming
Sweetspire itea
-tough shrub with fragrant white mid-summer inflorescences that have a narrow bottlebrush appearance. Tolerates both sun and shade
- Prune to maintain desired form for summer flowering. Flowers on old wood.
Cut back alternate branches to avoid a year with no blooms.
Weigela
-small deciduous shrub that grows best in a sunny location with moist soil. The -flowers are long and are trumpet-shaped
-prune after flowering
Variegated Redtwig Dogwood cornus alba
-colorful decidous shrub with green and white foliage and red stems. Great winter interest with red twigs
- performs best when regularly thinned
Viburnum viburnum tomentosum
-deciduous shrub with elegant beauty, flowering in late spring early summer
-some varieties known for their intense fragrance
Virginia Summersweet clethra
-Summer-flowering shrub that readily naturalizes in the border or makes a good foundation shrub and is excellent for wet sites in partial shade
-prune in early spring, as flowering occurs on new wood
ORNAMENTAL GRASS
Feather Reed Grass calamagrostis
‘Karl Foerster'
-Upright ornamental grass growing 3-5' with green foliage and bronze plums in the summer
- prune back to 4" above the crown in Spring
Fountain Grass pennisetum
‘hameln'
-compact ornamental grass with narrow arching foliage and attractive bristly beige plums in late summer and fall. Flowers often referred as bunny tails
-shear the dead foliage in spring
Maiden Grass miscanthus
‘adagio'
-upright to arching ornamental grass, growing 2' with dwarf silvery foliage
-shear the dead foliage away in spring as new growth begins to appear.
‘purpurascens'
-3-4' green foliage turning red in fall
VINES
Clematis
-Herbaceous and deciduous twining vines covered with flowers June-September
-prune hard late in Autumn or late Winter. Most Clematis flower on new growth; however, a few species or cultivars flower exclusively on old wood or previous years growth
English Ivy hedera
-semi-woody evergreen groundcover or evergreen vine
- mulch at transplanting to prevent weed establishment
If you were to invest in landscaping for your home or office, doesn't it make sense to place your trust in a professional who has the proper training and certification?
That's what you will find when you hire a New York State Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional.
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