One of a kind. Unique. Different. These words describe my 11 top 10 plant picks for this month. Each of these specimen plants offers something just a little bit different from the norm. If you’re tired of the boring plant palette available at big-box stores, drop by Art’s Nursery today and add a couple of these to your garden.
 |
Beaked Stewartia
Stewartia rostrata
This small deciduous tree has 5cm wide white flowers with pink marking the petals and yellow stamens. Flower bracts are red. Prefers part sun and adequate moisture. Grows 3-8 metres high. Excellent as a specimen tree, street tree or as a garden accent. Originally from eastern china. Hardy to zone 6.
|
 |
Eskimo Sunset Sycamore Maple
Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Eskimo Sunset’
This deciduous tree has variegated leaves as if splashed with marvelous shades of green, cream, white and tan. Colours vary widely depending on sun exposure. Prefers sun to part shade in moist, but well drained soil. Grows to 10ft in 10 years. Hardy to zone 4.
|
 |
Colossus Magnolia
Magnolia sieboldii ‘Colossus’
‘Colossus’ is a small deciduous tree or shrub with large green leaves. Large fragrant flowers with 10-17 ivory white petals and carmine red stamens. Typically flowers in May. Best when planted in well drained soils in the full sun. Grows 2-4 metres in height. Hardy to zone 5
|
 |
Variegated Kiwi Vine
Actinidia pilosula
This rare and hard to find vine with edible fruit is deciduous with 12-15cm long narrow leaves tipped with pink and white colouring. Fragrant pink flowers appear in spring. These are followed by yellow-green edible fruits in the fall. Grows best in full sun and well drained soils. Originally from China. Grows 5-8 metres in size. Hardy to zone 6.
|
 |
Dwarf Pomegranate
Punicum granata ‘Nana’
This showy dense dwarf shrub displays attractive orange-red single flowers at an early age. Blooms appear in late spring and early summer. These are followed by colourful fruit. Excellent for containers or for use in the garden. Also makes an effective bonsai plant. Deciduous. Hardy in USDA zones 7-11 so may need a little winter protection in our climate. Will grow to 3ft tall and wide. Best in full sun.
|
 |
Miss Molly Summer Lilac
Buddleia x ‘Miss Molly’
If you thought that ‘Miss Ruby’ has awesome flower colour – this plant pushes the colour spectrum with blooms boasting rich hues of dark sangria red. Flowers appear from July until frost. A great treat for hummingbirds. Nice and neat growth habit with compact branching. Will not produce unwanted seedlings. Red colour may be more pronounced in warmer climates. Best when planted in full sun in well drained, fertile soils. Tolerates drought once established. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9. Grows 4-5 ft tall and 3-4ft wide.
|
 |
Sonic Bloom Reblooming Weigela
Weigela florida ‘Bokrasopin’
Create an explosion of colour with this fantastic new re-blooming weigela. Loads of hot pink flowers in spring are followed by waves of blooms until frost. Mounded growth habit with deep green, deer resistance foliage. Reblooms without dead heading. Provides season long colour in foundation plantings and borders. Attracts hummingbirds. Deciduous. Best when grown in full sun in moist, but well drained soils. Will reach 4-5ft in height and width. Hardy in USDA zones 4-8.
|
 |
Double Play Gold Spirea
Spiraea ‘Double Play Gold’
This deciduous shrub is grown for its striking golden foliage that is accented by hot pink summer blooming flowers. It’s deer resistant, low maintenance and long blooming. Will grow 1-2ft tall and wide over time. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9.
|
 |
Variegated Shell Ginger
Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’
If you love the tropics, you’ll love the Variegated Shell Ginger. This lovely tropical plant has leafy, arching stems that create a lush effect with boldly striped foliage. Large drooping clusters of white and pink shell-like flowers are sweetly fragrant and bloom in spring. Can also be used as an indoor specimen. Best when planted in full sun and brought indoors in the winter. Grows 4-7ft tall and 4ft wide. Hardy in USDA zones 7-11.
|
 |
Let’s Dance Starlight Bigleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea ‘Lets Dance’ Starlight
This is the first re-blooming lace-cap hydrangea. Starlight has elegant summer flowers held upright on strong stems. Blooms on both old and new wood. Superior to other re-bloomers on the market with heavier blooms, excellent flower colour and thicker, glossier leaves. Not to mention the excellent cold tolerance. Soil pH affects blossom colour, blue in highly acidic soils and pink in alkaline soils. Best when grown in part shade to full sun in moist, but well drained soils. Will reach 2-3ft tall and wide. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9.
|
 |
Variegated Dalmation Iris
Iris pallida ‘Aureavariegata’
To round out this month’s top ten, we bring out one of our favourite Irises, The variegated Dalmation Iris. This incredible pale lavender coloured Iris has a unique scent, almost like Grape Crush Fanta soda. It typically blooms in late May through July and is best grown in full sun and moist, well drained soils. The plants sword-like leaves will reach just over 2ft in height. Extremely hardy down to zone 2.
|
Many of these plants are seasonally available at Art’s Nursery and some may be special orders. Always call 604.882.1201 to confirm availability if you are making a special trip out to see us.