Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Bill's Picks For February

AS&L's nursery manager, Bill Kennie, has some special picks for February--these plant are sure to cheer the winter landscape.

Elm (Ulmus):  There has been a big push to reintroduce the elm back into the landscape with most of the new varieties showing very good resistance to Dutch Elm Disease.  My family's farmstead has a very old specimen which has a long straight trunk and a contorted canopy...it is really a tree that offers interest for all four seasons.  I truly hope this tree will be used much more in the future.



Dowood (Cornus Alba, Sericea, etc.):  When I think of winter interest for shrubs this one comes in mind first. There are so many varieties of these hardy shrubs with colorful stems; red, yellow, orange, etc.  Against the backdrop of snow make these plants stand out in you're winter landscape.  Varieties range from dwarf to variegated foliage--dogwood offers blossoms for the bees, and berries for the birds.  These plants can find a home in any landscape--additionally, they are great for naturalizing an area.





In the Northeast, I'm sure many of us don't think of perennials for winter interest, but there are really many to choose from--especially for wildlife.  I have seen many perennial gardens left to go to seed making a perfect refuge with abundant food for wild life and birds.  Here are a few good choices.


  • Coneflower (echinacea)
  • Black-eyed Susan (rudbeckia)
  • Holly Hock (alcea)
  • Sedum (stonecrop) --pictured
  • Lavender (lavendula)
  • Japanese Spurge (pachysandra)-an evergreen ground cover
  • Grasses (most varieties)

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