In the Spotlight!
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These plants and much more
are available at The Golden Gecko.
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Flowering
Pear
(Pyrus calleryana) |
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These
relatives of the fruiting pears are popular for their
early spring bloom. The tree is covered with small
white blossoms that create a breathtaking scene. They
have shinny green leaves that make a neat looking tree
in summer. In fall the leaves turn red-purple before
falling. Flowering pears have a non-invasive root system
which means they are great in patios, near sidewalks,
or any where you don’t want the roots lifting the
ground. We carry two types, “Cleveland select” and
Aristocrat”. Cleveland select is a narrow grower
to 15 feet wide and 35 feet tall, while Aristocrat
grows in a pyramidal form to 15 feet tall and only
12 feet wide making it a great tree for small spaces.
Grow these trees in full sun for the best results.
Plant right now and you can enjoy this seasons flowers,
as they are just about to bloom. |
Carolina Jessamine
(Gelsemium sempervirens) |
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Carolina
jessamine is one of the earliest blooming vines hardy
for the foothills. Blooming as early as late winter
it is covered with bright yellow blossoms. Carolina
jessamine is great on trellis, arbor or over fences
and walls. Also used as a mounding ground cover. Evergreen
to semi-evergreen it grows well in full to partial sun.
It is quite vigorous and will grow to 20 feet long with
support. Important to foothill gardeners is this plants
high deer resistance. |
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Pieris
(Pieris Japonica) |
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Pieris
is one of our favorite plants for the shade. It starts
blooming in late winter and continues through spring,
providing a long bloom season. In addition some peris,
like “Mountain Fire”, have new growth that
is bright red, providing further intrest. In the foothills
deer resistance is important, and peris has good deer
resitance.
There are a number of different varieties
of peris, each with it’s own attributes. Two of
my favorite are “Prelude” and “Mountain
Fire”. Pelude is pictured above. It grows to about
two feet tall and wide, with clusters of white bell
shaped flowers that stand above the foiliage. Its shape
is a neat, rounded form. Place it in the foreground
of your planting beds. “Mt. Fire” is a taller
grower, up to six feet plus. It has of bell shaped flowers
that hang in pendulus clusters. While flowering, new
growth that is bright red appears creating a spectatu;ar
display. Since it gets tall, use it in the background
of smaller plantings, or as a screen.
If you would like to explore the world
of pieris, now is a great time.
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Forsythia
(Intermedia
Spectabilis) |
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Forsythia
is a foothill classic. It has good deer resistance and
a hardy habit. Plant in full sun and water on a regular
basis and you will be rewarded with a striking display
of bright yellow blossoms in very late winter. Soon
after oblong leaves about three inches long will appear
lasting on the bush till late fall. |
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Daphne
(Daphne odora Marginata) |
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We like
to call Daphne "The Romantic Plant", since
its flowers smell so sweet, and it usually blooms right
around Valentines Day. Daphne grows to about three to
four feet tall, by about six feet wide. It is a slow
grower so it's great for containers. The plant needs
shade in the afternoon. It is very deer resistant! The
flowers are pink in bud opening to white. The fragrance
is legendary, sweet but not too sweet. A flower put
in a bud vase will last for at least a week while perfuming
the entire space. The leaves are green with a small
white edge. Daphne ordora marginata is a great shade
loving, evergreen, deer resistant plant, perfect for
the foothills. |
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Harry
Lauders Walking Stick
(Corylus avella) |
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Unique
deciduous shrub with interesting gnarled and twisted
branches A prize attraction for the winter landscape,
this unique shrub should be planted where it can be
enjoyed from inside the home and out in the garden.
It can even be used in large containers. Branches can
be used in floral arrangements for an interesting effect.
Terrific yellow fall foliage color; showy greenish-yellow
catkins brighten the winter scene. Does well in large
containers. Full sun. Slow grower to 8 to 10 feet tall
and wide. |
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Alberta
Spruce
(Picea glauca “Conica”) |
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This dense
pointed conifer is a perfect Christmas tree for holiday
lighting. This dwarf tree has dense growth that means
it’s also a great screen plant that won’t
overgrow tight spaces. Use the symmetrical form as a
single accent, in matched pair or in an evenly spaced
series amidst hedges. Experiment with topiary spirals
or poodles for potted specimens on entries and patios,
where there’s no room to plant. A beautiful choice
for woodland gardens or behind water features where
a rich green is desired. We carry Alberta Spruce in
1, 2, 5, and 15, gallon cans. |
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Burning
Bush
(Euonymus alata compacta) |
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accent or hedge desired for the intense scarlet red
fall coloring. Interesting compact, mounded form displays
attractive rich green leaves spring through summer.
Burning Bush is usually planted as a single specimen
or in a grove. It can make a good, natural hedge with
changes in every season. Use to brighten dark corners
in architecture or in groves of coniferous evergreens
to add brilliance and a spot of seasonal color. Deer
resistant. |
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