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| SIX PERFECT PLANTS | ||
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Seeking the perfect plant for your yard? Here it is...
Are you a homeowner in need of the perfect plant? Maybe something new you’ve
never considered before, something eye-catching, yet able to survive whatever
winter dishes out. The five plants I recommend below are not only Gold Medal
Plant Award winners from The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, but ones I
use time and time again in creating colorful landscapes for year-round enjoyment.
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The Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) is a tree to be seen in every season.
Papery sheets of old bark peel back to reveal new bark the color of cinnamon-brown,
making it the perfect backdrop on snowy December days. In the fall, it is
equally attractive when its leaves turn a brilliant red. This small shade
tree is a native of China and grows between 20-30 feet high.
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The Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica ‘Yoshino’) tree is a fast growing,
conical-shaped evergreen with a wonderful texture. This tree grows
approximately 3 feet per year, reaching a mature height of 30 feet. Its
bright to blue-green foliage, smooth to the touch, takes on a bronze-green
hue in winter. It is best used as a specimen plant.
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The Spirea Mellow Yellow (Spiraea thunbergii ‘Ogon’) is a deciduous flowering
shrub. It is among one of the first shrubs to bloom, producing beautiful
white flowers in the spring. Its yellowish-green leaves, which turn orange-pink
to reddish-salmon in the fall, hang from graceful, arched-shaped branches.
Well-suited for perennial beds and foundation plantings, it grows to a
height of 4 feet.
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Cross Vine (Bignonia capreolata ‘Dragon Lady’)is a self-clinging, evergreen
vine, perfect for a trellis or fence. Colorful all year through, its dark
green leaves turn purple in winter and reddish trumpet-shaped flowers appear
in summer. Hummingbirds and butterflies are equally fond of the flowers’
brilliant color. Dragon Lady grows up to 30 feet in height and width and is
both drought resistant and wet-site tolerant.
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When the Burkwood Viburnum (Viburnum x burkwoodii ‘Conoy’) is in season, you’ll
witness a mound of beautiful clusters. Their red buds open to creamy-white,
fragrant flowers. Their leaves are long, lustrous and dark green on the surface
(underneath they are a pale blue-green). This evergreen shrub grows to a height
of 5 feet with a spread of 7 feet and requires almost no pruning once the
initial shape is established.
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The Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra ‘Densa’)reaches a height of 4 feet at maturity
and has narrow, glossy, unspined leaves and bears tiny, black fruits. Because
of its density, it provides the perfect screen for homeowners desiring privacy.
This variety of holly tolerates heat, drought, sun and shade. You can even
transplant it to other areas of your yard with successful results. Another
benefit to note, the inkberry holds its foliage well at its base compared to
other like specimens.
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