Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)

Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)

Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)

A large shrub with shiny green leaves all year, the Strawberry Tree has rough scaly red-brown bark. The late summer pancles of white/pink flowers change to nickel-sized red orbs in the late fall. zone 7

Size: 1 gallon Price: $30.00

Arbutus marina (Arbutus marina)

Arbutus marina (Arbutus marina)

Arbutus marina (Arbutus marina)

This may be a form of Arbutus andrachnoides, but whatever it is, it is beautiful. This photo was taken in Feb in Oregon and shows the dark green leaves and flaking red bark which is similar to the Pacific Madrone and much sought after. But whereas the Pacific Madrone is almost impossible to keep alive, this tree can handle cultivated garden conditions (well, not too much water) that would kill a madrone in minutes. Zone 7.

Size: 1 gallon Price: $30.00

Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox)

Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox)

Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox)

First of all, I took this pic yesterday, December 27 so you see this Wintersweet is in full flower, and more important, it is in full fragrance; so as I go out my office door (just to the left of the window that you see there), I feel the sweetness to my toes. This is a pretty straggly large shrub (8′), but it is fairly well contained, so it is not a nuisance; and even if it were, it’s winter offering would make up for it. zone 6

Size: 1 gallon Price: $30.00

Weeping Pea Shrub (Caragana arborescens) Walker

Weeping Pea Shrub (Caragana arborescens)

Weeping Pea Shrub (Caragana arborescens)

This cutleaf weeping Siberian pea-shrub is about as hardy as any plant I grow. It is covered with small yellow flowers in the spring. It is a fine unusual addition to a small garden. These are grafted at about 3′ and will never get much taller than that. zone 3

Size: 1 gallon Price: $30.00

Swedish Columnar Aspen (Populus tremula ‘Erecta’)

Swedish Columnar Aspen (Populus tremula 'Erecta')

Swedish Columnar Aspen (Populus tremula 'Erecta')

Thirty years ago, new to the Northwest, I spent a weekend in the mountains of central Oregon and wondered why I was always hearing a stream trickle by when there was no water at all. It was the breeze in the leaves of Quaking Aspen when there was no wind to speak of. It was a distinctive and restful sound, and I decided I wanted to grow that tree in my nursery. I did for a while, but there was a big problem. In the fall, the deer (blasted young bucks) barked them all so I gave up. But a few years ago I saw the columnar form and was so taken with it, I decided to try again. Also to offer the tree in a small size. Totally hardy (zone 3) and stunning fall color. I’m excited. Photo thanks to the incomparable Jackie Becker.

Size: 1 gal Price: $30.00