Chilean Firetree (Embothrium coccineum)

Chilean Firetree (Embothrium coccineum)

Chilean Firetree (Embothrium coccineum)

Chilean Fire Bush is demanding about its location, but if you qualify, this is a must. The soil should be lime-free, deep and well-drained. The orange scarlet flowers in May and June among blue green (almost-evergreen) leaves are a sight to see. In normal life will get 15′ but some giants do exist. zone 7

Size: 1 gallon Price: $30.00

Birchbark Cherry (Prunus serrula)

Birchbark Cherry (Prunus serrula)

Birchbark Cherry (Prunus serrula)

If you look closely, you can see the bark which has peeled off the trunks of this tree; the peeled bark in whorls is translucent, but the trunk which is left is amazing–shining with colors of mahogony to green and smooth as silk. Although this is considered a flowering cherry, you don’t notice the flowers which are small and white. The tree may get to 25′. zone 6

Size: Graft Price: $19.00
Size: 1 Gallon Price: $35.00

Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)

Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)

Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)

True Bay Tree is a dense small, evergreen tree (10-12′), the leaves of which one buys dry in bottles in the grocery store. It is a wonderful garden specimen, but unfortunately not very hardy. I have never had one die here in Oregon (zone 7), but it is probably a zone 8 tree.

Size: 1 gallon Price: $25.00

Angels Fishing Rod (Dieramma pulcherimma)

Angels Fishing Rod (Dieramma pulcherimma)

Angels Fishing Rod (Dieramma pulcherimma)

One of the common names for Dieramma is ‘Angel’s Fishing Pole. The purple flowers hang like bells from long upright wands and are followed by golden seed pods which are also striking. At Whitman Farms, we don’t grow many perennials, but I cling to this one. zone 7

Size: band Price: $16.50

Snakebark Maple (Acer crataegifolium ‘Veitchii’)

Snakebark Maple (Acer crataegifolium 'Veitchii')

Snakebark Maple (Acer crataegifolium 'Veitchii')

Of all the trees that I grow, this may be the most delicate. It is a snakebark, so the trunk will burn if the tree is in a hot sunny place. The bluish leaves are variegated white and pink and the limbs are thin and fragile, but it is so lovely! The only mature specimen that I have seen is in the UW arboretum in Seattle; it was no more than 12′. zone 6

Size: Graft Price: $19.00
Size: 1 gallon Price: $35.00
Size: Field grown Price: $130.00