Distinctive Foliage

Family:  Pinaceae
Zone: 5 - 10
Natural Range: California
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained, drought tolerant
Light: sun, part sun
Height: 45'-100', much smaller in cultivation. 
Attributes:  Evergreen, long gray needles giving a ghostly appearance.   Massive, heavy symmetrical, dull brown, resinous cone.  Distinct look among Pines.
Notes:  Collected in Northern California along the Trinity River.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Pinaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Himalayas
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: sun
Height: 150', much smaller in cultivation
Attributes:  Evergreen, conical crown, blue green leaves to 8 inches long.  Graceful, drooping foliage.  Long cylindrical cones.
Notes:  Rare in cultivation.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Great Plant Picks

Family:Pittosporaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: China, Japan, Taiwan
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 15'
Attributes:  Evergreen.  Narrow, wavy leaves to 7" long.  Formed in whorled clusters of 3-6.  White flowers.
Notes: Textually interesting and reliably hardy shrub that is still relatively uncommon in cultivation.

Pot Size: 4" Band Pot

Family: Platanaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range: California
Soil:  Average, moist, humus rich
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 25' - 75'
Bloom Time:  April to May
Attributes: Deciduous, palmate, deeply lobed with small serrated margins.  Erect trunk with mottled white and gray flaking bark.  Yellow fall foliage
Notes:  Naturally found in moist areas near rivers and streams.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Platanaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range: Arizona, New Mexico and south into Mexico
Soil:  Average, moist, humus rich
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 25' - 75'
Bloom Time:  April to May
Attributes: Deciduous, palmate, deeply lobed with small serrated margins.  Erect trunk with mottled white and gray flaking bark.
Notes:  A stunning and quite rare native Sycamore.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family: Poaceae
Zone:6 - 10
Natural Range:Japan
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 2' - 4'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attributes: Semi-evergreen.  Brilliant chartreuse and darker green stripes.
Notes:  Deciduous in zone 8 and below and looks best when cut back late winter/early spring.  Looks gorgeous in a ornamental pot as a focal point.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Hybrid; delavayi x versipelle
Soil:  Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 18"
Bloom Time: April to June
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous.  New growth emerges chocolate colored, becoming mottled with olive green and cinnamon.  Sends up several flushes of new growth through the growing season.  Large red flowers held below the foliage in spring.  Often re-blooming in the fall.
Notes: Exclusive KIGN first offering of this good performing clone.  Puts up new growth several times during the season, unlike some varieties.  More compact and denser growth than either of the parents.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: Hybrid
Soil:  Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 28"
Bloom Time: April to June
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous.  New growth emerges bronze.  Large red flowers held below the foliage in spring.
Notes: Introduced by the O'Byrne's of Northwest Garden Nursery

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Zone:  6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light:  Part shade
Attributes:  Deciduous, Evergreen in frost free areas.  Usually keeps foliage even in to mid to upper twenties. 12” - 18" tall.  Blood red blooms in spring. New growth emerges in chartreuse with chocolate brown spotting.
Notes:  Good form and one of the best foliage plants for temperate gardens.

Pot Size:  Quart Size Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone:  5 - 9
Natural Range:  China, Japan
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light:  Part sun, shade
Height:  24"
Bloom Time:  April to June
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Blood red blooms in spring.  New growth emerges in reds, oranges, purples.  As the season progresses the foliage has dark purple markings with a greenish background.
Notes: Does best when planted in dappled light and humus rich soil.  Coloration can change depending on age and lighting.  These are a mix of different clones.
 
Pot size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: part shade
Height: 1' - 2'
Bloom Time:  April to May
Attributes:  Deciduous.  New growth emerges richly mottled in mahogany. Towards the end of the season the background fades to forest green.  Red flowers in spring.
Notes: This form originated from Emeishan in southern Sichuan province.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Berberidaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 12"-18"
Bloom Time:  April to June
Pest Resistance: Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous. Clumping.  Deciduous, evergreen above 20s F.  Blood red blooms in spring.  Bronze-orange foliage.
Notes: Small growing species that has better color with some morning sun and sheltered from the hot afternoon sun.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Berberidaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 12"-18"
Bloom Time:  April to June
Pest Resistance: Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous. Clumping.  Deciduous, evergreen above 20s F.  Blood red blooms in spring.  Dark brown and white mottled foliage.
Notes:  Excellent form with mottled foliage and good growth habit.  It has been a while since this strain has been available.  Plant with other Podophyllum for textural effect and contrast.  If planted on a mound or slight incline the flower show off best.  I have found for all Podophyllum that they grow best when planted in deep rich fertile soil with lots of organic material.  I use a good layer of fertile mulch with dark bark chips along with manure and compost.  P. difforme perform best when in dappled shade.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range:  Himalayas
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade
Height: 2' - 3'
Attributes:  Deciduous, A flowering plant will have two umbrella like lobed leaves.  New growth emerges mottled with chocolate brown fading to green.  Single pinkish white flowers formed between the two leaves in spring.  Red fruit in summer.
Notes:  Also known as Sinopodophyllum hexandrum, Dysosma emodi and Podophyllum emodi.  Plant in a bit more sun than you would other Podophyllum species.  In the wild hexandrum grows in alpine meadows and open woodlands with other perennials and shrubs.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 2"
Attributes:  Deciduous, A flowering plant will have two umbrella like lobed leaves.  Clusters of red flowers formed between the two leaves in spring.  Red fruit in late summer.
Notes:  This selection was selected from the Rhododendron Species Foundation.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Berberidaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 36"
Attributes:  Deciduous, A flowering plant with two umbrella like, deeply lobed leaves.  Large dangling red flowers spring. Clumping rhizome.
Notes:  Podophyllum can take a few years before settling totally in and get better and better every year.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Polypodiaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Asia
Soil: Average, humus rich
Light: Part shade
Height: 6" - 18"
Bloom Time: NA
Attributes: Evergreen.  Green blade-like fronds with contrasting underside of the frond.  Orange felt like sori that cover the entire frond.   This form has fronds with dark green and light green striping. 
Notes: Slow growing, creeping rhizome.  Pyrrosia grow on mossy logs, trees and rocks in the wild.  In the garden Pyrrosia grow well with other ferns in a good loose rich moist soil.  Shelter from the afternoon sun.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Polypodiaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Asia
Soil: Average, humus rich
Light: Part shade
Height: 6" - 18"
Bloom Time: NA
Attributes: Evergreen.  Green blade-like fronds with contrasting underside of the frond.  Orange felt like sori that cover the entire frond.
Notes: Slow growing, creeping rhizome.  Pyrrosia grow on mossy logs, trees and rocks in the wild.  In the garden Pyrrosia grow well with other ferns in a good loose rich moist soil.  Shelter from the afternoon sun.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Fagaceae
Zone:  5 - 10
Natural Range:  California
Soil:  Average, well drained
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  15’ - 30'
Bloom Time:  April to May
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Red new growth.
Notes:  One of the prettiest trees.
 
Pot size:  Small Band Pot

Family:  Fagaceae
Zone:  6 - 9
Natural Range:  Texas, Mexico
Soil:  Average, well drained
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  35’
Bloom Time:  March to April
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Blue-green leaves with oblong shape and shallow lobes.  Yellow to brown fall foliage.
Notes:  Most often found growing in canyons or protected slopes.  Dense crown with distinct blue cast that contrasts with the surrounding green foliage of Junipers and other oaks.

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family:  Styraceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: Southwestern China, Vietnam
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 15' - 30'
Attributes: Deciduous.  Clusters of white flowers, dark green leaves and upright growth habit
Notes:  Beautiful and rarely available tree in the Styrax family.

Pot size:  Medium band pot

Family: Ericaceae
Zone:5 - 9
Natural Range: Japan
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 8'
Bloom Time:  May to June
Attributes: Evergreen.  Narrowly elliptic, recurved leaves with woolly white indumentum.  Bright pink flowers that turn white with age.
Notes:  Great for light shade or at least protected from hot sun.  Bees just go nuts over the flowers.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Ericaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: Himalayas
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 25'
Bloom Time:  May to June
Attributes: Evergreen. Large leaves with orange-bronze new growth. Lemon yellow to creamy white flowers.
Notes:  A stunning site to see in the wild when their full potential is reached.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Ericaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range:China;NE Yunnan,SW Sichuan
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 8' in ten years.
Bloom Time:  May to June
Attributes: Evergreen. Large, thick green leaves with cinnamon colored indumentum.  Trusses of 15-24 tubular-campanulate rose, pink, white or creamy white flowers with or without spotting.
Notes:  One of the best and hardiest of the big leaf Rhododendrons.

Pot Size: 2 Gallon Pot

Family: Ericaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range:China;NE Yunnan,SW Sichuan
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 8' in ten years.
Bloom Time:  May to June
Attributes: Evergreen. Large, thick green leaves with cinnamon colored indumentum.  Trusses of 15-24 tubular-campanulate rose, pink, white or creamy white flowers with or without spotting.
Notes:  One of the best and hardiest of the big leaf Rhododendrons.  Collected around 3500m on the unexplored Bailingshan in SW Sichuan province.  Known in the area as Leach mountain, we soon found ourselves being relentlessly ambushed by every size of forest leach imaginable.  The trek turned out to be the longest non stop hike yet, between the fatigue of the trek and freezing rain and wind.  The local guide lost the trail and took us down the other side hiking through the night, we got back to the village the next morning.

Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot

Family: Ericaceae
Zone: 8 - 10
Natural Range: Himalayas; Arunachal Pradesh
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 8' - 10'
Bloom Time:  May to June
Attributes: Evergreen. Pink funnel shaped flowers.
Notes:  2700m.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Anacardiaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: part shade, sun
Height: 15-30 feet tall
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Bronze new growth turning green.  White underside of leaf.  Pubescent branches, dioecious flowers June, then turning brilliant scarlet in fall.
Notes:  Great new foliage.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:Saxifragaceae
Zone: 4 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 36"
Bloom Time: June to August
Attributes: Deciduous. Clumping. Four foot plumes of white colored, lightly scented star flowers.  Large foliage
Notes: A favorite for its beautiful foliage, especially when planted in mass.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family:  Saxifragaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil: Moist, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 32 - 48 inches
Attributes: Deciduous.  Narrow pinnate, chocolate new growth with thick veining.  Showy rose-pink buds and lighter pink open flowers early summer.
Notes:  Originally I started growing this form for its noted foliage but discovered that the flowers are the best attribute.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Saxifragaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil: Moist, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 32 - 48 inches
Attributes: Deciduous.  Narrow pinnate foliage with thick veining.  Showy light pink flowers early summer.
Notes:  Large bold foliage topped with layers of flowers.  Great for pollinators.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Japan, Korea
Soil: moist, humus rich
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 36" - 48" tall
Attributes: Deciduous. Blooms early summer.  Plumes of white flowers.  Large palmate foliage emerging bronze turning reddish orange as the season progresses.  
Notes:  This form keeps its bronze - orange to brilliant red color when planted in afternoon sun. If in morning sun or more shade the foliage will turn more green.  Used as a large textural foliage plant.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Zone: 5-8
Natural Range: China, Japan, Korea
Soil: moist, humus rich
Light: part sun
Height: 32 - 48 inches
Attributes: Deciduous.  Billows of small white flowers.  Red new growth slowly turning bronze and chocolate then to greenish.
Notes:  This form has luxurious red new growth in the spring.  Plant among other larger foliage plants.  According to two of my fellow growers and plant enthusiasts this is the best foliage form of Rodgersia that they grow.  Keep growing it they say.

Pot Size: 4" Band Pot

Family:  Aparagaceae
Zone:  7 - 10
Natural Range:  China
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Part shade, shade
Height:  16" - 36"
Bloom Time:  May to June
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen.  Dark green leaves with light green-yellow midrib.  Unusual green flowers.
Notes: Forms a loose clump of rich green leaves.  Related genera are Tupistra and Campylandra.

Pot size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Rosaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range:   China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 8'
Bloom Time:  June to July
Attributes: Deciduous shrub.  Stunning, large bright red thorns to 2" across, fern like foliage, and small four petaled white flowers followed by small orange hips. 
Notes:  This Rose is grown mostly for its showy red thorns but the flowers are quite attractive too.  Prune in late winter- early spring to force more new growth.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot