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Spring Blooming Shrubs
Camellias ~ Forsythia ~ Dwarf Lilac & Flowering Quince
March 2008
Camellias ~ Forsythia ~ Dwarf Lilac & Flowering Quince
March 2008
Spring Blooming Camellias
Camellias are evergreen shrubs or small trees with attractive glossy foliage. They originate from subtropical regions of China, Japan and neighboring countries. They are know for their dramatic blooms during off-season—autumn, winter or early spring, depending on the cultivar and climate.
Typically camellias have been grown only in the southern United States, but more recently, the development of cold-hardy cultivars has extended their potential growing range considerably.
Plant Camellias to protect from cold, drying winds. Make sure the plant is heavily mulched around the base. An antidessicant spray such as Wilt-Pruf will reduce moisture loss during the winter.
Camellias prefer light shade when young. Grow them in well drained, organic soil. They prefer slightly acidic soil, but do not amend the soil to be too acidic or overfertilized.
Typically camellias have been grown only in the southern United States, but more recently, the development of cold-hardy cultivars has extended their potential growing range considerably.
Plant Camellias to protect from cold, drying winds. Make sure the plant is heavily mulched around the base. An antidessicant spray such as Wilt-Pruf will reduce moisture loss during the winter.
Camellias prefer light shade when young. Grow them in well drained, organic soil. They prefer slightly acidic soil, but do not amend the soil to be too acidic or overfertilized.
April Snow Camellia
April Blush Camellia
April Tryst Camellia
April Dawn Camellia
Forsythias ~ The Harbingers of Spring
'Gold Tide'
'Gold Tide' is a dwarf forsythia cultivar that is noted for its compact-spreading shape, typically growing to only 20" tall but spreading to as much as 4" wide. It features light yellow flowers that appear in profusion before the leaves emerge in late winter to early spring. Early bloom makes this shrub a true harbinger of spring. Ovate, medium green leaves are attractive throughout the growing season.
The dense and compact 'Gold Tide' is a European dwarf sport of the old favorite, F. x intermedia 'Spring Glory'. It is exceptionally easy to grow in any well-drained soil, it is very tolerant of heat, drought, and urban conditions. Excellent as a ground cover (especially on difficult slopes), trailing over walls, or in the perennial border.
Gold Tide is a Plant of Merit.
'Gold Tide' is a dwarf forsythia cultivar that is noted for its compact-spreading shape, typically growing to only 20" tall but spreading to as much as 4" wide. It features light yellow flowers that appear in profusion before the leaves emerge in late winter to early spring. Early bloom makes this shrub a true harbinger of spring. Ovate, medium green leaves are attractive throughout the growing season.
The dense and compact 'Gold Tide' is a European dwarf sport of the old favorite, F. x intermedia 'Spring Glory'. It is exceptionally easy to grow in any well-drained soil, it is very tolerant of heat, drought, and urban conditions. Excellent as a ground cover (especially on difficult slopes), trailing over walls, or in the perennial border.
Gold Tide is a Plant of Merit.
This 8' tall rugged, ornamental shrub is smothered with yellow blooms in early spring before the foliage appears. The 'Lynwood Gold' Forsythia is popular as a specimen plant or hedge. The leaves are 5" bright green lanceolate leaves with toothed margins. The bright yellow trumpet like flowers appear before foliage in early spring and has unique purple autumn foliage.
This moderate growing forsythia has flowers that are more open and more evenly distributed along the stem.
Blooms on old wood so after flowering, cut down severely or remove oldest stems to stimulate new growth. It prefers partial shade to full sun and will grow to 8" tall and will spread to 10". Fertilize in spring. When planting, cut plant back 1/3 of branch length to encourage branching. Plant in well drained soil. For hedge, plant 4 ft. apart.
Northern Gold was developed in Canada, and is one tough customer. It was the result of a cross between the showy Border forsythias of warmer climates and the much hardier but less showy Early forsythia of Korea, combining the stunning blooms of the former with the hardiness of the latter. This forsythia will grow to 8' and has Golden yellow flowers that appear before dark green foliage. Excellent flower bud hardiness. Upright habit, adaptable to most soils, best color in full sun.
Dwarf Lilacs
Syringa meyeri 'Palibin'
‘Palibin’ a Korean Lilac is a compact, low-spreading cultivar which typically grows 4-5’ tall with a spread of 5-7’. Pale pink, sweetly-fragrant single flowers arranged in dense, terminal clusters (panicles to 4” long) cover this shrub with a profuse bloom in late April to early May (St. Louis area). Elliptic-ovate, dark green leaves (to 1.5” long) are smaller than the species. No fall color. This shrub is sometime grafted to a 4’ standard and sold as a small tree with a dense, rounded crown. Tree form typically matures to 8’ tall.
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates light shade, but best bloom is in full sun. Prefers organically rich, moist, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils. Needs good air circulation. Good tolerance for urban conditions. Prompt removal of faded flower panicles before seed set will increase the bloom in the following year. Prune as needed immediately after flowering.
‘Palibin’ a Korean Lilac is a compact, low-spreading cultivar which typically grows 4-5’ tall with a spread of 5-7’. Pale pink, sweetly-fragrant single flowers arranged in dense, terminal clusters (panicles to 4” long) cover this shrub with a profuse bloom in late April to early May (St. Louis area). Elliptic-ovate, dark green leaves (to 1.5” long) are smaller than the species. No fall color. This shrub is sometime grafted to a 4’ standard and sold as a small tree with a dense, rounded crown. Tree form typically matures to 8’ tall.
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates light shade, but best bloom is in full sun. Prefers organically rich, moist, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils. Needs good air circulation. Good tolerance for urban conditions. Prompt removal of faded flower panicles before seed set will increase the bloom in the following year. Prune as needed immediately after flowering.
Syringa pubescens 'Miss Kim'
This Manchurian lilac cultivar is a compact, upright, deciduous shrub which grows 4-7' tall with a similar spread. Lavender to ice blue, sweetly fragrant, single flowers are arranged in dense, terminal clusters (panicles to 3" long) which cover this shrub in May (St. Louis). Elliptic to ovate, dark green leaves (to 5" long) turn burgundy (often attractive) in autumn. A good selection for southern climates.
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates light shade, but best bloom is in full sun. Prefers rich, moist, somewhat neutral soils. Needs good air circulation. Prompt removal of faded flower panicles before seed set will increase bloom in the following year. Prune immediately after flowering.
This Manchurian lilac cultivar is a compact, upright, deciduous shrub which grows 4-7' tall with a similar spread. Lavender to ice blue, sweetly fragrant, single flowers are arranged in dense, terminal clusters (panicles to 3" long) which cover this shrub in May (St. Louis). Elliptic to ovate, dark green leaves (to 5" long) turn burgundy (often attractive) in autumn. A good selection for southern climates.
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates light shade, but best bloom is in full sun. Prefers rich, moist, somewhat neutral soils. Needs good air circulation. Prompt removal of faded flower panicles before seed set will increase bloom in the following year. Prune immediately after flowering.
Flowering Qunice
Chaenomeles speciosa is commonly called flowering quince. It is a dense, broad-rounded, deciduous shrub with often-tangled, spiny, gray-brown twigs. It typically grows to 6-10’ tall and as wide. Scarlet to red (less frequently pink or white) five-petaled flowers (to 2” diameter) bloom before the leaves fully unfold in an often showy early spring bloom. Flowers are followed by hard, dot-speckled, edible, yellowish-green fruits (2.5” quinces) that are rather bitter when eaten fresh from the shrub, but quite tasty in preserves and jellies. Finely-toothed, oval to oblong, glossy dark green leaves (to 3.5” long).
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best flowering occurs in full sun. Adapts to a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers well-drained loams. Established plants will tolerate dryish soils. Plants bloom on old growth. Avoid heavy pruning. Prune to shape as needed in spring after flowering to stimulate growth of flowering spurs which will improve bloom for the following year (although such pruning will reduce fruit production for the current year). Promptly remove root suckers to control possible spread.
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best flowering occurs in full sun. Adapts to a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers well-drained loams. Established plants will tolerate dryish soils. Plants bloom on old growth. Avoid heavy pruning. Prune to shape as needed in spring after flowering to stimulate growth of flowering spurs which will improve bloom for the following year (although such pruning will reduce fruit production for the current year). Promptly remove root suckers to control possible spread.
Chaenomeles speciosa 'Toyo-Nishiki'
Toyo-Nashiki’ is an exciting combination of red, pink and white blooms that precede foliage. Prized in Japan for its large flowers and bonsai potential. Quince-like fruit attracts birds. Use along a walkway or as a focal point to best appreciate the unusual flower combination.
Moderate grower to 8 ft. tall, 6 to 8 ft. wide.
Toyo-Nashiki’ is an exciting combination of red, pink and white blooms that precede foliage. Prized in Japan for its large flowers and bonsai potential. Quince-like fruit attracts birds. Use along a walkway or as a focal point to best appreciate the unusual flower combination.
Moderate grower to 8 ft. tall, 6 to 8 ft. wide.
Cameo has delightful soft apricot-pink blooms that precede foliage, among first flowers to appear each year and long-lasting! Useful compact hedge or shrub. Quince-like fruit attracts birds. Deciduous. Full sun. Moderate grower to 3 feet tall, 5 feet wide. Cutting grown.
'Jet Trail' is a spreading, yet compact, deciduous shrub excellent for mass plantings and borders. A beautiful early blooming white flower that can be used for cutting or to attract butterflies. Small quince fruit attracts birds. Deciduous shrub. Full to partial sun. Vigorous growth 3 to 4 feet tall and wide.
Texas Scarlet is a beautiful spreading shrub with fiery red, apple-blossom-like flowers that precede leaves each spring. Produces greenish-yellow fruit. Best used in shrub borders and as background plant. Deciduous. Full sun. Moderate grower to 3 feet tall, 5 feet wide. Cutting grown.
Previously Featured Plants
Contorted Filbert | Forsythias | Spring Blooming Camellias | Peonies |
Big Daddy Hydrangeas |Limelight Hydrangeas |
Crepe Myrtle | Fall Camelias | Stepables | Hydrangeas
Bracken's Brown Magnolia | Amaryllis | Tropical Plants for Fresh Air
Contorted Filbert | Forsythias | Spring Blooming Camellias | Peonies |
Big Daddy Hydrangeas |Limelight Hydrangeas |
Crepe Myrtle | Fall Camelias | Stepables | Hydrangeas
Bracken's Brown Magnolia | Amaryllis | Tropical Plants for Fresh Air
1605 South Big Bend Blvd
Richmond Heights, Missouri 63117
314-645-SEED • fax-314-645-0121
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