Trees

Available again for 2024! Drooping spike-like clusters composed of numerous, lightly fragrant, small white flowers are produced in spring and are followed by small, 1/4-1/3" diameter red cherries that ripen to black and are consumed by a wide variety of birds and small mammals. The Black Cherry Tree, Prunus serotina, is a moderately fast growing, medium to large, deciduous native tree found throughout much of the eastern, central, and southwestern US as well as into Canada, Mexico, and into Central America. Its medium green serrated foliage is a caterpillar host for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Viceroy butterflies as well as a variety of moths. The Black Cherry fairly consistently produces good yellow to red fall color even here in zone 8B in southwestern Louisiana and the white and gray winter bark adds to its interest. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in well-drained, average moist, fertile soils for optimum growth and vigor. Item# 10469

The icy blue-gray foliage of this evergreen provides a pleasing contrast to the typical greens of gardens and landscapes and is a standout when planted near maroon or burgundy foliaged neighbors. The Blue Ice Arizona Cypress, a selection of Cupressus arizonica var. glabra, is a southwestern US native that develops into a medium to large, evergreen tree with a conic upright habit when young and a moderate rate of growth and then broadens with age, when the gorwth rate slows, ultimately reaching about 40-50' high and 20-30' wide. It is best suited to soils with excellent drainage in full sun sites and has good drought resistance once fully established. The Arizona Cypress is not always long-lived in the southeastern US where it is commonly grown as Christmas trees. Use this colorful evergreen as a specimen or accent or as a large informal hedge or screen. Plants can be maintained at a smaller size with judicious pruning. Item# 9814

Large, 4-7'', clusters of fragrant brilliant white flowers are borne in spring as the rich green new growth emerges. A beautiful and easy small flowering tree. Rich dark glossy green foliage. Durability, toughness, and vigor lend this tree to use as a street tree or practically anywhere in the garden. Chinese Fringe is moderately drought tolerant once well established. Highly recommended by Dr. David Creech at Stephen F Austin University, Nacogdoches, Texas where a huge planting of this wonderful tree lines Wilson street on campus. A 2003 UGA Gold Medal winner! Item# 11089

Bronze new growth on red stems quickly matures into large, dark green, glossy foliage with a serrated edge. Spring brings large clusters of white flowers that are followed by large red berries. A close kin of Red-Tip Photinia but with a more disease resistant disposition. Chinese Photinia has a moderate rate of growth and develops into a large evergreen shrub or small tree. Grow it as a specimen or as a hedge. Item# 10319.

Huge 18-24" long spikes of deep coral-red to red-orange, 2" long pea-like flowers are produced in cycles throughout the warmer months of the year on new growth. The specialized flowers are designed for hummingbird pollination but may also be visited by larger bees and occasional butterflies. The Crybaby or Cockspur Coral Tree, Erythrina crista-galli, is considered to be one of the most cold hardy and free flowering of the Coral Trees. This is a rarely available and highly desirable fast-growing, heat and sunloving, deciduous tropical tropical tree to large shrub growing to about 15-20' high in zones 9B-10 but is typically closer to 10' high in zones 8B-9A. Once well-established, the plants are somewhat drought resistant and are slightly salt tolerant. Provide a full sun to mostly sunny site in an average moist to moist , fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Protect young plants from harsh freezing temperatures until the trunk becomes woody and has grown to about 5-6" diameter if planting out in zone 8B-9A. Young plants can be overwintered indoors in a warm sunny window until they get to an appropriate size for planting out. The huge flower clusters are utilized as cutflowers in its native range and it is also the national tree of Argentina, the national flower of both Uruguay and Argentina, and is the city tree of Los Angeles as it makes a fantastic, low-maintenance street tree. A Royal Horticulture Society Award of Garden Merit Award winner for its reliablity and flower power. Item# 9137

Large clusters of brilliant golden yellow 3" long trumpet shaped flowers are produced most heavily in early to midspring and may be produced sporadically during the growing season. The nectar rich flowers are produced during its short deciduous period to better show them off while attracting a variety of pollinators including hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The Golden Trumpet Tree, previously Tabebuia chrysotricha and now classified as Handroanthus chrysotrichus, is a highly sought after, relatively fast growing, small to medium sized, short term deciduous, tropical tree that develops a naturally rounded crown at maturity growing to about 25-35'H and nearly as wide. This is a good choice as a street tree, small lawn tree, or for lightly shading a pool or patio. Pollinated flowers produce long, curving brown fuzzy seed pods. The Tabebuia prefers a well-drained, moderately fertile, average moist soil in a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 9678

Small, semi-double, crimson red to rose red flowers with wavy and twisty inner petals, and may have white spots, are centered by a boss of contrasting gold stamens atop white filaments. Flowers are produced early in the season, October to December, attracting bees and other pollinators. Hiryu Sasanqua Camellia, a Camellia x vernalis hybrid, is a vigorous growing heirloom Sasanqua with an upright, well-branched, spreading habit and medium-textured small, dark green, glossy foliage that can exceed 12' high at maturity. Its vigor lends it to use as a screen, hedge, or specimen plant as well as tree forms. The Sasanqua Camellias are much more tolerant of growing conditions than standard Japonica Camellias and can tolerate less than perfect soils and full sun to light shade conditions. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13228

Large, 1-2" long x 3/8-1/2" diameter, shiny black mulberries with a very sweet flavor are produced in spring and are basically seedless. Fruit can be eaten fresh as well as to make jelly, jams, and even wine. The Illinois Everbearing Mulberry, a highly popular hybrid of Morus alba and the native M. rubra, reliably produces large crops at a young age and is self-pollinating. These are fast growing, medium sized trees with a natural umbrella to rounded shaped mature habit to 30-40' high and wide. Songbirds love the ripe fruit and waves of Cedar Waxwings come through annually to feast on them. Mulberries make an easy and low maintenance fruit tree for homes and gardens. These are cuttings grown from our own tree. Item# 1000

Grown mainly for its neat form and large leathery deep green foliage, the new growth of the Japanese Blueberry Tree emerges in bronze and reddish tones, ultimately maturing to deep dark green, and as the older foliage prepares to drop it takes on deep bright red tones. In late spring to early summer, large racemes of white to light pink, fragrant, frilly flowers that are commonly hidden among the foliage attract bees and butterflies. The flowers are followed by olive like fruits that ripen to deep blue, purple, or black and give the plant its common name. The Japanese Blueberry Tree, Elaeocarpus decipiens, is a naturally evergreen small to medium-sized tree with a slow to moderate rate of growth and can be used as a screen, hedge, or specimen providing a holly or Magnolia look in areas with mild winters. These can be shaped into very nice specimens if desired and are typically maintained with the foliage going all the way to the ground. Provide a full to mostly sunny site, in a neutral to mildly acidic, fertile, quality soil with average moisture and good drainage. Item# 13419

Huge, 3-5" long mulberries, with a raspberry-like flavor. Mulberries are typically fast growing, medium sized trees with a natural umbrella shaped mature habit to 30' high and wide. These are  grown from cuttings from our own tree. We  have a few ready for spring.  Item # 854.

3-5" green-yellow fruit with banana custard-like flavor, some say they are best after being frozen. Produces fragrant purple flowers in spring. A small native, normally understory tree, and is the caterpillar host plant of the Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly. Seedling grown. Plant two different varieties or seedlings for pollination. Item# 786.

A breakthrough in Loropetalum breeding producing frilly bright white flowers in spring that absolutely shine against the foil of deep burgundy, purple, to near black foliage. Ruby Snow™ Loropetalum, a.k.a Chinese Witch Hazel, is an exciting new selection with a naturally rounded habit that can be utilized as a large hedge or screen and can even be trained into tree forms and espalier. Chinese Witch Hazel is fast growing and has few pests or disease problems when grown in an average to well-drained, acidic to neutral soil with average fertility in a full sun to partly shaded site. Images courtesy of Star Roses and Plants®, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12748

Dainty, nectar-rich, late winter to midspring, greenish white flowers are followed by sweet, clear orange, 3/8" diameter berries with a flavor reminiscent of cantaloupe ripen in fall. Like all of our native Hackberry species, the Spiny Hackberry, Celtis pallida or C. ehrenbergiana, is an important host plant for the Hackberry butterflies (American Snout, Cuban Snout, Empress Leilia, Dusky Emperor, Tawny Emperor, Hackberry Emperor, etc...) as well as the Red-Bordered Metalmark. The ripe fruit are devoured by a variety of birds and other wildlife. Human nibblers should be aware that the fruit does contain a large pit. The Spiny or Desert Hackberry develops into a large shrub or small tree that seems to prefer average moist soils but as the name implies it is quite drought tolerant once well-established. Item# 10682