Category Archives: Trees

Tree Movers, Inc.

Tree Movers, Inc. is coming up on ten years in business. Not only are they surviving in this tough economy; they are accomplishing their mission to plant and save large caliper trees. How? By focusing on their area of expertise … Continue reading

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Cercis season – Redbuds

North Carolina is in redbud season.  I have a weakness for redbuds. Although I like them on their own, I am particularly enamored when the ultimate southern trifecta occurs – when the redbuds, dogwoods, and azaleas bloom at the same time. Continue reading

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Cornus Kousa, Kousa Dogwood – 2011 Showstopper Plant

The Kousa dogwood is a small statued tree with four seasons of interest. This Chinese dogwood blooms in May, nearly a month after our native dogwood, and has long lasting, showy flowers, often blooming into June. Green, globular, edible fruits turn pink during the summer, then slowly turning a red in September. When ripe, the fruit is readily eaten by birds. Continue reading

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Cercis chinensis ‘Kay’s Early Hope’

What better way to welcome spring than from redbuds; and now one redbud is saying welcome even sooner. Cercis chinensis ‘Kay’s Early Hope’ has hit the North Carolina landscape scene after being selected and trialed at the JC Raulston Arboretum. ‘Kay’s Early Hope’ was named after the NC State’s women’s basketball coach, the incomparable Kay Yow. Continue reading

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Ilex x attenuata ‘Savannah’ Holly

Name:  Ilex x attenuata Savannah’ Zones:  6– 9 Size:  25 – 30 feel tall, pyramidal shape Conditions: Sun to partial shade; well drained soil It was only 5 or 6 years ago, when I was working in a client’s winter garden, … Continue reading

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How-to Plant a Container Grown Tree

Adding a well placed tree to your landscape is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it offers many benefits, such as cooling the house in the heat of the summer, providing cover and nesting places for songbirds, and cleans the air. Also, established … Continue reading

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Crepe Myrtle ‘Zuni’ (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Zuni’)

Crepe Myrtle ‘Zuni’ Name: Lagerstroemia indica ‘Zuni’ Zones: 6 – 7 Size: 9 – 12 feet tall Conditions: Full sun, drought tolerant. Crape Myrtles are not only stars in our summer landscapes, they actually have something to offer all year long. … Continue reading

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Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

Name: Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) Zones: 7 – 9 Size: 60 – 90 feet tall and 20+ feet wide Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; rich, well-drained, acid soil. Once established, extremely drought tolerant. Quintessential southern landscapes include southern magnolias. … Continue reading

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Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata)

Name: Sciadopitys verticillata Zones: 5 to 9 Size: 25 to 40 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; acidic, fertile, moist, well-drained soil. A good plant will offer 2 seasons of interest or … Continue reading

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Redbuds ‘Merlot’ and ‘Ruby Falls’ (Cercis canadensis)

Two new redbuds developed by NCSU will be available in limited quantities to North Carolina wholesale nurserymen in early 2010. These new releases, named ‘Merlot’ and ‘Ruby Falls’, were developed in my ornamentals breeding program initiated in 1998. These new … Continue reading

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