BEARDTOUNGUE

BEARDTOUNGUE

BEARDTONGUE

Penstemon digitalis 'Dark Towers'

COLLECTION

Westbrook Wall Garden

 

FAMILY

Plantaginaceae

 

PLANT TYPE

Herbaceous Perennial

 

ZONE

3-8

 

 

CULTURE

Grows in pH-neutral soils in full sun. Tolerates average, well-drained soils with organic matter.

 

NOTEWORTHY CHARACTERISTICS

‘Dark Towers’ is a clump-forming perennial that grows 1 1/2 to 3 feet tall. It produces light pink flowers on tall stems over wine-red leaves from May to June.

 

PROBLEMS

Root rot in wet soils can occur if poorly drained.

 

GARDEN USES

Used in mix border, rock gardens and as a cut flower.

 

HISTORY

Introduced by Dale Lindgren of the University of Nebraska. Our specimen was planted in 2014.

 

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CRIMSON POINTE™ FLOWERING PLUM

CRIMSON POINTE™ FLOWERING PLUM

Prunus cerasifera 'Cripcizam' Crimson Pointe™

COLLECTION

Westbrook Wall Garden

 

FAMILY

Rosaceae

 

PLANT TYPE

Tree, Deciduous

 

ZONE

4-9

 

 

CULTURE

Plant in average, well-drained soil in full sun.

 

NOTEWORTHY CHARACTERISTICS

A strong columnar shape tree for small spaces. Crimson Pointe™ produces a lovely white flower in the spring changing to a burgundy-red color for the rest of the flowering season.

 

PROBLEMS

This tree has many pest and disease problems including leaf spot and while relatively short-lived (about 20 years) it is still worth planting.

 

GARDEN USES

Used as a single specimen in small gardens or in mass plantings as expansive lines along drives.

 

HISTORY

Planted in 2014, our Crimson Pointe™ Flowering Plum is used as a vertical accent to complement the wall designed by architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

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RISING SUN REDBUD

RISING SUN REDBUD

Cercis canadensis ' Rising Sun'

 

COLLECTION

Westbrook Wall Garden

 

FAMILY

Fabaceae

 

PLANT TYPE

Tree, Deciduous

 

ZONE

5-8

 

 

 

 

CULTURE

Highly adaptable to many soil types but thrives in well-drained deep soils in full sun to light shade. Very heat tolerant.

 

NOTEWORTHY CHARACTERISTICS

‘Rising Sun’ Redbud has tiny pink flowers in early spring followed by bright orange-peach heart-shaped leaves.

 

PROBLEMS

Canker is most destructive followed by the fungal disease verticillium wilt.

 

GARDEN USES

Its compact size allows it to be either used as a single specimen or in groupings.

 

HISTORY

Introduced by Ray Jackson of Jackson Nursery, our Rising Sun Redbud was planted in 2014 along the outer edge of the wall designed by architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

 

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CRAPE MYRTLE

CRAPE MYRTLE

Lagerstroemia indica 'Miami'

COLLECTION

Westbrook Wall Garden

 

FAMILY

Lythraceae

 

PLANT TYPE

Tree, Deciduous

 

ZONE

7-9

 

CULTURE

Plant in moist, well-drained soil in full sun.

 

NOTEWORTHY CHARACTERISTICS

Crape Myrtle ‘Miami’s’ vibrant flower color attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. The pink flowers turn to an orange/dull russet in autumn. It also has an attractive exfoliating bark.

 

PROBLEMS

It is borderline hardy in zone 7.

 

GARDEN USES

Use as a specimen for a burst of color in late summer to early autumn.

 

HISTORY

This cultivar was introduced to the trade in 1987. It was added to our collection in 2014.

 

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FASTIGIATE SWEETGUM

FASTIGIATE SWEETGUM

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette'

COLLECTION

Westbrook Wall Garden

 

FAMILY

Hamamelidaceae

 

PLANT TYPE

Tree, Deciduous

 

ZONE

5-8

 

 

 

CULTURE

Native to eastern and central United States. Fastigiate Sweetgum is a medium to fast growing tree perfect for small spaces. It prefers full sun to part shade in moist, slightly acidic soil.

 

NOTEWORTHY CHARACTERISTICS

‘Slender Silhouette’ is a tall thin tree with star-shaped foliage, 4 to 7 inches wide, dark green in summer, turns yellow/orange to deep red in autumn.

 

PROBLEMS

This cultivar produces less woody, spiky 1 1/2 inch fruit than the species.

 

GARDEN USES

Train into an arched tunnel giving four-season interest. Use as a striking vertical accent in tight spaces.

 

HISTORY

A landscape feature added to the end of the Frederick Law Olmsted wall in 2014. ‘Slender Silhouette’ was introduced by Don Shadow of Shadow Nursery.

 

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