EarthCam Arboretum

Coral Bark Japanese Maple

Coral Bark Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku'

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Sapindaceae
  • Mature Height:  15-25 ft.
  • Mature Width:  10-12 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Mid-April
  • Bloom Description:  Reddish Purple
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Water:  Medium
  • Soil:  Adaptable
  • Native Origins:  Japan, China and Korea

This beautiful small tree has brilliant red-coral bark on its young branches with color that intensifies in the winter. Deeply cut, pale green leaves display attractive red margins and turn a vibrant, golden yellow in fall. The name of The Coral Japanese Maple is 'Sango-Kaku' which directly translates to coral tower. Its native origins are from Japan, but it has been documented in England and Ireland in the 1920's. There are many variations in both leaves and bark on this tree. Thousands of variations of the Japanese maple were cultivated by Japanese gardener's centuries ago, and is an excellent accent to a garden.

Bloodgood Japanese Maple

Bloodgood Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Sapindaceae
  • Mature Height:  15-20 ft.
  • Mature Width:  15-20 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Mid-April
  • Bloom Description:  Deep Red
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Water:  Medium
  • Soil:  Well-Drained, Moist
  • Native Origins:  Japan, China and Korea

The Japanese Maple is easily grown in moist, organically rich, well drained soils in full sun to partial shade. Acer palamatum, is called Japanese maple, is a deciduous shrub or small tree that typically grows to 10-25' tall. It is native to Japan, Korea and China. Each palmate green lead has 5 -9 pointed lobes. The flowers are attractive but not showy from a distance. The flowers are followed by samaras in pairs. Samaras ripen in September-October. Fall color includes shades of yellow, red-purple and bronze. Cultivars are variable. 'Bloodgood' is a non-dissected type that grows into a small, rounded, deciduous tree which typically grows to 15-20' fall and features purplish-red flowers in spring and deep reddish purple summer foliage, red samaras in late summer to early fall and good crimson-red fall color.

Tamukeyama Japanese Maple

Tamukeyama Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum var. dissectum

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Sapindaceae
  • Mature Height:  6-8 ft.
  • Mature Width:  8-12 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Mid-April
  • Bloom Description:  Reddish Purple
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Water:  Medium
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origins:  Japan, China and Korea

Acer palmatum is a deciduous, woody shrub native to parts of Asia and Russia. There are many garden-worthy cultivars available, which have been bred for their leaf shapes and colours. Acer palmatum var. disssectum 'Tamukeyama' is a small, slow-growing Japanese maple, with delicate, lacy, burgundy red foliage, small purple flowers and fantastic, deep red autumn colour. It's ideal for growing in a small garden or even a container. 'Tamukeyama' is a red-leaf, dissected (cutleaf/laceleaf) cultivar that grows in a mound or dome to 6-8' tall spreading by weeping and cascading branching to 12' wide. It features deeply cut and dissected purple red leaves (to 4" long) that turn brighter red in fall. Foliage is noted for retaining good color throughout the summer. Small reddish-purple flowers in spring are somewhat attractive on close inspection, but are not showy from a distance. Flowers are followed by samaras that ripen in late summer to fall.

Swamp Maple

Swamp Maple

Acer rubrum

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Aceraceae
  • Mature Height:  40-70 ft.
  • Mature Width:  20-30 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Mid-April
  • Bloom Description:  Red
  • Sunlight:  Part Sun
  • Water:  Moderate
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origins:  Eastern and Central North America

A. rubrum is one of the most abundant and widespread trees in eastern North America. It can be found from the south of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and southern Quebec to the south west of Ontario, extreme southeastern Manitoba and northern Minnesota; south to Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, eastern Oklahoma, and eastern Texas in its western range; and east to Florida. It has the largest continuous range along the North American Atlantic Coast of any tree that occurs in Florida. The species is native to all regions of the United States east of the 95th meridian. The tree's range ends where the -40 °C (-40 °F) mean minimum isotherm begins, namely in southeastern Canada. Foliage turns a bright red color in autumn.

Weeping Flowering Cherry

Weeping Flowering Cherry

Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula'

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Rosaceae
  • Mature Height:  8-15 ft.
  • Mature Width:  6-8 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Mid-April
  • Bloom Description:  White
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun
  • Water:  Average
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origins:  South America and Southeast Asia

Prunus pendula is an ornamental weeping cherry tree that is native to Japan. The white or pink flowers bloom in 2 to 5-flowered umbels in late winter to early spring before the leaves emerge. Flowers are followed by rounded pea-sized fruits (to 1/3" diameter) that are sometimes sparse. Fruits eventually mature to black, but are basically inedible. Fruits may not appear in some years. Elliptic to ovate, doubly serrate, green leaves (to 4" long) turn red or yellow in fall.

Snowfountain Weeping Cherry

Snowfountain Weeping Cherry

Prunus Snofozam

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Rosaceae
  • Mature Height:  8-15 ft.
  • Mature Width:  6-8 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Mid-April
  • Bloom Description:  White
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun
  • Water:  Average
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origins:  Japan, South America and Southeast Asia

Prunus is a genus of about 200 species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs found in north temperate areas, the Andres of South America and in mountainous areas of Southeast Asia. Some of these trees are grown for the ornamental value, and others are grown for fruit which includes cherry, plum, apricot nectarine and peaches. 'Snofozam', sold under the trade name of SNOW FOUNTAINS, is a slow-growing, weeping, ornamental cherry that is sold in a variety of forms: (1) a compact, naturally weeping tree that typically grows 8-15' tall. As a weeping tree, its cascading branches dip all the way to the ground, giving the appearance of a white or snow fountain when covered with pure white flowers in early spring. Flowers give way to small, sparse, black, inedible fruits. Dark green leaves (to 3 1/4" long) turn attractive shades of gold and orange in autumn. This cultivar is known by several different names, including 'Snofozam', 'White Fountain' and 'Snow Fountains'.

Double Weeping Flowering Cherry

Double Weeping Flowering Cherry

Prunus Subhirtella

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Rosaceae
  • Mature Height:  15-20 ft.
  • Mature Width:  15-20 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Mid-April
  • Bloom Description:  Double Pale-Pink Flowers
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun
  • Water:  Regular
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origins:  Japan

This slow-growing ornamental tree makes the perfect showcase plant. The double-weeping cherry lends its elegance to any landscape with its reliable, unique blooms, thriving in moist soil. Use this tree as either a single focal point or paired to frame entryways-- this cherry is particularly striking when set against a dark evergreen background. In the fall, the foliage becomes a golden orange. Double weeping cherry trees originated in Japan, developed by Japanese horticulturist Yoshio Tanaka. These trees are part of a traditional Japanese tea garden setting and symbolize the arrival of spring. The first double weeping cherry tree was sent to the St. Petersburg Botanical Gardens in 1862.

'Kanzan' Cherry

'Kanzan' Cherry

Prunus serrulata 'Kanzan' (syn. Kwanzan or Sekiyama)

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Rosaceae
  • Mature Height:  25-30 ft.
  • Mature Width:  25-30 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Beggining of May
  • Bloom Description:  Deep Pink
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Water:  Medium
  • Soil:  Average
  • Native Origins:  Japan, China and Korea

A lovely specimen tree that puts on an incredible early season show with clusters of large, double deep pink blooms backed by bronze-red new growth. An upright, vase-shaped branching habit perfect for lining a road or driveway. A stunning lawn specimen. Deciduous. Flowering Cherry is among the most beautiful of the spring blossom displays. The consummate tree of the Japanese tea garden and in other Asian landscape compositions. Just as traditional in cottage and country gardens or as common color accents in Washington DC landscapes. This upright Cherry is one of the most reliable for warmer winter regions. 'Kanzan' (synonymous with 'Kwanzan' and 'Sekiyama') is a double flowered Japanese flowering cherry that is noted for its profuse and showy spring bloom. It is considered to be one of the most ornamental of the flowering cherries.

Flowering Dogwood

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus Florida Rubra (Red)

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Cornaceae
  • Mature Height:  15-30 ft.
  • Mature Width:  15-30 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  End of April to May
  • Bloom Description:  Pink to Reddish Pink
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Water:  Medium
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origins:  Eastern North America

Cornus florida, commonly known as flowering dogwood, is a small deciduous tree that typically grows 15-30' tall with a low-branching, broadly-pyramidal but somewhat flat-topped habit. It arguably may be the most beautiful of the native American flowering trees. It is native from Maine to southern Ontario to Illinois to Kansas south to Florida, Texas and Mexico. It is the state tree of Missouri and Virginia. It blooms in early spring (April) shortly after, but usually overlapping, the bloom period of the redbuds. The true dogwood flowers are actually tiny, yellowish green and insignificant, being compacted into button-like clusters. However, each flower cluster is surrounded by four showy, white, petal-like bracts which open flat, giving the appearance of a single, large, 3-4" diameter, 4-petaled, white flower. Oval, dark green leaves (3-6" long) turn attractive shades of red in fall.

American Dogwood

American Dogwood

Corneus Florida White

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Cornaceae
  • Mature Height:  15-30 ft.
  • Mature Width:  15-30 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  April to May
  • Bloom Description:  White
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Water:  Medium
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origins:  North America

Cornus florida, commonly known as flowering dogwood, is a small deciduous tree that typically grows 15-30' tall with a low-branching, broadly-pyramidal but somewhat flat-topped habit. It arguably may be the most beautiful of the native American flowering trees. It is native from Maine to southern Ontario to Illinois to Kansas south to Florida, Texas and Mexico. It is the state tree of Missouri and Virginia. It blooms in early spring (April) shortly after, but usually overlapping, the bloom period of the redbuds. The true dogwood flowers are actually tiny, yellowish green and insignificant, being compacted into button-like clusters. However, each flower cluster is surrounded by four showy, white, petal-like bracts which open flat, giving the appearance of a single, large, 3-4" diameter, 4-petaled, white flower. Oval, dark green leaves (3-6" long) turn attractive shades of red in fall. Bright red fruits are bitter and inedible to humans (some authors say poisonous) but are loved by birds. Fruits mature in late summer to early fall and may persist until late in the year.

Autumn Gold Maidenhair Tree

Autumn Gold Maidenhair Tree

Ginkgo biloba 'Autumn Gold'

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Ginkgoaceae
  • Mature Height:  40-50 ft.
  • Mature Width:  25-30 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  April
  • Bloom Description:  Green and Golden Yellow
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun
  • Water:  Medium
  • Soil Type:  Prefers Well-Drained Soil
  • Native Origins:  China

This superb selection is a fruitless male strain. Unique fan-shaped green foliage turns brilliant golden yellow in fall. Symmetrical branching creates an exceptional upright landscape accent, eventually becoming a handsome shade tree with age. Deciduous. Confidently plant this newer fruitless Ginkgo as a street or lawn tree. Tuck away in the far back corner of your yard, where its fall color will crisply stand out and blanket the ground with a bright yellow carpet. Due to its slow-growing and upright habit, don't count this attractive accent tree to provide substantial shade until the canopy broadens with advanced age.

Redbud 'The Rising Sun'

Redbud 'The Rising Sun'

Cercis Canadensis

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Fabaceae
  • Mature Height:  20-30 ft.
  • Mature Width:  25-35 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  End of April
  • Bloom Description:  Rosy Pink
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Water:  Average
  • Soil:  Any Soil
  • Native Origins:  North America

This is a tree with a compact size that makes it easy to showcase. Multiple seasons of interest through its spring flowers, vivid spring, summer and fall foliage and nice bark. Its flowers attract bees and butterflies. Tiny vivid pink flowers line the branches in early spring, before the leaves emerge. Large, heart-shaped leaves are bright orange-peach when they emerge, then they turn green as they age. New leaves emerge all summer, so there's always a mix of colors on the tree. Fall foliage is yellow and orange. Deciduous tree 10 to 12 feet tall with a 10 to 15 foot spread. Spring for flowers, spring through fall for foliage. Bark is smooth and yellow, making it attractive in winter. Selection of Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), a tree native to woods and streambanks of most of the eastern half of the United States. Introduced by Ray Jackson of Jackson Nursery in Belvidere, Tenn. Grow in full sun to part shade. Wide tolerance of soil type and moisture. Very heat tolerant and resistant to foliage burn even in full sun.

Japanese Black Pine

Japanese Black Pine

PInus thunbergii

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  PInaceae
  • Mature Height:  20-100 ft.
  • Mature Width:  12-20 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Non-Flowering
  • Bloom Description:  Non-Flowering
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun
  • Water:  Medium
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origins:  Japan

Japanese black pine is ideal for coastal landscapes where it grows to heights of 20 feet. When grown inland, can grow up to 100 feet. Japanese black pine trees need an open site with lots of sunlight. The branches can grow out wide from the base of the tree. Japanese black pine has a striking, irregular form accented by its dark, lustrous green needles. The structure of this tree is pyramidal, and this tree develops woody brown cones that are 2-3 inches in length. It thrives in all seasons, and grows at a moderate pace.

Colorado Blue Spruce

Colorado Blue Spruce

Picea pungens

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Pinaceae
  • Mature Height:  30-60 ft.
  • Mature Width:  10-20 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Non-Flowering
  • Bloom Description:  Non-Flowering
  • Sunlight:  Full to Partial Sun
  • Water:  Medium
  • Soil:  Average, Acidic
  • Native Origins:  Southern Rocky Mountains

The blue spruce is a species of spruce tree. It is native to the Rocky Mountains of the United States. Its natural range extends from northern New Mexico through Colorado and Utah to Wyoming and into far southwest Montana, but it has been widely introduced elsewhere and is used as an ornamental tree. In the wild, the blue spruce can reach a full height of 75 ft. The leaves are waxy green-grey and are sharply pointed. It is native to the central Rocky Mountains from southern Montana and eastern Idaho south to New Mexico where it is typically found growing in moist locations from 6000 to 11000 feet in elevation. Stiff, bristly, four-angled, green to blue-green to silver-blue needles (to 1.5" long) point outward from the branches in all directions.

Norway Spruce

Norway Spruce

Picea abies

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Pinaceae
  • Mature Height:  40-80 ft.
  • Mature Width:  25-30 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Non-Flowering
  • Bloom Description:  Non-Flowering
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun
  • Water:  Medium
  • Soil:  Well Drained
  • Native Origins:  Europe and Norway

A species of spruce native to Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. It has branchlets that hang downwards, and also has the largest pinecones of any spruce. The Norway spruce is widely planted for its wood, and is the species used as the main Christmas tree in several cities around the world. It was the first gymnosperm to have it genome sequenced, and one clone has been measured as 9,550 years old. It is noted for its rapid growth. Primary branches are slightly upturned but secondary branches become pendulous as the tree matures. Branches are clad with spirally-arranged, four-sided, needle-like, deep green leaves which are attached at their bases to tiny pegs. Cylindrical seed bearing cones (to 9" long) are pendulous.

Japanese Hemlock

Japanese Hemlock

Tsuga sieboldii

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Pinaceae
  • Mature Height:  up to 100 ft.
  • Mature Width:  20-30 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Non-Flowering
  • Bloom Description:  Non-Flowering
  • Sunlight:  Part to Full Shade
  • Water:  Average
  • Soil:  Acidic to Neutral
  • Native Origins:  Japan and Korea

Tsuga sieboldii, commonly called Southern Japanese Hemlock, was discovered in 1855 by Élie-Abel Carrière. Its name in Japanese is simply tsuga and in Korean solsong namu. Indeed, the Japanese name for this particular species was assigned by Carrière as the genus name for all Hemlock species. One of the previous describers of this plant, Philipp Franz von Siebold (originally naming it Abies tsuga, etc.), was rewarded with the specific epithet sieboldii. Tsuga canadensis, commonly called Canadian hemlock or eastern hemlock, is a dense, pyramidal conifer of the pine family that is native to moist woods, moist slopes, rocky hillsides/ridges, wooded ravines, and stream valleys from eastern Canada south to Maine and Wisconsin and further south in the Appalachian Mountains to Georgia and Alabama. It grows to 40-75' tall in the wild. This species is noted for having the smallest needles and cones in the genus. Flat sprays of lacy evergreen foliage give this tree a graceful form. Short dark green needles (to 9/16" long) with two white bands beneath are arranged in two opposite rows. Needles are attached to twigs by slender stalks. Small, pendant, short-stalked, seed-bearing cones (to 3/4" long) are tan-brown. Lower branches often dip toward the ground. Thick and ridged bark on mature trees is red-brown to gray-brown. State tree of Pennsylvania. No part of this tree is poisonous. The poisonous hemlocks (Circuta maculata and Conium maculatum) are herbaceous perennials in the parsley family.

Hinoki Cypress

Hinoki Cypress

Chamaecyparis obtus

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Cupressaceae
  • Mature Height:  50-75 ft.
  • Mature Width:  15-25 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Non-Flowering
  • Bloom Description:  Non-Flowering
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun
  • Water:  Medium
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origins:  Japan and Taiwan

The Hinoki Cypress is native to Japan and is an evergreen conifer that grows to become over 50-75' tall. It features spreading branches with horizontal markings underneath. When the leaves are crushed they are aromatic. Mature trees develop orange brown (male) and greenish-brown (female) 8 scale cones. There are a number of species of this tree that can also be used as small accent hedges or foundations in rock gardens. The larger specimens are found in home landscapes. The name Chami comes from a Greek word meaning dwarf or ground, and kyparissos meaning cypress. In Japan, hinoki means "fire tree".

Golden Mop False Cypress

Golden Mop False Cypress

Chamaecyparis pisifera

  • Type:  Needled Evergreen
  • Family:  Cupressaceae
  • Mature Height:  3-5 ft.
  • Mature Width:  3-5 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Non-Flowering
  • Bloom Description:  Non-Flowering
  • Sunlight:  Full to Partial Sun
  • Water:  Medium
  • Soil:  Moist, Fertile
  • Native Origin:  Japan

'Golden Mop' is a mounded, slow-growing, dwarf shrub that typically grows to 2-3' tall and as wide over the first 10 years, eventually maturing to as much as 5' tall. This is a filifera-type plant with stringy, whip-like, golden yellow foliage. It retains good yellow color throughout the year. Cultivar name comes from the reportedly similarity of a small shrub to a mop head. It is naive to the Japanese islands of Honshu and Kyushu. Fine-textured medium green needles are tinted white beneath. Cones are small (1/4" across) and ornamentally insignificant, appearing glaucous green during summer before turning black-brown when ripe. Reddish brown bark peels in strips. Genus name comes from Greek chamai meaning dwarf or to the ground and kyparissosmeaning cypress tree.

Whipcord Western Red Cedar

Whipcord Western Red Cedar

Thuja plicata 'Whipcord'

  • Type:  Needled Evergreen
  • Family:  Cupressaceae
  • Mature Height:  4-5 ft.
  • Mature Width:  4-5 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Non-Flowering
  • Bloom Description:  Non-Flowering
  • Sunlight:  Sun to Partial Shade
  • Water:  Medium
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origin:  Pacific Northwest

This slow-growing dwarf plant is a dense, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with unique lacy, whip-like branches. The foliage turns bronze in winter and glossy green in the summer. This evergreen requires very little maintenance, just remove damaged branches and prune to size in early spring before growth begins. Excellent for use as a specimen plant or in group plantings for added appeal in the landscape.

American Holly

American Holly

Ilex opaca

  • Type:  Tree
  • Family:  Aquifoliaceae
  • Mature Height:  15-30 ft.
  • Mature Width:  10-20 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  May
  • Bloom Description:  Creamy White Flowers
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Water:  Medium
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origins:  Eastern and Central United States

Ilex opaca, commonly called American holly, is an upright, pyramidal, evergreen tree that slowly matures to 15-30' in cultivation, but may reach 50' tall in the wild. It is native to the eastern and central U.S., most frequently found in moist woods, forest bottomlands and swamp peripheries plus some coastal dunes (e.g., Cape Cod down the Atlantic Coast) from Massachusetts to West Virginia to Ohio to southeastern Missouri south to Texas and Florida. This species is easily identified because it is the only native U.S. holly with spiny green leaves and bright red berries. This is the Christmas holly whose berry-laden boughs are typically collected at Christmas time each year for ornamentation ("decking the halls" as it were). Thick, leathery, deep green leaves (2-4" long) have spiny marginal teeth. Species is dioecious (male and female flowers are on separate trees). Greenish-white flowers bloom May-June (male flowers in 3-12 flowered clusters and female flowers solitary or in 2s or 3s). Bright red or orange fruits (drupes to 1/4- 1/2" diameter) ripen in fall on pollinated female trees, and persist on the tree through winter. Birds love the fruit.

Blue Maid Holly

Blue Maid Holly

Ilex x Maservae

  • Type:  Shrub
  • Family:  Aquifoliaceae
  • Mature Height:  12-15 ft.
  • Mature Width:  6-8 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  May
  • Bloom Description:  Small White Flowers
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun
  • Water:  Average
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origins:  United Kingdom and Europe

An exceptionally hardy, vigorous, broadleaf evergreen with snag-free, purplish-green holly foliage that is well suited along walkways or border plantings. A true holly look in a dense, bushy plant with bright red berries (in females) and purple stems. Evergreen. Plant as a single specimen that is gorgeous under snowfall, or line it up to create a dense hedge. Use to soften unsightly corners of fences or buildings, or plant at the back of shrub and perennial borders for reliable year round foliage. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. This is a female variety of the species which requires a male selection of the same species growing nearby in order to set fruit.

Japanese Andromeda

Japanese Andromeda

Pieris japonica

  • Type:  Shurb
  • Family:  Ericaceae
  • Mature Height:  4-8 ft.
  • Mature Width:  10-25 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Mid-April
  • Bloom Description:  White Flowers - 3-6 in.
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Soil:  Acidic, Organic Soil
  • Native Origin:  Asia

Pieris japonica is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that typically matures to 9-12' tall with a dense, upright habit. It features drooping clusters (racemes to 6" long) of lily-of-the-valley-like white flowers in early spring. Serrulate, oblanceolate to obovate-oblong leaves (to 3.5" long) emerge orange-bronze but mature to glossy dark green. Leaves are evergreen. Bead-like flower buds are set in late summer for the following year and provide winter interest and contrast to the evergreen foliage. Many cultivars are available featuring flowers in various shades of white, pink and deep rose.

Miss Kim Lilac

Miss Kim Lilac

Syringa patula 'Miss Kim'

  • Type:  Deciduous
  • Family:  Oleaceae
  • Mature Height:  4-9 ft.
  • Mature Width:  5-7 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Mid-May
  • Bloom Description:  Lilac
  • Sunlight:  Partial to Full Sun
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origin:  Korea

This upright, compact lilac blooms later than others, extending the season with deep purple buds that reveal clusters of highly fragrant, lavender-blue flowers. Foliage is burgundy-tinged in fall. Genus name comes from the Greek word syrinx meaning tube or pipe in reference to the pith-filled but easily-hollowed stems of some genus plants. Specific epithet mean downy or hairy. 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. It is widely naturalized in western and northern Europe. In a sign of its complete naturalization in North America, it has been selected as the state flower of the state of New Hampshire, because it "is symbolic of that hardy character of the men and women of the Granite State". Additional hardiness, for Canadian gardens, was bred for in a series of S. vulgaris hybrids by Isabella Preston, who introduced many of the later-blooming varieties, whose later-developing flower buds are better protected from late spring frosts; the Syringa ⨯ prestoniae hybrids range primarily in the pink and lavender shades.

Lilac

Lilac

Syringa vulgaris

  • Type:  Shrub
  • Family:  Oleaceae
  • Mature Height:  10-12 ft.
  • Mature Width:  8-10 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Beginning of May
  • Bloom Description:  Lilac
  • Sunlight:  Partial to Full Sun
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origins:  Europe and North America

This fragrant blooming flower blooms in mid spring on a vigorous, upright, multi-stemmed shrub with heart-shaped, green foliage. The Lilac is native to open woodlands, rocky hills and scrubby areas in southeastern Europe, but has been widely cultivated throughout Europe and North America. It is also the New Hampshire State Flower.

Forsythia

Forsythia

Forsythia x intermedia

  • Type:  Deciduous Shrub
  • Family:  Oleaceae
  • Mature Height:  6-9 ft.
  • Mature Width:  6-9 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  March - April
  • Bloom Description:  Yellow
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origin:  Ireland

There's no better way to welcome the coming of spring than with the profusion of yellow blooms covering graceful, arching branches. The forsythia is a fast-growing, hardy shrub that blooms early-providing a sunny sight before the rest of the landscape greens up. Forsythias make an excellent choice for those wanting a fast-growing flowering hedge. For best results, plant forsythia 4-6 feet apart when creating your hedge. Notwithstanding their excellent late winter-early spring bloom, however, these hybrid shrubs are often described as one-season wonders which somewhat fade into the landscape after bloom. Fruits (small brown capsules) are non-ornamental. Fall foliage color is typically an ordinary yellow-green, but sometimes purplish. Growth can be rampant, often requiring occasional rejuvenation pruning.

Parsons Juniper

Parsons Juniper

Juniperus davurica 'Parsonii'

  • Type:  Ground Cover
  • Family:  Cupressaceae
  • Mature Height:  2-3 ft.
  • Mature Width:  4-10 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Non-Flowering
  • Bloom Description:  Non-Flowering
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun
  • Soil:  Alkaline
  • Native Origins:  Japan and China

Parsons Juniper will grow up to 3 feet tall with a spread of 10 feet. It tends to fill right at the ground. It can be expected to live for about 20 years. The shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It grows at a slow rate and makes a wonderful addition to rock and alpine gardens, border edging, general garden use, ground cover, and container planting. This is relatively low maintenance shrub and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has attractive bluish-green foliage and the needles are highly ornamental and remain bluish-green throughout the winter. Neither the flowers nor the fruit are ornamentally significant.

Blue Star Juniper

Blue Star Juniper

Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star'

  • Type:  Needled Evergreen
  • Family:  Cupressaceae
  • Mature Height:  1-3 ft.
  • Mature Width:  1-4 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Non-Flowering
  • Bloom Description:  Non-Flowering
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origins:  Afghanistan, China and Taiwan

This icy blue Juniper is not ground hugging, instead it grows gracefully around rock gardens and landscape boulders. This evergreen is easy to grow and prefers well-drained soil. Juniperus squamata is commonly called singleseed juniper because each fleshy, elliptic, blackish, berry-like seed cone it produces contains only one seed. It is native to mountainous areas from Afghanistan to China and Taiwan.

Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper

Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper

Juniperus procumbens 'Nana'

  • Type:  Ground Cover
  • Family:  Cupressaceae
  • Mature Height:  2 ft.
  • Mature Width:  10-15 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Non-Flowering
  • Bloom Description:  Non-Flowering
  • Sunlight:  Full to Partial Sun
  • Soil:  Moist and Well-Drained
  • Native Origin:  Japan

The Japanese garden juniper is a dwarf, shrubby ground cover that grows 8-18 inches, sometimes over 24" tall and spreads 10-15' wide. The growth rate is slow, but spreads widely - about one foot per year until maturity. 'Nana' translates to dwarf, a smaller form that forms spiny blue-green needles up to 1/3" long. The foliage may deepen in color during the winter months.

Magic Carpet Spirea

Magic Carpet Spirea

Spiraea japonica 'Walbuma'

  • Type:  Deciduous Shrub
  • Family:  Rosaceae
  • Mature Height:  1-2 ft.
  • Mature Width:  2-3 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  Spring
  • Bloom Description:  Bright Pink
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origin:  Japan

Spiraea japonica, commonly called Japanese spirea is a dense, upright, mounded deciduous shrub that can grow up to 1-2 feet tall with a larger spread. Leaves are oval and sharply toothed. Leaves are variations fold and depend on the light. Mature leaves are bright green. Tiny pink flowers in flat-topped clusters cover the foliage from late spring to mid-summer. Butterflies are attracted to the flowers. 'Walbuma' is commonly referred to as Magic Carpet and was cultivated in England.

Boxwood

Boxwood

Ilex crenata 'compacta'

  • Type:  Broadleaf Evergreen
  • Family:  Aquifoliaceae
  • Mature Height:  2-4 ft.
  • Mature Width:  3-4 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  May
  • Bloom Description:  Tiny White
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origin:  Japan

Ilex crenata, is commonly known as Japanese holly or box-leaved holly, is a dense, multi-branched, evergreen shrub with a rounded form that typically matures to 5-10' tall and as wide. It is native to mountain slopes in Japan, Korea, China and eastern Russia. It is noted for its elliptic, crenate serrulate, glossy, spineless, evergreen deep green leaves which are attractive all year. In late spring, (May- June) small 4 petaled white flowers bloom. Good to place as a hedge, around borders.

Rhododendron

Rhododendron

Rhododendron

  • Type:  Shrub
  • Family:  Ericaceae
  • Mature Height:  3-6 ft.
  • Mature Width:  3-7 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  First Week of June
  • Bloom Description:  Crimson Red, Pink and Lavender Flowers
  • Sunlight:  Partial Shade
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origins:  Asia, Appalachian Mountains and Nepal

A small, dense, upright, shrub prized for its large trusses of showy, bright red, pink and lavender flowers. A cold hardy rhododendron that thrives in cooler regions but benefits from protection from winter winds. The flower color develops a deep pink tone in sunnier exposures.

Azalea

Azalea

Azalea

  • Type:  Evergreen
  • Family:  Ericaceae
  • Mature Height:  4 ft.
  • Mature Width:  4 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  April to May
  • Bloom Description:  White, Red, Pink and Purple Flowers
  • Sunlight:  Shade
  • Soil:  Well-Drained
  • Native Origins:  Asia, Europe and North America

The Azalea is among the showiest of all shrubs when in flower. Being evergreen to semi-evergreen it gives your garden a well finished appearance even in winter. They begin blooming from mid-March to early May and prefer well-drained soil. Azaleas are prized for their vibrant colors of White, Red, Pink and Purple and fine textured foliage.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus

Hibiscus Moscheutos

  • Type:  Herbaceous Perennial
  • Family:  Malvaceae
  • Mature Height:  2-3 ft.
  • Mature Width:  2-3 ft.
  • Peak Bloom at EarthCam:  June to September
  • Bloom Description:  Red, Pinkish Red Flowers and White with Pink Markings
  • Sunlight:  Full Sun
  • Soil:  Medium to Wet
  • Native Origins:  China and Hawaii

Hibiscus are native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. The flowers, which can be 8 inches round, feature showy white petals with a large red eye in the center and white stamens. These flowers are very hardy, versatile plants and in tropical conditions it can enhance the beauty of any garden. Using the hibiscus flower, a tea can be made and drank as both a hot and cold beverage. It is known for its red color, vitamin C content and tart flavor.