PRE-BONSAI PLANTS FOR 2010
Dwarf Columnar Hornbeam. (Carpinus betulus ‘Columnaris Nana’) This is a brand-new and very desirable bonsai starter for 2010. These plants are heavy, field grown, one to 1 ½ inch plus calliper, tight branching, narrow, congested habit – a true natural bonsai. Forms a dwarf, dense, upright shrubby tree. They will look like a very old plant in your pots instantly. Very choice and hard-to-find. We have only ten, 2 feet high, 4 year old plants, bare root at $55.00 each.
Dwarf Little leaf Linden (Tilia ‘Girard’s Nana’) Very similar to the ‘Lico Dwarf’ cultivar we have had in the past. Dwarf, weeping Little leaf Linden with the same smooth dark coppery bark and green leaves as ‘Lico Dwarf.’ Fine in Full sun or part shade. Its ten year height is only expected to be 3 or 4 feet, an extreme dwarf form of Linden and a natural bonsai. . Foliage: the leaves are also miniature rarely to exceed 1 1/2 inches. Fall color is medium yellow Bark: Light yellow-brown, subtle but quite pleasing for winter effect. Note: Almost as attractive with its winter structure as it is when in leaf. Ideal for the rock garden, container culture or a very small space in the garden. One gallon pots, 2 year grafts, available now at $20.00 each.
Dwarf Vine Maple (Acer circinatum ‘Little Gem’) Naturally dwarfing variety discovered growing in Stanley Park. Leaves are smaller than a quarter. Four only available of this plant. One gallon pots: $20.00
Dwarf Globe Sweetgum (Liquidambar ‘Gumball) Dwarf Liquidambar with a beautiful autumn colour, round habit. Medium-green foliage, curious globe-shaped habit. Ten year height 3 to 4 feet. Very rare variety. We have five 18” bare-root plants @ $25.00 each
Ginkgo ‘Munchkin’ One of the best dwarf selections of this curious and ancient tree. The habit is semi upright with numerous small slender branches radiating outward. Can be trained into a small tree or grown as a low branched multi-stem shrub. Perfect selection for the rock garden setting or for bonsai culture. Foliage is certainly the daintiest of all the dwarf selections in leaf type. Many leaves are no larger than a quarter with most being more nickel size or even smaller. They are closely attached, emerging from the stem in a circular fashion making a very dense arrangement. Leaf shape is similar to the species although not as finely cut to the center, medium green summer color gives way to solid yellow in the fall. One gallon pots at $20.00 each.
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) Pinnate leaves, fragrant white flowers in panicles, tremendous furrowed bark character in older plants. 2 year seedlings@ $7.00
European Beech (Fagus sylvatica ) Remember the words of the immortal Michael Dirr (the American plantsman): “There is no more dignified tree than a Beech”. 2 year seedlings, quite good caliper for this age, approx 24” are $6.00 each.
Heptacodium miconoides (Seven-Son Flower) This Chinese native normally grows as a shrub but can be trained into a small tree and we thought it might be interesting as a bonsai subject, possibly on a little larger scale than some of the naturally dwarfing bonsai starters. Here is a little information: Flowering period: Late summer to late autumn. Flowering attributes: Clusters of fragrant, creamy white flowers born in clusters of seven, followed by clusters of showy purple fruit with bright purple-red calyxes. Leaf attributes: Four-inch long, ovate, deciduous, green leaves that turn purple-bronze in autumn. Light: Full sun to light, dappled shade. Medium Plugs are $7.50
Bo Tree Fig (Ficus religiosa) The first indoor bonsai starter that we have offered. We grew them from seed last year, and are coming along nicely and are ready to start training. (Note: requires frost free location in winter). 6 inch pots (8 only): $10.00, 4 inch pots (3 only) are $6.00 each.
Three Flower Maple (Acer triflorum) We haven’t offered this one before. Nice fall colours in yellows and reds with bark that peels in tight vertical strips. Leaves are three-lobed (pictured here). Bare root plants 8 to 12” high are $15.00 each.
Green leaf Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) Classic maple for bonsai. Elegant palmate leaf, fall colours in gold/orange. Small plugs 24” high are $4.00 each
Paper-bark Maple (Acer griseum) Classic three-lobed Asiatic maple leaf. Orange-red fall colour with the famous cinnamon coloured, peeling bark. These are nice straight seedlings that would be suitable for a forest planting. 12 to 24” bare-root plants are $15.00 each
Japanese Hornbean (Carpinus japonica) Often touted as the nicest flowering species of the hornbeams, we also love it for the fresh green corrugated foliage. Very handsome. 2 gallon pots at $10.00 each (4 only).
Halesia carolina (aka Halesia tetraptera) Halesia are lesser known cousins of Styrax (the Snowbell tree). The flower is larger, pendant (like Styrax) but the bark is more interesting. Even young plants develop a dark charcoal colour, with curious snake-bark vertical striations on the trunk. The seed pod (pictured here) is very unusual. Heavy 2 gallon pots at $12.00 each.
