Goat Willow (Salix caprea): The Pussy Willow of Europe

Goat Willow (Salix caprea), also called French Pussy Willow or Great Sallow, is a familiar harbinger of spring across Europe and western Asia. Its large, silvery catkins—beloved by florists and children alike—appear on b

Variegated Sea Hibiscus 'Albo-variegatus' (Talipariti tiliaceum): Tropical Foliage & Flowers

Variegated Sea Hibiscus (Talipariti tiliaceum Albo-variegatus, syn. Hibiscus tiliaceus Variegata) is a stunning cultivar of the coastal Mahoe tree, prized for its large, heart-shaped leaves boldly splashed with creamy wh

Caracas Wigandia (Wigandia urens): The Stinging Giant with Velvet Leaves

Caracas Wigandia (Wigandia urens) is a striking, fast-growing shrub or small tree from the Andes, known for its enormous, velvety leaves and stinging hairs that deter herbivores—and unwary gardeners. Also called Wigandia

Striped Maple 'Erythrocladum' (Acer pensylvanicum 'Erythrocladum'): Coral-Red Twigs for Winter Interest

Erythrocladum is a rare cultivar of striped maple (moosewood) selected for its brilliant coral-red young twigs that provide striking winter color. The species is a small understory tree native to eastern North American f

Pongam Tree (Pongamia pinnata): The Oil-Rich, Nitrogen-Fixing Shade Tree

Pongam (Pongamia pinnata), also called Karum Tree, Poonga-Oil Tree, or Indian Beech, is a versatile, medium-sized evergreen native to tropical Asia and Australia. Valued for its oil-rich seeds, nitrogen fixation, and den

Red Maple 'Red Sunset' (Acer rubrum): The Gold Standard for Fall Color

Red Sunset (Acer rubrum Red Sunset®, also sold as Franksred) is widely considered the most reliable red maple for consistent, brilliant autumn color. Selected for its early, intense red-to-orange display and superior bra

Ashe Magnolia (Magnolia ashei): The Rare, Large-Leaved Gulf Coast Native

Ashe Magnolia (Magnolia ashei), also called Ashes Magnolia, is a rare, deciduous shrub or small tree endemic to the Florida panhandle and adjacent Alabama. Its a subspecies of the Bigleaf Magnolia (M. macrophylla) but di

Durian (Durio zibethinus): The King of Fruits—Love It or Hate It

No fruit polarizes like Durian (Durio zibethinus). Revered as the King of Fruits in Southeast Asia, its custard-like, richly flavored flesh is adored by fans—while its notorious aroma (described as everything from rotten

Flowering Dogwood 'Stellar Pink' (Cornus × rutgersensis): A Disease-Resistant Beauty

Stellar Pink (Cornus × rutgersensis Stellar Pink) is a standout from the Stellar® series bred by Dr. Elwin Orton at Rutgers University. This hybrid dogwood (PP7207, introduced 1990) combines the best of Cornus florida an

Plumeria pudica: The Everblooming, Evergreen Frangipani

Plumeria pudica—often called Everlasting Love or Bridal Bouquet—breaks the Plumeria mold. Unlike its deciduous cousins, this species is evergreen in warm climates and blooms nearly year-round with pure white, yellow-thro

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas): The Early-Blooming Edible Dogwood

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas) is a multi-season star: one of the first trees to bloom in late winter, covered in clusters of tiny yellow flowers on bare branches. By late summer, it bears bright red, olive-shaped

Black Olive Tree (Terminalia buceras): The Coastal 'Shady Lady' of the Tropics

Black Olive Tree (Terminalia buceras), also called Oxhorn Bucida or Shady Lady, is a staple of tropical coastal landscapes. Despite the name, its not a true olive—nor are its small fruits edible. But its dense, wind-resi

Chinese Juniper 'Torulosa' (Juniperus chinensis): The Twisted Hollywood Star

Chinese Juniper Torulosa (Juniperus chinensis Torulosa), also known as Hollywood Juniper, Kaizuka, or Twisted Juniper, is a sculptural evergreen famous for its dramatically twisted, upright branches and irregular, open h

Sour Cherry 'Montmorency' (Prunus cerasus): The Classic Pie Cherry

If youve eaten a cherry pie in North America, chances are it was made with Montmorency (Prunus cerasus Montmorency). This venerable cultivar is the gold standard for tart cherries—bright red, juicy, and perfectly balance

Queensland Bottle Tree (Brachychiton rupestris): The Iconic Swollen-Trunk Survivor

The Queensland Bottle Tree (Brachychiton rupestris), also known as Narrow-leaf Bottletree or Australian Bottle Tree, is one of Australias most recognizable trees. Its massive, bottle-shaped trunk stores water, allowing i

Colville's Glory (Colvillea racemosa): The Whip Tree's Orange Cascade

Colvilles Glory (Colvillea racemosa), also called Whip Tree, is a spectacular flowering tree from Madagascar that drapes itself in long, pendulous racemes of brilliant orange flowers. Named for Sir Charles Colville, form

Bull's-Horn Acacia (Acacia sphaerocephala): The Ant-Plant with Swollen Thorns

Bulls-Horn Acacia (Acacia sphaerocephala) is a fascinating myrmecophyte—an ant-plant that has evolved a mutualistic relationship with stinging ants. Its most striking feature: pairs of huge, inflated, hollow thorns at ea

American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana): Musclewood for Shade & Streamsides

The American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), also called Musclewood, Blue Beech, or Ironwood, is a graceful understory tree native to eastern North America. Its sinewy, muscle-like trunk and vibrant fall color make it a

Japanese Cedar 'Black Dragon' (Cryptomeria japonica): Dark, Dramatic, and Distinctive

Japanese Cedar Black Dragon (Cryptomeria japonica Black Dragon) is a striking dwarf conifer prized for its dense, irregular pyramid of exceptionally dark green—almost black—foliage. This cultivar adds year-round drama to

Chinese Redbud 'Don Egolf' (Cercis chinensis): Compact, Sterile, and Spectacular

Chinese Redbud Don Egolf (Cercis chinensis Don Egolf) is a breakthrough cultivar from the U.S. National Arboretum—named for the late horticulturist Dr. Don Egolf. This compact, seedless selection solves the messy pod pro