Ninebarks, native to eastern and central North America are remarkably durable. In Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs, Dr. Michael Dirr writes, “The species is adaptable to all conditions probably even nuclear attacks, and once established, requires a bulldozer for removal.” This statement accurately describes the large, easy to grow ninebarks. Read More

Eastern White Pine are one of those rare creatures that can stir emotions and images, history and legend; Hiawatha racing through the forest primeval, voyageurs lobbing (or lopping) off branches of a singular specimen to mark a portage. Read More

Tamarack, or Larix laricina (other native American names include Takmahak and Hackmatack), is native to a broad swath across the northern reaches of North America. Growing from Newfoundland, south to West Virginia, west to Minnesota, and extending to parts of central Alaska. Read More

Ostrya virginiana, also know as American Hophornbeam and Ironwood, are smaller deciduous trees in the birch family. Average heights can range from 25’ to 40’ but have been known to exceed 60’. Read More

Viburnum lentago, or nannyberry, is a large shrub or small tree native to much of Eastern US and Canada. Nannyberry can grow to over 20’ and can spread as wide as 10’ or more. Read More

Korean Maple, Acer pseudosieboldianum, also known as Purplebloom Maple, is native to Korea and adjacent areas of Manchuria. Bailey’s began growing this species several years ago and it has since proven itself to be hardy in most of zone 4 and a fine substitute for Japanese Maples in this climate. I have grown it in my mother’s yard in Cottage Grove, MN for over seven years, and it has had no winter injur. Read More

Corylus avellana contorta, Contorted Flibert or “Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick”, is a selection of European Filbert found growing out of a hedgerow in the 1860s at Frocester in southwest England. The main feature of this plant is, of course, it’s wildly twisted (contorted) stems. Read More

Native Americans called the nut Hetuck, or eye of the buck because of its resemblance to a deer’s eye. Aesculus glabra is native to a broad area of the Eastern US from Pennsylvania south to Alabama and west to Nebraska. In the wild it grows primarily on alluvial soils, but seems to be very adaptable to a range of conditions and is used widely throughout the upper Midwest and mountain states. Read More

Picture a landscape plant with beautiful lily of the valley style flowers in the spring; white tinged with pink. Add to this glossy green foliage that turns shades of red in the fall that would rival any shrub. And on top of this a shrub that bears an abundant crop of delicious, nutritious fruit in the summer. Read More

Asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables. Here is a nice pasta dish, maybe you'd like to try. Read More

Also known as American hornbeam, musclewood, iron wood, blue beach, water beach, and in Spanish, lechillo. Generally found as an understory tree in deep moist soils, though it is tolerant of a variety of soil conditions. Read More

Proven Winners Color Choice®, Encore® Azaleas, Endless Summer Collection®, First Editions®, The Knock Out® Family of Roses, Drift® Roses, and Southern Living® Plant Collection are joining forces in a new enterprise aimed at protecting their plant patents and branded programs.

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This summer Debbie Lonnee and Jonathan Pedersen from Bailey Nurseries will be showing you gardening tips and tricks to make your yard the talk of the neighborhood!

To view all our previous tips visit the Video Gardening Tips section or watch live every Thursday Night during the 9pm news on Twin Cities KSTC Channel 45.

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Emerald Ash Borer(EAB) has now been found at a site in Ramsey County, Minnesota. Subsequently both Hennepin and Ramsey (Minneapolis and St. Paul) Counties have quarantined the shipment of any live ash trees, ash firewood or ash products of any kind from those counties. Houston County had already been quarantined. There will be a delimiting survey done this week in one mile increments from the Ramsey County site to determine whether any further evidence can be discovered.

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When someone asks me for a recommendation for a flowering vine, the first plant that pops into my head is the clematis. This lovely vine is so versatile - it can be used to climb up a trellis or arbor, some species are more clump forming and can be left to become more of a 'bush' in the garden.

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An uncut gem of the landscape industry, Sorbus decora has a modest following of gardeners who have stumbled upon the many facets this plant has to offer. Even many of the books that discuss woody plants have little to say about this wonderful small tree. Perhaps this is because of unfamiliarity with it or because it is basically under used.

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Generally speaking, I like chartreuse or yellow foliage plants. Some folks think they look sick or need a shot of nitrogen, but in most cases, I think they brighten up the landscape and add a touch of color where a blooming plant won't give you the same effect.

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Fall is approaching, and I want you to think about flowering crabapples. What, am I crazy? Why would you think about crabs this time of year?

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Frankly, in the past, I did not care for ornamental grasses. I thought they were boring. But, slowly, I began to notice how they were used in the landscape and I looked closely at the flower and color. I challenged myself to fall for ornamental grasses. They are actually amazing plants that are easy to care for! Here are a few that swayed me.

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I just love mixing late summer blooming perennials with woody shrubs in the landscape at this time of year. The mix of textures, leaf and flower colors all add up to great combinations for your garden.

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Plain and simple, I love plants. Doesn't matter what kind - a woody shrub, perennial, annual, tropical - you name it, I collect it, grow it and even kill 'em along the way, trying to learn everything I can about 'em.

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Malus Red Jade packs a lot of seasonal interest into a small package. Its form is that of a weeper with a mature size of 12'x12'. It can occupy a place as a specimen or accent, a more refined niche in the landscape.

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August is all about panicle hydrangeas. These late summer flowering shrubs add a huge punch of color to the landscape. In recent years, breeders have really improved this species, and the best improvement is in reduced size. Bailey Nurseries has recently introduced two new compact Hydrangea paniculata, bred by Dr Michael Dirr.

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Here in the Twin Cities we are at our peak for fall color. Consumers generally think about large shade trees or shrubs when choosing plants with great autumn hues, but rarely consider a vine.

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A colorful plant in a tough site is often a difficult combination to fulfill. One plant that will add to the limited selections for this type of landscape situation is Prairie Radiance® Winterberry. Useful as a small tree, a hedge, backdrop or accent plant, this hardy variety of Euonymus really comes into its own in late summer and fall. The insignificant flowers in spring produce an abundant crop of half inch pink fruit capsules literally covering the plant in color.

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Spireas are commonly grown in the landscape because of their tolerance of less than ideal conditions, low maintenance qualities, colorful fall leaves, and petite flowers. Many would agree that these plants are frequently overused. However, Tor Birchleaf Spirea, Spiraea betuifolia 'Tor' is a delightful departure from the standard spirea with its birch-like foliage.

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I have a new favorite ornamental grass for autumn. It was bred by Dr Mary Meyer at the University of Minnesota, and is a little bluestem cultivar, called Blue Heaven™. It has this great upright habit - I remember Mary telling me on the phone 'think of it as a blue Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'.

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Green is a color, too, right?

I've been writing a lot about colorful new plants for the landscape, that has been the trend over the last years.

But, there is always a need for a good evergreen in the landscape. That brings me to Technito® Arborvitae.

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