Pleasant Run Nursery Plant Library - (WHOLESALE ONLY)

Common Rush is a wonderful wet site plant, with deep green spaghetti-shaped leaves that stand stiffly upright.  The ivory-white flowers appearing in summer are not showy, but they make an interesting contrast to the unusual foliage, and their seeds produce food for many small birds.  Juncus effusus is an attractive upright element for ponds, rain gardens and swampy areas, especially since it is evergreen.

‘Sea Green’ Chinese Juniper has arching branches on a compact spreading form. The foliage is a somewhat dark green which darkens further in the winter. This is a good filler for big spaces, as it makes a nice consistent mass planting. Female form, so it often has silvery fruit.

Hollywood Juniper ('Kaizuka') is a classic conifer because of its unusual irregular branching combined with its dark green needles.  The open, sculpted shape makes this Juniper showy all year, whether planted as a screen of displayed as a specimen.  Hollywood Junipers are quite cold tolerant, so they are particularly effective in large containers on desks or patios.  We have heard from several customers that this is there 'go to' plant for seashore and urban roof top gardens since Hollywood Juniper handles salt and wind very well.  The common name of "Hollywood" is because this versatile evergreen seems to be planted everywhere in California.

Eastern Redcedar is a highly variable native conifer, and the selection we offer comes from a seed source that provides columnar, uniform plants.  The neat green evergreen foliage takes on attractive purplish hues in fall and winter.  Juniperus virginiana is dioecius, and female plants bear blue-green "berries" (actually covered cones) which can be extremely showy in winter.  Both wet site and salt tolerant, Eastern Redcedar is an extremely adaptable native, and an important food source for migrating birds.  The wood has long been values for its beautiful color and rot resistance.

'Grey Owl' was selected in 1938 for its unusual habit and foliage color.  This unusual form of Eastern Redcedar is a broad low shrub, bearing silver gray needles thickly on its horizontal branches.  A female form, it will often have little round "berries" (cones) when mature.  Juniperus virginiana 'Grey Owl' is an attractive addition the native conifer groundcover field, showing its rugged adaptability over many years.

PRN Preferred:  A native, low growing Eastern Redcedar.  Very adaptable.

'Taylor' Eastern Redcedar is a very narrow selection of Juniperus virginiana, found originally in Taylor, Nebraska.  'Taylor' has attractive silvery blue green needles and round berry-like cones which are an important food source for birds.  "Taylor' Eastern Redcedar is considered to be the most dry site tolerant of the Juniperus virginiana selections available.  It also has better than average resistance to Cedar Apple Rust.

'Blue Star' Japanese Aster has pale blue Aster-like flowers held above deep green foliage, blooming from June to fall. Kalimeris incisa 'Blue Star' is a deservedly popular perennial in Europe. The habit is neat and compact, and it never flags in hot weather.

PRN Preferred:  Blooms for a very long time, carefree compact plant.

'Carol' Mountain Laurel produces beautiful flower clumps in May and June.  The buds are red but the ballet shirt shaped flowers are pale pink to white when fully open.  The shiny green foliage is evergreen and somewhat leathery.  Kalmia 'Carol' is particularly showy when naturalized and planted in mass.  As Kalmias mature, they can become picturesquely open in habit, but if a tighter evergreen is desired, they can be pruned yearly, preferably soon after blooming.

'Carousel' Mountain Laurel blooms in May and June, with pink buds opening to white flowers accented by burgundy splotches and stripes.  The habit is upright and dense, making Kalmia 'Carousel' an excellent candidate for an evergreen natural looking hedge or screen.  Kalmia latifolia does well in acidic soils.  The evergreen foliage is attractive all year because of its lustrous dark green appearance. 

‘Pink Charm’ Mountain Laurel has vivid pink masses of flowers in May and June. The buds are dark red on the flower clumps, which open to the classic ballet skirt form New Englanders know and love. The foliage is evergreen and lustrous, making it attractive all year. Thrives best in well-drained acidic soil. Since Kalmia is a broadleaf evergreen, protection from winter winds is important.

'Raspberry Glow' Mountain Laurel comes from Dick Jaynes of Broken Arrow Nursery, and is a sibling of Kalmia 'Sarah'.  The buds are raspberry red, opening to a vivd deep pink in May and June.  The ballet skirt shaped flowers are borne in large clusters over deep green lustrous foliage.  Kalmia 'Raspberry Glow' tolerates a wide range of light conditions, and is one of the few broadleaf evergreens that is deer resistant.

‘Tiddlywinks’ Mountain Laurel produces dark pink clusters of flower buds in late spring. They open to soft pink “ballet skirt” flowers in early summer, displayed over lustrous evergreen leaves on a very compact plant. Kalmia latifolia ‘Tiddlywinks’ is considered a dwarf, but the flower clumps are normal sized, so they are particularly impressive on the small sized Mountain Laurel. Another beauty from Dick Jaynes of Broken Arrow Nursery in Connecticut.

The interesting thick-petaled yellow bell-like flowers of Kirengeshoma palmata appear on blackish stems in August and September, followed by weird three horned seed capsules (Dr. Alan Armitage calls them "Stephen King ... Fruit"). Slow to get established, Yellow Waxbells needs a moist woodland. Kirengeshoma comes from Japan, where it is considered highly endangered in the wild.

Enduring Summer™ ‘Red’ Crape Myrtle (‘P11LAGB5’) is a mid-sized Lagerstroemia with really showy blooms in late summer. The new growth emerges in shades of bronze in late spring, changing to green.  It is topped in late summer by large scarlet flower clusters. Lagerstroemia Enduring Summer™ ‘Red’ has impressed us with its vivid flower display and its clean disease resistant upright habit. Hybridized by Joshua Kardos and Dr. Michael Dirr.

Dynamite® ('Whit II') Crapemyrtle flowers are cherry red in July and August on an upright form with good lustrous green foliage. Lagerstroemia x Dynamite® is another Dr. Carl Whitcomb introduction.

'Natchez' Crapemyrtle has white flowers in July and August, spectacular mottled exfoliating bark in shades of tan and chocolate, and yellow-red fall color. From Dr. Egolf and the US National Arboretum, Lagerstroemia x 'Natchez' is truly a four season plant. Per Phil Normandy of Brookside Gardens in Maryland, all the fauriei crosses like Natchez rebloom reliably after their first summer display.

PRN Preferred:  Amazing bark color added to the excellent cold tolerance really make this Crapemyrtle a winner.

The red buds of Pink Velour™ ('Whit III') Crapemyrtle open mid-summer to dark pink flowers. The new foliage is a striking burgundy, changing to dark green. A great Dr.Carl Whitcomb introduction. Lagerstroemia x Pink Velour™ was formerly named 'Royal Velvet'.

Red Rocket® ('Whit IV') Crapermyrtle has bright red long blooming flowers on an upright small tree. An excellent introduction from Dr. Carl Whitcomb of Oklahoma.

'Tuscarora' Crapemyrtle has big coral-pink flowers blooming in July and August. A little more tender than the toughest of the Lagerstroemias, its flowers and open multi stem habit make it a show-stopper. Lagerstroemia x 'Tuscarora' is another winner from Dr. Don Egolf and the US National Arboretum.

‘Phenomenal’ Lavender ('Niko') is a sport of L. ‘Grosso’, displaying greater disease resistance, vigor and winter hardiness. It was found and introduced by Peace Tree Farms of Pennsylvania, and has shown excellent flower production and survival in commercial Lavender farms. The flowers are tall and fragrant, set off by clear silver foliage. Blooms appear in mid summer and last a long time, making an excellent cut flower. Excellent drainage helps survival.  Semi-evergreen.

PRN Preferred:  Proven to be the most hardy and reliable Lavender we have ever grown.  Great success in containers and in the landscape.

‘Sensational!’ Lavender is the next generation after Lavandula x ‘Phenomenal.’ It has even showier lavender purple flower spikes over heavier silvery foliage, with equal cold tolerance. If planted in good drainage, Lavandula ‘Sensational!’ should overwinter well, making a large clump the next year. A sport of ‘Phenomenal,’ from Peace Tree Farms of Pennsylvania.

Rose-purple pea-like flowers explode in August and September. 'Gibraltar' Bush Clover tolerates dry sites. Treat as cut-back shrub. Lespedeza thunbergii 'Gibraltar' was found by the great plantsman (and artist!) William Frederick, Jr. of Delaware.  In our experience, Gibraltar is indistinguishable from Lespedeza 'Spring Grove'.

'Snowcap' Shasta Daisy is a compact Leucanthemum which is covered with large bright white daisy flowers for an extended period in June and July.  The dark green foliage is attractive and disease free, making 'Snowcap' an excellent candidate for boarders or mass planting.  Deadheading spent flowers improves reblooming in Shasta Daisies.  Like L. 'Becky', 'Snowcap' is salt tolerant.

Coast Leucothoe is a lovely spring blooming broad leaf evergreen, with white flower racemes in April and May. Leucothoe axillaris's branching habit is an interesting zigzag. Prefers acid, moist soil.

The new growth of 'Rainbow' Doghobble is a striking blend of white, pink and green changing to cream and green as it matures, Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow' has white fragrant flowers in May. A selection by Girard Nursery in Ohio. Evergreen, turning plum colored in winter.

Rough Blazingstar blooms later than Liatris spicata, producing tall upright stalks with rose-purple disk florets spaced evenly along the stems.  The flower spikes emerge from basal tufts of long thin green leaves and bloom August and September.  Because the fluffy flowers appear at the same time rather than sequentially, Liatris aspera makes an excellent cut flower.  Hummingbirds and butterflies benefit from the late summer nectar production.

Dwarf Blazing Star is a lovely native plant with delicate strap-like foliage topped by magenta-purple flower spikes in August and September. The shiny green leaves have an almost grass-like appearance. Butterflies and insects love the late season flowers, which also make good short cut flowers. Liatris microcephala tolerates dry sites well, so it would be a good choice for green roofs.

The leathery narrow green leaves of Greybush Spicebush turn the most spectacular combination of orange, red and purple in fall. Leaves are held throughout the winter, turning a very attractive tan. Since it holds its leaves, Lindera angustifolia (formerly glauca var. salicifolia) is a good screening alternative for traditional evergreens. Shiny black small fruit appears in the fall. It is Landscape Architect Michael Van Valkenburgh's newest favorite all-season shrub.

PRN Preferred: Super shrub!  Attractive all four seasons.  In the fall, many customers have asked "What's that shrub that looks like it is on fire?!".  Truly, unbeatable fall color.

Lindera benzoin has delicate pale yellow flowers in early spring, a standout in leafless woodsy vistas. The leaves, twigs and fruit are all fantastically fragrant when bruised and in that way great for connecting people to nature  In the fall the lemon yellow foliage lights up the woods. Plants are dioecious and female plants produce shiny red fruit which is an important food source for migrating birds.  It is a host plant for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Spicebush Swallowtail.  Our native Spicebush is wet site tolerant and deciduous.

Extremely narrow form, 'Slender Silhouette' American Sweetgum was introduced by that superb plantsman Don Shadow. It has beautiful glossy green leaves and is wet site tolerant. Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette's fall color is yellow to burgundy. It makes an amazing upright element in the landscape.

PRN Preferred:  Amazing structure and trouble free foliage.

The lavender-blue flowers of 'Big Blue' Lily-turf appear in late summer. Liriope tolerates dry and difficult sites, and is an evergreen spreader. The flower spikes make good short cut flowers.

'Royal Purple' Lily-turf produces purple flower spikes in August and September, held above dark green strap-like foliage.  Liriope 'Royal Purple' makes a tough, neat groundcover, slowly spreading to make wide, weed repelling patches.  The flower spikes make attractive long lasting cut flowers, and the evergreen leaves are a consistent source of winter color.  In the fall, Liriope 'Royal Purple' produces black shiny berries on the spent flower spikes.

Lavender-blue flowers in late summer appear over cream and green striped foliage. Variegated Lily-turf tolerates dry sites and is a showy evergreen clump.  Can be used in a mass planting or as a single perennial specimen.

The scarlet flowers of Cardinal flower appear in August and September. Lobelia cardinalis is wet site loving and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.  Cardinal Flower seeds itself beautifully in wetlands.

'Black Truffle' Cardinal flower has leaves which are purple to black, especially in spring and early summer.  Lobelia cardinalis 'Black Truffle' produces 4' spikes of vivid red flowers from July to September, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators like mad.  This very showy native is an introduction by Peter Heus of West Virginia, and is being marketed by Plants Nouveau and North Creek's American Beauties Program.

Privet Honeysuckle is a beautiful glossy small evergreen groundcover shrub. Lonicera pileata often produces glowing amethyst fruits in late summer on older plants. An excellent choice for shady deer-dominated areas.

PRN Preferred:  Works much better than any Cotoneaster as a groundcover.  This evergreen works well in dry sites.

The coral-red flowers of 'Major Wheeler' Trumpet Honeysuckle bloom for a very long time from late spring through the summer when it is visited by hummingbirds. Lonicera sempervirens 'Major Wheeler' was found by Charles Wheeler of the NC Botanical Garden Foundation.

PRN Preferred:  Very showy red flowers and disease free foliage, blooms for a very long time.

Lance-leaved Loosestrife has burgundy to maroon delicate foliage appearing in spring. The small but plentiful yellow blossoms appear in early spring and continue throughout the summer, making an attractive crown to the dark foliage. Lysimachia lanceolata var. purpurea is a subtle but tough native ground cover, spreading by rhizomes in both full sun and light shade. The expanding patches of Lance-leaved Loosestrife function as weed suppressors.