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Browse Plants

Narrowed By:Characteristics: Interesting Bark+ Seasonal Interest: Summer+ Moisture: Dry, Dry to Medium, Adaptable
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 listings   Sort By: Sort
Amelanchier alnifolia Amelanchier alnifolia
(Alder-leaved serviceberry, Saskatoon)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This multi-stemmed shrub or tree can reach almost 20 feet tall. At one time, it was used medicinally for many conditions. Its autumn color is bright red or yellow and its small, edible black fruits attract much wildlife.

no image available Arbutus unedo 'Elfin King'
(Strawberry tree)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This picturesque tree has rough, shredding, red-brown bark and glossy green leaves. It produces small white flowers followed by spherical, warty, reddish fruit.

Calocedrus decurrens Calocedrus decurrens
(California incense cedar)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This large, conical-shaped tree has dark green flattened sprays of evergreen scale-like leaves.

Cladrastis lutea Cladrastis lutea
(Yellowwood)
(3 user reviews)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Yellowwood is a vase-shaped spreading tree with dark green foliage that turns a delicate yellow or orange in the fall and smooth light gray bark. Breathtaking, pendulous, foot-long, wisteria-like clusters of fragrant white flowers appear in late spring and early summer, often in alternate years.

no image available Cornus alba
(Redtwig dogwood)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

These showy shrubs have two distinct phases of garden interest. In winter, they display boldly colorful bark—red, yellow, or orange—on twiggy stems to make a striking scene. In spring, the stems lose their vivid color and produce bright green, gold, or variegated foliage that accents the garden through the fall. Twig and leaf color vary according to the cultivar.

Cornus stolonifera Cornus stolonifera
(Red osier dogwood)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Red osier dogwood is a deciduous shrub with a rounded, spreading form. Opposite leaves with rounded bases are ovate to lance-shaped and dark green, turning a dull red, purple-red, or orange in autumn. Clusters of white flowers appear in late May to early June, followed by white to pale blue fruit. Green stems turn reddish or purple-red from late summer into early fall, becoming brighter in winter.

Heptacodium miconioides Heptacodium miconioides
(Seven-son flower)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

The tiered branches of this fast-growing species are covered with white blossoms for over a month, starting in late summer. The flowers fade to reveal fuchsia calyxes that persist well into autumn. The pale, peeling bark can be exposed by pruning the lower branches of the interior. Although the form of the species is variable (single or multi-stemmed), it can usually be pruned into an elegant vase-shaped specimen, or maintained as a shrub.

Lagerstroemia fauriei Lagerstroemia fauriei
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This is a fast-growing, upright deciduous tree with delicate white flowers in early summer. As it matures, it develops a spectacular patchwork of bark in shades of gray, maroon, and brown. Oblong dark green leaves turn red-orange in autumn. Cultivar 'Fantasy' is vigorous and hardier than the species, with exceptional bark.

Lagerstroemia indica Lagerstroemia indica
(Crape myrtle)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Crape myrtle is an upright deciduous tree or large shrub. Dark green leaves emerge bronze. White, pink, red, or purple flowers appear from summer to autumn. Peeling gray-and-brown bark is attractive. 

no image available Larix kaempferi
(Japanese larch)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Fissured and scaly bark bark is tinted rust-brown in winter. Purplish red winter shoots are covered in a waxy bloom. Gray-green or bluish green leaves grow to 1.5 inches long.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides Metasequoia glyptostroboides
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This deciduous, monoecious, coniferous tree grows to 100 feet tall. Its oddly shaped, branch-pitted trunk is often deeply fluted and "buttressed" and has orange-brown bark. Attractive, lacy foliage is bright green in early summer, turning golden bronze before falling in autumn. Female cones are light brown and ovoid, while male cones are rounder, pendent, and darker brown.

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward' Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward'
(Summer Wine ninebark)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Many gardeners know ninebark as an undistinguished shrub with ordinary green leaves, white flowers, and fall fruit. But 'Seward,' sold under the trademark name Summer WineTM, has outstanding burgundy leaves and pink flowers that bloom in early summer. This plant is super tough and makes a stunning focal point in a summer border.

Pinus densiflora 'Oculus Draconis' Pinus densiflora 'Oculus Draconis'
(Dragon's-eye Japanese red pine)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This pine's needles are marked with bands of yellow and green. The buttery yellow variegation on the 3- to 5-inch needles is present year-round, but intensifies as summer turns to fall and persists into winter. The scaly, fissured bark is lovely, ranging in color from gray to rich rusty orange. This is a graceful tree when mature, with an irregular branching habit and tilted trunk.

Vaccinium corymbosum Vaccinium corymbosum
(Highbush blueberry)
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Highbush blueberry provides four seasons of fanfare, starting with twisted, peeling stems in winter; profuse white or pink blossoms in spring; savory blue fruit in summer; and long-lasting foliage the color of a rich red wine in fall. The maroon to scarlet fall shades are effective for a solid month or more, as the leaves (especially in full sun) are reluctant to fall. The best fruit set occurs when you plant at least two cultivars that will bloom concurrently to ensure cross-pollination.


Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 listings   Sort By: Sort