Rosebay Rhododendron is a spectacular native to shaded, hillier spots in our area and differs from the large leaf Rhododendron that we are used to by its size, habit and time of bloom. ‘Independence’ is a more refined selection that takes on a big, rounded form with long, strap-like leaves and is slightly less open that the straight species. Its massive form is topped by big, dome-like buds at the top of each branch that open up to 6 weeks later than other large leaf Rhodies in late June forming massive globes of clear pink flowers that stay open and spectacular into the second week of July. ‘Independence’ is perfect for shady areas as a large specimen or grouped in wooded areas to form a massive, showy presence. ‘Independence’ is a big plant so give it space and know that native insects and landscape critters will thank you because they’ll love this plant as much as you.
Even without flowers you’d be intrigued by this selection with its distinctly dense, spreading form and its superb foliage, deep green and lustrous backed by reddish-brown indumentum. Add in impressively sized flower trusses with pale, purplish-pink flowers with a darker edge and you have a rhododendron package that will stand out anywhere. Since it is so dense and compact, it’s perfect for a smaller space and even a foundation area with a partially shaded exposure.
Everyone at Prides, from propagators to growers to sales staff is excited by this plant and for good reason! ‘Landmark’ makes an amazing impression in early May with an explosion of nearly red flowers that demands you to take notice. Think of this plant as “The red flowering PJM” and enjoy its pleasing mahogany-bronze foliage color in the winter along with its unforgettable bloom.
Dramatic merlot-red, ruffled blooms emerge on a neat, mounded plant in May. Deep red flowers against glossy, dark green foliage create a show-stopping explosion in your landscape. ‘Dark Lord’ is a conversation piece, not your average Rhody! This medium height, rounded evergreen is a favorite of bees and other pollinators!
Despite the continuing glut of new plants introduced every year, there are tons of tried and true plants that have graced our northern landscapes for hundreds of years that still stand out. ‘Roseum Elegans’ is one of those plants. It has been a dependable, very hardy, very floriferous presence forever and it still keeps pleasing with its tight, dense, rounded yet spreading habit that grows vigorously. Even after the toughest of winters, ‘Roseum Elegans’ will exhibit little damage to its masses of flower buds that swell in early May and open in mid May to huge trusses of big, lavender-pink blossoms that nearly cover this considerably sized plant. It’s a breathtaking display for a plant that loves partial sun and moist, well-drained soil. Give it room to grow and this plant will dependably thrill you each and every spring.
A great, eye-grabbing red flower on a very dependable plant adds up to this variety being extremely popular! Profuse mid-May bloom on this heat and cold tolerant selection and large, upright form make this a great landscape background plant.
Compact growing with great dark green foliage, this selection is easy to grow and a dependable, profuse bloomer with even an occasional fall bloom! Buds are pink, opening to white with a greenish yellow blotch in early May.
If you want to add a little excitement to your landscape, ‘Capistrano’ may be the plant you’re looking for. A dense, rounded form with lustrous, deep green foliage, serves as a backdrop for distinct yellow flower trusses that will easily be the best yellow seen on a Rhododendron in this part of the country. Great hardiness, great plant!
A very tolerant plant with intense purple-red foliage that shows stunningly throughout the summer. Small, single pink flowers line the branches before foliage flushes in late April and are very effective. Good plant for hedging, borders, or as an accent, it thrives in poor sandy soils.
Flowers are big, over 1″ in diameter and show beautifully against dark green, fine textured foliage during their summer-long bloom. Easy care and a real summer show stopper with loads of flowering staying power.
Brilliant red new growth in mid-May makes for a stunning landscape feature. Slightly more upright than spreading, this deer-resistant plant is a dependable late March to mid-April bloomer with typical white Pieris flowers.
You can’t help being intrigued by the outstanding landscape color this plant will provide throughout the season. Like most Pieris, ‘Flaming Silver’ blooms in late April with an abundance of white flowers borne on drooping stems at branch ends. The big difference is that this selection blooms against the backdrop of deep green leaves bordered by a distinct, creamy white border that gives the plant a silver sheen that is unmistakable. Even better, once flowering is done, new foliage emerges a fiery red color that puts most flowers to shame with its brilliance. Deer resistant and desirous of at least partial shade, this is a plant that you’re going to love!
If you are familiar with Pieris yak. ‘Prelude’ , you’re going to love this great selection! A true landscape gem, ‘Cavatine’ has the complete package! You’ll love it’s small, leathery, deep green foliage year round especially on such a beautiful, dense, dwarf rounded form. Better yet, ‘Cavatine’ seems to cram every bit of open space with flower buds producing a big, blustery show of white, bell-like flowers in late April that is simply unforgettable! Combine this with its preference for half-day shade and its deer resistant nature and you have a plant worth shouting about!!
Dense, compact habit. New growth foliage is yellowish green turning dark green and shiny. Purplish red buds open to white flowers in April. A cross between P. japonica and P. floribunda, retaining many desirable traits from both parents. Somewhat lace bug-resistant and hardier than all P. japonica cultivars. A local Connecticut introduction.
A compact, pyramidal spruce that is very slow-growing. It is widely used in the landscape because of its low maintenance, slow growth habit and rugged dependability.
‘Diabolo’ is a great plant but it does get a little large… how about a plant with the same great foliage and hardiness in a denser package? That’s what you get with ‘Summer Winer’, a plant that is striking with its deep, reddish-purple foliage while keeping a dense, rounded form that is perfect for most landscapes at about two thirds the size of ‘Diabolo’. ‘Summer Winer’ is a breeze to care for, loving full sun and tolerating poor soils and extreme cold with an added bonus of pure white flowers that contrast nicely with the dark foliage in late May and early June.
Amber Jubilee was selected for its striking foliage in glowing tones of orange, yellow and gold. Rounded and dense in habit, this shrub, with its bold array of colors, will stand out in your garden border or make for an eye-catching hedge. Delicate white blooms are produced in spring, and fall foliage is highlighted with tones of red and purple, making this ninebark appealing over the entire season. Plant in full sun for best performance.
There may not be a plant, native or otherwise, that has as many uses and ‘talents’ as Northern Bayberry. It has a long history in the eastern U.S. due to its scent and the use of its essential oil in soaps, candles, and other household products. It also has a long, storied landscape history and is a prime wildlife support plant. Northern Bayberry forms a wide, spreading presence in the landscape with deep green foliage densely held and very aromatic when crushed. It’s a very tolerant plant, surviving sun or partial shade, moist or dry soils, great conditions or seaside spray with ease, all while providing loads of cover for birds and supply of gray, waxy berries in the fall and winter that birds love. This plant is big, so give it ample space in the landscape… it may be a great plant for that rough area you have where you can let it grow, enjoy its lushness and watch the birds flock to your yard!
Russian Cypress is one of the hardiest plants you could ever grow tolerating temperatures down to -50 without batting an eye. Unfortunately, even with its outstanding cold hardiness, many strains of this incredibly tough groundcover tend to succumb to disease problems making them fade away in the landscape piece by piece in an ugly manner. Celtic Pride™ is the most disease resistant selections you will find allowing you far more success in the landscape. Celtic Pride™ is all about ease and success with its no prune form, its ability to perform in sun, partial sun or shade and its deep green summer color that can fill the roughest toughest, driest, most gnarly areas of the landscape with a carpet of green. In the winter its color transforms to a striking bronze shade making this easy care, drought tolerant, deer resistant beauty with the soft, feathery foliage texture one of the easiest plants you’ll ever grow.
Perfect for today’s smaller gardens, this spectacular Magnolia delights with a long spring-to-summer season of blooms, then frequently repeats in midsummer! Cold hardy, disease resistant, heat tolerant, and pest resistant.
