Botanical name: Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’

The Weeping Alaskan Cedar tree is a graceful specimen evergreen tree with a flowy form. Weeping Alaskan Cedar likes lots of sunshine, though in areas where summer highs are often in the 90s, it appreciates some afternoon shade.  Growth is best when given regular water, but not so much that the ground remains soggy for hours.  Its roots are rather shallow, and this tree should be planted in a site that is sheltered from strong winds.  Snow, it can handle.  Alaskan Cedar was designed to shed precipitation of all sorts.  Snow can’t grab onto the waxy sprays of foliage, hanging in long branchlets straight down.

With its pyramidal form, straight trunk and graceful branches dressed in flattened sprays of aromatic foliage, the Alaskan weeping cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis “Pendula”) makes an eye-catching addition to the home landscape. These evergreens — also known as Nootka falsecypress and Xanthocyparis nootkatensis — belong to the Cupressaceae or cypress family and can live up to 3,500 years in the wild. For striking visual impact, plant this tree as a focal point in the garden, around water features, in a large container or train it as a bonsai.

Botanical name: Hydrangea paniculata ‘Tree Hydrangea’

What a breathtaking sight! In mid-summer this color-changing Hydrangea Tree is covered with masses of snow-white flowers. In late summer, the flowers turn a beautiful bluish-pink aging to a purplish pink. There is nothing quite like these trees to add elegance and structure to your garden. Planted in the ground or in containers, these traditional yet hard-to-find specimens provide balance, stature, and scale.

This is an excellent tree for specimen or ornamental planting. It is especially attractive grown in groups of three. The Hydrangea Tree is a lovely, fast-growing specimen tree up to 7-12′ tall. The blossoms grow in panicles up to 8 inches long. They appear on the branches as cream-colored flowers, but eventually mature to purple or deep pink. Tree hydrangeas produce a generous amount of flowers. Often, the tree’s spreading branches are dipped toward the ground with the weight of these blossoms.

Grow Tree Hydrangeas in full sun in order for them to flower best. The soil should be well-drained and enriched by organic matter. A soil pH that is slightly acidic is preferred. The species name, paniculata means “panicled” and refers to the shape that the bush’s flower heads assume. In fact, you will occasionally see the bushes referred to as “panicle hydrangeas.” A “panicle” is defined as a loose, diversely branching flower cluster. The cultivar name, too, is based on what the flowers look like: ‘Grandiflora’ means “large-flowered.”

Botanical name: Juniperus Procumbens Nana

Juniperus procumbens, commonly called Japanese garden juniper, is a dwarf, procumbent, shrubby ground cover that grows 8-18” (sometimes to 24”) tall and spreads over time by long trailing branches to form a dense mat 10-15’ wide. It is native to Japan. Branches spread parallel to and slightly above the ground. Growth is somewhat slow, typically taking 10 years to spread 10 feet. Spiny-pointed blue-green to gray-green needles (to 1/3” long) are primarily linear and appear in whorls of three.

A versatile, sprawling ground cover that tolerates hot, dry locations in full sun. Rock gardens. Foundations. Slopes. Mass plantings. Cascade over retaining walls. Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Adapts to a wide range of soils, but prefers a dryish, sandy soil. Tolerates hot, dry growing conditions, somewhat poor soils and many city air pollutants. Intolerant of wet soils.

‘Nana’ is a dwarf, less vigorous form that features spiny-pointed blue-green needles (to 1/3” long). It typically grows 8-12” tall and spreads to 6’ wide over time. Foliage may turn purplish in winter. A dense mound of ground-hugging branches that radiate from the center. Bright green new growth turns a handsome blue-green as it matures. Winter color has a purple tinge. A wonderful evergreen for a group planting on a rocky slope, or trained into an upright staked specimen. Foliage and form is superb when left unpruned.

Botanical name: Picea abies ‘Pendula’

This is an excellent specimen plant that is often incorporated into Asian gardens or featured in natural water gardens. Its uniquely trained form fits into very difficult spaces and makes an ideal focal point for courtyards and entry gardens with naturalistic landscaping. Most often planted with boulders and other rock accents or pagoda lights. Brings interest to snow-covered gardens.

Pendula’ is an unusual weeping cultivar of Norway spruce. It is an irregularly shaped evergreen whose form will vary considerably depending upon its early training. Unless staked and supported, it generally does not grow upward, but instead will mostly spread along the ground as a woody ground cover. It can be a very unique specimen in the landscape, particularly if located in a spot where its form can be best utilized. If staked and supported, it can grow generally upright into a 10-15’ tall tree.

Easily grown in average, acidic, evenly moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Performs well in rich sandy soils. Prefers cool summer climates, and often grows poorly south of USDA Zone 7. Established plants have some tolerance for dryish soils. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates mild drought. Apply general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.