Denny McKeown Radio Show


		Denny's Soapbox
	2010 NEW TREE INTRODUCTIONS This spring there are several new trees and shrubs both evergreen and leaf droppers being introduced for your ‘could be’ enjoyment this year. I say ‘could be’ because, as usual, the first year when new plants are introduced the supplies can be limited, therefore sometimes hard to find. This year’s new trees and shrubs are some of the best ever in terms of hardiness and color, both in foliage and in flower. Now, it is with great pleasure that I introduce the following new trees for 2010

	Taxodium distichum ‘Cascade Falls’: Cascade Falls Bald Cypress A bald cypress with strictly weeping limbs and bright green foliage that turns orange-brown in the fall and also has cinnamon color, exfoliating bark for winter interest. This plant can be staked to a certain height and then let it cascade down to form a unique accent plant or it can be used like a ground cover without staking such as flowing over rock walls. 8-12’ tall and 4-5’ wide; zone 4-10; full sun, widely adaptable to many site conditions.
	Taxodium distichum ‘Shawnee Brave’: Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress A beautiful, pyramidal tree that is denser than the species. Delicate, feathery green foliage turns orange-brown in the fall and the seed capsules are a dark purple that hang like ornaments in the fall. 50-70’ tall and 20-30’ wide; full sun; widely adaptable to many site conditions.
	Betula nigra ‘Shiloh Splash’: Shiloh Splash River Birch A pyramidal to oval tree with irregular ivory-white leaf margins and green center leaves are smaller than the species. Leaves turn yellow in the fall and exfoliating bark provides winter interest. 30’ Tall and 15’ wide; benefits from afternoon sun protection.
	Cornus kousa ‘Galzam’: Galilean Dogwood An upright, vase shaped tree that becomes more rounded with maturity. The foliage is large and hunter-green in color with abundant large creamy white flowers. Red fruits in late summer hang in clusters. 20’ tall and 20’ wide; sun to shade.
	Cornus kousa ‘Samzam’: Samaritan Dogwood A vigorous variegated Dogwood with cream and white variegated leaves and white flower bracts. Foliage changes to rose-burgundy in the fall. 25’ tall and 20’ wide; sun to shade; benefits from afternoon sun protection.
	Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wildfire’: Wildfire Black Gum New foliage emerges red to burgundy and turns a dark glossy green. Fall color is a spectacular array of yellow to orange to scarlet red to purple. The bark is almost alligator-like patterns and is dark gray to almost black. 30-50’ tall and 20-30’ wide; sun to light shade; Kentucky native; prefers moist soil.
	Prunus x ‘Pisnshzam’: Pink Snow Showers Weeping Cherry A gracefully weeping tree with masses of double, blushing pink toned flowers that cascade down the stems and hold for a long time. Lush green foliage follows flowers and turns a deep, burnt gold in the fall. 25’ tall and 20-25’ wide, full sun.
	Magnolia x ‘Galaxy’: Galaxy Magnolia An upright tree with a pyramidal or columnar shape; ideal as a street tree or where a vigorous narrow tree is needed in the landscape. Dark green foliage with flowers that are red-purple outside to light rose-purple inside appearing mid to late April and covering the tree. 20-30’ tall and 8-15’ wide; full sun; a National Arboretum selection.
	Cercis canadensis ‘Greswan’: Burgundy Hearts Redbud This new redbud selection has new growth that emerges as shimmering red-purple heart-shaped leaves. Showy pink-lavender flowers appear before the leaves in spring. Older shaded foliage may revert to green during the season but will maintain better color once established for one year. 20-25’ tall and 30-35’ wide; sun to part sun.

	Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Lace Lady’: Twisty Baby Black Locust Tight growing leaf clusters hang down like wisteria blooms on very twisty branches providing great interesting texture. Tolerates poor, dry soils and adapts to a wide range of soil and growing conditions. 12-15’ tall and 12-15’ wide; sun to part sun.
	Most if not all of these new tree varieties should be available at most year-round garden centers and nursery stores. These businesses are also stocked with lots of knowledgeable nursery persons. Check these trees out. And do it soon. Next week I will give you all the new shrubs being introduced this spring.

Denny's Soapbox