Expert guide

Simplicity in Theme and Follow Through

Design services for landscaping are much in demand today, as more home owners realize that they work hard in order to be able to spend more time in their own homes. Landscape Art design services offer simple ways to create unity in your landscape. While we realize that the front yard creates first impressions the back yard is the home owners place to escape and a theme which follows through both spaces consistently, leads to harmony.


Or a Multitude of Ideas

Expressing elements of design with balance and consistency means just what the word "balance" implies – a good sense of equality. But when it comes to the back yard, it is often much larger than front yard, so, different styles and ideas may be incorporated quite easily. For example Landscape Art would be able to include an entertainment area, a play area, contemplative area with water feature and even an edible garden. The ideas are quite limitless!

Because there are so many ideas to choose from and different ways to accomplish flow while including various ideas, it is always wise to choose a professional to establish at the very least the "grass roots" of the landscaping project. A large back yard should be a pleasure for the home owner and not a life sentence of hard labor.

Most lay people do not have the knowledge or skill that it takes for landscaping a back yard professionally, in particular for a large area. In a matter of days, professional landscaping services can turn a barren back yard into an enticing comfortable place which includes a safe playground area for children; close enough to keep an eye on them, while adults relax in their own space. Say for example in the Moroccan style; an entertainment area with a fire pit and cushioned seating on the floor, makes a very welcome and relaxing change to the normal-type deck seated entertainment style.

This could be further enhanced with potted palms or bamboo, to create an aura of seclusion, or even a gauze-draped gazebo with ambient lighting. While just around the corner, close to the kitchen entrance, an edible garden can be established with seedlings and the correct bedding and placement, virtually overnight.

Reduce Carbon Footprint and Recycle

The brilliance of a kitchen garden when you have the space is absolutely wonderful. The vegetables and herbs are fresh, this reduces carbon footprint and is good for your pockets as well as your health. Growing vegetables is brilliant as a project for the entire family to become involved with. In fact there is no need even for a garden in order to grow fresh herbs and vegetables, they can be successfully grown in large or smaller planters, recycled barrels or other large containers, and have been attractively and successfully grown using old car tires, which may also be painted, as containers and for bordering. Roof tiles, wine bottles and many other products may be attractively recycled in back yard landscaping ideas; say nothing of composting and other methods for sustainability.

Cunninghamia

Among the very few coniferous trees that can reproduce from stumps; the Cunninghamia are a very small family of trees native to China with only 2 species:

Cunninghamia konishii ( Konishi Fir )
A narrow-pyramidal, very large tree, reaching over 100 feet in height with the Some records include - 10 years - 20 x 13 feet; largest trees recorded being 170 x 60 feet with trunk diameters up to 10 feet.
The Konishi Fir can live up to 2000 years.
This tree is extremely endangered with extinction.
The leaves are in rows that spiral around the stem and are up to 2 x 0.5 inches in size. The foliage is less prickly than the more common Cunninghamia lanceolata making it easy to identify.
The cones develop at the stem tips and are brown, small and round opening widely upon ripening.
The bark is reddish-brown.
Hardy zones 8 to 11 ( with reports of 7 ); this tree should make an excellent landscape tree in the southeast U.S. as does Cunninghamia lanceolate listed below which prefers somewhat cooler climates.

Cunninghamia lanceolata ( China Fir )

Native to central and southern China, this fast beautiful evergreen conifer can grow very large. It can grow up to 3.5 feet with a trunk width increase of 1 inch in a single year. Other growth rates recorded include: 15 years - 40 feet, 25 years - 66 feet with trunk diam. of 15 inches. its eventual size can exceed 100 feet with the record being 200 x 50 feet with a trunk diameter up to 10 feet. The largest in Maryland so far has been 80 x 30 feet in Calvert County. In Pennsylvania; a 70 foot tree grows in Dauphin Co. and across the Atlantic in England the largest planted tree has already reached 102 feet in height. Hershey Gardens and Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania both have sizeable trees.
Its sharp tipped linear leaves grow to 3 inches long and are shiny dark green ( blue in the form Glauca )
The cones are borne on the branch tips and are up to 1.5 inches wide. They are sticky while still green.
The attractive peeling bark is reddish-brown.
It is hardy from zone 6 to 9 ( -20 F kills foliage and branches ). The China Fir is drought and very heat tolerant and has no pests or diseases. It grows best on deep, fertile, well-drained soil in sun or part shade. The China Fir is best pruned to a single leader when young. Can be reproduced from seed or cutting and is easy to transplant while small.

* photos taken on May 8 2010 @ McCrillis Gardens, Bethesda, MD









* photos taken on Mar 23 2011 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD




Chasons Gift
Fast growing and densely symmetrical pyramidal with deep green foliage.

Glauca
Powdery-blue foliage, otherwise similar.

* photos taken on Feb 2009 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.


* photos taken on 4th of July 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.







* photo taken on Aug 25 2011 @ Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College, PA


subsp unicanaliculata
Very large triangular leaves, up to 2.5 inches in length, are steel-blue.
Otherwise similar.

Custom Fire Table burning a 200K BTU Crossfire Burner

We here at Warming Trends take pride in our ability to build our customers exactly what they want. We receive custom templates from builders, architects, contractors, homeowners and businesses who are interested in having us build a custom fire pit exactly to their specifications. Where other companies say they cant, we say, "Wed be happy to!"

Custom Fire Table with a 200K BTU Crossfire Burner

Below are a just a few examples of ready to finish fire pit frames that we have custom built for our clients. For a more comprehensive look at what we have built, check out our custom fire pit frame page or our finished fire pits on our portfolio page.

Custom Eyeball Fire Pit.

Custom fire pit before adding concrete fiberboard.

Ready to finish 8 9" custom fire table.

Custom dual linear crossfire burner fire table.

13 custom offset fire table.

So if you are a landscape designer, architect, builder, architect, homeowner or business who is looking for custom fire pits, please visit us online or call today, 1-877-556-5255. We are here to serve you and help make your fire pit dreams a reality.

Small Backyard Designs

Muehlenbergia capillaris

A clump forming hardy perennial grass reaching up to 5 x 6 ( rarely over 4 ) feet.
Native to southeastern North America, it is endangered in the wild in Connecticutt, New Jersey and Maryland, and is extinct in the wild in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
The fine textured foliage is wire-like and blue-green to deep green.
The foliage clump is topped from mid August through October by pink cloud-like inflorescences up to 10 x 8 inches in size.. The flower inflorescences are exceptionally beautiful when backlit by the sun. Occasional deep irrigation during late summer will enhance autumn blooming.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in full sun on very well draineds soil. It is not eaten by deer. Extremely drought, heat, salt and poor soil tolerant. Mostly found on sandy and rocky soils in the wild and does not need much fertilizer. Pests and disease problems are very rare.
Great for urban garden and against white stucco walls.
Also a great plant for drought plagued parking lot islands.
Cut plants to ground during late winter to make room for fresh new growth.


* photo taken on October 17 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.




Regal Mist
Reaches up to 4 x 4 feet ( foliage up to 3 x 3 feet ), with spectacular dusky-pink, hazy flower panicles.
Hardy zones 6 to 10 in full sun on very well drained soil. It is extremely heat, drought as well as humidity tolerant, making it a great landscape plant for both the desert southwest and the southeastern U.S.

White Cloud
Reaches up to 4.5 feet, with deep green foliage and creamy-white, massed, cloud-like plumes throughout autumn. It is among the most beautiful of all ornamental grasses.
Tolerates as low as -5 F.

Muehlenbergia emersleyi El Toro ( Bullgrass ) A very attractive, clumping grass, reaching up to 3 x 3 feet. It forms a denser clump than Muhlenbergia rigens. The species is native to hilly oak woodlands from Arizona to Texas. The coarse foliage is blue-green. The leaves are wider than that of Muhlenbergia rigens. The showy flower spikes are fluffy and rose-purple, eventually fading to tan. Hardy zones 6 to 9 ( the species only hardy to zone 7 ) in full sun to partial shade on well drained soil. It is clay tolerant and very drought / heat tolerant. Soak weekly during summer during the first season, biweekly the following summer to establish new plants. Established plants can be soaked every 3 weeks. Deer resistant. Cut clumps back hard during early spring every other year to eliminate thatch.

Muehlenbergia lindheimeri ( Lindheimer Muhly Grass )
A perennial grass, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 4 ( rarely over 2.5 ) feet, that is native to the Edwards Plateau of Texas as well as northern Mexico.
The fountain-like foliage is blue-green. The foliage is deciduous and clumps are cut back hard during early spring.
The purplish, turning to silvery fountain-like plumes, up to 5 feet high, are borne during autumn.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in full sun. Very heat, drought, clay, salt, mediterranean climate and deer tolerant.

Muehlenbergia Pink Flamingo
A narrow, upright, vigorous hybrid, reaching up to 5 x 4 feet. It is a hybrid between Muehlenbergia rigens and the Gulf Coast Muhly Grass.
The very narrow foliage is blue-green.
The soft pink flower spikes are borne during early autumn.
Hardy zones 6 to 10 in full sun on very well drained soil. It is extremely heat, drought as well as humidity tolerant, making it a great landscape plant for both the desert southwest and the southeastern U.S.
Great for the confined urban garden and against white stucco walls.
Also a great plant for drought plagued parking lot islands.
Deer resistant.

Muehlenbergia reverchonii ( Autumn Embers Muhly Grass )
A perennial grass, reaching up to 3 x 2 feet, that is native from southwest Oklahoma to northern Texas.
The finely-textured foliage is mid-green.
The flowers appear in a very attractive pinkish-red, haze during autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun on very well drained soil including clay. It is extremely heat and drought tolerant, making it great for the inner city as well as suburban strip mall landscaping. Considering its native range, it is very tolerant of the heat + humidity combination found in the southeast. It is highly deer resistant.

Muehlenbergia rigens ( Deer Grass )
A very attractive ornamental grass, reaching up to 5 x 7 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, forms a dense, evergreen clump of gray-green foliage turning to buff-tan during winter. It is native from California to Texas; south into northern Mexico.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in full sun to partial shade on rich, well drained soil. Extremely adaptable and very drought tolerant. It is not prone to pests or disease.

Prunella grandiflora ( Self-Heal )
A low, mat-forming perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 4 feet.
It can be used for groundcover.
The leaves are up to 4 x 2 inches.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in sun or shade on well drained to moist soil.
Tolerates wet conditions.

Ive written pretty extensively in the past about why I dont like the term, landscaping, applied to the fields of design and landscape architecture.

Despite my often indignant writing, I understand that for the majority of the population, landscape architecture is not really something theyre familiar with and that many lack the vocabulary to discuss it. As it happens my default response when, landscaping, crops up in conversation is generally to smile my most patient, parish vicar smile and explain what the correct terms would be. You see, I actually think that using the correct terminology is helpful to all involved. Heres an example:

I was recently (but to protect the guilty, not that recently) asked by an architect to review a design and access statement that he had prepared for a new building, for landscaping content. Apparently it had not gone down that well with the local authority. In his summary of landscaping he described the area to north of his building as landscaped, the area around the building as to be landscaped and similarly, the area south of the building, also as to be landscaped. In actual fact, the area north was existing woodland, the area around the building was to be planted as gardens and the area south of the buildings was to be hard paved. Do you see the problem? This kind of sums up why using landscaping as a catch all for our work is such a problem, because it doesnt really explain what is actually being done.

So in a benevolent effort to spread the gospel of landscape architecture, I thought Id produce a brief glossary of landscape terms:

landscape - the stuff all around us from when we step out of our, houses, offices and generic buildings, and look around. A particularly handy term to use, when youre not referring to buildings.

soft landscape - the stuff that grow; trees, shrubs, grass and all things green.

hard landscape - the stuff in the landscape that isnt green; think surfacing, furniture and other man-made features.

existing vegetation - trees and shrubs that are already there. In fact theyre free - how cool is that?!?

landscaping - mowing the lawn, tarmac-ing and general maintenance done by men with pick-ups and overalls.

For more a more thorough, if rather USA-centric list of terms, see ASLAs Landscape Architecture Glossary:

http://www.asla.org/nonmembers/publicrelations/glossary.htm

If that left you felling a little overwhelmed, my advice is to just try to memorise the top two or three. Or maybe just the top one - landscape.

Imagine, and Im looking at you Mr Architect, how much time youll save over the course of your life by referring to landscape, as opposed to landscape-Ping!. Think of every Ping! as a second you wont spend with your children or designing your masterwork (perhaps future man will consider your sargasso blue, clad distribution shed in a similar light to the works of Palladio). And what is the carbon footprint of every superfluous Ping! Not only will you help to preserve the sanity of pedantic landscape architects, but youll also help to save the planet too!

These reclaimed wood pieces can sit just about anywhere.
Contact me for prices.

Roosevelt Elementary School Centennial Time Garden
Conceptual Design Process & Drawing April 2008
NE Olympia, Washington

Pontederia cordata

A rhizomatous perennial water plant, reaching up to 4 ( usually 2 ) feet in height, that is native to eastern North America.
The heart-shaped leaves, up to 10 x 6 inches, are glossy deep green.
The mid-blue ( with yellow eye ) flowers are borne on sturdy, stout spikes from early summer through mid autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade in permanent water from 0.5 to 12 inches deep.

* photos taken on Aug 1 2011 in Luzerne Co., PA

There are trends in landscaping, just like there are in anything other category. So here are some of the top trends in landscaping for 2012. From creative vegetable gardens, to mini gardens, to fire pits, to personalization, you are sure to find something here that fits not only your patio and garden space, but your creativity and budget. Here are five of our favorites.

Creative Vegetable Gardens

Instead of traditional gardens with straight lines, plant your gardens with curved, raised retaining walls to provide more of a contemporary and creative layout.

Mini Gardens

Create your own terrarium, or tropical garden. These can be placed on a patio, deck, or even inside your home and adds a colorful mini garden to the design. Learn more about how to build a terrarium here.

Fire Pits are IN!

Outdoor fireplaces are out. The expensive and cumbersome design of an anchored outdoor fireplace is now replaced by the coziness of a custom fire pit. The perfect way to extend the seasons and have a in the round gather place to entertain family and friends.

Personalize Your Patio

Invite your interior personal style to the outdoors. Include vintage shelving as planters, contoured lines and accents to match your interior. Re-purposed and recycled materials are a great resource to bring the indoors feel to your backyard living room.

Create An Eco-Friendly Wildlife Haven

The birds and the bees and the butterflies. What a fun way to help pollinate your garden while enjoying nature right in your backyard. Planting berries, succulent aromatic flowers and bird seed will help attract butterflies and birds to help control insects and provide a mini sanctuary for these creatures.

If you are in the market for a custom fire pit or outdoor landscape design ideas, please contact us online, or call today! 1-877-556-5255

For even more landscape trending ideas, visit here: Source: http://www.bhg.com/gardening/gardening-trends/top-garden-trends/

Kalmia

Hating waterlogged clay and lime; the Kalmias prefer and thrive on moist, light, slightly acid, WELL DRAINED soil in the cool, moist dappled shade under trees. They prefer the shade of coniferous trees such as Hemlock as full sun during winter can damage the foliage. Mulch lightly with leaf humus or shredded hardwood mulch to keep soil cool and moist. Mixing peat moss into the entire planting bed will improve establishment and growth. The fine roots on Kalmia may be unable to penetrate compacted soils or heavy clay. Fertilizing with Holly-tone during early spring, late spring, around July 1 and mid-autumn will also improve growth. During drought, it is recommended to water plants deeply once every week to 2 weeks, rather than frequently.
Little pruning is needed other than removing old flower heads to speed up and improve growth. Other pruning can be done during early spring if required. A well pruned plant will be more compact and dense than if left alone.
For reproducing; the seed should be collected immediately upon ripening in autumn and planted the following spring.
Layering is easy; you just set it down in the autumn then cut and separate the offspring a year later. Tip cuttings can be done in late summer but are difficult to root.
Transplanting should be done during autumn or spring before growth begins. The plant should be planted around 3 inches above grade sloping to base soil level at around 18 inches away with no turf / groundcover root competition within that area. Root growth on Kalmia is more vigorous during autumn. Never pick up a Kalmia by the stem as this can severely injure the root system. Always grab it by the container or below the roots.
The Kalmias are deer resistant! They should not be eaten by people either - they are not edible.
The species and some cultivars are prone to leaf spot while other cultivars are immune. Blight, scale, lacebug and borers may sometimes occur, however Kalmias are usually easy to grow if soil is acidic and well drained.

Kalmia angustifolia ( Sheep Laurel )
A dwarf, dense, bushy, mounding, upright shrub native to acidic bogs in northeast North America ( from Ontario to Labrador and Newfoundland, south to Michigan to Virginia & North Carolina ).
It is a slow growing, spreading dense bush to 3 feet or very rarely 6.5 x 6 feet. The Sheep Laurel is a very beautiful plant which should be utilized where adapted.
The oblong leaves, up to 3 ( rarely over 2 ) inches in length, are smooth, glossy deep green.
The rosy-red, saucer-shaped flowers, up to 0.5 inches across, are borne in dense clusters, up to 2 inches across, during early summer.
Pharmacology: entire plant is poisonous.
Hardy zones 1 to 7 in full sun to partial shade on sandy or peaty, acidic soil.
Propagation is from seed sown during autumn. Cultivars can be propagated from softwood cuttings taken during summer.

Candida
white flowers, otherwise identical.

subsp Carolina
Foliage is downy beneath and the flowers are deep red.

Purpurflora
Upright in habit, reaching up to 2.5 feet in height.
The linear leaves, up to 0.2 inches in length, are gray-green.
The flowers, up to 0.4 inches across, are deep purplish-red.

Rubra
Pink-red flowers with a long bloom period.

Stodge Meadow
Upright in habit, reaching up to 3 feet in height.
The very profuse flowers are reddish-pink.

Kalmia hirsuta ( Sandhill Laurel )
Also called K. ciliata. An attractive small, evergreen shrub, reaching up to 2 feet in height, that is native to pine woods, pine-savanna and sand dunes in the southeast U.S. ( from southern Alabama to southeastern South Carolina; south to central Florida ).
The alternately-arranged, ovate to elliptical leaves, up to 0.5 inches in length, are hairy and gray-green.
Hardy zones 8 to 9 in full sun on very well drained soil.

Kalmia latifolia ( Mountain Laurel, Calico Bush )
Native to oak & pine forests of eastern North America, especially to the Appalatian Mountains and the Northeast.
It is often a dense bushy rounded large shrub around 10 feet but on ideal sites can also grow into s small tree reaching up to 20 x 20 feet in 20 years. Rarely larger; the largest trees ever recorded reach up to 50 x 20 feet with a massive trunk diameter up to 4 feet. Long lived up to 100 years or more.
The elliptic evergreen foliage is up to 4 or rarely 6 x 3.5 inches in size and smooth dark green above & paler below.
The flowers, up to 1 inch across, are typically pink in terminal clusters, up to 6 inches across. They typically bloom for a 2 to 4 week period during late spring into early summer ( unless otherwise noted on cultivars below ).
Hardy zones 3 to 9 in partial shade, preferring fertile, light, sandy, acid soil. Pruning not recomended - plants regenerate very slowly when cut back.
Propagation is by seed in autumn and by softwood cuttings in summer. Layering in fall also works. Is also commonly planted in the British Isles.

* photos taken on May 22 in Ellicott City, MD




This massive beauty is growing behind the Asian Gardens at the U.S. National Arboretum in DC



* photos taken on May 8 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.


* photo taken on May 1 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.

* photos taken on June 7 2012 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Mar 7 2013 in Wheaton, MD


Big Boy
Compact and upright in habit, reaching up to 6 x 6 feet, with large foliage that resembles a Rhododendron. Some records include: 10 years - 6 x 5 feet.
The thick foliage is glossy deep green. The leaves are huge for a Kalmia.
The flowers are pale pink.
Hardy zones 4 to 8.

Bullseye
Rapid growing, dense, bushy and upright in habit, reaching a maximum size of 8 x 8 feet. Some records include: 10 years - 6 x 6 feet; fastest growth rate - 2 feet.
The wavy-edged leaves are bronze-red at first, turning to glossy deep green.
The deep purple flowers deep purple variegated with a white edge and center.
The flowers are borne on clusters, up to 4 inches across.
The stems are purplish-red.
Hardy zones 4 to 8. Very tolerant of hot humid summers.



Carol
Compact, dense and broad-spreading in habit, reaching an eventual size up to 8 x 8 feet. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 15 inches; 10 years - 5 x 5 feet.
The thick, wavy-edged, broad leaves are glossy deep green.
The bright red flowerbuds open to white flowers.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, resistant to leaf spot.

* photo taken on May 14 2012 in Howard Co., MD

Carousel
Fast growing, dense and bushy, reaching a maximum size of 8 x 8 feet.
Some records include: fastest growth rate - 14 inches; 10 years - 6 x 6 feet.
The foliage is glossy deep green.
The flowers are pink or red with white banding. They are borne in clusters up to 4 inches across.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, resistant to leaf spot.

* photo taken on May 14 2012 in Howard Co., MD

Elf
Slow growing, compact, and stiff branched; it reaches a maximum size of 6 x 6 feet.
Some records include: fastest growth rate - 15 inches; 10 years - 4 x 4 feet.
Young plants are upright, later becoming spreading.
This cultivar was developed by plant hybridizer Richard Jaynes.
The leaves are matte deep green rather than glossy.
The pure white flowers, up to 0.8 inches across, are pale pink in bud.
The stems are reddish.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, it unfortunately prone to leaf spot - do not wet the foliage unless absolutely necessary.


* photos taken on May 6 2010 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD


* photo taken on May 14 2012 in Columbia, MD

Firecracker
Compact in habit, reaching up to 4 x 4 feet in 10 years, eventually more.
This cultivar was developed by plant hybridizer Richard Jaynes.
The foliage is glossy deep green.
The flowers are deep red in bud, opening to pinkish-white during early summer.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, it is resistant to leafspot.

Freckles
Vigorous in habit, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 5 feet.
Some records include: 10 years - 3 x 4.5 feet.
The attractive foliage is glossy deep green.
White flowers with 10 bold deep purple spots arranged around the perimeter of the center. The flowers are pink in bud, they appear on the plants at a young age.
The shoots are reddish.
Hardy zones 4 to 8. Very shade tolerant and easy to grow.

Galaxy
Vigorous and upright in habit, it can reach an eventual size of 8 x 8 feet.
Some records include; 10 years - 4.5 x 3.5 feet.
The handsome foliage is glossy mid-green.
The deep red flowers are variegated with a white center and petal edges.
Hardy zones 4 to 7.

Hearts Desire
Dense and broad-spreading in habit, reaching up to 5 x 5 feet.
Some records include: 10 years - 4 x 4.5 feet.
The foliage is purplish-red at first, turning to very glossy deep green.
The abundant flowers are deep red and edged in white.
They are borne on dense, large trusses during late spring.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, resistant to leaf spot.

Hearts of Fire
Originating as a seedling of Ostebo Red, it is vigorous and upright in habit, reaching around 6 x 6 feet. Some records include: 10 years - 5 x 4.5 feet.
The foliage is glossy green.
The large flowers are red in bud, opening to deep pink with darker edges.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, resistant to leaf spot and easier to grow than many cultivars.

Kaleidoscope
Dense and upright to rounded, reaching up to 5 x 5 feet in 10 years, eventually more.
This cultivar was developed by plant hybridizer Richard Jaynes.
The foliage is glossy deep green.
The stunning flowers are very deep red and variegated with white petal edges.
They are deep red in bud.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

Keepsake
Dense and rounded in habit, reaching up to 6 x 6 feet in 10 years, eventually more.
This cultivar was developed by plant hybridizer Richard Jaynes.
The attractive, very glossy broad leaves are red-bronze at first, turning to very glossy deep blue-green with a red tinge.
The flowers are purplish-red in bud. They open to deep red with a narrow white edge.
It is similar to Kaleidoscope but the flowers are even deeper red contrasting with the white edge.
The new growth stems are bright pinkish-red.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, resistant to leaf spot.

Little Linda
Slow growing, compact, dense and rounded in habit, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 4 feet.
Some records include: fastest growth rate - 1 feet; 8 years - 2.5 x 2.5 feet; 10 years - 3 x 3 feet. It is denser than Elf in habit.
The small, ovate leaves are glossy to waxy deep green.
The red flower buds open to pinkish-white and fading to rich pink.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, resistant to leaf spot.





Minuet
Compact and dense in habit, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 5 feet.
Some records include: fastest growth rate - 1 foot; 10 years - 4 x 4 feet.
This cultivar was developed by plant hybridizer Richard Jaynes.
The glossy deep green leaves are narrow and small.
The flowers, up to 1 inch across, are pale pink to nearly white with red-brown banding. The flowers which are large for a dwarf, are pink in bud.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, resistant to leafspot.

* photo taken on May 14 2012 in Howard Co., MD
* photo taken on Nov 3 2013 in Columbia, MD


Nathan Hale
Compact, dense and rounded in habit, reaching a maximum size of 8 x 6 feet.
Some records include: 10 years - 4 x 4 feet. It is great for use in large containers on the urban patio if shaded.
The thick, large leaves are reddish at first, turning to very glossy deep green.
The flowers are red in bud, opening to pale pink.
The flowers are borne during early summer, later than other species.
The stems are purplish-red.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, it is resistant to leaf spot.

Nipmuck
Fast growing and upright in habit, it reaches up to 4.5 x 4 feet in 10 years, eventually more.
The foliage is glossy deep green.
The flowers are scarlet-red in bud, opening to soft pink or white.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

Olympic Fire
Vigorous, dense and upright in habit, it reaches up to 6 feet or more.
Some records include: growth rate - 6 inches, 10 years - 5 x 5 feet.
The thick, wavy-margined broad leaves are luxuriant glossy deep green.
The large flowers are bright red in bud. They open to bright pink during early summer.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, it is very resistant to leafspot.

* photos taken on Oct 27 2013 in Columbia, MD


Ostebo Red
Vigorous, dense, compact and sturdy in habit, it reaches a maximum size of 15 x 15 feet after many decades. Some records include: 10 years - 6 x 6 feet; fastest growth rate - 1 foot.
The twisted, wavy-edged leaves are luxuriant glossy mid-green.
The flowers are scarlet-red in bud opening to deep pink.
Tolerant of hot humid summers.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

Peppermint
Dense and rounded in habit, reaching an eventual size of 5 x 5 feet.
Some records include: 10 years - 4 3.5 feet.
The foliage is reddish-bronze at first, turning to glossy mid-green.
The flowers are white with red stripes radiating out from a red center.
The flowers are mid-pink in bud.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

* photos taken on May 14 2012 in Howard Co., MD

* photo taken on May 14 2012 in Howard Co., MD

Pink Charm
A moderate growing, open, rounded shrub, reaching up to 6 x 6 feet.
Some records include: 10 years - 3.5 x 3.5 feet.
The foliage is luxuriant deep green.
The flowers are red in bud, opening to deep pink.
This cultivar blooms at a very young age.
The stems are purplish-red.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

Pink Frost
Vigorous, upright and rounded, reaching up to 5 x 5 feet.
Some records include: 10 years - 3.5 x 3.5 feet.
The broad leaves are glossy deep green.
The flowers are pink in bud, opening to bright pink.
They are borne during late spring.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, it is resistant to leaf spot.
Cuttings are easy to root.

Pristine
Dense and compact in habit, it reaches an eventual size of 6 x 6 feet.
Some records include: fastest growth rate - 1.5 feet; 10 years - 3 x 3 feet.
The leaves are glossy deep green.
The flowers are pure white both in bud and after they open.
Hardy zones 5 to 8, originating in South Carolina, it is more heat and humidity tolerant than other varieties however attention is needed regarding moisture as it is less drought tolerant than some other species.

Raspberry Glow
Vigorous, dense, upright and rounded, it reaches up to 6 x 5 feet in 10 years, eventually more.
The attractive, twisted, wavy-edged leaves are luxuriant deep green.
The deep red flowerbuds open to deep reddish-pink flowers.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, it is resistant to leaf spot.

Red Bandit
Slow growing, dense, compact and upright in habit, it reaches up to 4 x 3 feet in 10 years, and as much as 10 feet in 25 years.
The elliptic leaves, up to 4 x 1.5 inches in size, are glossy deep green.
The showy flowers, up to 0.8 inches across, are deep pink with deep red banding.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

Sarah
Vigorous, dense and rounded in habit, it can reach up to 8 x 8 ( rarely over 5 ) feet in 10 years, eventually more.
The broad leaves are luxuriant glossy deep green.
The flowers are red in bud, opening to pinkish-red.
The flowers are borne over a long season.
The stems and leafstalks are purplish-red.
Hardy zones 4 to 8. Heat tolerant but is more prone to over fertilize and salt than many cultivars.

Silver Dollar
Dense and rounded in habit, reaching up to 3.5 x 3.5 feet in 10 years, eventually more.
The large, leathery leaves are deep green.
The large white flowers, up to 2 inches across, are pink in bud.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

Snowdrift
Compact and dense in habit, reaching up to 5 x 5 feet in 10 years, eventually to 6 x 5 feet or more.
This cultivar was developed by plant hybridizer Richard Jaynes.
The broad leaves are bright green at first, turning to glossy deep green. The foliage remains a good green color even in winter.
The flowers are pink in bud, opening to pure white during early summer.
Hardy zones 4 to 8.

Starburst
Spreading and mounding in habit, reaching up to 5 x 6 feet.
It was originally hybridized by Richard Jaynes.
The foliage is glossy deep green.
The abundant flowers are deep red banded.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

Tiddywinks
A slow growing, compact dwarf, reaching up to 3 x 3 feet in 10 years, eventually slightly more. This cultivar was developed by plant hybridizer Richard Jaynes.
The luxuriant glossy deep green leaves are about half the size of that on regular Kalmia latifolia. The leaves are usually resistant to leaf spot.
The pink flowerbuds open to bright pink flowers.
The flowers are large for such as small plant, they are also so abundant that the plant is barely visible.
The stems are reddish.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, it is shade tolerant and easy to grow.

Tinkerbell
A vigorous dense, compact dwarf, reaching up to 3 x 3.5 feet in 10 years, eventually more. It is similar to Tiddywinks but faster growing.
The small leaves are deep green.
The rich deep pink flowers persist over a long season.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, resistant to leafspot.

Willowcrest
Slow growing and compact, it reaches up to 3 x 3.5 feet in 10 years, eventually more.
The linear, willow-like leaves are mid-green. The leaves persist for 3 years.
The flowers are pink in bud, opening to pale pink.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, it is resistant to leaf spot.

Kalmia microphylla ( Western Bog Laurel )
A small evergreen shrub, reaching up to 2 feet in height, that is native to western North America from southern Alaska through British Columbia, Washington State and Oregon. This native of swamps and bogs, is a great plant for the bog or rock garden.
The oppositely-arranged, small, lance-shaped to narrow-elliptic leaves, up to 1.5 inches in length, are glossy deep green above, gray beneath.
The purplish-pink flowers are borne during spring.
Hardy zones 3 to 6 in full sun to partial shade on humus-rich, moist soil.

Kalmia polifolia ( Swamp Laurel )
A dwarf, evergreen shrub native to northeast North America from Alaska to Labrador, south to California, Michigan & New Jersey. Usually reaching around 2 feet, the largest on record is 3.5 x 3.5 feet.
The oppositely-arranged, thin, leathery leaves, up to 1.5 inches in length, are glossy, dark green above, silvery beneath.
The flowers are vivid pink-purple in large terminal clusters in early spring.
Native to bogs and swamps in the wild.
Hardy zones 2 to 7