(Fraser Fir)

Fraser fir is a fragrant evergreen tree native to the Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern United States, from Virginia down to Georgia. Native populations grow at both high and low elevations along the mountainside. They exist in nearly pure stands at high elevations but are mixed with other conifers and hard woods at mid to lower elevations. Young trees are dense and pyramidal, which is why they are favored as Christmas trees. In fact, Frasier is only rivaled in popularity by balsam fir. Mature...

(Manchurian Fir, Needle Fir)

Large in size but not as towering as many other firs grown, needle fir has rich green foliage that thickly whorls around its twigs. Becoming a tall, pyramid-like tree with spreading branches, it is native to Manchuria and Korea and extreme southeastern Siberia's (Russia). Its youngest twigs are yellow-gray in color while its smooth bark is a purplish gray to dark sandy brown that will crack into plates once the tree is very old.

The glossy medium to dark green needles are not prickly to the touch...

(Nikko Fir)

Densely foliaged branches with glossy dark green needles makes the Nikko fir one of the most stately of fir species, although quite difficult to locate in nurseries. A tall evergreen conifer (cone-bearing) tree from Japan, it attains a spire-like shape but also becomes more pyramidal with age.

The glossy dark green needles have two white bands on their undersides. Densely lining all branches, the needles are held both horizontally and vertically, although the latter are shed earlier. New twig...

(Korean Fir)

A smaller-sized fir, Korean fir has glossy dark green needles with silvery undersides and blue-violet tinted green cones. A slow growing conifer from the southern half of the Korean peninsula, this is considered one of the more heat-tolerant fir species. It is best in cooler regions, however.

The horizontal branches of this fir tree grow slowly, and are light brown at their tips. The tree becomes a broad pyramid in shape with considerable age. The needles are soft and dark gray-green with a silvery...

(Korean Fir)

A smaller-sized fir, Korean fir has glossy dark green needles with silvery undersides and blue-violet tinted green cones. A slow growing conifer from the southern half of the Korean peninsula, this is considered one of the more heat-tolerant fir species. It is best in cooler regions, however.

The horizontal branches of this fir tree grow slowly, and are light brown at their tips. The tree becomes a broad pyramid in shape with considerable age. The needles are soft and dark gray-green with a silvery...

(Korean Fir, Silver Korean Fir)

A smaller-sized fir, Silberlocke Korean fir has upright-facing, lightly twisting needles that show off their silvery undersides. A slow growing conifer from the southern half of the Korean peninsula, this is considered one of the more heat-tolerant fir species. It is best in cooler regions, however.

The horizontal branches of this fir tree grow slowly, and are light brown at their tips. The tree becomes a broad pyramid in shape with considerable age. The twisted needles are soft and dark gray-green...

(Chinese Lantern, Flowering Maple, Parlor Maple)

Abutilon, commonly called flowering maple, embodies approximately 150 species and many more cultivated varieties. These may be annuals, perennials or shrubs and naturally exist in sub-tropical to tropical regions globally. Many perennial species and shrubs are grown as a tender perennial for containers and annual flower beds. Common hybrid forms arise from crosses between the two parent species, Abutilon darwinii and Abutilon pictum.

While growing conditions are favorable abutilons...

(Chinese Lantern, Flowering Maple, Parlour Maple, White Flowering Maple)

The white-flowered Chinese lantern is a shrub that is commonly planted as a bedding or house plant. This vigorous hybrid arises from a cross between Abutilon darwinii and Abutilon pictum.

Chinese lantern is everblooming as long as growing conditions are favorable. This cultivar bears profuse small, pendulous, hibiscus-like flowers of white. The maple-like leaves are evergreen in frost-free climates.

Overall, Chinese lantern grows best in sites with full sun to partial shade...

(Chinese Lantern, Flowering Maple, Parlour Maple)

Flowering maple is an ever-blooming tender perennial or shrub that bears profuse small, showy, hibiscus-like flowers. The cultivar ‘Amsterdam’ is a vigorous selection with larger flowers of orange-red. Its maple-like leaves are evergreen to semi-evergreen, lightly fuzzy and green to gray-green.

It grows best in sites with part-sun and rich, well drained soil with even moisture. Use as a container plant or in mixed beds and borders.

(Bella Deep Coral Flowering Maple, Chinese Lantern, Flowering Maple)

The Bella hybrids are unusually compact, mounding tender shrubs that are most commonly grown as bedding plants. Tropical in origin, they are evergreen and ever-blooming in frost-free zones and have large maple-like green leaves.

Rather than the traditional downward facing Abutilon flowers, those in the Bella Series face outward giving them a showier, more exotic look. The hibiscus-like flowers come in a wide range of colors including apricot, red, peach, rose, white and yellow.

These...