(Dwarf Snapdragon)

Spring finds small, fairy-like, lavender flowers above the dwarf snapdragon's petite leaves that would make perfect seats for Thumbelina. A short-lived perennial that readily self-sows, it is a native of the lands around the Mediterranean Sea. Its leaves are rounded to perhaps heart-shaped, being dark green above and purple on the undersides. From mid-spring through summer, small branching stems rise above the foliage and are adorned with small, mauve to lavender blossoms that are cup or bell-shaped....

(Blue Eyes Dwarf Snapdragon, Dwarf Snapdragon)

Spring finds small, fairy-like, medium blue flowers above the Blue Eyes dwarf snapdragon's petite leaves. A short-lived perennial that readily self-sows its seeds, it is a native of the lands around the Mediterranean Sea. Its leaves are rounded to perhaps heart-shaped, being dark green above and purple on the undersides. From mid-spring through summer, small branching stems rise above the foliage and are adorned with small cup or bell-shaped flowers that are medium blue. They have white throats.

Grow...

(Dreamcatcher Dwarf Snapdragon, Dwarf Snapdragon)

This snapdragon selection, ‘Dreamcatcher,’ is a spring-flowering short-lived perennial. The parent species, native to Mediterranean lands, self-sows readily and so does ‘Dreamcatcher.’ A dwarf form, it makes a compact clump of upright stems with small leaves and small, medium-blue flowers. The leaves are rounded to perhaps heart-shaped, dark green above and purple below. From mid-spring through summer, small branching stems rise above the foliage and are adorned with the cup or bell-shaped, white-throated...

(Dwarf Snapdragon, Ivory Bells Dwarf Snapdragon)

Late spring and summer finds small, fairy-like, creamy white flowers above the Ivory Bells dwarf snapdragon's petite leaves. A short-lived perennial that readily self-sows its seeds, it is a native of the lands around the Mediterranean Sea. Its dark green leaves are rounded to perhaps heart-shaped. From mid-spring through summer, small branching stems rise above the foliage and are adorned with small cup or bell-shaped white flowers. They have white to yellow throats.

Grow 'Ivory Bells' in coarse,...

(Dwarf Snapdragon, Summer Skies Dwarf Snapdragon)

Small, fairy-like, deep powdery-blue flowers open above the petite leaves of this dwarf snapdragon, ‘Summer Skies.’ A short-lived perennial, it is descended from a species native of the lands around the Mediterranean Sea. It is a small, branching plant with leaves that are rounded to perhaps heart-shaped, dark green above and purple on the underside. From mid-spring through summer, small branching stems rise above the leaves and are adorned with small cup or bell-shaped flowers that are medium, azure...

(Lawson's Falsecypress, Port Orfordcedar)

Elegant, flattened, fan-like sprays of foliage clothe the drooping branches of this noble evergreen conifer from the far western United States. In the wild it forms a majestic conical tree with a massive buttressed trunk and thick shredding silver-brown to red-brown bark. In gardens it is mostly known by its numerous cultivars, which come in many shapes, sizes, and colors.

The tiny, scale-like, green to blue-green leaves clasp and overlap along flexuous branchlets, forming ferny growths. The...

(Lawson's Falsecypress)

Short flattened sprays of bright yellow foliage clothe this dwarf selection of a majestic evergreen conifer from the far western United States. The tiny, scale-like, golden-yellow to greenish-yellow leaves clasp and overlap along tightly bunched branchlets, forming upright sprays of foliage. Bruised leaves emit a pungent resinous odor. Globular when young, this cultivar eventually forms a conical head-high shrub.

Grow 'Lutea Nana' in full to partial sun and moist well-drained soil. It will fail...

(Hinoki Falsecypress)

A sacred tree in its native Japan, this coniferous evergreen forms a handsome broadly conical specimen with dark green scale-like leaves and flat fan-like branch tips. The foliage has white bands underneath. Leaves on young plants and some cultivars are small and needle-like. Large specimens have handsome reddish-brown bark that exfoliates in narrow strips. The small globular cones are green maturing to reddish brown. Many cultivars are available, including dwarf, prostrate, variegated, and gold-leaved...

(Arneson's Compact' Hinoki Falsecypress, Hinoki Falsecypress)

'Arneson's Compact' falsecypress is a slow-growing dwarf evergreen shrub native to Japan with a upright, oval habit. It is a dense plant with lots of softened blue-green needles.

Falsecypress should be situated in a full sun location in a moist and well-draining soil. Its smaller mature size, although slow to obtain, makes it perfect for foundation plantings or as a specimen in a mixed border, large rockery or cemetery. Protect it from cold, dry winter winds.

(Golden Hinoki Falsecypress, Hinoki Falsecypress)

One of many outstanding cultivars of this elegant Japanese conifer, 'Aurea' is a pyramidal evergreen tree grown for its handsome sprays of foliage which are golden-yellow when young. The leaf color is brightest in full sun.

Hinoki cypress is a slow grower, requiring little maintenance. It does best in neutral to slightly acidic, well-drained conditions, although it tolerates some alkalinity. This showy cultivar deserves center stage as a specimen plant.