When Tim was five years old his grandfather taught him the difference between a dandelion and a marigold and Tim has been a gardener ever since. He has a degree in Greenhouse Technologies and in Landscape Technologies from Century College. He’s worked on the grounds crew at Century College and at Gertens on the nursery lot for 14 years.
Note: Click on the links for pictures and much more information.
Recommendations:
Hydrangea: in total, Gertens grows 40 varieties of hydrangea. There are 3 types; arborescens, macrophylla and paniculata. Height and width varies with cultivar. The “cone shaped” hydrangea has long lasting flowers that generally start white or lime green in color and age to pink to red. Very low maintenance and critter resistant. Hydrangea arborescens 'Invincibelle' is a series (4 total) of 2-3’H x 2-3’ W size shrubs. These compact beauties are perfect for foundation planting and make a wonderful addition to any perennial garden. Somewhat shade tolerant but does require 4 hours of sun for best bloom.
Weigela: We carry 15 varieties. Tim’s favorite is 'My Monet' Weigela at 12”-18”H x 18”-2’W. This petite shrub has ivory and green variegated leaves and pink flower periodically throughout the summer. Requires no pruning. The ivory margins on the leaves turn red in the Fall. Good animal resistance.
Smokebush: The Latin name is Cotinus. ‘Winecraft Black’ is a compact size at 4-6’H x 4-6’W. The leaves start out purple and age to almost black. More like a small tree than a shrub, this easy to grow plant makes a wonderful focal point in the garden.
Berberis Thunbergii: More commonly called Barberry, we grow 18 varieties. Tim’s favorite is ‘Limoncello’ which grows 3-4’H x3-4’W. Bright yellow leaves with red margins add bright color to the landscape. Leave become bright orange in the Fall. This shrub is slow growing, so it requires very little pruning.
Spirea betulifolia 'Tor': also called Tor Birchleaf Spirea is Tim’s favorite spirea. It grows 2-3’H x 2-3’W and is great for those really tough spots as it will thrive in almost any soil condition. Masses of small white flowers cover this shrub in late Spring/early Summer. Can be used as a foundation plant or pruned to a small hedge. In the Fall the leaves turn yellow, orange, and red, providing a kaleidoscope of color.
Symphoricarpos x doorenbosii 'Kolmcan': Commonly called ‘Candy Coralberry’ is a petite shrub at 2-2.5’H x 2.5-3’W. Loads of pink berries adorn this spreading shrub all winter. Perfect for wet areas where erosion control is needed.
Syringa vulgaris: we grow 9 cultivars of the Common Lilac. Height and width varies with each one. One of the best hedge plants for Minnesota. And nothing says “Springtime” like the scent of lilacs! Colors vary from white to pink to purple and blue.
Aronia melanocarpa: More commonly known as Black Chokeberry, the height and width varies with cultivar. This is a resilient native shrub with persistent edible berries. Birds love the berries. The larger varieties can be pruned to look like a small tree. Red Fall color.
Physocarpus opulifolius: Also called Ninebark, Tim’s favorite among them is called ‘Angel’. Growing just 3’H x 3’W, this shrub grows best in mostly sun. It has improved disease resistance. New foliage emerges orange and develops to red in full sun. This shrub tolerates wet soils but is also drought resistant. Very good deer resistance. Hardy to zone 3a.
And a bonus from Tim:
Viburnum lantana 'Mohican' grows 6-8’H x 6-8’W. It is a slow growing native shrub. The white flowers attract butterflies and the bright red to orange berries are good for bird. Very deer resistant. Makes a wonderful hedge. Burgundy Fall color.
Top Ten Shrubs
When Tim was five years old his grandfather taught him the difference between a dandelion and a marigold and Tim has been a gardener ever since. He has a degree in Greenhouse Technologies and in Landscape Technologies from Century College. He’s worked on the grounds crew at Century College and at Gertens on the nursery lot for 14 years.
Note: Click on the links for pictures and much more information.
Recommendations:
Hydrangea: in total, Gertens grows 40 varieties of hydrangea. There are 3 types; arborescens, macrophylla and paniculata. Height and width varies with cultivar. The “cone shaped” hydrangea has long lasting flowers that generally start white or lime green in color and age to pink to red. Very low maintenance and critter resistant. Hydrangea Arborescens “Invincibelle” is a series (4 total) of 2-3’H x 2-3’ W size shrubs. These compact beauties are perfect for foundation planting and make a wonderful addition to any perennial garden. Somewhat shade tolerant but does require 4 hours of sun for best bloom.
Weigela: We carry 15 varieties. Tim’s favorite is My Monet Weigela at 12”-18”H x 18”-2’W. This petite shrub has ivory and green variegated leaves and pink flower periodically throughout the summer. Requires no pruning. The ivory margins on the leaves turn red in the Fall. Good animal resistance.
Smokebush: The Latin name is Cotinus. ‘Winecraft Black’ is a compact size at 4-6’H x 4-6’W. The leaves start out purple and age to almost black. More like a small tree than a shrub, this easy to grow plant makes a wonderful focal point in the garden.
Winecraft Black® Smokebush
Berberis Thunbergii: More commonly called Barberry, we grow 18 varieties. Tim’s favorite is ‘Limoncello’ which grows 3-4’H x3-4’W. Bright yellow leaves with red margins add bright color to the landscape. Leave become bright orange in the Fall. This shrub is slow growing, so it requires very little pruning.
Spirea Betulifolia “Tor”: also called Tor Birchleaf Spirea is Tim’s favorite spirea. It grows 2-3’H x 2-3’W and is great for those really tough spots as it will thrive in almost any soil condition. Masses of small white flowers cover this shrub in late Spring/early Summer. Can be used as a foundation plant or pruned to a small hedge. In the Fall the leaves turn yellow, orange, and red, providing a kaleidoscope of color.
Symphoricarpos x Doorenbosii “Kolmcan”: Commonly called ‘Candy Coralberry’ is a petite shrub at 2-2.5’H x 2.5-3’W. Loads of pink berries adorn this spreading shrub all winter. Perfect for wet areas where erosion control is needed.
Syringa Vulgaris: we grow 9 cultivars of the Common Lilac. Height and width varies with each one. One of the best hedge plants for Minnesota. And nothing says “Springtime” like the scent of lilacs! Colors vary from white to pink to purple and blue.
Aronia Melanocarpa: More commonly known as Black Chokeberry, the height and width varies with cultivar. This is a resilient native shrub with persistent edible berries. Birds love the berries. The larger varieties can be pruned to look like a small tree. Red Fall color.
Physocarpus Opulifolius: Also called Ninebark, Tim’s favorite among them is called ‘Little Angel’. Growing just 3’H x 3’W, this shrub grows best in mostly sun. It has improved disease resistance. New foliage emerges orange and develops to red in full sun. This shrub tolerates wet soils but is also drought resistant. Very good deer resistance. Hardy to zone 3a.
And a bonus from Tim:
Viburnum lantana “Mohican” grows 6-8’H x 6-8’W. It is a slow growing native shrub. The white flowers attract butterflies and the bright red to orange berries are good for bird. Very deer resistant. Makes a wonderful hedge. Burgundy Fall color.
