Top Plant Picks: CSU Research
Use these columnar trees and shrubs in small spaces
C
olorado State University researchers continue to evaluate over 1,300 taxa of woody plants for adaptability, ornamental flowers, fruit, fall color and pest problems. Of recent interest, are woody plants with a columnar growth habit that can be planted in residential areas with limited space between homes. Eight such plants presented here are proven adaptable to Colorado conditions. |CG
Carpinus betulus ‘Frans Fontaine’ (Frans Fontaine Hornbeam)
Celtis occidentalis ‘JFSKSU1’ – Prairie Sentinel® Common Hackberry
Juniperus scopulorum ‘Woodward’ – Woodward Rocky Mountain Juniper
Malus ‘Adirondack’ – Adirondack Crabapple
Tips & Tricks: The current season’s growth curves inward toward the central leaders.
Tips & Tricks: Use this tree for narrow city streets in the toughest conditions.
Tips & Tricks: It is a good tall screening juniper and appears less prone to snow damage but could be in limited supply.
Tips & Tricks: The tree bears some light red to orange fruits about 3/8 inch, which don’t last long.
Zones 4
Zones 4
The narrow, columnar shape of this tree is maintained to maturity. It grows to about 20 to 30 feet in height with a width of 10 to 15 feet. Its dark green leaves turn yellow in the fall.
Zones 4-5 50
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This clone was discovered in rugged high plains of western Kansas. It has a tightly fastigiate columnar growth habit, maturing to about 45 feet in height and 12 feet in width. Medium green leaves turn yellow in the fall. It adapts very well to prairie heat, drought and cold.
Zones 4
This juniper was organically found in western Oklahoma and has a narrow/columnar growth habit with blue/green needles. A Plant Select® recommendation, the plant is well adapted to Colorado conditions. It appears to be a male since no fruit has been observed.
This clone is a United States National Arboretum introduction with excellent disease resistance. It has an unusual narrow vase shape/habit to about 18 feet tall and 10 feet wide. The red flower buds open to white single flowers, and its dark green leaves turn some yellow in the fall.
