ORNAMENTAL TREE PROGRAM
About the Program
The varieties in our ornamental tree program are selected to fill unique spaces and thrive in varied climates. Each tree has the qualities needed to be enjoyed, not just for a season, but as a long-term component of a landscape, forever home, or city infrastructure. We have trees for everywhere from the patio to the desert plains with habits that complement your space—not the other way around.
We partner with experienced tree producers to supply you with quality young plants in the forms you need, including bare root plants, budded rootstocks, and liners. Put down some roots with our tree program.
Our Tree Suppliers:
Cercis Bareroot
Chocolate Fountain® Albizia
Albizia julibrissin ‘NCAJ1’ PP 25,813
Chocolate Fountain® is the only weeping silk tree with purple foliage on the market. It is well adapted to smaller spaces or containers. The fern-like foliage and pendulous, weeping habit make this a unique variety. Delicate pink flowers form in the summer. This Albizia is tough, trouble-free, and drought-resistant in the landscape.
foliage: Dark purple flower: Pink
habit: Weeping, 15–20’ h x up to 15’ w zones: 6–10
Albizia ‘Summer Chocolate’
Albizia julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate’
‘Summer Chocolate’ is a beautiful deciduous tree with a lovely arching habit and umbrella canopy. The fern-like, compound foliage starts green and changes to a rich chocolate burgundy by summer. Fragrant, pink pincushion flowers appear in summer and contrast nicely against the vibrant foliage.
foliage: Rich chocolate burgundy flower: Pink
habit: Upright, 15–20’ h x 20’ w zones: 6b–10
PRESS AWARD & BRONZE MEDAL WINNER AT 2019 PLANTARIUM
Carolina Sweetheart® Cercis
Cercis canadensis ‘NCCC1’ PP 27,712
Carolina Sweetheart® has attractive, variegated foliage. Rich maroon leaves unfurl in early spring, eventually becoming green with white margins. It maintains the elegant, broad, heart-shaped leaves expected of redbud trees. Cercis is a genus native to Eastern North America. A result of the combined efforts of NCNLA and NC State University. Bronze medal winner in New Plants Competition at Plantarium Trade Show, August 2019.
foliage: Green, white and pink flower: Light pink habit: Small tree, 20–30’ h x 30’ w zones: 5–9
NEWfor2024
Gilded Hearts™ Cercis
Cercis canadensis var. texensis 'NC2014-10' PP 35,080
Glossy, golden heart-shaped leaves cover this small tree with vibrant color. Native to the Southwestern United States and Texas, its foliage does not fade, even in direct sun and high heat. Masses of pink flowers emerge in early spring, adding beautiful color and texture that will make your heart swell!
foliage: Yellow flower: Pink
habit: 15–20' h x 15–20' w zones: 6–9
Flame Thrower® Cercis
Cercis canadensis ‘NC2016-2’ PP 31,260
This highly impressive redbud boasts perfectly pink flowers and showstopping foliage that emerges burgundy-red and turns bright yellow and green as it ages. Stunning color display is persistent throughout the season, often showing four to five different shades on a single branch!
Developed by the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University.
foliage: Red, yellow, green flower: Pink
habit: Small tree, 15–20'h x 15'w zones: 5–9
NEWfor2024
2023 RETAILERS' CHOICE AWARD WINNER
Garden Gems®
Amethyst Cercis
Cercis canadensis 'NC2017-6' PP 35,279
Looking for the crowning jewel of your landscape? Try Garden Gems® Amethyst! This compact Cercis tree is an elegant focal point in small gardens and when potted on patios. Its size and burgundy foliage give a similar effect as a Japanese Maple, with the benefit of being native to North America. A spring flush of pink blooms will attract pollinators.
foliage: Burgundy
flower: Pink
habit: 8–10' h x 8–10' w zones: 5–9
NEWfor2024
Garden Gems® Emerald Cercis
Cercis canadensis 'NC2014-5' PP 35,079
2023 RETAILERS' CHOICE AWARD WINNER
Looking for the crowning jewel of your landscape? Try Garden Gems® Emerald! This compact Cercis tree is an elegant focal point in small gardens and when potted on patios. Its size and lush red-to-green foliage give a similar effect as a Japanese Maple, with the benefit of being native to North America. A spring flush of pink blooms will attract pollinators.
foliage: Green with red new growth flower: Pink
habit: 8–10' h x 8–10' w zones: 5–9
Golden Falls® Cercis
Cercis canadensis ‘NC2015-12’ PP 31,658
Golden Falls® offers a breakthrough foliage color for a weeping Cercis. In spring, new growth is tinged with orange, followed by bright gold leaves that hold up well in the sun and heat. The narrow, weeping architecture of this variety lends itself well to small garden spaces. Developed by the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University.
foliage: Golden yellow to lime green flower: Pink
habit: Weeping tree, 8–10’ h x 3–4’ w zones: 5–9
Cercis ‘Pink Pom Poms’
Cercis canadensis ‘Pink Pom Poms’ PP 27,630
Fully double, pink flower clusters emerge in the spring followed by large, heart-shaped green foliage. ‘Pink Pom Poms’ is a female, sterile variety that does not produce seed pods. Developed by the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University.
foliage: Green flower: Pink
habit: Medium tree,121/2’ h x 12’ w (at 8 years of age) zones: 5–9
Bonsai Blue™ Jacaranda
Jacaranda spp. mimosifolia Bonsai Blue 'Sakai01' PP 26,574
This truly dwarf plant blooms with vibrant purple flowers in late spring to early summer. Bonsai Blue™ is an ideal specimen tree with bright green, tropical, fern-like foliage that is perfect for the small garden or in a patio container.
foliage: Bright green flower: Purple
habit: 6–8' h x 5' w zones: 9–11
Lagerstroemia Enduring Lavender
Lagerstroemia indica ‘PIILAG B4’ PP 25,195
Enduring Lavender is an early blooming variety with color that continues through the summer. It is deer resistant and tolerant of both heat and drought. Excellent as a specimen plant or small accent tree.
foliage: Rich green, turns red in fall flower: Lavender
habit: Upright, bushy, 12–14’ h x 6–8’ w zones: 6b–10
Enduring Red™ Lagerstroemia
Lagerstroemia indica ‘PIILAG B4’ PP 25,195
Enduring Red™ is an early blooming variety with color that continues through the summer. It is deer resistant and tolerant of both heat and drought. Excellent as a specimen plant or small accent tree.
foliage: Rich green, turns red in fall flower: Red
habit: Upright, bushy, 12–14’ h x 6–8’ w zones: 6b–10
My Fair Myrtle® Lagerstroemia
Lagerstroemia indica 'Faifarlag' PP 33,481
Achieve reliable beauty with My Fair Myrtle® in the landscape. This selection of Lagerstroemia was chosen for its heavy flower set; clean, dark green foliage; and exceptional overwintering in Zone 6b. It vigorously re-flushes from dormancy into a dense, mounded habit and has shown good resistance to powdery mildew.
foliage: Dark green flower: Deep pink
habit: Mounded, 12–14’ h x 6–8’ w zones: 5–10
Amber Glow™ Metasequoia
Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘WAH-08AG’ PP 29,472
This Metasequoia is a deciduous conifer with bright golden foliage that emerges in the spring and becomes an outstanding amber color as the season progresses. Foliage does not burn even in full sun. Amber Glow™ has a dense, pyramidal habit that remains symmetrical and attractive at all stages of production.
foliage: Golden tinged with orange flower: None
habit: Compact, 30–35’ h (at 25 years of age) zones: 5–10
Purple Plunge® Prunus
Prunus cerasifera ‘NCPR-7’ PP 32,190
Purple Plunge® has a unique pendulous, branching habit, which gives it a graceful, weeping growth form. This small tree has large and fragrant blush pink flowers in its second year. This Prunus has not produced fruit in 10 years of observation. It is quick-growing and adaptable to a wide variety of environments. Developed by the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University.
foliage: Burgundy flower: Blush pink
habit: Small weeping tree, 7–10’ h x 3–4’ w zones: 5–9
Ruby Ruffle® Prunus
Prunus persica 'NC Peach-6' PP 34,261
Ruby Ruffle® Patio Peach gets its name from the ruffled appearance of its leaves and petals. A heavier bloomer than other varieties on the market, this tree flushes with semi-double dark pink flowers every spring and presents dark burgundy foliage that reliably retains its color.
The well-behaved habit of this small tree is ideal for small gardens and decorative containers.
foliage: Burgundy flower: Deep Pink
habit: 4–5’ h x 4–5’ w zones: 5–8
Emerald Squeeze™
Thuja occidentalis 'Lilshreckthu' PP 33,785
Everything you love about Thuja ‘Emerald Green’ in a smaller package. Mature at eight feet with a dense and tidy habit, this tree is an ideal selection for smaller gardens and hedges. With the same finishing time as its larger counterpart, you’ll gain flexibility without added hassle.
foliage: Green flower: None
habit: Compact, upright, 8 1/2 ’ h x 4’ w (at 20 years of age) zones: 4–8
Forever Goldy™
Thuja plicata ‘4EVER’ PP 19,267
Forever Goldy™ is an “ever golden” shrub that grows quickly into a stunning display of golden yellow foliage that does not shed. Its upright nature makes it a fantastic selection for the back of a border or for planting in a container on the patio.
foliage: Golden yellow flower: None
habit: Upright, 10–12’ h x 3–3 1/2 ’ w zones: 5a–8
Sugar and Spice™
Thuja plicata ‘De Rakt’ PP 19,926
This is a narrow-growing, upright Thuja variety ideal for accenting small spaces. Very finely textured, green to cream-green foliage presents on orange-brown stems. A heat-tolerant solution for mixed borders.
foliage: Green flower: None
habit: Upright, 10–12’ h x 3–3 1/2 ’ w zones: 5b–8
