Wavyleaf Oak, courtesy Colorado Springs Utilities
We don’t want you to miss the opportunity to buy these exceptional trees, which are very hard to find, and when you can find them, they are in short supply.
Wavy Leaf Oak (Quercus x undulata)
These small, xeric, native oak trees are natural hybrids between native Gambel Oak and the less common evergreen Turbinella Oak.They were propagated from seed collected by the late, remarkable explorer of native plants, Alan Taylor in SE Colorado, NE New Mexico and the Oklahoma panhandle.
They look similar to Gambel Oak, but this collection exhibits many interesting variations in leaf size, shape and color. Some are very blue and holly-like. Any of them could make a beautiful specimen or bonsai. Like all oaks, they support birds and other wildlife. Usually upright, their height and width can be 15-20’ by 8-10’. They are Cold-hardy in Boulder and Denver.
“Gila Monster’, courtesy Scott Skogerboe
Gila Monster Oak (Quercus x gambelii)
This exceptional low-water New Mexico native tree is a selection of Gambel Oak from the Gila National Forest in New Mexico. What make is it special is that unlike other Gambel Oaks, it has a single trunk, doesn’t sucker, and makes a larger tree, up to 30-40’ tall with a spreading canopy 20-25’ wide. It is drought-tolerant and hardy down to -30 degrees Fahreheit. This selection is in the track to become a Plant Select introduction, but trees grow slowly, and it will take some time to build up stock You can get this tree NOW at Harlequin’s!
Chicago Hardy Fig
‘Chicago Hardy’ Fig Tree (Ficus carica) potentially 10-15′ high and wide
This is THE variety known for being productive and cold-hardy in the right spot in the ground, even in Zone 5. The right spot is in a hot, protected location in front of a south-facing foundation or the south face of large boulders that are partially buried. It can also be grown in a large pot and brought indoors for the winter. Chicago Hardy will die back to the ground every winter, but will come back and fruit on new wood. It is heat-loving and self-pollinating. The leaves are dramatic, and though the flowers are insignificant, the small fruits, which start off green and ripen to purple-brown, are delicious!
Shepherdia argentea “Silver Totem”
‘Silver Totem’ Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea)
8-10’ high x 3’ wide
This Plant Select introduction for 2023 keeps a wonderful, narrow columnar form, making it a very useful shrub for a side-yard, for screening or as an accent. As the name implies, the attractive narrow foliage is silvery. Silver Totem is a female selection of our native Silver Buffaloberry, and in the presence of a male plant will bear small, tasty, nutritious berries. Bloom occurs in late winter, and both sexes support honeybees and other early-season pollinators with either pollen or nectar. Plant in full or part sun and give it low to moderate water.