Twombly's retail yard and growing fields showcase a number of selections that are not readily available in the nursery trade. While we offer a number of unusual plants both in needled evergreens and deciduous selections, the following plants are especially difficult to locate–if not exclusive to our nursery. Please contact us for sizes, prices and seasonal availability.
Acer palmatum ‘Twombly Red Sentinel’
Originally found by Ken Twombly as a witches broom on a ‘Bloodgood’ maple, this Japanese Maple forms a slow growing, compact, small tree with deep burgundy foliage throughout the season. It has excellent spring and autumn red coloration and holds it’s leaves longer than any maple we’ve encountered. A superb plant for the smaller landscape, a specimen in the rock garden or combined with conifers–the original 30 year old specimen in our display beds is approximately 10’ high and 12’ wide. These are available only at Twombly Nursery in Monroe, CT and generally come in a 15" box at 4 to 6 feet high and are hardy to at least zone 5b.
Betula nana
This dwarf birch is a beauty with dainty leaves on a compact dwarf shrub to 3’ or so. First cultivated in 1789 this special plant is a hard one to find in commercial production. The rounded leaves are slightly toothed and it’s dark green leaves give it an air of royalty. We’ll have starter size plants of this birch in spring 2002. In the meantime, check out the specimen in our rock garden–it will delight the senses!
Gentiana scabra var. ‘Buergeri’
One foot arching stems bear clusters of intense blue tubular flowers in October and November. This selection is valuable for it’s late and extended bloom period in a color that is hard to find for late autumn. The flowers and color are considered better than straight G. scabra and have large flowers emerging from both the leaf axils and stem tips. This is a favorite of our visitors to our display gardens as we take our cuttings (seed strains don’t tend to be as blue) from a large clump in the Winter Garden. But since it is not available commercially we have a very limited supply and sell out within a few weeks of when we offer them beginning September 1st each year.
Picea pungens ‘Lemonade’
Think of this evergreen spruce as you would a flowering tree. It’s new growth is bright lemon yellow, then lime green and turning back to blue-green. Truly a multiseasonal evergreen, this tree makes a spectacular statement in the landscape each spring. It is categorized as a "large" conifer with growth of 12" or so per year and a 10 year height of 15’. Supplies are very limited as it is presently in field production and what we offer at this time are starter plants. A Twombly Nursery exclusive!
Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Burgundy’
A Twombly Nursery introduction from a chance seedling, E. ‘Burgundy’ has similar growth habits as the species but with burgundy flowers and deeper red stems. A real eye stopper in the autumn as the leaves are on fire with tones of yellows and reds! Enkianthus are one of Ken Twombly’s favorite plants, grow quickly into a tall shrub and are an excellent substitute for the invasive burning bush. We have plenty of full 3 gal. plants available for immediate planting. Z5.
Cornus mas ‘Variegata’
An exciting and rare cultivar, this Cornelian Cherry has leaf edges of creamy white that emerge after abundant yellow popcorn blossoms appear in early spring. We have a group of these beauties planted in our display garden for a stunning show. Abundant re fruit makes for a wonderful contrast with the variegated foliage in the fall. Give it some protection from the afternoon sun and you’ll have an unusual small tree for your home landscape. Z5.
Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Goldrush’
This is a spectacular new tree from Japan. A deciduous conifer, it has bright yellow needles that do not scorch in the heat of summer. It makes a fabulous look in a large landscape setting and is sure to be a conversation piece for years to come. Redwoods can grow rapidly and can reach 100’ in time. They tolerate a damp soil, and have a reddish brown and furrowed trunk for nice winter interest. Z5.
Be sure to stop by the nursery for a wide variety of 1 gal starter conifers from the newest breeding programs in the United States!
