Yes, pictures like this make us all long for uncovered houses filled with leafy green blooming plants. So now that the holidays are over, it's easier to look forward to the upcoming spring season. Here's a tiny sampling of some interesting material that is on order. The season will be here before you know it, but in the mean time - enjoy the quiet and read up.

Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Spirit' (Smokebush) We're all familiar with the purple-leaved form of smokebush, but here's an interesting cultivar with golden-lime leaves that turn beautiful shades of reds and oranges in fall. It will grow about 6-10' tall and as wide, but can easily be kept more compact. We can't wait to see this one.

Wisteria floribunda 'Black Dragon' Also known as 'Royal Purple', this old-fashioned vine has 12-14" long racemes of dark and light double purple flowers that bloom about the same time the new bronze leaves emerge. A new one for us this year with rich color. (Your homework: learn about Wisteria culture)

Populus tremuloides (Quaking Aspen) This fast growing, sought after tree will be something to see this spring. It's native range is extensive - Newfoundland to Alaska and south to California and Arizona which also means its tolerant of a wide range of temperatures. -57ºF to 105ºF!  The bark is smooth and light in color while young, becoming furrowed with age on a plant that will reach about 40'. Heart-shaped leaves have a long, flat petiole or stem that allows the leaves to "quake" in the wind, hence the name. They turn from green to bright yellow to yellow-orange in fall. Definitely an interesting tree to consider, so remember to take a look at them this spring.

Rudbeckia fulgida 'City Garden' (Black-eyed Susan) Put this on your list of Must Try for 2011. It's a smaller version of 'Goldsturm' that has masses of golden-yellow flowers on stiff hairy stems growing to about 12" tall. That makes this plant a great candidate for containers, smaller gardens or just to tuck into any border for that later summer/early fall color. I'd imagine that the seed heads are abundant and just what is needed to extend interest into late fall and winter.

Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's Root) Here's a graceful wildflower for your native plant list. Tall stems with whorled leaves end with long-blooming, wavy white spikes that flower early to mid-summer. They naturally occur in moist meadows and open woods. They'll grow about 5' tall so groups planted in the back of the border will make a beautiful show.

Quantities on some of these are limited so watch your 'Weekly Picks' for the most current information.