We hope the new year got off to a great start and that everyone is surviving this mercurial winter weather.  It's the perfect time to peruse your favorite gardening magazines, books, catalogs, websites and blogs.  Call us at 815-338-7442 if you spot that unique tree or shrub that would make your garden even better.  We're always happy to check our inventory, and we can still special order some items for spring delivery. Get a bit of green relief from the  winter doldrums with some garden shows.  In February RFWP will have a booth at the Garden Expo in Madison WI, and we'll have a garden and a booth at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show in March. Hope to see you there!

 

Perk up the winter garden with stunning golden conifers.  Green during much of the year, some pines begin to take on a brighter hue during the fall. By the time winter snows arrive these pines truly stand out in the landscape. 

 

Pinus sylvestris 'Gold Coin'

 

Pinus sylvestris 'Gold Coin' is a pyramidal Scots pine that grows 5-6' every ten years. For something with a similar habit but softer needles, there is the eastern white pine cultivar Pinus strobus 'Winter Gold'.  For a dramatic windswept look with yellow winter interest, try Pinus virginiana 'Wate's Golden'. Only growing 2-3' every ten years, Pinus contorta 'Chief Joseph' is a rare dwarf Lodgepole pine with an upright pyramidal habit.