A significant change at K & K Gardens for the 2010 season, is the increased selections of both ornamental trees and shrubs. We've also increased the selection of small deciduous shade trees and fruit trees.

K & K Gardens now offer numerous varieties of roses, hydrangeas, vines, flowering and non-flowering shrubs, dwarf conifers, ornamental trees, shade trees, wind block selections, and many other unique and rare specimens.

Please view our tree and shrub lists.

Although we attempt to offer the most rare and unique selections in Northeast Iowa, we cannot however, guarantee availability throughout the season.

Popular selections will sell out early, and many will not be available until the following spring.

If you are looking for a specific tree, shrub, or other woody ornamental, please feel free to contact us.

Tree & Shrub List
Tree & Shrub Database

 

Flowering Almond: (Prunus glandulosa and trileba)

Full sun
Flowering shrub

Although prunus includes large fruiting trees, there are several species that are dwarf shrubs. They bloom in late April before the leaves open.  Pink Flowering Almond will do best.

 

Amur Maple: (Acer ginnala)

Full sun to part shade 

Hardy and rugged, this large hardy shrub is stunning in fall, turning brilliant yellow and red. It is a clump form shrub that does best in moist, well drained soils, but will tolerate dryness. 

‘Embers’ foliage is the brightest red in autumn. It can grow to 20 feet high and 20 to 25 feet wide, but prunes well.  Pruning also makes the shrub more dense. ‘Flame’ is the same size with clusters of seeds adding winter interest. Both ‘Embers’ and ‘Flame’ tolerate a wide range of conditions, and make an excellent screen when planted in masses.

 

Amelanchier (Serviceberry): (Amelanchier canadensis) 

Sun, part shade or shade

This spring blooming shrub has white flowers with a strong upright growth habit. The form lends itself well to pruning to tree form, or to form hedges or screens. Fall color is brilliant red. Reaches a height of 20 feet and 5-8 feet wide. 

White flower clusters appear in early spring, followed by dark fruits the birds, as well as humans love (the fruit is sweet and delicious). Fall color is produced, even in shade, from yellow, orange to red.

 

Azalea: (Rhododendron canescens)           Sun to part shade

Azalea (Rhododendron) is a shade loving flowering shrub easily grown in both shade and part sun. The spectacular blooming qualities and wide variety of this flowering shrub frequently places it in the garden bed to start the spring perennial show.  Azalea are shallow rooted and should not be planted too deep. They prefer a cool, moist organic soil and are not tolerant of dry periods, make sure they get enough water. 

Rhododendrons and Azalea grow best in moist well drained soil and do require acid. Acidic fertilizers made for rhododendrons will help, yellowing of the foliage is an indicator of low acid.  Azalea is generally hardy for zones 5-9. The ‘Lights’ series of Azaleas were developed at the University of Minnesota to withstand cold northern winters. Any of the ‘Lights’ series is cold hardy enough to plant with confidence up to zone 4, and have had great success in zone 3 with minimal damage.

Rhododendrons continue to grow well into autumn and are susceptible to early freeze damage. Water thoroughly until the ground freezes to allow the plant to properly acclimate to winter. Evergreen Azalea and Rhododendron are susceptible to dessication (drying out from winter winds and lack of moisture).

‘Golden Lights’ is mildew resistant with golden blooms in late spring. Clusters of 1 inch golden orange blooms cover the shrub in late spring.  The leaves turn bronze in the fall. Easily grown in sun or part shade, with greater mildew resistance than most azaleahybrids. ‘Golden Lights’ is another great selection. 

‘Mandarin Lights’ blooms in early spring and is full of flowers. 

Bright orange blooms are slightly ruffled and lightly fragrant. It is a large azalea, 6-8 feet tall and about 4 feet wide, with an upright and rounded growing habit. Foliage turns bronze in autumn. Grows well in full to part sun.  

 

‘Northern Hi-Lights’ is very fragrant, with creamy white flowers with a yellow upper petal.

It blooms in May to June. This azalea grows relatively slowly, reaching about 4 feet high and 5 feet wide. Foliage is somewhat mildew resistant. 

 

 

‘Orchid Lights’ is very cold hardy. This compact dwarf reaches only 2-3 feet high and wide. Orchid colored blooms are 1 1/2 “ across and are sterile, so no seed pods are produced. ‘Orchid Lights’ blooms two weeks before other ‘Lights’ azaleas, in early May. Grows well in sun to part shade. Hardy in zones 4-7.

 

‘Rosy Lights’ has very fragrant flowers. Blooms floriforously with deep rosy pink flowers. Blooms appear in May to early June. This is a large azalea that reaches up to 8 feet in ideal conditions, but generally will remain about 5 feet high and 5-6 feet wide. Grows well in sun to part shade. 

 

Barberry: (Barberis thunbergii) 

The Japanese Barberry is the most commonly known, and used, barberis. There are many varieties, but in general they prefer Full sun to part shade and are hardy in zones 4-8.  In shade, the purple cultivars will be more green. Japanese Barberry tolerates a wide range of soil conditions other than very wet and will tolerate dry windy areas. Because of their small compact growing habit they work well for foundation plantings, borders and specimen plants. The varieties that get a little larger work well for hedging and thorny barriers. Deer and rabbits will generally leave these thorny bushes alone, and a dense hedge may deter them from entering. Barberry transplants well.

‘Crimson Pygmy’ (Berberis thunbergii atropupurea ‘Crimson Pygmy’) Full sun to part shade. Is widely used in the north because of it’s compact, mounded shape and beautiful deep burgundy red foliage. It grows to only 2 feet high and 2-3 feet wide.  It works well in small spaces or tucked in around other plantings, adding a nice contrast to greenery. In shade the foliage is a lighter red to green. Small spring flowers are barely noticed, and fruit develops that remains through the winter. ‘Crimson Pygmy has small thorns.

 

‘Rosy Glow’ (Berberis thunbergii atropupurea ‘Rosy Glow’) Full sun to part shade. Hardy in zones 4-7 ‘Rosy Glow’ is similar to the ‘Crimson Pygmy’ but is a little larger barberry with brighter burgundy foliage and pink and rosy new growth, that develops burgundy. It grows to about 3-4 feet high and 2-3 feet wide. The bright foliage is excellent for a specimen plant, massing or as a low hedge. The compact growth is also great for foundation plantings where space is limited. In shade, foliage will be more green. ‘Rosy Glow’ is thorny.

 

‘Golden Nugget’ (Berberis thunberggii ‘Golden Nugget’)

Full sun to part shade Hardy in zones 4-7. This is a very small and compact Japanese Barberry that reaches only 12-15” and about 24” wide. The small golden leaves have orange highlights, and resist sun scorch and disease. Foliage turns orange in fall. In part shade to shade, ‘Gold Nugget’ is very drought resistant, and foliage may be more yellow-green. In full sun it needs more water. ‘Gold Nugget’ has many thorns to deter pets and deer. ‘Sunsation’, the larger version of ‘Gold Nugget’, grows to 3’ high and 4’ wide.

The brand new ‘Gold Beret’ is even smaller than the ‘Golden Nugget’, only 6-12” high and wide.

Hints of red can be seen in the new growth, foliage turns orange-red in fall. Full sun is best for this drought resistant, scorch resistant dwarf. Never needs pruning, and is excellent for very small spaces and containers.

 

   Boxwood: (Buxus)                               

Boxwood is a dense shrub with emerald waxy evergreen foliage. The Korean and the English Boxwoods have long been used for hedges, or sheared into a beautiful dense form. English Boxwood, or common boxwood, is the larger of the two, growing up to 15-20’.

Growth habit is dense and uniformly rounded, reaching about 3 feet. There are many varieties that are small and rounded, about 2-4’, making them excellent for hedging or foundation plants. Mulch to keep root systems moist and cool, and the evergreen foliage should be protected from drying winds in winter, causing winter burn and sun scald.  Water thoroughly until the ground freezes to allow the plant to properly acclimate to winter.

Most Boxwoods are only hardy to zone 5, so for the more northern gardens, look for the Boxwood Wintergreen, which does well in zone 4.  It is less prone to winter discoloration.

Korean Boxwood requires full sun to part shade and is hardy in zones 4-9. The foliage is a yellow green. It has a dense rounded form that reaches 2-4 feet high and 3-5 feet wide. ‘Green Velvet’ is also hardy in zones 4-9. Growth habit is low and rounded with dark green foliage year round, but not quite as large as 'Wintergreen’. Height is 2-3 feet and width about 3 feet. ‘Green Mountain’ is a wonderful conical shaped boxwood that is also hardy in zones 4-7. The shape is natural, but may require minor shearing to maintain a ‘perfect’ form. The small bright green leaves are evergreen. ‘Green Mountain’ grows quickly in its’ early years, eventually reaching about 4 feet high and 3 feet wide.

 

 

 

 

Boxwood are a pretty maintenance free deciduous evergreen unless you prefer to maintain perfect form by shearing. They require average water and grow fairly slowly. Both sandy and clay soils of average pH of slightly alkaline to acidic is acceptable. Select a site protected from winter winds to avoid winter burn and winter afternoon shaded to avoid sun scald. 

Burning Bush: (Euonymus alatus) Part to full sun, hardy in zones 4-8. A colorful hardy shrub.  It has deep emerald leaves that look rich and healthy all summer with little attention. Branches arch slightly giving the shrub a graceful look. The dwarf can get 4-6 feet tall but can be trimmed. When grown in full sun, the leaves turn blazing red in fall. The large form of the ‘Burning Bush’ reaches a height and spread of 10-15 feet, and will prune to a striking tree, especially in fall.

 

Bridalwreath: (Spiraea x vanhouttei)

Full sun, hardy in zones 4-8.  Flowering shrub. Another super hardy, large flowering shrub with distinct arching branches that makes an excellent specimen plant if you have the room. It grows 6-8 feet and spreads to 12 feet and is covered with white blooms in spring. Full sun produces the most flowers, but will grow well in some shade. Prune back up to one third every year after blooming for best blooming next year. Will adapt to most soils, but prefers well drained. The leaves turn plum-green in fall. Hardy to zone 4 with good results in zone 3.