Shrubs, Trees & Vines

Kousa Dogwood--a stunning front yard tree

When people think about gardens, they picture flowers but often forget that it's the trees and shrubs that offer the framework--the bones--of our gardens. These landscape plants are also the most costly plants, and they are often selected carelessly or with poor information.

At Lockwood's we believe that there is a shrub or tree suitable for almost every home landscape situation. If you describe the site--the sunlight or shade, the weather exposure, the soil--and the size that would be suitable, we can help you select the right plant. Your shrub will not outgrow the window, and your tree won't block the door.

How We Choose Plants for Our Tree and Shrub Department

Jake Voelker, CNLP* works on the shrub and tree inventory list every winter. He peruses the supply lists from growers in Ohio, New England and out west. He attends trade shows and courses and listens to what the industry experts have to say about the newest shrubs and trees. He is attentive to our customers needs and then makes choices among all that is available to feature at the garden center.

Some of Our Landscape Trees and Shrubs for Your Needs

Plants for Home Landscape Foundation Beds

We don't want you to have to cut back the shrubs to keep them under the window or from blocking the pathway to the door. We prefer to sell you a plant that will remain at the height you desire. We make a huge effort to choose evergreen shrubs (junipers, microbiota, dwarf white pines and false cypress/chamaecyparis) or colorful deciduous shrubs (Itea 'Little Henry', dwarf oakleaf hydrangeas or weigela 'Wine and Roses') that will remain under 3 to 4 feet or tall and narrow. Tell us your dimensions--we'll find you a shrub!

A Special Front Yard Tree

Not everyone wants a giant maple up front (and some villages are 80 percent maple trees!). We would rather sell you an unusual, adorable, smallish tree (under 20 or 25 feet) that will amaze the neighborhood and bring you enjoyment throughout all the seasons. Some of our unusual trees have amazing bark in winter, flowers in spring, fall color and maybe berries in summer. Some have gorgeous silhouettes. Just show us an enlarged picture of the front yard and tell us about the neighborhood and the site, and we'll find a special tree that you will love for the rest of your time in that home.

Some special trees at Lockwood's include:

Stewartia - a lovely small tree with Carmellia-like flowers, lovely shape and branching pattern, fall color and amazing bark as it matures.

Katsura - an elegant larger tree with heart-shaped leaves with changing colors all year, a cotton candy fragrance when they drop and a gorgeous shape and intriguing bark when it matures.

Chionanthus (Fringe tree) - with flowers like white fringe draping along the branches, it's cute, small and rarely seen.

Acer Griseum - A gorgeous, small maple that is the first choice of many a tree connoisseur. It has a shiny, cinnamon/wine colored bark that peels and attractive leaves with great fall color--just a classy tree.

We also have a carefully selected group of Japanese maples, flowering cherries, dogwoods, crabapples, redbuds and magnolias. Come in to talk about your site and your wishes.

Hydrangeas - The Whole Clan

Every nursery has a few hydrangeas; we have a whole section of the nursery devoted to them. Do you want a hydrangea that tolerates a lot of shade or one that stays just 2 or 3 feet tall? Do you want a hydrangea that reblooms throughout the summer in pink, blue or white? Maybe you would like something like that old 'Annabelle' that always flops to the ground--but one with a sturdier stem. We have them all. Just ask. There's a hydrangea for you. Large hydrangea groups include: Hydrangea macrophylla (large flowering), H. paniculata (panicle--with pointy, large flowers), H. quercifolia--oakleaf hydrangeas and repeat blooming 'Endless Summer, Blushing Bride, Twist 'n Shout' and many more, including dwarf-sized lacecaps. The problem you will have is choosing just a couple.

If your question of the year is, "Why didn't my hydrangea bloom?" see the explanation to the left from garden writer, Sally Cunningham.

A Hedge, Windbreak or Help with Blocking a View

Does the neighbor have a pool, playground, garage or garbage cans you'd rather not see? Would you like some privacy for the children or the deck or hot tub area? We can help you choose shrubs and trees to solve the problem (and we will not sell you fast-growing plants that become problems themselves later on, as many so-called hedge plants do). Another tip: consider a mixed hedge, with a variety of flowering and deciduous shrubs, some with fall color, and just a few evergreens. You'll save money that way, and minimize the risk of one pest or a bad winter wiping out a whole row of the same species. Diversity is smart and much more interesting!

Plants for Tough Spots

We put a great deal of effort into studying which plants can grow in really wet areas or dry and hot spots that rarely get watered, which plants are not appealing to deer and rabbits and which plants will tolerate deep shade. If your site analysis is realistic, we can guide you to the better choices.

Novelties and Unique Choices

Once in awhile there are plants that can't be grouped according to their uses. See the 'Twisty Baby' or 'Lacy Lady' Robinia (dwarf black locust), and you won't forget it...twisted limbs (for an amazing winter silhouette), and the lace-like leaves in spring, or the dangling, white fragrant flowers (the very last tree to produce leaves or flowers)--Wow!

Or try the tall twisty-limbed yellow-twigged willow, for year-round beauty (while it sucks up all the spare water in your swampy yard). It's a work of art--a tall beauty that needs some room--and the crooked branches are often coveted for home decorating.

Another choice: How about something tall and narrow (no more than 3 feet wide, ever), 8 feet tall, that's similar to an ornamental grass without all the trouble of cutting it down every year? If this suits your needs, then the 'Fine Line' buckthorn (Rhamnus) is for you.

For an appointment with one of our garden consultants to discuss your home landscape needs, call us at (716)649-4684.

CNLP* Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional