Green Archives - Halka Nurseries

A unique maple variety – long popular in Europe it is being used more frequently in the United States. Stays low – often used as a hedge, great choice under powerlines as reduced height avoids disfiguring utility pruning. Can be used anywhere in the residential landscape and is increasing used as a suburban and urban […]

It is native to Europe and western Asia, frequently being found on plains, hills and along rivers. This is an attractive tree or shrub for lawns or along streets.

A wonderful specimen tree. Exfoliating bark is rich brown to reddish brown, and as it gets older, turns to a cinnamon brown, which gives it seasonal interest. It adapts to a variety of soils, but prefers well drained. Because it likes full sun, it can be put in an open landscape. A one of a […]

Wonderful broad, rounded canopy, with a number of varieties within the family. This tree can be grown as a single or multi stem, with bark turning slightly grey as it ages. Leaf color depends on the variety. Tree likes dappled shade and moist, well drained soil. It is among one of the most popular specimen […]

One of the two classic weeping Japanese maples that have introduced thread leaf maples to millions of people. Less popular than the red leaf variety – the deeply cut, finely textured leaves have a light green color that changes little throughout the growing season. Slow growing, with a mounded shape that becomes more pronounced with […]

Fast-growing maple that reaches 45+ feet with nearly equal width. Norway maples tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and are tolerant of air pollution. Needs room to grow – not a good street tree but it is a great shade tree. Fall color starts later than most maples and is a bright, uniform yellow.

Upright and columnar – grows to 35+ feet tall with a width of only 15 feet. A good street tree and works well next to buildings. Tolerates a wide range of soils, resists air pollution and is drought tolerant.

Used extensively throughout Europe where it is particularly well known to tolerate salt – both soil and the wind driven sea salt common near the ocean. Tolerates exposed sites and a range of soil conditions. A great shade tree.

Vigorous fastigiate maple – tightly columnar in full sun, opens up a bit in light shade. Great street tree, does not like alkaline or persistently dry soils. Works well close to buildings. Fall color develops early.

This new introduction from J. Frank Schmidt Nursery in Oregon is a great densely branched Maple. It has less co-dominant leaders, but still a bright red fall color. With better resistance to spider mites, and it’s fast growing nature, it is a great tree.

Quick growing maple best known for its brilliant orange-red fall color, which comes early. Smaller leaves than many maples with glossy green tops and lighter green undersides.

Best known for its spectacular fall color, which is deep red to reddish orange. Color starts slightly late and provides a great end to the fall foliage season. Grows quickly to a nice rounded mature shape. Fall color is its calling card and worth the wait. Zone 4b.

With its silvery underside blowing in the wind, this deciduous tree makes for a very pretty landscape accent. It will get very large however, so may be more suitable for a lawn tree.

Large, fast-growing shade tree best planted where it has room to grow. Not an ideal street tree due to eventual size and surface roots, Shade tolerant when young so it can work it’s way up through a canopy of other trees. Excellent shade tree. Full palette of fall colors with colors often mixing together for […]

This fast growing tree has a rounded, upright canopy, with a beautiful yellow, orange, and red fall color. Leaf is dark green and glossy, and is a great shade tree choice.

This is a tight, columnar tree, with very dense branching. Great option for a tight space.

Similar to species in most respects but has a thicker, darker green leaf – often described as leathery, and has better heat and drought tolerance. Large, fast-growing shade tree best planted where it has room to grow. Not an ideal street tree due to eventual size and surface roots. Spectacular fall color starts at the […]

Dark, glossy leaves, that hold their orange color well into fall. Great drought resistant cultivar.

This tree has a very uniformed upright habit, with great heat resistance. Extraordinary yellow-orange fall color.

An upright tree, with a rounded canopy, and yellow-orange fall color. Great round form.

Huge vigorous tree that would be a great find for its shade qualities alone, but it’s flowers put it over the top. Erect conical clusters of double white blooms in spring are long-lived. Glossy textured leaves are striking. A uniquely beautiful tree.

Huge shade tree with erect clusters of yellow flowers in mid to late spring. Textured leaves are less prone to leaf spot and mildew than other Buckeyes. Grows quickly when young, slows down as it ages.

Features a particularly striking bloom. Upright clusters of dark pink flowers with a yellow throat. It is hard to believe that such exquisite flowers are produced by a tree, they seem more likely to be produced by an orchid. A large shade tree, that doubles as a magnificent ornamental tree when in bloom.

Multi-trunk tree is a fast grower to impressive heights. Relatively free of leaf miners and other diseases that plague so many birch varieties. Wonderful exfoliating bark in shades of orange, gray and lavender is a great ornamental feature. Works well as a single specimen, can be particularly striking in groups.

Dense foliage with heavily textured dark green leaves that have very distinct veins. Steel-gray bark is showy in winter. Tolerates a range of soil conditions and air pollution. Can be pruned into a hedge shape, trees in a line can be pruned into a hedgerow which is common in Europe.

Takes an already dense tree and tightens it up even further. Very thick, dense and perfectly symmetrical canopy is an ornamental feature on its own. Same great glossy textured leaves as the species. Works well close to buildings, and makes an excellent street tree.

An underappreciated tree. Makes a magnificent park or lawn specimen. Heart shaped leaves resemble redbud foliage. Great fall color comes early and autumn leaves can give off a brown sugary smell.

Compact weeping variety of the magnificent specimen tree. Fountain of pendulous branches. Heart shaped leaves resemble redbud foliage. Great fall color comes early and autumn leaves can give off a brown sugary smell.

Clusters of reddish-purple buds tightly hug the branches in spring and open to a beautiful rosey pink that persist for 3 weeks. Heart shaped leaves and loose branching pattern creates dappled shade underneath. Grows quickly. Bark becomes more interesting with age.

Fewer branches and more dramatic weeping effect differentiate Pendula from the species. Mature plant is considerably smaller than species allowing it to be planted closer to buildings, walkways, etc..

Best known for striking display of pure white flowers in early summer. Individual flower petals are almost fringe-like, but are so numerous that tree appears to be absolutely covered in them. Great medium size tree that is slow growing and tolerates a half (1/2) day of shade.

Pendulous, fragrant flowers remind many of wisteria blooms. The arching, rounded habit reminds some of the head of elm trees. Smooth gray bark is similar to American Beech. In other words this tree shares many of the best attributes of a range of other trees.

The classic flowering dogwood. Still a reliable sign that spring is in full bloom when the white flowers of dogwood are on display. Equal spread and height. Loves half (1/2) day of shade, although best flowers are in full sun. Interesting bark, fruit and great fall color.

Much like the species in all respects except for the flower which is anywhere from a medium pink to a dark pink/red. Vibrant fall foliage is reddish purple.

Typically blooms 3 to 4 weeks after Cornus Florida. Striking white flowers are prolific, and can last well over a month. Exfoliating bark, especially with age, red to reddish-purple fall color, and better drought resistance than Cornus Florida.

Best known for subtle yellow flowers in very early spring, often one of the first plants to bloom. Flowers are prolific but rather small so they stand out best against a darker colored backdrop. Tolerates partial shade and a wide range of soils. Very cold tolerant.

Another Hawthorne with multi-season interest. White flowers in spring, glossy green foliage through summer, great fall colors, persistent red fruits and exfoliating bark in winter. Very adaptable to a range of soil types, and very air pollution tolerant. Makes a great urban tree.

Quick growing, tends to hold its tight pyramidal shape slightly better than many Cryptomeria. Blue green foliage becomes slightly bronze green in winter. Cryptomerias rarely go unnoticed in the landscape due to their combination of form, texture and color.

Native to the eastern U.S., and very long-lived in the landscape. Plants can easily be over 100 years old. Ultimately the tree can be wider than it is tall with fantastic twisting branches, some of which hug the ground. A specimen beech is something to marvel at.

Deeply cut leaves are unlike any other beech and give the tree a willowy appearance. Many gardeners are surprised this tree is a beech because leaves are so different from the species, but silvery-gray trunk is a dead giveaway. Graceful and majestic.

Very tight columnar form through middle age, somewhat looser at maturity. All the wonderful attributes of the species are retained – beautiful glossy textured leaves, wonderful silvery-gray bark, golden brown fall color.

Relatively slow growing tree forms symmetrical upright branches over time – making it a great shade tree. More compact and uniform than some other varieties. Aptly named for its brilliant golden yellow fall foliage. Extremely hardy. The fruits dropped from female trees have a distinctly bad odor, an issue that is eliminated by the use […]

This durable, and easy transplanting tree is very adaptable. It likes moist soil, although can take a range of soils. It is most known for its incredible bright yellow/gold fall color. Very disease resistant. It is a very slow growing tree but will outlive many species. It is an incredible focal point in the landscape. […]

A Halka introduction that is rapidly becoming one of the favorite Honeylocust cultivars because of its vigorous growth, heavy caliper and symmetrical, full crown. A great street, park and campus tree. Very tolerant of a wide variety of soil conditions. Bright yellow fall color.

A little known tree even though it is native to nearly a third of the country. Moderately fast growing with upright arching branches and large leaves. New leaves have a pink to purplish tint and change to dark green. As the tree matures the first branches can be 10 to 15 feet up the trunk, […]

Best known for the white, bell-shaped flowers in mid-spring. Flowers produce interesting fruit pods that change from green to tan and add interest through summer and fall. A wonderful tree for naturalized plantings, also a good patio tree. Tolerates shade, other plants grow well underneath.

Flowers in late winter (February or March). Flowers range from yellow to orange and red-orange. Dark green leaves are interesting for their prominent veins, and irregular shape. Tolerates an incredible range of soils. Good for naturalizing, informal hedges, single specimen.

Broad pyramidal holly. Not as tightly branched as San Jose, therefore makes a better screening or hedge plant. Lustrous dark green glossy leaves, berries are red and prolific. Vigorous plant that has been quite popular for a number of years.

Slow growing holly that is densely pyramidal at youth, but opens up a bit as it matures. Cold hardy but should be protected from strong winter winds. Tolerant of air pollution and air-borne salt. Bright red berries.

Not a cedar, this is a dense, moderately slow growing juniper that maintains an overall pyramidal form. A very tough plant, tolerates a wide range of soils and endures the extremes of drought, heat and cold. Most ornamental feature has to be the numerous silver blue berries that contrast nicely with the lighter green needles. […]

Mid-summer pendulous clusters of showy yellow flowers give way to very ornamental seed pods that resemble chinese lanterns – very showy. Yellow flowers are nicely highlighted against green foliage. A good urban tree, very adaptable.

This upright Crape Myrtle will stay squattier, but is a spectacular specimen plant for your landscape, with its striking flower color and peeling bark, giving it interest all year round.

This vibrant pink flowering plant can withstand cold temperatures, however, not as tough as Natchez. It has beautiful multi colored peeling bark, and blooms that will stay through the heat of the summer.

This white flowering Crape Myrtle is among the hardiest in our region, withstanding more cool weather than other varieties. With its large blooms and cinnamon brown exfoliating bark, this makes for an outstanding specimen tree for your landscape.

A good lawn, park or campus tree. Perhaps best known for 5-lobed glossy green leaves which can turn a dramatic range of colors in fall. Autumn colors range from yellow to red to purple and often have an almost bronze appearance. Spiky fruit capsules are unique.

A strikingly large tree at maturity, oldest specimens have been well over 100 feet tall. Grows very rapidly when young. Needs room to grow – probably best as a lawn or park tree. Has been described as aristocratic because large trees are striking and dramatic. Known for bright yellow fall color.

Large primrose-yellow flowers are quite striking. Mid-spring bloom typically avoids frost damage. Moderate grower has a distinctly pyramidal shape. Dark green leaves. Yellow-flowering Magnolias are a site to behold and this is no exception.

A mainstay of southern gardens, cold hardy varieties have made their way up north. Large glossy green leaves are the most striking feature. Magnificent white flowers are often partially obstructed by leaves, but are prominent enough to invite a closer look. A wonderful tree.

A multi-trunk tree that can grower wider than it is tall. A very adaptable plant that does best in full sun. Flower buds are pinkish-purple when closed and open to a white, 5” wide bloom. Flowers are prone to damage from late spring frosts, but if unscathed the flower display is magnificent.

Royal Star is modest in height, but quite dramatic in bloom. Relatively small by Magnolia standards it remains taller than it is wide, which makes it a better choice close to structures, walkways, etc.. Bright clusters of white flowers.

Medium-sized, multi-trunked tree. Flowers appear in late spring or early summer which means they are far less prone to the frost damage that affects some Magnolias. Wonderful contrast between dark green top of leaves of silver-green underside – leaves shimmer in a breeze.

Vigorous multi-stem magnolia with large, bright white flowers with a touch of pink at their base. New foliage emerges with a hint of burgundy and matures to a dark green. Adaptable to a range of soils, but prefers full sun. Spectacular in full bloom, has been described as a blizzard of white.

A heavy early bloomer. Pink buds open to double coral-pink blooms. Flowers earlier than most crabapples. Fruit ends up an orangish-bronze and stands out nicely against the deeper green foliage. Tolerates a wide range of soils as well as urban conditions. Compact size.

Pale pink buds open to white flowers which mature into bright red fruits. Persistent fruits make for great late autumn and winter interest. Makes a great street tree under utility lines, great lawn and park tree.

A dwarf crabapple, wider than it is tall. Reddish pink buds open to white flowers. Persistent red fruit are very showy in the fall. Beautiful deep green, deeply lobed foliage is unique, and provides interest through the summer. Makes a good patio tree, great in masses.

Red buds open pink and turn to bright white. Flowers are very fragrant. Fruits that follow are orange-red and persist into winter. Dark green foliage. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Makes a great street tree.

Pyramidal deciduous tree with soft green needles and fascinating contorted bark. Deciduous tree – drops it’s needles in fall, but they turn a beautiful reddish-bronze before dropping. Fast grower to over 70 feet. A small Dawn Redwood is beautiful, a medium to large one is absolutely spectacular.

Best known for its’ fall color which is second to none. At times there is a mix of orange and red, but more often a hot coppery-red predominates, a show-stopper in autumn. Nice glossy green leaves emerge with a hint of red. Makes a good shade tree, great lawn or park tree.

So many great qualities they are hard to list. Early broad pyramidal form gives way to a unique dome shaped canopy. Bright red flowers in early spring. Spectacular fall color – each leaf can contain the full spectrum of fall colors. Interesting exfoliating bark.

Pyramidal growth habit with a strong central leader. Resistant to anthracnose and powdery mildew, no frost cracks.

Profuse soft pink flowers that fade to white, early bloomer. Sometimes described as looking like a cloud when the blooms fade to white – the ball shaped clusters of flowers are so prolific. Makes an excellent single lawn tree, great in masses as well.

Best known for flowering in both the spring and fall. Wonderful arching branches and delicate airy foliage. Very hardy.

Very popular, widely planted but never fails to amaze. A weeping fountain of double pink blooms. Great foliage and weeping habit give ornamental value throughout the growing season.

Beautful profusion of white blooms in spring. Small leves turn yellow and orange in fall. Slowing growing, compact form make it a great choice closer to structures, rock gardens, poolscapes, etc..

The star tree in the famous cherry blossom festival in the Washington D.C. – Yoshino is a sight to behold in full bloom. Profuse pale pink to white flowers are slightly fragrant. Glossy bark.

The open form resists wind damage which plagues the common Bradford Pear. Beautiful display of white flowers in spring. Good street tree, tolerates urban conditions. Hardy to Zone 4b.

Long, narrow leaves are not at all like traditional oak leaves. Finely toothed leaf margins with protruding bristles give the tree its’ name. Makes an excellent shade tree. Good lawn, park and street tree. Tolerates urban conditions.

Found in the wild in swamps and along streams which shows the tolerance for wet locations. However, it is also tolerant of drought conditions and is a good urban tree. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Very long-lived. One of the easiest oaks to transplant.

Impressively large leaves with deep lobes, leaves unfurl slightly reddish pink and mature to a dark glossy green and end in beautiful fall colors. A very hardy and adaptable plant. Tolerates urban conditions well.

Extremely tolerant of urban conditions. Very drought tolerant and adapts to a wide range of soils. Large leaves can grow 5” wide and 10” long. Glossy green on top, lighter color underneath provides a nice bi-color effect in the breeze. Handsome tree, quite majestic when mature.

Unique branching pattern – lower branches are pendulous, middle branches are strongly horizontal and upper branches are angled upward – creates a uncommon shape. Fast growing for an oak, fall color can be very impressive but is somewhat variable. Another oak that transplants well at large sizes.

This very upright variety, with a glossy green leaf, and a glaucous underside makes for a beautiful silhouette. It is resistant to diseases and cold weather. This has had the most success for us in terms of an upright Oak.

A Halka introduction with some unique qualities. Acclaimed for it’s dense branching which creates a uniform, symmetrical canopy. Clusters of creamy white flowers in summer borne in upright 6 to 12” tall clusters. Great shade tree, excellent lawn, street and park tree. The most canker resistant Sophora.

A wonderful medium size flowering tree that also casts dappled shade. Clusters of large, very fragrant, white pendulous flowers in late spring – very showy. Dappled shade allows other plantings underneath. Great patio tree.

Dense symmetrical structure creates a beautifully uniform tree. Small pendulous pure white, bell-shaped flowers in late spring. Dark green foliage. Great patio tree, excellent lawn specimen, good for naturalized plantings, tolerates part shade.

All the beauty of a lilac in a tree form. Upright form spreads out with age. Large, creamy white flowers in spring – magnificent in bloom. Beautiful bark and foliage add interest. A show-stopper in bloom.

Dense formed canopy, sturdy and compact. These have heavy flowers, with a cherry-like bark. It’s horizontal lenticels are a great feature to separate this variety from others. As it matures, the trunk becomes more gray, rather than a reddish-brown. Likes a well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Flowers best in full sun. May be one of the […]

Dramatic pyramidal tree with soft, light green needles. Bald Cypress are deciduous and the needles turn an eye-catching rust brown in fall. Beautiful bark. Great specimen tree, excellent street or park tree.

A handsome pyramidal evergreen with yellow tips that take on a rust hue in fall. Deer resistant which is unusual for an arborvitae. Tight form allows it to be planted close to structures. Good small specimen, but with width, to make a great hedge.

Unique amongst arborvitaes for it’s exceptional height, Green Giant is also very deer resistant. Makes a great specimen and screening plant. Can be tightly pruned. Specimens are magnificent. Very adaptable.

Smaller leaves than the species give the tree a softer texture. Maintains pyramidal shape into maturity. Prolific bloomer – small yellow flower is very fragrant. Excellent street, park or campus tree. Great shade tree.

A Halka Introduction. Very unique dwarf Linden. Small leaves, very compact, densely pyramidal shape. Takes several years to develop it’s mature form, but holds the pyramidal shape through maturity. Great patio tree, excellent small specimen.

A fast-growing variety that is heat and drought tolerant. Silver undersides of leaves contrast nicely with green tops – leaves shimmer in a breeze. Profuse early summer flowers are hidden somewhat by the foliage but are quite fragrant. Great shade tree.

The contrast between the green topside of leaf and silver-gray underside creates a shimmering effect even in light breezes. Fast growing. makes an excellent shade tree. Good street, lawn or park tree.

Beautiful evergreen tree with soft glossy green needles. Wonderful hedging and screening plant. Very agreeable to pruning. Tolerates shade, avoid wind-swept locations, not tolerant of drought. Hardy to Zone 3b-7.

Magnificent dwarf, weeping, evergreen shrub. Extremely dense glossy green foliage. Does not like windswept locations, tolerates shade, not drought resistant. Wonderful rock garden plant, excellent specimen. Exceptionally beautiful dwarf shrub.

Very similar in size and form to American Elm with excellent disease resistance. Tolerates drought and a range of soils. Good shade tree, great street, park and lawn tree. Good urban tree.

Very hardy, durable tree that shows strong resistance to insects and disease. Exfoliating bark with patchy spots underneath in a range of colors – often called lacebark elm for this trait – very ornamental. Tolerates a wide range of soils, and air-pollution. Excellent urban tree. Good street, park and campus tree. Provides dense shade. Should […]

This is the wisteria best known as a vine but trained to grow upright in tree form. Spectacular clusters of pendulous flowers in early spring. A wisteria in full bloom is something to behold. Delicate airy foliage provides dappled shade. Very dramatic in bloom.

Perhaps the most distinctly vase shaped of all the Zelkova. Magnificent arching habit is evident even in young trees. At maturity the arching is very dramatic. The main branches can easily be 20 feet or more up the trunk There is something special about walking or playing under a Zelkova, you feel the presence of […]

A Halka introduction. Vase shaped but with a somewhat looser, more open canopy. Often described as having the most American Elm-like habit of all the Zelkovas which is a wonderful characteristic to have. An excellent street, park, campus or lawn tree. Hardy and adaptable. One of the most popular Halka introductions.

Unique shape for a Zelkova. Distinctly wider than it is tall. Somewhat flat-topped at maturity. Even with its limited height the branching begins high enough up the trunk to allow people and equipment to pass easily underneath. This quality makes it a great street and sidewalk tree – stays low enough to stay under power […]

Vase shaped, shorter and wider than Green Vase. Rapid grower and very adaptable to a range of soil and environmental conditions. Tall branching structure makes it an excellent street tree. Great shade, lawn, park and campus tree. Deep green foliage in summer gives way to vibrant red autumn color.