August is upon us, and along with it – the Farwest Show! The wholesale nursery trade event is the largest in the West, attracting plant buyers from around the world who come to see and buy the wide range of plants offered by Oregon growers. For 52 years, we’ve been exhibiting and welcoming visitors to the show and to our nursery during what’s become known as Farwest Month. It’s a time when we roll out the red carpet for visitors from around the globe who visit Oregon nurseries before, during and after the Farwest Show.
According to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, an estimated 74% of nursery products are sold outside the state, much of it to buyers who make regular pilgrimages to Oregon. Nursery stock is Oregon’s top agricultural crop, representing 22% of the total value of all Oregon ag crops, with nursery and greenhouse crops earning approximately $1.3 billion in 2021.
Farwest Month is a great time for us to showcase our new introductions and trees that will be sold to garden centers and landscape distribution centers across the continent. Because the show is a wholesale-only event, we’re pleased to present in today’s blog a sneak peek at some the newer and more unusual tree cultivars that we offer to our wholesale customers. You can use our Retailer Locator to find Schmidt customers near you who may have just what you’re looking for.
Cloudburst™ Dogwood
Cornus ‘NCCH3’ PP 36596
This exceptionally fast-growing dogwood is notable for its unusually large and showy white bracts that smother its branches in spring. Developed by Dr. Tom Ranney of North Carolina State University, this exciting new tree is a unique triploid hybrid of Cornus florida and Cornus kousa. In autumn, its unusually large, glossy green, disease-resistant leaves turn to a spectacular combination of yellows, oranges, and reds. Maturing to a height and spread of approximately 20’ x 18’, it is hardy through USDA Zone 5.
Petite Pink Flamingo Hibiscus
Hibiscus syriacus ‘ORSTHIB5X1’ P.A.F.
This beautiful new hardy hibiscus is unique for its large number of flowers, compact growth habit and seedless nature. Dark green foliage that appears early in the season is soon smothered by large numbers of big, beautiful pink flowers. A vigorous grower, its form is unusually upright and compact for the species. Developed at Oregon State University, it reaches a mature height and spread of about 10’ x 5’ and is hardy through USDA Zone 5. Find details on the OSU page.
Millstone™ Japanese Pagodatree
Styphnolobium japonicum ‘Halka’
This stately shade tree is notable for its creamy white flowers that appear among the refined, lustrous dark green leaves in late spring. Symmetrical and upsweeping branches form a dense rounded crown. Broadly oval to round, it matures to a height and spread of approximately 45’ x 35’. Less susceptible to stem canker than the species, its uniform growth habit and distinctive form are additional reasons to choose this cultivar. Hardiness rating is USDA Zone 5.
Fuyu (Jiro) Persimmon
Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’
Late midseason fruits are crunchy when ripe, and non-astringent. Best to harvest the fruit when it becomes deep orange. They can be sliced like a tomato and eaten raw, or can be made into sauces, pies, tarts and other delights. They are of medium size and more flat than rounded in shape. This hardy tree is practically pest free and is an attractive small ornamental as well as a productive, self-fruitful tree. Requires 200 chilling hours. Zone 7-10.
Gila Monster™ Oak
Quercus x gambelii (Hybrid Seed Strain)
A Plant Select® introduction, Gila Monster™ is a seedling strain of Gambel Oak with genetics that descended from the Bur Oak that grew in New Mexico during the past ice age. Unlike typical Gambel oaks that tend to be shrubby in nature and grow in colonies, the Gila Monster™ strain develops into trees with a single trunk. These trees are very drought tolerant once established.
Umbrella Catalpa
Catalpa bignonioides ‘Nana’
Dark green, heart-shaped leaves crown the dense canopy of this unusual tree. A mature shape that resembles an open umbrella inspires the name of this dwarf selection of Southern Catalpa. Top-grafted on a standard, this diminutive cultivar grows to become a broad-spreading, compact, mushroom-shaped ornamental tree as it reaches a mature height and spread of about 15’ x 12’. Hardiness is USDA Zone 5.
Gardeners! Please note that our nursery is strictly wholesale. To purchase these and other trees grown by our nursery, please use our Retailer Locator to find sources of JFS trees near you.
