All Zone 4 (or hardier) Plants
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296 products
History: Mother was first officially introduced to the world in an 1844 edition of the "Magazine of Horticulture." We know it came from General Stephen Gardner's farm in Massachusetts in the US but do not know any other details about its origins. It faded from popularity in the US during the 1900s but remained popular in the UK.
Why We Grow It: Mother produces medium-sized apples with yellow skin that turn deep red where exposed to the sun. This crisp, juicy apple is sweet with hints of pear and vanilla making it an excellent choice for fresh eating. It is also a popular option for baking pies! The fruit stores well, the blooms are tolerant of late spring frosts, and the tree tends to start producing at a young age. It is also susceptible to several common apple diseases, but we believe its other qualities outshine that fact.
History: Goodland was developed at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba as part of an effort to breed cold hardy apples for the prairies. It is a seedling of Patten Greening that was selected in 1925 and the variety was introduced commercially in 1955.
Why We Grow It: The cold hardy Goodland produces a medium to large yellow apple with red striping. This crisp, juicy apple has sweet/tart flavour that is great for fresh eating, cooking, and sauce. Unlike most early ripening varieties, Goodland will store well for several months.
Species: Amelanchier x wiegandii (likely a hybrid of A. arborea and A. sanguinea)
History: There is little information on the origin of Isaac although it is believed to be a cross between the Common Serviceberry (A. arborea) and the Roundleaf Serviceberry (A. sanguinea). It was likely selected for its large, sweet berries.
Why We Grow It: Isaac produces very large berries with a lovely sweet flavour. Like other serviceberries they are great for fresh eating, cooking, baking, and preserving. Isaac makes a nice ornamental shrub with its rounded shape and white blooms in the spring. It is generally an adaptable and cold hardy plant as well!
Species: Vaccinium corymbosum x V. angustifolium
History: Northblue was bred by the University of Minnesota as part of a hybrid blueberry breeding program that started in 1967. The goal of the program was to cross highbush and lowbush blueberries in order to create high-quality cold hardy varieties. Of the three varieties initially created in this program, Northblue was noted for having the largest fruit and highest productivity. Northblue was introduced to the public in 1983.
Why We Grow It: Northblue produces nicely sized, firm blueberries that store well. The berries have a good sweet flavour akin to that of wild blueberries and are great for a variety of uses. The compact shrub is quite productive and cold hardy.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
History: Oops, we had an inventory mishap and don't know what variety these dwarf sour cherries are! We're happy to offer these wonderful plants at a discount to any adventurous growers who don't mind a bit of mystery. They will be one of the Romance Series of dwarf sour cherries released from the University of Saskatchewan.
Why We Grow It: Dwarf sour cherries are self-pollinating and relatively compact, making them a great option for anyone with limited space! These productive bushes produce ample amounts of bright red sour cherries that are great for baking, preserving, etc. The bushes are also showy in the spring when covered in white blossoms and are quite cold hardy.
Check our our blog post with some tasty sour cherry recipes!
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
Species: Lonicera caerulea
History: Indigo Gem was bred by Bob Bors at the University of Saskatchewan as part of the Indigo Series, a series of five varieties that all share the same parents. They were bred sometime in the mid to late 2000s and released around 2010/2011. Indigo Gem is the most productive variety of the series.
Why We Grow It: Indigo Gem produces fairly round berries that are sweeter and smaller than most haskaps, although they still have that characteristic tartness to them! It is considered one of the better options for fresh eating and like other haskaps is also great in baking, making preserves, etc.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
Species: Vaccinium corymbosum x V. angustifolium
History: Northblue was bred by the University of Minnesota as part of a hybrid blueberry breeding program that started in 1967. The goal of the program was to cross highbush and lowbush blueberries in order to create high-quality cold hardy varieties. Of the three varieties initially created in this program, Northblue was noted for having the largest fruit and highest productivity. Northblue was introduced to the public in 1983.
Why We Grow It: Northblue produces nicely sized, firm blueberries that store well. The berries have a good sweet flavour akin to that of wild blueberries and are great for a variety of uses. The compact shrub is quite productive and cold hardy.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
Species: Vaccinium corymbosum x V. angustifolium
History: Northcountry was bred by the University of Minnesota as part of a hybrid blueberry breeding program that started in 1967. The goal of the program was to cross highbush and lowbush blueberries in order to create high-quality cold hardy varieties. Northcountry itself was created in 1968 and was introduced in 1986.
Why We Grow It: Northcountry produces small to medium blueberries with a sweet flavour akin to that of wild blueberries. For those looking to enjoy fresh blueberries as soon as possible each year, this variety is an excellent choice since it ripens quite early. The compact bush is also quite cold hardy and productive!
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
Species: Lindera benzoin
History: Spicebush is native to eastern North America, although in Canada it can only be found in Ontario. It has been used medicinally by several indigenous peoples and early land surveyors used it to find good agricultural land due to its propensity to grow in good soil. It remains a popular ornamental plant along with its uses for spices and teas. Spicebush is also the only host plant for the spicebush swallowtail.
Why We Grow It: If you want to source your own spices locally, try this aromatic, native shrub! The leaves and berries can be used as substitutes for cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. It is attractive to butterflies and the early bloom time means it is a good source of pollen in the spring. The shrub is also quite pretty in autumn when its leaves turn a bright yellow.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
Species: Picea abies
History: Norway spruce, aka European spruce, is native to Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe. It is one of the most commonly planted spruce trees in the world, used as an ornamental landscape tree and as a Christmas tree. In fact, the Norwegian capital Oslo sends large Norway spruce trees as the central Christmas display in London, Edinburgh, and Washington DC every year as thanks for aid during WW2. The shoot tips have been used in traditional European medicines.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
History: Little is known about this particular variety aside from that it's a Damson plum that originated in Sweden. 'Krikon' is the Swedish word for 'damson.'
Why We Grow It: Although its history is a bit of a mystery, we can certainly tell you that this is the best plum variety for very cold regions. It produces small round deep purple fruit that are good for cooking, preserving, and making jam. The flesh has a spicy, sweet flavour although some do not find it that great for fresh eating. Compared to regular Damson's Krikon Damson is a bit smaller, and more flavourful.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
History: Maypole was developed in 1976 by Plant Breeding International at the East Malling Research Station in the UK as a cross between Wijcik Spur McIntosh and Baskatong. Wijcik Spur McIntosh originated as a mutation discovered on a McIntosh tree in 1962 in the Wijcik Orchards in British Columbia, the branch growing oddly straight with little branching. Several varieties were deliberately bred to have this mutation and now Maypole, released in 1986, is one of six columnar varieties developed at the station. This series of trees is known as Ballerina in the UK but due to that name being unavailable in the US, they are known as Colonnade in North America.
Why We Grow It: Not only is Maypole unique as a columnar apple, this crabapple also boasts lovely red flesh, bronze coloured leaves, and pretty pink blossoms in the spring. This makes it overall a lovely ornamental tree to have, whether planted in the yard or in a pot. The fruit is also excellent for jelly, apple butter, and cider, adding a red hue to each. It can also be eaten fresh although it tends to be quite acidic with a touch of sweetness.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
History: Liberty was developed by the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY, in 1955 and released in 1978. It is a cross between Macoun and a Japanese crabapple (Malus floribunda), bred in hopes of achieving the disease resistance of the Japanese crabapple.
Why We Grow It: The creators of Liberty were highly successful in their goal, creating one of the most disease-resistant varieties. Liberty is a favourite for organic production as a result. The fruit is bright red with sweet, creamy flesh and it stores well.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
History: Fireside apples originated in 1943 from a breeding program at the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. They are one of nearly 30 varieties that have been introduced by the university's breeding program since it began in 1888.
Why We Grow It: Fireside stands as an icon of toughness in the world of apples, thriving in cold northern areas. But don’t let this image fool you—Fireside has a warm heart! The flesh is amazingly sweet and very juicy.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
Species: Prunus pumila var. besseyi (Western sandcherry) x P. salicina (Japanese Plum)
History: Manor was developed at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba and released in 1945.
Why We Grow It: Manor produces a small plum with skin that is nearly black when ripe and purplish-red flesh. When ripe, the fruit is quite sweet and good for fresh eating! Some prefer to pick it when it is still a little unripe and a bit firmer since it is more astringent and lends itself well to uses such as baking, preserving, and making wine. The shrub stays smaller than other chums but starts bearing fruit at a young age and is known for being quite productive.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
Species: Hippophae rhamnoides
History: Sea buckthorn is native to parts of Europe and Asia where it has been a source of food, medicine, and fodder for centuries. These mystery cuttings were grown by us so it will be a bit of a surprise to see what the mature plants are like!
Why We Grow It: If you're looking for a dense, fruiting bush, look no further! These cold-hardy plants are grown from cutting, although it is uncertain whether each plant is male or female. The nodules on their roots help fix nitrogen into the soil, and the resilient plants are salt tolerant. They can withstand the juglones from walnuts and will reach up to 6 meters tall, forming virtually impermeable thickets if left to their own devices. The berries have a wide range of uses and the leaves can be enjoyed in tea.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
Species: Ribes rubrum
History: Developed in Holland, White Pearl currants, like all white currants, are actually an albino mutation of red currants. This variety has been popular in Europe for quite some time, although aside from its place of origin it appears there is little information on how it came to be.
Why We Grow It: These delicate translucent berries are white with a pinkish-gold hue, making them delightful to see growing in the garden. They have sweet and mild flavour that is slightly floral. The plant itself is quite cold hardy and bears prolific crops.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
Species: Vaccinium corymbosum
History: Toro is a cross between Earliblue and Ivanhoe bred by USDA blueberry breeder Arlen Draper in Maryland. It was selected for its productivity, firmness, and flavour and introduced in 1987. It was named Toro ('bull' in Spanish) due to its strong and stocky structure, however this dense canopy structure prevented Toro from achieving true commercial success due to the added difficulty of pruning and harvesting it at a commercial level.
Why We Grow It: Toro produces large blueberries that are quite sweet and firm. They tend to produce heavy crops that ripen all at once, making mechanical picking easier. Like other blueberries, Toro is great for eating fresh, baking, and preserving!
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
Species: Vaccinium corymbosum
History: Patriot was developed by the USDA and Maine Agriculture Experimental Station where it was first bred in 1954. It was selected for its cold hardiness and resistance to root rot. Patriot was released in 1976 and given its name to mark the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Why We Grow It: Patriot produces large berries with excellent flavour that are a bit on the softer side. The fruit ripens early in the season and is great for fresh eating, baking, preserving, and freezing! It is more tolerant of the cold and of wet soils than other blueberries and can be grown even in a clay soil.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
Species: Vaccinium corymbosum
History: Elliott originated in 1947 when Dr. George Darrow of the USDA first bred it. Elliott, and the other blueberries Dr. Darrow bred, were first evaluated by Dr. Arthur Elliott and then by members of the USDA such as Arlen Draper who has bred numerous blueberry varieties. It was released in 1973, over 25 years after the it was originally grown. Elliott was selected for the good quality of its fruit and its exceptionally late ripening time, making it a great variety for extending the blueberry season. It was named Elliott to honour Dr. Elliott's contributions to blueberry breeding efforts.
Why We Grow It: Elliott produces large berries with a mild sweet flavour late in the season. They are great for fresh eating, cooking, baking, and preserving! The bush is very productive and the firm fruit stores well. For those who want to enjoy fresh blueberries for as long as possible, Elliott is an excellent choice due to its very late ripening time!
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
Species: Vaccinium corymbosum
History: Duke was developed in Maryland by Arlen Draper, a blueberry breeder working for the USDA, in collaboration with the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. After ten years of testing it was released in 1987 thanks to its early ripening time, general disease resistance, reliable crops, and suitability for commercial sale. It was named Duke after S. Arthur "Duke" Galetta of the Atlantic Blueberry Company in honour of his support for blueberry breeding efforts over the years.
Why We Grow It: Duke produces good-sized crops of large, firm berries that are a good balance of sweet and tart. This is one of the earlier ripening blueberries and it has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Duke is an extremely reliable producer thanks to it's later bloom time that allows it avoid late spring frosts. Like other blueberries, it is great for a variety of uses including fresh eating, baking, and preserving!
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
Species: Vaccinium angustifolium
History: Brunswick lowbush blueberry is the second lowbush variety developed at the AAFC Kentville Research and Development Centre in Nova Scotia. It was discovered growing wild on a blueberry farm owned by Shepoddy Blueberry and Lumber Co. in New Brunswick and was selected in 1965 for further testing. Proving to be an excellent variety that grows well and is relatively disease-resistant, it was named for its province of origin and released in 1977.
Why We Grow It: Brunswick produces firm, medium-sized dark blue berries, bursting with sweet flavour. These lowbush blueberries grow into a compact bush, with glossy dark green foliage that turns a lovely red in autumn. Blueberries are great for baking, for example Steph made some wonderful black currant and blueberry tarts that are pictured here!
Species: Aesculus glabra
History: Ohio Buckeye is native to Walpole Island in Ontario and some central and southern states in the United States. The Shawnee name for the tree is 'hetuck' which means 'eye of the buck' due to the nut's resemblance to a deer's eye. Indigenous peoples such as the Lenape traditionally use the nuts for medicinal uses, tanning leather, and jewellery. Ohio Buckeye is the state tree of Ohio and people from Ohio and graduates of Ohio State University are sometimes called 'buckeyes'. Unsurprisingly, the nuts have an important cultural place in Ohio. There is a candy resembling the nuts called 'buckeyes' that are popular and the nuts make numerous appearances in Calvin and Hobbes whose author is from Ohio. Its wood is too soft to be used for much and it has limited uses as a street tree since it is considered messy due to the nuts it drops.
Why We Grow It: Ohio Buckeye is an attractive ornamental tree with its large, palmate leaves and notable yellow flowers in spring. Although the tree is toxic and generally not fed on by wildlife, the large flowers are very attractive to a variety of pollinators including hummingbirds!
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
Species: Vitis labrusca x Vitis riparia x Vitis vinifera, and small amounts of other Vitis species from North America
History: Bred by Elmer Swenson in Wisconsin, Somerset is one of numerous varieties he created for growing in our cooler North American climates. This cultivar has become increasingly popular in recent years and has good potential for commercial growing. The variety was released in 2002.
Why We Grow It: One of the hardiest, highest quality seedless grape varieties out there, this is an excellent table grape: sweet, spicy, with strong notes of strawberry. The grapes have beautiful pink flushed skin and are most decadent if allowed to sit on a sunny window sill for a week or so after harvest. Although the fruit is on the smaller to medium end of the scale, the vines produce large, heavy clusters that more than compensate for the size of the individual grapes. The grapes have a firm texture with some crunch.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
Species: Acer saccharinum
History: Silver maples are native to southeastern Canada and the central and eastern US and is one of the most common trees in its range due to its quick growth and tolerance of a wide range of conditions. Indigenous peoples traditionally use the trees as a source of food, medicine, and wood for weaving, carving, and lumber. The tree was also commonly planted ornamentally, especially after the decline of elm trees due to Dutch Elm Disease, but fell out of favour due to their need for pruning and weak branches. However, their visual appeal means they are still cultivated and they can be found growing in a variety of climates around the world including Norway, Jerusalem, and Argentina.
Why We Grow It: These fast growing soft maples aren't without their issues. Special care needs to be taken when planting one since they require a lot of space, can clog drain pipes with their roots, and have weak limbs which need to be pruned lest they break off and/or make the tree unsightly. They are also not nearly as useful for maple syrup as their cousin the sugar maple. However, they are an excellent wildlife tree, providing ample habitat and an early source of food. With their height, unique leaves, and general visual appeal, along with their tolerance of many conditions, it is also easy to see why they were once so popular as urban trees.
Seasonal Bonus! We have an abundance of Silver Maples this year, we are offering 40 packs of 30cm+ grade for $240 (50% off!)!
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
History: Hokuto*, aka Northern Star, was bred as a cross between Fuji and Mutsu at the Aomori Apple Experiment Station in Japan in 1970 and introduced in 1983. This variety's main claim to fame is the immense size of the fruit. In 2005, a Hokuto apple set the Guinness World Record for heaviest apple weighing in at over four pounds!
*The variety name may come from 'hokuto,' the Japanese word for the Big Dipper constellation which is also known as the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper in parts of Asia. This may have led to its English name 'Northern Star.'
Why We Grow It: Aside from its impressively large fruit, this apple boasts cheery red skin and, like many Japanese varieties, it is very sweet and makes an excellent quality dessert apple.
Photo Credit: https://www.tasteatlas.com/hokuto-apples