University of Minnesota,1934. The fruits are medium-sized, green, and often develop a slight red blush on the sunny side of the fruit. While most pears need to be picked at the green/ripe stage and then slow ripened off the tree, Parker is okay when picked fully tree-ripened as it does not have many issues with core rot like other pear varieties. Picking at the green/ripe stage is best to maximize storage.
MNRC – Recognized for many years as the hardiest pear from the University of Minnesota, released in 1985. Free of fireblight. An annual bearer. Fruit is pyriform in shape, 2.5-3″ in diameter and 3-3.5″ long. Blooms early in May. The fruit should be harvested in mid-August when crisp and still green with a red blush. Fruit harvested at that time is sweet and crisp, and may be stored up to 2 months. Use either ‘Parker’ or ‘Patten’ as pollinator.
Fruit is green-yellow, very juicy, and approximately 2 in diameter. Has sturdy branching. Good for eating and canning. Developed in 1978 at Morden Research Station. Approximate ripening date is August 15. Use Golden Spice as pollinator.
Pinus flexilis ‘Vanderwolf’s Pyramid’
Distinctive, pyramid-shaped pine with long, twisted, silvery blue-green needles covering the dense branches. A superior selection for use as a majestic lawn specimen or landscape accent. Excellent pest and disease resistance. Evergreen.
Blue European Plum. Good eaten off tree. Excellent for dessert, jam, and preserves. Tender, juicy flesh. Considered the best blue cultivar in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Good dessert plum. Yellow flesh, sweet and juicy. Large-size, pointed fruit.
Red – ‘Burbank’ x ‘Kaga’ (P. simonii) 1933. Released by the University of Minnesota. One of the best plums on the market. Large fruit with dark red skin. Good for fresh eating, jam and jelly. Flesh is yellow, sweet and juicy. Heavy bearing. Often sets fruit the first year. Use ‘Toka’ for pollination.
Red – South Dakota Experiment Station introduction, 1911. One of the best pollinators. A medium-sized, richly flavored variety with beautiful apricot color.
This tremendously popular tree offers white blossoms in spring, followed by showy, sweet purplish-black fruit. Heavily branched, the tree has an interesting spreading branch pattern, and attractive light gray bark. The brilliant fall leaves are quite persistent. Own root.
Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Obelisk’
Standing Ovation is covered in white flowers each spring, which often turn into edible berries in June. As the seasons continue, dark green, almost circular leaves change to red and orange in autumn. Its upright, perfectly oval form adds height in small gardens, and provides nice structure during winter. The uniform habit makes it great for hedging.
Picea abies ‘Cupressina’
Elegant columnar selection, highly valued as an accent or perimeter planting where a strong vertical effect is needed. Dark green evergreen needles are slightly curved on closely set limbs, creating a slender, uniform form with dense branching to the ground. Withstands heavy snow loads. Tolerates heat and humidity better than others. Ideal windbreak or privacy wall
Picea glauca ‘Conica’
A perfect cone-shaped dwarf conifer displaying dense green needles. Excellent as a miniature Christmas tree in natural form, or as an artistically pruned topiary. Makes a formal statement in the garden. A superb container specimen. Evergreen.