OOPS THIS SECTION IS NOT COMPLETE. THERE ARE MORE THAN LISTED …KEEP COMING BACK …MUCH MORE TO FOLLOW…INQUIRE

OUR RHODODENDRONS …ONLY THE BEST! LET US CONVINCE YOU WHY THEY ARE HARDIER & MORE ADAPTABLE THAN ANY OTHER RHODOS! FOR ALL GARDENERS IN NEW ENGLAND, THE MID ATLANTIC TO THE MIDWEST.

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WE FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THIS. OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS TONS OF INFERIOR RHODOS HAVE BEEN MARKETED, PROMOTED AND SOLD. AND IT HAS TURNED OFF MANY PEOPLE TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF RHODOS. FROM DAY ONE, EASTERN WAS NEVER PART OF THAT TREND. SEVERAL NURSERIES THAT WERE, ARE OUT OF BUSINESS. EASTERN AND OUR PHILOSOPHY OF ONLY THE BEST HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME

Ours are grown here in Maine, zone 5, from day one and they winter over outside so they are tough! They are exposed to the real world unlike greenhouse grown rhodos. Eastern is now one of the longest lasting East coast nurseries growing rhodos!

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You won’t find these selections any where else—these are not common unreliable varieties found at big box stores that might be cheap but rarely live. There are hundreds better & that’s what we offer …varieties with superb foliage, later or earlier blooming, in colors and textures that give year round interest and hardiness. All are tested for ten, twenty, thirty years to make sure they are garden worthy–no other nursery does that. They offer year round beauty not just in bloom.

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We grow them in flats that over winter outside—why flats …because rhodo roots are shallow. When you buy those grown in deep pots, the plants will stress out once planted, as the deeper roots will die–often killing the plant. Growing them in flats makes for a healthier plant …the roots will adapt. They take longer to grow here in Maine resulting in a tougher, hardier, more adaptable plant …yes I keep saying that but it is true! Sadly, too many inferior varieties of rhodos have been sold and promoted elsewhere, and that may have discouraged some. Rest assured, Eastern has never done that, 30 years in the business shows it.

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Our rhodos have STOOD THE TEST OF TIME. PS: we founded the Maine Rhodo Society and are slowly turning our wonderful property into a rhodo haven. COST …many say are prices are very good …a few say they are high, they are not, as the time it takes to grow them here is longer for a quality plant. I ask this, would you rather your rhodos thrive and prosper a lifetime and pay a little more in the beginning…seems wise. It has taken a LIFETIME to amass the special varieties we have–many more to follow.

 

A SMALL SAMPLING OF WHAT’S AVAILABLE FOR MAIL ORDER (AND PICK UP)

EMAIL US easternplant@juno.com

‘CYNOSHURE’

A superb late blooming rhodo that always performs yet is rarely seen. It features lush, large dark green leaves and a plant covered in Rich, large deep pink flowers with peachy highlights—the flowers really glow, are long lasting and appear when most others have finished. Hybridized by the Shapiros in NJ who created some very nice things and considered it their finest. This is hardy fully here in coastal Maine. Easy to care for and well branched. Exceptional dark and large foliage too–pretty all year and makes into a full broad plant. 3 years old 10-12 inch $49 12-15 inch $55

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CALOPHYTUM

This is a VERY SELECT FORM of this large leafed species rhodo and of the earliest to bloom in spring. It is the hardiest and y far best form of calophytum I have ever seen, being much bushier and self branching than any other calophytum and importantly, hardier too. Flowers are huge, starting light pink going to white with a dramatic, rasberry colored blotch. It will bloom most years even here in coastal Maine and would be ideal in any location further south. Leaves can be 10 inches long on older plants with a heavily veined, bluish sheen. Right after I moved to Maine I got this from Louise Winkler—she and her late husband Walter moved to Maine from NJ in the 1970s and had an incredible garden in Cundys Harbor. She became my “mom away from home” for twenty years. Louise died in 2004. I miss you Louise—know that several of your special plants are treasured here. zones 5-7 3 years old 6 inch spread $50 9 inch spread $60 Well worth every penny.

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SUTCHENENSE HARDY FORM A very select form of a large leafed species similar to calophytum above in most every way. A bit larger growing & flower buds are rounded as opposed to egg shaped. Both rarely seen & you would be one of the few to have them in your garden. zones 5-7 3 year old 6-8 inch spread $45

FORTUNII ‘WALBRECHT FORM’

This is a select species of rhododendron with a great story. These are propagated from a gorgeous plant of this I saw at the garden of Ed Walbrecht in New Harbor, Maine. I would not be in Maine if it wasn’t for Ed Walbrecht–seeing his garden in 1987 was the inspiration for me to move to Maine from NJ. (I miss you Ed) This select form of the species has large, blue tinted leaves with colorful veining and very stocky but large habit. Hardy in coastal Maine & importantly, adaptable as far south as NJ/DEL/MD. Huge pastel pink flowers have a light fragrance and open in June. This desirable species is a must  & so much better than all the common rhodos ones sees. zones 5-7  6-8 inch $36  8 to 12 inch $47  12-15 inch $55  Note: The species Fortunii was used in breeding by Charles Dexter, whos hybrids are great & we carry several of those also.

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RHODO MARKS VANILLA

‘MARKS VANILLA’  There are very few hardy and fragrant rhodos…this is one of them and is a wonderful and exciting hybrid of mine, with an enchanting, vanilla like fragrance—truly an aromatic treat. The large flowers are a unique light amber color. (It’s a cross of Dexter 281B with Janet Blair—Dexter hybrids are superb and Janet Blair is a great hybrid–so this has two great parents) The tropical looking leaves have a very waxy, distinctive shine with an eyecatching, granny smith apple green color. It becomes a big, bold treelike plant with impressive stature. Blooms very heavily after a few years. 6-8 inch $ 40  9-12 inch $49  12-15 inch $55  TESTED FOR TWENTY YEAR  IN MAINE, surviving last years 20 below!

 

RHODO OH MY GOSH

— BLOOMS IN SUMMER  Named after a client saw this and said “Oh My Gosh.”  This select form of the rhodo species maximum is very compact and lush with sensationally thick leaves having a gentle twist. (it is in some ways similar to what is sold as “Curly Leaf” maximum but it is SO MUCH BETTER and the leaves are wavy, not distorted and twisted like curly leaf.) OH MY GOSH is the LAST rhodo to bloom here, blooming in late July, often extending into early August—bloom has a cheerful, bright coral pink tinge at first, then going to near white. The opening flowers have much more pink than any other maximum I have seen. A unique trait is that the flowers open at different times, extending the overall display to a month. You can also see next years flower buds forming, right next to a branch that is blooming–no other rhodo is like that. OH MY GOSH is very slow growing when young, but becomes a full, incredibly lush plant that has never been bothered by even the worst winter. Truly tropical in its look. Fully hardy zones 4-7  Not cheap yet full of value, 3 years old  2-3 inch $29  patience…it will grow. (a few larger at the nursery) Our huge parent plant is admired by every visitor. (One client offered an outrageous sum for it…I said no!)

MAXIMUM RHODO-OUR “REGULAR” SUPERIOR FORMS

 

BRACHYCARPUM  SELECT FORM

Possibly the hardiest species on the planet and to boot it has superb foliage. “Brachy” has tropical looking leaves which shine all year.  As a bonus it blooms in summer, when most rhodos are finished. OUR SPECIAL FORM OF BRACHY HAS LARGER FLOWERS THAN MOST AND INCREDIBLY TROPICAL LOOKING LEAVES with  a shine. The pink tinged, white flowers cover the plants, and while not huge add a burst of bloom that is 100% dependable–brachy can survive 35 BELOW ZERO–hardy even in Minnesota! When grown in sun it remains compact to 4-5 feet wide and tall. When grown in shade it is more open but still retaining its tropical look with highly lustrous leaves.  Several sizes 3-4 inch $16  4-6 inch $25  8-12 inch  $55  We have grown hundreds of brachys over the years to select out only the best of the best ..every visitor comments on them, most take one or more home.

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‘YAK EXBURY’ ULTRA DWARF

Yak rhodos are noted for their fuzzy coated leaves. Exbury is considered the finest smaller growing yaks. These are seedling grown & even dwarfer than Exbury. 3 year old plants are only a few inches across! Flowers emerge coral, age to glistening white. Fully hardy zones 5-7. 3 years old $25

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‘SON OF TEDDY BEAR’

These are selfed seedlings of the famous Teddy Bear rhodo. They offer incredible shiny foliage with soft downy coating on the backside, compact growth & luminous coral pink flowers that age to white. Visit us to see the biggest Teddy Bears on the east coast: magnificent & 10 feet across–but get a small one now for yourself. A plant that’s pretty all year. zones 5-7. 3 years old 4-5 inch $25 5-6 inch $35

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‘YELLOW EYES’

This is a special and rare selection of the small leaved species carolinianum. (Native to NC but fully hardy in New England) Unlike common forms this has white flowers with a striking golden orange flare.Yellow Eyes likes well drained soil and can tolerate full sun. Foliage is small and shiny, forming a bushy plant to six feet high and wide in time; new growth is coppery colored as well. 3-5 inches $17 6-8 inches $21

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JURASSIC JUNGLE (cross of CS Sargent X Calophytum)

My intro with huge tropical leaves. This gets EVERYONES ATTENTION!!! White flowers have small red blotch, forms a giant yet full plant with long, dark lustrous foliage up to a foot long. Blooms early but after calophtyum itself. I have it next to the famous hybrid Spellbinder, and this is rated superior by all especially for its dramatic leaves. zones 5-7 3 years old 9-12 inch $50

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ARBORESCENS AZALEA ‘STARSHIMMER’

Often called the SWEET AZALEA–for its remarkable sweet aroma. A standout native deciduous azalea with fragrant, really fragrant white flowers in June. This is selected from a superior form at the famous Asticou gardens in Maine for its larger flowers and is a hardy species with very nice glossy foliage having blue tints. The sparkling white flowers have distinctive reddish anthers and last for several weeks—perfuming a large area. It grows to six feet and forms a dense, bushy plant, attractive even when not in bloom; best in at least partial sun. 12 inch $25 16 inch $24

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BAKERI AZALEA SPECIAL FORM

Finally a few to offer. Propagated from a superb plant at the York, Maine “welcome center” we have watched for 30 years. It has luminous, orangy salmon flowers on a full plant with exceptional dark foliage that shines. This is the best Bakeri I have ever seen–with a glow that is truly breathtaking. As it blooms in June, it offers color when most things have finished. Bakeri is a deciduous azalea, hardy zones 5-7. 12-15 inches $24

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VASEYI AZALEA

This native azalea has refined apple blossom pink flowers as the leaves emerge. It also has brilliant, red orange fall color. Upright habit to 6 feet. Propagated from a superior plant in Brunswick, Maine (not native, the highway dept must planted it years ago.) hardy zones 5-7. 8-10 inches $15 12-14 inches $17

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RHODORA CANADENSE

The treasured Rhodora, native to Maine & cool spots in New England. This deciduous rhododendron blooms fairly early with lacy, light purple flowers. Unlike most rhodos it can tolerate wet spots & likes full sun. Small blue tinted leaves turn orange & purple in fall. Grows to 2-3 feet in a bushy mound. Propagated from a superior clear lavender form here in Maine. Not for southern areas, best in New England, Mich., cool coastal areas. hardy zones 3-7. 6-8 inches $14

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DREAMLAND PINK SPECIAL MOUNTAIN LAUREL (Kalmia latifolia)

LONG ago I got some laurels from famous breeder Richard Jaynes. After planting them on a landscape job…..in 1985 or so…..when one of those bloomed I realized I shouldn’t have sold it….nor Dick Jaynes! It was so shockingly good I had to buy it back from the client for THREE TIMES what i sold it for, it is that nice! After all this time we have finally propagated a few. It has very thick, very dark green foliage, superior to any laurel I’ve seen, with a full compact habit and very large, heavy substanced flowers of the clearest pink that open very wide. I think its as good as any cultivar named by Dick Jaynes………we have only a few…..4-6 inch $40 limit, one per customer Hardy in zones 5-7, 4 with protection

 

LEUCOTHOE PERFECTION Leucothoe fontanesiana selection

The cleanest, most disease resistant leucothoe ever. We take plant performance seriously here…after 25 years of observation there’s NO other leucothoe that performs as well. Related to rhodos, this is the perfect tall groundcover to use in massing or as a specimen, bearing long sprays of white bell flowers in June. Evergreen lance shaped leaves are on gently cascading stems forming a billowy mound. Foliage is very dark in color with coppery red tones on new growth and again turning red in winter. Best in somewhat shaded areas. Excellent cascading over walls, stream edges or mass planted in the garden. I got this in NJ 25 years ago from a local grower & noticed how disease free it was…when I moved to Maine it came with me, now 25 years later it still outdoes any other leucothoe, is totally hardy & does not get leaf spot. The BEST LEUCOTHOE I have ever seen. Our mature plants, draw oohs & ahhs! Adaptable zones 5 thru 7 8-12 inch $15 for 1  $43 for 3  $80 for 6  12-15 inch $18 for 1  $52 for 3  $99 for 6