Minnesota Nursery Research Corporation
Supporting Horticultural Discoveries at the University of Minnesota
True North™ Kentucky Coffeetree
True North™ Kentucky coffeetree is notable for its narrow, upright-oval crown and superior branch architecture. It is a seedless, male specimen, so there are no messy seedpods to clean up. Like all Kentucky coffeetrees,True North™ is a tough, adaptable tree that can tolerate heat, drought and a range of soil pHs.
Kentucky coffeetrees lack significant diseases or pests making them an excellent alternative to ash.
- Species: Gymnocladus dioicus ‘UMNSynergy’
- Introduction: 2015
- Height: 50-70 feet
- Spread: 25-35 feet
- Zones: 4-9
True North™ Kentucky Coffeetree Fact Sheet
Frontenac blanc
Meet the latest addition to the Frontenac family! In the vineyard, Frontenac blanc performs identically to Frontenac and Frontenac gris. Very productive, vigorous, immune to downy mildew, and hardy to near -36F. Ripens late mid season with moderate to high acidity.
- Species: Vitis ‘Frontenac’
- Type: White wine
- Introduction: 2012
- Zones: 3-8
Frostbite™ Apple Tree
Known as MN 447, Frostbite™ is an older cultivar that has been used as a parent in breeding apples at the University since the 1920s. Its fruit is small to medium in size, but is very firm, crisp and juicy. It is extremely hardy to USDA Zone 3b (-30 to -35°F). Its small size and unique flavor make it an excellent cider apple.
- Species: Malus domestica ‘Frostbite’
- Parentage: Unknown
- Introduction: 2008
- Bloom Date: Mid-season
- Ripening Date: Late September to mid-October
- Zone: 3-7
Sesquicentennial Sun Chrysanthemum
‘Sesquicentennial Sun’ mum is a frost-tolerant cushion variety featuring long-flowering double gold blooms. Its “Golden Gopher” like color led to it being chosen to help celebrate 150 years of University of Minnesota floral breeding achievements in 2001.
Species: Chrysanthemum ‘Sesquicentennial Sun’
Introduction: 2001
Flower Color: Gold
Flower Type: Fully Double
Bloom Period: Midseason
Habit: Cushion
Height: 12-18 inches
Spread: 20-24 inches
Zones: 4-7
Peach Centerpiece Mum
‘Peach Centerpiece’ mum produces amazing double-quilled blossoms in a remarkable peach hue. The unique appearance adds eye-popping interest to your cutting garden and vases. It also features a tall, upright growth habit and 2-4 inch flowers.
- Species: Chrysanthemum ‘Peach Centerpiece’
- Introduction: 2000
- Flower Color: Peach, with gold center
- Flower Type: Quill/Spoon
- Bloom Period: Midseason
- Habit: Tall Upright
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Spread: 2 feet
- Zones: 4-7
Northern Sun Forsythia
The bright yellow flowers of forsythia appear before the leaves, signaling the arrival of spring. ‘Northern Sun’ was bred to flower in early spring despite cold temperatures.
- Species: Forsythia ‘Northern Sun’
- Introduction: 1982
- Blooms: Late April
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Height: 8-10 feet
- Spread: 7-9 feet
- Zones: 4-8
Emerald Triumph Viburnum
‘Emerald Triumph’ viburnum features an excellent combination of looks, disease resistance and cold-hardiness to make it a winner for northern gardeners! Its features dark green, glossy foliage and white flowers in late spring. Its fruit turns bright red in August and changes to black by mid-autumn.
- Species: Viburnum ‘Emerald Triumph’
- Introduction: 1994
- Blooms: May
- Flower Color: White
- Height: 6-10 feet
- Spread: 6-10 feet
- Zones: 4-7
Northern Pearls Pearlbush
‘Northern Pearls’ is the only selection of pearl bush hardy for Minnesota. Its name comes from its flowerbuds, arrayed like pearls along the stem.
- Species: Exochorda serratifolia ‘Northern Pearls’
- Introduction: 1995
- Blooms: April
- Flower Color: White
- Height: 6-8 feet
- Spread: 6-8 feet
- Zones: 4-7
Garden Glow™ Dogwood
Garden Glow™ dogwood is best known for its brilliant yellow-green foliage. An excellent choice for shade, Garden Glow’s bright foliage will mature to a brilliant burgundy red in fall with its twigs remaining a gorgeous scarlet color throughout the winter months.
- Species: Cornus hesseyii ‘Garden Glow’
- Introduction: 2001
- Blooms: June
- Height: 5-6 feet
- Spread: 5-6 feet
- Zones: 4-8
Cardinal Dogwood
‘Cardinal’ dogwood is a hybrid selection of Redosier dogwood (Cornus sericea) bred for its bright red winter twig color. In late fall, the twigs and stems develop a bright cherry red color which lasts until spring when the plant leafs out. Excellent for borders.
Species: Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’
Introduction: 1986
Blooms: June
Height: 2-10 feet
Spread: 2-10 feet
Zones: 2-7
Superior Blueberry
‘Superior’ is a most productive cultivar with firm berries that are light to medium blue, having flavor that is balanced and pleasant. It matures the majority of its fruit about 1 week later than other blueberry varieties.
- Species: Vaccinium ‘Superior’
- Introduction: 2009
- Height: 30-48 inches
- Spread: 30-40 inches
- Zones: 3-7
- Yield: 3–8 lbs / bush
St. Cloud Blueberry
St. Cloud blueberry matures earlier than ‘Northblue’ and features a more upright habit compared to other U of M varieties. Its sweet flavor is superior to ‘Northblue’ and similar to ‘Northcountry’.
- Species: Vaccinium ‘St. Cloud’
- Introduction: 1990
- Height: 30-48 inches
- Spread: 30-40 inches
- Zones: 3-7
- Yield: 2–7 lbs / bush
White Lights Azalea
‘White Lights’ azalea resulted from a cross between R. prizophyllum and a white flowered Exbury hybrid. Flower buds are a pale, delicate pink but upon reaching full-bloom the color fades to a give virtually a white appearance in the landscape. Flower buds are hardy to -35F.
- Species: Rhododendron ‘White Lights’
- Introduction: 1984
- Blooms: Late May to Early June
- Flower Color: White
- Flower Form: Single Blooms
- Height: 5-6 feet
- Spread: 5-6 feet
- Zones: 4-7
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