Vallonchêne is a nursery committed to the preservation of species and the promotion of gardening in general. To this end, we regularly publish articles on interesting or unusual plants and any other subject that may be useful for passionate and motivated gardeners.
Below are our most recent articles in reverse chronological order. For older articles, we invite you to consult the dedicated page on the website of Vallonchêne Garden here.
If you are looking for planting advice, take a look at our sheets specially designed for this purpose here.
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Our latest posts about interesting plants and gardening
AESCULUS hippocastanum ‘Monstrosa’
21 November 2024
The AESCULUS hippocastanum ‘Monstrosa’ belongs to the members of the horse chestnut family. It is a tiny ornamental tree of singular beauty.
Moreover, its compact shape and twisted…
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PILGERODENDRON uviferum
14 November 2024
The Cypress of Las Guaitecas is a highly sought-after conifer among connoisseurs. As the sole species of its genus, Pilgerodendron uviferum is truly unique. It will add a touch of…
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FRANGULA alnus ‘Fine Line’
07 November 2024
FRANGULA alnus ‘Fine Line’ is also known as alder buckthorn. This plant is sure to captivate lovers of minimalist, graphic gardens. Indeed, its upright and narrow growth habit makes…
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ACER rubrum ‘Brandywine’
31 October 2024
ACER rubrum ‘Brandywine’ is a red maple (swamp maple) cultivar particularly prized for its spectacular autumn colors. Indeed, this medium-sized tree…
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QUERCUS dentata ‘Carl Ferris Miller’
24 October 2024
QUERCUS dentata ‘Carl Ferris Miller’ is sure to capture attention. Indeed, its leaves can reach more than 30 cm in length. They are among the largest of…
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ACER conspicuum ‘Phoenix’
10 October 2024
Often nicknamed the snakebark maple, the ACER conspicuum ‘Phoenix’ is a true treasure for garden enthusiasts. This small tree grows slowly but surely. In summer…
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QUERCUS palustris ‘Isabel’
03 October 2024
QUERCUS palustris ‘Isabel’, more commonly known as the dwarf sawtooth oak, is a true treasure for garden enthusiasts. Indeed, this dwarf variety of the sawtooth oak develops into a globular and…
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FAGUS sylvatica f. tortuosa
26 September 2024
The FAGUS sylvatica f. tortuosa , or contorted European beech, is a truly captivating tree. Its unique appearance makes it a living sculpture. Indeed, its twisted and gnarled branches seem to dance in…
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CRYPTOMERIA japonica ‘Cristata’
11 September 2024
CRYPTOMERIA japonica ‘Cristata’, also known as the Japanese cedar with cock’s comb foliage, is a conifer that never fails to surprise with its original…
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ARALIA schmidtii var. verticillata
04 September 2024
ARALIA schmidtii var. verticillata is an impressive perennial plant with large, deeply cut, glossy green leaves. This spikenard will add an exotic touch to your garden. Its shrubby habit and…
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ROBINIA pseudoacacia ‘Twisty Baby’
27 June 2024
Are you looking for a tree that is as decorative as it is durable for your garden? Look no further than ROBINIA pseudoacacia ‘Twisty Baby’. This true, very…
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ABIES koreana ‘Silberlocke’
19 June 2024
Splendid among the Korean firs, Abies koreana ‘Silberlocke’ stands out for its refined appearance and unique foliage. Indeed, its leaves, delicately curved…
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Vallonchêne: Exceptional plants at a quality price
12 June 2024
At Vallonchêne, we have a deep-seated belief: plants are not mere commodities. They are living beings, endowed with unique strength and beauty, that…
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AESCULUS wilsonii
05 June 2024
The Willson’s horse chestnut, also known as the Chinese horse chestnut, is an exceptional tree and still particularly rare in Europe. Indeed, AESCULUS wilsonii starts spring off with…
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BRASSAIOPSIS hispida
29 May 2024
BRASSAIOPSIS hispida, like BRASSAIOPSIS mitis or BRASSAIOPSIS hainla, are undoubtedly among THE collector’s plants of recent years. They…
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ARMORACIA rusticana ‘Variegata’
22 May 2024
ARMORACIA rusticana ‘Variegata’ is a perennial plant better known as variegated horseradish. Although it is usually grown in the vegetable garden, the selection we offer decorates with its …
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PICEA abies ‘Pusch’
15 May 2024
PICEA abies ‘Pusch’ belongs to the Norway spruce genus, although this form was voted conifer of the year. In fact, it is a very…
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LARIX kaempferi ‘Magic Gold’
09 May 2024
LARIX kaempferi ‘Magic Gold’ is an absolutely fabulous and unusual Japanese larch. As soon as its bright yellow foliage emerges at the very beginning of spring, this deciduous conifer lights up…
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FITZROYA cupressoides
01 May 2024
The Patagonian cypress is a plant extremely sought after by collectors. FITZROYA cupressoides has foliage with a bluish reflection and very dense hanging branches. Its magnificent…
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CARPINUS x betulus ‘Williamson’s Gold’
24 April 2024
CARPINUS x betulus ‘Williamson’s Gold’ surprises with its distinctly yellow foliage (see photos). This exceptional European hornbeam really stands out from other hornbeams. It truly shines among…
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PRUNUS serrulata ‘Royal Burgundy’
17 April 2024
PRUNUS serrulata ‘Royal Burgundy’ is a real marvel in spring, summer and fall. Indeed, in spring, it produces a veritable tidal wave of large double pink flowers in bouquets (see photos). Each flower…
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PINUS schwerinii ‘Wiethorst’
10 April 2024
PINUS schwerinii ‘Wiethorst’ is a conifer that is as hardy as it is unusual. Indeed, its green-blue needles are very fine and long. Like its branches, they are also…
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MAGNOLIA ‘Tulip’
03 April 2024
MAGNOLIA ‘Black Tulip’ develops an abundance of large, double, deep pink flowers. However, this deciduous magnolia is classified among the magnolias with reduced development. It is almost shrubby. The one…
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ACER platanoides ‘Princeton Gold’
20 March 2024
ACER platanoides ‘Princeton Gold’ (R) is one of the exceptional Norway maples. Its yellow flowers appear on bare wood. Then the leaves of a bright yellow color develop. Thus…
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TSUGA canadensis ‘Gentsch White’
13 March 2024
TSUGA canadensis ‘Gentsch White’ is an eastern hemlock. It has many qualities: In spring, the shoots are white. This is very surprising and rare in the plant world. They then…
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VIBURNUM furcatum
07 March 2024
VIBURNUM furcatum also bears the name of Forked Viburnum. This rare shrub, much appreciated by collectors, is a true marvel: In spring, it is one of the first viburnum to…
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CEDRUS libanii ssp. brevifolia ‘Kenwith’
29 February 2024
CEDRUS libanii ssp. brevifolia ‘Kenwith’ is one of the preferred plants for Bonsai. Indeed, this extremely rare Cyprus cedar is classified among the miniature plants. Botanists…
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CORNUS officinalis
22 February 2024
CORNUS officinalis also has the vernacular names of Japanese cornel and Japanese cornelian cherry. Indeed, this type species is a fabulous plant in more than one way…
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NOTHOFAGUS betuloides
15 February 2024
NOTHOFAGUS betuloides is also called Magellan’s beech or guindo (in its region of origin). It is a small tree highly sought after by collectors for…
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CHAMAECYPARIS lawsoniana ‘Pembury Blue’
07 February 2024
CHAMAECYPARIS lawsoniana ‘Pembury Blue’, commonly known as Blue Lawson Cypress or Blue Port Orford cedar, is renowned for its exceptionally colored foliage (see photos). It is one of the …
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CRYPTOMERIA japonica ‘Tomahawk’
28 November 2023
This extraordinary Japanese cedar develops quite dense shoots similar to cockscombs. This gives CRYTPOMERIA japonica ‘Tomahawk’ a very curious appearance. It looks nothing like…
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TILIA cordata ‘Winter Orange’
22 November 2023
TILIA cordata ‘Winter Orange’ belongs to plants with plenty of advantages: First, the wood of this small-leaved lime takes on a bright orange tone in winter. Then, its foliage…
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PINUS thunbergii ‘Thunderhead’
15 November 2023
PINUS thunbergii ‘Thunderhead’ grows slowly. As a result, this Japanese black pine will not exceed 2 m after around twenty years (see the example in our photo). Eventually, it…
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ACER rubrum ‘Schlesingeri’
08 November 2023
ACER rubrum ‘Schlesingeri’ is a red maple or swamp maple. Over time, it has crystallized as THE reference among red maples. In fact, its usually…
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SASSAFRAS albidum
01 Novembre 2023
PYRUS salicifolia ‘Pendula’ represents a small weeping tree with decidedly drooping branches. As a result, this rather extraordinary plant…
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SASSAFRAS albidum
25 October 2023
SASSAFRAS albidum, also called white sassafras or silky sassafras, is an unusual plant. Curiously, this deciduous plant produces three forms of…
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GLYPTOSTROBUS pensilis
18 October 2023
GLYPTOSTROBUS pensilis is an extremely rare conifer and highly appreciated by collectors. Moreover, it is classified as “critically endangered”. The Chinese swamp cypress has almost…
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ACER palmatum ‘Shishigashira’
11 October 2023
ACER palmatum ‘Shishigashira’ is a wonderful little Japanese maple growing very slowly. Moreover, this makes it suited perfectly to small gardens as well. It stands out among…
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LIQUIDAMBAR styraciflua ‘Aurea’
4 October 2023
LIQUIDAMBAR styraciflua ‘Aurea’ has beautiful starry foliage variegated with yellow and green. The yellow color resists the summer sun perfectly and does not burn. Then…
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CERCIDIPHYLLUM japonicum
27 September 2023
CERCIDIPHYLLUM japonicum is a wonderful tree in more than one way. Its green, almost round foliage with its red petioles (see photo) is simply magnificent. In addition…
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TAXODIUM distichum ‘Nutans’
13 September 2023
TAXODIUM distichum ‘Nutans’ is a bald cypress with fine, elegant green foliage that is unlike of any other conifer. Its leaves give it a “cloudy” appearance. Then, in the fall, the foliage…
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FRANGULA alnus ‘Aspleniifolia’
6 September 2023
TAXODIUM distichum ‘Nutans’ is a bald cypress with fine, elegant green foliage that is unlike of any other conifer. Its leaves give it a “cloudy” appearance. Then, in the fall, the foliage…
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HYDRANGEA paniculata ‘Hercules’
30 August 2023
HYDRANGEA paniculata ‘Hercules’ (R) is one of the panicle hydrangeas that you truly must have. Indeed, it develops large and numerous flowers. They begin in cream color to become white and finish pink, later…
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BRASSAIOPSIS mitis
19 July 2023
The BRASSAIOPSIS mitis is probably THE plant for collectors at the moment. Its towering juvenile leaves with their truly unusual cutout at the end of their long stem give the garden a real exotic vibe. They look like …
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LIGUSTRUM japonicum ‘Texanum’
13 July 2023
LIGUSTRUM japonicum ‘Texanum’ develops magnificent shiny and slightly wavy leaves. They are thicker than those of other Japanese privet. Occasionally …
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CRYPTOMERIA japonica ‘Little Champion’
5 July 2023
CRYPTOMERIA japonica ‘Little Champion’ surprises with its truly unusual foliage and shape. Indeed, this Japanese cedar is a dwarf plant because it grows very slowly and will not exceed 1 m. In addition, …
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SAMBUCUS racemosa ‘Golden Tower’
28 June 2023
SAMBUCUS racemosa ‘Golden Tower’ belongs to the plants of the future. This elderberry is perfectly resistant to drought (after about two years of planting). It grows …
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How to water a garden and save water
21 June 2023
We will explain to you in this article how to water a garden properly and at the same time save water. Even if it seems contradictory, we promise to show …
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MUSELLA lasiocarpa
14 June 2023
You can plant this Chinese dwarf banana tree in the ground or in a pot. If you plant it in the ground, you must protect it in winter. It will then start from zero each year. While if you keep it in a pot…
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PICEA pungens ‘Maigold’
31 May 2023
PICEA pungens ‘Maigold’ is a truly unusual conifer on its own. Indeed, for about two months, the new shoots of this Colorado spruce are first white to turn …
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DAVIDIA involucrata vilmoriniana
24 May 2023
For lovers of extraordinary plants, this small, fairly slow-growing tree provides a fabulous spectacle in May with its flowering. Indeed, the small globular flowers of DAVIDIA involucrata vilmoriniana carry enormous …
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SYRINGA vulgaris ‘Sensation’
17 May 2023
SYRINGA vulgaris ‘Sensation’ is one of the common lilacs, even though it has nothing really common. Indeed, its purple flowers edged with white make it a very original shrub. It will not go unnoticed …
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EXOCHORDA x macrantha ‘The Bride’
10 May 2023
For lovers of easy-to-grow plants, EXOCHORDA x macrantha ‘The Bride’ is the perfect choice for you. Its shape will make it a highlight for your garden. With a footprint …
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SYRINGA microphylla ‘Superba’
3 May 2023
If you had to choose just one lilac for your garden, it would be SYRINGA microphylla ‘Superba’. This selection guarantees a first flowering in April/May and a second in summer. This is quite unusual …
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ACER palmatum ‘Will’s Devine’
26 April 2023
The Japanese maple family never ceases to amaze us. For example, ACER palmatum ‘Will’s Devine’. This little maple tree is constantly changing color. In spring …
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TETRADIUM daniellii
20 April 2023
TETRADIUM daniellii (formerly EVODIA daniellii) also bears the name of bee-bee tree. Beekeepers appreciate it enormously since it represents an excellent source …
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