Big Thrills for Small spaces

BIG THRILLS FOR SMALL
SPACES
SMALL TREES AND SHRUBS FOR THE SPACECHALLENGED GARDEN
Longfellow
Garden
Club
Spring
2014
ALL PLANTS HARDY TO
SOUTHEASTERN MN
ALL PLANTS AVAILABLE AT LOCAL NURSERIES
SMALL TREES AND SHRUBS
PART ONE: SMALL TREES
SMALL TREES FOR S.E. MN
• Deciduous
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Three-flower Maple
Juneberry ‘Autumn Brilliance’
Birch Dakota Pinnacle
Blue Beech
Eastern Redbud – northern strain
White Fringetree
Cockspur Hawthorn - thornless
Merrill Magnolia
Crabapple ‘Donald Wyman’
Ussurian Pear ‘Prairie Gem’
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Acer triflorum
Nick Name
Three-flower Maple
Height: 20-30 feet
Width: 20 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: Manchuria and Korea
Sun Preference: Full sun
to light shade
Soil Preference: Organic,
friable
pH: <7.5
Drainage: Well-drained
Problems: None
Values: Patio, compatible with
turfgrass, interesting bark and
foliage.
Flower: Little feller
Time of Year: Spring
Autumn Foliage:
Yellows/Reds
Fruit: Samara
THREE-FLOWER MAPLE
THREE-FLOWER MAPLE
THREE-FLOWER MAPLE
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Nick Name
Amelanchier arborea x Autumn Brilliance
laevis ‘Autumn Brilliance’ Serviceberry
Height: 20-25 feet
Width: 15 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: Minnesota east
Sun Preference: Full sun
to Moderate shade
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: <7.5
Drainage: Moderate to Well
Problems: Low potential Values: Wildlife, edible
for fireblight, rust, mildew landscape, deicing salt
tolerant
Flower: White
Time of Year: April/May
Autumn Foliage: Reds
Fruit: Dark blue pome.
AUTUMN BRILLIANCE SERVICEBERRY
Photo: pinterest.com
Photo: iTrees.com
AUTUMN BRILLIANCE SERVICEBERRY
Photo: wisdomdesigns.com
Photo: connonnurseries.com
Photo: Northscaping .com
AUTUMN BRILLIANCE SERVICEBERRY
Photo: thetreefarm.com
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Nick Name
Betula platyphylla ‘Fargo’ Dakota Pinnacle Birch
Height: 25 feet
Width: 6-10 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: species from Asia
Sun Preference: Full sun
to light shade
Soil Preference: Cool and
moist…organic is nice
pH: 6.0-8.0
Drainage: Moderate to well
Problems: Bronze Birch
Borer if drought stressed;
Japanese Beetle
Values: Compatible with
turfgrass, white bark and
narrow habit.
Flower: Catkin
Time of Year: Spring
Autumn Foliage: Yellow
Fruit: Nutlet
DAKOTA PINNACLE BIRCH
Photos: Knecht’s Nursery
DAKOTA PINNACLE BIRCH
Photo: NDSUresearchfoundation.com
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Carpinus caroliniana
Nick Name
Blue Beech
Height: 20-30 feet
Width: 20 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen: Home: Eastern US, including
MN
Sun Preference: Full sun
to moderate shade
Soil Preference: Organic,
moist
pH: <7.5
Drainage: Moderate to well
Problems: Two lined
chestnut borer if
drought stressed
Values: Interesting bark,
understory tree
Flower: Monoecious
Time of Year: Spring
Autumn Foliage:
Yellows/Reds/Oranges
Fruit: Nutlet on 3-pronged
bract
BLUE BEECH
Photo: Ohio State University
Photo: yourleaf.org
BLUE BEECH
Photo: Iowa State University
Photo: Bachman’s Nursery
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Cercis canadensis
Nick Name
Eastern Redbud northern strain
Height: 20-30 feet
Width: 20 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: Eastern US
Sun Preference: Full sun to
moderate shade
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: <7.5
Drainage: Well-drained
Problems: None
Values: Patio, foliage, flower.
Flower: Lavender
Time of Year: Spring, before
leaves unfurl
Autumn Foliage: Yellows
Fruit: Pod (it’s a legume)
EASTERN REDBUD
Photo: delawarewildflowers.org
EASTERN REDBUD
EASTERN REDBUD
Photo: Colorado State University
Photo: Illinois DNR
Photo: Iowa State University
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Chionanthus virginicus
Nick Name
White Fringetree
Height: 20 feet
Width: 20 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: S.E. US
Sun Preference: Full sun
to light shade
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: <7.5
Drainage: Tolerant
Problems: None
Values: Wildlife, native to
riparian landscapes, fragrant
Flower: Pannicles on
polygamo-dioecious
trees
Time of Year: Spring
Autumn Foliage: Yellows
Fruit: Dark blue drupe
WHITE FRINGETREE
Photo:
Gobotany.newenglandwild.
org
Photo: Native American Encyclopedia
WHITE FRINGETREE
Photo: Vanderbilt University
Photo: Wayside Gardens
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Crataegus crusgalli var.
inermis
Nick Name
Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn
Height: 20 feet
Width: 20 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: Eastern half of US,
including MN
Sun Preference: Full sun
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: <7.5
Drainage: Well
Problems: Rust, fireblight
and many insect pests
Values: Wildlife, low screens
Flower: Creamy-white,
perfect
Time of Year: Spring
Autumn Foliage: Dark
reddish
Fruit: Pome
COCKSPUR HAWTHORN
Photo: cirrusimage.com
Photo: Chaletnursery.com
COCKSPUR HAWTHORN
Photo: itrees.com
Photo: iwu.com
Photo: Conservation Garden Park
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Magnolia x loebneri
‘Merrill’ (M kobus x
stellata)
Nick Name
Merrill Magnolia
Height: 25-30 feet
Width: 25-30 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: Japan
Sun Preference: Full sun
to light shade
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: <7.5
Drainage: Moderate to well
Problems: Scale, if
drought stressed
Values: Wildlife, fragrant
Flower: Creamy-white,
perfect
Time of Year: Spring
Autumn Foliage: Yellow
Fruit: Aggregate of follicles
MERRILL MAGNOLIA
Photos itrees.com
Photo: thesitegardener.com
Photo: hopelodgecenter.co.uk
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Malus ‘Donald Wyman’
Nick Name
Donald Wyman Flowering
Crabapple
Height: 20 feet
Width: 25 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: US
Sun Preference: Full sun
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: 6.0-8.0
Drainage: Moderate to well
Problems: No problems
Values: Wildlife, fragrant
Flower: Creamy-white,
perfect
Time of Year: Spring
Autumn Foliage: Yellow
Fruit: Small, persistent, bright
red pome
DONALD WYMAN CRABAPPLE
Photo: The Site Gardener
Photo: pinterest.com
Photo: Toronto Botanic Garden
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Nick Name
Pyrus ussuriensis ‘Mordak’ Prairie Gem Ussurian Pear
Height: 20-25 feet
Width: 15-20 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: N.E. Asia
Sun Preference: Full sun
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: 6.0-8.0+
Drainage: Moderate to well
Problems: No problems
Values: Wildlife, cold, cold,
cold hardy
Flower: Creamy-white,
perfect
Time of Year: Spring
Autumn Foliage:
Red/purple
Fruit: Small, persistent pome,
but only if cross-pollinated
PRAIRIE GEM PEAR
Photo: NDSU Research
Photo: Fossil Creek Nursery
PRAIRIE GEM PEAR
Photo: imagejuicy.com
Photo: creeksideboulder.com
Photo: NDSU research
SMALL TREES FOR S.E. MN
• Evergreen
•
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•
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•
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Korean Golden Fir
Juniper ‘Wichita Blue’
Norway Spruce ‘Cupressina Columnar’
White Spruce ‘North Star’
White Spruce ‘Yukon Blue’
Swiss Stone Pine
Pyramidal Yew
Northern White Cedar ‘Techny’
Northern White Cedar ‘Degroots Spire’
Canadian Hemlock ‘Monler’
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Abies koreana ‘Aurea’
Nick Name
Korean Golden Fir
Height: 20-25 feet
Width: 10-15 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: Uhhhh, Korea.
Introduced in 1908
Sun Preference: Full sun
to light shade
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: <7.5
Drainage: Moderate to well
Problems: No problems
Values: Foliage color, more
drought tolerant than other firs
Flower: None, it’s a
gymnosperm
Time of Year: n/a
Autumn Foliage: Same as Fruit: No fruit, but purple cones
summer…golden tinge
in spring
KOREAN GOLDEN FIR
Photo: Bachman’s Nursery
KOREAN GOLDEN FIR
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Juniperus scopulorum
‘Wichita Blue’
Nick Name
Wichita Blue Juniper
Height: 15-20 feet
Width: 4-8 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: Rocky Mountains
Sun Preference: Full sun
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: <8.0
Drainage: Well
Problems: No problems
Values: Foliage color, drought
tolerant, narrow habit
Flower: None, it’s a
gymnosperm
Time of Year: n/a
Autumn Foliage: Same as Fruit: No fruit, but tiny dark
summer…blue
blue cones (mistakingly called
juniper berries)
WICHITA BLUE JUNIPER
Photo: discoverlife.org
Photo: jcbakker.com
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Picea abies ‘Cupressina’
Nick Name
Cupressina Norway Spruce
Height: 15 feet
Width: 5 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: North/central Europe
Sun Preference: Full sun
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: <8.0
Drainage: Well
Problems: No problems
Values: Foliage color, drought
tolerant, narrow habit
Flower: None, it’s a
gymnosperm
Time of Year: n/a
Autumn Foliage: Same as Fruit: No fruit, but a pendulous
summer…hey, it’s an
cone
evergreen
CUPRESSINA NORWAY SPRUCE
Photo: learn2grow.com
Photo: pinterest.com
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Picea glauca ‘Northstar’
Nick Name
‘North Star’ White Spruce
Height: 12-15 feet
Width: 5 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: North America,
Including MN
Sun Preference: Full sun
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: <8.0
Drainage: Well
Problems: No problems
Values: Drought tolerant and
resists winter burn
Flower: None, it’s a
gymnosperm
Time of Year: n/a
Autumn Foliage: Same as Fruit: Small cone, maybe
summer.
NORTH STAR WHITE SPRUCE
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Picea glauca ‘Yukon
Blue’
Nick Name
‘Yukon Blue’ White Spruce
Height: 15-20 feet
Width: 5 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: North America,
Including MN
Sun Preference: Full sun
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: <8.0
Drainage: Well
Problems: No problems
Values: Drought tolerant,
narrow and upright
Flower: None, it’s a
gymnosperm
Time of Year: n/a
Autumn Foliage: Same as Fruit: Small cone
summer…bluish
‘YUKON BLUE’ WHITE SPRUCE
Photo: hortiholic.com
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Pinus cembra
Nick Name
Swiss Stone Pine
Height: 30 feet
Width: 20 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: Central Europe, SE Asia
Sun Preference: Full sun
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: 5.5-7.5
Drainage: Well
Problems: No problems
Values: Slow growing, looks
like a small version of white
pine
Flower: None, it’s a
gymnosperm
Time of Year: n/a
Autumn Foliage: Same as Fruit: Cone…a pine cone
summer…light green
SWISS STONE PINE
Photo: thinkaholic.com
Photo: graytowers.com
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Taxus capitata
Nick Name
Pyramidal Yew
Height: 25-30 feet
Width: 15-20 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: Japan, introduced
1853
Sun Preference: Tolerant
Soil Preference: Moist, organic
pH: 5.5-7.5
Drainage: Well
Problems: Poor drainage,
southern exposure, deer
Values: Dark green, pyramidal
Flower: None, it’s a
gymnosperm
Time of Year: n/a
Autumn Foliage: Same as Fruit: Small ovoid seed in a red
summer…dark green
aril
PYRAMIDAL YEW
Photo: cjfiore.com
Photo: Jimwhitingnursery
Photo: Robsplants.com
PYRAMIDAL YEW
Photo: Gardenworldimages.com
Photo: geograph.org.uk
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Thuja occidentalis
‘Techny’
Nick Name
Northern White Cedar ‘Techny’
Height: 10-15 feet
Width: 6-8 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: N.E. US, including MN
Sun Preference: Tolerant
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: 5.5-8
Drainage: Tolerant
Problems: Southern
exposure, deer
Values: Dark green, pyramidal
Flower: None, it’s a
gymnosperm
Time of Year: n/a
Autumn Foliage: Same as Fruit: Small brown cone
summer…green
NORTHERN WHITE CEDAR ‘TECHNY’
Photo: candetrees.com
Photo: Treetrust.org
Photo: geolocation.com
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Thuja occidentalis
‘Degroots Spire’
Nick Name
Northern White Cedar
‘Degroots Spire’
Height: 6-8 feet
Width: 2-3 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: N.E. US, including MN
Sun Preference: Tolerant
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: 5.5-8
Drainage: Tolerant
Problems: Southern
exposure, deer
Values: Dark green, columnar
Flower: None, it’s a
gymnosperm
Time of Year: n/a
Autumn Foliage: Same as Fruit: Small brown cone
summer…green
NORTHERN WHITE CEDAR ‘DEGROOTS
SPIRE’
Photo: learn2grow.com
Photo: Longfellowsgarden.com
Photo: bluerivernursery.com
TREE REPORT CARD
Given Name
Tsuga canadensis
‘Monler’
Nick Name
Emerald Fountain Hemlock
Height: 6-10’ feet
Width: 2-3 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: N.E. US, including MN
Sun Preference: Tolerant
Soil Preference: Moist and
cool
pH: 5.5-7.5
Drainage: Tolerant
Problems: Southern
exposure, deer
Values: Dark green, good for
small, shady spaces
Flower: None, it’s a
gymnosperm
Time of Year: n/a
Autumn Foliage: Same as Fruit: Small brown cone
summer…dark green
EMERALD FOUNTAIN HEMLOCK
Photo: Brandeis University
Photo: insideiris.com
Photo: sciencephoto.com
SMALL TREES AND SHRUBS
P A R T T WO : S H R U B S
SHRUBS FOR S.E. MN
•
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Black Chokeberry ‘Iroquois Beauty’
Boxwood ‘Chicagoland Green’
Summersweet ‘Ruby Spice’
Redosier Dogwood ‘Cardinal’
Daphne ‘Carol Mackie’
Fothergilla ‘Blue Shadow’
Common Witch Hazel
Winterberry Holly ‘Afterglow’
Mockorange ‘Snowbelle’
Arrowwood Viburnum ‘Autumn Jazz’
SHRUB REPORT CARD
Given Name
Aronia melanocarpa
‘Iroquois Beauty’
Nick Name
Black Chokeberry ‘Iroquois
Beauty’
Height: 3’ feet
Width: 3-5 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: N.E. US, including MN
Sun Preference: Sunny to
light shade
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: 5.5-upper 7’s
Drainage: Tolerant
Problems: Fireblight
occasionally
Values: Wiildlife, fruit makes a
nutritious juice, edible
landscapes
Flower: White, perfect
Time of Year: Spring
Autumn Foliage: Reds,
burgundy
Fruit: Blue-black pome
BLACK CHOKEBERRY ‘IROQUOIS
BEAUTY’
Photo: hgtvgardens.com
Photo: wilsonsnureries.com
SHRUB REPORT CARD
Given Name
Buxus x ‘Chicagoland
Green’
Nick Name
‘Chicagoland Green’
Boxwood
Height: 3 feet
Width: 3-5 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: Japan, and Wrigley
Field
Sun Preference: Tolerant
Soil Preference: Organic, cool
pH: 5.5-7
Drainage: Moderate to well
Problems: Southern
exposure, deer
Values: Small, can be
sheared, fragrant flowers
Flower: No petals so easy
to miss
Time of Year: Late spring
summer
Autumn Foliage: Same as Fruit: Dry capsule
summer…green
‘CHICAGOLAND GREEN’ BOXWOOD
Photo: Gertens.com
SHRUB REPORT CARD
Given Name
Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby
Spice’
Nick Name
Summersweet ‘Ruby Spice’
Height: 3-5 feet
Width: 3-5 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: Eastern US
Sun Preference: Tolerant
Soil Preference: Organic, cool
pH: 5.5-7.5
Drainage: Tolerant
Problems: There probably Values: Fragrant flowers in
are some
mid-late summer…yes,
summer
Flower: Rich rose on
upright racemes or
panicles
Time of Year: Summer
Autumn Foliage: Yellow
Fruit: Dry capsule
SUMMERSWEET ‘RUBY SPICE’
Photo: pinterest.com
Photo: grobenursery.com
SUMMERSWEET ‘RUBY SPICE’
Photo: statebystategardening.com
SHRUB REPORT CARD
Given Name
Nick Name
Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’ Redosier Dogwood ‘Cardinal’
Height: 8-10 feet
Width: 8-10 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: North America,
including MN
Sun Preference: Tolerant
Soil Preference:
pH: 5.5-8.0
Drainage: Tolerant
Problems: Fungal twig
canker
Values: The one and only
reason why snow is
good…it’s a backdrop for
the bright, red canes; wildlife
Flower: While, flat cymes
Time of Year: Late spring
Autumn Foliage: Yellows,
reds, purples
Fruit: White drupe
REDOSIER DOGWOOD ‘CARDINAL’
Photo: Knechts Nursery
Photo: pic2fly.com
REDOSIER DOGWOOD ‘CARDINAL’
Photo: horticopia.inc
Photo: soltygardencentre.com
SHRUB REPORT CARD
Given Name
Daphne x burkwoodii
‘Carol Mackie’
Nick Name
Daphne ‘Carol Mackie’
Height: 3 feet
Width: 3-5 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Semi-evergreen
Home: Europe, introduced in
1752
Sun Preference: Light
shade
Soil Preference: Organic,
moist
pH: 5.5-7.0
Drainage: Well-drained
Problems: Winter sun
scorch, some pests,
viruses
Values: Fragrance,
understory plant
Flower: Pink, in umbels
Time of Year: Late spring
Autumn Foliage:
Fruit: n/a
DAPHNE ‘CAROL MACKIE’
Photo: fossilcreeknursery.com
DAPHNE ‘CAROL MACKIE’
Photo: greengaldesigns.com
SHRUB REPORT CARD
Given Name
Fothergilla gardenii ‘Blue
Shadow’
Nick Name
Fothergilla ‘Blue Shadow’
Height: 3-4 feet
Width: 2-4 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: Eastern N.A.
Sun Preference: Sun to
moderate shade
Soil Preference: Organic,
moist
pH: 5.0-7.5
Drainage: Well-drained
Problems: Non-target
pesticide drifts
Values: Fragrance,
understory plant, 3 seasons of
interest
Flower: White, apetalous,
bottlebrush spikes
Time of Year: Late spring,
early summer
Autumn Foliage: Orange, Fruit: Dry capsule
scarlets
FOTHERGILLA ‘BLUE SHADOW’
Photo: Missouri Botanic Garden
FOTHERGILA ‘BLUE SHADOW’
Photos: pinterest.com
SHRUB REPORT CARD
Given Name
Hamamelis virginiana
Nick Name
Common Witch Hazel
Height: 12-15 feet
Width: 12-15 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: Eastern N.A. including
MN
Sun Preference: Sun to
moderate shade
Soil Preference: Organic,
moist
pH: 5.0-7.5
Drainage: Moderate to well
Problems: Not really
Values: Autumn flower when
there are no leaves
Flower: Bright yellow ,
perfect, cymes
Time of Year: Late to mid
autumn
Autumn Foliage: Bright,
bright yellow
Fruit: Dry capsule
COMMON WITCH HAZEL
Photo: Missouri Botanic Garden
COMMON WITCH HAZEL
Photo: Missouri Botanic Garden
SHRUB REPORT CARD
Given Name
Ilex verticillata
‘Afterglow’
Nick Name
Winterberry Holly ‘Afterglow’
Height: 4-6 feet
Width: 4-6 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: Eastern N.A. including
MN
Sun Preference: Sun to
light shade
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: 5.0-7.5
Drainage: Tolerant
Problems: Not really
Values: Wildlife, riparian
areas, autumn/winter interest
Flower: White, small,
dioecious
Time of Year: Mid-spring
Autumn Foliage: Nothing
to write home about
Fruit: Four-seeded drupe,
orange to orange-red
WINTERBERRY HOLLY ‘AFTERGLOW’
Photos: Missouri Botanic Garden
WINTERBERRY HOLLY ‘AFTERGLOW’
Photos: florifinder.com
SHRUB REPORT CARD
Given Name
Philadelphus x
‘Snowbelle’
Nick Name
Mockorange ‘Snowbelle’
Height: 4 feet
Width: 4 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: Canada
Sun Preference: Sun to
light shade
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: 5.0-7.5
Drainage: Well-drained
Problems: Not really
Values: Period landscapes,
fragrance
Flower: White, fragrant,
raceme clusters
Time of Year: Mid-late spring
Autumn Foliage: Nothing
to write home about
Fruit: Dry capsule
MOCKORANGE ‘SNOWBELLE’
Photo: Missouri Botanic Garden
Photo: dragongoose.com
SHRUB REPORT CARD
Given Name
Viburnum dentatum
‘Autumn Jazz’
Nick Name
Arrowwood Viburnum
‘Autumn Jazz’
Height: 6-8 feet
Width: 6-8 feet
Deciduous or Evergreen:
Home: North America,
including MN
Sun Preference: Sun to
moderate shade
Soil Preference: Tolerant
pH: 5.0-7.5
Drainage: Tolerant
Problems: Not really
Values: Wildlife, shade
gardens
Flower: White, flattopped cymes
Time of Year: Mid-late spring
Autumn Foliage:
Spectacular, reds,
burgundy
Fruit: Spectacular, blue to
black drupe
ARROWWOOD VIBURNUM ‘AUTUMN
JOY’
Photo: Missouri Botanic Garden
Photo: gal4piclab.us
Photo: gal4piclab.us
TREES.UMN.EDU
GARY’S NOTES
GARY JOHNSON, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA