ACER CAMPESTRE
o Field Maple, Hedge Maple, Common Maple
o Aceraceae/Sapindaceae
o Carnival, Nanum
o USDA Hardiness Zone 4-5
o mature height- 25-45 ft. spread- 26 ft
o form- dense, rounded
o water use-medium
o soil requirements-prefers rich, well-drained soil but performs well in high pH soils and acid soils
o leaf arrangement-Opposite, simple with 3-5 rounded palmate leaf lobes, dark green
o fall colour- Yellow/golden, one of the last trees to change colour
o flower/cone/fruit description(s)- Flowers: small and greenish in upright clusters. samara’s ~5cm long, horizontally spread wings, 180 degree
o limitations-Hardy, tough plant but boring until reaches ~200 years old
o suitable uses-Hedge, shade tree, street tree, easy to cultivate as a bonsai
ACER PALMATUM
o Japanese Maple
o Aceraceae/Sapindaceae
o Bloodgood
o USDA Hardiness Zone 5-8
o mature height- 4-8 m spread- 3-7 m
o form- Broadleaf deciduous tree/shrub, rounded to broad rounded usually with low branches
o water use-medium
o soil requirements-well drained
o leaf arrangement-Simple, opposite, palmately lobed 5-7(9), 8-9 cm across leaf, no hair on leaves/stalks, lance-ovate/lance-oblong shape
o fall colour- yellow, scarlet, orange
o flower/cone/fruit description(s)-Flowers: insignificant, reddish purple, will bloom in AprilFruit: samaras come in a pair, 1.3-2 cm long, spread at an obtuse angle o limitations-susceptible to late spring frost
o suitable uses-Ideal size for residential landscape, very popular here!, suitable for bonsai
AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM
o Horse Chestnut
o Sapindaceae
o Bloodgood
o USDA Hardiness Zone 3-4
o mature height- 15-23 m spread- 12-20 m
o form- big, rounded head
o water use-medium
o soil requirements-moist, fertile soil
o leaf arrangement-Opposite, palmately compound, (5)7 leaflets, wedge-shaped base (cuneate) with acuminate tip (ob-lanceolate shape), double serrate margin, terminal leaflet largest, axillary buds
o fall colour- yellow, brown
o flower/cone/fruit description(s)-Flowers: white with blotch of yellowred, bloom in terminal clusters (panicles) in MayFruit: looks like chestnut, smooth with few soft prickles, polished seeds(nuts) AKA conker o limitations-Poison nuts (insecticide)! Once established, difficult to move
o suitable uses-Shade tree, street tree, parks, large lawns
CORNUS KOUSA
o Kousa Dogwood
o Cornaceae
o USDA Hardiness Zone 4-5
o mature height- 4-6 m spread- 4-9 m
o form- Vase-shaped in youth, branches become horizontal with age, shape becomes rounded
o water use-medium
o soil requirements-Organically rich, moist, well-drained sandy soils
o leaf arrangement-Simple, oppositely arranged, pinnately compound veins (very distinct), undulating margin
o fall colour- Purplish-red, scarlet
o flower/cone/fruit description(s)-Flowers: surrounded by 4 creamy-white brachts which appear with leaves, flowers are a yellow button in center of brachts . Fruit: edible when soft! Also known as Strawberry tree for spherical pink/red fruit. Mealy but bland, very distinctive fruit. o limitations-Usually grows as wide as tall, no known pests or diseases
o suitable uses-Street tree (but not as good because must be lifted 4 m for cars…limited lateral space), better for residential landscape, good on the edge of things (i.e. a woodland), flowering tree
o Redvein Enkianthus
o Ericaceae
o USDA Hardiness Zone 4-7
o mature height- 1-3 m spread- 1-2 m
o form- Deciduous shrub with dimorphic tiered branching, elegant o water use- medium
o soil requirements-Prefers moist, organically rich, peaty soils with a pH below 6
o leaf arrangement-Spiral/alternate leaf arrangement o fall colour- Red with tones of orange, yellow, purple plum
o flower/cone/fruit description(s)-Flowers: white and pink/ creamy white to yellow bell flowers, 4-6 mm produced at terminal bud but hangs down in a pendulous cluster (raceme), a fishy smell when flowering o limitations-No pests/diseases, drought and shade tolerant
o suitable uses-Shrub borders, foundation, between buildings, residential, small scale projects. A survivor! Looks like a rhododendron, very versatile. Smooth grey bark.
EUONYMOUS JAPONICUS
o Japanese Euonymous, Evergreen Euonymous
o Celastraceae
o USDA Hardiness Zone 6
o mature height- 1 m spread- 1-2 m
o form- Broadleaf evergreen, shrubby, relatively upright o water use- medium
o soil requirements-well drained
o leaf arrangement-Oppositely arranged, simple ovate leaves with serrated margins, rubbery stems and petioles o fall colour- evergreen
o flower/cone/fruit description(s)-White pinkish fruit open up to orange arils (poison for humans) o limitations-Sensitive to powdery mildew
o suitable uses-Low shrub, group/mass planting, hedge row
GLEDITSIA TRIACANTHOS (F. INERMIS) (tricanthos= 3 thorns
o Honey Locust
o Fabaceae
o USDA Hardiness Zone 3-8A
o mature height- 50-75 ft spread- 30-50 ft
o form- Ascending crown o water use- needs moisture at depth
o soil requirements-deep, well drained soil
o leaf arrangement-Pinnate and bi-pinnately compound, lanceolate shape o fall colour- yellow
o flower/cone/fruit description(s)-tiny flowers, fruit are legumes o limitations-Pests: pod gall midge. Needs to be planted on a hill in the sun and in the open or else susceptible to water stress (as seen with side shoots) o suitable uses-East of the Mississippi River
JUGLANS AILANTIFOLIA
o Japanese Butternut
o Juglandaceae
o USDA Hardiness Zone 5
o mature height- 40-65 ft spread- 30-50 ft
o form- tall, broad and round crown
o soil requirements-deep, well drained soil
o leaf arrangement-Alternate, pinnately compound, ovate-oblong, serrate o fall colour- yellow
o flower/cone/fruit description(s)-Catkins on males, flowers on females. Fruit: edible walnuts! Produces a lot, squirrels love them o limitations-A bit problematic (too many nuts), generally not cultivated because weedy, too large for residential o suitable uses-attracting squirrels
LEOCOTHOE FONTANESIA
o Rainbow Leucothoe
o Ericaceae
o USDA Hardiness Zone 5
o mature height- .7-1.3 m spread- 1.5-2m
o form- Oval-horizontal, round, arching habit
o soil requirements-acidic
o leaf arrangement-Alternate with lanceolate/oblong/ovate leaves, serrated margins o fall colour- yellow
o flower/cone/fruit description(s)-Showy flowers, longish racemes of blueberry-like flowers. Dry, capsular fruit o limitations-Ugly if not renovated ( hard pruned) o suitable uses- Mixed shrub border, woodland margin
NYSSA SINENSIS
o Chinese Tupelo
o Nyssaceae/ Cornaceae
o USDA Hardiness Zone 7
o mature height- 7-10 m spread- 7-10m
o form- Like a cone: pyramidal, broad horizontal branches o water use- medium
o soil requirements-acidic , well drained
o leaf arrangement-Alternate, simple oblong. elliptic lanceolate leaves with pinnate veins, toothless margin o fall colour- red
o flower/cone/fruit description(s)-SLozenge shaped blue fruit o limitations-Needs space: not for small landscape, no known pests/diseases o suitable uses- Street tree, good for wet spots (tolerant of saturated soils)
PHYLLOSTACHYS BAMBUSOIDES
o Japanese Timber Bamboo, Groove Stem Bamboo
o Poaceae
o USDA Hardiness Zone 7-10
o mature height- 20 m. 10 cm in diameter
o form- upright stalks o water use- medium
o soil requirements- Fertile, moist ,well-drained soil
o leaf arrangement-Lance shaped leaves, 2 branches form each node o fall colour- red
o flower/cone/fruit description(s)-SLozenge shaped blue fruit o limitations-Pests: bamboo mite, also very destructive spreading. o suitable uses- Needs a container (about 4-6 cm of reinforced concrete)! Produces rhizomes and will fill a place if not contained
ROBINIA PSEUDOACACIA ‘FRISIA’
o Frisia Black Locust
o Fabaceae
o USDA Hardiness Zone 4
o mature height-10-15 m. spread- 7-10 m
o form- Columnar, oval-vertical with twiggy, upright habit o water use- medium
o soil requirements- Rocky or gravelly or dry, well-drained soil
o leaf arrangement-Alternately arranged, compound o fall colour- always yellow, strong chartreuse
o flower/cone/fruit description(s)-Showy white flowers (usually none unless near another frisia becomes of self-incompatibility). Legumes (smaller than Gleditsia) o suitable uses- Shade tree, specimen plant
SALIX ‘CHRYSOCOMA’
o Golden Weeping Willow
o Salicaceae
o USDA Hardiness Zone 6
o mature height-5-7 m. spread- 10-15 m
o form- Arching, oval-horizontal, weeping o water use- lots of water, enjoys being next to a body of water
o soil requirements- Bog
o leaf arrangement-Simple, alternate, soft-flexible lanceolate. Golden stems and green leaves o fall colour- When leaves fall off, yellow stems become golden and tree SHINES
o flower/cone/fruit description(s)-Catkins o Limitations- Prone to canker disease. Will clog up underground water collection drains (plant 10-15m away!). A bit messy when branches fall off o suitable uses- Great at sopping up water (wetlands, bogs), good for parks, large estates, iconic tree
SPIRAEA NIPPONICA
o Snowmound Spiraea
o Rosaceae
o USDA Hardiness Zone 4
o mature height- .7-1.3 m. spread- 1- 1.5 m
o form- Arching, spreading, upright habit, vase/fountain shaped o water use- low
o soil requirements-
o leaf arrangement-Alternately arranged, lanceolate/ob-lanceolate simple, toothed leaves, red stalks
o flower/cone/fruit description(s)- Hundreds of tiny white flowers cover branches just as leaves emerging. Dry, capsular fruit o Limitations- Better in sun than shade, no known pests/diseases o suitable uses- Mixed shrub border
STEWARTIA MONADELPHA
o Orange Bark Stewartia
o Theaceae
o USDA Hardiness Zone 6-8
o mature height- 9 m. spread- 4.5 m
o form- Pyramidal, vase-shaped, open crown
o soil requirements- Well-drained soil, woodland conditions
o leaf arrangement-Alternately arranged, simple ovate leaf o Fall colour- Red, plum-purple o flower/cone/fruit description(s)- White 5 crumpled petal flowers with a big stamen in the middle. Inconspicuous small fruit o Limitations- Very brittle roots (limits size at which it can be moved). Doesn’t prune well (easily ruined, doesn’t recover easily from it) o suitable uses-Beautiful three season tree (3 showy seasons) has warm coloured peeling bark, good for residential landscapes. Looks good right from the start (flowers relatively early in life)
o Viburnum, Deciduous shrub
o Adoxaceae
o USDA Hardiness Zone 5-7
o mature height- 8-10 ft spread- 4-6 ft
o form- upright, narrow, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub o soil requirements- average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best flowering in full sun. Avoid soils that are dry or wet.
o leaf arrangement-Toothed, narrow-ovate leaves (2-4″ long) emerge in spring with bronze tints, but mature to deep green o Fall colour- burgundy, red o flower/cone/fruit description(s)- extremely fragrant, tubular, pink flowers. Flowers give way to red berries (drupes) which eventually mature to black by fall. o Limitations- Late winter/early spring flowers are susceptible to frost damage. o suitable uses-Good three-season interest (spring flowers, quality summer foliage and good fall color). Foundations or shrub borders. May be grown as a screen or hedge. Shrub also has good specimen value. Consider siting this shrub in areas (along a walkway or near a door) where the flowers can be observed and the fragrance enjoyed.
VIBURNUM LANTANA
o Wayfaring Tree Viburnum, Deciduous shrub
o Adoxaceae
o USDA Hardiness Zone 4-8
o mature height- 7-8 ft spread- 7-10 ft
o form- compact, dense, upright, rounded, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub o soil requirements- average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Better drought tolerance than most other viburnums.
o leaf arrangement-Thick, ovate, dark green leaves o Fall colour- undistinguished reddish purple o flower/cone/fruit description(s)- Non-fragrant, creamy white flowers in flat-topped cymes (to 3-5″ diameter) appear in spring. Flowers give way in July to orangish-red berry-like drupes which hold their showy color for approximately one month before ripening to black. o suitable uses-Shrub borders, screen or hedge.
SOURCES:
- Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Dirr, M. A. Stipes Publishing, Champaign, Illinois.
Easily organized and had good pictures.
- Oregon State Department of Horticulture <http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/>
- Had a lot of plants we are studying but were presented in a confusing and time consuming way.
- Missouri Botanical Garden <missouribotanicalgarden.org>
- Had almost every single plant on the list with pertinent information!