Cornus sericea
In the wild red osier dogwoods grow in near swamps and on river banks, where they form dense thickets; they are characterized by creamy white flowers and fruits that are attractive to birds and butterflies, but their best feature are the stems, which turn a deep red in the fall, as soon as temperature drops. Plants benefit from pruning if a more compact size and shape are desired and also to produce red stems for winter interest, as plants tend to lose their color as they age. Pruning is best done in late winter, when plants are still dormant. Red osier dogwoods are a good choice for the mixed border, in rain gardens or in combination with evergreens or plants with exfoliating bark (such as river birches and oakleaf hydrangeas) to provide color contrast in winter. If left unchecked, they can be used for screening. They are not deer resistant and they can be affected by leaf spots in humid weather.
Height at pickup: 2’+
Height: 3-10 ft
Spread: 4-8 ft
Pot size: 5 gal
Bloom time: Late spring
Light: Sun to light shade
Moisture: Medium to wet
Attracts: Birds, butterflies, and moths
Deer resistant: No
Companion plants: winterberry, summersweet, ninebark
Picture: Lady Bird Johnson, Smith, R.W.
Quercus bicolor
Swamp white oak is a medium to large tree with leaves that have shallow lobes or wavy edges with a shiny green upper surface and a silvery, fuzzy underside. The bark is dark and scaly, often flaking in strips, and the tree produces acorns in pairs on long stalks. Adapted to wet soils, it thrives in swamps, riverbanks, and poorly drained areas.
Ecologically, swamp white oak provides food and shelter for birds, mammals, and insects. Its acorns are an essential energy source for wildlife. The species is also favored in urban planting due to its tolerance of compacted soils and pollutants. Its durable, water-resistant wood is used for construction, fencing, and furniture. Native to wetlands and floodplains in the eastern and midwestern United States.
Height at pickup: 12”+
Height: 50’ – 80’
Spread: 50’ - 60’
Pot size: 2 gal
Bloom time: March to May
Light: Part Shade
Moisture: Moist - Wet
Attracts: Birds, mammals and insects
Deer resistant: Moderate until maturity
Companion Plants: River birch, flowering dogwood, white turtlehead, Virginia bluebells, foamflower, coral bells
Photo: Lady Bird Johnson, Brundage, Stephanie
Juniperus virginiana
Magnificent evergreen, with shreddy reddish-brown bark and blue-green scale-like foliage, provides great winter interest and shelter, food and nesting material for birds and small animals. Although named redcedar, it is a juniper producing blue berry-like cones (female). This drought tolerant tree draws its name from the aromatic true cedar fragrance of its heartwood. It is a Keystone plant, stabilizing soil erosion with its deep roots, while providing and supporting wildlife. Native to eastern U.S.
Height at pickup: 6”+
Height: 30’ – 65’
Spread: 8’ – 25’
Pot size: 1 gal.
Bloom time: non-flowering
Light: Full sun
Moisture: Dry
Attracts: Birds - cedar waxwings (named for their love of the berry-like cones). Butterflies -host for the Olive Juniper Hairstreak. Moths - imperial moth
Deer resistant: Yes
Companion plants: Pussytoes, winterberry, witch hazel, lady fern
Chionanthus virginicus
A small, deciduous tree with a multi-stemmed habit that can be trained into a single trunk. In late spring, fragrant flower clusters with creamy white fringe-like petals appear turning into showy blue-black fruits as they mature in late summer. The bark, with its scaly dark brown ridges and red furrows, brings winter interest. Fringe Tree grows about 6 to 10 inches each year.
Height at pickup: 2’+
Height: 12-20’
Spread: 12-20’
Pot size: 5 gal
Bloom time: May - June
Light: Full to part sun. Best foliage in partial shade and the best flowering in full sun
Moisture: Medium
Attracts: Birds, host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Rustic sphinx (Manduca rustica).
Deer resistance: Moderate
Companion Plants: Indian pink, skullcap, Arrowood Viburnum, Heuchera, ferns
Photo Credit: Jason Sturner-cc wikimedia
Cornus florida
Considered the most beautiful Native American flowering tree. Attractive white bracts bloom in profusion in spring. In fall, the leaves turn red and the red fruit, drupes, provide a feast for the birds. Northeastern U.S. Native.
Height at pickup: 2’+
Height: 15’- 30’
Spread: 15’ - 30’
Pot size: 1 gal
Bloom time: April - June
Light: Full sun, part shade
Moisture: Average, moist
Attracts: Birds and other wildlife eat the fruit and use the twigs for nests. Pollinators and the host plant for Spring Azure butterfly.
Deer Resistant: Moderate
Companion Plants: Mountain laurel, drooping Leucothoe, mapleleaf viburnum, wild geranium, Christmas fern
The photo is the straight species, the variety may vary.
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