Archives

Achillea spp.

Yarrow is a flowering perennial with fragrant, fine-textured leaves. Tiny flowers are clustered together in flat displays, layered on top of stems. Depending on the variety, flowers bloom in many colors, June-September. Yarrow is easily grown in average, well-drained soil, and is drought-tolerant once established. This plant can spread through rhizomes and self-seeding, and should be divided as needed. Best used in wildflower gardens, meadows, and naturalized areas.

Acer spicatum

Mountain Maple is a small, multi-trunked, understory tree that thrives at high elevations. Small, yellowish-green flowers bloom in clusters on upright stems in early summer. Its leaves turn shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall. Use as a specimen tree or in shady areas. Good choice for preventing erosion on steep slopes and stream banks. Mountain Maple may be difficult to find commercially. Tell your local garden center or nursery about your interest in this tree.

Acer saccharum

Sugar Maple is a slow-growing, medium-sized deciduous tree that can tolerate shade. Non-descript, greenish flowers bloom in April, followed by maple fruits (double-winged samaras). The impressive fall foliage offers brilliant yellow and orange colors. This species is the main source of sap for the production of maple syrup. Use as a specimen tree or shade tree in the yard. It is intolerant of road salt and soil compaction, so avoid planting in areas with those challenging conditions.

Acer saccharinum

Silver Maple is a fast-growing, large deciduous tree. It gets its name from the silvery color on the undersides of its leaves. The leaves are also relatively small, in comparison to those of other maples. Greenish-yellow flowers bloom in March, followed by maple fruits (double-winged samaras). Silver Maple is a preferred nesting site for Baltimore Orioles. This tree has weak-wooded branches susceptible to breakage from high winds or heavy snow. Best used as a specimen or shade tree in areas of the yard where potential breakage will not be a nuisance. Silver Maple is often used in areas where other hardwoods will not grow, since it tolerates poor soils and wet conditions.

Acer rubrum

Red Maple is a medium-sized, cold-tolerant deciduous tree. It has attractive, bright red fall foliage. Clusters of red flowers, which bloom March-April, are followed by red maple fruits (double-winged samaras). Nectar from the flowers is a valuable food source for native bees and honeybees. This wildlife-friendly species is a host for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda) and Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia). The caterpillars provide an early spring food source for birds. Use as a specimen or shade tree in the yard, but not too close to sidewalks or driveways, since this tree has a shallow root system, which may cause buckling of pavement.

Acer pensylvanicum

Striped Maple is a shrubby deciduous tree. Small, greenish-yellow flowers bloom April-May. The leaves turn bright yellow in the fall. The distinctive, striped bark provides ornamental interest, particularly in winter. One of its common names, Whistlewood, originates from the traditional practice of carving whistles from its branches. Use in woodland gardens or shady areas of the yard.

Acer nigrum

Black Maple is a medium-tall deciduous tree with a rounded crown. Impressive fall foliage offers brilliant yellow and orange colors. The leaf and stem structure of this maple species are differentiated from other species by their wider, drooping leaves, waxy coating on twigs, and longer leaf stalks. Small, yellow-green male and female flower clusters bloom separately on the same tree March-April. Flowers are followed by maple fruits (double-winged samaras). This wildlife-friendly tree provides nectar for bees and flower buds and seeds for birds. Use as a shade tree or street tree. Black Maple may be difficult to find commercially. Tell your local garden center or nursery about your interest in this tree.

Acer negundo

Boxelder is a medium-sized, fast-growing deciduous tree. Its compound leaves are different from most other maples. Non-showy, yellow-green flowers bloom March-April on separate male and female trees. The flowers are followed by typical maple fruits (double-winged samaras), which persist on the tree into the winter months. This tree is a host for Boxelder bugs. While they are not harmful to the tree, they may become a nuisance by entering nearby homes for overwintering. Boxelder is susceptible to breakage, occurring either at the crotch of the tree, or where the wood itself is weak, usually along limbs. Best used as a specimen or shade tree in areas of the yard where tree litter and potential breakage will not be a nuisance.