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Ptelea trifoliata

Common Hoptree is a small, deciduous, flowering tree or pruned shrub. Tiny, white flowers bloom in June. The flowers can have an unpleasant fragrance, and are pollinated by carrion flies. The fruit can be used as a substitute for hops. Common Hoptree is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) and Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes). Plant Common Hoptree as a specimen or in groups in your yard. It can also be used as a hedge or for a screen.

Pseudolarix amabilis

Chinese Golden-larch is a slow-growing, broadly-conical-shaped, deciduous conifer tree. It is monoecious; male and female cones appear separately on the same tree. The soft green needles turn golden yellow in fall before dropping. Chinese Golden-larch needs a large space to expand over time. It tolerates some shade, but not full shade. Chinese Golden-larch makes an attractive specimen tree for large yards. It is sometimes used for bonsai. This tree may be difficult to find commercially. Tell your local garden center or nursery about your interest in this plant.

Prunus laurocerasus

Cherry Laurel is a broad, spreading, evergreen shrub. Its small white flowers cover erect stems April-May. Black fruits ripen in the summer and provide a food source for birds; however, the berries are inedible to humans. Prune as needed after flowering. Use Cherry Laurel in shrub borders, as pruned hedges, in a shade garden, or along woodland edges in your yard.

Prunus angustifolia

Chickasaw Plum is a thicket-forming shrub with a tendency to form large colonies. It features clusters of white flowers which bloom in March, offering early spring appeal. The nectar provides an important food source for early emerging butterflies and bees. Edible, cherry-like, reddish plums ripen in midsummer and provide an excellent source of food for birds and wildlife. Fruits can be made into jellies and jams. Chickasaw Plum has medium-high wind resistance. Use Chickasaw Plum in sunny woodland areas of your yard, as a screen or hedge, in shrub borders, or along stream banks for erosion control.

Prunus americana

American Plum is a small, wildlife-friendly tree or multi-stemmed shrub. Aromatic clusters of white flowers bloom in mid-March, followed by edible red plums with yellow pulp, which ripen in midsummer. The nectar and fruit provide food sources for butterflies, bees, and birds. The fruit can be used for jams and jellies. American Plum can be used as a hedgerow, along borders, as a screen, or as a specimen in your yard.

Polystichum acrostichoides

Christmas Fern is a clumping evergreen fern. It displays leathery, lance-shaped fronds. Emerging fiddleheads are silver in the spring. Christmas Fern does not spread; instead, the clump will increase in size as the plant ages. Christmas Fern has been known to attract ruffed grouse. Use it as a groundcover or in borders. It adds winter interest to your yard.

Polygonatum biflorum

Smooth Solomon’s Seal features small, bell-shaped, greenish-white flowers, which bloom April-May. The flowers occur under arching stems and are followed by blue-black berries in the fall. The showy, smooth leaves turn yellow in fall. Smooth Solomon’s Seal can be planted in naturalized areas of your yard, shade gardens, woodlands, or in a shady part of your perennial border.

Platanus occidentalis

American Sycamore is a very large, deciduous tree, achieving massive height and girth. It is monoecious; male and female flowers appear on separate trees. Fertilized female flowers give way to spherical, airy balls of seeds, which disintegrate as they are weathered. Sycamore features large, lobed, dark green leaves and irregularly exfoliating (peeling) bark, revealing an attractive pattern of jigsawed colors. Sycamore is tolerant of urban conditions and highly valued as a native tree. It is susceptible to anthracnose (a fungal plant disease), which causes temporary defoliation, but the leaves grow back quickly. Plant it as a specimen in your large yard, or as a street tree in your neighborhood.

Picea pungens

Colorado Blue Spruce is a medium to large, evergreen conifer. It is valued for its stiff, blue-green needles and pyramidal shape. Colorado Blue Spruce displays attractive light-brown cones. Use it as a specimen tree in your yard, or plant in groups to use as a border or screen. Colorado Blue Spruce is commonly used as a holiday tree.

Physocarpus opulifolius

Common Ninebark is a wildlife-friendly, spreading, deciduous shrub, featuring clusters of pinkish-white flowers which bloom May-June. Flowers provide an excellent nectar source for native bees. Drooping clusters of red fruit offer food for birds in the summer. Common Ninebark is valued for its exfoliating (peeling) bark, which reveals layers of reddish-brown inner bark, offering winter interest. This plant tolerates poor soil conditions. Use Common Ninebark in your shrub border, or as a hedge or screen in your yard.