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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 virginiana

Chokecherry is a small, wildlife-friendly, deciduous tree. It features white flowers, which bloom April-May, providing an early nectar source for butterflies and bees. Flowers are followed by edible fruit. The astringent berry changes from red to purple as it ripens. The berries can be used for jams, jellies, pies, sauces, and wine. The fruits are a valued food source for birds. Fall foliage is golden-yellow to orange. Chokecherry is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including California Hairstreak (Satyrium californica), Sequoia Sphinx (Sphinx sequoiae), Small-eyed Sphinx (Paonias myops), and Columbia Silkmoth (Hyalophora columbia). Use Chokecherry as a specimen in your yard and along foundations, plant in a mass and prune as a shrub border, or use in natural areas to attract wildlife to your yard.

Prunus serotina

Black Cherry is a medium-large, wildlife-friendly, flowering shade tree. White flowers bloom in May, followed by small, edible berries. The fruit changes from red to black as it ripens in August-September. It is used for making wine and jelly. Fall foliage is yellow-red. Black Cherry offers much value for birds, butterflies, bees, and wildlife. It is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), New England Buckmoth (Hemileuca lucina), Viceroy (Limenitis archippus), Columbia Silkmoth (Hyalophora columbia), Cherry Gall Azure (Celastrina serotina), Promethea Moth (Callosamia promethea), Small-eyed Sphinx Moth (Paonias myops), Wild Cherry Sphinx Moth (Sphinx drupiferarum), Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), and Spotted Apatelodes (Apatelodes torrefacta). Use Black Cherry as a specimen tree or shade tree in your yard.

Populus deltoides

Eastern Cottonwood is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree. It is dioecious; catkins bloom on separate male or female trees in March-April before leaves emerge. The female trees have fruit capsules packed with numerous, tufted seeds with silky white hairs, giving the appearance of cotton. Seeds provide a valued food source for birds. The “cotton” provides birds with nesting material. Eastern Cottonwood can be a messy tree, as it drops leaves, flowers, fruits, twigs, and branches. Although it is not typically used as an ornamental tree, you can plant it in rural areas along streams, where it may be difficult to grow other trees.

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.

Pinus echinata

Shortleaf Pine is a medium-sized, wildlife-friendly evergreen conifer with a pyramidal crown. Blue-green needles occur in bundles of two, and prickly cones are produced when the tree reaches maturity at around 20 years old. Shortleaf Pine features attractive, reddish-brown bark, which offers ornamental value. This tree provides cover and nesting sites for birds, which also eat the seeds. It is an important host plant for larvae (caterpillars) of the Elf butterfly (Microtia elva). Shortleaf Pine can be used as an effective screen when young; the tree tends to lose bottom branches with age. Plant Shortleaf Pine in naturalized areas of your yard. This pine species may be difficult to find commercially. Tell your local garden center or nursery about your interest in this plant.

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.

Phlox divaricata

Wild Blue Phlox offers slightly fragrant, loose clusters of blue-violet flowers April-May. This wildlife-friendly flower offers nectar to visiting pollinators, including butterflies and bees. It is susceptible to powdery mildew; maintain good air circulation between plants to prevent this fungal disease. Use Wild Blue Phlox in mixed borders, wildflower gardens, shade gardens, and for woodland groundcover around your yard.

Perovskia atriplicifolia

Russian Sage is a woody perennial with a spreading form. Small, abundant, tubular, light-blue flowers bloom on erect stems, July-October. Aromatic, gray-green leaves offer texture to your summer garden. Cut the plants back to the ground in early spring before new growth begins for best flowering. Use Russian Sage massed in borders or as an accent plant in your yard. Its tolerance to drought and salt spray makes it a good choice for seashore gardens.

Penstemon digitalis

Foxglove Beardtongue is a wildlife-friendly native of New Jersey. Clusters of tubular, white flowers on long stalks bloom April-June. The flower nectar is a food source for butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.