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Carya glabra

Pignut Hickory is a large deciduous tree with yellowish-green leaves turning golden-yellow in the fall. It is monoecious (separate male and female flowers grow on the same tree); the non-showy flowers bloom April-May. The female flowers are followed by nuts, but not until the tree is about 25 years old. The nuts are inside husks, which split open in the fall when ripe; the nuts are a food source for wildlife. Early settlers called this tree Pignut Hickory when they found their hogs would eat the nuts, which are too bitter for human consumption. This tree is a host for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Luna Moth (Actias luna), Funerary Dagger (Acronicta funeralis), and Giant Regal (Citheronia regalis). It tolerates both dry and moist soils. Give this large tree plenty of room to grow! Use Pignut Hickory as a tall shade tree in large yards and in parks.

Carya cordiformis

Bitternut Hickory is a large deciduous shade tree distinguished by its bright yellow winter buds. It is monoecious (separate male and female flowers grow on the same tree); the non-showy flowers bloom April-May. The nuts are bitter and inedible for humans, but are consumed by wildlife. This tree is a host for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Luna Moth (Actias luna), Funerary Dagger (Acronicta funeralis), and Giant Regal (Citheronia regalis). The medium green, compound leaves turn yellow in the fall. Bitternut Hickory prefers moist, organically-rich soil. Give this large tree plenty of room to grow! Use as a tall shade tree in large yards and in parks.

Carpinus betulus

European Hornbeam is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a lovely, oval shape. Its smooth, gray bark has vertical grooves, giving the appearance of rippling muscles along the trunk. It is monoecious (separate male and female flowers grow on the same tree). The small, greenish female and yellowish male flowers appear in March before the leaves emerge, followed by drooping clusters of small nutlets in the summer. The leaves turn yellow in the fall. Use European Hornbeam as a shade or street tree. It can also be used as a hedge or screen planting; it responds well to heavy pruning, which is best done from fall to mid-winter.

Carex pensylvanica

Pennsylvania Sedge is a low-growing, semi-evergreen perennial sedge, which grows well in shade. The bright-green, arching, grass-like leaves grow in soft clumps. This plant spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form a nice groundcover.

Capsicum annuum

Ornamental Pepper is an annual vegetable commonly planted in ornamental gardens for its vibrant, colorful fruits. Plants are available with fruits in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Keep the plants well-watered, and avoid disturbing the roots when cultivating. Mulching is recommended. For a splash of color and edible fruits, plant it in beds, borders, or any sunny garden area. It is also good as a container plant, and can be brought indoors to overwinter in a sunny location.

Callirhoe involucrata

Purple Poppy Mallow is a lovely, drought-tolerant perennial with a long bloom period. The attractive, deeply lobed foliage forms a dense mat, which chokes out weeds. Its cup-shaped, magenta flowers start blooming in the spring and continue through the summer and well into the fall. This perennial is a nectar source for bees and a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus). It grows well in hot, sunny, dry locations. Purple Poppy Mallow is a versatile plant, which fits into both formal and wildflower gardens. Use it in sunny borders and beds, rock gardens, meadows, hanging baskets, or as a cascading plant over walls. Excellent groundcover for covering slopes and steep banks.

Calamagrostis x acutiflora

Feather Reed Grass is a low-maintenance ornamental grass. The feathery, purple-tinged flowers bloom May-June, followed by golden-brown seed heads that last until winter. Feathery Reed Grass is good both fresh-cut and dried for floral arrangements. It has a narrow, upright growing habit, which makes it a good plant for tight spaces. Use as an accent, or plant in masses. It mixes well with shrubs and flowering perennials, and can be used in rain gardens and other low, moist areas of the yard.

Bracteantha bracteata

Strawflower is an annual, which blooms June to frost in a variety of colors (yellow, orange, red, pink, and white). The daisy-like flowers have a straw-like texture. It is an “everlasting,” meaning it retains its color and shape when dried. Strawflower is excellent for both fresh-cut and dried flowers. Use taller varieties in beds or borders and shorter ones as edging plants or in containers.

Betula alleghaniensis

Yellow Birch is a large deciduous tree with distinctive bark. The peeling, yellow-bronze, shiny bark has a paper-like appearance. Crushed twigs have a wintergreen-like odor. The showy catkins (elongated, drooping clusters of tiny flowers without petals) appear just before the leaves emerge. The seeds are a food source for a variety of birds. The leaves turn brilliant yellow in the fall. Yellow Birch does well in areas where the soil is shaded, cool, and moist. Trees that are planted in full sun should be mulched and watered during periods of drought. This tree is long-lived for a birch, often living over 100 years. Its strong, close-grained wood has a wide range of color variation, making it popular in furniture-making. Give this large tree plenty of room to grow! Use Yellow Birch as a canopy tree in woodland gardens, or as a shade tree in moist areas of a large yard or park.

Baptisia australis

Blue Wild Indigo is a tall, bushy perennial with lupine-like, purple flowers, which bloom May-June. The flowers are borne in clusters at the top of tall stems, which extend above a mound of blue-green foliage. It tolerates both drought and poor soils.