Hamamelis virginiana
The floral display of American Witchhazel is unique. Its fragrant, cream to yellow flowers with tassle-like, crumpled petals bloom September-December, persisting for some time after leaf drop.
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Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis
Thornless Honeylocust is a large, fast-growing, urban-tolerant deciduous tree. Its small leaflets and open crown cast a light shade that permits shade-tolerant grasses and perennials to grow underneath, making it a good choice for filtered shade. The seed pods are a food source for birds and other wildlife. Protect the bark of young trees, since white-tailed deer and rabbits may eat the soft bark in winter. Use Thornless Honeylocust as a street tree, on slopes for erosion control, or for windbreaks.
Ginkgo biloba
Gingko is a deciduous tree with unique, fan-shaped leaves. It is dioecious (separate male and female trees), but only male trees should be planted, since the fruit of female trees is messy and malodorous. Its yellow fall leaves can persist for weeks, then suddenly drop within a day. This cold-hardy tree is usually deep-rooted and resistant to wind and snow damage. It tolerates salt and poor soil and air quality, making it a good choice for urban conditions. Use Gingko as a lawn tree or street tree.
Geranium maculatum
Spotted Geranium is a native perennial geranium with deeply lobed, palm-shaped leaves. Loose clusters of showy pink to lilac flowers bloom April-May. Its other common name, Crane’s Bill, comes from the beak-like shape of the seed structure, which catapults seeds when dried. Use it in shady borders, open woodland gardens, or wildflower gardens. It can be massed to create an attractive groundcover.
Fothergilla gardenii
Dwarf Witchalder or Dwarf Fothergillia is a deciduous shrub with dense, dark green foliage. Fragrant, bottle-brush-shaped, white flowers bloom April-May, before the leaves emerge. Their honey-like fragrance attracts native bees.
Eutrochium purpureum
Joe-Pye Weed has large, rounded flower heads with pale pinkish-purple, fragrant flowers blooming July-September. Flowers are followed by attractive seed heads, which last well into winter. Joe-Pye Weed has special value for native bees and attracts many species of butterflies. The tall flowering plants make a striking display when massed in the back of borders, meadows, or wildflower gardens, or along edges of ponds or other water features.
Conoclinium coelestinum
Mistflower has compact clusters of fuzzy-looking, bluish-purple flowers from midsummer until frost. This plant has special value for native bees, and attracts many species of butterflies. Mistflower spreads by rhizomes (underground stems), sometimes aggressively, and may need to be divided every few years. Cut back in summer to promote bushier growth. Use Mistflower in wildflower gardens, woodland gardens, and along edges of ponds and water gardens.
Erythronium americanum
Trout Lily has two tulip-like leaves at the base of the plant and lily-shaped, yellow flowers, which bloom in early spring. The flowers bloom during the spring trout-fishing season, hence the common name. The plants go into dormancy by late spring. Trout Lily prefers moist, acidic, organic soils. Use it in shady garden areas, woodland gardens, rock gardens, and along ponds or other water features.
Eragrostis spectabilis
Purple Lovegrass is a warm-season grass with good drought-resistance. Its small, reddish-purple flowers bloom July-August and turn brown by the fall. The flowers add texture and year-round interest to the garden, and are excellent for dried flower arrangements. Purple Lovegrass is beneficial to multiple butterfly species. It grows best in hot, dry condtions and does not tolerate wet or shady sites. Use massed in borders, native plant gardens, or meadows. Recommended for butterfly gardens and wildlife habitat areas.
Enkianthus campanulatus
Redveined Enkianthus is a flowering deciduous shrub. Its small, bell-shaped, creamy-white flowers with rosy “veins” bloom in clusters May-June. Leaves turn shades of yellow to orange to red in the fall. Use it as a specimen or group in a shrub border or woodland garden. Good for planting around a patio and combining with Rhododendrons, which prefer similar acidic soils.