Northern Maidenhair is a fine-textured deciduous fern. Pink fiddleheads emerge in spring, turning green as they mature. Northern Maidenhair is a good plant for moist, shady sites. This attractive fern combines well with other perennials in shade, woodland, or rock gardens, and makes an excellent edging plant along shady pathways.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Glossy Abelia is a semi-deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub with graceful, arching branches. Fragrant, bell-shaped, white or pink flowers bloom May-September. The dark green leaves turn an attractive dark purple in the fall. Use this plant as a specimen or in mass plantings. It can also be used as a screen or hedge, and is effective for erosion control on steep slopes. Glossy Abelia is susceptible to stem damage during harsh winters, so consider planting it in protected locations.