This is a large, rugged, deciduous tree reaching 75 to 100 feet in height, with dark furrowed bark and wide-spreading branches. The well-formed trunk is usually devoid of branches a considerable distance from the ground. Yellow-green leaflets emerge in late spring and turn clear yellow in the fall, and the fruit is a hard-shelled furrowed nut enclosed in a green husk. This tree grows best in full sun and moist, rich, well-drained soil.
This perennial herb is also known as Scarlet Gilia and Skunkflower. It can grow to 5 feet tall, with low-growing, fern-like leaves and trumpet flowers that range from white, pink, and brilliant orange-red. Though beautiful and eye-catching, this plant gives off a slightly skunky smell, which explains one of its nicknames. Scarlet Skyrocket grows best in partial shade, and in dry, sandy and loamy soils.
Also known as Jewelweed, this readily self-seeding annual grows 2 to 5 feet tall on weak stems, and is best grown in naturalized clumps or allowed to self-seed in wilder areas. It produces small, orange flowers that bloom throughout the summer and fall, and seed pods that "pop" when touched (the closely related Impatiens pallida, Pale Touch-Me-Not, has yellow flowers). This plant grows best in medium to wet soils, and is highly attractive to hummingbirds that rely on the flowers' nectar during fall migration.
Yaupon, or Yaupon Holly, is a perennial, evergreen shrub or small tree, typically growing 12 to 25 feet in height, though occasionally reaching 45 feet, with pale gray bark blotted with white patches. Its dense growth of small, dark green leaves provides excellent shelter for small birds. Female plants produce large quantities of bright red berries that usually attract birds during late winter. An adaptable plant, Yaupon grows best in full sun to partial shade and dry to moist, well-drained soils, but tolerates poor drainage and drought.
This perennial, deciduous tree also goes by Michigan Holly, growing 6 to 10 feet tall normally, with purplish green foliage that turns black at the first frost. Small flowers bloom during the spring and early summer, followed by clusters of bright red berries that persist throughout the winter. This tree tolerates a variety of conditions, growing in full sun to shade, in dry to wet, sandy to clayey soils.
Common names for this plant also include White, Prickly, or Christmas Holly. It is an upright, pyramidal, evergreen tree that slowly matures to a height of 30 feet, sometimes even 60 feet in warmer areas. It is the only native U.S. holly with spiny green leaves and bright red berries. These fruits are poisonous to humans but enjoyed by many bird and mammal species. American Holly can grow in full sun to shade, and in moist, well-drained, sandy and loamy soils.
This is a small, deciduous tree or shrub with pale gray, twiggy, horizontal branches and glossy, dark green leaves that yellow in late autumn. Flowers precede the red berries that provide winter color and forage for birds and other wildlife. Also called Possumhaw, Swamp Holly, and Winterberry, this perennial grows 15 to 30 feet tall in full sun to partial shade, and in moist sands, clays, or loams.
This herbaceous perennial has a musky mint odor and grows up to 4 feet tall. In the summer and fall it produces small, white flowers spotted with purple. It grows in full sun and partial shade, in moist or wet sandy soils. This plant is cold and heat tolerant and attracts birds as well as bees and butterflies.
Sometimes also called Sevenbark, Wild Hydrangea is a perennial, deciduous shrub that usually grows 3 to 6 feet tall, infrequently reaching 10 feet. It produces dense, flat-topped clusters of greenish-white flowers from June to August as well as a few larger flowers on the sides of the clusters. This fast-growing but short-lived plant grows best in partial shade and moist, rich, well-drained soils.
Also known as Ocean Spray, Hillside Ocean-Spray, and Mountain Spray, this fast-growing, deciduous shrub reaches up to 7 feet in height. The pale, lilac-like flower plumes bloom in late spring to early summer, nearly covering the shrub completely. The flowers then turn a tan to brown color and last on the plant through winter. This plant can grow in full sun to partial shade, and prefers dry to moist, rocky or gravelly soils.
Subscribe to