A medium to large deciduous tree with upright-arching branching and a rounded spreading crown. Insignificant greenish flowers in spring. Female flowers produce round berry-like drupes which mature to deep reddish purple. Many birds, including quail, pheasants, woodpeckers, and cedar waxwings, eat the fruits. Ovate to oblong-ovate green leaves are coarsely toothed from midleaf to the sharply pointed tip. Undistinguished yellow fall color. Commonly used as a street tree because of its ability to withstand drought and tolerate urban environments.
Upright, multi stemmed, warm season, shrubby perennial with showy bright yellow flowers. Prefers dry, sunny locations in gravel, sandy or well-drained loamy soils. It has a high tolerance to acidic soils. Once established it is a long lived, hardy plant with few problems and requires little maintenance.
A trailing, evergreen shrub, the thick, leathery leaves are yellow-green in spring, dark-green in summer, and reddish-purple in the fall. Nodding clusters of pink or white flowers occur on bright-red stems, followed by bright-red berries that persist into winter. Long lived, but a slow grower. Has no serious disease or insect problems. Frequently seen as a ground cover in sandy areas.
Strong erect purplish stems, similar in structure to Common Milkweed. Its aggressive spreading growth habit should be taken into account as to not crowd out other garden perennials. Some tribes rolled dogbane stem fibers to make fine, strong thread, used for sewing and for making twine, nets, fabric and bowstrings.
Broomsedge is a primary native meadow grass in our region. Drought tolerant, it requires little care and is virtually disease and pest free. Seeds along the stems are striking in fall and winter when the fine hairs of the seeds catch the sunlight. Supports the Common Wood-Nymph and Skipper butterflies.
A warm season, perennial bunchgrass with blue-green stems. Once established, has excellent drought tolerance and is easy to maintain. Seed, nesting and shelter for wildlife especially for ground nesters and birds of prey.
Best for moist areas of the landscape. Tolerates streambanks and pond margins. Can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Catkins in spring are insignificant. The bark is thin, smooth, and green-gray, grayish-brown, or reddish-brown. This tree is a nitrogen fixer.
White snakeroot is a fast grower that handles poor soil conditions in full sun to part shade. Good for naturalizing areas but may spread aggressively. Features pure white fluffy flowers on strong, branching stems. Bees and other pollinators swarm on snakeroot while in bloom.
Highly ornamental with interest throughout much of the year. White Spring flowers, attractive glossy summer foliage, and red fruits and deep red foliage in fall. When young and small, provide some deer protection. Tolerates a range of soil conditions and is easy to maintain.