Cornus florida

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 1
Common Name: Flowering Dogwood, Virginia Dogwood, Florida Dogwood, White Cornel, Arrowwood, American Boxwood, False Box, St. Peter’s Crown, Corona De San Pedro
Growth Habit: Tree
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Description: Sometimes considered the most spectacular of the native, flowering trees, flowering dogwood is a 20-40 ft., sometimes taller, single- or multi-trunked tree with a spreading crown and long-lasting, showy, white and pink spring blooms. A lovely, small, flowering tree with short trunk and crown of spreading or nearly horizontal branches. Graceful, horizontal-tiered branching; red fruits; and scarlet-red fall foliage are other landscape attributes. Flowering dogwood is deciduous.

Flowering Dogwood is one of the most beautiful eastern North American trees with showy early spring flowers, red fruit, and scarlet autumn foliage. The hard wood is extremely shock-resistant and useful for making weaving-shuttles. It is also made into spools, small pulleys, mallet heads, and jeweler’s blocks. Native Americans used the aromatic bark and roots as a remedy for malaria and extracted a red dye from the roots.

Dimensions

Height: 15 - 25 ft
Width: 15 - 30 ft

Wetland Status

Status: FACU

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: Clay, High organic matter, Loam (silt), Sand
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally dry
pH Range: 4.8 - 7.7
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a - 9b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Yes
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Green
Fall Leaf Color: Purple, Lavender, Red, Burgundy
Bloom Color: White , Pink , Yellow , Green
Bloom Period: 3 - 6
Fruit Interest: Fall

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: This plant was used for medicinal purposes by Native Americans, as well as for carvings, looms, and disinfectant. Wood is hard, heavy, close grained and strong. Often used for textile shuttles and spools as well as handles for tools.
Landscape Value: Grow under larger forest trees and at woodland edges. With multi-season interest, it has many uses in the landscape such as a butterfly, pollinator, or children’s garden, a native or winter garden, accenting a patio or play area, a specimen, or shade tree.

Wildlife Value

It is a host plant for the spring Azure (Celastrina ladon) butterfly/larvae. Flights are from May to August in Canada but range from January through October near the Gulf Coast. Butterflies nectar on the blooms. Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, ruffed grouse, quail, wild turkey, chipmunks, black bear, foxes, white-tailed deer, skunks, and squirrels. Members of the genus Cornus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia. The fruits are food for birds. Deer eat the leaves and twigs.

Clethra alnifolia

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 2
Common Name: Coastal Pepperbush, Coastal Sweet Pepperbush, Coastal Sweet Pepper, Alderleaf Pepperbush, Alderleaf Clethra, Clethra, Summer Sweet
Growth Habit: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Description: Coastal sweet-pepper or summer sweet is a narrow, 6-12 ft., deciduous shrub, which often spreads into mounded clumps. A tall, many-branched, leafy shrub with spike-like, upright clusters of fragrant white flowers. The shrub has erect, multiple stems; exfoliating bark; and simple, oval, toothed leaves which turn dull yellow to orange in fall. The dense, narrow, cylindric flower spikes are often clustered together at branch ends. Fragrant flowers are white and are followed by brown capsules which persist through winter.

This shrub forms sizable patches and is remarkably free of any disease, insect, or physiological problems. Its dry fruiting capsules remain long after flowering and help identify this plant in winter. Mountain Pepperbush (C. acuminata) has more pointed leaves and is found in southern mountains.

Dimensions

Height: 5 - 10 ft
Width: 4 - 6 ft

Wetland Status

Status: FAC

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: Clay, High organic matter, Loam (silt), Sand
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally dry, Occasionally wet
pH Range: 4.5 - 7
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a - 9b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Green
Fall Leaf Color: Brown, Copper, Gold, Yellow
Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Period: 7 - 8
Fruit Interest: Fall

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: NA
Landscape Value: Sweet Pepperbush is unique among flowering shrubs because it blooms in shady locations in late summer when few other shrubs are in bloom. This shrub is often grown as a screen, or as a specimen, on in groupings as a border.

Wildlife Value

Hummingbirds, butterflies, native bees, and other pollinators are attracted to the nectar blooms. Fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals.

Hemerocallis

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 3
Common Name: Daylily, Day lilies, Day lily
Growth Habit: Forb
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: Not native
Description: Daylilies are clump-forming, erect, herbaceous perennials in the Hemerocallidaceae (daylily) family. Growing 1 to 1.5 feet in height and width, they are native to Asia and central Europe and are not, in fact, lilies. The genus name is derived from the Greek words hemera, meaning day, and kallos, meaning beauty, referring to the fact that each flower lasts only a day.

Dimensions

Height: 1 - 3 ft
Width: 1 - 3 ft

Wetland Status

Status: Not classified

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: High organic matter
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Occasionally dry
pH Range: 4.8 - 8
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a - 9b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: No
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Green
Fall Leaf Color: No
Bloom Color: Gold, Yellow, Orange, Pink, Purple, Lavender, Red, Burgundy, White
Bloom Period: 4 - 6
Fruit Interest: No

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: Used in many Chinese dishes and also in soap.
Landscape Value: Daylilies are excellent to plant along banks and slopes. They can also be utilized in rock gardens, as specimens, in borders or containers, or at tree bases. They are also useful in a butterfly or childrens’ garden, as they provide a nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds.

Wildlife Value

Attracts butterflies and birds.

Magnolia acuminata

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 4
Common Name: Cucumber magnolia, Cucumbertree, Cucumber Tree, Mountain Magnolia
Growth Habit: Tree
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Description: The hardiest of all magnolias, Cucumber Tree is a large, round-topped, deciduous tree that can grow 60-75+ ft. tall and wide. Its leaves, from 6-10 in. long, are deep-green in summer and yellow-brown in fall. Flowers are variable in showiness. The tepals of most specimens open only to a vertical orientation about 2 in. across, though some open more fully. Many are greenish or greenish-white in color, though showier white- and yellow-flowered forms exist. They are followed by a cucumber-like fruit which turns from green to red. The flowers and fruit are often missed because they occur at the top of the tree.

Cucumber Tree is the only magnolia native to Canada. It is extremely rare in Ontario and is threatened with extirpation throughout its Canadian range.

Dimensions

Height: 50 - 80 ft
Width: 35 - 60 ft

Wetland Status

Status: FACU

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: High organic matter, Loam (silt)
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist
pH Range: 5.2 - 7
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 8b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Brown, Copper, Gold, Yellow
Fall Leaf Color: Gold, Yellow
Bloom Color: Gold, Yellow, Green
Bloom Period: 3 - 6
Fruit Interest: Summer

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: Early Americans once used immature Cucumber tree fruit to flavor whiskey. Native Americans used the wood for furniture and buildig materials, paper and for tooth aches, venereal diseases, respiratory aid, gastrointetinal aid, analgesic, and antidiarrheal.
Landscape Value: These trees cast dense shade, and are beautifully symmetrical making them a park, residential and golf course tree of preference.

Wildlife Value

Twigs and buds are browsed by white-tailed deer. Seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals.

Syringa reticulata ‘Ivory Silk’

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 5
Common Name: Ivory Silk tree lilac, Japanese tree lilac, Lilac tree
Growth Habit: Tree
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: Not native
Description: Japanese tree lilac is a small flowering deciduous tree or large shrub in the Oleaceae or olive family that has an oval to rounded habit. They grow to a height of 25 to 30 feet tall and may be single or multi-stemmed. The bark is reddish brown, but the most distinctive feature is its horizontal lenticels. The leaves are dark green and have a drooping habit. The flowers bloom in June and are creamy-colored panicles that are scented and last only 2 weeks. The blooms are followed by clusters of green and then yellow capsules that can persist through winter.

The tree is native to Japan and is found growing on cliffs.

Dimensions

Height: 25 - 30 ft
Width: 15 - 20 ft

Wetland Status

Status: Not classified

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun
Soil Texture: Clay, High organic matter, Loam (silt), Sand
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist
pH Range: 5 - 8
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a - 7b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: No
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Gray, Silver, Green
Fall Leaf Color: Insignificant
Bloom Color: Cream, Tan, White
Bloom Period: 6 - 7
Fruit Interest: Fall, Winter

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: Landscape planting
Landscape Value: The Japanese Lilac Tree would be a nice addition to the patio area to provide flowers in the late spring to early summer and shade for the summer. It is the most trouble-free lilac. It may also be considered as a street tree, large hedge, or an accent or specimen for a shrub border.

Wildlife Value

Flowers attract hummingbirds, insect pollinators, and butterflies.

Corylus americana

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 6
Common Name: American Hazelnut, American Filbert
Growth Habit: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Description: A dense, mound-shaped, thicket-forming shrub, usually 6-12 ft. tall. Yellowish-brown catkins are showy in late winter and early spring. The female bloom is obscure. Edible nut with ragged papery husk. Fall color varies from bright yellow to deep wine-red.

Dimensions

Height: 9 - 12 ft
Width: 8 - 13 ft

Wetland Status

Status: FACU

Cultural Conditions

Light: Deep shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: Clay, Loam (silt), Sand
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally dry
pH Range: 5 - 7
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 9b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Green
Fall Leaf Color: Gold, Yellow, Orange, Red, Burgundy
Bloom Color: White , Green
Bloom Period: 3 - 6
Fruit Interest: Fall, Summer

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: Nuts are similar in flavor to the European filbert, and may be roasted and eaten or ground into flour, but are also commonly left for the squirrels and birds. Native Americans also used it for dye, food, instruments, and for a vareity of mediciinal purposes. For example, toothaches, respiratory aids, gynecological aid, gastrointestinal aid, antidiarrheal, and analgesic.
Landscape Value: Gardeners and farmers can capitalize on the versatility and productivity of the American Hazelnut to enhance landscapes and promote sustainable food production. Whether used as a windbreak, a hedgerow, or part of an agroforestry system, this species offers aesthetic appeal, soil stabilization, and opportunities for diversifying crop yields with its nutritious nuts.

Wildlife Value

American Hazelnut is a great shrub for wildlife and to use in landscapes. It has a higher nutritional value than acorns and are eaten by squirrels, foxes, deer, northern bobwhite, grouse, turkey, woodpeckers and pheasants. The leaves and twigs are browsed by deer, rabbits and moose.

Hydrangea quercifolia

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 7
Common Name: Oakleaf Hydrangea, Oak-leaf Hydrangea
Growth Habit: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 (N)
Description: A mound-shaped shrub, 3-12 ft. tall. Multiple stems are sparingly branched with picturesque canes. Older stems are exfoliating to reveal a rich, brown inner bark. The showy inflorescence of greenish flowers, turns white then purplish and persists on the bush until mid-winter. The foliage, shaped something like that of red oak, becomes colorful in fall.

Dimensions

Height: 4 - 8 ft
Width: 4 - 10 ft

Wetland Status

Status: Not classified

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: High organic matter, Loam (silt), Sand
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally dry
pH Range: 4.6 - 7.5
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a - 9b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Green
Fall Leaf Color: Orange, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy
Bloom Color: White, Red, Green, Purple
Bloom Period: 4 - 7
Fruit Interest: Fall

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: NA
Landscape Value: Oakleaf hydrangea’s unique features make it highly suitable as a specimen or accent plant in the landscape. Alternatively, in large open spaces it may be massed or arranged as an informal hedge

Wildlife Value

Its flowers are attractive to butterflies and other insects. Songbirds eat the seeds.

Cornus alternifolia

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 8
Common Name: Alternateleaf Dogwood, Alternate-leaf Dogwood, Pagoda Dogwood
Growth Habit: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
Description: Shrub or small tree with short trunk and flat-topped, spreading crown of long, horizontal branches. Alternate-leaf dogwood or pogoda dogwood is a deciduous shrub or small tree, 20-35 ft. tall, with decidedly horizontal branching. Branch ends are upturned. Bark and twigs are green to reddish-purple. Wide, flat-topped clusters of fragrant, white-cream flowers become clusters of reddish-purple berries. Fall foliage is a dull maroon.

Unlike all other native dogwoods, this species has alternate rather than opposite leaves. The name “Pagoda Dogwood” alludes to the flat-topped crown, with horizontal layers of branches. The bitter berrylike fruits of this and other dogwoods are consumed in quantities in fall and winter by wildlife.

Dimensions

Height: 15 - 25 ft
Width: 20 - 32 ft

Wetland Status

Status: FAC

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: High organic matter
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally wet
pH Range: 4.8 - 7.3
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a - 7b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Dark green
Fall Leaf Color: Red/Burgundy
Bloom Color: Gold/Yellow, White
Bloom Period: 4 - 6
Fruit Interest: Summer

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: Native Americans made weapons, tobacco, hunting, and a variety of medicines. For example, hemorrhoid, cancer, antidiarrheal, venereal aid, tuberculosis, respiratory aid, pediatric aid, gynecological aid, ey medicine, dermatological aid, and disinfectant.
Landscape Value: The alternate-leaf dogwood is an excellent native plant with four-season interest. Consider this shrub for your home garden as a specimen plant, shrub border, or in naturalized areas. It does not do well in zones higher than 7 and prefers cool summer climates. Be sure to give it some shade in hot climates, mulch the root zone and keep the soil moist.

Wildlife Value

Fruits are attractive to birds and plants provide nesting sites. Chipmunks, White-Tailed Deer, and Cottontail Rabbits also enjoy the fruits. Beavers will eat the branches of the shrub when near water. Many species of Lepidopteran caterpillars feed on Cornus. Members of the genus Cornus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 9
Common Name: Dawn redwood
Growth Habit: Tree
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 I
Description: This is a large, fast-growing, deciduous, pyramidal evergreen tree that grows up to 100’ tall with attractive, feathery foliage that is easy to transplant. It has spreading branches that droop with age. Pin branchlets are paired, and drop as a unit.

Dimensions

Height: 62 - 100 ft
Width: 15 - 25 ft

Wetland Status

Status: Not classified

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun
Soil Texture: Clay
Soil Drainage: High Organic Matter
pH Range: 6.2 - 8.4
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 8b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall, Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Green
Fall Leaf Color: Brown/Copper
Bloom Color: Brown/Copper
Bloom Period: 4 - 5
Fruit Interest: Summer

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: NA
Landscape Value: This plant has minimal pest and disease problems. It can be utilized as a specimen tree for large areas such as parks, golf courses, large commercial or governmental grounds, and as a “living fossil”. It is also tolerant of pollution and can be used as a street tree.

Wildlife Value

This tree provides winter cover for birds, small mammals and deer.

Ilex opaca

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 10
Common Name: American Holly, White Holly, Prickly Holly, Evergreen Holly, Christmas Holly, Yule Holly
Growth Habit: Tree
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 (N)
Description: American holly is a woody, broadleaf evergreen tree in the Aquifoliaceae (holly) family that has generated numerous cultivars. In nature, it is found growing as an understory tree or shrub in moist, deciduous forests in central and southeastern United States. Bright red berries occur on the female plants.

Dimensions

Height: 40 - 60 ft
Width: 10 - 20 ft

Wetland Status

Status: FACU

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: Clay, Loam (silt), Shallow rocky
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally dry, Occasionally wet
pH Range: 4.5 - 7
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a - 9b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Color: Green
Fall Leaf Color: No
Bloom Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, White
Bloom Period: 3 - 6
Fruit Interest: Fall, Winter

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: Native Americans used wood for decorations and cooking tools. The plant was also used for dyes and medicinal purposes, such as orthopedic, gastrointestinal, measles, eye, and dermatological aids.
Landscape Value: It is ideal for privacy screens, barriers, and hedges. It is not recommended for small yards, but can be a beautiful specimen plant when given ample space to grow. The fruit of the tree is a wildlife food source so, when space permits, consider including it in a butterfly, pollinator, native, or children’s garden.

Wildlife Value

This plant provides nectar for pollinators. It is a larval host plant for Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici) larvae which appear from February to May and have one flight. Adult Henry’s Elfin butterflies feed on flower nectar. Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys, quail, white-tailed deer, squirrels and other small mammals. Honeybees are attracted to its tiny white flowers. This tree provides cover during the winter.

Acer griseum

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 11
Common Name: Paperbark maple
Growth Habit: Tree
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: Not native
Description: Paperbark maple, a small, woody, deciduous tree in the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family, originates from Central China. It has an upright oval habit and grows slowly to 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide.

Dimensions

Height: 20 - 30 ft
Width: 15 - 25 ft

Wetland Status

Status: Not classified

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: Clay, Loam (silt), Sand
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist
pH Range: 5 - 8
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 8b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall, Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Green
Fall Leaf Color: Orange, Red/Burgundy
Bloom Color: Gold/Yellow, Green
Bloom Period: 4 - 5
Fruit Interest: Fall

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: NA
Landscape Value: This hardy tree is one of the last maples to develop fall color and the leaves persist into winter. Consider using it in a children’s, nighttime, pollinator, or winter garden. Given its smaller size it is well suited as an accent tree around a patio, in a townhouse garden, or a poolside hardscape. It is also a popular bonsai tree.

Wildlife Value

Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.

Liriope muscari

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 12
Common Name: Common lilyturf
Growth Habit: Forb
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 (I)
Description: Lily turf is a broadleaf evergreen, herbaceous perennial that forms dense basal clumps of narrow, arching dark green leaves and is commonly seen in the home landscape as a groundcover or edging. The clumps of leaves measure 1 to 1.5 feet tall and equally as wide. In the late summer and early fall, it has erect small spike-like purple flowers that are 6 to 8 inches tall. The flowers are followed by round, shiny black berries that remain through the winter months. Though it may resemble ornamental grass it is not a true grass. The roots are fleshy and tuberous.

Dimensions

Height: 1 - 1.5 ft
Width: 1 - 1.5 ft

Wetland Status

Status: Not classified

Cultural Conditions

Light: Deep shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: Clay, Loam (silt), Sand, Shallow rocky
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally dry
pH Range: 5 - 8
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a - 10b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Leaf Retention: Broadleaf evergreen
Leaf Color: Green
Fall Leaf Color: No
Bloom Color: Purple/Lavender
Bloom Period: 8 - 9
Fruit Interest: Fall, Winter

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: The root can be cooked and is used medicinally as an anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic, aphrodisiac, pectoral and stimulant.
Landscape Value: Lily turf is an attractive edging plant for walkways and paths. It is also an excellent ground cover in shady areas under trees or placed in front of shrubs. Use lilyturf for edging, rock gardens, containers, woodland settings, or as a ground cover.

Wildlife Value

Deer and rabbit resistant

Cercidiphyllum japonica

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 13
Common Name: Japanese Judas Tree, Katsura Tree, Katsura Vine
Growth Habit: Tree
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 (I)
Description: It is a medium-size deciduous tree that has a full, dense, pyramidal habit when young and great variability with age including low stiff arching branches. In cultivation, it will reach heights of up to 60’ tall, while in the wild the height can be up to 100’.

Dimensions

Height: 40 - 60 ft
Width: 30 - 50 ft

Wetland Status

Status: Not classified

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: Clay, High organic matter, Sand
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist
pH Range: 5 - 8.2
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a - 9a

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Blue, Gold/Yellow, Green, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy
Fall Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow, Orange
Bloom Color: Green, Red/Burgundy
Bloom Period: 3 - 4
Fruit Interest: Fall

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: The wood is light, soft and fine-grained so has been used in Japan to making furniture, cabinetry, and paneling.
Landscape Value: It is great for large spaces like parks, golf courses, commercial sites or as a street tree

Wildlife Value

Insect pollinators

Ilex verticillata

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 14
Common Name: Common Winterberry, Winterberry, Michigan Holly, Black Alder
Growth Habit: Shurb, Tree
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
Description: Winterberry holly is a slow-growing, woody, deciduous tree or shrub in the Aquifoliaceae (holly) family native to Eastern North America. It may grow 3 to15 feet tall and 3 to12 feet wide. There are dwarf cultivars available. The common name refers to the plant’s red berries that mature in the fall, providing winter interest and food for birds and small mammals.

Dimensions

Height: 3 - 15 ft
Width: 3 - 12 ft

Wetland Status

Status: FACW

Cultural Conditions

Light: Deep shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: Clay, Loam (silt), Sand
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally wet
pH Range: 4.5 - 7.5
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a - 9b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Green
Fall Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow
Bloom Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, White
Bloom Period: 4 - 7
Fruit Interest: Fall, Winter

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: Native Americans used this plant for a variety of medicinal purposes. For example, cathartic, emetic, gastrointestinal aid, psychological aid, respiratory aid, and antidiarrheal.
Landscape Value: Winterberry is low maintenance and makes a nice border or hedge in pond areas, rain gardens, and recreational play areas. It is a good addition to children’s, native, winter, and pollinator gardens and is also popular as a foundation planting. The plant tolerates pruning, but keep in mind that flowers will appear on new growth. It is a food source for butterflies, pollinators, small mammals, songbirds, and specialized bees.

Wildlife Value

The Winterberry is a host plant for Henry’s Elfin butterfly and attracts other pollinators. Its fruits are eaten by over 48 species of birds, including cedar waxwings, and small mammals. Members of the genus Ilex support the following specialized bee: Colletes banksi. The foliage is food source for rabbits and deer.

Cornus sericea

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 15
Common Name: Red Osier Dogwood, Red Osier, Red-twig Dogwood
Growth Habit: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
Description: Redosier or red-twig dogwood is a loose, spreading, multi-stemmed shrub, 6-12 ft. tall, with conspicuous red twigs. Dense, flat-topped clusters of creamy-white blossoms are followed by umbrella-shaped clusters of pea-sized white berries. Autumn foliage is colorful. Redosier is deciduous.

Dimensions

Height: 5 - 9 ft
Width: 5 - 10 ft

Wetland Status

Status: FACW

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: Clay, High organic matter, Loam (silt), Sand
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasional flooding, Occasional dry, Occasionally wet
pH Range: 6 - 7.5
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2a - 7b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Green
Fall Leaf Color: Orange, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy
Bloom Color: Cream/Tan, Gold/Yellow, Green, White
Bloom Period: 5 - 10
Fruit Interest: Summer

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: Native Americans are known to have used this plant for basketweaving and in tool making. It was also used as food.
Landscape Value: This wildlife plant is a larval host for butterflies and supports bees and birds, so it makes an excellent addition to a pollinator garden. It works well as a specimen, massed in a shrub border, or used in front of an evergreen hedge for contrast. Tolerating wet areas allows it to be planted in low spots in the landscape. Use multiple plants to form a hedge or thicket and provide screening or security. This plant is seldom browsed by deer.

Wildlife Value

Fruits are attractive to birds and small mammals and plants provide nesting sites. It is the larval host plant of the Spring Azure butterfly. Members of the genus Cornus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia.

Aesculus parviflora

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 16
Common Name: Bottlebrush buckeye
Growth Habit: Shurb, Tree
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 (N)
Description: Not classified

Dimensions

Height: 8 - 12 ft
Width: 8 - 15 ft

Wetland Status

Status: Not classified

Cultural Conditions

Light: Dappled sunlight, Deep shade, Partial shade
Soil Texture: High organic matter
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally wet
pH Range: 5 - 8
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a - 9b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Gray/Silver, Green
Fall Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Period: 6 - 7
Fruit Interest: Fall

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: Unknown
Landscape Value: Use this shrub as a hedge for shady areas, along ponds and streams, in a woodland garden or as a specimen. It’s flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Wildlife Value

Attracts pollinators, hummingbirds and eastern swallowtail butterflies

Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 17
Common Name: Angled Solomon’s Seal, Fragrant Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Solomon Seal, Striped Solomon’s Seal ‘Variegatum’, Variegated Solomon’s Seal
Growth Habit: Forb
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: Not native
Description: Fragrant Solomon’s Seal is a herbaceous perennial. ‘Variegatum’ is a popular cultivar that has bright green foliage with white edges, maroon tinged stems, and dangling white bell-shaped flowers. This shade-loving plant typically blooms from April to June and attracts bees and butterflies. The berries are attractive to birds. The plant is deer and rabbit resistant and tolerates heavy shade.

Dimensions

Height: 3 - 4 ft
Width: 0.75 - 1.5 ft

Wetland Status

Status: Not classified

Cultural Conditions

Light: Deep shade, Partial shade
Soil Texture: Clay, High organic matter, Loam (silt)
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally dry, Occasionally wet
pH Range: 5 - 7
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a - 8b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall, Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Variegated, White
Fall Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Period: 4 - 6
Fruit Interest: Fall

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: Used in herbal medicine.
Landscape Value: Solomon’s Seal is typically used as a shade-loving foliage plant and combines well with Hostas, Astilbes, and Bleeding Hearts. Its variegated leaves and small white bell-shaped flowers brighten and add variety to a shade garden. It can be slow to establish in the garden but is long lived and low maintenance.

Wildlife Value

Bees and Butterflies obtain nectar from the flowers as well as provide pollination. Birds are attracted to the berries.

Callitropsis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 18
Common Name: Alaska-cedar, Nootka Cypress, Nootka Falsecypress, Yellow-cedar
Growth Habit: Tree
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: Not native
Description: It is a needled evergreen tree in the cypress family native to the Pacific coast from Alaska to northern California. It has graceful pendulous branches that up sweep at the ends and flattened sprays of gray-green or blue-green foliage. In the wild, it can reach heights of up to 90 feet, however cultivated trees will top out at 20 to 35 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide. The bark on mature trees will exfoliate.

Dimensions

Height: 20 - 35 ft
Width: 8 - 12 ft

Wetland Status

Status: Not classified

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: Clay, Loam (silt), Sand
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally dry, Occasionally wet
pH Range: 5.5 - 7
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 7b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Color: Gray/Silver, Green
Fall Leaf Color: No
Bloom Color: Insignificant
Bloom Period: NA - NA
Fruit Interest: Fall

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: NA
Landscape Value: Use as a specimen tree or along pond and stream edges in the mountainous areas.

Wildlife Value

Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 19
Common Name: Doublefile Viburnum
Growth Habit: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: Not native
Description: Doublefile viburnum is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub that is commonly found in the landscape. It grows 8 to 10 feet tall and as wide. It is multi-stemmed and has horizontal branching giving a layered appearance. The white flowers in spring are showy cymes followed by red to black fruit the birds love. Fall leaf color is red to purple.

Dimensions

Height: 8 - 10 ft
Width: 8 - 12 ft

Wetland Status

Status: Not classified

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun, Loam (silt), Sand
Soil Texture: Clay, Loam (silt), Sand
Soil Drainage: Good drainage
pH Range: 5.6 - 6.6
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a - 8b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Green
Fall Leaf Color: Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy
Bloom Color: Gold/Yellow, Purple/Lavender, White
Bloom Period: 4 - 6
Fruit Interest: Fall

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: NA
Landscape Value: Use as a hedge, as a foundation shrub, in the shrub border, or as a specimen. This shrub is easily transplanted.

Wildlife Value

Flowers attract butterflies and fruit is a winter food source that attracts birds. This plant is mildly resistant to damage by deer.

Cornus kousa

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 20
Common Name: Kousa dogwood, Chinese dogwood, Japanese dogwood
Growth Habit: Tree
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: Not native
Description: The Kousa dogwood is a handsome, small- to medium-sized tree reaching a mature height of 30 feet. Sometimes referred to as the Chinese dogwood, this Asian is a cousin to our native flowering dogwood.

Dimensions

Height: 20 - 30 ft
Width: 15 - 30 ft

Wetland Status

Status: Not classified

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: Loam (silt), Sand
Soil Drainage: Good drainage
pH Range: 5.5 - 6
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a - 8b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Purple/Lavender
Fall Leaf Color: Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy
Bloom Color: Gold/Yellow, White
Bloom Period: 6 - 6
Fruit Interest: Fall

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: NA
Landscape Value: It can be used as a specimen plant or in shrub borders.

Wildlife Value

Fruits and nesting sites attractive to songbirds. Squirrels eat fruits as well. Members of the genus Cornus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Gonandrena) fragilis, Andrena (Gonandrena) integra, and Andrena (Gonandrena) platyparia.

Cladrastis kentukea

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 21
Common Name: Kentucky Yellowwood, Yellowwood, Gopherwood, Virgilia
Growth Habit: Tree
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (I)
Description: Kentucky yellow-wood is a small, deciduous tree that rarely reaches 50 ft. in height. It is as wide as tall, with graceful, pendulous branches and bright-green, pinnately-compound leaves. Showy, pendent, foot-long spikes of cream-colored flowers appear in quantity only two or three times a decade. Fall color is a delicate orange or yellow. Bark is smooth and beech-like.

Dimensions

Height: 30 - 45 ft
Width: 40 - 45 ft

Wetland Status

Status: Not classified

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil Texture: Loam (silt), Sand
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist
pH Range: 4.8 - 7.5
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 8b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Green
Fall Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow, Orance
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Period: 4 - 6
Fruit Interest: Summer

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: This wood was used by the Cherokee for carving as well as building structures.
Landscape Value: Plant this shade tree in a recreational play area or children’s garden, in a meadow or woodland. It makes an excellent specimen for a winter garden or a wildlife garden as this tree not only provides nesting sites for songbirds. but high-quality pollen and nectar that attracts bees and other pollinators.

Wildlife Value

Attracts songbirds for nesting sites and nectar and pollen attracts bees and other pollinators.

Carpinus caroliniana

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 22
Common Name: American Hornbeam, Blue Beech, Water Beech, Musclewood, Ironwood
Growth Habit: Tree
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Description: American hornbeam is a deciduous tree native to the eastern U.S.A. It can be found naturally in areas with moist soil including streambanks, riverbanks, and maritime forests. The common name musclewood comes from the appearance of the smooth bark with bumps underneath resembling musles.

This medium sized tree may grow slowly 20 to 30 to feet tall and 20 to 35 feet wide. The leaves are alternate with a doubly toothed margin and turn an attractive orange-red color in the fall. In early spring, yellow-green, male and fuzzy, yellow-green, female flowers mature. The small tree produces a small, ribbed nutlet that is carried by a 3-lobed leafy bract. The American Hornbeam is a short, stubby tree that can have one or more trunks, each a foot wide and aesthetically pleasing. The bark is bluish-gray, thin, fairly smooth, and heavily fluted.

Dimensions

Height: 20 - 30 ft
Width: 20 - 30 ft

Wetland Status

Status: FAC

Cultural Conditions

Light: Deep shade, Partial shade
Soil Texture: Clay, High organic matter, Loam (silt), Sand
Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasional flooding, Occasionally wet
pH Range: 4 - 7.4
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a - 9b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange
Fall Leaf Color: Orange, Red/Burgundy
Bloom Color: Gold/Yellow, Green
Bloom Period: 3 - 5
Fruit Interest: Fall

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: The wood has been used for tool handles, mallet heads, levers and other small wooden objects. American pioneers used it for bowls and dishes, as it is not subject to cracking. Native Americans also used it for medicinal purposes. For example urinary aid, dermatological aid, antidiarrheal, gynecological aid, tonic, and tuberculosis.
Landscape Value: Use this adaptable tree in naturalized areas, along streams or ponds, and in urban settings. It is a wildlife-friendly tree perfect for a pollinator, children’s, or native garden. It acts as a larval host plant, food source for mammals and birds, and cover plant. It is tolerant of drier sites, some sun, wind, and periodic flooding, making it a candidate for a rain garden.

Wildlife Value

It is a larval host plant for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Red-spotted Purple butterflies. The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilo glaucus) has three flights from February-November in the deep south and March-September in the north. The Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) has two broods from April-October. The seed and buds provide food source for songbirds, ruffed grouse, quail, wild turkeys, foxes, and squirrels. On young specimens, the inner bark is eaten by beavers and rabbits. These plants also provide good cover and shelter for animals.

Rhus typhina ‘Tiger Eyes’

General Description

Plant Walk Number: 23
Common Name: Tiger Eyes Staghorn Sumac, Velvet Sumac
Growth Habit: Shrub, Tree
Duration: Perennial
Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Description: Staghorn sumac is a native deciduous shrub or tree. This plant form thickets in the wild via self-seeding and root suckering. It is native to woodland edges, roadsides, railroad embankments and stream or swamp margins. It is particularly noted for the reddish-brown hairs that cover the young branchlets in somewhat the same way that velvet covers the horns of a stag (male deer), hence the common name. ‘Tiger Eyes’ specifically has golden foliage with minimal suckering habit

Dimensions

Height: 3 - 6 ft
Width: 3 - 6 ft

Wetland Status

Status: Not classified

Cultural Conditions

Light: Full sun
Soil Texture: Shallow rocky
Soil Drainage: Good drainage
pH Range: 6.8 - 7.2
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a - 9b

Aesthetic Attributes

Foliage Interest: Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Color: Green
Fall Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow, Orange, Red/Burgundy
Bloom Color: Yellow, Green
Bloom Period: 6 - 7
Fruit Interest: Summer

Ethnobotany and Landscape Value

Ethnobotany: Native Americans used it for dyes, food, beverages, and multiple medicinal purposes, such as antiemetic, burn dressings, dietary aid, and antirheumatic.
Landscape Value: This tree is an excellent addition to a wildlife or woodland garden. Because of its suckering roots, it is a candidate for erosion control.

Wildlife Value

The ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, and wild turkey eat the fruit. Flowers provide a nectar source to native bees. Larval host plant of Luna moth and the Spring Azure Butterfly.