Fagus sylvatica ‘Tricolor’

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 1
- Common Name: Tri-color beech
- Growth Habit: Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status:
- Description: NA
Dimensions
- Height: 20 - 30 ft
- Width: 10 - 20 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Partial shade
- Soil Texture: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist
- pH Range: 5.5 - 8
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 7b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
- Leaf Color: Brown/Copper, Gold/Yellow
- Fall Leaf Color: Brown/Copper, Gold/Yellow
- Bloom Color: Brown/Copper, Gold/Yellow, Green, Red/Burgundy
- Bloom Period: 4 - 5
- Fruit Interest: Fall
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: The tree’s wood has been used for centuries as firewood or for building furniture, musical instruments, veneer, and flooring.
- Landscape Value: This is the ideal purple-pink Beech for smaller city lots. Use it for shade, along an entry drive or as a street tree. Very cold hardy, the Beech can be both an accent among evergreens or planted in a grove and its color will be perceptible from a distance. Majestic and well formed, it’s a great front-yard statement for larger homesites with traditional architecture.
Wildlife Value
- The beechnuts are eaten by birds, chipmunks, squirrels, and other small mammals.
Buxus sinica

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 2
- Common Name: Korean boxwood
- Growth Habit: Shrub
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: Not native
- Description: Korean boxwood is a broadleaf evergreen shrub
Dimensions
- Height: 2 - 10 ft
- Width: 4 - 20 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil Texture: Loam (silt), Sand
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist
- pH Range: 5.5 - 8
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4b - 9b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
- Leaf Retention: Broadleaf evergreen
- Leaf Color: Green
- Fall Leaf Color: No
- Bloom Color: Gold/Yellow, Green
- Bloom Period: 4 - 5
- Fruit Interest: No
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: NA
- Landscape Value: Korean boxwood can be pruned as a privacy screen, used as a border plant or in a rock garden, and even grows well in containers.
Vinca minor

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 3
- Common Name: Periwinkle
- Growth Habit: Forb
- Duration: Broadleaf Evergreen
- Native Status: Not native
- Description: Periwinkle is an herbaceous perennial, broadleaf evergreen ground cover. Identify periwinkle by its small, blue-lavender flowers that appear against the backdrop of dark green leathery foliage in spring and early summer and intermittently throughout the year. There are cultivars with variegated or gold leaves.
Dimensions
- Height: 0.33 - 0.5 ft
- Width: 0.5 - 1.5 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Dappled sunlight, Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil Texture: Clay, High organic matter, Loam (silt), Sand
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally dry
- pH Range: 5.5 - 6.5
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 9b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
- Leaf Retention: Broadleaf evergreen
- Leaf Color: Green
- Fall Leaf Color: No
- Bloom Color: Blue, Purple/Lavender, White
- Bloom Period: 4 - 6
- Fruit Interest: Fall, Winter, Brown/Copper
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: Europe to Caucasus
- Landscape Value: Used as a groundcover, but is becoming a weed.
Hosta spp.

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 4
- Common Name: Hosta or Plantain lily
- Growth Habit: NA
- Duration: NA
- Native Status: Not native
- Description: Hostas are a popular ornamental herbaceous perennial in the United States
Dimensions
- Height: 0.33 - 2.5 ft
- Width: 0.5 - 3 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Dappled sunlight, Deep shade, Partial shade
- Soil Texture: High organic matter
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage
- pH Range: 5.5 - 8
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a - 9b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
- Leaf Color: Blue, Cream/Tan, Gold/Yellow, Green, Variegated
- Fall Leaf Color: No
- Bloom Color: Purple/Lavender, White
- Bloom Period: 6 - 8
- Fruit Interest: Fall, Brown/Copper
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: NA
- Landscape Value: Most species of hosta are grown for their large, striking foliage rather than their flowers. Plant them in mass in perennial beds or naturalized areas, as a border or edging, or in pond, rock, or shade gardens. Consider the dwarf and miniature plants for a rock garden or small areas. The small and medium size hosta are recommended as groundcovers. The large and giant plants provide background interest. They are slightly salt tolerant, and they are best planted in areas that are protected from wind and hail.
Wildlife Value
- Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to its flowers. Deer and rabbits are attracted to the leaves as a food source.
Pyrus communis

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 6
- Common Name: Common pear
- Growth Habit: Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: Not native
- Description: The common pear, native to Europe and northern Iraq, produces the familiar teardrop-shaped fruit seen in stores. Many cultivars are available with varying sizes, shapes, and colors of fruit.
Dimensions
- Height: 40 - 50 ft
- Width: 25 - 35 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Texture: Clay, Loam (silt), Sand
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Occasionally dry
- pH Range: 6 - 8
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 8b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
- Leaf Color: Green
- Fall Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow
- Bloom Color: Gold/Yellow, White
- Bloom Period: 4 - 5
- Fruit Interest: Fall, Summer
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: Food
- Landscape Value: Edible garden
Quercus rubra

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 7
- Common Name: Red oak
- Growth Habit: Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
- Description: This 75-100 ft., deciduous oak occasionally reaches 120 ft. in height. Its straight trunk is clear of branches for some distance above the ground and supports a wide canopy, commonly 3/4 that of height. The dark bark is striped with long, smooth plates separated by deep furrows. Leaf lobes are bristle-tipped. Fall color is can be crimson, golden-orange, or russet.
Dimensions
- Height: 50 - 70 ft
- Width: 50 - 75 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil Texture: Loam (silt), Sand
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally dry
- pH Range: 4.3 - 7.3
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 8b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
- Leaf Color: Green
- Fall Leaf Color: Brown/Copper, Red/Burgundy
- Bloom Color: Gold/Yellow, Green
- Bloom Period: 3 - 5
- Fruit Interest: Fall
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: The acorns of red oak (and other oak species) were an important food source for Native Americans. Some tribes are known to have used the bark as medicine for heart troubles and bronchial infections. It was also used as an astringent, disinfectant, and cleanser. The lumber is used for furniture, veneer, interior finishing, cabinets, paneling, and flooring as well as for agricultural implements, posts, and railway ties
- Landscape Value: The northern red oak is typically planted for its ornamental value due to its shape and fall foliage. It is also an important food source for squirrels, deer, and birds. It may be used as a specimen, shade tree, street tree, and in recreational areas.
Wildlife Value
- Oak trees support a wide variety of Lepidopteran. You may see 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. Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), which have one flight from June-August everywhere but Florida where they emerge April-May. Edward’s Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii), has one flight from May-July in the south and June-July in the north. Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), has three to four flights in the south from February-November and two flights in the north from May-September. White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) has three broods in the north from February-October. Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius) has three broods in Texas and the deep south from January-November, and two broods in the north from April-September. Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis) has one brood from April-June, appearing as early as January in Florida. The acorns are eaten by woodpeckers, blue jays small mammals, wild turkeys white-tailed deer and black bears.
Zelkova serrata

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 8
- Common Name: Japanese Zelkova
- Growth Habit: Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: Not native
- Description: Japanese zelkova a tough and durable large decidous tree. It is noted for its graceful vase shape when young, green textured foliage, and attractive honeycomb bark. While the flowers are insignificant the fall leaf color is variable from yellow, burgundy, or a combination of colors.
Dimensions
- Height: 50 - 80 ft
- Width: 50 - 80 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Texture: Clay, High organic matter, Loam (silt), Sand
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally dry
- pH Range: 6 - 6.9
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a - 8b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
- Leaf Color: Green
- Fall Leaf Color: Brown/Copper, Gold/Yellow, Orange, Red/Burgundy
- Bloom Color: Green
- Bloom Period: 4 - 4
- Fruit Interest: Summer
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: NA
- Landscape Value: It serves as a good specimen lawn or shade tree and provides year-round interest with its unique bark.
Juglans nigra

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 9
- Common Name: Black walnut
- Growth Habit: Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
- Description: Black walnut is a large, rugged, deciduous tree, 50-75 ft. in height and width, sometimes reaching 150 ft. tall. Dark, furrowed bark on the trunk. Wide-spreading branches form an upright, umbrella-like crown in the woods or a round-topped crown in the open. The well-formed trunk is usually devoid of branches a considerable distance from the ground. Leaves up to 2 feet long with 5 to 11 pairs of leaflets along a central axis and a single leaflet at the tip; midrib of the lateral leaflets off-center with the wider part of the blade toward the leaf tip. Leaflets emerge very late in spring and are yellow-green. Fall color is clear yellow, unless the tree has been troubled with insects or leaf blight. Flowers inconspicuous, in elongate, green clusters. Fruit 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 inches in diameter, consisting of a hard-shelled, furrowed nut enclosed in a green husk, darker when ripe.
Dimensions
- Height: 50 - 70 ft
- Width: 50 - 70 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil Texture: Clay, Loam (silt), Sand
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally dry, Occasionally wet, Very dry
- pH Range: 4.6 - 8.2
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 9b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
- Leaf Color: Green
- Fall Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow
- Bloom Color: Gold/Yellow, Green
- Bloom Period: 4 - 5
- Fruit Interest: Fall
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: Yellow dye made from fruit husks, seed is used in candy-making, cleaning abrasives, and explosives. Heartwood is of superior quality and value; heavy, hard, and strong with very little warping as it dries. Highly prized for furniture, cabinets, etc.
- Landscape Value: Good for use in a butterfly garden, edible garden, native garden, and nighttime garden.
Wildlife Value
- This plant supports Hickory Horndevil (Citheronia regalis) larvae which have one brood and appear from May to mid-September. Adult Hickory Horndevil moths do not feed. Also a Larval host for Banded Hairstreak butterflies and Luna moth. Meat of the nut is sweet and edible and a favorite food for squirrels.
Gymnocladus dioicus

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 10
- Common Name: Kentucky coffee tree
- Growth Habit: Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
- Description: Usually a short-trunked tree with narrow, open crown of coarse branches and very large, twice-compound leaves. When crowded by other trees, this species grows tall and slender. If more open-grown, it becomes a round-topped tree. Its unique bark is dark brown and roughened with scale-like ridges in distinct patterns. It leafs out late in spring. The large, twice-compound leaves gives the foliage a tropical look. Greenish-white flowers are held in terminal clusters, and the fruit is a purplish-brown pod that remains into winter. Fall foliage is yellow-green. Kentucky coffeetree grows 75-100 ft. tall.
Dimensions
- Height: 60 - 80 ft
- Width: 40 - 55 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Texture: Clay, High organic matter, Loam (silt), Sand
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist
- pH Range: 6 - 8
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a - 8b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
- Leaf Color: Green
- Fall Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow
- Bloom Color: Green, White
- Bloom Period: 6 - 6
- Fruit Interest: Fall
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: Native American and early American settlers roasted and ground the seeds and brewed them to make a coffee-like beverage that does not contain caffeine. The seeds are toxic if eaten raw. The fruit pulp was used as a home remedy for headaches and fever. The wood is used for building cabinets.
- Landscape Value: The Kentucky Coffeetree does well in large lawns or parks. Some may consider the male tree more desirable because it does not create litter. but the female tree has showy and fragrant flowers. It makes an excellent addition to a rain garden or the landscape to provide shade. The tree’s interesting shape, bark, and seed pods are attractive and make added winter interest in a landscape.
Wildlife Value
- Larval host for bicolored honey locust moth and bisected honey locust moth.
Paulownia tomentosa

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 11
- Common Name: Princess tree, Royal paulownia
- Growth Habit: Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: Not native
- Description: This shade tree grows rapidly adding 15 feet each year to reach a mature height of 50 feet and width of 30 feet in just 10 years. It is considered one of the fastest growing trees in the world. In many places it is now considered invasive.
Dimensions
- Height: 30 - 50 ft
- Width: 20 - 30 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: NA
- Soil Texture: NA
- Soil Drainage: NA
- pH Range: NA - NA
- USDA Hardiness Zones: NA - NA
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: NA
- Leaf Retention: NA
- Leaf Color: NA
- Fall Leaf Color: NA
- Bloom Color: NA
- Bloom Period: NA - NA
- Fruit Interest: NA
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: Used in paper, veneer, hand-carvings, clogs, musical instruments, furniture, rice pots, water pails, bowls, and spoons and has medicinal uses in Asia.
- Landscape Value: No longer recommended to plant.
Ulmus americana

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 12
- Common Name: American Elm, White Elm, Soft Elm, Water Elm, Common Elm
- Growth Habit: Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
- Description: Three distinct habits are recognized including the vase-shaped form in which the trunk divides into several erect limbs strongly arched above and terminating in numerous slender, pendulous branchlets. A more wide-spreading and less arching form occurs, as well as a narrow form with branchlets clothing the entire trunk. The species usually grows 60-80 ft. Dark-green leaves have variable fall color. Large, handsome, graceful tree, often with enlarged buttresses at base, usually forked into many spreading branches, drooping at ends, forming a very broad, rounded, flat-topped or vaselike crown, often wider than high.
Dimensions
- Height: 60 - 80 ft
- Width: 30 - 60 ft
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, Very dry
- pH Range: 6 - 8
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a - 9b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
- Leaf Color: Green
- Fall Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow
- Bloom Color: Green, Red/Burgundy
- Bloom Period: 2 - 4
- Fruit Interest: Spring
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: The wood is heavy, hard, strong, and difficult to split. They are often used for lumber, pulpwood, and firewood. Native Americans also used it for food, beverages, and medicinal purposes—for example, gynecological aid, pediatric aid, colds, and menstrual cramps.
- Landscape Value: The American elm is a beautiful shade tree with an urn shape. When sited in a dense forest, the tree tends to have a narrow crown and a long, clear bole (the trunk below the crown). When sited in an open area, the tree tends to fork near the ground and develop an arching crown. It is valuable to wildlife as a food source, nesting site and habitat. It is fire and deer-resistant and tolerates urban conditions.
Wildlife Value
- This plant supports the following larvae: Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma), Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Question Mark Butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis). Questionmark butterflies have an interesting life cycles: overwintered adult Question Mark butterflies lay eggs from spring until the end of May. These will appear as summer adults from May-September, laying eggs that then develop into the winter adult form. The winter adults appear in late August and shelter for the winter starting the cycle all over again. Adult Question Mark butterflies feed on rotting fruit, tree sap, dung, and carrion only visiting flowers for feeding when absolutely necessary. Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) rarely use this host plant in North Carolina. It is also a host plant for Red Spotted Purple butterflies. The seeds are eaten by songbirds and small mammals.
Catalpa speciosa

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 13
- Common Name: Northern Catalpa, Catalpa Tree, Cigar Tree, Indian Bean
- Growth Habit: Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (I)
- Description: Northern catalpa is a 75-100 ft., deciduous tree with a narrow, oval crown. The rugged winter outline is striking. Grayish- to reddish-brown bark breaks into thick scales. Leaves heart shaped with a drawn out tip and usually smooth, sometimes shallowly lobed, margins, petioles up to 8 inches long and blades to 12 inches long by 8 inches wide. Large, showy, white to lavender, bell-shaped flowers with frilled rims occur in heavy, upright clusters at the outer ends of the branches. Flowers up to 2 inches long by 2 inches wide, petals white with yellow streaks and purplish spots inside, fused about half their length and flaring into 2 unequal lips, the smaller 2 lobed, the larger 3 lobed; in open clusters. Fruit a long, narrow pod up to 18 inches in length by 1/2 inch in width persisting through winter. Fall color is poor; leaves often fall before turning.
Dimensions
- Height: 40 - 70 ft
- Width: 20 - 40 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil Texture: Clay, High organic matter, Loam (silt)
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally wet
- pH Range: 5.5 - 7
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 8b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
- Leaf Color: Green
- Fall Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow
- Bloom Color: Orange, Purple/Lavender, White
- Bloom Period: 4 - 6
- Fruit Interest: Fall, Brown/Copper
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: NA
- Landscape Value: It does well in difficult locations of the landscape, such as moist low spots or dry spots with poor soils. This species can be grown in a variety of landscape themes, including children’s gardens, rain gardens, native gardens and butterfly gardens.
Wildlife Value
- Host to two native moths: the catalpa sphinx and the tersa sphinx.
Platanus x acerifolia

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 14
- Common Name: London planetree
- Growth Habit: Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: NA
- Description: London plane tree is a hybrid cross of American sycamore and Oriental planetree. It is a large deciduous shade tree that is generally pyramidal when young and becomes open and spreads with age. It may grow to a height of 70 to 100 feet tall and 60 to 75 feet wide. The light brown outer bark exfoliates to reveal a creamy olive inner bark. The leaves are alternate, 3 to 5 lobed, medium to dark green, and may have coarse marginal teeth. The flowers bloom in clusters in the spring and are not particularly showy. The male flowers are yellow, and the female flowers are reddish. The female flowers produce a fuzzy, rounded, bristly fruit ball that ripens to brown in October. The fruits tend to persist through the winter.
Dimensions
- Height: 70 - 100 ft
- Width: 60 - 75 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Texture: Clay, Loam (silt), Sand
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally wet
- pH Range: 5.5 - 8
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 9b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
- Leaf Color: Green
- Fall Leaf Color: Brown/Copper, Gold/Yellow
- Bloom Color: Gold/Yellow, Red/Burgundy
- Bloom Period: 3 - 4
- Fruit Interest: Fall, Winter, Brown/Copper
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: In the past, the tree’s wood was used to make ox carts and wheels. Currently, it is used for furniture, flooring, and veneer.
- Landscape Value: It is widely used in urban areas as a street tree and will do well in large yards or parks as a shade tree. In the home landscape, this tree requires much maintenance because of the excess litter produced by the twigs, leaves, bark, and fruiting balls. The roots of the tree can invade sewer pipes and lift sidewalks.
Wildlife Value
- Attracts birds, pollinators, and small mammals
Aesculus hippocastanum

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 15
- Common Name: European Horse-chestnut
- Growth Habit: Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: Not native
- Description: Aesculus hippocastanum, commonly called horsechestnut, is native to the Balkans. It is a medium to large deciduous tree that typically grows 50-75’ tall with an upright oval-rounded crown. Light green palmate compound leaves emerge in spring, each with 7 (less frequently 5) spreading ovate-oblong leaflets to 4-10” long. Leaves mature to dark green in summer. Fall color usually consists of undistinguished shades of yellow and brown. Showy white flowers with red or yellow markings appear in upright terminal panicles in mid-spring (May in St. Louis).
Dimensions
- Height: 50 - 75 ft
- Width: 40 - 65 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil Texture: NA
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage
- pH Range: NA - NA
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 7b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
- Leaf Color: Green
- Fall Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow
- Bloom Color: White, Red, Yellow/Gold
- Bloom Period: 5 - 5
- Fruit Interest: NA
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: NA
- Landscape Value: A beautiful landscape tree for parks and large lawns. Depreciation of the foliage during the growing season due to disease, insect and scorching problems somewhat limits its value. It has been widely planted in the midwest as a street and shade tree.
Cedrus atlantica

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 16
- Common Name: Atlas cedar
- Growth Habit: Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: Not native
- Description: Bluish green cedar, 40-60’ tall, 30-40’ wide. Specimen tree, should be used for nothing less and allowed to develop in an open environment with no competitors. Difficult to transplant, should be moved as container, well drained, moist loamy soil preferred, but can tolerate sandy soil as well, takes full sun, and needs shelter from high winds.
Dimensions
- Height: 40 - 60 ft
- Width: 30 - 40 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil Texture: Clay, Loam (silt), Sand
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage
- pH Range: 5.5 - 8.5
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6a - 9b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
- Leaf Color: Blue, Green
- Fall Leaf Color: NA
- Bloom Color: Brown/Copper, Green
- Bloom Period: 9 - 10
- Fruit Interest: Fall, Winter, Brown/Copper
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: This tree produces an aromatic oil that is a natural insect deterrent. Its harvested wood is commonly used in building furniture and drawers.
- Landscape Value: Specimen tree
Wildlife Value
- Birds nest in the branches.
Hedera helix

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 17
- Common Name: English ivy, Common ivy
- Growth Habit: Vine
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: Not native
- Description: English ivy is a high-climbing, evergreen vine. It is native to Europe, Scandinavia, and the east of Russia. In North America, English ivy is widespread in urban areas and disturbed forests and is commonly associated with other non-native species. When planted in the landscape, it is an invasive, weedy, and aggressive plant, and other groundcovers that do well in partial or light shade should be considered instead. Once established, it is nearly impossible to eradicate and is one of the worst invasive weed problems. It aggressively spreads into native forests, where it smothers tall trees as well as the forest floor, preventing native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees from sprouting.
Dimensions
- Height: 20 - 80 ft
- Width: 3 - 50 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Dappled shade, Deep shade, Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil Texture: Clay, High organic matter, Loam (silt), Sand, Shallow rocky
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally wet
- pH Range: 5.2 - 7.8
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 13b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
- Leaf Retention: Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color: Green, Variegated, White
- Fall Leaf Color: NA
- Bloom Color: Gold/Yellow
- Bloom Period: 6 - 9
- Fruit Interest: Fall, Black, Blue
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: Historically, English ivy was used as a topical agent for its antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
- Landscape Value: I no longer recommend planting this outside.
Malus sargentii

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 18
- Common Name: Sargent crabapple
- Growth Habit: Shrub, Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: Not Native
- Description: Malus sargentii, commonly known as Sargent crabapple as a dense, spreading, horizontally-branched, deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub that may technically be grown as a dwarf tree. As a shrub, it typically grows 6-8’ tall with no central leader and spreads to 15’ wide. Pink buds open to a profuse, but brief, spring bloom of fragrant, white flowers (1” diameter). Profuse bloom often occurs only in alternate years. Flowers are followed by small, red crabapples (1/4” diameter) which mature in the fall. The pea-sized fruits are sweet-flavored like rose hips, but are not usually used in cooking. Fruits are long-lasting and attractive to birds, however. Ovate, lobed, dark green leaves turn yellow in autumn. The yellow fall color contrasts well with the red fruit.
Dimensions
- Height: 6 - 8 ft
- Width: 9 - 15 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Texture: Clay, High organic matter, Loam (silt), Sandy
- Soil Drainage: Well drained
- pH Range: 5.5 - 7.5
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a - 7a
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Fall, Yellow
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
- Leaf Color: Green
- Fall Leaf Color: Yellow
- Bloom Color: Pink, White
- Bloom Period: 4 - 4
- Fruit Interest: Fall, Red
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: NA
- Landscape Value: A dwarf species which is effective when planted as a small specimen or in groups, near fences, in borders or as a screen or hedge. May not be an appropriate selection for smaller gardens because of its alternate year bloom.
Magnolia virginiana

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 19
- Common Name: Sweetbay magnolia
- Growth Habit: Shrub, Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: L48 (N)
- Description: This is a slender tree or shrub with pale grey bark, 12-20 ft. tall, occasionally growing to 50 ft. in the southern part of its range. Multiple, slender, upright trunks bear picturesque, horizontal branches. Tree has aromatic, spicy foliage and twigs. Leaves are simple, green above and whitish below, 3-6 inches long and 1-2 1/2 inches wide. Leaves are semi-evergreen to evergreen and dark green in the South; tardily deciduous, changing to bronze-purple in the North. Foliage is smaller and thinner than southern magnolia. The solitary, fragrant flowers are 4-6 in. across, with 9-12 velvety-white petals 2-3 inches across. Flowers are followed by dark red aggregate fruits exposing bright red seeds. Blossom opening in the morning and closing at night for 2 or 3 days.
Dimensions
- Height: 10 - 35 ft
- Width: 10 - 35 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil Texture: High organic matter
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Moist, Occasionally wet
- pH Range: 5 - 6.9
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a - 10b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Broadleaf semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color: Green, Gray/Silver
- Fall Leaf Color: NA
- Bloom Color: Cream/Tan, White
- Bloom Period: 4 - 7
- Fruit Interest: Summer, Fall, Brown/Copper, Red/Burgundy
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: Native Americans used it as a blood medicine, cold remedy, febrifuge, and hallucinogen.
- Landscape Value: It is an excellent specimen tree for lawns or tall multi-stemmed shrubs for shrub borders. It will do well planted near ponds or streams. Dwarf plants occur with smaller growth forms and leaves and can be used in foundation plantings, near patios, or on the periphery of woodland areas. This plant is moderately salt tolerant. During the summer months, the tree blooms sporadically until the first frosts.
Wildlife Value
- Provides winter and extreme weather cover. This is a larval host plant for Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) which has two broods from April-October and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilo glaucus) which has three flights from February-November in the deep south and March-September in the north. The adult Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies feed on milkweed, joe pye weed, wild cherry, and lilac.) and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) glaucus) which has three flights from February-November in the deep south and March-September in the north. Foliage and twigs are eaten by white-tailed deer in winter. Seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. It is a favorite tree of the sap suckers.
Tsuga canadensis

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 20
- Common Name: Canadian hemlock, Eastern hemlock
- Growth Habit: Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
- Description: Eastern hemlock is a straight-trunked, gracefully pyramidal tree with long, pendulous limbs and short-needled, feathery branches. Evergreen needles are dark-green with silvery undersides.Evergreen tree with conical crown of long, slender, horizontal branches often drooping down to the ground, and a slender, curved, and drooping leader. Height is usually 40-70 ft., but can reach 100 ft. or more.
Dimensions
- Height: 40 - 70 ft
- Width: 25 - 35 ft
Cultural Conditions
- Light: Dappled sunlight, Deep shade, Partial shade
- Soil Texture: Clay, Loam (silt), Sand
- Soil Drainage: Good drainage, Mosit
- pH Range: 4.2 - 5.7
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3a - 7b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: NA
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
- Leaf Color: Green, Cream/Tan
- Fall Leaf Color: NA
- Bloom Color: NA
- Bloom Period: NA - NA
- Fruit Interest: Fall, Brown/Copper
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: The cambium is used by Native Americans for breads and soups as well as with dried fruit and animal fat for pemmican. The leaves, which are high in vitamin C, are also used for tea. The bark was once used for tannin for leather production.
- Landscape Value: A beautiful conical evergreen with drooping branches and tiny cones, the healthy eastern hemlock makes a lovely specimen tree in a home landscape. Individual trees can reach heights of 40 to 70 feet and widths of 25 to 35 feet, so dwarf cultivars are best for home landscapes.
Wildlife Value
- It provides winter and extreme weather coverage. Red crossbills and small mammals eat the seeds. Ruffled grouse eat the buds and white-tailed deer browse the foilage in winter. It is an important thermal cover component along streams for amphibians and fish. It also provides cover and shelter for turkey and white-tailed deer.
Liquidambar styraciflua

General Description
- Plant Walk Number: 22
- Common Name: American sweetgum
- Growth Habit: Tree
- Duration: Perennial
- Native Status: L48 (N)
- Description: American sweetgum is a woody, deciduous tree frequently found in wet river bottoms, in swamps that frequently flood, and on drier uplands (except the high mountains).
Dimensions
- Height: 60 - 100 ft
- Width: 40 - 50 ft
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 - 8
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5a - 9b
Aesthetic Attributes
- Foliage Interest: Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
- Leaf Color: Green
- Fall Leaf Color: Gold/Yellow, Orange, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy
- Bloom Color: NA
- Bloom Period: NA - NA
- Fruit Interest: Fall, Winter, Brown/Copper
Ethnobotany and Landscape Value
- Ethnobotany: NA
- Landscape Value: NA