September 2010 Newsletter©

Native Plants

 

 

Before I get started talking about native plants, I want to make you aware of an incredible opportunity to hear some excellent speakers on native plants.  The Mid-South Native Plant Conference is coming up October 8-10 at Dixon Gallery and Gardens.   Natives & Beyond: Sustainable Plants, Gardens & Communities is the seminar title. 

The speakers and some of the topics include:

Felder Rushing – How to Get Away with Growing Wildflowers in Town

If you haven’t heard Felder speak, you should!  All of us in the horticulture business are afflicted with a condition known as ‘Horticultural Insanity’.  He has, without a doubt, the worst case. 

C. Colston Burrell – Great Natives for Tough Places

Mr. Burrell is a landscape architect and accomplished writer from Charlottesville, Va.

Don Shadow – New and Useful Native Plants for Mid-South Gardens and Landscapes

Don is one of the most fascinating people you will ever have the opportunity to hear and one of the most respected plant experts in the world.  He has traveled extensively around the world in search of plants, has introduced many new plants into the industry and he always finds a little time to talk about the 700 or so exotic animals he raises on his Winchester, TN farm.

 

Also speaking:

Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson – Newly appointed president of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Ann English – Rainscapes Program Planning Specialist from Montgomery County Maryland.

Rick Lewandowski – Director of Mt. Cuba Center in Greenville, Delaware, the former estate of Mr. and Mrs. Lammot du Pont Copeland.

 

There will be a casual reception and speaker on Friday, October 8th, seminars and lunch provided on Saturday and several optional tours to take place on Sunday.  If you are interested in plants that are nearly trouble free, then you should attend this event.  Plus, not only are the speakers excellent, but you will be surrounded by many of the best gardeners and plant people in the Mid-South who are more than willing to answer questions and share their expertise.  If you are interested in attending, send an email to questions@danwestonline.com and I will send you all the information and a registration form.  I hope to see you there.

 

What is a “native” plant?  Ginkgo once grew here naturally, but disappeared 2.5 million years ago, so is it native since we grow it here now?  We just re-introduced it!  Well, no.  It’s not.

 

A native plant is one that was here (in North America) when the Europeans first came to America in the late 1400’s.  Prior to that, any new plant that established itself in North America, came by natural means – a seed that was carried by the wind or in the gut of a bird, etc.  After the Europeans arrived, there was intentional movement of plants between the Old and New World, so that was a good point to pick in time to call a plant ‘native’ or not.

 

Are all native plants desirable?  Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are native.  They have attractive fall foliage and birds eat the berries.  Want them in your garden? Most people don’t, but you might if you have a patch of woods and enjoy watching the birds.  We have lots of people want black locust when they see them in bloom each year along the roadside.  They have white, fragrant, wisteria like flowers…they also have 3” long, hard, brutal thorns and they root sprout everywhere.  I can’t think of a reason to plant them, but there may be one.

 

Will all native plants grow here?  No they won’t.  Many grow much further north or south of here and will not tolerate our heat or cold.  Many need excellent drainage and/or alkaline soil which we don’t tend to have, although you may be able to create a suitable habitat for them.  Mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia, usually dies here shortly after planting; however there is a very old plant on the grounds of Dixon Gallery & Gardens.

 

Many native plants don’t grow here naturally but do quite well here.  Florida anise, Illicium floridanum, is a spectacular evergreen plant and does very well here.  Osmanthus americanus grows naturally in USDA Zones 8 and 9, but is hardy to Zone 5. 

 

I’ve not found a good list of native plants.  So I set out to make one. It soon became overwhelming.

 

The following list is a compilation from several sources.  The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has extensive lists by state for native plants to be used along roadsides.  So I combined the lists for Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, plus included some recommendations from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin, added a few of my own favorites and I threw out some that are weeds any way you look at them.

 

The result is not a list of recommendations.  It is a starting point for you to do the research.  As I said before, some may require very unique habitats that are not easily duplicated here.  Some are very aggressive, so careful thought should be given to your choices.  Many are good sources of food or cover for wildlife.  Many are beautiful but with some, their beauty lies in the eye of the owner.  Ten people looking at a wild violet will likely have one person describe it as an attractive, dainty wildflower and the other nine describe it as a tenacious, (expletive deleted) weed.  In some situations, a weed, I mean wildflower, may be what you need.  So to some, the list may include weeds.

 

This is just a fraction of the native plants that may grow here, sorry if I missed one of your favorites or for any omissions.  I’ve tried to use the most common, common name because they vary in many parts of the country. For the serious plant person, I’ve also tried to use the most current botanical name, so some you may not recognize.  Aronia arbutifolia, the red chokeberry is now Photinia pyriflolia (except when some experts place it in the genus Sorbus and occasionally Pyrus).  Many plants that were once in the genus Eupatorium are now in Eupatoriadelphus, Eutrochium or Conoclinium.  (I once tried to remember all the botanical names of plants. Now, I just try to remember where to look them up!)

 

The first group is ferns.  Most are easy to grow, a few more difficult.  Some like moist to wet areas, some drier, well drained locations.

 

Southern Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum capillus-veneris

Marginal Wood Fern

Dryopteris marginalia

Northern Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum pedatum

Sensitive Fern

Onoclea sensibilis

Ebony Spleenwort

Asplenium platyneuron

Cinnamon Fern

Osmunda cinnamomea

Maidenhair Spleenwort

Asplenium trichomanes

Interrupted Fern

Osmunda claytoniana

Lady Fern

Athyrium filix-femina

Royal Fern

Osmunda regalis

Rattlesnake Fern

Botrychium virginianum

Broad Beech Fern

Phegopteris hexagonoptera

Bladder Fern

Cystopteris bulbifera

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

Fragile Fern

Cystopteris fragilis

Tapering Fern

Thelypteris novaboracensis

Hay-scented Fern

Dennstaedtia punctilobula

Netted Chain Fern

Woodwardia areolata

Shield Fern

Dryopteris carthusiana

Virginia Chain Fern

Woodwardia virginica

 

Here are the grasses.  Some are quite large, ornamental grasses.  Some have a more weedy appearance but are great for prairie gardens.  Some like very wet areas where few plants will grow.

 

Ticklegrass

Agrostis scabra

Plains Lovegrass

Eragrostis intermedia

Big Bluestem

Andropogon gerardii

Soft Rush

Juncus effusus

Bushy Bluestem

Andropogon glomeratus

Inland Rush

Juncus interior

Splitbeard Bluestem

Andropogon ternarius

June Grass

Koeleria macrantha

Broom Sedge

Andropogon virginicus

Rice Cutgrass

Leersia oryzoides

River Cane

Arundinaria gigantea

Three-flower Melic Grass

Melica nitens

Sideoats Grama

Bouteloua curtipendula

Gulf Muhly Grass

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Hairy Grama

Bouteloua hirsuta

Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum

Buffalograss

Buchloe dactyloides

Sugarcane Plume

Saccharum giganteum

Bluejoint Grass

Calamagrostis canadensis

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Hop Sedge

Carex lupulina

Three-square Bulrush

Scirpus americanus

Pennsylvania Sedge

Carex pensylvanica

Dark Green Bulrush

Scirpus atrovirens

Plantain-leaved Sedge

Carex plantaginea

Wool Grass

Scirpus cyperinus

Awl-fruited Sedge

Carex stipata

Great Bulrush

Scirpus tabernaemontani

Tussock Sedge

Carex stricta

Softstem Bulrush

Scirpus validus

Inland Sea Oats

Chasmanthium latifolium

Woolgrass

Scripus cyperinus

Poverty Grass

Danthonia spicata

Indiangrass

Sorghastrum nutans

Canada Wild Rye

Elymus canadensis

Rrairie Cordgrass

Spartina pectinata

Blue Wild Rye

Elymus glaucus

Sand Dropseed

Sporobolus cryptandrus

Bottlebrush Grass

Elymus hystrix var. hystrix

Prairie Dropseed

Sporobolus heterolepis

Virginia Wildrye

Elymus virginicus

Eastern Gamagrass

Tripsacum dactyloides

 

These are the perennials and wildflowers.  Remember to plant them where they need to be, not where you want them.

 

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Blazing Star, Gayfeather

Liatris elegans

Sweet Flag

Acorus calamus

Narrow-leaf Gayfeather

Liatris mucronata

White Baneberry

Actaea pachypoda

Dotted Blazing Star

Liatris punctata

White Snakeroot

Ageratina altissima var. altissima

Prairie Blazing Star

Liatris pycnostachya

Nodding Onion

Allium cernuum

Marsh Blazing Star

Liatris spicata

Wild Pink Onion

Allium stellatum

Scaly Blazing Star

Liatris squarrosa

Leadplant

Amorpha canescens

American Lovage

Ligusticum canadense

False Indigobush

Amorpha fruticosa

Carolina Lily

Lilium michauxii

Fringed Bluestar

Amsonia ciliata

Michigan Lily

Lilium michiganense

Bluestar

Amsonia hubrichtii

Wood Lily

Lilium philadelphicum

Eastern Bluestar

Amsonia tabernaemontana

Turk's Cap Lily

Lilium superbum

Carolina Anemone

Anemone caroliniana

Woodland Flax

Linum virginianum

Wood Anemone

Anemone quinquefolia

Southern Twayblade

Listera australis

Thimbleweed

Anemone virginiana

Hoary Puccoon

Lithospermum canescens

Spreading Dogbane

Apocynum androsaemifolium

Fringed Puccoon

Lithospermum incisum

Wild Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Green Dragon

Arisaema dracontium

Downy Lobelia

Lobelia puberula

Jack-in-the-pulpit

Arisaema triphyllum

Great Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

Virginia Snakeroot

Aristolochia serpentaria

Pale Lobelia

Lobelia spicata

Prairie Sage

Artemisia ludoviciana

Fringed Loosestrife

Lysimachia ciliata

Goat's Beard

Aruncus dioicus

Lanceleaf Lysimachia

Lysimachia lanceolata

Wild Ginger

Asarum canadense

Winged Loosestrife

Lythrum alatum

Clasping Milkweed

Asclepias amplexicaulis

Wild Lily-of-the-valley

Maianthemum canadense

Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

False Solomon's Seal

Maianthemum racemosum

Fewflower Milkweed

Asclepias lanceolata

Starry Solomon's Seal

Maianthemum stellatum

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Rattlesnake Master, False Aloe

Manfreda virginica

Butterflyweed

Asclepias tuberosa

Virginia Bluebells

Mertensia virginica

White Milkweed

Asclepias variegata

Partridge Berry

Mitchella repens

Whorled Milkweed

Asclepias verticillata

Lemon Beebalm

Monarda citriodora

Green Milkweed

Asclepias viridiflora

Beebalm

Monarda didyma

White Wood Aster

Aster divaricatus

Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

Bushy Aster

Aster dumosus

Spotted Beebalm

Monarda punctata

Heath Aster

Aster ericoides

Sundrops

Oenothera fruticosa

Smooth Aster

Aster laevis

Missouri Evening Primrose

Oenothera macrocarpa

New England Aster

Aster novae-angliae

Pink Evening Primrose

Oenothera speciosa

Aromatic Aster

Aster oblongifolius

Eastern Prickly Pear

Opuntia humifusa

Sky Blue Aster

Aster oolentangiensis

Common Prickly Pear

Opuntia macrorhiza

Frost Aster

Aster pilosus

Sweet Cicely

Osmorhiza claytoni

Swamp Aster

Aster puniceus

Alleghany Spurge

Pachysandra procumbens

Silky Aster

Aster sericeus

Smooth Beardtongue

Penstemon calycosus

False Goatsbeard

Astilbe biternata

Mississippi Penstemon,

Penstemon digitalis

Milk Vetch

Astragalus canadensis

Small's Beardtongue

Penstemon smallii

Yellow False Foxglove

Aureolaria flava

Carolina Phlox

Phlox carolina

White False Indigo

Baptisia alba

Wild Blue Phlox

Phlox divaricata

Blue Wild Indigo

Baptisia australis

Smooth Phlox

Phlox glaberrima

Yellow Wild Indigo

Baptisia tinctoria

Summer Phlox

Phlox paniculata

Fringed Poppy Mallow

Callirhoe digitata

Downy Phlox

Phlox pilosa

Purple Poppy Mallow

Callirhoe involucrata

Creeping Phlox

Phlox stolonifera

Woodland Poppy Mallow

Callirhoe papaver

Obedient Plant

Physostegia digitalis

Wild Hyacinth

Camassia scilloides

Obedient Plant

Physostegia intermedia

American Bellflower

Campanulastrum americanum

Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana

Two-leaved Toothwort

Cardamine diphylla

Green Wood Orchid

Platanthera clavellata

Blue Cohosh

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Tubercled Orchid

Platanthera flava var. flava

Basket Flower

Centaurea americana

Purple  Fringeless Orchid

Platanthera peramoena

White Turtlehead

Chelone glabra

May Apple

Podophyllum peltatum

Turtlehead

Chelone lyonii

Jacob's Ladder

Polemonium reptans

Green and Gold

Chyrsogonum virginianum

Solomon's Seal

Polygonatum biflorum

Maryland Golden Aster

Chrysopsis mariana

Marsh Smartweed

Polygonum hydropiperoides

Bugbane

Cimicifuga racemosa

Tall Cinquefoil

Potentilla arguta

Broad-leaved Spring Beauty

Claytonia caroliniana

Cinquefoil

Potentilla simplex

Thin-leaved Spring Beauty

Claytonia virginica

Slender Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum tenuifolium

Stoneroot

Collinsonia canadensis

Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum virginianum

Day Flower

Commelina erecta

Early Buttercup

Ranunculus hispidus

Mist Flower

Conoclinium coelestinum

Mexican Hat

Ratibida columnifera

Rain Lily

Cooperia drummondii

Yellow Coneflower

Ratibida pinnata

Early Coreopsis

Coreopsis auriculata

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia fulgida

Large Flower Tickseed

Coreopsis grandiflora

Large Coneflower

Rudbeckia grandiflora

Lanceleaf Tickseed

Coreopsis lanceolata

Blackeyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Stiff Coreopsis

Coreopsis palmata

Cutleaf Coneflower

Rudbeckia laciniata

Golden Tickseed

Coreopsis tinctoria

Sweet Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia subtomentosa

Tall Tickseed

Coreopsis tripteris

Brown-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia triloba

Yellow Fumewort

Corydalis flavula

Wild Petunia

Ruellia humilis

Pale Corydalis

Corydalis sempervirens

Texas Star

Sabatia campestris

Crinum Lily

Crinum americanum

Pitcher Sage

Salvia azurea

White Prairie Clover

Dalea candida

Blue Sage

Salvia azurea var. grandiflora

Purple Prairie Clover

Dalea purpurea

Lyre-leaf Sage

Salvia lyrata

Carolina Larkspur

Delphinium carolinianum

Bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis

Prairie Larkspur

Delphinium carolinianum virescens

Soapwort

Saponaria officinalis

Dwarf Larkspur

Delphinium tricorne

Hairy Skullcap

Scutellaria elliptica

Canada Tickclover

Desmodium canadense

Downy Skullcap

Scutellaria incana

Illinois Tickclover

Desmodium illinoense

Wild Stonecrop

Sedum ternatum

Dutchman's Breeches

Dicentra cucullaria

Starry Campion

Silene stellata

Wild Bleeding Heart

Dicentra eximia

Fire Pink

Silene virginica

Shooting Star

Dodecatheon meadia

Narrow-leaved Blue-eyed Grass

Sisyrinchium angustifolium

Pale Coneflower

Echinacea pallida

Eastern Blue-eyed Grass

Sisyrinchium atlanticum

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Prairie Blue-eyed Grass

Sisyrinchium campestre

Tennessee Coneflower

Echinacea tennesseensis

Needle-tip Blue-eyed Grass

Sisyrinchium mucronatum

Engelmann Daisy

Engelmannia peristenia

Blue-stemmed Goldenrod

Solidago caesia

Rattlesnake Master

Eryngium yuccifolium

Meadow Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Prairie Rocket

Erysimum capitatum

Early Goldenrod

Solidago juncea

White Trout Lily

Erythronium albidum

Missouri Goldenrod

Solidago missouriensis

Yellow Trout Lily

Erythronium americanum

Gray Goldenrod

Solidago nemoralis

Hollow Joe-pye-weed

Eupatoriadelphus fistulosus

Sweet Goldenrod

Solidago odora

Spotted Joe-pye Weed

Eupatoriadelphus maculatum

Stiff Goldenrod

Solidago rigida

Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Rough-leaved Goldenrod

Solidago rugosa

Flowering Spurge

Euphorbia corollata

Showy Goldenrod

Solidago speciosa

Snow-on-the-mountain

Euphorbia marginata

Elm-leaved Goldenrod

Solidago ulmifolia

Catchfly Gentian

Eustoma russellianum

Indian Pink

Spigelia marilandica

Sweet Joe-pye Weed

Eutrochium purpureum

Nodding Ladies' Tresses

Spiranthes cernua

Wild Strawberry

Fragaria virginiana

Little Ladies' Tresses

Spiranthes tuberosa

Indian Blanket

Gaillardia pulchella

Spring Ladies' Tresses

Spiranthes vernalis

Slender Gaura

Gaura filipes

Stokes Aster

Stokesia laevis

Yellow Gentian

Gentiana alba

Celandine or Wood Poppy

Stylophorum diphyllum

Bottle Gentian

Gentiana andrewsii

Goat's Rue

Tephrosia virginiana

Harvestbells

Gentiana saponaria

American Germander

Teucrium canadense

Wild Geranium

Geranium maculatum

Purple Meadow Rue

Thalictrum dasycarpum

Rose Vervain

Glandularia canadensis

Early Meadow Rue

Thalictrum dioicum

Wild Licorice

Glycyrrhiza lepidota

Tall Meadow Rue

Thalictrum pubescens

Common Sneezeweed

Helenium autumnale

Rue Anemone

Thalictrum thalictroides

Swamp Sunflower

Helianthus angustifolius

Allegheny Goldenbanner

Thermopsis mollis

Common Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

Bush Pea

Thermopsis villosa

Stiff Sunflower

Helianthus pauciflorus 

Foamflower

Tiarella cordifolia

Plains Sunflower

Helianthus petiolaris

Cranefly Orchid

Tipularia discolor

Swamp Sunflower

Helianthus simulans

Hairy Spiderwort

Tradescantia hirsuticaulis

Woodland Sunflower)

Helianthus strumosus

Ohio Spiderwort

Tradescantia ohiensis

Jerusalem Artichoke

Helianthus tuberosus

Spiderwort

Tradescantia virginiana

Ox-eye Sunflower

Heliopsis helianthoides

Starflower

Trientalis borealis ssp. borealis

Sharp-lobed Hepatica

Hepatica nobilis var. acuta

Buffalo Clover

Trifolium reflexum

Golden Aster

Heterotheca villosa var. villosa

Sweet Betsy

Trillium cuneatum

Alumroot

Heuchera americana

Purple Trillium

Trillium erectum

Hairy Alumroot

Heuchera villosa

White Trillium

Trillium grandiflorum

Shuttleworth's Ginger

Hexastylis shuttleworthii

Prairie Trillium

Trillium recurvatum

Texas Star Hibiscus

Hibiscus coccineus

Painted Trillium

Trillium undulatum

Halberd-leaved Mallow

Hibiscus laevis

Bellwort

Uvularia grandiflora

Swamp Rose Mallow

Hibiscus moscheutos

Wildoats

Uvularia sessilifolia

Bluets

Houstonia caerulea

Western Ironweed

Vernonia baldwinii

Long-leaved Bluets

Houstonia longifolia var. longifolia

Tall Ironweed

Vernonia gigantea

Golden Seal

Hydrastis canadensis

Culver's Root

Veronicastrum virginicum

Spider Lily

Hymenocallis caroliniana

Florida Violet

Viola affinis

Yellow Star Grass

Hypoxis hirsuta

Canada Violet

Viola canadensis

Zigzag Iris

Iris brevicaulis

American Dog Violet

Viola conspersa

Dwarf Crested Iris

Iris cristata

Missouri Violet

Viola missouriensis

Copper Iris

Iris fulva

Bird-foot Violet

Viola pedata

Blue Flag

Iris giganticaerulea

Prairie Violet

Viola pedatifida

Virginia Blueflag

Iris virginica

Downy Violet

Viola pubescens

Roundheaded Bush Clover

Lespedeza capitata

Blue Violet

Viola soraria

Rough Blazing Star

Liatris aspera

Heartleaf Golden Alexanders

Zizia aptera

Dwarf Blazing Star

Liatris cylindracea

Golden Alexanders

Zizia aurea

 

Native shrubs are more forgiving than perennials and wildflowers about surviving in less than optimal conditions.  However, to look their best, give them location they prefer.

 

Sweet Buckeye

Aesculus flava

Hairy Mock Orange

Philadelphus hirsutus

Bottlebrush Buckeye

Aesculus parviflora

Scentless Mock Orange

Philadelphus inodorus

Red Buckeye

Aesculus pavia

Gray Mock Orange

Philadelphus pubescens

Yellow Buckeye

Aesculus sylvatica

Red Chokeberry

Photinia pyriflolia

Florida Leucothoe

Agarista populifolia

Common Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius

Smooth Alder

Alnus serrulata

Common Hoptree

Ptelea trifoliata

Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea

Lanceleaf Buckthorn

Rhamnus lanceolata

Shadbush

Amelanchier spicata

Alabama Azalea

Rhododendron alabamense

Black Chokeberry

Aronia melanocarpa

Smooth Azalea

Rhododendron arborescens

Smallflower Pawpaw

Asimina parviflora

Florida Azalea

Rhododendron austrinum

Pawpaw

Asimina triloba

Flame Azalea

Rhododendron calendulaceum

American Barberry

Berberis canadensis

Piedmont Azalea

Rhododendron canescens

American Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

Carolina Rhododendron

Rhododendron carolinianum

Sweetshrub

Calycanthus floridus

Catawba Rosebay

Rhododendron catawbiense

New Jersey Tea

Ceanothus americanus

Cumberland Azalea

Rhododendron cumberlandense

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Oconee Azalea

Rhododendron flammeum

Sweet Pepperbush

Clethra alnifolia

Great Rhododendron

Rhododendron maximum

Sweet Fern

Comptonia peregrina

Pinxterbloom Azalea

Rhododendron periclymenoides

Silky Dogwood

Cornus amomum

Roseshell Azalea

Rhododendron prinophyllum

Swamp Dogwood

Cornus foemina

Plumleaf Azalea

Rhododendron prunifolium

Gray Dogwood

Cornus racemosa

Pinkshell Azalea

Rhododendron vaseyi

American Hazelnut, Filbert

Corylus americana

Swamp Azalea 

Rhododendron viscosum

Beaked Hazelnut

Corylus cornuta

Fragrant Sumac

Rhus aromatica

May Haw

Crataegus aestivalis

Winged Sumac

Rhus copallinum

Cockspur Hawthorn

Crataegus crus-galli

Smooth Sumac

Rhus glabra

Parsley Hawthorn

Crataegus marshallii

Staghorn Sumac

Rhus hirta

Downy Hawthorn

Crataegus mollis

Prickly Gooseberry

Ribes cynosbati

Riverflat Hawthorn

Crataegus opaca

Golden Current

Ribes odoratum

Washington Hawthorn

Crataegus phaenopyrum

Prairie Rose

Rosa arkansana

Dotted Hawthorn

Crataegus punctata

Carolina Rose

Rosa carolina

Pasture Hawthorn

Crataegus spathulata

Multiflora Rose

Rosa multiflora

Green Hawthorn

Crataegus viridis

Swamp Rose

Rosa palustris

Titi

Cyrilla racemiflora

Prairie Rose

Rosa setigera

Southern Bush Honeysuckle

Diervilla sessilifolia

Alleghany Blackberry

Rubus allegheniensis

Leatherwood

Dirca palustris

Southern Blackberry

Rubus argutus

Trailing Arbutus

Epigaea repens

Northern Dewberry

Rubus flagellaris

Swamp Leucothoe

Eubotrys racemosa

Black Raspberry

Rubus occidentalis

Hearts-a-burstin'

Euonymus americana

Thimbleberry

Rubus odoratus

Wahoo

Euonymus atropurpurea

Southern Dewberry

Rubus trivialis

Eastern Swamp Privet

Forestiera acuminata

Pussy Willow

Salix discolor

Dwarf Fothergilla

Fothergilla gardenii

Prairie Willow

Salix humilis

Witchalder

Fothergilla major

Silky Willow

Salix sericea

Carolina Buckthorn

Frangula caroliniana

Elderberry

Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis

Wintergreen

Gaultheria procumbens

Red Elderberry

Sambucus racemosa ssp. racemosa

Box Huckleberry

Gaylussacia brachycera

Birchleaf Spiraea

Spiraea betulifolia

Dwarf Huckleberry

Gaylussacia dumosa

Steeplebush

Spiraea tomentosa

Vernal Witch Hazel

Hamamelis vernalis

Bladdernut

Staphylea trifolia

American Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Silky Camellia

Stewartia malacodendron

Wild Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens

Mountain Camellia

Stewartia ovata

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Hydrangea quercifolia

American Snowbell

Styrax americana

St. Johnswort

Hypericum frondosum

Coralberry

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus

St. Andrew's Cross

Hypericum hypericoides

Farkleberry

Vaccinium arboreum

Dwarf St. Johnswort

Hypericum mutilum

Mayberry

Vaccinium elliottii

Shrubby St. Johnswort

Hypericum prolificum

Highbush Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum

Inkberry

Ilex glabra

Lowbush Blueberry

Vaccinium pallidum

Myrtle Holly

Ilex myrtifolia

Rabbiteye Blueberry

Vaccinum virgatum

Yaupon

Ilex vomitoria

Mapleleaf Viburnum

Viburnum acerifolium

Florida Anise

Illicium floridanum

Withe-rod Viburnum

Viburnum cassinoides

Ocala Anise

Illicium parviflorum

Arrowwood

Viburnum dentatum

Virginia Sweetspire

Itea virginica

Possumhaw Viburnum

Viburnum nudum

Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia

Black Haw

Viburnum prunifolium

Coast Leucothoe

Leucothoe axillaris

Rusty Black Haw

Viburnum rufidulum

Spicebush

Lindera benzoin

Yellowroot

Xanthorhiza simplicissima

Maleberry

Lyonia ligustrina

Spanish Dagger

Yucca aloifolia

Wax Myrtle

Morella cerifera aka Myrica cerifera

Arkansas Yucca

Yucca arkansana

Alabama Snow Wreath

Neviusia alabamensis

Adam's Needle

Yucca filamentosa

Devilwood

Osmanthus americanus

Zenobia

Zenobia pulverulenta

 

Most of these native trees do well here, a few may be at the northern or southern end of their range.  Some tend to be more shrub-like here.  Some, like the silver maple, are brittle and not good choices as a single specimen in the yard.

 

Florida Maple

Acer barbatum

Umbrella Magnolia

Magnolia tripetala

Chalk Maple

Acer leucoderme

Sweetbay

Magnolia virginiana

Box Elder

Acer negundo

Wild Crabapple

Malus angustifolia

Striped Maple

Acer pensylvanicum

Prairie Crabapple

Malus ioensis var. ioensis

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Red Mulberry

Morus rubra

Swamp Maple

Acer rubrum var. drummondii

Water Tupelo

Nyssa aquatica

Silver Maple

Acer saccharinum

Blackgum

Nyssa sylvatica

Sugar Maple

Acer saccharum

Eastern Hop-hornbeam

Ostrya virginiana

Buckeye, Horse Chestnut

Aesculus glabra

Sourwood

Oxydendrum arboreum

Smooth Alder

Alnus serrulata

Redbay

Persea borbonia

Devil's walking stick

Aralia spinosa

Shortleaf Pine

Pinus echinata

Cherry Birch

Betula lenta

Slash Pine

Pinus elliottii

River Birch

Betula nigra

Spruce Pine

Pinus glabra

Ironwood

Carpinus caroliniana

Longleaf Pine

Pinus palustris

Mockernut Hickory

Carya alba

Pitch Pine

Pinus rigida

Bitternut

Carya cordiformis

Eastern White Pine

Pinus strobus

Pignut Hickory

Carya glabra

Loblolly Pine

Pinus taeda

Pecan

Carya illinoinensis

Virginia Pine

Pinus virginiana

Shagbark Hickory

Carya ovata

Sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

Black Hickory

Carya texana

Eastern Cottonwood

Populus deltoides

Chinquapin

Castanea pumila

Wild Plum

Prunus americana

Southern Catalpa

Catalpa bignonioides

Chickasaw Plum

Prunus angustifolia

Northern Catalpa

Catalpa speciosa

Carolina Cherry Laurel

Prunus caroliniana

Sugarberry

Celtis laevigata

Oklahoma Plum

Prunus gracilis

Hackberry

Celtis occidentalis

Mexican Plum

Prunus mexicana

Dwarf Hackberry

Celtis tenuifolia

Black Cherry

Prunus serotina

Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis

Hog Plum

Prunus umbellata

Fringetree

Chionanthus virginicus

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Yellowwood

Cladrastis kentukea

Hop Tree

Ptelea trifoliata

Pagoda Dogwood

Cornus alternifolia

White Oak

Quercus alba

Roughleaf Dogwood

Cornus drummondii

Swamp White Oak

Quercus bicolor

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

Scarlet Oak

Quercus coccinea

Smoke Tree

Cotinus obovatus

Southern Red Oak

Quercus falcata

Persimmon

Diospyros virginiana

Shingle Oak

Quercus imbricaria

American Beech

Fagus grandifolia

Overcup Oak

Quercus lyrata

Carolina Buckthorn

Frangula caroliniana

Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa

Franklin Tree

Franklinia alatamaha

Blackjack Oak

Quercus marilandica

White Ash

Fraxinus americana

Swamp Chestnut Oak

Quercus michauxii

Carolina Ash

Fraxinus caroliniana

Chinkapin Oak

Quercus muhlenbergii

Green Ash

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Water Oak

Quercus nigra

Honeylocust

Gleditsia triacanthos

Cherrybark Oak

Quercus pagoda

Gordonia

Gordonia lasianthus

Pin Oak

Quercus palustris

Kentucky Coffee Tree

Gymnocladus dioica

Willow Oak

Quercus phellos

Carolina Silverbell

Halesia carolina

Chestnut Oak

Quercus prinus

Two-wing Silverbell

Halesia diptera

Northern Red Oak

Quercus rubra

Mountain Silverbell

Halesia tetraptera

Shumard Oak

Quercus shumardii

Carolina Holly

Ilex ambigua

Post oak

Quercus stellata

Dahoon Holly

Ilex cassine

Nuttall Oak

Quercus texana

Possumhaw, Deciduous Holly

Ilex decidua

Black Oak

Quercus velutina

American Holly

Ilex opaca

Live oak

Quercus virginiana

Winterberry

Ilex verticillata

Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

Butternut

Juglans cinerea

Dwarf Palmetto Palm

Sabal minor

Black Walnut

Juglans nigra

Black Willow

Salix nigra

Post Cedar

Juniperus ashei

Sassafras

Sassafras albidum

Eastern Red Cedar

Juniperus virginiana

Pond Cypress

Taxodium ascendens

Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua

Bald Cypress

Taxodium distichum

Tulip Poplar

Liriodendron tulipifera

Basswood, Linden

Tilia americana

Osage Orange

Maclura pomifera

Eastern Hemlock

Tsuga canadensis

Cucumber Tree

Magnolia acuminata

Winged Elm

Ulmus alata

Ashe Magnolia

Magnolia ashei

American Elm

Ulmus americana

Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora

Cedar Elm

Ulmus crassifolia

Bigleaf Magnolia

Magnolia macrophylla

Slippery Elm

Ulmus rubra

 

And finally, some native vines.

 

Peppervine

Ampelopsis arborea

Swamp Jessamine

Gelsemium rankinii

Groundnut

Apios americana

Carolina Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens

Dutchman's Pipe

Aristolochia macrophylla

Yellow Honeysuckle

Lonicera dioica

Pipe Vine

Aristolochia tomentosa

Coral honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

Rattan Vine

Berchemia scandens

Climbing Hempvine

Mikania scandens

Crossvine

Bignonia capreolata

Virginia Creeper

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Cupseed

Calycocarpum lyoni

Passion Flower, Maypop

Passiflora incarnata

Trumpet Creeper

Campsis radicans

Yellow Passion Flower

Passiflora lutea

American Bittersweet

Celastrus scandens

Climbing Fetterbush

Pieris phillyreifolia

Sorrelvine

Cissus trifoliata

Climbing False Buckwheat

Polygonum scandens

Leatherflower

Clematis crispa

Starvine

Schisandra glabra

Purple Clematis

Clematis pitcheri

Lanceleaf Greenbrier

Smilax smallii

Vasevine

Clematis viorna

Climbing Dogbane

Trachelospermum difforme

Virgin's Bower

Clematis virginiana

Possum Grape

Vitis aestivalis

Carolina Moonseed

Cocculus carolinus

Riverbank Grape

Vitis riparia

Climbing Hydrangea

Decumaria barbara

Muscadine, Scuppernong

Vitis rotundifolia

Running Strawberry Bush

Euonymus obovatus

American Wisteria

Wisteria frutescens

 

The upside of using natives that grow in this area is the care.  Little, if any, insect or disease problems and there is a plant to grow in any location you have…wet or dry, sun or shade.  There is not a downside for plant people like us, but many homeowners shy away from natives because many are deciduous (your native evergreen options are somewhat limited) and few have the “wow” factor of many blooming exotics.

 

My garden is a blend of both natives and exotics.  In wet areas I have Virginia Sweetspire and Cephalanthus.  In drier areas I have Leucothoe and Alabama Snow Wreath, but I also have camellias, evergreen azaleas and hydrangeas.  Chances are good that some of the plants in your garden are natives and you didn’t even know it.

 

Don’t forget:  Now is the time to apply a pre-emerge herbicide on your lawn and flower beds.

 

August contest was hardy hibiscus.  This is a great sun perennial with huge flowers up to 12” wide and a very long blooming season. They are available in red, burgundy, white and pink and in heights from 3’ to 6’ or more.

 

 

Here is the September contest.  What is it?

 

 

The contest ends on September 15th.  Drop by either store to enter or you can email your entry to

questions@danwestonline.com. One winner, selected from all correct entries, will receive a

$25 Dan West Gift Certificate.

 

Thanks for shopping with us at Dan West.