Posts Tagged ‘Structure’
Alternate leaved Dogwood
Deciduous shrub or small tree reaching 5-8 m tall. Features distinctive horizontal branching and alternate leaves, unlike most dogwoods. Produces flat-topped clusters of white flowers in late spring, followed by blue-black berries. Prefers moist, well-drained soils and partial shade. Provides food for birds and wildlife. Adds unique architectural interest to woodland gardens and naturalized landscapes. Native to eastern North America.
Read MoreButtonbush
Deciduous shrub growing 1-3 m tall. Features glossy, opposite or whorled leaves and distinctive spherical flower heads of white blooms in summer. Prefers consistently moist to wet soils and full sun to partial shade. Tolerates flooding. Attracts butterflies and other pollinators. Seeds are food for waterfowl. Suitable for rain gardens, pond edges, and wetland restorations. Native to wetland habitats across North America.
Read MoreHackberry
Deciduous tree growing 12-25 m tall with a rounded crown. Features ovate, asymmetrical leaves and small, edible fruits that turn dark purple when ripe. Bark develops distinctive warty ridges with age. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and full sun to partial shade. Drought and urban pollution tolerant. Provides important food source for birds and wildlife. Suitable for urban landscapes, streetscapes, and naturalized areas.
Read MoreDwarf Hackberry
Deciduous shrub or small tree reaching 3-6 m tall. Features ovate, asymmetrical leaves and small, edible fruits. Bark is smoother than C. occidentalis. Prefers well-drained, rocky or sandy soils and full sun to partial shade. Extremely drought-tolerant. Provides food for birds and wildlife. Suitable for dry, rocky sites, urban landscapes, and as a native alternative to non-native ornamental trees in challenging conditions.
Read MoreNew Jersey Tea
Deciduous shrub reaching 0.6-1.2 m tall. Features oval, toothed leaves and dense clusters of small white flowers blooming in late spring to early summer. Prefers well-drained, sandy or rocky soils and full sun. Drought-tolerant once established. Nitrogen-fixing roots improve soil. Attracts butterflies and other pollinators. Historically used for tea. Suitable for dry prairies, rocky slopes, and as a native alternative to non-native ornamental shrubs.
Read MorePaper Birch
Deciduous tree reaching 15-25 m tall with a spreading, open crown. Known for its distinctive white bark that peels in paper-like layers. Features ovate, double-toothed leaves and hanging catkins. Prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun, but tolerates a range of conditions. Important for wildlife, providing food and habitat. Historically used by indigenous peoples for various purposes. Suitable for landscapes in cooler climates, but susceptible to bronze birch borer in warmer areas.
Read MoreBog Birch
Deciduous shrub growing 1-3 m tall. Features small, rounded leaves and inconspicuous catkins. Bark is smooth and dark brown. Prefers wet, acidic soils and full sun to partial shade. Often found in bogs, fens, and wet meadows. Tolerates seasonal flooding and cold temperatures. Provides food and cover for wildlife. Useful for wetland restoration projects and naturalized areas in moist sites. Native to northern North America.
Read MoreBlack Chokeberry
Deciduous shrub growing 1-3 m tall. Produces clusters of white flowers in late spring, followed by edible purple-black berries. Features glossy, dark green leaves turning brilliant red in fall. Prefers moist, well-drained acidic soils but adaptable to various conditions. Tolerates full sun to partial shade. Berries are high in antioxidants and attractive to birds. Suitable for hedges, mass plantings, and rain gardens. Native to eastern North America.
Read MoreBig Bluestem
Tall, warm-season perennial bunchgrass and state grass of Illinois. Grows 4-8 feet tall forming blue-green clumps through short rhizomes. Deep root system extends 8-15 feet, making it extremely drought tolerant. Distinctive blue-green foliage turns bronze-orange in fall. Produces reddish-purple flowering heads in late summer. Slow to establish but very long-lived once mature. Essential component of tallgrass prairie ecosystems.
Read MoreSmooth Serviceberry
Deciduous shrub or small tree reaching 4.5-9 m tall with smooth gray bark. Produces pendulous clusters of white flowers in early spring before leaves emerge. Edible purple fruits ripen in early summer. Leaves emerge with reddish-bronze color, turning dark green, then orange to red in fall. Prefers moist, well-drained soils but adaptable to various conditions. Tolerates partial shade to full sun. Excellent for multi-season interest, wildlife value, and natural landscaping.
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