Woodys for Bioretention Flashcards
Red Chokeberry
Aronia arbutifolia
Red Chokeberry is a vase-shaped shrub related to apples, cherries, and roses. Preferring moist acid soils, it has surprising tolerance to high pH and drought. Its bright red, edible fruits are high in antioxidants, though not as nutritive as the fruits of the related Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa). Its fruits are extremely tart when eaten raw, but can be used to make jellies, jams, preserves or in baking.
Height: 6 to 8 feet
* Spread: 3 to 4 feet
* Growth Habit: Deciduous, upright, vase-shaped shrub; suckers to form colonies
* Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
* Cultural Tolerances: Prefers moist well-drained soils, extremely flood tolerant, somewhat drought tolerant.
Grows best in acid soils but can
tolerate soil pH up to 8.0.
* Ornamental Characteristics: Bears glossy green leaves which turn a showy scarlet in fall. Produces clusters of white to light pink flowers in early spring that mature into glossy, bright red berries.
* Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or diseases. Occasionally
susceptible to leaf spots and twig/fruit blight.
* Deer Resistance: Occasionally
Severely Damaged
* Ecological Effects: Flowers are
utilized by several pollinator species.
Fruits of this plant are eaten by several species of birds and some small mammals.
Black Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa
Black Chokeberry is a rounded shrub most often found in acid soils. It bears large clusters of purple-black berries which have recently become an agricultural crop prized for their high anti-oxidant levels. Due to the high levels of anti-oxidants, these fruits are unpalatably tart when raw but can be made into juices, preserves or baked goods when mixed with other sweet fruits or sweeteners.
Height: 3 to 6 feet
* Spread: 3 to 6 feet
* Growth Habit: Deciduous, upright, rounded shrub; suckers to form colonies
* Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
* Cultural Tolerances: Prefers moist well-drained soils, extremely flood tolerant, somewhat drought tolerant.
Grows best in acid soils but can
tolerate soil pH up to 8.0.
* Ornamental Characteristics: Bears glossy green leaves which turn a showy scarlet in fall. Produces clusters of white to light pink flowers in early spring that mature into glossy, dark
purple-black berries.
* Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or diseases. Occasionally
susceptible to leaf spots and twig/fruit blight.
* Deer Resistance: Occasionally
Severely Damaged
* Ecological Effects: Flowers are
utilized by several pollinator species. Fruits of this plant are eaten by several species of birds and some small mammals.
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Buttonbush is a medium to large upright to arching shrub with a coarse texture derived from its simple, shiny leaves that are 4-6”
long. Native to wetlands in Eastern North America, it nevertheless can survive in dry habitats as well. In addition, it is tolerant of salty soils and salt spray. Buttonbush is late to leaf out and may be cut back in early spring to keep it in a more compact habit. ‘Sugar Shack’
is a smaller more compact form of Buttonbush.
- Height: 5 to 12 feet
- Spread: 4 to 8 feet
- Growth Habit: Deciduous, open,
rounded shrub; fairly coarse but not unattractive - Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Cultural Tolerances: Drought
tolerant; can handle extreme flooding to average moisture soils; tolerant of a variety of soil textures. Prefers acid soil, but will tolerate alkaline soil after
establishment. - Ornamental Characteristics: Very glossy green leaves; unique round clusters of buds that bloom white to pinkish-white
- Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or diseases. - Deer Resistance: Seldom Severely Damaged
- Ecological Effects: The fl owers
provide nectar for butterfl ies, bees and other insects, while the fruit attracts birds. In its native wetland habitat, this
plant is important to some species for brood rearing and shelter.
Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia
Summersweet is an upright shrub of acid soils in eastern North
America. It mainly prefers moist to saturated soils. This shrub is
prized for its highly ornamental and fragrant flowers and many
cultivars have been selected for improved flowering.
Growth Habit: Dense oval to upright deciduous shrub spreads slowly by stolons
* Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
* Cultural Tolerances: Very tolerant of flooding, somewhat tolerant of drought. Resistant to salt spray. Requires low pH soils, will tolerate up to neutral range.
* Ornamental Characteristics: Bears glossy green leaves that turn to bright golden-yellow in autumn. Produces spicily fragrant racemes of white or pink flowers in mid-summer.
* Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or diseases. May contract
mites under extreme drought and can become chlorotic in high pH soils.
* Deer Resistance: Seldom Severely Damaged
* Ecological Effects: This plant is
prized by many pollinators for is
nectar-rich blossoms. The plant can form dense thickets that can suppress the development of a canopy-layer and provide excellent habitat for many bird species.
Red-twig Dogwood
Cornus sericea/alba
Red-twig Dogwood is a medium-sized shrub from northern Eurasia and North America. Best known for its bright red bark, this plant is prized for its value in adding winter interest to the landscape.
- Height: 6 to 9 feet
- Spread: 8 to 12 feet
- Growth Habit: A large spreading
deciduous shrub; will form
stoloniferous colonies; rejuvenative pruning of older stems every three years will help keep stem color vibrant. - Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Cultural Tolerances: Prefers moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates wide range of soil moisture, pH, and textures. Tolerant of prolonged saturation.
- Ornamental Characteristics: Bears clusters of creamy white flowers that mature to pearly-like white fruits. In high pH soils the plant develops. Stems display bright red (sometimes yellow) bark.
- Pests and Diseases: Susceptible
to leaf and twig blights. Scale, leaf
miners and bagworms are occasional insect pests. Deer browse can be problematic on new growth. - Deer Resistance: Seldom to
Occasionally Severely Damaged - Ecological Effects: This plant is used as a nectary and food plant by many of the insects and animals.
Silky Dogwood
Cornus amomum
Silky Dogwood is a medium to large shrub native to eastern North America. Superficially similar to its close relatives C. sericea and C. racemosa it bears dark blue fruits where the two other species both bear white fruits. Historically the dried bark of this plant was used as a tobacco substitute by some Native American tribes.
Height: 6 to 12 feet
* Spread: 6 to 12 feet
* Growth Habit: Large, irregularly
formed shrub, branches will layer
where they touch the ground, may sucker to form small colonies.
* Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun to Full Shade
* Cultural Tolerances: Prefers moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates nearly full shade and prolonged irrigation as well as some drought. pH adaptable.
* Ornamental Characteristics: Twigs appear purplish-brown in spring but fade to brownish-grey as they mature. Clusters of white flowers in mid-summer mature to midnight blue berries in late-summer to fall.
* Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or diseases; occasionally
susceptible to scale, borers, leaf
miners, leaf spot, crown canker,
blights, root rot, and powdery mildew.
* Deer Resistance: Seldom to
Occasionally Severely Damaged
* Ecological Effects: This shrub of
swamps and riparian areas suckers to form thickets and can assist in bank stabilization and erosion control. Flowers are used as nectaries by several species of insect pollinators. This shrub’s fruit is eaten by several species of birds.
Gray Dogwood
Cornus racemosa
Gray Dogwood is a stand-forming native shrub of northeastern
North America. It is best recognized in late-summer when its pearllike white fruits are produced in abundance. This plant is a familiar
sight along highway verges and in old fields and hedgerows where
it suckers to form dense stands. Historically the Iroquois and Ojibwa
Native American tribes used this plant for a variety of medicinal
purposes.
Height: 4 to 15 feet
* Spread: 10 to 15 feet
* Growth Habit: Deciduous, upright
suckering shrub; readily forms
spreading clonal stands.
* Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
to Part Shade
* Cultural Tolerances: Prefers moist,
well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates
wide range of soil moisture, pH, and
textures particularly poor and droughty
soils.
* Ornamental Characteristics:
Clusters of white flowers mature
into white fruits borne on showy
red peduncles. Varied but generally
ornamental fall color running from
yellow, orange, red, maroon, to dark
purple.
* Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or diseases. Dogwood bud gall
very occasionally a problem.
* Deer Resistance: Occasionally
Severely Damaged
* Ecological Effects: This shrub of
old-fields and wood-edges suckers
to form thickets. Flowers are used as
nectaries by several species of insect
pollinators. Larval host for the Spring
Azure butterfly. This shrub’s fruit is
eaten by several species of birds.
Shrubby Cinquefoil
Dasiphora (Potentilla) fruticosa
Shrubby Cinquefoil is a low, mounded shrub, native to the northern
parts of the U.S., that usually reaches 2-4’ in height. It prefers moist,
well-drained soils in full sun, but is exceptionally tolerant of drought
and very winter hardy. This plant would be best suited for the edges
of bioswales, where the soil is less saturated. It performs better
in cooler summer climates. Pruning can be done in late winter, if
needed, to promote dense foliage.
Height: 2 to 4 feet
* Spread: 3 to 5 feet
* Growth Habit: Dense, low-mounding
shrub; dioecious
* Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
to Part Shade
* Cultural Tolerances: Tolerant of
drought and high pH; reputedly
tolerant of fl ooding; very winter hardy
* Ornamental Characteristics:
extremely cultivar dependent; pale
green to bluish foliage color; bloom
color: white, pink, peach, yellow,
orange
* Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or diseases. Powdery mildew
may occur in humid climates.
Susceptible to fungal leaf spots
and spider mites, aphids, Japanese
beetles, etc.
* Deer Resistance: Rarely Damaged
* Ecological Eff ects: Flowers attract
butterfl ies and other pollinator species
for a long bloom period lasting from
June to November.
Bush Honeysuckle
Diervilla lonicera/sessilifolia
Bush Honeysuckle is a low growing, suckering shrub with small,
yellow fl owers. Native to dry woods and sandy sites, it is especially
tolerant of drought. It can be pruned back to remove dead or older
growth. These species will create colonies and are good plants
for erosion control. The two species are very similar, but Diervilla
lonicera is not quite as vigorous as D. sessilifolia.
- Height: 3 to 4 feet
- Spread: 3 to 4 feet
- Growth Habit: Low mounding,
deciduous shrub; suckers to form
broad clonal thickets - Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
to Part Shade - Cultural Tolerances: Drought
tolerant; tolerates soil textures from
sand to clay; particularly tolerant of dry
soils; tolerates low and high pH - Ornamental Characteristics:
Exfoliating bark; glossy green leaves;
new grow may have attractive pale red
stems; clusters of yellow fl owers; red
to purple fall foliage - Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or diseases. May occasionally
get powdery mildew. - Deer Resistance: Seldom Severely
Damaged - Ecological Effects: Flowers attract
butterfl ies and hummingbirds. This
plant has a special value to Bumble
bees.
Kalm’s/Shrubby St. Johnswort
Hypericum kalmianum/prolificum
These two species of St. Johnswort grow in small dense mounds.
They are native in the Great Lakes region, growing in both dry and
moist sites. Leaves are evergreen, but some may drop in winter.
‘Ames’ is the most cold hardy cultivar. Pruning can be done after they
bloom in late summer. This plant would be best suited for the edges
of bioswales, where the soil is less saturated. There are several other
Hypericum species that may work as stormwater management plants
in warmer climates only.
- Height: 2 to 3 feet
- Spread: 2 to 3 feet
- Growth Habit: Dense, mounding,
semievergreen to evergreen shrub - Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
to Part Shade - Cultural Tolerances: Tolerant of
drought and fl ooding, fl owers best in
full sun. Tolerant of high pH soils. - Ornamental Characteristics: Bluish
foliage, clusters of relatively large,
golden fl owers - Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or diseases. - Deer Resistance: Seldom Severely
Damaged - Ecological Effects: Flowers attract
several pollinator species.
Inkberry Holly
Ilex glabra
Native to the Eastern coast of the US, Inkberry can tolerate a wide
range of soil and site conditions, including wet soils and shade.
However, an acidic soil is necessary. Ilex glabra is a slow-growing,
colony-forming evergreen shrub that can reach 5-8’ in height and
width. Unless a hedge is desired, minimal pruning is necessary.
Inkberry leaves were once used by Native Americans to brew a tealike drink, but the berries are usually quickly consumed by local bird
species.
- Height: 5 to 8 feet
- Spread: 5 to 8 feet
- Growth Habit: Dense to loose
evergreen shrub; suckers to form
colonies; dioecious - Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
to Part Shade - Cultural Tolerances: Tolerant of a
variety of soil textures and moistures;
prefers acid to neutral soil pH - Ornamental Characteristics: Glossy
evergreen foiage, white fl owers that
mature to black berries; dioecious - Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or diseases. Occasionally
susceptible to spider mites in dry
conditions; may become chlorotic
in high pH conditions; leaf spot can
occasionally be problematic - Deer Resistance: Seldom Severely
Damaged - Ecological Eff ects: If both male and
female plants are present and berries
are produced, then they are eaten
by several wildlife species. This plant
also attracts birds and honeybees.
The honey produced from the plant is
highly rated.
Winterberry
Ilex verticillata
Winterberry is best known for the spectacular show of persistent red
berries in late fall and winter. There must be at least one male plant
to every 6-10 female plants in order to have berries. This plant has
can be can be an adaptable naturalizer due to its ability to grow in
both wet and dry sites. Pruning should be done in early spring before
there is any new growth.
- Height: 3 to 12 feet
- Spread: 3 to 12 feet
- Growth Habit: Upright, rounded,
deciduous shrub - Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
to Part Shade - Cultural Tolerances: Prefers wet,
acid soil but can handle relatively dry
soils as well - Ornamental Characteristics: White
fl owers mature to dense crops of
bright red or orange berries; dark
grey-brown bark covered with white
lenticels; dioecious, needs pollinator
the fl owers simultaniously to set fruit - Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or diseases. Occasionally
contracts leaf spot or powdery
mildew. Plants become chlorotic and
sometimes die in high pH soils - Deer Resistance: Seldom Severely
Damaged - Ecological Eff ects: This plant is used
by some species as cover or a nesting
site. It is of special value to honey
bees and also provides nectar for
insects and fruit for birds.
Northern Bayberry
Morella (Myrica) pensylvanica
Northern Bayberry is a dense deciduous, rounded shrub native to the eastern coast, able to tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. It grows best in groups and may sucker to form large colonies. This is a dioecious plant, so clusters of grayish fruit will grow on female plants if there is a male plant nearby. Fruits are covered in fragrant waxy substance that is used to make candles and soaps. Morella is also able to fix its own nitrogen.
- Height: 5 to 10 feet
- Spread: 5 to 10 feet
- Growth Habit: Medium to large
rounded shrub; deciduous to semievergreen; suckers readily to form
colonies - Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
to Part Shade - Cultural Tolerances: Extremely
tolerant of a variety of soils especially
sandy soils; tolerant of salt spray/
soils; tolerant of fl ooding and drought;
capable of nitrogen fi xation; dioecious;
tolerant of high pH soil. - Ornamental Characteristics: Glossy
green leaves; persistent gray-blue
fruits - Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or diseases. - Deer Resistance: Rarely Damaged
- Ecological Eff ects: Berries are
eaten by many winter birds. The plant
attracts several birds and butterfl ies.
Common Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
Common Ninebark is a coarse, upright shrub that can adapt to a
variety of site conditions, but is native to bluff s, cliff s, rocky banks
of streams, with dry to moist, slightly acidic soil. Mature, exfoliating,
orange-brown bark provides some winter interest. Pruning should be
done immediately after blooming where needed, or cut close to the
ground in winter to rejuvenate the plant.
- Height: 5 to 8 feet
- Spread: 4 to 6 feet
- Growth Habit: Medium to large, multistem, arching, deciduous shrub
- Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
to Part Shade - Cultural Tolerances: Tolerant of a
variety of soil types; tolerates fl ooding
and drought; tolerates high pH soils - Ornamental Characteristics:
Clusters of pale pink or white fl owers;
foliage color and size varies by
cultivar, exfoliating bark - Pests and Diseases: No serious
insect or disease problems. Fireblight,
leaf spots, and powdery mildew
occasionally an issue. - Deer Resistance: Seldom Severely
Damaged - Ecological Eff ects: This plant attracts
birds and is of special value to native
bees and honey bees.
Winged Sumac, Flameleaf Sumac
Rhus copallina
Winged Sumac, or Flameleaf Sumac, is a large open shrub that
grows on dry hillsides, in open woods and on roadsides. The leaves
turn an attractive fl ame-red in autumn, hence the common name.
It works well when massed on slopes for erosion control, and can
sometimes become too weedy for some areas, as it spreads by root
suckers. May be cut back in early spring to reduce size.
- Height: 7 to 15 feet
- Spread: 7 to 20 feet
- Growth Habit: Deciduous shrub to
small tree; root suckers to form large
colonies. sometimes aggressively - Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
to Part Shade - Cultural Tolerances: Tolerant of
drought and salt; relatively fl ood
tolerant; tolerant of a wide range of
soil textures and poor soils; tolerant of
high pH soils - Ornamental Characteristics:
Spectacular red and orange fall color;
yellow-green fl ower spikes that mature
to persistent red fruits - Pests and Diseases: No serious pest
or disease problems. Occasionally
susceptible to leaf spot, rusts, scale,
aphids and mites. - Deer Resistance: Rarely Damaged
- Ecological Eff ects: This plant is used
as winter food for many gamebirds,
songbirds and mammals. Wildlife
eat the fruit and deer browse the
twigs. It provides nesting material
and structures for native bees, and is
valued by honey bees as well.
Swamp Rose
Rosa palustris
Swamp Rose is an upright shrub with arching branches. It is native
to wet soil conditions, and is very tolerant of standing water. Pruning
should be done in late winter, as needed. Leaves often provide an
attractive show of red in fall, along with prominent red fruit (hips).
- Height: 3 to 6 feet
- Spread: 3 to 6 feet
- Growth Habit: Deciduous, thorny,
multi-stem shrub; spreads slowly by
suckers - Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
- Cultural Tolerances: Prefers acid soil
but tolerates neutral pH; very tolerant
of fl ooding; tolerant of drought - Ornamental Characteristics: Glossy
green foliage; large, fragrant pink
fl owers throughout summer; glossy,
red, persistent hips - Pests and Diseases: Not generally
susceptible to the diseases and pests
that attack many of the hybrid roses.
Pest and disease problems associated
with other roses which might rarely
aff ect this species could include: black
spot, powdery mildew, rust, aphids,
beetles, borers, scale, thrips, rose
midges and leafhoppers. - Deer Resistance: Seldom Severely
Damaged - Ecological Eff ects: This plant attracts
birds and provides nesting materials
and structure for native bees and
bumble bees.
Pussy Willow
Salix discolor/caprea
Pussy Willow is a large shrub or small multi-stemmed tree, native to
marshy low ground, stream banks, and other wet sites. Their best
known characteristic, the catkins, are larger on male plants. Prune as
needed in late winter or early spring. It can be cut back to the ground
every 3 to 5 years to maintain a smaller shrub shape. S. discolor, the true pussy willow, native to Eastern North America is considered
the inferior species for landscape use. S. caprea is the northern
European species with larger catkins, and several cultivars, including
‘Pendula’ with a weeping habit.
- Height: 6 to 15 feet
- Spread: 4 to 12 feet
- Growth Habit: Large deciduous multistem shrub; dioecious
- Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
to Part Shade - Cultural Tolerances: Prefers full sun
and moist soils but can tolerate some
drought; tolerates high pH soil - Ornamental Characteristics: Silky,
pearl-grey then yellow-green catkins
emerge in early spring - Pests and Diseases: Susceptible
to numerous pests and diseases
including: blights, powdery mildew,
leaf spots, gray scab, cankers,
aphids, scale, borers, lacebugs and
caterpillars. - Deer Resistance: Occasionally
Severely Damaged - Ecological Eff ects: Provides early
season resources for songbirds,
waterfowl and small mammals. It
attracts butterfl ies and is of special
value to native, honey and bumble
bees.
Sageleaf Willow, Hoary Willow
Salix candida
Sageleaf Willow is a small shrub with silver-grey foliage that bears
yellow catkins in spring. Native to northern swamps and bogs, this
plant is extremely tolerant of both cold and saturated soils. It will grow
and seems to thrive in several soil and moisture conditions.
- Height: 3 to 4 feet
- Spread: 3 to 4 feet
- Growth Habit: Small to mediums
sized upright shrub; deciduous;
dioeceous - Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
to Part Shade - Cultural Tolerances: Drought
tolerance untested; tolerant of fl ood
and high pH; extremely cold hardy - Ornamental Characteristics: Foliage
can be leathery and glossy green on
top and felted silver-grey beneath or
silvery-grey and pubescent on top and
bottom; yellow catkins
American Elderberry/Black Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis/nigra
This is a loose, graceful shrub that usually grows in moist soils in
open woodlands, fi elds and along banks. The American Elderberry
(Sambucus canadensis) fruits are known to be more fl avorful, and
are more often used to make jams, jellies, and pies. Winter pruning
will control height and promote dense foliage. It includes pruning
dead stems, shortening one year stems, or cutting back to the ground
in order to rejuvenate.
- Height: 5 to 12 feet
- Spread: 5 to 12 feet
- Growth Habit: Large multi-stem
shrub; suckers and layers to form
colonies - Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
to Part Shade - Cultural Tolerances: Prefers moist
soils but tolerates some drought;
tolerates a variety of soil types;
tolerant of high pH soil - Ornamental Characteristics: Large
umbels of small white to pink fl owers;
dark purple fruits; foliage color of
green, yellow, and purple by cultivar - Pests and Diseases: Some
susceptibility to canker, powdery
mildew, leaf spot, borers, spider mites
and aphids. - Deer Resistance: Seldom Severely
Damaged - Ecological Eff ects: The berries are
used by many birds and mammals.
The plant is a good source of nectar
for insects and pollinators, and also
attracts birds.
Steeplebush
Spiraea tomentosa
Steeplebush is a dense, mound-shaped shrub that produces erect
stems of pink fl owers, and spreads by suckers, forming colonies. It
is native to wet meadows, marshes, lake margins, and other moist
soiled areas, but can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. Pruning
is done in late winter or early spring. While in bloom, removing faded
fl ower clusters will promote additional blooming.
- Height: 2 to 4 feet
- Spread: 3 to 5 feet
- Growth Habit: Deciduous, upright,
multi-stem shrub; suckering - Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
- Cultural Tolerances: Tolerant of a
variety of soil types; prefers acid soils;
tolerant of fl ooding and drought - Ornamental Characteristics: Tall,
dense racemes of small pink to rosepurple fl owers; textured green leaves
covered in orange hairs beneath - Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or diseases. Susceptible to
many of the diseases that attack other
rose family members, including leaf
spot, fi re blight and powdery mildew,
aphids, leaf roller, caterpillars and
scale. - Deer Resistance: Seldom Severely
Damaged - Ecological Eff ects: Birds, butterfl ies
and native bees are attracted to this
plant.
Common Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus
Snowberry is native to wooded hillsides and rocky slopes, with
average soils, but can adapt to a wide range of poorer soil conditions.
It has sparse branching, eventually forming a thicket, spreading by
suckers. This makes it useful as an erosion control plant. Berries
ripen to be white and marshmallow-like, and often provide some
winter interest, as many bird species do not eat them. This plant
would be best suited for the edges of bioswales, where the soil is
less saturated. Pruning can be done from late winter to early spring,
as needed.
- Height: 3 to 6 feet
- Spread: 3 to 6 feet
- Growth Habit: Dense, rounded habit;
spreads by suckers - Sun/Shade Requirements: Sun to
Medium Shade - Cultural Tolerances: Tolerant of
a variety of soils; high pH tolerant;
drought tolerant and reputedly fl ood
tolerant - Ornamental Characteristics: Small
bell shaped rose-pink and white
fl owers that mature into large white
“marshmallow-like” fruits - Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or disease problems.
Anthracnose, leaf spot, powdery
mildew, rust, berry rot, and spider
mites may occur. - Deer Resistance: Seldom Severely
Damaged - Ecological Eff ects: This plant
provides food, cover and nesting
for songbirds, gamebirds and small
mammals.
Nannyberry Viburnum
Viburnum lentago
Nannyberry Viburnum is a large, upright, multi-stemmed shrub or
single-trunk small tree. It is native to hillsides, stream banks, and
open woods with average, well-drained soil. Fruits are prized by
birds and other wildlife, but are edible to humans as well and can be
consumed raw or made into preserves. Flower buds for the following
year form in summer, so pruning should be done immediately after
fl owering. Selective stem pruning is needed in order to keep its form.
Remove any root suckers as well, unless naturalization is desired.
- Height: 14 to 16 feet
- Spread: 6 to 12 feet
- Growth Habit: Deciduous, upright,
multi-stem shrub; suckers to form
colonies - Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
- Cultural Tolerances: Prefers full sun,
is tolerant of a variety of soils and
fl ood; somewhat drought tolerant;
tolerates high pH - Ornamental Characteristics: Glossy
green leaves; umbels of white to pink
fl owers that mature to dark blue, edible
fruits; attractive reddish-purple fall
foliage - Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or diseases. Occasionally
susceptible to powdery mildew
in humid climates. Moderately
susceptible to Viburnum Leaf Beetle - Deer Resistance: Seldom Severely
Damaged - Ecological Eff ects: Squirrels,
butterfl ies and birds are attracted to
this plant for its foliage and growth
habit.
Possumhaw Viburnum / Smooth witherod
Viburnum nudum
Possumhaw Viburnum is a shrub with upright stems, that arch
with age. It is native to savannas, low, wet woods, and bogs, but
is adaptable to a variety of conditions, tolerating only occasional
drought. For the best cross-pollination and fruit display, planting in
groups of more than one variety is recommended. Berries are edible,
though highly acidic, and provide striking color of blues, pinks and
purples contrasting with the foliage. New cultivars show improved
pink and fl ue fruit color and deep red-orange fall color. Pruning may
be done after fl owering, but it will take away from the fruit display at
the end of summer.
- Height: 5 to 12 feet
- Spread: 5 to 12 feet
- Growth Habit: Dense, rounded,
upright, multistem, deciduous shrub;
plant at least two varieties to get good
fruit set - Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Sun
to Part Shade - Cultural Tolerances: Requires acid
soils; prefers moist to wet soils, but
can handle occasional drought - Ornamental Characteristics: Glossy
green leaves; umbels of white fl owers
that mature to colorful fruits; fruits start
out green and color through pink to
purple-blue; excellent orange and red
fall foliage - Pests and Diseases: No serious
pests or diseases. Occasional
pests and diseases might include:
aphids, borers, nematodes, scale,
thrips, anthracnose, leaf spots and
powdery mildew. Highly susceptible to
Viburnum Leaf Beetle. - Deer Resistance: Seldom Severely
Damaged - Ecological Eff ects: This plant and its
berries are utilized by songbirds, water
birds, shorebirds and small mammals
