Underused Wood Plants for Spring

Underused Woody Plants for Spring

by Heather Prince

Ah, Spring! As we look around and think about how to delight clients and increase plant diversity, there are many spring-blooming woody plants besides traditional favorites. We talked with Scott Beuerlein, Manager of Botanical Garden Outreach of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden after his lively presentation at iLandscape 2022.

“People are always worried about whether a plant will live or die, so they’re afraid to try new things,” commented Beuerlein. “Once you realize a plant dying is not the worst thing in the world, it’s an opportunity. You end up learning something and seeing different things and enjoying new experiences.” As we try to educate clients and broaden our plant knowledge, trying new plant ideas is worthwhile. “It’s fun to try things you don’t know to see if they survive, thrive, and if you’ll even like them. There’s a lot of plants I’ve bought because I’d never heard of them before. Some of those turned out to be really amazing plants, and some died, or were hideous. I think you get a cooler garden out of it in the end and a more diverse one. I used to experiment with about 10% of the plants in client’s gardens, telling them I don’t know how well these plants will do but I want to try them. That little bit of risk expanded my palette and made the garden more exciting for them. Gave them a story. Of course, I’d make it right if my experiment failed.”

A Little Spice

By bringing a diverse plant palette to the table, you not only create beautiful, interesting garden spaces, but also bring a new level of diversity to the community as well. “A diversity of gardeners adds to a diversity of the whole landscape or community or ecosystem,” said Beuerlein. “Letting me be my crazy plant self means I’ve added maybe 1,000 plants to the local ecosystem. My neighbor who’s growing other plants contributes a whole bunch more and the person down the street with a completely different garden then adds more, too. Then, there’s somebody with a vegetable patch or someone with a cutting garden. It all adds up.” Plus, as we navigate our changing world, “People are going to have to be more flexible as climate change dictates that things that used to work no longer do. We must figure out what’s going to do well now.”

These selections are ones that will extend bloom season in our landscapes. They are available, but some may be a bit harder to find than others. A few will need a protected spot as they are hardy to Zone 6. Let’s explore some of Beuerlein’s favorite shrubs and small trees for spring color and fragrance. Cercis chinensis ‘Don Egolf’, Don Egolf Chinese Redbud Zone: 6 to 9 Size: 10 to 12 feet high and wide Habit: strongly vase-shaped Sun: Full sun to part shade Soil: Average to moist well-drained Flowers: Larger rose-purple flowers than the native bloom in April and smother the stems in blossoms. Foliage: Glossy heart-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall. Notes: This variety of compact Chinese redbud from the U.S. National Arboretum has a strong vertical vase shape, making it easy to tuck into a landscape. “It’s a bonus that it’s sterile so you don’t get countless fruits,” reported Beuerlein. “It blooms insanely, and the pollinators absolutely love it. It shoots up a lot of stems and you will need to prune it for it to really look its best.”

(continued from page 40)

Cornus mas, Cornelian Cherry Dogwood Zone: 4 to 8 Size: 15 to 25 feet high and wide Habit: rounded Sun: full sun to part shade Soil: average to moist well-drained Flowers: Small clusters of tiny bright yellow flowers bloom in March or April. Fruit: Bright red fleshy fruits appear by summer and are tartly edible. Bark: Smooth grey becomes attractively flaky with age. Foliage: Bright green leaves turn purplish-red in the fall. Notes: Cornelian cherry dogwood is one of the first woody plants to bloom in spring with fine clouds of yellow flowers welcomed by early pollinators. It is slow growing and easily sculpted. “They grow almost formally, so for the folks who like round balls, it can be a good choice,” observed Beuerlein. These small trees make wonderful accents, an interesting specimen in a planting bed, or an attractive small copse. (continued on page 44)

Looking for Quality Compost? We Have It!

• STA Compost • Increased Water Holding Capacity • Increase organic matter • Improve the soil • OMRI listed

630-858-8070

(continued from page 42)

Corylopsis spicata – Spike Winter Hazel Zone: 5 to 8 Size: 4 to 8 feet high and wide Habit: an informal dense spreading multi-stemmed shrub Sun: full sun to part shade Soil: tolerates average soils, but prefers organic, free-draining acidic ones Flowers: Showy fragrant lemon-yellow racemes in drooping clusters bloom in March to April. Foliage: Oval leaves emerge bronze-purple and mature to an attractive blue-green for the season before turning yellow in the fall. Notes: This unusual shrub is a delightful surprise in early spring for its pretty and fragrant flowers. “I just love the spring flowers. Blooms along with Forsythia, but much more refined and not so ‘in your face!’” commented Beuerlein. “I’ve got a couple I’ve just jammed in places and let be. They’re doing fine.” Plant spike winter hazel with early spring bulbs like crocus and snowdrops for a charming vignette. Fothergilla ‘Mount Airy’ Zone: 5 to 8 Size: 3 to 6 feet high and 3 to 4 feet wide Habit: Upright multi-stemmed shrub Sun: full sun to part shade Soil: average to moist well-drained, prefers rich acidic soils Flowers: Small white fragrant powderpuff flowers in April. Bark: Smooth grey bark Foliage: Medium-sized blue-green ruffled leaves become orange, red, yellow, with notes of burgundy in the fall Notes: Although treasured for its fall color, fothergilla also has pretty spring flowers with a honey-like fragrance that bees seek out. Mt. Airy is likely a cross between F. gardenii and F. major and was discovered by Michael Dirr at Mt. Airy Arboretum in Cincinnati. “With terrific fall color and early spring fragrance, it’s really a nice plant,” commented Beuerlein. “I’m partial to it because it was found in Cincinnati. It does very well for us.”

Halesia diptera Magniflora Group, Silverbell Zone: 5 to 8 Size: 15 to 20 feet high and wide Habit: loose rounded multi-stemmed tree Sun: full sun to part shade Soil: average to moist well-drained but happiest in rich, slightly acidic soils Flowers: Showy clusters of white bell-like flowers bloom from April to May. Bark: Medium brown bark exfoliates in thin scales Foliage: Medium green leaves turn yellow in fall. Notes: Silverbells are vastly underused small ornamental trees native to the south, but hardy up to Zone 5. “The Magniflora group seems to be much more vigorous and easier to grow than the other halesias,” reported Beuerlein. “It has larger flowers and is very floriferous. It’s pretty amazing. I’ve never seen it have a bad year. It grows a little squirrely, so prune it if you want a controlled form. Just a knockout when it’s in bloom.” Try using silverbell as an accent tree where its graceful flowers may be enjoyed.

(continued on page 46)

Focus — The Sights and Smells of Spring

(continued from page 45) Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ or Jelena Witch Hazel Zone: 5 to 8 Size: 8 to 12 feet high and wide Habit: strong vase shape Sun: full sun to part shade Soil: average to moist well-drained Flowers: Coppery with a red base, orange center, and yellow tips. Foliage: large ruffled green leaves become golden yellow in autumn Notes: Jelena witch hazel is smaller and slower growing than the species. Its multicolored long strappy flowers are beautifully fragrant. “I know it’s heresy to say so, but I prefer the exotic witch hazel cultivars to the native species in most landscapes,” commented Beuerlein. “The flowers are bigger, and the shape is better.” Jelena usually begins blooming in March, but can be earlier, and flowers for at least six weeks if not longer. “Among the witch hazels, I like the yellow and oranges better than the red-blooming ones,” observed Beuerlein. “On cloudy winter days, those colors pop so much better than the reds. Jelena is the best of the group.” Lindera angustifolia, Oriental Spicebush Zone: 6 to 8 Size: 8 to 10 feet high and wide Habit: loosely pyramidal Sun: full sun to part shade Soil: average to moist well-drained and happiest in a sandy soil Flowers: Small clusters of yellow, early in March to April. Foliage: Lanceolate glossy green leaves with silvery undersides turn shades of yellow to russet red in fall and persist until spring. Notes: Oriental spicebush is a cousin of our native spicebush (Lindera benzoin). For northern sites, plant it on a sunny south wall or in a protected spot. “I am fond of the native. It is a host plant for spicebush swallowtail,” commented Beuerlein. “However, the Asian species like L. angustifolia are great for screening because they retain their leaves through winter. They get large enough to even hide your neighbor’s boat! Graceful form and unusually interesting fall color.”

(continued on page 48)

Your source for Midwest native seed mixes and live plants

Specializing in plants & seed mixes for

> Solar panel arrays > Pollinator habitat > Wetland mitigations > DOT & roadside corridors > Pipeline & transmission corridors > Stormwater BMPs & rain gardens > Habitat & ecosystem restoration

574 586 2412 | nurserysales@cardno.com www.cardnonativeplantnursery.com

(continued from page 46) Prunus fruticosa x Prunus cerasus ‘Juliet’, Juliet Bush Cherry Zone: 2 to 7 Size: 5 to 8 feet high and wide Habit: upright to rounded Sun: full sun Soil: average to moist well-drained Flowers: Covered in white flowers in April. Foliage: Mid-green simple leaves may have shades of orange to apricot in the fall. Notes: Bush cherries are tough and lovely plants for fruit and flowers. Developed to be hardy into Canada, Juliet is one selection that is readily available. “Any of them are cool and I don’t know why people don’t think to use them,” commented Beuerlein. “They fit easily into a small home garden, and you get tasty cherries too.”

Spiraea x cinerea ‘Grefsheim’, Grefsheim Spirea Zone: 4 to 7 Size: 4 to 5 feet high and wide Habit: rounded to arching Sun: full sun to part shade Soil: average to well-drained Flowers: Tiny clustered white flowers cover the shrubs in May about two weeks before Spiraea x vanhouttei. Foliage: Small blue green leaves may turn bronze in the fall. Notes: A more compact spirea than Vanhoutte, but with similar flower power in the spring. “It’s really amazing in bloom,” observed Beuerlein. “It’s a wall of white. We use it successfully in some truly dire sites and it always performs well.” Try this smaller spirea as a low hedge or dotted in the perennial border for a fine textured structure shrub. (continued on page 50)

(continued from page 49) Styrax obassia, Fragrant Snowbell Zone: 5 to 8 Size: 15 to 25 feet high and wide Habit: upright rounded to pyramidal Sun: full sun to part shade Soil: moist well-drained acidic soils Flowers: Long pendulous racemes of bell-shaped, fragrant, white flowers with showy yellow stamens bloom May to June. Foliage: bright green medium-sized simple leaves Notes: An unusual specimen small tree that features a stunning floral display in spring. “Just chains and chains of beautiful flowers with gold calyxes,” enthused Beuerlein. “On the right day in the right light it’s really something special. Plant it in a warm spot since it’s a little less hardy and use a fertilizer labeled for holly or rhododendron to keep it happy.” Try underplanting with May-blooming perennials for a showstopping display.

Successful suppliers know— industry leaders read this magazine.

JAN.17_TLC.indd 1 12/14/16 10:01 AM Save the Date — Aug. 10, 2017

Save the Date — Aug. 10, 2017

• Sales and marketing statistics show that the single best way to reach buyers is through highlytargeted specialty magazines.

•May.17_TLC.indd 1 4/18/17 3:11 PMThis award-winning magazine is frequently hailed as the best magazine of its kind. Put your ad message in this very flattering environment. • The Landscape Contractor has an affordable advertising program for every budget.

For immediate attention CALL Debbie at 817-501-2403 or email — debbie.landscapecontractor@yahoo.com

Viburnum x juddii, Judd Viburnum Zone: 4 to 8 Size: 6 to 8 feet high and wide Habit: upright to rounded Sun: full sun to part shade Soil: average to moist well-drained Flowers: Large clusters of deeply fragrant white flowers, attractive pink buds bloom in April. Foliage: Deep green sandpapery leaves turn burgundy wine in fall. Notes: Fragrant viburnums in flower will stop you in your tracks. “They aren’t used as often as they could be,” said Beuerlein. “They’re easy to grow. I like them all, but I think the fragrance on Juddii is the best. I have one in the backyard and for that one or two weeks it blooms in spring, the yard smells like candy.” The thick sandy foliage is resistant to viburnum leaf beetle. Judd viburnums are slow to medium growers so although they can get large, are easily pruned for shape. Consider planting them near walkways or windows where the fragrance can be enjoyed.

Poplar Grove, IL

21283 IL Route 76 Poplar Grove, IL 61065

Clinton, WI

11228 East County Road X

Lorem Clinton, WI 53525 Salem, WI 7530 288th Avenue Salem, WI 53168 1-262-537-3326