GEORGE S SURVIVOR PLANTS FOR CENTRAL PA. Trees Exposure Size Bloom Attributes American fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) Sun/part shade 18 x 18 white (May) Unusual shaggy flowers; yellow fall foliage; Pa. native American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) Sun/part shade 25 x 20 yellow (March) Orange-red fall foliage; tolerates damp soil; Pa. native American smoketree (Cotinus obovatus) Sun/part shade 25 x 25 whitish (May) Glorious yellow/orange fall color; U.S. native; scaly bark Autumn cherry Autumnalis (Prunus subhirtella) Sun 20 x 30 pink (fall) A cherry that flowers light pink in fall instead of spring Blackgum Wildfire (Nyssa sylvatica) Sun/part shade 40 x 25 not showy Red new growth; excellent red fall color; Pa. native Carolina silverbell (Halesia tetraptera) Sun/part shade 35 x 25 white (May) Bell-shaped flowers, likes damp acid soil; U.S. native Coralbark maple Sango Kaku (Acer palmatum) p.m. shade 25 x 20 none Coral stems in winter; gold fall foliage Cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas) Sun/part shade 20 x 15 yellow (March) Use as specimen or hedge; red fall fruits Cutleaf Japanese maple Tamukeyama, Crimson Queen Part shade 7 x 8 none Lacy red foliage; cascading specimen Cutleaf Japanese maple Garnet (Acer palmatum) Part shade 7 x 8 none Lacy burgundy-green foliage; cascading specimen Cutleaf Japanese maple Hanami Nishiki (A. palmatum) Part shade 3 x 6 none Miniature; leaves gold with red edges; low/slow-grower Cutleaf Japanese maple Red Feather (Acer palmatum) Part shade 6 x 6 none Lacy dusky-red foliage; cascading specimen Cutleaf Japanese maple Waterfall, Green Mist Part shade 8 x 10 none Bright green turning gold/orange; cascading habit Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) Sun/part shade 20 x 15 white (April/May) Pa. native; birds like fruit; can sucker and seed around Crabapple Adirondack (Malus Adirondack ) Sun 18 x 10 white (April) Very disease-resistant, drought-hardy, slender Crabapple Centurion (Malus Centzan ) Sun 20 x 15 rosy-red (April) Disease-resistant; narrow upright; red fruits Crabapple Prairifire (Malus Prairifire ) Sun 18 x 16 rose (April) Burgundy-tinted foliage; disease-resistant Crabapple Professor Sprenger or Donald Wyman Sun 20 x 20 white (April) Disease-resistant; red to orange-red fruits Crabapple Sugar Tyme (Malus Sutyzan ) Sun 18 x 16 white (April) Compact; heavy bloomer; red fruits Crapemyrtle Dynamite or Red Rocket (Lagerstroemia indica) Sun 8 x 7 red (July-Sept.) Nice specimen; may die back to roots in winter Crapemyrtle Hopi (Lagerstroemia indica) Sun 7 x 6 pink (July-Sept.) Compact type, may die to roots in winter Crapemyrtle Natchez, Sarah s Favorite (L. indica) Sun 18 x 12 white (July-Sept.) Fast-growers; nice peeling bark; red/orange in fall Crapemyrtle Pink Velour (Lagerstroemia indica) Sun 15 x 8 magenta (July-Sept.) Glossy burgundy foliage; resists mildew Crapemyrtle Tonto (Lagerstroemia indica) Sun 8 x 7 rose (July-Sept.) Maroon fall foliage; may die back to roots in winter Crapemyrtle Rhapsody in Pink (Lagerstroemia indica) Sun 10 x 6 pink (July-Sept.) Purplish young foliage; resists mildew; sterile; no brown pods Crapemyrtle Tuscarora (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei) Sun 20 x 20 rose (July) Fast-grower; red/orange fall foliage Dogwood Appalachian Spring (Cornus florida) Shade/part shade 20 x 20 white (April) Best American type for anthracnose resistance Dogwood Aurora (Cornus x Rutban ) Shade/part shade 18 x 18 white (April) Bug/disease-resistant hybrid; no fruits Dogwood Cherokee Chief (Cornus florida) Shade/part shade 20 x 20 pink (April) Mildew-resistant American type; nice flower color Dogwood Stellar Pink (Cornus x Rutgan ) Shade/part shade 20 x 19 pink (April) Bug/disease-resistant hybrid; no fruits Flowering cherry Kwanzan (Prunus serrulata) Sun 30 x 30 pink (April) Double flowers, gorgeous in bloom Flowering cherry Okame (Prunus x incam Okame ) Sun 25 x 20 pink (April) Very early bloomer; coral fall foliage Flowering cherry Yoshino (Prunus x yedoensis) Sun 35 x 30 white (April) Arching branches; planted at D.C. s Tidal Basin Flowering cherry Akebono (Prunus x yedoensis) Sun 40 x 30 pink (April) Pinker than Yoshino; longer-lived than most cherries Full-moon maple Aconitifolium (Acer japonicum) Part shade 25 x 30 burgundy (April) Cut leaves turn crimson in fall Ginkgo Autumn Gold (Ginkgo biloba) Sun 50 x 30 none Fan-shaped foliage; bright-gold fall color Ginkgo Princeton Sentry or Golden Colonnade (G. biloba) Sun 50 x 20 none Fan-shaped foliage; durable; narrower than species Hawthorn Winter King (Crataegus viridis) Sun 20 x 25 white (May) Showy winter red fruits; has some thorns; plant in spring
Trees Exposure Size Bloom Attributes Hornbeam Fastigiata (Carpinus betulus) Sun/part shade 35 x 20 none Fast-growing upright habit; durable anywhere Japanese maple Emperor I, Bloodgood (Acer palmatum) Sun/part shade 18 x 16 red (May) Red foliage; best in wind-protected area Japanese maple Atrolinear, Shojo Nomura (Acer palmatum) Sun/part shade 12 x 10 red (May) Deep red leaves turn scarlet in fall; compact Japanese maple Beni Otaki (Acer palmatum) Sun/part shade 10 x 8 red (May) Red leaves turn scarlet in fall; narrow leaves Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonicus) Sun/part shade 20 x 20 white (May) Bell-shaped flowers; Pink Chimes blooms pink Japanese or Korean stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia) Sun/part shade 20 x 15 white (July) Nice in flower, flaking bark, red/gold fall leaves Japanese tree lilac Ivory Silk (Syringa reticulata) Sun 25 x 18 white (June) Most disease-resistant lilac; durable street tree Japanese tree lilac Summer Snow (Syringa reticulata) Sun 20 x 15 white (June) More compact than Ivory Silk ; durable street tree Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) Sun/part shade 50 x 25 none Heart-shaped leaves; also smaller weeping form Kousa dogwood Greensleeves or Moonbeam (Cornus kousa) Sun/part shade 25 x 18 white (May) Heavy flowering; nice fall foliage Kousa dogwood Satomi (Cornus kousa) Sun/part shade 25 x 18 pink (May) Bug/disease-resistant; red fruits; nice bark Little-leaf linden Greenspire (Tilia cordata) Sun 50 x 30 yellow (June) Bee-attracting flowers; fall nutlets; gold fall foliage Magnolia Ann, Betty or Jane (Magnolia hybrid) Sun/light shade 12 x 10 pink (April) Slow-growing dwarfs; ideal for house corners Magnolia Bracken s Brown Beauty (Magnolia grandiflora) Part shade 35 x 25 white (May) Great specimen; glossy leaves with tan undersides; U.S. native Magnolia Edith Bogue (Magnolia hybrid) Part shade 30 x 15 white (May) Very cold tolerant; fragrant blooms Magnolia Leonard Messel (Magnolia loebneri) Part shade 15 x 15 pink (April) Compact grower, very cold-hardy Maple Autumn Blaze (Acer x freemanii) Sun 50 x 40 none Drought-tolerant; fast-grower; no seeds; hybrid of 2 natives Maple Fall Fiesta (Acer saccharum Baistra ) Sun 60 x 40 none Sugar maple with brilliant red/orange fall foliage; U.S. native Maple Red Sunset or October Glory (Acer rubrum) Sun 50 x 35 none Nice shade tree; bright red fall foliage; Pa. native Maple Redpointe (Acer rubrum Frank Jr. ) Sun 45 x 30 none Bright red fall foliage; heat-tolerant; Pa. native Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) p.m. shade 20 x 20 white (May) Blue-black fall fruits; horizontal habit; Pa. native Paperbark maple (Acer griseum) Sun 25 x 20 none Compact maple with peeling bark Parrotia (Persian ironwood) (Parrotia persica) Sun/part shade 30 x 20 none noticeable Great specimen; red/orange fall foliage Purple beech (Fagus sylvatica Riversii ) Sun 50 x 40 none Large specimen; dark foliage; smooth bark Purple smoketree Royal Purple or Velvet Cloak Sun 10 x 8 dusky (June) Puffy flower heads, nice burgundy foliage Purple weeping beech (Fagus sylvatica Purple Fountain ) Sun 20 x 8 none Narrow specimen weeper with purple/burgundy foliage Redbud Forest Pansy (Cercis canadensis) Shade/part shade 20 x 25 pink (April) Burgundy foliage; nice by woods; Pa. native Redbud The Rising Sun or Hearts of Gold (Cercis) Sun/shade 15 x 20 rosy (April) Heart-shaped leaves change tangerine to green/apricot; Pa. native Red oak (Quercus rubra) Sun 60 x 50 none Fast-grower; red fall leaves; superior to pin oak; Pa. native River birch Dura Heat (Betula nigra BNMTF ) Sun/part shade 40 x 25 catkins (spring) Peeling light tan bark; multiple trunks; Pa. native River birch Little King (Betula nigra) (Fox Valley ) Sun/part shade 12 x 15 catkins (spring) Compact river birch; dense habit; nice bark; Pa. native Serviceberry Autumn Brilliance or Princess Diana Sun/part shade 20 x 15 white (April) Edible fruits; great fall color; Pa. native Saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana) Sun/part shade 25 x 25 pink/white (April) Large flowers; showy in bloom; drops big petals after bloom Seven-son flower (Heptacodium miconioides) Sun/part shade 18 x 12 white (August) Late bloomer; red/purple fall fruits; peeling bark Silver linden (Tilia tomentosa) Sun 50 x 30 white (July) Tough, pyramidal shade tree; takes heat & drought Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) Sun/part shade 10 x 10 white (April) Compact but last frost often nips flower buds Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) Part shade 16 x 14 white (May) Prefers damp, woodsy, acidy soil; fragrant; Pa. native Sweetgum Slender Silhouette (Liquidambar styraciflua) Sun 40 x 6 white (April) Columnar; few spiky balls; brilliant fall color; Pa. native Sweetgum Rotundiloba (Liquidambar styraciflua) Sun 60 x 40 white (April) No gum balls; rounded leaves; yellow in fall; Pa. native Tricolor beech (Fagus sylvatica Roseo-Marginata ) p.m. shade 30 x 20 none Cream, green and pink variegated foliage Three-flower maple (Acer triflorum) Sun/part shade 25 x 25 none noticeable Nice peeling bark, 3-leaf clusters turn orange-red in fall
Trees Exposure Size Bloom Attributes Trident maple (Acer buergerianum) Sun 25 x 20 none noticeable Reddish new growth; glossy red-orange in fall Weeping crabapple Red Jade (Malus x scheideckeri) Sun 12 x 18 white (April) Weeping habit, red fruits, nice for house corner Weeping cherry Snow Fountains (Prunus subhirtella pendula)sun 15 x 18 white (April) Prolific bloomer; weeping habit; nice specimen Weeping katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum Pendula ) Sun/part shade 20 x 25 none Graceful weeping habit; great specimen Weeping snowbell Carillon (Styrax japonicus) Shade/part shade 10 x 8 white (May) Great small weeping specimen Weeping snowbell Fragrant Fountain (Styrax japonicus) Shade/part shade 8 x 6 white (May) Great small weeping specimen White oak (Quercus alba) Sun 60 x 50 none Pa. native shade tree; acorns; dark-red fall color White swamp oak Beacon (Quercus bicolor) Sun/part shade 40 x 15 none Narrow upright; tolerates wet soil; yellow fall foliage Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea) Sun/part shade 50 x 40 white (May) Native, vase-shaped, keep moist in drought Zelkova Village Green (Zelkova serrata) Sun 60 x 60 none Elm-like shade tree; nice fall color Evergreens/Conifers Exposure Size Use/Bloom Attributes American holly (Ilex opaca) Sun/part shade 30 x 15 tall screening Pointy leaves; tolerates damp soil; red fruits; Pa. native Arborvitae Emerald Green, North Pole (Thuja occidentalis) Sun/part shade 15 x 4-5 screening Narrow; holds shape/color well; deer prone; U.S. native Arborvitae Green Giant, Spring Grove (Thuja plicata) Sun/part shade 25 x 6-8 tall screening Fast-grower, resists deer and bagworms; U.S. native Arborvitae Hetz Midget, Linesville (Thuja occidentalis) Sun/part shade 4 x 4 foundations Globe-shaped, dense foliage, trims easily; U.S. native Arborvitae Mr. Bowling Ball (Thuja occidentalis) Sun/part shade 3 x 3 foundations Globe-shaped, compact, fine-textured soft needles; U.S. native Arborvitae Holmstrupp (Thuja occidentalis) Sun/part shade 6 x 4 foundations Dwarf arborvitae; pyramidal habit; U.S. native Arborvitae Zebrina (Thuja plicata) Sun/part shade 25 x 6-8 screen/specimen Gold/green variegated needles; resists deer; U.S. native Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) Sun/part shade 60 x 25 specimen Tolerates wet soil; drops needles in winter; U.S. native Birds nest spruce (dwarf) (Picea abies Nidiformis ) Sun/part shade 3 x 4 foundations Flat habit like nest; tough in drought Blue atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) Sun/part shade 40 x 30 specimen Borderline hardy but elegant blue; also weeping form Blue holly Blue Angel (Ilex x meserveae) Sun/part shade 4 x 5 foundations Compact type; dark foliage; red berries in fall Blue holly Blue Princess (Ilex x meserveae) Sun/part shade 8 x 6 screening Dark foliage; red berries in fall Blue holly Blue Prince (Ilex x meserveae) Sun/part shade 8 x 6 screening Needed to produce berries on Princess Blue spruce Bakeri (Picea pungens Bakeri ) Sun 15 x 7 specimen Dwarf blue spruce; pyramidal shape; U.S. native Blue spruce Fat Albert (Picea pungens) Sun 12 x 8 specimen Blue needles; wide, upright habit; drought-tough; U.S. native Blue spruce Montgomery (Picea pungens) Sun 6 x 5 specimen Blue needles; slow-growing; tough in drought; U.S. native Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii var. leucodermis) Sun 30 x 12 specimen/screen Blight-/bug-resistant, salt-tolerant, stiff needles Box honeysuckle Baggesen s Gold (Lonicera nitida) Sun/part shade 4 x 5 specimen/massing Trailing habit; gold/green foliage similar to boxwood Boxwood Dee Runk (Buxus sempervirens) Sun/part shade 10 x 3 doorways Very skinny upright; does well in pots; resists blight Boxwood Elegantissima (Buxus sempervirens) Sun/shade 5 x 4 specimen Bright variegated foliage; dense; protect from wind Boxwood Graham Blandy or Green Tower (Buxus) Sun/part shade 6 x 2 doorways Very skinny upright; does well in pots Boxwood Green Velvet or Chicagoland Green (Buxus) Sun/part shade 3 x 3.5 foundations Compact; holds green color well in winter Boxwood North Star (Buxus sempervirens Katerberg ) Sun/part shade 3 x 3.5 foundations Compact; holds green color well in winter Boxwood Green Mountain (Buxus x Green Mountain ) Sun/part shade 5 x 3.5 foundations Upright and compact; dense grower Boxwood Green Ice or Green Mound (Buxus) Sun/part shade 2.5 x 3 foundations Compact, hardy; glossy foliage; fairly blight-resistant Boxwood Green Beauty or Winter Gem (Buxus) Sun/part shade 2.5 x 3 foundations Compact, hardy; glossy foliage; resists blight Boxwood Green Gem or Franklin s Gem (Buxus) Sun/part shade 2 x 30 foundations Smallest of dwarf boxwoods; resists blight Boxwood Justin Brouwers (Buxus sinica insularis) Sun/part shade 2.5 x 3 foundations Compact, bug/clay-tolerant but vulnerable to blight Camellia April Blush and April Dawn (Camellia) Shade/part shade 5 x 4-5 pink (April) Hardy to our area most winters; glossy evergreens
Evergreens/Conifers Exposure Size Use/Bloom Attributes Cherry laurel Mt. Vernon (Prunus laurocerasus) Sun/shade 3 x 4 foundations Glossy leaves, does dry shade, white flowers Cherry laurel Otto Luyken (Prunus laurocerasus) Sun/shade 4 x 5 foundations Glossy leaves, does dry shade, white flowers Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) Sun 40 x 15 screen/specimen Blue needles; also makes nice screen; U.S. native Concolor fir (Abies concolor) Sun/part shade 40 x 20 screen/specimen Blue-green needles; tough in all but clay soil; U.S. native Cotoneaster adpressus Little Gem or Tom Thumb Sun/part shade 2 x 4 foundations Dense, slow-growing spreader with small fall fruits Cryptomeria japonica Black Dragon Sun/part shade 10 x 5 specimen Irregular, pyramidal habit; very slow-growing Cryptomeria japonica Globosa Nana Sun/light shade 4 x 4 foundation Rounded slow-grower; soft needles; low-care Cryptomeria japonica Yoshino or Kitayama Sun/part shade 20 x 10 screen/specimen Soft needles, fairly narrow form, fast grower Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) Sun 100 x 40 specimen Soft needles turn orange in fall before dropping Dwarf Norway spruce Little Gem (Picea abies) Sun 2 x 3 foundations Very compact slow-grower, stiff green needles Dwarf Serbian spruce (Picea omorika Nana ) Sun/part shade 5 x 4 specimen Nice for sunny foundations Goldthread/greenthread falsecypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) Sun/part shade 8 x 6 specimen Thready foliage, shaggy form; green or gold Goldthread falsecypress Golden Mop (Chamaecyparis pisifera) Sun 5 x 4-5 foundations Ball-shaped dwarf; shaggy habit; gold color Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) Shade/part shade 40 x 20 specimen Shears well; nice screen; watch for adelgids; Pa. native Hemlock Jeddeloh (Tsuga canadensis) Shade/part shade 2 x 3 specimen Very dwarf weeper; nice by water garden; Pa. native Hinoki cypress Crippsii or Confucious (C. obtusa) Sun/part shade 12 x 8 specimen Yellow fern-like foliage; open pyramidal form Hinoki cypress Ericoides or Gracilis (C. obtusa) Sun/part shade 12 x 5 specimen Narrow evergreen with irregular habit Hinoki cypress Filicoides (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Sun/part shade 10 x 5 specimen Ferny, spray-like habit; dark green Hinoki cypress Fernspray Gold (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Sun/part shade 10 x 4 specimen Compact, fairly narrow and golden foliage Hinoki cypress Kosteri (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Sun/part shade 7 x 4 specimen Medium-green dwarf; slightly twisted form Hinoki cypress Nana Gracilis (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Sun/part shade 6 x 5 specimen Slow-growing dwarf; Oriental look Hinoki cypress Gracilis Compacta (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Sun/part shade 6 x 5 specimen Slow-growing dwarf; Oriental look Hinoki cypress Nana Lutea (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Sun/part shade 4 x 3 foundations Very compact slow-grower with gold foliage Hinoki cypress Templehof (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Sun/part shade 8 x 6 foundations Conical form with light green foliage Hinoki cypress Tetragona Aurea (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Sun/part shade 10 x 4 specimen Compact slow-grower with soft golden needles Hinoki cypress Torulosa (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Sun/part shade 5 x 4 specimen Irregular pyramid with twisted form Hinoki cypress Verdoni (Chamaecyparis obtusa) Sun/part shade 6 x 3 specimen Narrow, slow-growing upright; gold-tinted soft needles Holly Centennial Girl (Ilex centrochinensis x aquifolium) Sun/part shade 15 x 6 screening Dense, tall hedge for part shade; pollinate with Blue Prince Holly Dragon Lady (Ilex aquipernyi Meshick ) Sun/part shade 12 x 5 doors, corners Narrow; open habit; Blue Stallion best pollinator Holly Red Beauty (Ilex x Rutzan ) Sun/part shade 8-10 x 4-5 doors, corners Narrow, dense, pyramid; Blue Stallion, Blue Prince males Japanese plum yew Fastigiata (Cephalotaxus harringtonia) Shade/part shade 8 x 4 doorways Can be kept skinny with annual trim Japanese plum yew Duke Gardens or Prostrata Shade/part shade 3 x 5 groundcover Spreader; deer-resistant; tolerates tree-root competition Japanese umbrella pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) p.m. shade 10 x 6 specimen Very slow grower; bigger with time Japanese garden juniper (Juniperus procumbens Nana ) Sun 18 x 5-6 groundcover Short spreader with green needles Juniper Blue Arrow (Juniperus virginiana) Sun 15 x 3 specimen Narrow upright with blue-green needles; Pa. native Juniper Blue Point (Juniperus chinensis) Sun 10 x 5 specimen/screen Broad, pyramidal habit; blue-green needles Juniper Blue Star (Juniperus squamata) Sun 18 x 3 foundations Short mounder with blue-gray needles Juniper Blue Pacific, Silver Mist (Juniperus conferta) Sun 1 x 5 groundcover Low spreader with silvery/blue needles Juniper Emerald Sentinel (Juniperus virginiana Corcorcor ) Sun 20 x 8 specimen Heavy blue fruit producer; nice screen; Pa. native Juniper Gold Cone (Juniperus communis) Sun 6 x 3 specimen/doorways Golden new foliage; dwarf; narrow; slow-grower Juniper Gold Lace or Gold Star (Juniperus chinensis) Sun 4 x 6 banks/foundation Golden foliage; spray-like growth habit
Evergreens/Conifers Exposure Size Use/Bloom Attributes Juniper Lime Glow (Juniperus horizontalis) Sun 18 x 4 groundcover Low spreader with neon lime/green needles; U.S. native Juniper Gray Gleam (Juniperus scopulorum) Sun 10 x 5 foundations Blue-gray needles; compact neat upright; U.S. native Juniper Grey Owl (Juniperus virginiana) Sun 3 x 6 banks/foundation Silvery-gray needles, spray-like growth habit; Pa. native Juniper Manhattan Blue (Juniperus virginiana) Sun 30 x 8 specimen Blue needles; upright; good fruit producer; Pa. native Juniper Mint Julep (Juniperus x pfitzeriana) Sun 4 x 6 banks/foundation Spray-like habit with green foliage; best massed Juniper Tolleson s Weeping (Juniperus scopulorum) Sun 15 x 8 specimen Shaggy weeper for house corner or water garden; U.S. native Korean fir (Abies koreana) Sun/part shade 25 x 10 specimen Slow grower, heat tolerant, beautiful blue cones Leyland cypress (Cuprocyparis leylandii) Sun/light shade 25 x 6 tall screening Trim to control fast/brittle growth; may brown in cold winter Leyland cypress Gold Rider (Cuprocyparis leylandii) Sun/light shade 20 x 6 specimen Gold-tinted needles; trim to control brittle growth; iffy in cold Manhattan euonymus (Euonymus kiautschovicus) Shade/part shade 6 x 6 hedges/screening Glossy leaves; durable but plain-jane green; fast-grower Nandina Compacta or Gulfstream (Nandina domestica) Sun/shade 4 x 3 white (May) Red fall foliage; red fall fruits Nandina Harbor Dwarf (Nandina domestica) Sun/shade 2 x 3 white (May) Coppery foliage deepens to red in fall; some fruits Nandina Moon Bay or Firepower (Nandina domestica) Sun/shade 2.5 x 2.5 foundations Compact dwarf; bright red fall foliage; no fruits Nandina Tuscan Flame (Nandina domestica) Sun/shade 5 x 3 white (May) Red/green foliage turns red in fall; some fruits Nandina Woods Dwarf (Nandina domestica) Sun/shade 3 x 4 foundations Red fall foliage; no fruits Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana) Sun/part shade 40 x 20 screen/specimen Dark green foliage; soft, flat needles; deer prone Norway spruce (Picea abies) Sun 50 x 25 screen/specimen Nice screen plant; also comes in weeping form Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis) Sun/part shade 60 x 20 screening Short, dark-green needles; red spring flowers Osmanthus heterophyllus Goshiki Part shade 6 x 6 specimen Variegated holly look-alike; slow grower; borderline-hardy Pieris japonica Compacta or Dorothy Wycoff p.m. shade 6 x 4 white (April) Nice but may get lacebugs, root rot Pieris japonica Red Mill p.m. shade 8 x 5 white (April) Red new leaves; resists root rot but prone to lacebugs Rhododendron Ken Janeck or Yaku Princess Part shade 3 x 4 white (May) Compact; fuzzy leaf undersides; tough yak types Rhododendron Nova Zembla Part shade 6 x 6 red (May) Heat and cold tolerant; longtime market favorite Rhododendron Olga Mezitt (Mezitt hybrid) Sun/shade 6 x 4 pink (April) Looks like azalea; adaptable; evergreen Rhododendron Percy Wiseman Part shade 3 x 4 pink (May) Compact yak type; vibrant peach/pink blooms Rhododendron PJM or Purple Gem Sun/part shade 3 x 3 purple (April) Early bloomers; more tolerant of sun than most Rhododendron Roseum Elegans Shade/part shade 6 x 6 rosy-lilac (May) Old standby, tolerates heat well Russian (Siberian) cypress (Microbiota decussata) Shade/part shade 1 x 5 foundations Shade-tolerant creeper; soft needles Serbian spruce (Picea omorika) Sun/part shade 50 x 20 screen/specimen Tree with narrow, graceful habit Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra) Sun 35 x 18 screen/specimen Nice pyramidal shape; slow-grower Sweet box (Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis) Shade/part shade 2 x 4 groundcover Low-spreading broadleaf for shade areas Weeping Alaska-cedar (Xanthocyparis nootkatensis) Sun 25 x 10 specimen Weeping habit; nice for house corner Weeping Alaska-cedar Green Arrow (X. nootkatensis) Sun 25 x 5 specimen Weeping habit & exceptionally narrow form of above Weeping bald cypress Cascade Falls (Taxodium distichum) Sun/light shade 12 x 15 specimen Train over arch; needles turn rust color in fall before dropping Weeping Norway spruce (Picea abies pendula) Sun 15 x 6 specimen Trained arms are great by water gardens Weeping blue atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica Glauca Pendula ) Sun/part shade 15 x 6 specimen Stake arms when young, best in protected spot Weeping Serbian spruce (Picea omorika Pendula Bruns ) Sun/part shade 12 x 4 specimen Silvery blue needles; narrow; slow-growing Yew Flushing or Beanpole (Taxus x media) Sun/shade 8 x 2 foundations Touch, columnar evergreen; ideal in tight spaces Yew Hicksii (Taxus media Hicksii ) Sun/shade 8 x 4 screen Plain green but durable upright; easily trimmed Yew, spreading English (Taxus baccata Repandens ) Sun/shade 3 x 6 shady banks Dense; spreading habit; can be pruned to control size
Shrubs Exposure Size Bloom Attributes Abelia Kaleidoscope (Abelia x grandiflora) Sun/part shade 3 x 4 white (summer) Variegated leaves change color through season Abelia Pinky Bells or Rose Creek (Abelia) Sun/part shade 3 x 4 pink (spring) Semi-evergreen; attracts butterflies; compact Barberry Bonanza Gold (Berberis thunbergii) Sun/part shade 2 x 3 yellow (April) Gold leaves; durable; among least invasive seeders Bayberry Silver Sprite (Morella pensylvanica) Part shade 5 x 6 not showy Blue/gray berries; needs Morton Male pollinator; Pa. native Beautyberry Early Amethyst (Callicarpa dichotoma) Sun/part shade 4 x 4 pink (July) Lavender fall berries, cut ankle-high each spring Beautyberry Duet (Callicarpa dichotoma var. albafructus) Shade/part shade 6 x 6 not showy White-edged leaves; white BB-sized fall fruits Beautyberry Pearl Glam (Callicarpa) Sun/light shade 5 x 4 pink (July) Violet fall berries, purple foliage Beautyberry Profusion (Callicarpa bodinieri) Sun/part shade 6 x 6 pink (July) Lavender fall berries; pink/purple fall foliage Beautybush Pink Cloud (Kolkwitzia amabilis) Sun 7 x 6 pink (May) Arching habit; heavy bloomer; prune to control size Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) (many varieties) Sun 5 x 3 white (May) Birds love fruit; glossy red fall foliage; Pa. native Blueberry Top Hat, Bushel & Berry Jelly Bean Sun 2.5 x 2.5 white (May) Compact fruiters; red in fall; will do pots; Pa. native Blueberry Blueberry Glaze (Vaccinium corymbosum) Sun 2 x 3 white (May) Compact; boxwood-like; nearly black fruit Pa. native Bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) Part shade 12 x 15 white (summer) Big; nice woodland plant; prefers acidy soil Bush honeysuckle Cool Splash (Diervilla sessilifolia) Sun/part shade 3.5 x 4 yellow (June) Arching habit; variegated leaves; colonizes; U.S. native Bush honeysuckle Kodiak Black (Diervilla rivularis) Sun/part shade 4 x 5 yellow (June) Arching habit; dark leaves; deer-resistant; Pa. native Butterfly bush Flutterby Petite (Buddleia davidii) Sun 3 x 3 purple (summer) Super-dwarf; little to no pruning; non-seeding Butterfly bush Lo and Behold Blue Chip Jr. (B. davidii) Sun 3 x 3 purple (summer) Super-dwarf; little to no pruning; non-seeding Butterfly bush Lo and Behold Purple Haze (B. davidii) Sun 3 x 3 purple (summer) Super-dwarf; little to no pruning; non-seeding Butterfly bush InSpired series (B. davidii) Sun 6 x 6 pink, violet, white Sterile, non-invasive; arching habit Butterfly bush White Ball or Ice Chip (B. davidii) Sun 4 x 4 white (summer) Compact varieties; silvery foliage; low seeding potential Caryopteris Dark Knight or Grand Bleu Sun 4 x 4 blue (early fall) Late bloomer; heat, drought tolerant Caryopteris First Choice or Petit Bleu Sun 3 x 3 blue (early fall) More compact and earlier blooming than above Caryopteris Snow Fairy (Caryopteris divaricata) Sun/light shade 3 x 3 blue (early fall) Beautiful white-edge leaves; unusual blue flowers Chokeberry Autumn Magic (Aronia melanocarpa) Sun/part shade 5 x 6 white (May) Black fall fruits, red fall foliage; Pa. native Chokeberry Brilliantissima (Aronia arbutifolia) Sun/part shade 10 x 5 white (May) Superb red fall foliage and red berries; Pa. native Chokeberry Iroquois Beauty (Aronia melanocarpa) Sun/part shade 3 x 3 white (May) Compact version of Autumn Magic ; Pa. native Crapemyrtle Dazzle Me Pink, Red Filli, Ruby Dazzle Sun 3 x 3 pink (July-Sept.) Very compact and slow-growing; hardy most winters Crapemyrtle Victor (Lagerstroemia indica) Sun 5 x 5 pink (July-Sept.) Compact summer bloomer; may die to roots in winter Dappled willow (Salix integra Hakura Nishiki ) Part shade 6 x 6 white (May) White variegated leaves; takes damp soil; cut to stub each spring Deutzia gracilis Chardonnay Pearls Sun/part shade 3.5 x 3.5 white (May) Lime-yellow leaves; arching habit Deutzia gracilis Nikko or Yuki Snowflake Sun/part shade 2 x 4 white (May) Good on banks or as woody groundcover Deutzia gracilis Yuki Cherry Blossom Sun/part shade 2 x 4 pink (May) Similar to Nikko & Yuki Snowflake but with pink flowers Elderberry Black Lace (Sambucus nigra Eva ) Sun/part shade 8 x 8 pink (May) Dark dissected foliage; cut back after bloom; some fruits Elderberry Sutherland Gold (Sambucus racemosa) Sun/part shade 8 x 6 white (May) Gold dissected leaves; red summer fruits ; U.S. native Forsythia Goldilocks (Forsythia x intermedia Cortacour ) Sun/part shade 3 x 3 yellow (April) Very compact forsythia; early bloomer Forsythia Gold Tide (Forsythia x Courtasol ) Sun/part shade 2.5 x 5 yellow (April) Dwarf form; good massed on sunny banks Fothergilla Mt. Airy (Fothergilla x intermedia) Sun/part shade 6 x 5 white (April) Great red/orange/gold fall color; U.S. native Genista lydia Bangle Sun/light shade 2 x 3 yellow (May) Drought-tough, deer-resistant, fine-textured dwarf broom Hydrangea BloomStruck (H. macrophylla) p.m. shade 4 x 5 purple (summer) Red stems; cold-tolerant buds; disease-resistant Hydrangea Blue Wave (Hydrangea macrophylla) p.m. shade 4 x 5 blue (July) Beautiful lace-cap type flowers Hydrangea Bluebird or Blue Billow (H. serrata) p.m. shade 4 x 4.5 blue (July) Heavy-blooming, lace-cap type flowers
Shrubs Exposure Size Bloom Attributes Hydrangea Blushing Bride (Hydrangea macrophylla) p.m. shade 5 x 5 white (July) Reblooming mophead; matures light pink Hydrangea Cityline Mars, Cityline Paris (H. macrophylla) p.m. shade 3.5 x 3.5 pink (July) Compact, excellent as cut flowers, too Hydrangea Endless Summer or Dooley (H. macrophylla) p.m. shade 5 x 5 blue (summer) Reblooming mopheads; also early to flower Hydrangea Everlasting series (Hydrangea macrophylla) p.m. shade 3 x 4 8 colors (summer) Reblooming mopheads; flowers change colors Hydrangea Forever and Ever (Hydrangea macrophylla) p.m. shade 3 x 4 rose, pink (summer) Repeat bloomers; compact; disease-resistant Hydrangea Incrediball or Annabelle (H. arborescens) Sun/part shade 6 x 6 white (July) Heavy snowball bloomer; versatile; Pa. native Hydrangea Invincibelle Spirit, Bella Anna (H. arborescens) Sun/part shade 5 x 5 pink (July) Pink Annabelle types; Pa. native Hydrangea Let s Dance Starlight or Twist & Shout p.m. shade 3 x 4 pink (summer) Reblooming lacecap types Hydrangea Limelight (Hydrangea paniculata) Sun/part shade 8 x 6 white (July) PeeGee type; flowers start greenish, fade white, pink Hydrangea Little Lime, Bobo (Hydrangea paniculata) Sun/part shade 6 x 5 white/pink (Aug.) Compact PeeGee types; large cone-shaped flowers Hydrangea Little Quick Fire (Hydrangea paniculata) Sun/part shade 6 x 5 white/pink (Aug.) Compact PeeGee types; large cone-shaped flowers Hydrangea Miss Saori (Hydrangea macrophylla) p.m. shade 3.5 x 4 rose/white (July) Rebloomer with double, rose-margin flowers; burgundy leaves Hydrangea Pink Elf (aka Pia ) (Hydrangea macrophylla) p.m. shade 2 x 2.5 pink (July) Very compact ball-shaped form; mophead Hydrangea Pinky Winky, Quick Fire (H. paniculata) Sun/part shade 7 x 6 white/pink (Aug.) Heavy cone-shaped blooms; tough, showy, sturdy Hydrangea Preziosa (Hydrangea serrata) p.m. shade 3 x 4 pink (June-Aug.) Cold-hardy buds; burgundy fall foliage; maroon stems Hydrangea Tovelit (Hydrangea macrophylla) p.m. shade 3 x 3 mauve (July) Very compact type; heavy bloomer; mophead Hydrangea Tuff Stuff (Hydrangea serrata) p.m. shade 3 x 4 pink (June-Aug.) Cold-hardy buds; lacy flowers; rebloomer; blue in acid soil Hydrangea Zebra (Hydrangea macrophylla) p.m. shade 4 x 4 white (July) Nearly black stems; mophead white flowers Lilac (dwarf Korean) (Syringa meyeri Palibin ) Sun 6 x 6 lavender (May) Resistant to mildew; fragrant; compact Lilac Bloomerang Purple (Syringa patula x macrophylla) Sun 5 x 5 lavender (May) Dwarf rebloomer; resists mildew Lilac Bloomerang Dark Purple (S. patula x macrophylla) Sun 5 x 5 purple (May) Dwarf rebloomer; resists mildew Lilac Josee or Bloomerang Pink Perfume (S. patula) Sun 5 x 5 pink (May) Dwarf rebloomers; resists mildew Lilac Miss Kim (Syringa patula) Sun 6 x 5 lavender (May) Resistant to mildew; fragrant; compact Lilac Tinkerbelle (Syringa Bailbelle ) Sun 5 x 4 pink (May) Resistant to mildew; fragrant; compact Lilac Red Pixie (Syringa hybrid) Sun 6 x 6 ruby to pink (May) Compact, mildew-resistant, fragrant; ruby buds, pink flowers Ninebark Coppertina, Amber Jubilee (Physocarpus opulifolius)sun 7 x 6 white (June) Coppery new foliage, then dark in summer; Pa. native Ninebark Diabolo (Physocarpus opulifolius) Sun 7 x 6 white (June) Very dark burgundy foliage; drought hardy; Pa. native Ninebark Summer Wine, Little Devil (Physocarpus) Sun 5 x 4 white (June) Very dark burgundy foliage; dwarf versions of Diabolo ; Pa. native Oakleaf hydrangea Gatsby Pink (Hydrangea quercifolia) Shade/part shade 6 x 6 pink (July) Pink-blooming oakleaf; burgundy fall foliage; U.S. native Oakleaf hydrangea Ruby Slippers (Hydrangea quercifolia) Shade/part shade 4 x 5 pink (July) Dwarf type; blooms mature pink; burgundy in fall; U.S. native Oakleaf hydrangea Snow Queen (Hydrangea quercifolia) Shade/part shade 6 x 6 white (July) Burgundy fall foliage; peeling bark; U.S. native Oakleaf hydrangea Snowflake (Hydrangea quercifolia) Shade/part shade 6 x 5 white (July) Burgundy fall foliage; peeling bark; U.S. native Oakleaf hydrangea Sikes Dwarf or PeeWee Shade/part shade 3 x 4 white (July) Dwarf form of oakleaf hydrangea; U.S. native Red-twig dogwood Arctic Fire (Cornus sericea) Sun/part shade 5 x 4 white (May) Compact; red stems; non-suckering type; Pa. native Red-twig dogwood Cardinal (Cornus sericea) Sun/part shade 7 x 6 white (May) Brightest red stems in winter; Pa. native Red-twig dogwood Midwinter Fire (Cornus sanguinea) Sun/part shade 7 x 6 white (May) Yellow/orange fall foliage; red stems in winter Red-twig dogwood Red Rover (Cornus amomum obliqua) Sun/part shade 5 x 6 white (May) Burgundy fall foliage; blue fruits; red stems; Pa. native Rose Baby Love (miniature type) Sun/part shade 3 x 3 yellow (summer) Highly disease resistant; repeat bloomer Rose Drift series (groundcover type) Sun/part shade 18 x 3 6 colors (summer) Low spreading type; no spray; long-blooming Rose Flower Carpet (shrub type) Sun 3 x 4 pink, white, red Long bloomer; low maintenance Rose Home Run (shrub type) Sun/part shade 3.5 x 3.5 red (summer) Rosy-red with yellow center; disease resistant
Shrubs Exposure Size Bloom Attributes Rose Julia Child (floribunda type) Sun 3.5 x 2.5 yellow (June) Disease resistant, fragrant, double-petaled Rose Kolorscape series (shrub type) Sun/part shade 3 x 4 7 colors (summer) Long bloomer, no spraying, more compact than Knock Outs Rose Knock Out or Double Knock Out (shrub type) Sun/part shade 4 x 4 neon cherry pink Long bloomer, no spraying, cut back hard in March Rose Pink Knock Out or Pink Double Knock Out (shrub) Sun/part shade 4 x 4 pink (all season) Same habit as Knock Out, only medium pink Rose Sunny Knock Out or Carefree Sunshine (shrub) Sun/part shade 3 x 3 yellow (summer) Heavy and long bloomer; no spray; fragrant Rose of sharon Aphrodite, Orchid Satin (H. syriacus) Sun/part shade 10 x 6 pink (summer) Sterile flowers; tolerates poor soil; prunes well Rose of sharon Azurri Blue Satin (Hibiscus syriacus) Sun/part shade 10 x 6 blue (summer) Sterile flowers; tolerates poor soil; prunes well Rose of sharon Diana (Hibiscus syriacus) Sun/part shade 10 x 6 white (summer) Sterile flowers; tolerates poor soil; prunes well Rose of sharon Purple Satin (Hibiscus syriacus) Sun/part shade 10 x 6 plum (summer) Sterile flowers; tolerates poor soil; prunes well Serviceberry Regent (Amelanchiar alnifolia) Sun/part shade 5 x 7 white (May) Shrub form of small tree, edible blue June fruits Smokebush Golden Spirit (Cotinus coggyria) Sun/part shade 7 x 6 pinkish (June) Lime-green foliage turning orange/red in fall Spirea Little Princess (Spireae japonica) Sun/part shade 3 x 3 pink (summer) Long-blooming; trouble-free Spirea Anthony Waterer (Spireae x bumalda) Sun/part shade 3 x 4 rose (summer) Long-blooming; trouble-free Spirea Crispa (Spireae x bumalda) Sun/part shade 3.5 x 4 pink (summer) Frilly foliage; some new leaves white/burgundy Spirea Glow Girl (Spireae betulifolia) Sun/part shade 3 x 4 white (May) Gold/lime foliage; rounded habit; deer resistant Spirea Neon Flash (Spireae japonica) Sun/part shade 3 x 4 rose (summer) Long-blooming; trouble-free Spirea nipponica Snowmound Sun/part shade 5 x 5 white (May) Bluish-tinted leaves; nice hedge or border plant Spirea Mellow Yellow (Spireae thunbergii Ogon ) Sun/part shade 5 x 5 white (April) Arching habit, yellow summer foliage St. Johnswort Albury Purple (Hypericum androsaemum) Sun/shade 3 x 4 yellow (June) Burgundy-tinged leaves, red berries, arching habit St. Johnswort Brigadoon (Hypericum calycinum) Shade/part shade 18 x 3 yellow (June) Bright yellow foliage; stays low; no pests St. Johnswort Blue Velvet (Hypericum kalmiatum) Sun/shade 3 x 4 yellow (summer) Long-bloomer; bluish leaves; U.S. native Stephanandra incisa Crispa Sun/part shade 2 x 4 white (May) Durable groundcover shrub for banks, tough sites Sumac Gro-Low (Rhus aromatica) Sun/part shade 2 x 8 yellow (spring) Red/orange fall foliage; good on bank; Pa. native Sumac Tiger Eyes (Rhus typhina) Sun/part shade 7 x 6 green (summer) Sharply dissected gold leaves; red in fall; Pa. native Summersweet Ruby Spice (Clethra alnifolia) Sun/shade 6 x 4 pink (July) Bottle-brush blooms; tolerates damp soil; Pa. native Summersweet Hummingbird, Compacta (C. alnifolia) Sun/shade 30 x 3.5 white (July) Bottle-brush blooms; compact, tolerates damp soil; Pa. native Summersweet 16 Candles (Clethra alnifolia) Sun/shade 3 x 3.5 white (July) Bottle-brush blooms; compact, tolerates damp soil; Pa. native Sweetshrub Hartlage Wine (Calycanthus floridus) Sun/shade 6 x 8 red (May) Fragrant; best used along wood line; Pa. native Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) p.m. shade 5 x 4 many (May) Nice specimen; large, striking flowers Variegated aralia (Eleutherococcus sieboldianus Variegatus ) Sun/part shade 6 x 4 none Striking cream-edged leaves; pest-free Viburnum (Arrowwood) (Viburnum dentatum) Sun/shade 10 x 8 white (May) Native; birds like blackish fall fruit; Pa. native Viburnum Blue Muffin, Chicago Lustre (V. dentatum) Sun/part shade 6 x 6 white (May) Compact; blue fall fruits; glossy leaves; Pa. native Viburnum Cardinal Candy (Viburnum dilatatum) Sun/part shade 6 x 6 white (May) Lots of red fall fruits with pollinator; a bird favorite Viburnum Conoy (Viburnum utile x V. burkwoodii) Sun/part shade 5 x 7 white (May) Red buds; glossy foliage; semi-evergreen Viburnum Erie (Viburnum dilatatum) Sun/part shade 6 x 7 white (May) Great fall color and red fruits Viburnum (Korean spice) (Viburnum carlesii) Sun/part shade 6 x 6 white (April) Very fragrant flowers; red summer fruits Viburnum Mohawk (Viburnum x burkwoodii) Sun/part shade 6 x 6 white (April) Buds are red; fragrant flowers Viburnum Shoshoni (V. plicatum x tomentosum) Sun/shade 5 x 8 white (May) Similar to Shasta, only smaller Viburnum Shasta or Mariesii (V. plicatum x. tomentosum) Sun/shade 6 x 10 white (May) Colorful; horizontal branch habit; nice fruit Viburnum Summer Snowflake (V. plicatum x. tomentosum) Sun/shade 6 x 5 white (May) Similar to Shasta, but smaller and more upright Viburnum Winterthur or Brandywine (Viburnum nudum) Sun/part shade 5 x 5 white (June) Glossy blood-red fall foliage; 1 of each to get fruits; Pa. native
Shrubs Exposure Size Bloom Attributes Viburnum Wentworth (Viburnum trilobum) Sun/part shade 10 x 10 white (May) Cranberry viburnum; birds love red fruit; big leaves; Pa. native Virginia sweetspire Henry s Garnet (Itea virginica) Sun/part shade 4 x 6 white (June) Great burgundy fall foliage; Pa. native Virginia sweetspire Little Henry (Itea virginica) Sun/part shade 3 x 3.5 white (June) Dwarf habit; great burgundy fall foliage; Pa. native Vitex Shoal Creek (Vitex agnus-castus) Sun/part shade 6 x 6 blue (summer) Hardiest vitex yet; looks like butterfly bush Weigela (variegated) (Weigela florida Variegatus ) Part shade 4 x 5 pink (May) Beautiful foliage; attracts butterflies, hummingbirds Weigela My Monet or Variegated Nana (W. florida) Part shade 3 x 3 pink (May) Compact and variegated version of above Weigela Midnight Wine or Fine Wine (Weigela florida) Sun/part shade 2 x 2 rose (May) Burgundy foliage; very dwarf habit Winterberry holly Berry Nice (Ilex verticillata) Part shade 8 x 6 white (May) Red/orange berries, pollinate with Jim Dandy ; Pa. native Winterberry holly Harvest Red (Ilex verticillata) Part shade 8 x 9 white (May) Red berries, pollinate with Raritan Chief ; Pa. native Winterberry holly Maryland Beauty, Red Sprite Part shade 6 x 6 white (May) Dwarf; red berries when pollinated by Jim Dandy ; Pa. native Winterberry holly Scarlett O Hara (Ilex verticillata) Part shade 9 x 8 white (May) Heavy red fruiter with Rhett Butler, Jim Dandy ; Pa. native Winterberry holly Sparkleberry, Winter Red Part shade 8 x 8 white (May) Red berries with Apollo, Southern Gentleman ; Pa. native Witch hazel Arnold Promise (Hamamelis x intermedia) Sun/shade 15 x 15 yellow (March) Tough, adaptable; early bloomer; fragrant Witch hazel Jelena (Hamamelis x intermedia) Sun/shade 12 x 10 copper (March) Early bloomer; fragrant; red-gold fall foliage Ornamental Grasses Exposure Size Leaf Color Attributes Acorus gramineus Ogon Shade/part shade 2 x 2 golden Compact arching grass; ideal for damp areas Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) Sun/part shade 5 x 3 blue/green Pink-tinted seed heads; drought-tough U.S. native Blue fescue Elijah Blue (Festuca ovina glauca) Sun/part shade 1 x 2 powdery blue Dwarf, mounded habit; very drought-tolerant Dwarf fountain grass Hameln (Pennisetum alopecuroides) Sun 3 x 3 green Semi-dwarf; drought hardy; tan foxtail plumes Dwarf fountain grass Karley Rose (Pennisetum orientale) Sun 3 x 3 green Smoky-rose flower panicles; drought-tough Dwarf fountain grass Little Bunny (P. alopecuroides) Sun 2 x 2 green Dwarf; drought hardy; tan foxtail plumes Feather reed grass Karl Foerster (Calamagrostis) Sun/light shade 5 x 3 green Nice light-tan, airy June plumes; upright habit Feather reed grass Overdam (Calamagrostis) Sun/light shade 5 x 3 green/white Narrow, upright habit; variegated foliage Indian grass Sioux Blue (Sorghastrum nutans) Sun 5 x 3 blue/green Upright native with long seed stems; yellow in fall Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) Shade/part shade 2 x 2.5 green Short, heavily arching habit; best in cool, shaded spot Japanese forest grass All Gold (Hakonechloa macra) Shade/part shade 2 x 2.5 gold Arching habit; gold foliage; nice in fall seedhead stage Japanese forest grass Stripe It Rich, Aureola (H. macra) Shade/part shade 2 x 2.5 gold/green Variegated blades; arching habit; best in cool, shaded spot Little bluestem The Blues (Schizachyrium scoparium) Sun 3 x 3 blue/green Compact, turns burgundy/red in fall; U.S. native Little bluestem Carousel, Standing Ovation (S. scoparium) Sun 3 x 3 blue/green Doesn t flop, turns rusty/gold in fall; U.S. native Miscanthus sinensis Morning Light, Graziella Sun 5 x 3 silvery/green Silver vertical bands; may seed in wild Miscanthus sinensis Little Kitten Sun 18 x 2.5 green Very compact; ideal for sunny foundations Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica) Sun/shade 1 x 2.5 light green Arching habit; versatile; good lawn alternative; Pa. native Porcupine grass (Miscanthus sinensis Strictus ) Sun 8 x 4 green/yellow Yellow horizontal bands; may seed in wild Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) Sun 3 x 3 green Fine texture; turns pumpkin/orange in fall; U.S. native Sedge EverColor Everest (Carex oshimensis CarFit1 ) Shade/part shade 14 x 18 silver/green Arching habit; prefers damp soil; white/green striped blades Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) Sun/light shade 3 x 3 gray/green Golden fall foliage; oat-like seed heads hang off 1 side; U.S. native Silver-variegated miscanthus (M. sinensis Variegatus ) Sun 7 x 4 silvery Silver/green striped leaves; may seed in wild Switchgrass Cloud Nine (Panicum virgatum) Sun/light shade 6 x 3 soft blue/green Yellow seedheads; beige fall foliage; U.S. native Switchgrass Hanse Herms or Cheyenne Sky (P. virgatum) Sun/light shade 4 x 3 red/green Brilliant red fall foliage; pink seedheads; U.S. native Switchgrass Heavy Metal or Dallas Blues (P. virgatum) Sun/light shade 4 x 3 blue/green Strong upright habit; pink seed heads; U.S. native
Ornamental Grasses Exposure Size Leaf Color Attributes Switchgrass Northwind (Panicum virgatum) Sun/light shade 5 x 3 blue/green Especially upright U.S. native; yellow fall foliage Switchgrass Shenandoah (Panicum virgatum) Sun/light shade 4 x 3 red/green Bright red fall foliage; compact habit; U.S. native Tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) Part shade 2.5 x 2.5 green Grows in low clump; thin blades; yellow seedheads; Pa. native Variegated sea oats River Mist (Chasmanthium latifolium) Part shade 3 x 3 white/green Brightly variegated blades, U.S. native, white seedheads Perennials Exposure Size Bloom Attributes Agastache Blue Fortune (Agastache) Sun/light shade 3 x 2.5 blue (July) Licorice fragrance; blooms till fall; U.S. native Agastache Peachie Keen (Agastache) Sun/light shade 2 x 2.5 apricot (July) Drought-tough; hummingbird favorite; can spread by runners Agastache Tutti Frutti or Rosie Posie (Agastache) Sun 3 x 2.5 pink (July) Wispy, dainty flowers; long-blooming Allium Millenium (ornamental onion) Sun/light shade 18 x 2 purple (summer) Long-bloomer; purple balls on stiff stems; deer resistant Amsonia hubrichtii (threadleaf bluestar) Sun 4 x 42 blue (May) Lacy gold fall foliage; beautiful texture; U.S. native Amsonia tabernaemontana Storm Cloud Sun/light shade 2 x 2.5 blue (May) Deer- & drought-resistant; dark stems; U.S. native Anemone (Japanese) Honorine Jobert Part shade 3 x 2.5 white (fall) Daisy-like flowers; one of latest bloomers Anemone (Japanese) Pretty Lady Diana, Pretty Lady Susan Part shade 18 x 2.5 pink (fall) Daisy-like flowers; late-bloomer; compact, no staking Anemone (Japanese) Prince Henry Part shade 3 x 2.5 rose (fall) Daisy-like flowers; one of latest bloomers Anemone Wild Swan (Anemone Macane001 ) Part shade 18 x 2.5 white (summer) Compact; long-blooming; petals have violet undersides Astilbe Color Flash or Key West (Astilbe arendsii) Shade/part shade 2 x 2.5 pink (July) Compact; nice burgundy/purple variegated leaves Astilbe Pumila (Astilbe chinensis) Shade/part shade 15 x 2.5 pink (July) Short, fairly drought-tough type Astilbe Visions or Vision in Red (Astilbe chinensis) Shade/part shade 20 x 2.5 raspberry (July) Two of tougher astilbes; more tolerant of dry soil Astilbe Little Vision in Pink (Astilbe chinensis) Part shade 16 x 2.5 rosy pink (July) Compact; more heat/dry/sun-tolerant than most astilbes Aster laterifolius Lady in Black Sun 2 x 2.5 white (Sept.) Narrow, dark-burgundy leaves; Pa. native Aster Bluebird (Symphyotrichum laeve) Sun 3.5 x 2.5 violet (Sept.) Large flowers, drought-tough, no staking; Pa. native Aster Magic Purple, Kickin Purple (S. novi-belgii) Sun 15 x 2.5 purple (Sept.) Compact; mildew resistant; late bloomer; Pa. native Aster Purple Dome (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) Sun 2 x 2.5 purple (Sept.) Purple flowers; drought-tough; Pa. native Aster October Skies (Symphyotrichum oblongifolius) Sun 2 x 2.5 lavender (Sept.) Bushy habit; drought-tough; pollinator favorite; Pa. native Aster Prof. Kippenburg or Sapphire (S. novi-belgii) Sun 14 x 2.5 purple (Sept.) Daisy-like flowers, drought-tolerant; Pa. native Aster Woods Purple (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) Sun 16 x 2.5 purple (Sept.) Compact; mildew resistant; late bloomer; Pa. native Aster Woods Pink (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) Sun 16 x 2.5 pink (Sept.) Compact; mildew-resistant; late bloomer; Pa. native Baptisia Blue Mound (Baptisia australis) Sun 3 x 4 purple-blue (June) Spiky bluish flowers; disease resistant; U.S. native Baptisia Decadence Cherries Jubilee (Baptisia) Sun 3 x 3 orangey (June) Spiky yellow/orange flowers; hybrid of 2 natives Baptisia Purple Smoke or Twilight Prairie Blues Sun 3 x 3.5 lavender (June) Spiky flowers with dainty look; hybrid of 2 natives Baptisia Decadence Blueberry Sundae (Baptisia) Sun 3 x 3 blue/violet (June) Spiky flowers on bushy plant; hybrid of 2 natives Baptisia Ivory Towers (Baptisia) Sun 4 x 3.5 white (June) Wispy, spiky white flowers; U.S. native Baptisia Screamin Yellow (Baptisia sphaerocarpa) Sun 3 x 3.5 yellow (June) Heavy bloomer; spiky flowers on bushy plant; U.S. native Barrenwort (Epimedium rubrum) Shade/part shade 1 x 2 red (May) Great dry-shade groundcover; red-edged leaves Barrenwort Sulphureum, Neosulphureum (Epimedium) Shade/part shade 1 x 2 yellow (April) Great dry-shade groundcover; evergreen Barrenwort (Epimedium x Frohnleiten ) Shade/part shade 10 x 2 yellow (April) Red/bronze/green spring foliage; takes dry shade Beebalm Marshall s Delight (Monarda hybrid) Sun/part shade 30 x 2.5 pink (June/July) Mildew-resistant variety, tolerates damp soil; Pa. native Beebalm Grand Marshall (Monarda hybrid) Sun/part shade 30 x 2.5 red/purple (July) Mildew-resistant variety, tolerates damp soil; Pa. native Beebalm Jacob Kline or Gardenview Scarlet (Monarda) Sun/part shade 4 x 3 red (summer) Tall spreaders, fairly mildew-resistant; Pa. native Beebalm Petite Delight (Monarda hybrid) Sun/part shade 15 x 2.5 lavender (summer) Short clump-former; very mildew-resistant; Pa. native
Perennials Exposure Size Bloom Attributes Betony Hummelo (Stachys officinalis) Sun/part shade 18 x 2.5 lavender (summer) Long-lasting tubular flowers; well behaved colonizer Betony Summer Crush (Stachys) Sun/part shade 18 x 2.5 pink (summer) Long-lasting tubular flowers; well behaved colonizer Black-eyed susan American Gold Rush (Rudbeckia) Sun/part shade 2 x 2.5 gold (July-Sept.) Heat/drought-tough; long-blooming; disease-resistant; Pa. native Black-eyed susan Viette s Little Suzy or Little Goldstar Sun/part shade 15 x 2 gold (July) Dwarf versions of above; stocky; Pa. native Bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis) Shade/part shade 3 x 3 white/pink/red Blooms in spring but dies back in summer Bleeding heart Luxuriant, King of Hearts (Dicentra eximia) Part shade 1 x 2 pink (spring) Long-blooming; fringe-leaf type; Pa. native Bugbane Atropurpurea (Actaea simplex) Sun/part shade 4 x 2.5 white (summer) Dark purple foliage; nice backdrop; U.S. native Bugbane Hillside Black Beauty (Actaea simplex) Sun/part shade 4 x 2.5 white (summer) Dark purple foliage; long bottlebrush flowers; U.S. native Brunnera macrophylla Jack Frost or Silver Heart Shade/part shade 18 x 2 blue (April) Beautiful silver variegated heart-shaped leaves Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) Sun 2 x 2.5 orange (July) Monarch butterflies crave it; Pa. native Campanula Blue Clips (Campanula carpatica) Sun/part shade 6 x 2 blue (June) Nice front-of-border plant; blooms into Sept. Campanula Blue Waterfall (Campanula poscharskyana) Sun/part shade 10 x 2 blue (summer) Fast-spreading, long-blooming mat-former Campanula White Clips (Campanula carpatica f. alba) Sun/part shade 6 x 2 white (June) Nice front-of-border plant; blooms into Sept. Candytuft Snowflake (Iberis sempervirens) Sun/part shade 1 x 2.5 white (April) Good edging plant; leaves evergreen some winters Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Sun/part shade 3 x 2.5 red (July) MUST have moisture; also are pastel varieties Catmint Kit Cat, Blue Ice, Little Titch, (Nepeta fassenii) Sun 15 x 2.5 blue (summer) Silvery foliage; long bloom; drought-tough Catmint Walker s Low, Cat s Meow (Nepeta fassenii) Sun 2 x 3 blue (June-Aug.) Long-bloomer; cut back after first bloom; bees love it Catmint Junior Walker or Purrsian Blue (N. fassenii) Sun 18 x 2 purple/blue (summer) Compact Walker s Low; long-bloomer; no seeding Christmas fern (Polystichum aerostichoides) Shade 18 x 2.5 none Evergreen, deer-resistant, dry-tolerant; Pa. native Coralbells (Heuchera) (many varieties) Part shade 1 x 2 white, pink Many leaf colors; wiry, dainty flowers; some native Coralbells Bronze Wave (Heuchera villosa f. purpurea)part shade 18 x 2 cream (Sept.) Larger than most; bronzy glossy leaves; U.S. native Coralbells Citronelle, Lime Marmalade (Heuchera) Part shade 1 x 2 white (late spring) Gold/charteuse leaves; also excellent in pots Coralbells Caramel (Heuchera villosa hybrid) Part shade 1 x 2 pink (June/July) Soft golden-yellow/butterscotch leaves; U.S. native Coralbells Gypsy Dancer (Heuchera) Part shade 1 x 2 pink (summer) Long bloomer, silvery-pink foliage (my favorite) Coralbells Electra (Heuchera villosa hybrid) Part shade 1 x 2 white (June) Round yellow leaves with red veining; U.S. native Coralbells Primo Black Pearl (Heuchera) Part shade 1 x 2 white (June) Black leaves; U.S. native Coreopsis palustris Summer Sunshine Sun 30 x 2.5 gold (Sept.-Oct.) Long and later bloomer; disease-resistant; U.S. native Coreopsis verticillata Red Shift, Route 66 Sun 30 x 2.5 yellow/red (summer) Bicolor, changeable flowers; U.S. native Coreopsis verticillata Zagreb, Golden Gain Sun 18 x 2.5 gold (summer) Long-blooming; heat, drought hardy; thread-leaf; U.S. native Coreopsis Gilded Lace Sun 4 x 2.5 gold (summer) Long-blooming; tall type with lacy foliage; U.S. native Culver s root (Veronicastrum virginicum) p.m. shade 5 x 2.5 white (summer) Long, narrow, spiky flowers; prefers damp soil; Pa. native Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) Sun/light shade 6 x 2.5 many (April) Mat-former in multiple spring colors; good edging plant Creeping sedum (Sedum kamtschaticum) Sun/part shade 9 x 2 orange (June) Ideal in rock garden; heat, drought hardy Creeping sedum Angelina (Petrosedum rupestre) Sun/part shade 4 x 2.5 yellow (summer) Golden creeper; semi-evergreen; drought-tough Creeping sedum Fuldaglut or SunSparkler Firecracker Sun/part shade 6 x 2.5 reddish (Sept.) Bronze foliage; creeping habit; drought-tough Creeping sedum John Creech (Sedum spurium) Sun/part shade 4 x 2 pink (Aug.) Green leaves turn burgundy in fall; semi-evergreen Creeping sedum Tricolor (Sedum spurium) Sun/part shade 6 x 2.5 pink (Aug.) Cream/green/pink leaves; ground-hugger; drought-tough Creeping sedum Weihenstephaner Gold (Sedum floriferum) Sun/part shade 4 x 2.5 gold (summer) Red new foliage; turns bronze in fall; reblooms Crocosmia Lucifer (a.k.a. montbretia) Sun/part shade 3 x 2.5 red (summer) Strappy foliage; long-blooming; hardy most winters Daylily Happy Returns or Going Bananas (Hemerocallis) Sun/part shade 18 x 2.5 yellow (June) Reblooms sporadically into frost; compact; heat-tough Daylily Pardon Me or Ruby Stella (Hemerocallis) Sun/part shade 16 x 2.5 red (June) Reblooms in summer; very durable