LivablePlants for the Home Landscape Diverse communities in The first brochure in the Livable planned landscapes that support healthy series—Plants for a Livable ecosystems not only provide food for Delaware was designed to educate the gar- insects, birds and the rest of the food dening public about invasive plants and web, but they result in easier to manage suggest desirable alternatives for home landscapes with fewer pest outbreaks, and commercial landscape use, thereby Plants for the Home Landscape requiring fewer inputs (such as reducing the number of invasive plants Livable and fertilizers). The sustainability of man- grown and sold. The second brochure— aged landscapes is improved by Controlling Backyard Invaders was In today’s rapidly urbanizing environment, we have a unique opportunity, if not a • Use of pest resistant plants; designed to help homeowners and land duty, to create livable landscapes that are attractive, easily managed, and provide a rich • Ecosystem-wise planting design; managers control invasive plants that are compliment of plants to support diverse ecosystems. • Proper plant installation and mainte- no longer sold but have become signifi- Unfortunately, many of our landscapes (natural and planned) are being overrun nance; cant problems in fields, forests, and other with invasive plants. This brochure provides plant suggestions that • Preservation of natural enemy commu- natural spaces. can help create diverse landscape plantings with native and non-invasive nities. This third brochure— Livable Plants exotic plants. Researchers at the University of for the Home Landscape provides - With the help of human hands, exotic plants – whose evolutionary history suggest the following steps will ers with the tools needed to use plants in occurred elsewhere – are rapidly replacing native vegetation in natural ecosystems and provide landscapes that support greater attractive, sustainable combinations that planned landscapes. Some species are aggressively invasive and disperse rapidly by wind, numbers of beneficial insects that help are well adapted to specific niches in the water and animal transport. Portions of parklands and other natural ecosystems have control common insect pests: landscape. become near of individual invasive species such as Norway maple, • Increase structural complexity – more A Livable Delaware plant must autumn olive and Japanese honeysuckle. An invasive plant can quickly overwhelm and plants at different layers, especially tree • Pose no potential threat as an invasive displace existing native plants by reducing the availability of light, water, nutrients and and groundcover layers. plant space. They have few, if any, natural controls to keep them in check. Suburban land- • Increase plant biodiversity – more plant • Have no serious disease or insect scapes are created each year on millions of acres from which native plants have been species and families. problems removed and replaced with a severely limited palette of mostly exotic species. • Add and fruit – vary architec- • Be hardy to Delaware tural complexity and provide season • Possess adaptable characteristics to land- long bloom. scape situations (i.e. drought resistant, Why does this matter? tolerant of poor soils, etc.) More about invasive plants: The large-scale loss of native vegetation has serious consequences, perhaps the most insidious being its effect on life-sustaining food webs. Studies indicate that insect herbi- Invasive plants can be divided into vores, the animals responsible for passing the majority of energy from plants to other two categories—(1) plants that are no animals, are unable to grow and reproduce on plants with which they share no evolu- longer sold or were never sold (for exam- tionary history. Birds are particularly hard hit by exotic plant invasions because of the ple, multiflora rose, autumn olive, garlic resulting loss of their primary food source, insects. Ninety-six percent of all terrestrial mustard and oriental bittersweet) and (2) bird species rear their young on insect protein. Ecologists now rank invasion by alien plants still grown and sold (such as burn- plants second only to habitat loss as the major threat to biodiversity. ing bush, Japanese barberry and Norway maple).

2 3 What can we do? Landscape Niches

Because people have developed so Your home landscape might be com- much land in the U.S. for their own use, prised of a variety of ecological niches, we are in danger of losing precious biodi- each with unique cultural requirements versity required to sustain ecosystems and that shape the design and selection of the critical environmental services they appropriate plant combinations. The fol- provide for human populations. While lowing sections are intended to offer sug- creating preserves is desirable, there is lit- gested planting combinations based on tle undisturbed land left to serve as a safe- ten culturally distinct landscape niches: guard to our biodiversity. This brochure meadow, wet area, dry shade, rain suggests an attractive supplement to eco- garden, forest edge, pond/stream edge, logical preserves: redesigning our home sunny slope, salt and sand, small to accommodate biodiversity. We garden and container. can view our immediate surroundings as a Wet area - There are many place to encourage native plants and nat- wonderful native plants that thrive uralistic combinations. With this in moisture; and wet soils discour- brochure we hope to encourage biodiver- age most invasive plants. (p. 10) sity-friendly landscape design while fight- ing the spread of invasive ornamental species. Let’s not create suburban land- scapes that function as “biological deserts.” Let’s adapt a naturalistic design aesthetic that allows us to use native plants in home gardens, reflecting our regional spirit of place.

Meadow - Sunny expanses in your Dry shade - Shallow-rooted trees - Rain gardens backyard, sideyard or even frontyard create intense competition for sun promote infiltration of water into are ideal for meadows. (p. 8) and moisture. (p. 12) the ground. (p. 14)

4 5 Forest edge - Maintaining a Pond/stream edge - Plantings along healthy forest edge helps protect pond or stream edges filter nutrients the rest of the forest from incur- and pollutants that flow from lawns sion by invasive plants. (p. 16) and paved surfaces. (p. 18) Container - Containers allow you to garden where you don’t have good quality soil or space. (p. 26)

Sunny slope - Property edges often have sunny Salt and sand - Seashore soils Small garden – Small gardens are slopes where mowing may be unnecessary and can have naturally high salt levels and more easily managed and well-suited be downright dangerous. (p. 20) droughty conditions that require a to modern life and schedules. (p. 24) specific plant palette. (p. 22)

6 7 E. fistulosum), to name just a few. Meadow Perennials can be added from seed (if the seed can reach the soil to make good con- tact) or by planting plugs, which allows When homes are built on former you to add perennials in patterns. One farmland (a situation occurring through- strategy is to add perennials to the outer out the country), there are often large edge of the meadow where they will be acreages planted in cool season turf. most visible. Also, look at bloom times Lawns play an important role in the and select perennials that will bloom A path invites an intimate experience with home landscape, providing play areas, throughout the growing season to keep this meadow. pathways and a uniform ground layer for the meadow interesting. landscape beds. However, large lawns do Meadows do require some yearly not provide biodiversity and can result in maintenance. Keep woody plants from hours of weekly maintenance. Maintain taking over the meadow by mowing at lawn areas where they serve a purpose but least once a year to a height of 4-6 inches remember that sunny expanses in your in the early to mid-spring. You may backyard, sideyard or even frontyard are choose to leave some woody plants, like ideal for meadows. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) to A healthy meadow in a sunny loca- provide an interesting accent. To keep a tion is usually dominated by grasses. meadow from becoming too tall and Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), switch- rangy, mow again in early summer grass (Panicum virgatum), little bluestem (Father’s day is an easy time to remember (Schizachyrium scoparium) or a number of for the second mowing). Spot spray for different broomsedges (Andropogon sp.) undesirable weeds in your meadow, such Tan indiangrass is displayed against a New England aster defines the boundary can be seeded to create a meadow. as invasive thistles or crown vetch. backdrop of burgundy fall foliage. between switchgrass and fireworks goldenrod. Purpletop grass (Tridens flavus) blooms To make a meadow more pleasing profusely in mid summer. Little bluestem and visibly managed, mow a neat edge on is at the height of its beauty in the fall a regular basis. Mowed paths give an and winter when it turns a rich apricot appearance of order and allow you to color. stroll through the meadow to appreciate With warm season grasses as a start- its subtle beauty. ing point, you can add flowering perenni- als such as butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), New England asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), blazing star (Liatris spicata) and Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium dubium or Emerging warm season grasses provide a Purple tones of emerging switchgrass blends foil for black-eyed Susan and other perennials. beautifully with purple coneflower and blazing star. 8 9 gii), swamp milkweed (Asclepias Wet area incarnata) and Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium dubium or E. fistulosum). This is only a small sample of peren- Wet areas in the landscape provide a nials suitable for moist soils. With proper great opportunity. Swales planning you can have a thriving garden between property lines or other low areas that provides many seasons of interest. often stay wet for a while after a rain. Sweetbay magnolia has early summer There are many wonderful native plants blooms combined with a lovely lemony that thrive in moisture; and wet soils dis- fragrance; sweet pepperbush blooms in courage most invasive plants. Starting the summer (and has yellow fall color as a with the canopy layer, red maple (Acer bonus); Joe-pye weed blooms in mid- rubrum), pawpaw (Asimina triloba), iron- summer and marsh mallow, blue vervain wood (Carpinus caroliniana), sweetgum and lobelia all bloom in late summer. In (Liquidambar styraciflua), sweetbay mag- fall, you can count on purple foliage color nolia (Magnolia virginiana), sourgum from smooth witherod viburnum and red (Nyssa sylvatica), loblolly pine (Pinus or orange from red maple, sweet taeda), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), gum and sourgum trees. Finally, the red Flowering smooth witherod Winterberry holly is laden with viburnum tolerates more red berries displayed against a swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), wil- berries of winterberry holly provide color moisture than most wet- backdrop of evergreen Eastern low oak (Quercus phellos), and bald throughout the winter. Winterberry looks tolerant . red cedars. cypress (Taxodium distichum) are a few best when it is displayed against an ever- good choices. green background or in combination with Next add a layer, which might a warm season grass, such as switchgrass include winterberry holly (Ilex verticilla- (Panicum virgatum), to provide a tan win- ta), red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), ter backdrop. sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), but- ton bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and smooth witherod viburnum (Viburnum nudum). There are very few woody plants that tolerate standing water. All these plants tolerate wet or moist soils, but if water pools on a routine basis, you may need to resort to herbaceous perennials only. Some good perennials for moist sites Grasses, asters, goldenrod and eupatorium Great blue lobelia provides a bright blue include marsh mallow (Hibiscus profusely in this wet swale with accent in this wet meadow. moscheutos), blue vervain (Verbena hasta- little competition from invasive plants. Bright red cardinal flowers pick up red ta), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), centers in marsh mallow blooms in this great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica), wet garden area. New York aster (Symphyotrichum novi-bel-

10 11 (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) and white Dry shade wood aster (Eurybia divaricatus) thrive in dry shade. Just like the hay-scented fern, beware of wood aster and its ability to Dry shade is the classic garden prob- take over your garden under good condi- lem situation. Many yards, especially in tions. Hyssop-leaved thoroughwort established neighborhoods, have dry (Eupatorium hyssopifolium), tall white shady areas. When a shady environment beard-tongue (Penstemon digitalis) is created by shallow-rooted trees there is Bowman’s root (Gillenia trifoliata), wild intense competition for sun and moisture. ginger (Asarum canadense), woodland The bright emerging foliage of Native woodland dominates a Hakone grass nicely contrasts the natives spring scene of wild ginger and Lenten Do not even try to grow lawn grasses in phlox ( ), large flowered Phlox divaricata – wild ginger and Christmas fern. rose at the base of a river birch. dry shade; they require both light and merrybells (Uvularia grandiflora), hairy adequate moisture. In some cases, the alumroot (Heuchera villosa), golden best solution for very dry shade is only a ragwort (Senecio aureus), yellow trillium layer of mulch or litter. Even with a (Trillium luteum), Jacob’s ladder planted understory, don’t remove all the (Polemonium reptans), and bluestem gold- leaves—they add valuable organic matter enrod (Solidago caesia) will all tolerate dry and feed the natural soil system. conditions and partial shade. Some non- While most ornamental grasses natives are great performers in dry shade, require full sun, there are a few grasses such as barrenwort (Epimedium sp.), and grass-like plants that tolerate shade. Hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra Crinkled hairgrass (Deschampsia flexuosa) ‘Aureola’), and Lenten rose (Helleborus and bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix) are orientalis). Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus two grasses that tolerate varying degrees quinquefolia) is a vine that tolerates dry of shade and dry soil. Pennsylvania sedge Pinxterbloom azalea is surrounded by golden shade and will sprawl across the ground groundsel and our native Jacob’s ladder. (Carex pensylvanica) is an excellent making a perfectly acceptable groundcov- ground cover that tolerates very shady, er. Our native pachysandra—Allegheny dry sites and will even tolerate periodic pachysandra (Pachysandra procumbens) is mowing. another great dry shade ground cover. While most ferns require moist soil, It is harder to find shrubs that toler- there are a few ferns that will do well in ate dry shade. Pinxterbloom azalea dry shade. Eastern hay-scented fern (Rhododendron periclymenoides) is a won- (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) is so tough derful deciduous azalea with fragrant, that it might become a garden thug under white to pale pink flowers that is a must better garden conditions. Interrupted fern for the dry . Oakleaf The flowers of the ‘Snow Queen’ cultivar of (Osmunda claytoniana) and Christmas hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) thrive native oakleaf hydrangea take on a pinkish hue with age, seen here with a groundcover of fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) both tol- in dry shade. If you want evergreen allegheny pachysandra. erate dry conditions. Large masses of foliage in your dry shade garden, try Christmas fern are often found growing Piedmont rhododendron (Rhododendron Christmas fern, merrybells, yellow trillium on well-drained forest slopes. Two shade- minus). and barren strawberry ring this tulip poplar. loving asters, heart-leaf aster 12 13 Perennials: Rain Garden Aquilegia canadensis, Canadian columbine Arisaema triphyllum, Jack-in-the-pulpit Asclepias incarnata, swamp milkweed Rain gardens can change how we Athyrium filix-femina, lady fern manage storm water in built environ- Baptisia australis, false indigo ments. Instead of providing more paved Boltonia asteroides, boltonia surfaces, curbs and storm drains to take Carex stipata, tussock sedge , pink turtlehead water (a precious resource) away from our Chelone lyonii Cimicifuga racemosa, black snakeroot home lawns and landscapes, rain gardens Eupatorium maculatum, Joe-pye weed promote the infiltration of water into the Gillenia trifoliata, Bowman’s root pervious surfaces we have remaining in Helianthus angustifolius, swamp sunflower The newly planted trees and shrubs Cores drilled through a hard pan the landscape. They are gardens built Hibiscus moscheutos, marsh mallow in this University of Delaware rain and filled with gravel allowed the with the intention of reducing erosion, Iris cristata, dwarf crested iris garden cannot survive standing water area to drain more rapidly. Masses flooding, and non-point source pollution Lobelia cardinalis, cardinal flower that lasts for more than several days. of perennials thrive in the lowest areas. by lowering the volume of storm water Lobelia siphilitica, great blue lobelia runoff. Instead of becoming runoff, the Meehania cordata, Meehan’s mint rainwater is absorbed back into the Phlox paniculata, garden phlox ground through the garden. Physostegia virginiana, obedient plant Construction of rain gardens can Spiranthes cernua, nodding lady’s tresses , celandine poppy vary greatly in complexity and cost. They Stylophorum diphyllum Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, N.E. Aster are commonly built in an area where rain Symphyotrichum novi-belgii, N.Y. Aster water naturally flows but not in low lying Tradescantia x andersoniana, areas that are poorly drained. The garden Virginia spiderwort area required depends on the source; typi- Vernonia noveboracensis, N.Y. ironweed cally sized at 10-20% of the source area. Veronicastrum virginicum, Culver’s root To collect the runoff, grading is some- times necessary to redirect the water. The Shrubs: garden area is excavated, usually to a Cephalanthus occidentalis, buttonbush depth of four feet but variable with soil Cornus amomum, silky dogwood type. It is filled with a sandy soil followed Cornus sanguinea, bloodtwig dogwood Ilex glabra, inkberry holly by topsoil so the garden lays about six Virginia sweetspire, winterberry Ilex verticillata, winterberry holly Warm season grasses and tough inches below grade. The plants must tol- shrubs like groundsel bush and winter- holly, sweet bay magnolia and Sambucus canadensis, American elderberry erate standing water (for several days) as berry holly absorb and translocate water viburnum thrive in a rain garden Viburnum dentatum, arrowwood well as drought conditions. Hardy, herba- in this parking lot rain garden. that receives runoff from the roof viburnum and surrounding park lawn. ceous, native plants generally perform best in rain gardens. For additional plant suggestions visit http://ag.udel.edu/extension/horticul- ture/raingarden/raingardenDE.htm

14 15 leaved sunflower (Helianthus decapetalus) Forest edge or woodland sunflower (Helianthus divar- icatus). Using a few non-invasive exotic plants such as stinking hellebore The edge of an eastern deciduous (Helleborus foetidus), barrenwort forest often has filtered light and highly (Epimedium sp.), donkeytail spurge organic soil providing the ideal environ- (Euphorbia myrsinities), Japanese roof iris ment for a diverse compliment of plants. (Iris tectorum), Korean mum, Maintaining a healthy forest edge helps (Chrysanthemum ‘Sheffield’) or purple protect the rest of the forest from incur- beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotima) can Virginia bluebells provide a nice Dwarf fothergilla in fall color is set sion by invasive plants. If you are lucky compliment and expand artistic character backdrop to the chartreuse spring flower off by the galvanizing berry color of of donkeytail spurge. purple beautyberry. enough to border an existing forest or of a naturalistic landscape style. With have a partially shaded edge on your carefully chosen combinations it’s easy to property, you can create a rich garden in create habitat and experience natural this niche. beauty in your own backyard. On the wood’s edge, shrubs and trees such as serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis), flowering dogwood (Cornus ), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum prunifoli- um), and arrowwood viburnum (V. denta- tum) provide richly diverse habitats for birds, insects and other desirable wildlife. This edge will deliver a pleasing seasonal display when supplemented with showy Thin-leaved sunflower occurs natu- Coast azalea and sweet pepperbush native shrubs such as oakleaf hydrangea rally in open woods and thickets together provide a long period of (Hydrangea quercifolia), sweet pepperbush throughout the eastern US. spring and summer flowering. (Clethra alnifolia), pinxterbloom azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides), coast azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum), American beautyberry (Callicarpa ameri- cana), American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii) or native perennials such as foamflower, (Tiarella cordifolia), Indian pinks (Spigelia marilandica), Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica), white wood aster (Eurybia divaricatus), heart- Spring-blooming flowering trees The white-flowering form of dwarf crest- leaf aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) like our native flowering dogwood bright- ed iris coexists nicely with Christmas fern dwarf crested iris (Iris cristata), thin- en the forest edge. and mosses on the forest edge.

16 17 Pond/stream edge

Well-planted pond or stream edges (Lobelia siphilitica), scarlet rosemallow can improve ecological conditions and the (Hibiscus coccineus), Joe pye weed natural beauty of your property. By over- (Eupatorium dubium and E. fistulosum), coming our propensity for neatness along hardy ageratum (Eupatorium coelestinum), these edges, we can improve water and woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata), bee habitat quality. Plantings can filter nutri- balm (Monarda cvs. such as 'Raspberry ents and pollutants that flow from lawn Wine' and 'Coral Reef') and sneezeweed and impervious surfaces of your land- (Helenium cv.). Much of the water’s edge scape. Nurture deep-rooting, shade- and vegetation has a narrow vertical form habitat-producing plants to create a more such as cattails (Typha angustifolia) and Winterberry hollies turn yellow in Sweet pepperbush in bright yellow attractive space for desirable fauna, and common rush (Juncus effusus). Several fall before the leaves drop to reveal fall color is flanked by Joe-pye observers of fauna, and help make the ferns provide a perfect contrast to that bright red berries. weed and aster. most of your property’s natural potential. vertical form like interrupted fern Many of the same shrubs that excel (Osmunda claytoniana), ostrich fern in wet conditions, such as winterberry, (Matteuccia struthiopteris), and lady fern chokeberry and sweet pepperbush also (Athyrium filix-femina). thrive at the water’s edge. Some stunning perennial flowers prefer conditions of a riparian edge, such as cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), great blue lobelia

Wild blue woodland phlox makes a carpet for a variety of emerging ferns.

Joe-pye weed naturally mingles with Common rush is an evergreen edge plant common cattails at a stream edge. with an attractive yellow to tawny col- ored flower cluster.

18 19 sive plants by selective removal. Shrubs Sunny slope and trees might also be added, such as red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea), sweet pep- perbush (Clethra alnifolia), ninebark Property edges often have sunny (Physocarpus opulifolius), sumacs (Rhus slopes—next to the driveway, along the sp.) or bush honeysuckle (Diervilla sessili- back border or adjacent to the street. folia). You can choose to slightly supple- Mowing steep slopes is unnecessary and ment the ecological succession by adding can be downright dangerous. Depending a few attractive species or replant the on the slope size, conditions, and desired entire slope as a naturalistic garden bed aesthetic, choose from a combination of depending on your aesthetic sensitivities. maintenance strategies that will eliminate If you prefer a more orderly composition, the need to mow. You can spot spray to limit the palette to two or three plants of Staghorn sumac and winged sumac form Yellow goldenrod is sprinkled among the control undesirable plants or cut back complementary texture, height, and form. colorful thickets that complement naturally warm season grasses and mixed white flowers with a string trimmer once or twice a occurring warm season grasses and white- of thoroughworts, and sweet pepperbush. year, creating more of a meadow or an flowering thoroughworts. old field aesthetic. Many flowering plants such as gold- enrods (Solidago sp.), thoroughworts (Eupatorium hyssopifolium and E. rotundi- folium), and common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) will volunteer among the little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), broomsedges (Andropogon sp.), prairie dropseed (Sporobolis heterolepis) and other grasses. ‘Plugging’ in a few suitable peren- nials such as threadleaf bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii), blue star (Amsonia tabernae- montana), butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), showy aromatic asters (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium), wild indigos (Baptisia sp.), or pink doll’s daisy (Boltonia asteroides 'Pink Beauty') can expand the flowering season and interest. Butterfly milkweed and common milk- Fragrant sumac makes a dense ‘Blue Ice’ is a longer blooming culti- When you stop mowing entirely, weed self-sow among the prairie groundcover on this slope in front var of blue star that still provides early successional woody plants such as dropseed and blend nicely with the of a mixed woody border. bright yellow fall color. threadleaf bluestar in the background. eastern red cedar, black cherries or ser- viceberries will begin to colonize. Discourage undesirable woody and inva-

20 21 laciniata ‘Herbstsonne’), beach panicgrass Salt and sand (Panicum amarum), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens). In wet areas, butterfly weed Seashore soils can be a challenge to (Asclepias tuberosa) and marsh mallow plant, but your garden can thrive with (Hibiscus moscheutos) are excellent choices careful plant selection and soil prepara- that support wildlife as well as provide tion. Prepare sandy garden soils with attractive, mid-summer blooms. For plenty of organic material like composted vines, try trumpet vine (Campsis radi- leaves and grass clippings. The organic cans); its orange trumpet-shaped flowers Dewey Blue panicgrass, selected in Panic beachgrass is dotted by spots of yellow matter will help retain soil moisture and Dewey, DE surrounds cut-leaf coneflower from seaside goldenrod. are a feast for hummingbirds, but beware, at the 5-points intersection. provide nutrients. Salt deposited from in ideal conditions you may need to one time events, such as flooding with prune it heavily each winter to keep it in ocean water, will gradually leach out with check. Although not native, perennials rainwater. The process can be quickened like hydrangeas, sedums, and cosmos (a by flooding the area with fresh (not salt) re-seeding annual) thrive in salty, sandy water. Seashore soils tend to have natural- soils and can brighten seashore land- ly high salt levels and the following plants scapes. are especially well suited to tolerate this and the droughty conditions common on quick draining sandy soils. Tough natives from the dunes of our Atlantic coast include American beach- grass (Ammophila breviligulata ‘Cape’), prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa), Adam’s needle (Yucca filamentosa), north- Dewey Blue panicgrass is flanked by This grouping is even showier when Northwind switchgrass and fronted the aromatic aster is in bloom. ern bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica), by aromatic aster. groundsel bush ( halimifolia) and Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). With a little organic material in the soil, you can also grow rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa), beach plum (Prunus maritima), and American holly (Ilex opaca). Good choices for perennials include threadleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata), aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolius ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ or ‘October Skies’), The fleecy white flowers of groundsel bush provide a good fall display. hyssop-leaved thoroughwort (Eupatorium Northern bayberry, beach panicgrass hyssopifolium), spike gayfeather (Liatris and hyssop-leaved thoroughwort all spicata), cut-leaf coneflower (Rudbeckia grow in this sandy dune.

22 23 include common winterberry (Ilex verti- Small garden cillata), remarkable for its bright berries, and winter flame dogwood (Cornus san- guinea ‘Winter Flame) with its vibrant Modern life and schedules are well orange to red stems. Be sure to include suited to small gardens like those accom- some of the many smaller cultivars of our panying an urban row house or an Eastern redbud, a great flowering native evergreens –eastern arborvitae tree for the small garden, reaches a intensely gardened area on a suburban (Thuja occidentalis, dwarf forms) and height of 20-35 feet at maturity. lot. A smaller garden rewards you with a common and creeping junipers (Juniperus more easily managed and maintained communis var. depressa and J. horizontalis). space, plus more time to enjoy that space. Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) With less square footage, it’s easier and is a multi stemmed shrub with a winter- less costly to amend your soil, mulch, and time display of dried flower heads and water your plants during dry spells. peeling cinnamon-red bark. You’ll want to choose plants in scale Good perennials for small spaces with smaller plantings. For trees, this include white wakerobin trillium means smaller species or dwarf cultivars. (Trillium grandiflorum), mayapple Try sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virgini- (Podophyllum peltatum), foamflower ana) for an airy, open shape and showy (Tiarella cordifolia), creeping phlox (Phlox white blooms in June, or serviceberry stolonifera), orange meadow brite cone- (Amelanchier canadensis) for a multi- flower (Echinacea ‘Orange Meadow stemmed tree with springtime flowers, Brite’), spiked speedwell (Veronica spica- This combination of threadleaf bluestar, showy Orange meadow brite coneflower, with speed- summer berries, and red-gold fall color. ta), threadleaf bluestar (Amsonia stonecrop and aromatic aster packs a colorful well in front and orange blossom yarrow Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is often hubrichtii), showy stonecrop (Sedum punch in a small space for the fall garden. behind, spill out at the base of this doorstep. grown as a multi-stemmed tree and fea- spectabile), aromatic aster tures eye catching purple flowers in April (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) and apple and May before its foliage emerges. blossom yarrow (Achillea millefolium Valuable vertical space in a small gar- ‘Apple Blossom’). den can be used for ornamental vines like Virginia rose (Rosa virginiana) (be sure to choose disease resistant cultivars), or the long-blooming native coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens ‘Alabama Crimson’). Since a smaller garden limits the vari- ety of plants you can use, it’s important to choose species with long bloom, berry Sweet bay magnolia stems are backed by Creeping phlox, foamflower, white wakerobin or leaf color displays. Plan your garden so yellow-leaved fothergilla and orange-berried trillium, twinleaf and mayapple snuggle you have something interesting happen- winterberry holly in this small space between together in this intimate setting. ing in each season. Mid-winter highlights the walk and brick wall. Korean mums (‘Sheffield’) bloom in front.

24 25 the color display over the summer. Some Container natives to try are–American alumroot (Heuchera americana – many cultivars to choose from), tall white beardtongue Containers allow you to garden (Penstemon digitalis), Jacob’s ladder where you don’t have good quality soil or (Polemonium sp.), blue-eyed grass space. Use containers specifically designed (Sisyrinchium angustifolium.), green and for gardening or adapted from some other gold (Chrysogonum virginianum), golden use. If not too large, containers are ragwort (Senecio aureus), creeping phlox mobile, letting one rearrange garden (Phlox stolonifera), Christmas fern Blue eyed grass provides the vertical contrast spaces to highlight different plants at dif- (Polystichum acrosticoides) and native to creeping thyme and cheddar pinks. ferent times. Most annuals, and many perennial stalwarts such as rudbeckia, sol- perennials and woody plants can be idago, coreopsis and echinacea. Other grown in containers. Your choices need to good perennials for containers include endure a confined root space, periods of creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum), ched- dryness between waterings, and, for dar pinks (Dianthus gratianopolitanus Cutleaf sumac is the centerpiece for this perennials, wider ranging winter soil tem- ‘Firewitch’), whirling butterflies (Gaura container, which also includes coreposis, tall white beard tongue, and the annu- peratures. Many gardeners find containers linheimeri), and variegated Jacob’s ladder als–verbena and wishbone flower. ideal for annuals, because of easy repot- (Polemonium caeruleum). Annuals, like ting, or use containers for tropical plants, verbena (Verbena ‘Homestead Purple’), because of easy relocation for winter pro- wishbone flower (Torenia fournieri) and tection. pansy (Viola x wittrockiana) compliment When you select containers, you’ll perennials and tropicals. Small native want to make sure they have drainage shrubs like Virginia sweetspire (Itea vir- This container combination displays our holes or your plants will flood with each ginica), smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea native smooth hydrangea with alumroot, rainstorm. Using a soil-less potting mix arborescens), cutleaf staghorn sumac (Rhus whirling butterflies, creeping phlox, and ferns. will give you lighter-weight containers, typhina ‘Laciniata’) and sweet pepperbush but also ones that dry out quickly. Many (Clethra alnifolia) or grape holly gardeners mix in bagged topsoil to help (Mahonia bealei) can serve as a center- retain moisture and reduce watering. piece in a large planter. Container gardening requires a close watch on moisture levels as containers will dry out much faster than an in- ground bed. Self-watering containers are available that include reservoirs at their base, cutting down on the need for fre- quent watering. Many native plants can be grown in containers, although mixing them with Chard, cabbage and parsley combine for Alumroot, green and gold, golden some reliable non-natives will diversify an attractive and useful container garden. groundsel and Jacob’s ladder fill this native’s-only container. 26 27 Christmas fern Polystichum acrostichoides coast azalea Rhododendron atlanticum Plant Names common juniper Juniperus communis var. depressa common milkweed Asclepias syriaca Adam’s needle Yucca filamentosa common rush Juncus effusus Allegheny pachysandra Pachysandra procumbens coral honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens ‘Alabama Crimson’ American alumroot Heuchera americana creeping junipers Juniperus horizontalis cv. American beachgrass Ammophila breviligulata ‘Cape’ creeping phlox Phlox stolonifera American beautyberry Callicarpa americana creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum American elderberry Sambucus canadensis crinkled hairgrass Deschampsia flexuosa American holly Ilex opaca Culver’s root Veronicastrum virginicum apple blossom yarrow Achillea filipendula ‘Apple Blossom’ cut-leaf coneflower Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Herbstonne’ aromatic aster Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘Raydon’s cutleaf sumac Rhus typhina ‘Laciniata’ Favorite’ or ‘October Skies’ donkeytail spurge Euphorbia myrsinities arrowwood viburnum Viburnum dentatum dwarf fothergilla Fothergilla gardenia bald cypress Taxodium distichum dwarf crested iris Iris cristata barrenwort Epimedium sp. Eastern arborvitae Thuja occidentalis beach panicgrass Panicum amarum Eastern hay-scented fern Dennstaedtia punctilobula beach plum Prunus maritima Eastern red cedar Juniperus virginiana beach rose Rosa rugosa false indigo Baptisia australis bee balm Monarda cvs. flowering dogwood Cornus florida black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta foamflower Tiarella cordifolia black cherry Prunus serotina fragrant sumac Rhus aromatica blackhaw viburnum Viburnum prunifolium garden phlox Phlox paniculata black snakeroot Cimicifuga racemosa green and gold Chrysogonum virginianum blazing star Liatris spicata golden ragwort Senecio aureus blue eyed grass Sisyrinchium angustifolium goldenrod Solidago sp. blue ice blue star Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ grape holly Mahonia bealei blue star Amsonia tabernaemontana great blue lobelia Lobelia siphilitica blue vervain Verbena hastata groundsel bush Baccharis halimifolia bluestem goldenrod Solidago caesia hairy alumroot Heuchera villosa bottle-brush grass Elymus hystrix hakone grass Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ Bowman’s root Gillenia trifoliata hardy ageratum Eupatorium coelestinum broomsedges Andropogon sp. heart-leaf aster Symphyotrichum cordifolium bush honeysuckle Diervilla sessilifolia hyssop-leaved thoroughwort Eupatorium hyssopifolium butterfly weed Asclepias tuberosa indian pinks Spigelia marilandica button bush Cephalanthus occidentalis indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans Canadian columbine Aquilegia canadensis inkberry holly Ilex glabra cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis interrupted fern Osmunda claytoniana cattails Typha angustifolia ironwood Carpinus caroliniana celandine poppy Stylophorum diphyllum Jack-in-the-pulpit Arisaema triphyllum cheddar pinks Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Firewitch’ Jacob’s ladder Polemonium reptans chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia Japanese roof iris Iris tectorum

28 29 Joe-pye weed Eupatorium dubium sneezeweed Helenium cv Joe-pye weed Eupatorium fistulosum sourgum Nyssa sylvatica Korean mum Chrysanthemum ‘Sheffield’ spicebush Lindera benzoin lady fern Athyrium filix-femina spike gayfeather Liatris spicata large-flowered merrybells Uvularia grandiflora spiked speedwell Veronica spicata Lenten rose Helleborus orientalis. staghorn sumac Rhus typhina little bluestem Schizacharium scoparium stinking hellebore Helleborus foetidus loblolly pine Pinus taeda swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata marsh mallow Hibiscus moscheutos swamp sunflower Helianthus angulstifolius mayapple Podophyllum peltatum swamp white oak Quercus bicolor Meehan’s mint Meehania cordata sweet pepperbush Clethra alnifolia New England aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae sweetbay magnolia Magnolia virginiana New York aster Symphytrichum novi-belgii sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua New York ironweed Vernonia noveboracensis switchgrass Panicum virgatum ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius sycamore Platanus occidentalis nodding lady’s tresses Spiranthes cernua tall white beard-tongue Penstemon digitalis northern bayberry Myrica pensylvanica thin-leaved sunflower Helianthus decapetalus oakleaf hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia threadleaf bluestar Amsonia hubrichtii obedient plant Physostegia virginiana threadleaf coreopsis Coreopsis verticillata orange meadow brite coneflower Echinacea ‘Orange Meadow Brite’ trumpet vine Campsis radicans ostrich fern Matteuccia struthiopteris tussock sedge Carex stipata pansy Viola x wittrockiana variegated Jacob’s ladder Polemonium caeruleum pawpaw Asimina triloba verbena Verbena ‘Homestead Puple’ Pennsylvania sedge Carex pensylvanica Virginia bluebells Mertensia virginica Piedmont rhododendron Rhododendron minus Virginia creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia pink doll’s daisy Boltonia asteroides 'Pink Beauty' Virginia rose Rosa virginiana pink turtlehead Chelone lyonii Virginia spiderwort Tradescantia x andersoniana pinxterbloom azalea Rhododendron periclymenoides whirling butterflies Gaura linheimeri prairie dropseed Sporobolus heterolepis white wakerobin trillium Trillium grandiflorum prickly pear cactus Opuntia humifusa white wood aster Eurybia divaricatus purple beautyberry Callicarpa dichotima wild ginger Asarum canadense purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea wild indigo Baptisia sp. purpletop grass Tridens flavus willow oak Quercus phellos red maple Acer rubrum winged sumac Rhus copallina red twig dogwood Cornus sericea winter flame dogwood Cornus sanguinea ‘Winter Flame’ scarlet rosemallow Hibiscus coccineus winterberry holly Ilex verticillata seaside goldenrod Solidago sempervirens wishbone flower Torenia fournieri serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis woodland phlox Phlox divaricata showy stonecrop Sedum spectabile woodland sunflowers Helianthus divaricatus silky dogwood Cornus amomum yellow trillium Trillium luteum slender mountainmint Pycnanthemum tenuifolium smooth hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens smooth witherod viburnum Viburnum nudum

30 31 Acknowledgements Authors: Susan Barton, University of Delaware Sarah Deacle, Delaware Center for Gary Schwetz, Delaware Center for Horticulture Doug Tallamy, University of Delaware

Project participants: Valann Budischak, University of Delaware Faith Kuehn, Delaware Department of Rick Lewandowski, Mt. Center, Inc.

Photographs provided by: Susan Barton Gary Schwetz Rick Lewandowski

Graphic design by: Carrie Finnie

Funding provided by: Mt. Cuba Center, Inc. The work upon which this publication is based was funded in part through a grant awarded by the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, U.S. Forest Services.

Supported by: Delaware Center for Horticulture Delaware Department of Agriculture Delaware Invasive Species Council Delaware Nursery and Landscape Assoc. University of Delaware