Deciduous Shrubs1

Cold Pests / Diseases Flowers / Fruit / Name2 Hardiness Soil / Climate & Other Size4 Exposure Additional Features Foliage Zones3 Problems

Amelanchier spp. 2A-8B Moist, well-drained, No serious disease or H: 3-30’ Full sun to Flowers – white, 5-petaled, Native to the Northern acidic soils are pest problems. S: 6-25’ partial shade; showy, in terminal clusters Hemisphere including North Serviceberries generally preferred, flowering, (racemes); insect pollinated. America and Minnesota; but quite adaptable fruiting, and several and Juneberries Bloom Time – spring (May/ and will grow on most fall color best early June). naturally occurring hybrids soils. in full sun. are native to Minnesota; Summer Foliage – leaves may be or small alternate, green to bluish- trees; usually multi- Roseaceae green, oval to rounded, stemmed; some species Rose Family Species native to Minnesota include A. alnifolia (Saskatoon serviceberry; western Minnesota), toothed. spread by rhizomes A. arborea (downy serviceberry; extreme eastern Minnesota), A. bartramiana (mountain Fall Color – yellow, orange, (underground stems) and serviceberry; northeastern Minnesota), A. humilis (low serviceberry; statewide), A. interior or red. form colonies; form is (inland serviceberry; northeastern, northcentral, east central, and southeastern Minnesota; the upright oval to rounded; a Fruit – a berry-like pome; most widely distributed species and likely a hybrid complex), A. laevis (smooth/Allegheny number of named green, becoming reddish- serviceberry; eastern and northcentral Minnesota), A. sanguinea (roundleaf serviceberry; have been selected purple to dark purple; borne northeastern, northcentral, and southeastern Minnesota), and A. spicata (spicate/running (hardiness varies, but most in small clusters; matures in serviceberry; synonym – A. stolonifera; northeastern Minnesota). are hardy to at least Zone summer (June/early July). 4); fruits are quickly eaten by birds and are used for jellies and pies; all are important wildlife species; the species are propagated by seed and the cultivars by stem cuttings.

Cornus 3A-7B Performs best on Leaf spots, twig blight, H: 15-25’ Full sun to Flowers – small, showy, 4- Native to North America alternifolia moist, well-drained, and stem cankers can S: 10-15’ shade. petaled, creamy-white, in (southeastern Canada and acidic soils. sometimes be a dense, flat-topped, terminal the northeastern United

problem. clusters (cymes); insect States) including Minnesota; Pagoda Dogwood Intolerant of hot dry sites. pollinated. typically found as an Alternate-leaved Bloom Time – spring (late understory species in Dogwood May/early June). forested areas; branches tend to be arranged in Summer Foliage – leaves horizontal tiers; typically dark green, lighter beneath, multi-stemmed, but Cornaceae alternate, clustered at the sometimes maintained with

Dogwood Family ends of the twigs. a single trunk; form is Fall Color – variable, reddish- typically upright oval to purple. rounded; fruits quickly eaten by birds; propagated Fruit – a drupe; green, by seed and stem cuttings. becoming purple; borne in clusters; matures in summer (July/August).

Cornus racemosa 2A-8B Very adaptable; No serious pests; leaf H: 10-15’ Best in sun or Flowers – small, showy, Native to North America grows on a wide spots most common. S: 10-15’ partial shade; creamy-white, 4-petaled, in including Minnesota; form is Gray Dogwood range of soils will tolerate dense, pyramidal, terminal typically rounded; including acidic (low moderate clusters (panicles); insect sucker from the roots to pH) to alkaline (high shade; but pollinated. form colonies; 1-year twigs

pH), sand to clay, and flowering, Bloom Time – spring (June). cinnamon-brown, older moist to dry sites. fruiting, and stems gray; the red fruit Cornaceae fall color are Summer Foliage – leaves stalks are persistent and Dogwood Family Drought and moisture dark green, pale green tolerant. reduced. remain red into the fall and beneath, opposite. early winter; fruits quickly Fall Color – purple; red fruit eaten by birds; an stalks. important wildlife species; the species is propagated by Fruit – a drupe; green, seed and the cultivars by becoming creamy-white stem cuttings. (sometimes with a bluish tint); born in clusters; matures in fall (September).

Cornus sericea 2A-7B Adaptable; prefers Susceptible to a H: 5-10’ Full sun to Flowers – small, creamy- Native and widely moist sites, but variety of pest S: 5-10’ partial shade. white, 4-petaled, in dense distributed in North Red Osier Dogwood tolerates just about problems, but none flat-topped to round-topped, America including any soil, so long as it are usually serious. terminal clusters (cymes); Minnesota; form is Red Twig Dogwood is not excessively dry; insect pollinated. rounded; young stems

also tolerates acidic Bloom Time – spring green in summer, red to

(low pH) or alkaline (May/June); sometimes has purplish-red in fall and (high pH) soils. intermittent repeat bloom. winter; several named Cornaceae selections (cultivars) have Dogwood Family Summer Foliage – leaves been made based on dark green, pale green size and winter stem color; beneath, opposite. the ‘Flaviramea’ Fall Color – variable, purplish (yellow twig dogwood) has to reddish-purple. yellow stems in winter; pruning out older stems Fruit – a drupe; green, helps keep plants vigorous becoming creamy-white or and promotes the bluish; borne in small production of young stems clusters; matures in summer which have the best color; (August). the species is propagated by seed and the cultivars by stem cuttings.

Diervilla lonicera 2A-7B Very adaptable; will No serious insect or H: 2-3’ Full sun to Flowers – yellow, tubular, in Native to North America grow on just about disease problems. S: 2-10’ shade. small terminal and axillary (southeastern Canada and Dwarf Bush any upland soil. Browsed by deer and clusters; insect pollinated. the northeastern United Honeysuckle rabbits, but generally Bloom Time – primarily States) including Minnesota; recovers quickly. spring (June) and sparsely spreads by rhizomes to form colonies; makes an excellent and intermittently during the summer. ground cover; propagated by division and stem Caprifoliaceae Summer Foliage – leaves cuttings. Honeysuckle Family pale green, sometimes purple-tinged, opposite, toothed. Fall Color – yellow to orange- yellow. Fruit – a capsule; green, becoming brown; insignificant; matures in summer and fall (July- September).

Euonymus alatus 3A-8B Very adaptable; No serious insect or H: 10-20’ Full sun to Flowers – small, yellow- Introduced from Asia; grows best on soils disease problems. S: 10-20’ shade; fall green, inconspicuous; insect typically has a single trunk; Winged Euonymus that are moist, but Browsed by deer and color best in pollinated. form is typically rounded;

will grow on just rabbits. full sun. Bloom Time – spring (June). the branches have corky Burning Bush about any soil wings (hence the common regardless of texture Summer Foliage – leaves name) a number of named or pH (acidic or dark green, elliptic, toothed, selections (cultivars) have alkaline) so long as opposite or subopposite been made based on size Celastraceae they are well-drained. (slightly offset). and fall color; a very Bittersweet Family Fall Color – excellent; pink to popular landscape plant; crimson-red. winged euonymus has escaped cultivation and Fruit – a capsule; green, become invasive in forests becoming tan and displaying in parts of the eastern an orange-red seed when United States; the species is opens; matures in fall propagated by seed and the September/October). cultivars by stem cuttings.

Hydrangea 3A-9B Very adaptable; No serious insect or H: 3-5’ Full sun to Flowers – very showy, white, Native to eastern North arborescens prefers moist, loamy, disease problems. S: 3-5’ shade; best in becoming green and America, but not as far west well-drained soils, but partial shade. eventually brown, in dense, as Minnesota; a suckering Browsed by deer and will grow on most dome-shaped to rounded, ; form is rounded; the Smooth Hydrangea can be eaten to the soils regardless of pH terminal clusters (corymbs); entire plant is typically cut Wild Hydrangea (acidic or alkaline) so ground by rabbits typically a mix of fertile to the ground before

Hills-of-Snow long as they are not during the winter. (insignificant) and sterile growth resumes in the Hydrangea excessively dry. (showy) flowers; insect spring; several named pollinated. selections (cultivars) have been made based primarily . Bloom Time – summer (July/August). on the size of the flower clusters; several pink- Summer Foliage – green; flowered cultivars have also Hydrangeaceae leaves opposite, broadly been introduced; the Hydrangea Family elliptic to heart-shaped, species is propagated by toothed, on long petioles seed and the cultivars by (leaf stalks). stem cuttings. Fall Color – generally poor; yellow-green to yellow. Fruit – a capsule; matures in summer/fall (September).

Hydrangea 3A-8B Adaptable; prefers No serious insect or H: 5-15’ Full sun to Flowers – very showy, white, Introduced from eastern paniculata loamy, moist, but disease problems. S: 5-10’ partial shade. becoming variously pink- and southern China; single well-drained, but tinged, eventually becoming to multi-stemmed; form is

tolerates a variety of brown, in large, terminal, upright to arching; many Panicle Hydrangea soil textures pyramidal clusters (panicles); named selections (cultivars) regardless of pH typically a mix of fertile have been made based on (acidic or alkaline). (insignificant) and sterile plant size and floral (showy) flowers; insect characteristics; the seed Hydrangeaceae pollinated. heads often persist through Hydrangea Family Bloom Time – spring the winter providing winter (April/June). interest; the species is propagated by seed and the Summer Foliage – dark cultivars by stem cuttings. green; leaves opposite, sometimes whorled, broadly elliptic, toothed. Fall Color – yellow-green to yellow, sometimes tinged with purple. Fruit – a capsule; matures in late summer/fall (August/ September); flower/seed heads persistent.

Physocarpus 2A-7B Very adaptable; Powdery mildew on H: 3-10’ Full sun to Flowers – white to pink, 5- Native to North America opulifolius tolerates most soils leaves and younger S: 3-10’ partial shade. petalled, in dense, dome- including Minnesota; form is regardless of texture stems and can be a shaped clusters (corymbs); upright to arching; older

or pH (acidic or fairly serious problem insect pollinated. stems have interesting, Common Ninebark alkaline). on susceptible plants. Bloom Time – summer exfoliating bark; the species Eastern Ninebark Drought and moisture (June-July). includes two varieties (var. tolerant. intermedius and var. nanus) Summer Foliage – most that are smaller in stature often green, but sometimes and have smaller leaves, yellow-green, greenish- stems, and flower clusters; yellow, copper-orange, or Rose Family several named selections burgundy, crimson-red, gold, (cultivars) have been made or green; leaves alternate, 3 based on size, foliage color, to 5-lobed (maple-like), and powdery mildew irregularly toothed. resistance; the species is Fall Color – usually fairly propagated by seed and the unremarkable, but better for cultivars by stem cuttings. some cultivars; yellow to yellowish-red or purple. Fruit – an inflated follicle; green, becoming brown; borne in clusters; matures in summer (August/Sept.); persistent.

Rhododendron 4A-7A Most perform best on Quite a few with H: 3-8/10’ Full sun to Flowers – very showy, white Native to many parts of the spp. organic, cool, moist, powdery mildew, leaf S: 3-10’ partial shade. and various shades of world, most of the varieties but well-drained, spots, aphids, and yellow, orange, pink, and grown in Minnesota are

acidic (low pH) soils; a spider mites being rose, in dense, terminal native Asia and eastern Azaleas & few species will fairly common. clusters (racemes or North America; none are Rhododendrons tolerate fairly moist corymbs; fragrant; insect native to Minnesota; form is to wet soils. pollinated. upright oval to rounded; the The species most commonly planted genus Rhododendron Generally intolerant Bloom Time – spring of high pH (alkaline) in Minnesota landscapes include the (May/June). includes both deciduous Ericaceae Northern Lights Series (azaleas; soils and heat and and evergreen species Heath Family hybrids derived from several species Summer Foliage – light to drought. (azaleas tend to be and introduced by the Minnesota dark green; leaves alternate. deciduous and Landscape Arboretum; many named Fall Color – generally poor; rhododendrons evergreen, selections/cultivars), the Mollis greenish-yellow, sometimes but in both cases there are Hybrids (azaleas; Rhododendron × yellow to orange. exceptions; see the kosterianum), and a few others. evergreen shrubs list for Fruit – a capsule; green, evergreen species); becoming brown; propagated by seeds, insignificant; matures in fall cuttings, and tissue culture. (August/September).

Rhus spp. Variable Adaptable; tolerate None serious; leaf H: 3-10’ Full sun to Flowers – small, greenish- Several species are native to depending on most soils so long as spots. S: 3-10’ partial shade. yellow in dense, terminal, North America and Sumacs species; they are well-drained. clusters (panicles); male and Minnesota; depending on 3A-7A Drought tolerant. female flowers borne on the species the form is separate plants (dioecious; spreading or rounded;

individual plants male or smooth and staghorn sumac female); insect pollinated. sucker and can produce Anacardiaceae large colonies; naturally- Cashew Family Bloom Time – variable by species; spring/summer occurring hybrids between (April-July). smooth and staghorn sumac are common; the fruits can Species native to Minnesota include Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac), Rhus glabra (smooth/scarlet Summer Foliage – dark be used to make a lemony sumac), and Rhus typhina (staghorn sumac); although, for obvious reasons, it isn’t planted in designed green to blue-green, lighter spice, a drink (served warm landscapes, poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix; formerly Rhus vernix) is closely related and is also beneath; leaves alternate or cold), syrup, or jelly; the native to Minnesota as are eastern (Toxicodendron radicans; formerly Rhus radicans) and western and pinnately compound species are propagated by (Toxicodendron rybergii; formerly Rhus rydbergii) poison ivy. (trifoliate or with 11 to 31 seed and cultivars by root leaflets); leaflets lance- and stem cuttings. shaped, toothed. Fall Color – excellent; orange-red to scarlet. Fruit – a hairy drupe; green, becoming orange-red; borne in dense globular or pyramidal clusters on female plants; matures in fall (August/September); persistent.

Rosa spp. 3A-7A Adaptable; prefer A variety of insects H: 2-12’ Full sun to Flowers – very showy, Native to Europe, Asia, and moist, but well- and diseases can be S: 2-12’ partial shade; various shades of white North America including Shrub Roses drained soils. variously problematic best in full sun. yellow, pink, orange, and red Minnesota (at least four including powdery and sometimes bicolored; species); the introduced mildew, blackspot, individual (solitary) or in species are most often

and Japanese beetles. clusters (corymbs); fragrant; planted in designed

Browsing by deer can insect pollinated. landscapes; form variable, Rosaceae Rose upright oval, rounded, Family also be a problem. Bloom Time – depending spring (June) through frost. arching; many named selections (cultivars) have Summer Foliage – dark been made based on form, Species native to Minnesota include prickly wild rose (Rosa acicularis), prairie wild rose (Rosa arkansana), green, lighter green flower color, fruiting smooth wild rose (Rosa blanda), and wild rose (Rosa woodsii); pasture rose (Rosa carolina) and swamp rose beneath; leaves alternate, characteristics, cold (Rosa palustris) are native in Wisconsin and east, but may be present in the eastern counties of Minnesota; the pinnately compound, hardiness, and disease flowers of all six species are variously pink to reddish-pink. toothed. resistance; some bloom Introduced species commonly planted in Minnesota landscapes include Rosa rugosa (rugosa/saltspray rose), Fall Color – variable, none to only once in the spring and many named cultivars of hybrid origin including the Explorer Series and the Parkland Series. yellow, sometimes orange, while others bloom from maroon or red. spring until frost; the Fruit – a hip; green, species is propagated by becoming reddish-brown to seed and the cultivars by brown-purple; borne singly stem cuttings and grafting or in clusters; matures in fall (budding). (August/September); persistent.

Salix spp. Variable Most willows occur Susceptible to a wide H: 3-20’ Full sun. Flowers – individual flowers Native mainly to temperate depending on on moist soils in the variety of insects and S: 3-20’ inconspicuous in dense, regions of the Northern Willows species; wild and perform best diseases; aphids (over elongated clusters (catkins); Hemisphere including 1A-7A on moisture retentive 100 species) and rust male and female flowers are Minnesota where over 20 soils in designed are the most produced on separate plants species and several

landscapes. common. (dioecious; individual plants naturally-occurring hybrids are male or female; male are native (tree and shrub Salicaceae Willow flowers tend to be silver to forms); with the exception Family white as the flower buds of prairie willow (Salix open; flowers petaless, humilis), which is found in yellowish-green, sometimes dry, upland soils, the tinged with tan, orange or species native to Minnesota purple; wind and insect are generally found on pollinated. found on moist sites; Bloom Time – depending on willows are an important the species, early spring to early spring pollen and summer (April-July). nectar source for bees; propagated by seed and Some of the more common shrub willows that are native and planted in Minnesota include Salix caprea Summer Foliage – dark stem cuttings. (goat willow; introduced), Salix discolor (pussy willow; native), Salix eriocephala (heart-leaved willow; green to light green, native), Salix humilis (prairie willow; native), Salix interior (sandbar willow; native), Salix lucida (shining sometimes tinged with red willow; native), Salix petiolaris (slender-leaved willow; native), Salix purpurea (purple osier willow; or purple, lighter green to introduced), Salix serissima (autumn willow). silver-green beneath; leaves alternate, elliptic to lance- shaped, toothed; willow buds have a single scale. Fall Color – variable, good to poor, typically yellow. Fruit – a capsule; green, becoming greenish-tan; depending on the species, matures in spring, summer, and fall (May-October).

Spiraea spp. 3A-8B Very adaptable; No serious insect or H: 2-10’ Full sun to Flowers – white, pink, or Although two species are prefer acidic soils, but disease problems. S: 3-12’ partial shade; rose-pink in variable, dense, native to Minnesota, they Spireas generally tolerant of Deer resistant, but best in full sun. terminal clusters (corymbs are only occasionally most soils as long as can be eaten to the or panicles); insect planted in designed they are not pollinated. landscapes; most of the ground by rabbits excessively wet. species used are introduced during the winter Bloom Time – spring and/or summer (May/June) from Asia (primarily Japan, Rosaceae China and Korea); the Rose Family Summer Foliage – various species are propagated by shades of green or bluish- seed and stem cuttings and green; occasionally yellow- the cultivars by stem green to yellow and with red cuttings. to purple highlights on new Species native to Minnesota include alba (meadowsweet) and Spiraea tomentosa growth; leaves alternate, (steeplebush or hardhack), but neither is commonly planted in designed landscapes; the species oblong, lance-shaped, or commonly planted in Minnesota landscapes include Spiraea fritschiana (Korean/fritsch spirea), rounded, toothed, Spiraea japonica (Japanese spirea; many named selections/cultivars; the cultivars are often sometimes 3 to 5-lobed. listed as Spiraea × bumalda), Spiraea nipponica (Nippon spirea), Spiraea trilobata (threelobe Fall Color – variable spirea), and Spiraea × vanhouttei (Vanhoute spirea). depending on species and cultivar; yellow, sometimes with orange, red, and/or purple highlights. Fruit – a follicle; green, becoming tan; borne in terminal clusters; matures in fall (August/September); persistent.

Syringa spp. 3A-7B Adaptable; will Generally trouble free H: 4-20’ Full sun to Flowers – very showy, single Mainly introduced from Asia generally grow on with the exception of S: 5-20’ partial shade; or double, white, pink, (common lilac from Lilacs most soils so long as powdery mildew. flower best in lavender, lilac, purple, or southeastern Europe); none they are well-drained. full sun. bicolored in dense terminal are native to North clusters (panicles); fragrant; America; form is rounded to Tolerant of high pH (alkaline) soils. insect pollinated. upright oval; a few are hardy to Zone 2; the species Oleaceae Olive Bloom Time – spring (May/June). is propagated by seeds and Family the cultivars variously by Summer Foliage – dark root cuttings, stem cuttings, green to bluish-green; leaves and grafting. The shrub lilacs that are most commonly planted in Minnesota landscapes opposite, heart-shaped to include Syringa vulgaris (common lilac; many named selections/cultivars), broadly lance-shaped. Syringa × chinensis (Chinese lilac), Syringa meyeri (Meyer lilac), and a

variety of cultivars of hybrid origin. Fall Color – generally poor to nonexistent; a few species have purple fall color. Fruit – a capsule; green, becoming light brown; matures in summer (June/July).

Viburnum 2A-8B Adaptable; will grow Generally pest-free. H: 6-15’ Full sun to Flowers – showy, white, 5- Native to North America dentatum on most soils S: 6-15’ partial shade. petaled, in dense, terminal including Minnesota; form is regardless of texture clusters (cymes); insect rounded to arching; the

or pH (acidic to pollinated. fruits are quickly eaten by Arrowwood alkaline). birds; the species is Viburnum Bloom Time – spring Salt and drought (May/June). propagated by seed and the cultivars by stem cuttings. tolerant. Summer Foliage – dark green; leaves opposite, Caprifoliaceae rounded, toothed. Honeysuckle Family Fall Color – variable, poor to yellow, red, or reddish- purple. Fruit – a drupe; green, becoming bluish-purple; borne in clusters; matures in late summer and fall

(September/October).

Viburnum 2A-8A Adaptable; low pH Generally pest free, H: 15-20’ Full sun to Flowers – showy, creamy- Native to North America lentago (acidic) to high pH but powdery mildew S: 6-12’ partial shade. white, 5-petaled, in dense, including Minnesota; a (alkaline), clay, loamy, can be a problem. terminal, flat-topped suckering shrub; form is

and sandy soils. clusters (cymes); insect upright oval to rounded; the Nannyberry Deer resistant. pollinated. fruits are eaten by birds; Viburnum Moisture and drought tolerant. Bloom Time – spring propagated by seed and stem cuttings (May/June). Summer Foliage – dark green; leaves opposite, oval Caprifoliaceae to elliptic, finely toothed.

Honeysuckle Family Fall Color – variable, poor to purplish-red. Fruit – a drupe; green, becoming bluish-purple; matures in late summer and fall (August/September).

Viburnum 2A-7B Prefers moist soils, Few, but borers can H: 8-12’ Full sun to Flowers – showy, white, 5- Native to North America trilobum but otherwise be a problem on dry S: 8-12’ partial shade. petaled, in flat-topped, including Minnesota; form is adaptable to most sites. terminal clusters (cymes); upright-spreading to

soils so long as they small, fertile flowers in the rounded; several cultivars American Highbush are not too dry. center of the flower cluster have been selected based Cranberry Intolerant of drought. surrounded by a ring of large on form, fall color, and sterile flowers; insect fruiting characteristics; the pollinated. fruits are eaten by birds in

“Bloom Time” – spring late winter and are used for Caprifoliaceae (May/June). jelly; very similar and hard Honeysuckle Family to discern from European Summer Foliage – green; highbush cranberry leaves opposite, 3-lobed, (Viburnum opulus; native to maple-like with stalked Europe, northern Africa, glands on the petiole (leaf and Asia; susceptible to stalk) near the base of the aphids and has disk-like leaf blade. glands) which is also Fall Color – orange to red or planted in Minnesota; the reddish-purple. species is propagated by seed and the cultivars by Fruit – a drupe; green, stem cuttings. becoming scarlet-red; borne in dense clusters; matures in late summer to fall (August/ September); persistent.

Weigela spp. 4A-8B Adaptable to most Generally pest free. H: 2-9’ Full sun to Flowers – showy, funnel- Introduced from Japan; soils so long as they S: 3-12’ partial shade; shaped with rounded lobes, form is open, mounded to Weigela are well-drained. blooms best in white, pink, rose-pink, rounded; a number of

full sun. reddish-purple, or red, cultivars have been selected individually or in small, based on size, foliage and

axillary clusters (cymes); flower color, and cold insect pollinated. hardiness; the species is Caprifoliaceae Bloom Time – primarily propagated by seed and Honeysuckle Family spring (June) and stem cuttings and the sporadically through fall. cultivars by stem cuttings. Summer Foliage – green to maroon-purple; leaves opposite, elliptic to broadly oval, toothed. Fall Color – poor if any. Fruit – a capsule; insignificant; matures in summer/fall (August/ September).

1 Deciduous Shrubs – Woody plants (trees, shrubs, and woody vines) are often classified as being deciduous or evergreen; deciduous plants lose their leaves at the end of the growing season and produce new leaves each year while evergreen plants retain green leaves throughout the year; evergreens, whether broadleaved or needle-leaved. also produce new leaves each year and lose some of their older leaves each year, but the leaves live for two or more years making the plants evergreen; this is a list of deciduous shrubs (shrubs that lose their leaves at the end of the growing season each year); shrubs are generally defined as shorter-statured woody plants (typically 20’ tall or less, but occasionally taller) that usually have multiple stems.

2 Name – Botanical and Common Name(s).

3 Cold Hardiness Zones – USDA Cold Hardiness Zones.

4 Size – H = Height; S = Spread.

Notes:

This is only a partial list of the native and introduced deciduous shrubs that can be planted in Minnesota landscapes; a complete list would include over 100 species and many named selections (cultivars; cultivated varieties).

The crown sizes listed represent a typical range for each species; individual shrubs may be bigger or smaller depending on location and the resulting light and soil (fertility and moisture) conditions and cultivar; shrubs growing under shaded conditions tend to be taller and more open as a consequence of crowding and stretching for light.

Remember that native plants, including shrubs, are an important part of native ecosystems and thereby serve as an important food source for a variety of native insects, animals, and micro-organisms (e.g., specific to Lepidoptera – butterflies and moths – alone, willows are reported to support over 450 species making them one of the most important species for this important group of insects); while these creatures may often be considered pests in designed landscapes, they, just like the plants themselves, are also important components of native ecosystems as food and ecosystem engineers.

Resources:

Dirr, M.A 1990. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation, and Use. Fourth Edition. Stipes Publishing Co., Champaign, IL

Dirr, M.A. 2011. Dirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, OR.

Smith, W.R. 2008. Trees and Shrubs of Minnesota: The Complete Guide to Species I. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN.

Snyder, L.C. 2000. Trees and Shrubs for Northern Gardens (new and revised edition). Anderson Horticultural Library, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassen, MN.

Talamy, D.W. 2007. Bringing Nature Home. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, OR.

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