sign in sign up
<<
Home , Shrub, Southeast Texas, Tetrapanax

Recommended Ornamental for Southeast Including and Beaumont

Vince Mannino, County Extension Horticulturist Texas Cooperative Extension Beaumont, Texas

Ornamental plants are the primary tool in developing functional and beautiful home grounds. The well-informed homeowner must know the plants' identity, their growth requirements, and how to use them properly in the home landscape.

Every in the landscape should satisfy a definite landscape need; otherwise, it becomes an added expense, a space taker, or a liability rather than an asset to the homeowner. To achieve full use of a plant in the landscape, the user must know the plant he chooses - its growth requirements and its abilities to satisfy the need for which it is intended.

The following list of plants is broken down into basic or general usage areas with basic growth demands, plant characteristics and sizes, and values and drawbacks. Common names and scientific names are listed. The scientific name should be used when possible because many plants have various common names. Quite often two plants may have the same common name. This plant listing is by no means all inclusive.

• Ground Covers

•

• Small

• Medium to Large Shrubs

• Small

• Large Trees

Ground Covers

Surface plants to cover ground area usually maintained at a height less than 18 inches. Ground cover plants should be vigorous, with dense foliage and a spreading so as to adequately cover soil areas. Ground covers should be and winter hardy and may be a or low . Ground covers are often used in tight leftover areas so as to reduce maintenance in such areas. Plant selections for ground covers should require little or no maintenance.

Common Scientific Size Exposure Features Problems Name Name English Ivy helix . -shade -fast growing . -likes -dense evergreen moisture vine -propagated from runners or cuttings -harmless to trees -varieties have varying size and color of Ajuga Ajuga reptans 1-3 in. -shade or -fast growing -will overcrowd partial sun evergreen itself -loamy -blue spikes -susceptible to well- in spring rot and southern wilt drained soil -good for rock and recommended for small areas -green, bronze or purple variegated varieties Confederate or Trachelospermum . sun or -fast growing . Star jasminoides shade evergreen -twining vine Dwarf numerous varieties . -sun -blue-green -susceptible to red ex.: Juniperus -well- evergreen foliage spider and bagworm procumbens and drained soil -dense growth Juniperous horizontalis -good for rock "Bar Harbor" gardens Trailing sellowiana and . prefers sun -tolerates poor soil . Lantana other varieties -semi-evergreen -abundant lavender blooms all summer -trailing type Liriope Liriope muscari . sun or -spike type foliage . shade on plants which clump -lavender-blue spike in summer -some varieties are variegated or have a double bloom Monkey or Ophiopogon japonicum . sun or -very hardy . Mondo shade -easy culture Grass Plumbago capensis 3 ft. sun or -vining -not winter hardy but semi-shade characteristic returns in spring -blue flowers all summer into fall -easy culture Strawberry Saxifrage decipiens -hugs shade or -spreads by runners -tends to die back if Begonia ground filtered sun -good in rock exposed to too much -likes gardens summer heat moisture - colored foliage in winter -recommended for small areas Cast Iron Plant Aspidistra 2 ft. prefers -large coarse -dies back with shade textured severe cold to return -evergreen in spring -variegated variety Purple Japanese Lonicera japonica . . -shrub with vining . chinensis characteristics -dense evergreen -rugged -honeysuckle blooms in late spring or early summer -purple foliage in fall and winter -fast growing , Vinca major up to 18 shade or -fast growing . Periwinkle in. partial sun evergreen -twining vine -blue flowers in late spring -recommended for large areas, ditch banks, rock gardens, etc. -variegated variety various . -demands -vivid blooms -not completely sun -various colors winter hardy -good depending on -susceptible to red drainage variety spider, leaf miner and aphids Silvermound . sun -mounds of fine, -may be damaged by textured silver or cold but returns in green depending on spring variety -small heads of yellow blooms in mid to late summer -fast growth

Dusty Miller Senecio cineraria up to 30 full sun -summer flowering -may be damaged by in. -attractive silver- cold but returns in gray foliage spring -fast growth

Moss Phlox Phlox subulata . sun or -low massive . partial evergreen which shade creeps across the ground -vivid pink blooms in early spring -fast growth -recommended for rock gardens, bed borders and small areas

Dwarf blue Festuca ovina glauca . -demands -rounded mounds of . fescue sun silver-gray grass -well- -evergreen drained -fast growth soils -good for rock gardens or interplanted in a rock ground cover

Winter Creeper fortunei . . -evergreen creeping -rather sparse, thus or Creeping and varieties character does not provide a Euonymus solid cover -will often appear messy and unkempt

Daylilies Hemerocallis . sun or -forms dense clumps -susceptible to semi-shade which provide rich aphids summer blooms -easy to culture numerous varieties -fast growth

Vines

Climbing plants used on supports such as walls, fences, arbors, and trellises. Vines are an advantage in that they require less ground space, yet can provide attractive masses of bloom and/or foliage.

Common Scientific Exposure Features Problems Name Name English Ivy Hedera helix and shade or partial -evergreen . others sun -fast growth good for screening Climbing Fig pumila sun or shade -often used on walls and flat . surfaces -vine lies flat -evergreen -fast growth Wisteria Wisteria sinensis sun - -fast growth often -fragrant lavender or white gets out of blooms in 6 to 12 in. clusters control in late spring -may be pruned to form large shrub or small Carolina or Gelsemium . -twining semi-evergreen vine . Yellow sempervirens -yellow trumpet blooms in Jessamine spring -climbs to high heights to reach the sun where it forms masses of foliage and bloom -fast growth -native to Autumn paniculata sun with -forms large masses of foliage . Clematis in shade (if and small clusters of white possible) blooms in late summer and fall -semi-evergreen -fast growth -one of the only Clematis which does well in the lower south -provide good support and mulch area Confederate or Trachelospermum prefers moist -evergreen twining vine -susceptible to Star Jasmine jasminoides loamy soil -white star-shaped blooms in scale and white- early summer are fragrant fly Cypress Vine Quamoclit pinnata likes sun -annual twining vine which . reseeds to return each year -very fine textured foliage -fast growing -red or white small trumpet blooms in summer Potato Vine Dioscerea prefers sun -grown for foliage effect -dies in winter to -fast growth return in spring Fatshedra Fatshedra lizei shade or partial -a cross between and . sun (prefers English Ivy sun) -hardy evergreen -leaning type vine -large coarse textured leaves -fast growth Rosa De Antigonon . -very vigorous late summer -dies in winter to Montana, Coral blooming vine return in spring Vine -vivid pink clusters on yellow- green foliage -will climb to 30 ft. in one growing season Evergreen lanceolata . -very rugged evergreen vine . Smilax -grown for foliage effect -spreads by underground tubers Virginia Parthenocissus . -fast growing deciduous vine . Creeper quinquefolia -shows rich, red fall color -clings to walls or trellis -easy culture -native to North and East Texas Snailseed or . . -delicate native vine of North . Moonseed Vine and East Texas -deciduous -displays clusters of rich, red in fall and early winter Common Campsis radicans demands sun -clinging vine which grows to . Trumpet great heights Creeper -deciduous -displays large orange-red trumpets of blooms throughout summer -easy and fast growth -native to most of Texas -"Madam Galen" improved variety Hyacinth Bean Dolichos lablab . -non-woody twining vine -freezes back in -purple foliage, pinkish- winter to return lavender blooms in summer in spring and fall -not a dense vine -purple pods in the fall -very fast growing Coral or Red- Lonicera . -evergreen twining vine . honeysuckle sempervirens -abundant red trumpet blooms in late spring -not as vigorous as common honeysuckle, thus not a pest -fast growth -native to East Texas

Small Shrubs

In recent years, plant breeders have introduced many new and outstanding small or dwarf shrubs. Modern landscapes call for these plants which maintain a small dwarf-like effect. Normally, a dwarf plant is one that generally does not exceed three feet in ultimate height. Most dwarf plants are adaptable to planter boxes and tub plantings, or in restricted areas.

Common Scientific Size Exposure Features Problems Name Name Dwarf Yaupon 2 ft. x sun or shade -fine textured evergreen . nana 2 ft. -does not produce berries -medium to slow rate of growth Dwarf Bamboo Bambusa sasa 1 ft. sun or shade -evergreen . pygara -spreading clumps -winter hardy Dwarf Purple- 1 ft. x sun (for good -medium rate of growth . leaf Barberry 1 ft. color) Dwarf Sasanqua . -semi- or partial -many good varieties . sasanqua shade (but will -fall and winter grow in full sun) flowering -prefers acid soil Cyrtomium 18 in. -shade -hardy evergreen fern . falcatum -cool, well-drained -slow growth soil -very good pot plant Dwarf Junipers Several . -sun -low and compact -susceptible to varieties -well-drained soil -attractive blue to silver spider mites and foliage bagworm -fine texture Lantana Several . sun -summer flowering -winter kills but varieties -yellow, orange, pink or returns in spring white blossoms depending on variety -fast growth Dwarf 3-4 ft. . -deciduous shrub . granatum nana -fine texture -small orange blooms in summer -medium to slow rate of growth Aspidistra Aspidistra 2 ft. prefers shade -leafy evergreen -winter kills but elatior -very rugged will return -slow rate of growth Dwarf or obtusum 2-3 ft. -prefers shade -many varieties . Kurume -acid soil -slow growing evergreen -spring flowering of pink, white, red and salmon flowers -mulch to protect shallow roots -must have loose organic soil Boxwood 2-3 ft. sun or shade -slow growing evergreen -susceptible to -will take severe clipping nematodes and Cycad or Sago Cycas revoluta 3-4 ft. sun or shade (best -evergreen -not completely Palm x 3-4 in protected shaded -very slow growing winter hardy ft. areas) -may need protection Leather-leaf bealii 3-4 ft. shade -evergreen . Mahonia -very slow growth -clusters of yellow spiked blooms in fall -bluish-purple berries in February or early spring Dwarf Nandina . sun or shade -low, compact evergreen . domestica -rich fall color -easy, slow growing Dwarf 3 ft. . -compact evergreen . Pyracantha "Tiny Tim" which is not as thorny as large Pyracantha -rich red-orange berries in late fall until early spring Indian or Yeddo Raphiolepis . sun or shade -many varieties . Hawthorne umbellata ovata -slow growing evergreen -clusters of soft pink, white, or bright pink blooms in late spring Fatsia 3-4 ft. shade -coarse textured tropical -may get scale evergreen insects -medium-slow rate of growth Dwarf Yucca 2 ft. sun or shade -waxy-white blooms on . filamentosa long stock in late spring into summer Dwarf Chinese Ilex cornuta 3 ft. sun or shade -dense evergreen . Holly "Rotunda" -medium-slow rate of growth -no berries Dwarf Holly Ilex cornuta . . -very dwarf and compact . rotendifolia

Aucuba 2-3 ft. shade -slow growing evergreen . japonica -variegated varieties -sometimes called "Gold Dust" plant

Purple Japanese Lonicera 2-3 ft. sun or partial shade -mounding type . Honeysuckle japonica evergreen shrub chinensis -fragrant honeysuckle blooms in late spring -purple winter color -fast growth

Medium to Large Shrubs

The selection and placement of these shrubs in the landscape will depend on their ultimate size and upon the plant's use in the landscape. For example, a shrub for screening should be 5 to 6 feet high and evergreen to provide a year-round screen; whereas, a medium sized shrub of 3 to 4 feet may be selected as a base planting to flank a bare wall of the home.

Size Common Scientific (height Culture Features Problems Name Name x width) Abelia 4-5 ft. x sun or semi- -fast growing evergreen -straggly looking grandiflora 3-4 ft. shade -pale pink to white, small if unpruned tubular blooms May- 0ctober -glossy green foliage -makes compact shrub when pruned Althea, Rose 6-8 ft. x -sun or semi- -fast growing deciduous -gets scale insect of Sharon syriacus 4-5 ft. shade shrub -prefers alkaline -white, pink, lavender to soil rose, single or double -some moisture bloom in late spring and summer -well-pruned if maintained at 4-5 ft. Indian Azalea Azalea indica 4-6 ft. x -sun or shade -medium-fast growing -gets flower and 4-6 ft. -loose, well- evergreen leaf blight and drained acid soil -pink, rosy purple, salmon, scale -mulch to white or orange blooms in -slight freeze preserve late Feb. and March damage moisture -"Formosa"-most hardy; "Pride of Mobile"-more spreading Bamboo Bambusa 6-8 ft. -sun or shade -fast growing, dense -often killed back -likes moisture evergreen by cold to return in spring -objectionable root system -must be controlled because of root runners Barberry Berberis 4-5 ft. x -sun -medium growing semi- . Thunbergi 4-5 ft. -good drainage evergreen -fine textured low, compact hedge -"Atropurpureum"-purple variety Bottle Brush 4-5 ft. x -sun -slow growing evergreen -damaged by rigidus 4-5 ft. -needs little -spikes or bright orange severe cold, but pruning and red flowers in March comes back and scattered throughout summer -"Lancelate"-tall variety Cherry Laurel 25-30 ft. -easy -fast growing evergreen . caroliniana x 18-20 -long clusters of small ft. white flowers in early spring -makes excellent tall, narrow hedge -may be pruned severely Cleyera Cleyera 5-7 ft. x -sun or shade -medium growing . Japonica 2 ft. evergreen -small white fragrant blooms in late spring- summer -waxy, purple-cast foliage -sparse shrub good for narrow, upright plantings Eleagnus, Eleagnus 8-10 ft. -sun or shade -medium-slow growing . Russian augustifolia x 8-10 -requires room evergreen ft. to grow -small, fragrant silver white -more attractive flowers in axis of leaf in when well April-May pruned -may be used on a bank or incline -graceful, hanging character Chinese Eleagnus 15 ft. x -sun or shade -fast growing evergreen . Eleagnus Pungens 15 ft. -easy culture -small, fragrant white -more attractive flowers in summer when kept well -leaves edged with yellow pruned and white Euonymus Euonymus 6-8 ft. x -easy culture -fast growing evergreen -gets scale insects japonicus 2 ft. -variegated varieties with yellow or white markings -good for tall, upright, narrow planting Flowering Punica 12-15 ft. -prefers sun -medium-slow growing . Pomegranate granatum x 12-15 -ample growing semi-evergreen ft. room -bright orange flowers with fleshy petioles -very showy in late spring and early summer -shiny green, rather sparse foliage -attractive copper new foliage in spring Cape Jasmine 5-7 ft. x -sun or shade -medium-fast growing -gets scale, white 5-7 ft. -acid soil evergreen fly and sooty -needs mulch -very fragrant, white waxy mold flowers May-June and -some winter scattered throughout damage during summer severe cold Burford Holly Ilex cornuta 10-15 ft. -sun or shade -medium growing . "Burfordii" x 8-10 -acid soil evergreen ft. -large red berries fall- winter -sexes are separate-males have no berries Japanese 4-6 ft. x -sun or shade -fast growing deciduous . Quince lagenaria 4-6 ft. (best in sun) shrub -red, white, pink, orange blooms in early spring (Feb.) -blooms appear before foliage -careful and select pruning needed Japanese Yew 10-12 ft. -sun or shade -slow growing evergreen . macrophylla x 2-3 ft. -prunes to a neat -purple-gray in late maki dense shrub summer and fall -good for narrow upright plantings -"nagi"-erect and formal; "elongata"-flopping, weeping foliage and character Pfitzer's Juniperus 4-5 ft. x -prefers sun -medium-fast growing -gets red spider chinensis 6-8 ft. -good drainage evergreen and bagworm pfitzeriana -horizontal growth insects Common Juniperus 3 ft. x 6 -sun -medium-slow growing -gets red spider Juniper communis ft. -good drainage evergreen and bagworm -use for low hedge Sylvesia Juniperus 15-20 ft. -needs sun -medium-slow growing -gets bagworm, Juniper sylvestris x 5 ft. -good drainage evergreen red spider and rust -good for tall dense hedge disease Blue Vase Juniperus 12-15 ft. -sun -fast growing evergeen -gets red spider Juniper chinensis "Blue x 8-10 -good drainage -good tall dense hedge and bagworms Vase ft. Primrose Jasminum 6-8 ft. x -prefers sun -fast growing evergreen . Jasmine primulinum 6-8 ft. -fragrant, yellow flowers in late spring and through summer -makes a large rounded mound -good for ditch banks Ligustrum Ligustrum 15 ft. x -sun or shade -fast growing evergreen -takes severe and japonicum 15 ft. -fragrant, creamy white continual pruning flower clusters in April- due to fast growth May -gets white fly insects and scale Mock Orange 8-10 ft. -prefers sun -medium-fast growing -pruning destroys coronarius x 6-8 ft. deciduous shrub natural form and -white, 4 flowers with causes more yellow center on long vigorous growth stems in April-May -prunes readily Nandina Nandina 4-5 ft. -sun or shade -medium-slow growing . domestica -easy culture evergreen -white flower clusters in mid-late spring -red berries in fall and winter -good plant for a low hedge for a narrow planting space Oleander 10-15 ft. -sun or shade -very fast growing -poisonous oleander x 10-15 -will take salt evergreen -severe winter will ft. conditions -white, lavender, pink, kill to ground to yellow, salmon and red return in spring flower clusters in April- May and scattered in summer and fall Redleaf glabra 12-15 ft. -must have sun -medium-fast growing -susceptible to Photinia x 9 ft. evergreen fireblight -white flower clusters in March-April -bright red-wine new growth when pruned Photinia Photinia 10-12 ft. -best in sun -medium-slow growing -susceptible to serrulata x 10-12 evergreen fireblight ft. -white flower clusters in spring -red berries in fall-winter -dense, large leafed hedge Pittosporum 10-12 ft. -easy culture -fast growing evergreen -must have ample tobira x 15-18 -readily pruned -fragrant, cream white room for growth ft. flowers in late spring -variegated green/white variety -may be pruned to form a medium sized shrub Pineapple Feijoa 10-12 ft. -sun to partial -medium-fast growing . Guava, x 10-12 shade evergreen ft. -will grow in -white with purple and red dry conditions flower cluster in summer -must have -attractive gray-green good drainage foliage -easily pruned to form compact planting Pyracantha, Pyracantha 10-12 ft. -sun or shade -fast growing evergreen -thorny Firethorn unnamemisis x 15+ ft. -must have -white flower clusters in make pruning ample growing April difficult room -red or orange berries in -fleshy root -readily pruned fall and winter system makes transplanting difficult Sasanqua Camellia 10-15 ft. -sun or shade -medium-fast growing -gets various scale sasanqua x 3-5 ft. -readily pruned evergreen and white fly -well-drained -white, pink, dark rose insects and die- soil flowers in Oct., Nov. or back disease Dec. depending on variety -very attractive -good dense, tall upright hedge Popcorn, Spirea 3-5 ft. x -sun or shade -medium-fast growing -needs cold Bridal Wreath prunifolia plena 3-5 ft. -does not like deciduous shrub weather to bloom Spirea severe pruning -many white rose-like well flowers in late spring Reeve's Spirea Spirea 5-7 ft. x -best in sun -fast growing deciduous . Reevesiana 3-5 ft. -must have shrub select pruning, -showy, white flower not severe clusters in March -rounded weeping character often called Bridal Wreath Baby's Breath Spirea 3-5 ft. x -likes sun -fast growing deciduous . thunbergi 3-5 ft. -does not shrub require severe -small, dainty white pruning flowers in March-April -fine textured Texas Sage, 4-6 ft. x -sun -medium growing . Cenizo frutescens 4-6 ft. -good drainage evergreen -red-wine blooms after rain during spring-fall -graceful, fine textured plant -will form a low, dense hedge or border -attractive blue-gray foliage Viburnum 12-15 ft. -sun or shade -medium-fast evergreen -requires ample odoratissimum x 12-15 -good drainage -white flower clusters in growing room ft. March Viburnum Viburnum 6-8 ft. x -sun or shade -medium-fast growing . suspensum 6-8 ft. -good drainage evergreen -small white flowers in spring -lowest growing of the Viburnum Viburnum tinus 8-10 ft. -sun or shade -medium growing . x 4-6 ft. -good drainage evergreen -pale white or pinkish flowers in spring -good for narrow upright hedge Wax Myrtle cerifera 12-15 ft. -sun or shade -fast growing evergreen -must have ample x 12-15 -moist loose soil -native to East Texas growing room ft. -requires careful -tends to become pruning so it leggy at base or will not be trunk leggy for screening purposes Texas 8-12 ft. -sun or semi- -slow-fast growing -poisonous seed Mountain secundiflora shade evergreen pod in late Laurel, -alkaline soil -fragrant lilac-purple summer-fall Mescalbean blooms in late spring-early summer -attractive foliage -rugged Pampus Grass Cortaderia 5-6 ft. x -sun -fast growing semi- -becomes messy selloana 5-6 ft. evergreen with age, not neat -tall plumes of silver in looking early summer-winter Banana Musa 6-10 ft. -sun or shade -fast growing tropical -not winter hardy x 6-8 ft. evergreen but returns in -pale pink blooms hidden southern areas among coarse foliage -needs protection -attractive foliage from wind and cold French 4-6 ft. x -sun or shade -fast growing deciduous . Mulberry americana 4-6 ft. -easy culture shrub -bright purple clusters of berries in fall -attracts birds -native to North and East Texas Hydrangea 4-6 ft. x -best in shade in -medium-fast growing . macrophylla 4-6 ft. northern deciduous shrub exposure -large blue or pink flower -moisture and clusters in summer well-drained -prune when flowers fade soil -acid soil-blue blooms; alkaline soil-pink blooms Chinese Holly Ilex cornuta 6-8 ft. x -sun -medium growing -more spiny 6-8 ft. evergreen foliage than -red orange berries on Burford Holly female plants on old in fall and winter -continual pruning will reduce berries -dense plant Forsythia 4-6 ft. x -sun or semi- -fast growing deciduous . intermedia 4-6 ft. shade shrub -yellow trumpet blooms in early spring on bare stems -long, arching, graceful branches Yucca, Yucca aloifolia 6-8 ft. x -sun or shade -fast growing evergreen -has needle like Spanish and others 6-8 ft. -easy culture -large terminal stalks of foliage which Dagger creamy white waxy blooms stick from early summer-fall -may need support -good accent plant or tub -severe cold may planting freeze back Chinese Rice 6-12 ft. -sun or shade in -very fast growing tropical -susceptible to Paper Plant papyriferus protected areas evergreen cold but returns in -moisture -large panicles of creamy spring in mild white blooms in late areas summer -may be difficult -very attractive to control due to -large foliage underground -gives lush, tropical effect runners

Small Trees

Normally we refer to small trees as those less than 25 to 30 feet in height. Many small trees are comparatively very fast growing providing the new landscape with quick shade; yet, many small trees are comparatively short-lived (15-25 years). Small trees are ideal for informal groupings as they require much less room than larger specimens. Many small trees provide major interest and accent with seasonal bloom, seed pods, and fall color, thus making excellent specimen plantings. They are best used as secondary plantings with larger trees on the homegrounds. There is no perfect tree. All have good and bad qualities.

Common Scientific Size Features Problems Name Name Mimosa Albizzia julibrissin 35 ft. x 35 ft. -deciduous -messy with bloom, -summer blooms seed pod and foliage -fast and easy growth droppage -fine texture -old strains -good climbing tree for kids susceptible to wilt disease Redbud canadensis 20 ft. x 20 ft. -deciduous -short lived (15-20 -rich pink or white blooms yrs.) in spring before foliage -demands loose, -yellow fall color organic soil -fast growth -susceptible to leaf disease Dogwood florida 30 ft. x 30 ft. -deciduous -short-lived (15-20 -white blooms in early yrs.) spring before foliage -demands acid, loamy -medium fast rate of growth soils in partial shade -interesting branching and summer moisture -deep red fall color and berries -attracts birds American Holly 30 ft. (conical -conical evergreen -rather slow growth form) -red berries in fall and -susceptible to scale, winter (on female only) sooty mold and white- fly -prefers acid, loamy soil--may yellow due to a lack of iron Yaupon Ilex vomitoria 15-20 ft. -evergreen--leggy form . (narrow and -red berries in fall and upright) winter (female only) -easy culture Dahoon, Cassine 15-20 ft. -good evergreen specimen -rather slow growth Holly -rich red berries -adaptable Golden Rain Koelreuteria 25 ft. x 25 ft. -deciduous -short lived (15-20 Tree paniculata -yellow flowers in late yrs.) summer and fall -may be injured by -seed pod in late fall severe winter cold -fast growth -susceptible to minor -yellow fall color insects and diseases Crape Myrtle 15-20 ft. -deciduous -prefers sunny indica (leggy) -summer flowers (red, pink, locations only purple or white); long -susceptible to scale period of bloom and white fly -leggy, upright form -susceptible to -vivid fall color mildew (near east -easy culture--fast growth variety mildew resistant) Japanese various varieties 15-25 ft. -deciduous -difficult to transplant -abundant bloom in early -prefers acid soils spring before foliage which are loamy and -low branched well-drained -grows in sun or shade -susceptible to scale -good in mass plantings or and mildew as a single specimen -late cold may injure early blooms Wax Myrtle 15-20 ft. x -neutral evergreen . 15-20 ft. -fast rate of growth -easy culture--sun or shade -will stand moist or wet areas and salt conditions -may be pruned to form leggy trunks , Parkinsonia 25 ft. x 25 ft. -deciduous -very thorny Jerusalem Thorn aculeata -fine, graceful texture -difficult to transplant -open character -prefers sun and dry -yellow flowers all summer soil -fast growth -may be injured by hard freeze Japanese Black Pinus thunbergii 20 - 25 ft. sun or shade -evergreen sculptural . form -slow growing -typical pine foliage and growth habit -an excellent accent plant Lombardy Populus nigra 30 ft. -deciduous -demands moisture Poplar italica -fast growth -short-lived (10 yrs.) -narrow, upright form -highly susceptible to borers -damaging, fiberous root system -weak wooded Cherry Laurel 25 ft. -small upright evergreen . -fast growth -fruit attracts birds -easy culture--sun or shade Chinese Tallow sebiferum 30 ft. -deciduous -seed pod may be -excellent fall color messy -rapid rate of growth -severe cold may -easy culture injure -attractive seed pod in fall Sassafras Sassafras 30 ft. (upright -deciduous -suckers badly varifolium character) -flowers and interesting -may be difficult to branching in early spring obtain -easy culture--sun or shade -excellent fall color -rapid rate of growth Japanese Plum, 15-20 ft. -small evergreen -susceptible to japonica -rapid rate of growth fireblight disease -coarse, large textured -does best in poor soil foliage -prefers shady -flowers and fruit conditions -easy culture--tend to prefer shade or semi-shade Chinaberry Melia azedarack 20 ft. x 20 ft. -deciduous -messy with droppage -lavender late summer of fruit and twigs blooms -poisonous -oriental character or effect -short-lived -colorful yellow fruit in late -susceptible to scale summer and fall Crabapples varieties 20 ft. -deciduous -susceptible to -abundant spring flowers-- fireblight and other pinks and whites common apple -attractive fruit depending diseases on variety -prefers sun -medium-fast rate of growth -demands reasonable cold winter to flower and perform well Red Buckeye pavia 10-15 ft. -deciduous -poisonous seed pod -striking red spikes of -prefers acid soil of blooms in late spring loamy texture and -fast growth semi- or partial shade -attractive foliage -may be difficult to obtain Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus 15-25 ft. -evergreen -may be injured by Silver Dollar varieties -attractive silver-gray severe cold--needs Tree suggested: E. foliage protection polyantheme, E. -upright, graceful form -needs staking as may cinerea become top heavy Japanese Red 12-15 ft. -deciduous -expensive and atropurpureum -rich wine leaf color sometimes difficult to -outstanding fall color obtain -very good tub or pot -slow rate of growth specimen -prefers light shade, yet colors best in sun Moraine Gleditsia 15-20 ft. -deciduous -weak wooded Honeylocust triacanthos -attractive, fine textured, -sometimes 'Moraine' yellow-green foliage susceptible to borers -attractive yellow fall color -demands sun -fast growth Ornamental Pyrus calleryana 25-30 ft. -deciduous -droppage of small , Callery -spring pear blooms and abundant fruit Pear -yellow-green foliage -slightly susceptible -medium-fast rate of growth to fireblight disease -attractive shape or form -yellow fall color Purple-leaf Plum Prunus blireiana 15-20 ft. -deciduous -susceptible to fruit "Newport" -rich wine leaf color tree diseases and -attractive and edible fruit insects -attractive accent tree Deciduous Ilex decidua 10-15 ft. -deciduous -susceptible to tent- Holly, -attractive red or orange caterpillars and aphids Possumhaw berries (on female only) in fall-winter when plant is void of foliage -easy culture, sun or part shade -very adaptable Fringe Tree, 10-15 ft. -deciduous -may be difficult to Grancy-Gray virginicus -attractive green foliage obtain Beard -attractive silver-white -slow growth panicles -only the female plant -easy culture, sun or shade blooms -prefers acid, loamy soils Silver Maple, Populus alba 25-30 ft. -deciduous -suckers and sprouts White Poplar (upright) -fast growth badly -silver-gray foliage -susceptible to borers -damaging fiberous roots Fruitless Morus alba 15-20 ft. -deciduous -susceptible to leaf Mulberry "fruitless" -rapid rate of growth diseases -attractive foliage -may sucker or send -low branched for climbing out sprouts Vitex or Chase Vitex agnus-castus 10-15 ft. -deciduous . Tree -spikes of blue blooms in summer -fast growth -easy culture, prefers sun River Betula nigra 30 ft. -deciduous -susceptible to leaf -rapid growth rate insects, aphids and -graceful branches caterpillars - peel off to expose interesting texture and color -yellow fall color -tall, upright form Chinese Parasol Firmiana simplex 25-30 ft. -deciduous -large leaves may be Tree, Varnish -unusual upright form with messy Tree no branching except at top-- parasol shape -rapid rate of growth -large coarse textured foliage -yellow fall color -interesting seed pod in fall

Large Trees

Large trees in the landscape are primarily selected for shade purposes. The ideal tree does not exist. A tall tree may have beautiful flowers which may be followed by objectionable fruit or seed pod. A fast growing tree may be brittle and short lived. The first consideration in selecting a tree is to know the tree's characteristics, its growing habits, size, and requirements. Determine the characteristics which best fit the landscape need, and choose the tree accordingly.

Common Scientific Size Features Problems Name Name Red Maple Acer rubrum 60 ft. x -deciduous . 45 ft. -red flowers in spring -winged red fruit following flowers -will grow in wet or moist conditions -red, orange and yellow fall color -general neat appearance Silver Maple Acer 60 ft. x -deciduous -brittle branches saccharinum 40 ft. -yellow-orange, red fall -susceptible to insects and fungus color diseases -clean in appearance -easy culture -fast growth Box Elder Acer negundo 40-60 -deciduous -brittle branches ft. -fast growth -short lived -yellow fall color -susceptible to diseases -easy culture Catalpa Catalpa 60 ft. -deciduous . bignonioides -easy culture -clusters of white flowers in early summer -seed pod in winter -large coarse textured leaves Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba 80 ft. -deciduous -may be difficult to obtain -long lived -slow rate of growth -very clean -must choose the male tree for -yellow fall color planting as female has -good street tree objectionable fruit -easy culture Pecan Carya varieties 60-80 -deciduous -common pecan insects and ft. -early to lose leaves and diseases late to make foliage in -root system may be damaging spring -nuts -good shade Sweetgum Liquidambar 60-80 -deciduous -difficult to transplant styraciflua ft. -fall color -seed balls -easy culture -upright, neat form Southern 60-80 -long lived -relatively slow growth Magnolia grandiflora ft. -glossy, evergreen -susceptible to scale insects and coarse textured foliage leaf diseases -large white, fragrant -prefers acid, loose organic soil blooms beginning in early summer -attractive seed pod Sycamore Platanus 80-100 -deciduous -messy leaf and seed-ball occidentalis ft. -fast growth droppage -attractive trunks and -susceptible to leaf diseases limbs -root system can be damaging -easy culture Loblolly Pine Pinus taeda 60-80 -relative fast growth -susceptible to typical pine insects ft. -evergreen--fine textured and diseases to allow filtered shade - at bloom may be -easy culture if within objectionable native growth area Shortleaf Pine Pinus echinata 40-60 -evergreen -prefers sandy soils ft. -makes low branched, -susceptible to common pine screening tree insects and diseases -fast growth Longleaf Pine Pinus palustris. 60-80 -evergreen -slow growth as young tree ft. -long graceful needles-- open character -ideal specimen tree -relatively disease free Water Quercus nigra 60-80 -deciduous -gets heart rot ft. -fast growth -dead branches occur -relatively clean -slow to shed its foliage in winter Oak Quercus phellos 60-80 -deciduous . ft. -long lived -shiny, green foliage Live Oak Quercus 40 ft. x -evergreen -vigorous root system may be virginiana 80 ft. -easy culture damaging -long lived -medium-slow rate of growth Post Oak Quercus stellata 60-80 -deciduous . ft. -large stately tree -easy culture -long lived Shumard Red Quercus 60-80 -deciduous . Oak shumardi ft. -good red fall color -long lived -very clean in appearance -easy culture

Weeping Salix babylonica 50 ft. x -deciduous -best in moist conditions Willow 50 ft. -fast growth -short lived -fine textured--graceful -weak wooded form -fiberous root system may be -excellent accent tree damaging -yellow fall color -because of spread, must allow large growing area

American Elm Ulmus americana 60-80 -deciduous -fiberous roots may be damaging ft. -yellow fall color -good street tree -easy culture

Tulip Tree, Liriodendron 60-80 -deciduous -somewhat temperamental in Yellow Popular tulipifera ft. x 40 -upright form culture ft. -clean and neat in -demands moisture appearance -yellow fall color -attractive flowers

Bald Cypress Taxodium 60-80 -deciduous () . distichum ft. -beautiful new foliage in spring -will grow in wet conditions -fine textured foliage -conical form (not a good shade tree -easy culture--prefers sun

Deodara Cedar Cedrus deodara 60-80 -evergreen -terminal may die which often ft. -conical form mars the beauty of the tree form -fine textured--graceful -slow rate of growth branching -low branched, thus not a good -blue-green foliage shade tree -excellent specimen tree

Hackberry Celtis laevigata 50-70 -deciduous -weak wooded ft. -easy culture -berries which birds distribute -relatively fast growth Blackgum, Nyssa sylvatica 60-80 -deciduous -difficult to transplant Black Tupelo ft. -upright form-- -likes moisture and may be horizontal branching temperamental in culture -vivid red fall color -neat in appearance Arizona Ash 40-60 -deciduous -remains in weak condition several berlandieriana ft. -rich green foliage years after planting, thus -fast growth susceptible to borers -easy culture -attractive seed pod