Plants

Styphnolobium japonicum

[Japanese Pagodatree]

A widely adapted tree with good drought and pollution tolerance, and foliage texture comparable to Gleditsia, but a smaller tree and with more seasonal interest. Relatively trouble-free except for fungi that live in weaker twigs that cause twig blight and canker. Fungi invade most readily those twigs killed by cold or self-pruning. Seeds are poisonous. Difficult to train a central leader. More cold sensitive when young.

Symphoricarpos × chenaultii

[Chenault Coralberry]

A more refined plant than the parent S. orbiculatus, perhaps more showy in flower and fruit and more useful in the shrub border. Useful as a bank cover or large scale groundcover. Transplants well. This plant has a beautiful fruit show and is shade tolerant, however, it is also a twiggy, "garbage can plant" (collects leaves and blowing debris); this quality (especially prominent in the fall and winter) limits its usability in the landscape.

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus

[Coralberry]

Syringa meyeri 'Palibin'

[Dwarf Meyer Lilac]

Flowers by the time it reaches one foot tall, very floriferous. Flowers in spring before leaves are fully out. Powdery mildew resistant. Very low maintenance. Flowers can be damaged by a late spring freeze. Best to prune immediately after flowering to promote flower buds for the next year.

Taxodium distichum

[Common Baldcypress]

Nice planted in groupings around water. Develops cypress knees (possibly for gas exchange), but generally only near water.

Taxodium distichum 'Michelson' [sold as Shawnee Brave®]

[Shawnee Brave Baldcypress]

Nice planted in groupings around water. Develops cypress knees (possibly for gas exchange), but generally only near water. Mite resistant foliage.

Taxodium distichum var. imbricarium

[Pondcypress]

Can tolerate wet and dry soils. Does not tend to develop "cypress knees" like the Common Baldcypress.

Thuja occidentalis

[Eastern Arborvitae]

One of the best plants for screening in moist, well-aerated soils. Bagworms can be a problem. Subject to several other insect pests, all of which usually can be controlled with timely spraying. Deer may feed on foliage. Winter color can be poor.

Thuja occidentalis 'Degroot's Spire'

[Degroot's Spire Arborvitae]

Thuja plicata 'Elegantissima'

[Elegant Giant Arborvitae]

One of the best plants for screening when grown in wet, but not saturated soils. An important timber tree in the western US. Subject to several pests (especially bagworms), all of which usually can be controlled with timely spraying.