Plants

Carya ovalis

[Red Hickory]

Carya ovata

[Shagbark Hickory]

The bark of Carya ovata gives the tree its common name and is characteristically rough and shaggy on mature trees, growing in long flat plates, making especially good winter interest. The wood of this tree is especially hard, making it useful for a variety of products. This tree develops a large taproot, making it difficult to transplant.

Carya tomentosa

[Mockernut Hickory]

This tree is found on ridges, dry hills, and slopes but grows best in moist, well-drained soil. The fall color is deep golden yellow to golden brown and persists. Fruit is round to elliptical with a thick husk splitting at the base and contains an edible seed.

Caryopteris × clandonensis

[Bluebeard]

Is often killed to ground in winter, returning to flower in the same year. Functions much like an herbaceous perennial, primarily for flowering interest, blooming on new growth. This hybrid is much hardier than C. incana and much more showy than C. mongholica. Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. Attractive plant to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Occasionally kills out completely at the northern edge of its useful range, with tops regularly killed back to…

Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Blue Mist'

[Blue Mist Bluebeard]

This cultivar blooms in clusters during late summer with vibrant blue flowers. Is often killed to ground in winter, returning to flower in the same year. Functions much like an herbaceous perennial, primarily for flowering interest, blooming on new growth. This hybrid is much hardier than C. incana and much more showy than C. mongholica. Attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Occasionally kills out completely at the northern edge of its useful range, with tops…

Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Dark Knight'

[Dark Knight Bluebeard]

Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Longwood Blue'

[Longwood Blue Bluebeard]

Castanea dentata

[American Chestnut]

Highly susceptible to chesnut blight, causing this tree to be nearly extinct in the wild.

Castanea dentata × mollissima

[Dunstan Chestnut]

Castanea mollissima

[Chinese Chestnut]

Overall tough and durable, but can be susceptible to blight, twig canker, and orient chestnut wasp. Also susceptible to weevils, which damages the roots. Prefers well-drained, loamy soils, full sun, and hot, arid conditions.