Stef's Plant Guide

New England plant identification as well as other plants that can be applied to design and enhancing sense of space.

[stefentures]

Acer saccharum-Sugar Maple

Common Name: sugar maple Type: Tree Family: Sapindaceae Native Range: Eastern North America Zone: 3 to 8 Height: 40.00 to 80.00 feet Spread: 30.00 to 60.00 feet Bloom Time: April Bloom Description: Greenish Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Medium Suggested Use: Shade Tree Flower: Insignificant Leaf: Good Fall Tolerate: Heavy Shade Garden locations

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best in fertile, slightly acidic, moist soils in full sun. Grows poorly in compacted, poorly drained soils. Intolerant of road salt. Generally intolerant of urban pollution.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Acer saccharum commonly known as sugar maple is a deciduous, Missouri native tree which will typically grow 40' to 80' tall (sometimes to 100') with a dense, rounded crown. This tree is a main component of the Eastern U.S. hardwood forest and is one of the trees which is most responsible for giving New England its reputation for spectacular fall color. Medium green leaves (3-6" wide with 3-5 lobes) turn yellow-orange in autumn, sometimes with considerable color variations. Fruit is the familiar two-winged samara. Sugar maples are long-lived trees which grow relatively slowly (somewhat faster in the first 35 years). Native Americans taught the early colonists how to tap these trees to make maple syrup which has now become a multi-billion dollar industry in the U.S. and Canada. Excellent shade tree. The sugar maple leaf is the national symbol of Canada.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to verticillium wilt, anthracnose, cankers, leaf spot and tar spot. Also susceptible to aphids, borers and scale. Leaf scorch may be a problem in drought conditions. Has been frequently used as a street tree, but is generally intolerant of road salt, soil compaction and pollution.

Garden Uses

Excellent specimen tree for the lawn or parks with beautiful fall color. May be used as a street tree as long as it can be located on a street and in a location where road salt, soil compaction and pollution will not be significant problems.

Sources:http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=h240

[stefentures]

Gaultheria procumbent- Creeping Wintergreen

Type: Broadleaf evergreen Family: Ericaceae Native Range: Eastern North America Zone: 3 to 8 Height: 0.25 to 0.50 feet Spread: 0.50 to 1.00 feet Bloom Time: June to July Bloom Description: White Sun: Part shade to full shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Low Suggested Use: Ground Cover, Naturalize Flower: Showy Leaf: Evergreen Fruit: Showy, Edible Other: Winter Interest Tolerate: Heavy Shade Garden locations Culture

Best grown in organically rich, evenly moist, acidic, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Established plants tolerate some dry soils. Plants perform best in climates with cool summers. Space plants 10-14” apart for growth as a ground cover.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Gaultheria procumbens, commonly called wintergreen, is a rhizomatous, creeping, woody, evergreen groundcover of the heath family that is native to woodlands in Eastern North America (Newfoundland to Manitoba south to Minnesota, Tennessee, Virginia and in the mountains to Georgia and Alabama). Erect stems clad with glossy, leathery, elliptic to oblong, dark green leaves (to 2” long) rise up from the rhizomes to 3-6” tall. Plants will spread over time to form an attractive ground cover. Waxy, nodding, bell-shaped, white flowers (3/8” long) bloom from the leaf axils in early summer (June-July). Flowers give way to edible bright red berries (3/8” diameter) that persist through winter. Leaves acquire shades of purple in fall. Leaves and fruit have the aroma and taste of wintergreen. Berries are an excellent winter food for some wildlife such as pheasant, grouse, squirrels and deer. Foliage was once used to make oil of wintergreen which has astringent, stimulant and diuretic properties. Wintergreen has been a popular flavoring for chewing gum, candies and toothpaste. Dried leaves can be used to make an interesting tea (teaberry is a sometimes-used common name for this plant), but this usage is no longer recommended. Leaves were once made into poultices for arthritic pain and sore muscles. Fruits may be eaten raw or added to pastries and salads.

Genus name honors Jean-Francois Gaultier (1708-1756) who was the king’s physician in the French colony of Quebec from 1742 until 1756 plus an avid botanist and plant collector.

Specific epithet refers to the plant’s low-spreading habit.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Aphids and thrips can be troublesome. Watch for mildew and leaf spot.

Garden Uses

Excellent ground cover for shady areas. Woodland gardens, rock gardens, foundations or native plant areas. Plants are an interesting complement to other acid-loving shrubs such as azaleas, rhododendrons, kalmias and blueberries.

Sources:http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b718

[stefentures]

Sphagnum spp.-Sphagnum Moss

Family Sphagnaceae

Location: found in wet and boggy areas likes acidic (low pH) soil generally not found growing in the woods or in water that contains lime Sphagnum Moss

Characteristics: sometimes grows in small patches, but generally found growing in a thick, dense clump moss grows so close that it forms a cushiony "bog mat" that floats on top of the water; the mat is so strong that it can support the weight of several large moose roots are very shallow

Leaves: tiny and sometimes slightly toothed grow in hair-like tufts close to the stem (no higher than 4 inches) usually light green, but some species have yellow, pink, deep red, or brown leaves Sphagnum Moss

  Uses: A delicate system of capillary tubes allows the moss to absorb water like a sponge. It can then be sqeezed out and used again. Dried moss catches fire easily and is therefore an excellent tinder material. However, because moss grows in wet, swampy areas, dried moss is hard to find in abundance, and it does not burn as long as some other more readily available tinder materials.

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antiseptic;  Skin;  Stings.

The whole fresh plant is antiseptic[4, 172]. Because of its absorptive properties, it makes an excellent wound dressing and has been widely employed for this purpose in the past[4]. Its use is said to have saved the lives of thousands of soldiers in the First World War[4]. The moss is dried thoroughly before use[4]. A tar extracted from the decaying moss is antiseptic and is seen as a valuable external application in the treatment of eczema, psoriasis, pruritus and many other forms of skin diseases[4, 238]. It is very beneficial for allaying irritation from insect bites and can also serve as a preventative to being bitten[4]. Other Uses Baby care;  Bedding;  Compost;  Cotton wool;  Lining;  Mulch;  Packing;  Repellent.

The fresh plant is permeated with minute tubes and spaces, resulting in a system of delicate capillary tubes that has the effect of a very fine sponge[4]. The dried plant can absorb up to 16 times its own weight of water and so has been found to be effective when used for surgical dressings, sanitary towels, babies nappies etc[4, 238]. The moss can absorb moisture laterally, as well as from above, it holds onto all the moisture until fully soaked before releasing any[4]. Thus a dressing of the moss needs to be changed less frequently than cotton wool dressings[4]. Sphagnum moss also makes a good packing material for protecting delicate items in transit, it can be used as a cotton wool substitute and as a potting material for many species of orchid. The semi-decomposed plant, excavated from bogs, is a first rate soil conditioner and is also used in seed and potting composts[172]. However, the extensive use of this product is leading to the destruction of many natural moss bogs, a delicate habitat that takes centuries to be restored. Small scale use of sphagnum moss peat is probably sustainable for local use but alternatives need to be sought for larger scale use.

Sources: http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/Survival/Pages/sphagnummoss.html

http://www.pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Sphagnum+cymbilifolium

[stefentures]

Vaccinium corymbosum “rubel”- highbush blueberry(cultivar)

Clusters of dainty, waxy, bell-shaped, white flowers bloom in spring. Flowers are followed by loads of small, tart, tasty, blueberries, which ripen in summer. The fruit is a favorite among humans as well as birds, small mammals and box turtles. ‘Rubel’ is a vigorous grower with heavy fruit set.

Benefits Flowers provide nectar for many pollinators Larval food source for several butterflies Plants provide nesting, cover and fruit for birds A vigorous grower with heavy fruit set Use more than one variety to ensure best fruit set Fall color is a good replacement for Burning Bush

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips Prefers full sun to light shade, mesic to dry conditions, and an acidic soil that is sandy. Plant more than one variety to improve cross-pollination and increase fruit production.

Height 5-6 ft

Spread 4-5 ft

USDA Hardiness Zone 3-8

Native Range

Open or wooded swamps and bogs, fields and and watersides

Blueberries have high iron content, are rich in carbohydrates and low in fat. They have loads of vitamins C, K & A, as well as manganese, and are a good source of dietary fiber. They are also rich in antioxidants that protect the body from aging.

Sources:http://www.abnativeplants.com/plant/Vaccinium-corymbosum-Rubel

[stefentures]

Cercis canadensis- Eastern Redbud

Type: Tree Family: Fabaceae Native Range: North and Central America Zone: 4 to 8 Height: 20.00 to 30.00 feet Spread: 25.00 to 35.00 feet Bloom Time: April Bloom Description: Pink Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Low Suggested Use: Street Tree, Flowering Tree, Naturalize Flower: Showy Leaf: Good Fall Attracts: Butterflies Tolerate: Deer, Clay Soil, Black Walnut Garden locations

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Part shade is best in hot summer climates. Performs best in moderately fertile soils with regular and consistent moisture. Avoid wet or poorly drained soils. Since this tree does not transplant well, it should be planted when young and left undisturbed.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Cercis canadensis, commonly called eastern redbud, is a deciduous, often multi-trunked understory tree with a rounded crown that typically matures to 20-30’ tall with a slightly larger spread. It is particularly noted for its stunning pea-like rose-purple flowers which bloom profusely on bare branches in early spring (March-April) before the foliage emerges. This tree is native to eastern and central North America from Connecticut to New York to southern Ontario and the Great Lakes south to Western Texas and Florida. It is found in open woodlands, thickets, woodland margins, limestone glades and along rocky streams and bluffs throughout Missouri (Steyermark). Flowers (to ½” wide) bloom in clusters of 4-10. Flowers are followed by flattened leguminous bean-like dry seedpods (to 2-4” long) that mature to brown in summer. Each pod has 6-12 seeds. Pods may remain on the tree into winter. Alternate, simple, cordate, broadly ovate to nearly orbicular, dull green to blue-green leaves (3-5” across) have a papery texture and are short pointed at the tip. Leaves turn pale yellow to greenish-yellow in fall. Cercis canadensis is the state tree of Oklahoma.

Problems

Canker can be a significant disease problem. Verticillium wilt, dieback, leaf spots, mildew and blights may also occur. Insect pests include Japanese beetles, tree hoppers, leaf hoppers, caterpillars, borers, webworms and scale. Keeping the tree vigorous by regular watering and fertilization and by pruning out dead branches as needed will help keep the tree healthy.

Garden Uses

Specimen or small groups. Lawns, shrub borders, woodland margins, or along patios. Street tree or lawn tree. Attractive in naturalized settings.

Sources:http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=h550

[stefentures]

Tilia americana- American Basswood

Type: Tree Family: Malvaceae Native Range: Central and eastern North America Zone: 2 to 8 Height: 50.00 to 80.00 feet Spread: 30.00 to 50.00 feet Bloom Time: June Bloom Description: Pale yellow Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Low Suggested Use: Shade Tree, Flowering Tree Flower: Showy, Fragrant Attracts: Butterflies Fruit: Showy Tolerate: Drought, Clay Soil Garden locations Culture

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates some drought. Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained loams. Generally intolerant of air pollution and urban conditions.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Tilia americana, commonly called American basswood or American linden, is a medium to large deciduous tree which typically grows to 50-80’ (infrequently to over 100’) tall with an ovate-rounded crown. It is native to a variety of habitats from Quebec to the southeastern corner of Manitoba and far eastern North Dakota south to Oklahoma, Tennessee and North Carolina, with concentrations in forested areas of the Appalachian Mountains and along the Ohio River Valley to Missouri. Trees are found in both dry upland areas as well as moist, low woods. In Missouri, this tree typically occurs in rich woods, slopes, bluff bases and along streams throughout the State (Steyermark). This tree is noted for its (a) cymes of fragrant, pale yellow, late spring flowers, (b) small nutlets which follow the flowers and ripen by late summer, (c) mucilaginous sap, (d) noticeable winter buds, and (e) large ovate dark green leaves (to 6” long) with acuminate tips, serrate margins, often silvery undersides and uneven cordate bases. Flowers bloom in June in 5-10 flowered cymes. Each cyme droops from a showy, papery, narrow, leaf-like bract (to 5” long) where it is attached to the bract at a point somewhere between the base and midpoint. When a tree is in full bloom, bees often visit in such abundant numbers that humming can be heard many feet from the tree. Honey made from the nectar of these flowers is a prized gourmet item. Flowers have also been used to make tea. Syrup can be made from the sweet tree sap. Fall color is an undistinguished pale green to pale yellow. Winter twigs and buds are sometimes tinged with red.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Verticillium wilt is infrequent, but can be fatal. Powdery mildew, leaf spots and cankers may occur. Insect visitors include borers, beetles, lacebugs, caterpillars and scale. Spider mites can do significant damage, particularly in hot, dry periods.

Garden Uses

Handsome ornamental shade tree or street tree. Although well adapted to Missouri’s climate, this tree is generally intolerant of city conditions. Some of the European lindens (see T. cordata, T. tomentosa and T. x europaea) may make better selections for urban areas.

Sources:http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a917

[stefentures]

Juniperus communis “gold cone”- Common Juniper

Type: Needled evergreen Family: Cupressaceae Zone: 5 to 7 Height: 3.00 to 5.00 feet Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet Bloom Time: Non-flowering Bloom Description: Non-flowering Sun: Full sun Water: Medium Maintenance: Low Leaf: Colorful, Evergreen Fruit: Showy Other: Winter Interest Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Erosion, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil, Air Pollution Garden locations Culture

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Wide range of soil tolerance including poor soils.

Noteworthy Characteristics

This common juniper cultivar is an upright, narrow, columnar, evergreen shrub which features golden new growth foliage. Awl-shaped new growth foliage emerges bright gold in spring with good color retention throughout the summer and early fall. Golden foliage gradually fades to bluish-green in winter. A slow-growing shrub (3-6" per year) which typically reaches a size of 3-5' after 10 years. Male and female flowers are on separate plants (dioecious). Female fruits (berry-like cones) of the species are used to flavor gin. 'Gold Cone' was introduced into commerce by Kordes Nursery of Bilsen, Germany in 1980.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Juniper blight can be a serious problem on many species of junipers, but is less frequently a problem on J. communis and its cultivars.

Garden Uses

Columnar form and gold foliage make this an interesting plant for small spaces in the landscape. Incorporate into foundation plantings or rock gardens.

Sources:http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=y250

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Quercus alba- White Oak ( find missing pictures)

need more pics-have swamp white oak

Type: Tree Family: Fagaceae Native Range: Eastern United States Zone: 3 to 9 Height: 50.00 to 80.00 feet Spread: 50.00 to 80.00 feet Bloom Time: May Bloom Description: Yellowish-green Sun: Full sun Water: Dry to medium Maintenance: Medium Suggested Use: Shade Tree, Street Tree Flower: Insignificant Fruit: Showy Tolerate: Drought, Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil, Black Walnut Garden locations Culture

Best grown in rich, moist, acidic, well-drained loams in full sun. Adapts to a wide variety of soil conditions with good drought tolerance.

Noteworthy Characteristics

White oak is a large deciduous Missouri native tree of the white oak group. It typically occurs in dry upland slopes and ledges as well as lowland valleys and ravines throughout the State. Grows to 50-80' tall in cultivation and taller (to 100') in the wild. Pyramidal when young, but matures into a substantial tree with a wide-spreading, rounded crown. Insignificant yellowish-green flowers in separate male and female catkins appear in spring shortly after the leaves emerge. Fruits are oval acorns (to 3/4" long) with warty-scaled cups. Leaves (4-9" long) have 7 to 9 deep rounded lobes. Leaves emerge pinkish in spring, but mature to dark green. Variable fall color ranges from uninteresting browns to quality shades of dark red. White oak grows over much of eastern North America and is an important hardwood timber tree. Widely used in landscapes, but slow growth rate and large size has somewhat tempered its popularity.

Species name of alba means white in reference to the light ash-gray bark.

Problems

Potential diseases include oak wilt, anthracnose and oak leaf blister. Potential insects include scale, oak skeletonizer, leaf miner and lace bug.

Garden Uses

Large shade tree, street tree or lawn tree. Needs a large space in which to grow.

Sources:http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=l930

[stefentures]

Quercus rubra- Red Oak

Type: Tree Family: Fagaceae Native Range: Eastern North America Zone: 4 to 8 Height: 50.00 to 75.00 feet Spread: 50.00 to 75.00 feet Bloom Time: May Bloom Description: Yellowish-green Sun: Full sun Water: Dry to medium Maintenance: Low Suggested Use: Shade Tree, Street Tree Flower: Insignificant Leaf: Good Fall Tolerate: Drought, Dry Soil, Black Walnut, Air Pollution Garden locations Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, acidic soil in full sun. Prefers fertile, sandy, finely-textured soils with good drainage.

Noteworthy Characteristics

A medium sized, deciduous tree with a rounded to broad-spreading, often irregular crown. Typically grows at a moderate-to-fast rate to a height of 50-75' (often larger in the wild). Dark, lustrous green leaves (grayish-white beneath) with 7-11, toothed lobes which are sharply pointed at the tips. Leaves turn brownish-red in autumn. Insignificant flowers in separate male and female catkins appear in spring. Fruits are acorns (with flat, saucer-shaped cups) which mature in early fall. An abundant crop of acorns may not occur before this tree reaches 40 years old. A Missouri native tree which typically occurs on northern- and eastern-facing wooded slopes throughout the State. Also commonly called northern red oak.

Problems

Generally a durable and long-lived tree. Susceptible to oak wilt which is a systemic fungal disease that has no cure. Chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves while the veins remain green) often occurs when soils are not sufficiently acidic.

Garden Uses

Specimen, street tree, lawn tree.

Uses

Red oak in Appalachian mountains The northern red oak is one of the most important oaks for timber production in North America. Quality red oak is of high value as lumber and veneer, while defective logs are used as firewood. Other related oaks are also cut and marketed as red oak, although their wood is not always of as high a quality. These include eastern black oak, scarlet oak, pin oak, Shumard oak, southern red oak and other species in the red oak group. Construction uses include flooring, veneer, interior trim, and furniture. It is also used for lumber, railroad ties, and fence posts.

Red oak wood grain is so open that smoke can be blown through it from end-grain to end-grain on a flat-sawn board. For this reason, it is subject to moisture infiltration and is unsuitable for outdoor uses such as boatbuilding or exterior trim.

Ornamental use Quercus rubra is grown in parks and large gardens as a specimen tree. It is not planted as often as the closely related Pin Oak as it develops a taproot and quickly becomes difficult to transplant. Acorns should either be sown in the location where the tree is intended to be planted or else moved to their permanent location within the seedling's first year. As the tree gets older, the taproot gradually shrinks and the lateral root network expands. Northern Red Oak is easy to start from seed, however the acorns must be protected from animal predation over the winter months.

As with other oaks, germination takes place in late spring when all frost danger has passed. The seedling grows rapidly for its first month, then pauses for another month, and sends out more new shoots until September when growth stops for the year. If the weather stays favorable, a third burst of growth may occur.

This oak is grown across Canada almost everywhere it will grow. It has naturalized in southeastern British Columbia near the Alberta border.

Sources:http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=i760

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_rubra

[stefentures]

Justicia brandegeana- Shrimp Plant

Type: Broadleaf evergreen Family: Acanthaceae Native Range: Mexico Zone: 9 to 11 Height: 1.00 to 3.00 feet Spread: 1.00 to 3.00 feet Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer Bloom Description: White with red to pink-bronze bracts Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Flower: Showy Leaf: Evergreen Garden locations Culture

Winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-11. Roots may survive in Zone 8. Grow in moist, humusy, well-drained soils full sun to part shade. Colorful flower bracts tend to bleach out in full sun, so these plants are generally best grown in part shade, i.e., with some protection from hot afternoon sun. Grow in pots or containers in the St. Louis area. Plant stems can be pruned back to shape and promote bushiness. Containers may be overwintered as houseplants in a warm sun room, or watering can be severely reduced to force plants into dormancy for winter storage in a dark, cool, dry location.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Justicia brandegeana, commonly called shrimp plant, is native to Mexico. It is a sprawling, suckering, tropical evergreen shrub that grows to 5’ tall in its native habitat. It can be pruned shorter and will naturally grow much shorter in containers. Features drooping arching terminal spikes (to 3-6” long) of white flowers with overlapping red to pink-bronze bracts. Each flower spike somewhat resembles a large shrimp. Blooms in summer. Synonymous with Beloperone guttata.

If you live in zone 8-11, growing shrimp plants can be a welcome addition to your landscape. They are easy to grow and will thrive in the warm temperatures of the south. Once established, they will even survive the occasional hard frost, dying back to the ground and sprouting again when warm weather returns.

Read more at Gardening Know How: How To Grow Shrimp Plants – Growing Information And Shrimp Plant Care 

Sources: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a522

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shrimp-plant/growing-shrimp-plants.htm

[stefentures]

Juniperus communis “berkshire”- Common Juniper

Juniperus communis ‘Berkshire’ is a very dwarf, slow growing, dense flat mound, dark green, blue striated foliage, plum in winter.

Common juniper, including its varieties, has the most extensive worldwide native range of any conifer. Although it attains the stature of a small tree elsewhere in the world, it usually takes the form of a low-spreading shrub in New England. The seed cones, often referred to as “juniper berries” because they resemble a blue, spherical berry, supply the flavoring for gin, and can provide seasoning for meat and other dishes. Many game birds also eat the seed cones. This versatile plant grows in a variety of challenging conditions and is resistant to browse. It is widely planted as a hedgerow and for topiary.

Habitat Anthropogenic (man-made or disturbed habitats), cliffs, balds, or ledges, meadows and fields, ridges or ledges, talus and rocky slopes

Hardness: zones 2 through 9

Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast

Mature Shape: Upright, densely pyramidal becoming irregular and pendulous with age

Height: 30-40 feet

Width: 10-20 feet

Site Requirements: Prefers full sun and well drained soils. Is tolerant of a variety of conditions including poor soils, heat and drought.

Flowering Dates: April - May

Seed Dispersal Dates: Seeds persist for 2 years

Seed Bearing Age: 10 years

Seed Bearing Frequency: Irregular

Seed Stratification: Prechill for 3 months at 34°F to 40°F The awl-shaped, leaves are spreading, spiny and scalelike and 1/3 to 1/2 inch long.   They are more flattened and white on the upper surface than the red cedar and turn a rich bronze color during the winter.

Culture

easily transplanted grows on poor sites wind tolerant full sun pH adaptable once established little maintence required not as heat tolerant as other Juniperus species Landscape Use

naturalized plantings poor soil sites hedges mass plantings Liabilities

susceptible to juniper blights yellow-brown foliage color that develops in the cold months may be objectionable to some

Sources:https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/species/juniperus/communis/

http://hort.uconn.edu/detail.php?pid=227

[stefentures]

Sporobolus heterolepis- Prairie Dropseed

The showiest prairie grass for gardens, Prairie Dropseed's magnificent fountain of fine textured, emerald-green leaves adds a touch of elegance to any planting. Considered by many to be the most handsome of the prairie grasses, it makes a well-defined and distinctive border when planted 18 to 24 inches apart. Plains Indians ground the seed to make a tasty flour. Plant seed in fall or early spring for best results.

Type: Ornamental grass Family: Poaceae Native Range: North America Zone: 3 to 9 Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet Bloom Time: August to October Bloom Description: Pink and brown-tinted Sun: Full sun Water: Dry to medium Maintenance: Low Suggested Use: Ground Cover, Naturalize, Rain Garden Flower: Showy, Fragrant Leaf: Good Fall Attracts: Birds Other: Winter Interest Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Erosion, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil, Black Walnut, Air Pollution

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates wide range of soils, including heavy clays. Prefers dry, rocky soils. Good drought tolerance. Slow-growing and slow to establish. May be grown from seed but does not freely self-seed in the garden.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Prairie dropseed is a clump-forming, warm season, Missouri native perennial grass which occurs in prairies, glades, open ground and along railroads throughout much of the State. Fine-textured, hair-like, medium green leaves (to 20" long and 1/16" wide) typically form an arching foliage mound to 15" tall and 18" wide. Foliage turns golden with orange hues in fall, fading to light bronze in winter. Open, branching flower panicles appear on slender stems which rise well above the foliage clump in late summer to 30-36" tall. Flowers have pink and brown tints, but are perhaps most noted for their unique fragrance (hints of coriander). Tiny rounded mature seeds drop to the ground from their hulls in autumn giving rise to the descriptive common name.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Ground cover for hot, dry areas. Prairies, meadows, native plant gardens, wild areas or slopes. Also effective in large rock gardens. Accent for foundation plantings or borders.

Sources:http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=f680

http://www.prairienursery.com/store/native-plants/prairie-dropseed-sporobolus-heterolepis#.WEOTS3eZNmM

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Picea pungens “glauca procumbens”-Colorado Spruce

A compact groundcover form of Colorado Spruce. Needles are bright silver-blue. Picea 'Procumbens' can be staked to form a small weeping tree or allowed to cascade over a rock or down a bank, mature specimens can spread to 6' wide in time. Prefers well-drained soil. Our plants are shipped on a stake.

Size: 1' tall, 3' wide in 10 years (taller if staked). Plant zones: 3-7.  Genus/Common Name: Picea/Spruce Light Requirements: full sun

Sources: http://hort.uconn.edu/detail.php?pid=315

http://www.songsparrow.com/catalog/plantdetails.cfm?ID=4673&type=WOODY,&pagetype=plantdetails&plant_name=Picea%20pungens%20'Procumbens'

[stefentures]

 Nepeta faassenii- Catmint

Related to catnip, but much showier, catmints (Nepeta) are easy to grow perennials that not only have flowers in shades of purple-blue, pink and white, but gray-green foliage that remains attractive throughout the growing season as well. About This Plant

The most familiar catmints are those with purple-blue flowers that bloom heavily in early summer. These come in a range of heights, from a foot tall up to as much as 3-4 feet tall, making them useful in many garden settings, including flower borders, rock gardens, and edging. A classic combination is to grow them with hybrid tea roses to cover the "bare knees" of the rose bushes and complement the many shades of rose blossoms with their soft blue flowers.

But there are also catmints with pale pink or white flowers, even one uncommon species with yellow flowers. All make great bee and butterfly attracting plants. 

hardy in zones 3-8.

Special Features

Faassen's catmint (Nepeta X faassenii) One of the most popular catmints, the flowers of this hybrid are sterile, so it doesn't need deadheading to prevent self-sowing

Site Selection

Most catmints prefer full sun and well-drained, not overly fertile soil, although plants in hot summer areas do well with some afternoon shade. Established plants are quite drought tolerant. Planting Instructions

Container grown plants can be set out throughout the growing season. Space smaller cultivars 18-24 inches apart; taller varieties should be set about 30 inches apart. Prepare the garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the pot the plant is in. Carefully remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Carefully fill in around the root ball and firm the soil gently. Water thoroughly. Care

Shear back plants by one-third after their first flush of bloom is past to neaten plants and encourage a second flush of flowers later in the summer. Keep plants vigorous by dividing every 3-4 years in spring or early fall. Give newly set out or divided plants regular watering until established. While not as enticing to cats as true catnip, felines may still try to roll on catmints. If there are cats around, it's a good idea to protect young plants for a while with a dome made out of chicken wire. An annual layer of compost in fall or spring should provide catmint with all the nutrients it needs.

Cultivation Some Nepeta species are cultivated as ornamental plants. They can be drought tolerant – water conserving, often deer repellent, with long bloom periods from late spring to autumn. Some species also have repellent properties to insect pests, including aphids and squash bugs, when planted in a garden.

Nepeta species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) species including Coleophora albitarsella, and as nectar sources for pollinators, such as honeybees and hummingbirds.

Nepeta × faassenii (garden catmint) – a hybrid of garden source with gray-green foliage and lavender flowers. It is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.[2] The cultivar 'Walker's Low' was named Perennial of the Year for 2007 by the Perennial Plant Association.

Sources: http://garden.org/learn/articles/view/3348/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepeta

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Salvia officinalis- Sage

Sage has one of the longest histories of use of any culinary or medicinal herb. Ancient Egyptians used it as a fertility drug (Bown, 1995). In the first century C.E. Greek physician Dioscorides reported that the aqueous decoction of sage stopped bleeding of wounds and cleaned ulcers and sores. He also recommended sage juice in warm water for hoarseness and coughs. It was used by herbalists externally to treat sprains, swelling, ulcers, and bleeding. Internally, a tea made from sage leaves has had a long history of use to treat sore throats and coughs; often by gargling. It was also used by herbalists for rheumatism, excessive menstrual bleeding, and to dry up a mother's milk when nursing was stopped. It was particularly noted for strengthening the nervous system, improving memory, and sharpening the senses. Sage was officially listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1840 to 1900.

Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Lamiaceae Native Range: Mediterranean (Iberia and Balkans) and northern Africa Zone: 4 to 8 Height: 2.00 to 2.50 feet Spread: 2.00 to 2.50 feet Bloom Time: June Bloom Description: Blue Sun: Full sun Water: Dry to medium Maintenance: Medium Suggested Use: Annual, Herb Flower: Showy Leaf: Fragrant Attracts: Butterflies Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky SoilGrow in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates very light shade, but best in full sun. Plants tend to sprawl, particularly when grown in less than full sun. Wet soils can be fatal.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Salvia officinalis commonly called sage, is the culinary sage familiar to most cooks. It also has excellent ornamental qualities, however. Variably called culinary sage, common sage or garden sage, this woody-stemmed, semi-shrubby perennial typically grows 1.5-2.5' tall. Features whorls of two-lipped, lavender-blue flowers (to 1 inch long) in short, upright spikes in late spring. Wrinkled, gray-green leaves (to 4" long) are strongly aromatic and are frequently used fresh or dried in cooking as a seasoning. A mint family member that is attractive to bees and butterflies.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to root rot in wet soils. Taller plants tend to sprawl and may need some support if grown as ornamentals in the border.

Garden Uses

A standard herb garden plant. Also quite effective mixed with perennials in borders, cottage gardens, wild or naturalized plantings.

Sources:http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=m260

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-sage.html

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Delosperma floribundum- Ice Plant

The hardy Ice Plants are native to dry areas in South Africa but are amazingly hardy in North America, provided they are grown in very well-drained soil. This species forms a low mound of succulent, evergreen leaves, bearing small, starry pink flowers with a white center, all summer long. Makes an excellent groundcover for hot, dry slopes, and will tolerate poor sandy soil. Also nice growing in tubs and mixed containers, in the rock garden, or as an edging. 

Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Aizoaceae Zone: 6 to 8 Height: 0.00 to 0.25 feet Spread: 0.75 to 1.50 feet Bloom Time: May to September Bloom Description: Lilac-purple with white center Sun: Full sun Water: Dry to medium Maintenance: Medium Suggested Use: Ground Cover, Naturalize Flower: Showy Tolerate: Drought Garden locations Culture

Grow in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Good tolerance for drought and heat. Avoid overwatering. Prefers a dryish, sandy soil. Superb soil drainage is essential for this plant, particularly in winter where moist to wet soils can be fatal. Plants need protection in winter in the colder areas of its growing zone. It is best grown in a sheltered location in the St. Louis area where plants may not be reliably winter hardy. Easily propagated by cuttings or seed.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Delosperma floribunda, commonly known as ice plant, is a succulent, mat-forming perennial that typically grows to only 4” tall but spreads to 10-18” wide. It is native to South Africa. Succulent fleshy green leaves (to 1-2” long) are evergreen in warm winter climates, but at best only semi-evergreen in the St. Louis area. Foliage is covered with transparent flakes that somewhat resemble tiny pieces of ice, hence the common name. Plants are best noted for producing a foliage-covering June to September bloom of bright daisy-like lavender-pink to lilac-purple flowers (to 2” diameter) with contrasting white centers. Petals shimmer as if they were covered with thin metal.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Crown rot often becomes a significant problem in poorly drained soils. Watch for aphids and mealybugs. Winter hardiness is a concern in the St. Louis area.

Garden Uses

Ground cover or edger. Cascade over walls. Grows well in hot, dry locations. Also effective in containers.

Sources:

http://www.perennials.com/plants/delosperma-floribundum.html

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b251

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Pinus leucodermis - Bosnian Pine

Plant Description

Intriguing specimen with unique purple-blue cones when young, maturing to brown. Dense, pyramidal tree makes a fine landscape specimen, accent tree or windbreak. Evergreen.

Plant type:Conifer Deciduous/evergreen:Evergreen Sunset climate zones:2 - 11, 14 - 24 Growth habit:Pyramidal Growth rate:Slow Average landscape size:Slow grower to 40 ft. tall, 10 ft. wide, larger with age. Special features:Bird Friendly, Deer Resistant, Easy Care, Showy Fruit, Waterwise, Year-round Interest Foliage color:Green Blooms:Does not flower Design IdeasThis columnar pine is a great low-maintenance evergreen for suburban homesites or parks. Very useful to separate multistory homes on very narrow lots. Plant densely for a noise-absorbing, wind-cutting wall of green. To appreciate its natural beauty, plant as a single specimen or in groves of three to five. Companion PlantsGrow Bosnian Pine as a vertical background of evergreen foliage to highlight more spectacular trees in the foreground. Try Eastern Redbud, (Cercis canadensis), Radiant Crabapple, (Malus x 'Radiant')or Red Buckeye, (Aesculus pavia). May also stand nicely with columnar Lombardy Poplar, (Populus nigra 'Italica') or Cologreen Juniper, (Juniperus scopulorum 'Colorgreen').

Hardiness Zone: 4 - 8

Overview Light Needs: Full sun Watering Needs: Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. Average Landscape Size: Slow grower to 40 ft. tall, 10 ft. wide, larger with age. Key Feature: Windbreak Blooms: Does not flower Landscape Uses: Coastal Exposure, Windbreak

Care Information Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.Pruning time: spring. Light Needs: Light needs: Full SunFull sun Watering Needs: Water needs: ModerateNeeds regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat.

Sources:http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1983/bosnian-pine/