Native Trees & Shrubs for Arbor Day (& MORE for Wildflower Wednesday!)

Over the last three years, I've been adding native plants, shrubs, groundcovers and seedlings to my yard. Recently, the local chapter of the Audubon society had a native seedling sale and I took advantage of it. I'm still trying to decide the best 'spots' to plant each of the various seedlings, depending on their needs for sun or shade, dry or moist conditions, etc. in my zone 7-A yard. Since they are all native to my area, almost any area will suffice, but with young seedlings, I still need to take into consideration whether the soil is in its 'natural' state or whether at some point in the past, I've amended that area or whether it is naturally damper or dryer than other parts of the yard, etc. Despite their 'native' habitat, if  the plant isn't placed in just the right place, it still has a chance of not surviving. So right now I'm working out just where I want to put them all.  Here they all are before I unwrap them and sort them out:

Here's what I got...:

4 American Hazelnut (Corylus americana) "Multi-stemmed shrub valued for its distinctive catkins, copper-red to yellow fall color, edible nuts and naturalistic form. Ideal for dry sties with poor soil. Prefers partial shade. 10-15 feet."

2 Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) "Large heads of fragrant white flowers in mid-summer are followed by clusters of deep purple or black berries, edible for humans and at least 48 species of birds. Flourishes in shade or sun, tolerates dry or wet sites. 6-12 feet. Great rain garden plant."

2 Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) "Attractive white flowers are among the first to bloom in early spring. Berry-like summer fruits are a food source for songbirds and edible for humans. Prefers moist and sun to part-shade conditions. Height 25-30 feet, fast-growing shrubby structure."

2 Cranberrybush Viburnum (Vibernum trilobum) " Grows 8-12 feet with white clusters of flowers in May. Bright red berries can be used to make jelly, and provide food for birds through the winter. Good wetland plant."

I also ordered a different seedling package at the same time, but for some reason got TWO of the same package I just listed...so I really have 8 Hazelnut, 4 Elderberry, 4 Serviceberry and 4 Viburnum. I am trying to see if I can get them to give me the seedlings I ordered, but if not, I think I'll donate the extras to my Master Gardening group. I am going to 'miss' the following shrubs/trees, however, and hope to at least get a few of them at some point. They are (*were*):

2 Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) "Leaves have a spicy, peppery smell when crushed. Spicebush prefers moist to wet, part sun to shade conditions. Yellow flowers emerge in early spring. 6-12 feet tall."

2 Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum) "This shrub's blue berries have high wildlife value. Prefers well-drained, moist soil and sunny or part-sun conditions. Good for streambanks.  Fast growing. 6-10 feet."

2 Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) "Features multi-stemmed striking red branches and twigs, white berries and flowers, and red or purple fall leaves.  This deciduous shrub grows best in full sun to part shade and in moist soil. 6-10 feet."

2 Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)  "This small tree has long, broad leaves and the largest fruit native to our continent.  It grows best in moist, well-drained areas in part shade. The pawpaw usually reaches 12-20 feet. It can form stands from root suckers."

At any rate, I think most of these new shrubs/small trees are going to be happy, someplace, here in my gardens.

I planted 3 other small native seedlings just over a year ago, and I am happy to report that they are doing quite well here. I didn't post about them so I will do so now. My very first Serviceberry was planted in late 2010, as a young seedling. It's survived 2 winters and has grown quite a bit.  I'm guessing the other Serviceberry's I'll be adding will have no trouble at all:

I planted native Dwarf Sumac (Rhus copallina) last spring, and it has finally greened up and leafed out a bit:

I have had to nurse the base of the trunk for the past month, however, as somehow it was nearly severed. I'm not sure if it was from my dogs or another critter. I 'velcroed' it in one place and attached a small craft stick wrapped with masking tape (!) to a metal garden marker in another place! I'm hoping the broken wood will grow back together. It seems to be perfectly fine and hasn't skipped a beat!

I planted native Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) about the same time as the Dwarf Sumac:

Did you know that today is Arbor Day? I thought it was perfect timing for me to get out and get these seedlings in the ground.  Additionally, since Gail of Clay and Limestone was celebrating Wildflower Wednesday this week, I thought I'd add an additional post to her celebration. I just love gardening with natives...be they ground covers, plants, or trees and shrubs. I will try to post more regularly about the many natives I've added to my garden. So many of them are 'in bloom' that I can hardly keep up;-)

What gifts have you discovered today? Until next time,

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.