Crataegus laevigata

Plant Type Tree
Deciduous, Broadleaf

Form Rounded

Climate Zones 4b to 8a

Bloom Color White, Pink, Lavender

Bloom Time Early spring, Mid spring, Late spring

Growth Rate Average

Mature Height 15 to 25 feet

Mature Spread 15 to 25 feet

Environment Full sun
Moist soil
Drought tolerant
Tolerates wetness
Wind tolerant

Soil Alkaline, Neutral, Acidic, Clay, Sandy, Well drained, Loamy, Adaptable, Slightly alkaline

Leaf Color Green

Fall Color No change in color, Not showy

Attributes Not North American native
Attracts birds
Edible
Deer resistant
Attracts hummingbirds
Attractive flowers or blooms
Moderately dense crown
Moderately flammable

Uses Specimen
Lawn tree
Street tree
Small site
Large scale planting
Screen
Seashore
Winter interest
Massing
Patio tree


Native Habitat Europe, Northern Africa, Western Asia

Culture Notes When lower branches are removed, this tough tree can be used as a street or parking lot tree where overhead space is limited by power lines or other features. Be sure to purchase trees that do not require a stake to hold them erect. Branches bear sharp thorns which can inflict pain as they meet flesh, but cultivars have been selected without these. Grows well in tree pits and other confined soil spaces. Trees tolerate about any soil except one kept constantly wet. Plant in the open with good air circulation to help reduce leaf diseases.

Be sure to clear all turf away from beneath the branches to reduce competition with turf. Remove some branches so they will not touch each other. Remove some secondary branches from main branches (especially those toward the end of the main branches) if main branches have included bark. This reduces the likelihood of main branches splitting from the tree later when it has grown to become an important part of the landscape. Locate the tree properly, taking into account the ultimate size since the tree looks best if it is not pruned to control size. The tree can enhance any landscape with its delightful spring flush of foliage and flowers. It can be the centerpiece of your landscape if properly located.

Prune early in the life of the tree to develop several major branches well-spaced along a central trunk. This will improve the durability of the tree compared to trees with many upright and spreading branches originating from one point on the trunk. Prune to maintain a dominant leader by cutting back competing leaders and branches. Do this every 3 years for the first 15-20 years after planting. Regularly reduce the length of low aggressive branches by making drop crotch cuts if these branches will be in the way later and have to be removed later. This will prevent you from having to make large pruning wounds later.

Pests and Diseases Pests: Pests include aphids and lacebug.
Diseases
Fireblight and rust can cause significant damage to this tree.

Melissa officinalis

Plant Type Perennial
Deciduous, Broadleaf

Form Upright,

Climate Zones 4a to 8b

Bloom Color White

Bloom Time Mid summer

Growth Rate Average

Mature Height 18 to 24 inches

Mature Spread 12 to 18 inches

Environment Partial shade to Full sun
Moist soil

Soil Neutral, Sandy, Well drained, Loamy

Leaf Color Green

Attributes Attractive foliage
Fragrant foliage
Herbal

Uses Container


Native Habitat Southern Europe

Culture Notes Naturalized in eastern United States, this plant should be sheltered from strong winds. Cut back after flowering to promote new growth.

The leaves are used in drinks, fruit cups, salads, and fish dishes. The leave,s when dried, are used to give a lemon scent to sachets and potpourris.

Pests and Diseases Diseases: powdery mildew

Cynara scolymus

Plant Type Perennial
Broadleaf, Evergreen

Form Upright,

Climate Zones 7a to 9a

Bloom Color Green

Bloom Time Late summer

Growth Rate Average

Mature Height 2 to 5 feet

Mature Spread 18 to 35 inches

Environment Partial shade to Full sun
Moist to Wet soil

Soil Loamy

Leaf Color Green

Attributes Edible


Native Habitat Native to West and Central Mediterranean. Today grown in Belgium, France, California, and Mediterranean regions with rich soil, humidity, and mild climates.

Culture Notes Large thistlelike plant. The thick leaves of the thistle head and the bottom part of the immature thistle are edible. The ground for growing should be dug deep. Artichokes prefer fertile sandy loam. The plants need full sun exposure. In mild climates, artichoke seeds can be sown directly outside. The seedlings should be eventually thinned to four feet apart. Artichokes should be watered often and not allowed to go bone dry. Grows approximately three feet tall. Prefer an open site, cool climates, and tolerate light to medium frost. Require nitrogen for best results. The plant dies back each year after the thistles are formed, and new shoots grow the next season. After a number of years, plants should be divided and replanted separately.

Pests and Diseases Slugs and snails

Ipomoea purpurea

Plant Type Annual
Evergreen, Broadleaf

Form Upright, Irregular or sprawling

Climate Zones 9a to 11

Bloom Color Red, Blue, Purple, White, Pink

Bloom Time Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall

Growth Rate Fast

Mature Height 3 to 8 feet

Mature Spread 4 to 6 feet

Environment Full sun
Dry to Moist soil
Drought tolerant

Soil Adaptable, Sandy, Well drained, Loamy

Leaf Color Green

Fall Color No change in color, Not showy

Attributes Not North American native
Fool proof plant
Naturalizing
Attracts hummingbirds
Attractive flowers or blooms
Open crown
Low flammability

Uses Container
Specimen
Arbor


Native Habitat Probably Mexico

Culture Notes When planted from seed, germination can occur between 5 to 7 days. Over fertilization will result in all vine and few flowers. The flowers of this plant will open early in the morning or stay open on cloudy days.

Pests and Diseases None serious

Celosia argentea

Plant Type Annual
Broadleaf, Deciduous

Form Upright

Climate Zones Undefined

Bloom Color Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink

Bloom Time Early summer, Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall

Growth Rate Average

Mature Height 10 to 18 inches

Mature Spread 12 to 24 inches

Environment Full sun
Dry to Moist soil

Soil Neutral, Well drained, Loamy

Leaf Color Green, Variegated

Attributes Five star plant
Fool proof plant
Deer resistant
Attracts butterflies
Suitable for cut flowers
Suitable for dried flowers
Moderately flammable

Uses Border
Container
Massing
Seashore
Small site
Bedding


Native Habitat Africa

Culture Notes Tender perennial usually grown as an annual because it is not hardy in areas which have consistent freezing temperatures. Seedlings can be grown sown under glass early spring. Cuttings can be made throughout the summer.

Pests and Diseases Pests: aphids, red spider mites, root knot nematodes. Cut worms can cause damage to young plants.
Diseases: leaf spots, rot, curly top virus

Antirrhinum majus

Plant Type Annual
Broadleaf, Deciduous

Form Upright

Climate Zones Undefined

Bloom Color Red, Orange, Yellow, Purple, White, Pink

Bloom Time Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall

Growth Rate Average

Mature Height 8 to 36 inches

Mature Spread 18 to 24 inches

Environment Full sun
Dry to Moist soil

Soil Neutral, Adaptable, Well drained, Loamy

Leaf Color Green

Attributes Five star plant
Long blooming
Fool proof plant
Attracts hummingbirds
Attracts birds
Attracts butterflies
Fragrant flowers
Suitable for cut flowers
Suitable for dried flowers
Attractive flowers or blooms
Moderately flammable

Uses Border
Container
Massing
Small site
Bedding
Rock garden


Native Habitat Mediterranean

Culture Notes This plant is usually grown as an annual, but in warm climates, may remain a perennial. Often will self sow. Dead flowers should be removed to prolong flowering throughout the summer.

Pests and Diseases Pests: aphids, beetles, borers, bud worms, caterpillars, nematodes, red spider mites, slugs
Diseases: rust, blights, crown rot, downy and powdery mildews, leaf spot, verticillium wilt

Acer buergerianum

Plant Type Tree
Deciduous, Broadleaf

Form Vase

Climate Zones 4b to 9a

Bloom Color Yellow

Bloom Time Early spring, Mid spring, Late spring

Growth Rate Average

Mature Height 25 to 50 feet

Mature Spread 15 to 25 feet

Environment Partial shade to Full sun
Moist soil
Tolerates moderate drought

Soil Alkaline, Neutral, Acidic, Clay, Sandy, Well drained, Loamy, Slightly alkaline, Adaptable

Leaf Color Green

Fall Color Orange, Red, Yellow, Attractive fall colors

Attributes Not North American native
Attracts birds
Moderately dense crown
Moderately flammable

Uses Specimen
Massing
Seashore
Patio tree
Lawn tree
Street tree
Small site


Native Habitat China

Culture Notes Trident Maple should be planted in full sun or partial shade on any well-drained, acid soil and is quite tolerant of salt, air pollution, wind and drought. Like other maples, some chlorosis can develop in soils with pH over 7 but it is moderately tolerant of soil salt. It performs well in urban areas where soils are often poor and compacted. Trees are easily transplanted due to their shallow root system and are fairly `clean' trees since they do not drop messy leaves, fruit or flowers.

Trees grown in partial shade can grow much taller (up to 60 feet tall), especially when the crown is touching adjacent trees preventing branches from spreading. The tree is reported to be weak-wooded in North Carolina but some of this may be due to poor structure, not weak wood. This can be at least partially prevented by pruning major lateral branches so they grow no larger than half the diameter of the main trunk. Be sure that there are no weak crotches with embedded bark, or double or multiple leaders which could cause the tree to split apart. Specify single-leadered trees when planting along streets or in parking lots or other commercial landscapes.


Pests and Diseases None of major concern, a very clean tree.