Post on 02-Aug-2020
transcript
Native Plant Performers: Significant and Beautiful AlternativesWoody Species-Shrubs and Trees
Presented by Shawn Jalbert
We have seen the first generation of native plants being introduced into the common market place, mostly as “improved” varietal
forms, including-• Highbush blueberry• Witchazel (Hamamelis)• Multiple Viburnums including witherod and arrowood• Summersweet (Clethra)• Dogwoods (Cornus spp.), including-Flowering dogwood and red osier
dogwood• Red maple (Acer rubrum)• Winterberry (Ilex)• Chokeberry (Aronia)• White pine (Pinus strobus)
This presentation will focus on natives that are not readily available “off-the-shelf”.
• To find them you will have to look a little harder. The best places to find them is at specialty nurseries and native plant organizations.
• The scarcity of these plants in the market place is an opportunity not a deterrent.
A business opportunity exists here-• Consider obtaining these plants as plugs or liners, growing them out, and offering them for sale,
or at least having them available to install in plantings.
• One of the biggest hurdles to integrating these plants into landscaping plans is availability.
• This may be a case of just knowing where to find them, or that they just aren’t being grown.
Some points to ponder during the presentation…….
• When planting we can and need to do so much more then simply plant with the sole purpose of human interest.
• We need to increase the availability of native plants, especially non-varietal material, and uncommon species like the ones we will go over today.
• We have an amazing variety of beautiful native plants growing in our state and region that provides a multitude of ecological services while also being pleasing to the eye.
• This presentation is meant to show case many of the lesser known native plants we should be seeing in our designed landscapes.
• To get us thinking about the many opportunities we have when designing our landscapes- creating habitat, providing food for wildlife, pollinator stations, erosion control, and soil enrichment.
• Wean us off using non-native species and potentially invasive species, like the ones recently outlawed by the State of Maine.
• We need to start rethinking our current resource intensive, high maintenance, disruptive (i.e. damaging), landscapes that we are installing.
• Many of our native plants have special adaptations that allow them to thrive in difficult areas-poor soils, wet soils, salt spray.
• Instead of heavily modifying soil conditions and inputting large amounts of water and nutrients, lets just put the right plant in the right place, using a native.
• After seeing the amazing plants we have growing in this area it will be hard to believe we have not paid more attention to them in the past.
Some points to ponder during the presentation…….
Acer pensylvanicum, Moosewood
Striking bark coloration is moosewood’s most defining feature. The smooth green
bark is accentuated in infinitely variable patterns of white and blackish colored
stripes.Some individuals show
relatively no markings while others , like the ones here,
are quite spectacular.
Stays shrub like but in some areas can grow up to six
inches in diameter.
Acer pensylvanicum, Moosewood
Moosewood in flower; unlike the large maples
such as silver and red maple which are wind pollinated, moosewood is appears to
be largely insect pollinated.
Moosewood is an obligate shade plant, growing under
the canopy of other deciduous trees and sometimes conifers.
Moosewood is more flexible when it comes to soil conditions, where it can be found growing in
moist to dry soils.
Amelanchier spicata, Running shadbush
Many flowers yield many berries a month or so later feeding flocks of
hungry birds.
Berries are sweet and palatable to humans too; tasting a little like
blueberries. A closely related western species called saskatoon (Amelanchier
alnifolia), is grown commercially for its berries.
Feeding marks on leaves underscores importance to supporting all stages of
native insects, critical to the ecological web.
Amelanchier spicta, Running shadbush
Densely covered with flowers, running
shadbush attracts pollinators by the
hundreds.
This shadbush is unique in that it suckers
profusely and spreads horizontally, not vertically
like other shadbushes.
One of the best choices for making native hedges.
Carpinus caroliniana, Muscle wood
Muscle wood gets its named from its furrowed rippling growth habit.
Unlike many species, it is not especially adaptable to drier up land areas. Best suited
for consistently moist soils in the shade.
In the wild it is always an understory tree along streams, in flood plains, and swamps.
Cephalanthus occidentalis, Buttonbush
Despite its preference for wet areas in the wild, it grows well in upland gardens as long that there is plenty
of organic matter in the soil.
Buttonbush attracts a diverse number of pollinators.
Buttonbush grows in forested wetlands and in shady areas beside
ponds and rivers.
Comptonia peregrina, Sweetfern
An early pioneering plant of disturbed sites, sweetferngrows in the most sterile of soils like roadsides and in gravel pits. Nitrogen fixing bacteria in its roots helps enrich the soil.
The leaves look a little like fern leaves and have a very distinctive minty
sweet smell when crushed.
Sweetfern sends runners
underground and rapidly colonizes
areas.
Excellent plant for stabilization of
hillsides and erosion control.
Seeds are exceptionally long
lived in the soil bank.
Corylus americana, American hazlenut
Husk like bracts contain tasty nuts relished by all manner of animals.
American hazelnut grows in open habitats with access to full sun.
Tolerates a wide range of upland soils as long as they are well
drained.
Corylus cornuta, Beaked hazlenut
Closely related to American hazelnut, but different in a number of significant ways.
Beaked hazelnut can only tolerate partial sun, and in fact, is quite happy in the extensively shaded understory of a
deciduous forest.
Husks surrounding nuts look like elongated beaks and are covered with
fine, minute, sharp bristles .
Nuts are often consumed before they are fully ripened by animals, especially
squirrels.
Dirca palustris, LeatherwoodAn uncommon and reclusive shrub
found growing in the shade of hardwood forests.
Slow growing specimen shrub for the shade garden; will take glances of sun
in cultivation.
Native peoples used bark for making footwear; it pulls off in long strips and
is tough but pliable like leather.
Seeds form under leaves, they never turn color to indicate ripeness. Maturation is indicated by ease at which they pull off from plant or when they simply drop to the ground, getting lost in the leaf litter.
Lindera benzoin, SpicebushBrilliant clusters of yellow flowers form in April illuminating an otherwise still dreary landscape.
Flowers will remain on branches through the month of May, albeit not as bright.
Brilliant yellow foliage in Autumn
Good substitute in place of Burning bush for many planting
areas.
Lindera benzoin, Spicebush
Spicebush can grow up to 10 feet tall.
Understory shrub growing in forested wetlands and
pocket swamps.
Does well in upland cultivation but typically
grows a bit shorter.
Bright red fruit ripens in September and is rapidly
consumed by birds.
Fruit and leaves have a distinctive aromatic, spicy
scent when crushed.
Ilex mucronata, Mountain Holly Deciduous holly found in
scrub shrub wetlands, at all elevations, not just the
mountains.
Like many other wetland plants, it is adaptable to upland cultivation, but
maintains a shorter height.
Leaves are an outstanding bluish green color.
Berries are a luscious red with a velvet sheen,
reminiscent of Christmas ornaments.
Ilex mucronata, Mountain Holly
Typical form of a mature Mountain holly showing its multi-stem habit.
Outstanding bark coloration and patterns that look like black and white camouflage gives this species
all season appeal.
Juniperus communis, Common juniper
Hardy ground cover well suited to growing in poor
dry soils.
Tolerant of salt spray and punishing conditions found
on the coast.
Root system is a stabilizing force in erosion prone areas.
Juniper berries important food source for a variety of animals
Unlike most junipers it can tolerate some shade.
Juniperus virginiana, Red cedar
Red cedar can take the form of a shrub or tree; same species, just different growth forms.
Like most junipers it is hardy and drought tolerant; it thrives right on the edge of the coast.
“Berries” are an important food source for wildlife
Nyssa sylvatica, Black Tupelo
The zig zagging arthritic silhouette of a mature Black tupelo is unmistakable as it towers above its
wetland habitat.
Deeply furrowed bark forms on one side of the tree when mature. Old
timers claim buttons and other useful items were
carved from these segments of bark, hence
the tree’s colloquial name of Button bark.
Nyssa sylvatica, Black Tupelo
Brilliant red foliage lights the tree on fire in the
fall.
With color like this there is no excuse for planting
Norway maple for fall color.
Most often found growing in wetlands in
the wild, but grows happily in upland areas.
Fruit matures in the late summer-early fall and is relished by wildlife
Pinus rigida, Pitch pinePitch pine can grow in a variety of
demanding and variable habitats-bone dry excessively drained Pitch Pine Woodlands, water saturated Pitch Pine Bogs, and salty
Pitch Pine Dune Woodlands.
Pitch pine is the larval host for a number of rare moths sporting really cool names –pine barrens itame, pine
pinion, oblique zale, and the pine devil moth.
Pine devil moth
Oblique zale moth
Pinus rigida, Pitch pine
Pine needles grow in groups of 3.
Slender spines are found at the end of the pine cone scales
Quercus ilicifolia, Scrub oak
Medium growing shrub that bears large numbers of
acorns.
Grows in poor, excessively, drained sandy soils, which makes this species suitable
for xeriscaping.
Often found growing in Pitch Pine barrens where it is the dominant component
of the shrub layer.
Rhododendron canadense, Rhodora
Spectacular orchid-like flowers come out in early Spring before
leaves emerge.
Grows in wetlands in the wild; full to part sun; probably our most common native rhododendron.
Usually reaches no more then 3 feet in height.
Used to create the ‘Orchid Lights’ hybrid, part of the Northern Lights
series.
Rhododendron maximum, Great rosebayGreat rosebay is a large
growing species attaining heights in excess of 12 feet
tall and capable of spreading over multiple
acres.
Although native to Maine, Great rosebay is very rare in
Maine, where its at the northern most edge of its
range.
In the south Great rosebay forms large impenetrable
patches appropriately referred to as
“rhododendron hells.”
Rhododendron maximum, Great rosebay
Intensity of floral displays peak every 3-4 years. This can be reduced if old
flower stems are removed.
Flowers attract large bumblebee species in particular.
The orange pigmented areas on the top part of the flowers are called
nectar guides. They are particularly bright in the ultra violet portion of the
light spectrum, visible to bees.
Often found growing on the edges of wetlands and forested swamps.
Rhododendron prinophyllum, Early azaleaAnother rare rhododendron species in Maine,
found in only the southern most counties.More common further south.
Found on wooded slopes and ravines; along swamps and streams.; needs to be in the shade.
Flowers have a distinctive, clove-like fragrance.Said to attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Early azalea was used to create the Northern Lights hybrid line produced by the University of
Minnesota .
Well suited to the garden environment; thrives in organic rich, well drained soils;
appreciates a well maintained layer of mulch.
Rhododendron viscosum, Clammy azaleaClammy azalea is native to Maine but is very
rare here being at the northern end of its range. It is more common the further south
you move down the eastern seaboard.
Found growing along swamps and lake shores in the wild; tolerant of soggy poor draining
soils.
Clammy azalea gets its name from the sticky glands that cover the flowers.
Prolific white flowers bloom in June or July, well after many other azaleas.
Does best in acidic soils; spreads by means of adventitious roots, forming colonies.
Rubus odoratus, Purple flowering raspberryPurple flowering raspberry is unique among raspberries because they are
thorn-less. Piercing thorns are replaced by sticky glands covering stems and
leaves.
Prolific showy flowers range from light pink to deep pink/purple.
Grows in shady spots on the edges of fields and clearings with rich organic
soils .
Rubus odoratus, Purple flowering raspberry
Fruit is tasty and sweet, but not very juicy. The flesh peals off the receptacle in a hollow single layer, unlike
the solid 3-d fruits of other raspberries.
Flowers are breathtaking-they are more like rose flowers then anything you would expect to see on a
raspberry. Both plants are in the rose family.
Sassafras albidum, Sassafras
Easily recognized by the three lobed and mitten shaped leaves, Sassafras is a character in any
garden.
Found only in extreme southern Maine, this is another species that is at the northern most end
of its range.
Understory species that appears to form clonal colonies.
Shepherdia canadensis, Canada buffalo-berryAnother rare species in Maine, being found only in northwestern Somerset
county.
Its preference for high pH (alkaline) bedrock may be the reason we do not find it more widespread in Maine. Low pH soils predominate across
most of the state, especially in the southern half.
This species is at the southern end of its range. More common in the western US
and throughout Canada.
Buffalo berry can be found growing on lake and river shore outcrops.
Shepherdia candensis, Canada buffalo-berry
Berries are said to be bitter or sour tasting, but are an important food source for wildlife.
Closely related to the problematic Russian and Autumn olives, in the plant family Elaeagnaceae.This might be a native replacement for these two
invasive species.
Scaly underside of leaves is characteristic of this family of plants.
Berries are palatable to humans if made into jams or jellies or mixed with other berries, like raspberries.
Spiraea alba (latifolia), Meadowsweet
Tolerates salty sea spray and soils near the ocean.
Dense thickets of Meadowsweet are
important havens for wildlife supplying shelter
and food through-out the year.
Thrives in both wetlands and upland fields.
Spiraea tomentosa, Steeple bush
Striking flower displays of pink candles are eye
catching to people and insects alike.
Grows in wetlands in the wild where it grows up to 3 feet tall. Tolerates drier
garden soils but stays shorter.
Densely pubescent (hairy) leaves make this plant
attractive throughout the season.
Staphylea trifolia, American bladdernutAmerican bladdernut does not grow in Maine, but is found in western CT, MA, NH, & VT. This photo was taken in southwestern Massachussettes at Bartholomews Cobble natural area.
Viburnum acerifolium, Maple leaf viburnum
Fruits will often stay on all winter and then disappear in the late winter or early spring
Flowers are born in clusters typical of most viburnums; they are rather
petite and inconspicuous, but attract many pollinators.
Viburnum acerifolium, Maple leaf viburnum
Spectacular fall color is perhaps the best attribute of this plant. Intense purples and reds light up the fall landscape.
Understory shrub species tolerant of dry acidic soils and shady conditions.
Viburnum lantanoides, Hobblebush
Flower clusters are about the size of tea plates.
Bright red berries ripen in August and are readily consumed by wildlife; high ornamental value as well
Viburnum lantanoides, Hobblebush
Hobblebush gets its name from the way the stems grow in and out of the ground, tripping or hobbling the
passerby.
Does best in moist acidic soils; often found growing in forested wetlands or
along swamps and streams.
Intolerant of anything more then dappled sunlight; prone to scalding.
Takes two years to germinate from seed; can be grown from cuttings but timing is
tricky.
Shawn Jalbert is the principle of Native HauntsLocated in Alfred, Maine
207-604-8655www.nativehaunts.com
nativehaunts@gmail.com
Native Haunts offers the following-
Products
Native trees, shrubs and perennials of local provenance.Locally collected seed of native trees, shrubs and perennials.
Consultation servicesIdentification of native plants on your property.
Integrating native plants into your landscape plan.Identification and control strategies for invasive plants.