Where Ecology and Horticulture Unite
62 Deciduous Shrubs
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Regent Serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia 'Regent'
Height: 4'-6'
Width: 5'-6'
Sun: full, part
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic, mesic
Soil Types: well-drained loam, sand tolerant
Bloom Period: May-June
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: June-July
Fruit Color: blue, purple, black
Fruit Type: pome
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: red, orange, yellow
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 3-7
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Ornamental Garden, Edible Garden
Comments: Upright branching habit. Drought tolerant. Sweet fruit.
Inland Serviceberry
Amelanchier interior
Height: 15'-30'
Sun: full, part
Soil Moisture: mesic-dry, dry
Soil Types: sandy loam
Bloom Period: April-June
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: June-July
Fruit Color: purple, black
Fruit Type: pome
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: red, orange, yellow
Wildlife: Bird
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Edible Garden
Comments: Moderately shade tolerant.
Sand (Roundleaf) Serviceberry
Amelanchier sanguinea
Height: 6'-8'
Width: 6'-8'
Sun: full, part
Soil Moisture: mesic
Soil Types: sandy loam
Bloom Period: May
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: June-July
Fruit Color: red, purple
Fruit Type: pome
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 3-4
Recommended: Edible Garden
Comments: Rounded habit. Blue-green leaves.
Running Serviceberry out
Amelanchier stolonifera
Height: 3'-4'
Width: 5'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic, mesic, mesic-dry
Soil Types: sandy loam
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: June-July
Fruit Color: blue, purple
Fruit Type: pome
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 3-4
Recommended: Edible Garden
Comments: Low, spreading habit.
Out of stock. Prices/sizes for reference only.
Leadplant
Amorpha canescens
Height: 2'-3'
Width: 2'-3'
Sun: full, part
Soil Moisture: mesic, mesic-dry, dry
Soil Types: sandy/gravelly loam
Bloom Period: June-August
Flower Color: purple
Fruit Period: August-October
Fruit Type: pod
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Butterfly, Bee
Zone: 3-5
Recommended: Deer Resistant
Comments: Gray-green foliage. Needs excellent drainage. Taproot. Nitrogen fixer. 1-seeded, hairy pods.
False Indigo
Amorpha fruticosa
Height: 8'-10'
Width: 10'-12'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: high, medium, low
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic
Soil Types: sandy, loam, clay
Bloom Period: April-July
Flower Color: purple, violet
Fruit Period: August-September
Fruit Color: brown
Fruit Type: pod
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Butterfly, Bee
Zone: 3-5
Recommended: Deer Resistant, Fragrant Garden
Comments: River bottoms & floodplains. Flood tolerant. Attractive, fragrant flower spikes. Nitrogen fixer. 1-seeded, hairy pods.
Native Black Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa
Height: 5'
Width: 5'+
Sun: full, part
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic, mesic
Soil Types: peaty, sandy, rocky
Bloom Period: May-July
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: July-October
Fruit Color: blue, black
Fruit Type: pome
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: red
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 3-4
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Ornamental Garden, Edible Garden
Comments: Local seed source: leaves are smaller & plant grows denser. Rhizomatous.
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
Height: 2'-3'
Width: 3'-5'
Sun: full
Soil Moisture: mesic-dry, dry
Soil Types: sandy/gravelly loam/clay
Bloom Period: June-August
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: August-September
Fruit Color: orange, black
Fruit Type: drupe
Edible Parts: leaves
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Butterfly, Bee, Deer, Bumblebee
Zone: 3-5
Recommended: Ornamental Garden, Edible Garden
Comments: Erect habit. Fruit is 3-lobed capsule; interesting seedheads. Nitrogen fixer. Drought tolerant. Fire resistant. Protect from rabbits when young. Leaves can be made into tea.
Red Root / Inland Tea
Ceanothus ovatus
Height: 3'
Width: 1'6"-3'
Sun: full, part
Soil Moisture: mesic-dry, dry
Soil Types: well-drained
Bloom Period: June
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: June-July
Fruit Color: orange, black
Fruit Type: drupe
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Butterfly, Bee, Deer, Bumblebee
Recommended: Ornamental Garden
Comments: Fruit is 3-lobed capsule. Nitrogen fixer. Protect from deer.
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Height: 6'-12'
Width: 6'-12'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: high, medium
Soil Moisture: wet, wet-mesic, mesic
Bloom Period: June-August
Flower Color: white
Fruit Color: brown
Fruit Type: nutlet
Fall Color: yellow, brown
Wildlife: Bird, Bee
Zone: 4-5
Recommended: Deer Resistant, Fragrant Garden
Comments: Found along stream banks, swamps, low areas. Fragrant 'pin-cushion' shaped flowers. Fuzzy, button-like fruit.
Sweet Fern
Comptonia peregrina
Height: 2'-3'
Width: 4'+
Sun: full, part
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic, mesic, mesic-dry, dry
Soil Types: sandy loam
Fruit Color: green, brown
Fruit Type: nutlet
Edible Parts: leaves
Fall Color: red, yellow, brown
Zone: 2-4
Recommended: Fragrant Garden, Edible Garden
Comments: Fragrant, deep green, fernlike foliage used for potpourri. Catkins. Bur-like fruit. Rhizomatous colonizer. Grows well under pines.
Silky Dogwood
Cornus amomum
Height: 6'-12'
Width: 6'-12'
Sun: full
Water Use: high, medium
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic
Soil Types: tolerates most
Bloom Period: June-July
Flower Color: white
Fruit Color: blue
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: red, orange, yellow, maroon, bronze, purple
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 4-5
Recommended: Ornamental Garden
Comments: Flood & salt intolerant. Reddish-purple bark.
Gray Dogwood
Cornus racemosa
Height: 8'-12'
Width: 6'-10'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium
Soil Moisture: mesic, mesic-dry
Soil Types: tolerates most
Bloom Period: June-July
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: August-September
Fruit Color: white
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: red, maroon, purple
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 3-5
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement
Comments: Showy flower clusters. Upright branching habit. Colonizer. High wildlife value.
Roundleaf Dogwood
Cornus rugosa
Height: 6'-10'
Width: 8'-12'
Sun: part, shade
Soil Moisture: mesic, mesic-dry
Soil Types: well-drained, sandy, loamy, rocky
Bloom Period: May-July
Flower Color: white, cream
Fruit Period: August-September
Fruit Color: blue
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: magenta, red, yellow, maroon, bronze
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 2-5
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement
Comments: Colony forming by root suckers. Greenish-gray bark. Moderate shade tolerance. Slopes. Remains single stem in container until planted.
Red-Twigged Dogwood
Cornus sericea
Height: 6'-12'
Width: 6'-12'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: high, medium
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic
Bloom Period: May-August
Flower Color: white
Fruit Color: white
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: red, yellow, maroon, purple
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 3-5
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Ornamental Garden
Comments: Flood tolerant. Common shrub of shorelines and wetlands. Red branches in late fall/winter and on new growth. White pith. Stems used for basket weaving and wreaths.
American Hazelnut
Corylus americana
Height: 6'-12'
Width: 6'-12'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic, mesic, mesic-dry
Soil Types: well-drained, gravelly loam to heavy clay
Bloom Period: May
Flower Color: green, brown, maroon
Fruit Period: August-September
Fruit Color: brown
Fruit Type: nut
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: red, orange, maroon, bronze
Zone: 3-4
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Edible Garden
Comments: High wildlife value. Good for massing. Edible nut in fringed husk.
Beaked Hazelnut
Corylus cornuta
Height: 6'-12'
Width: 6'-12'
Sun: part, shade
Soil Types: well-drained, gravelly loam, heavy clay
Bloom Period: May
Flower Color: brown, maroon
Fruit Period: August-September
Fruit Color: brown
Fruit Type: nut
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: yellow
Zone: 2-3
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Edible Garden
Comments: Catkins. Edible nut. High wildlife value. Flood intolerant.
Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle
Diervilla lonicera
Height: 3'-4'
Width: 3'+
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium, low
Soil Moisture: mesic, mesic-dry, dry
Soil Types: tolerates most
Bloom Period: June-July
Flower Color: yellow
Fall Color: red, orange, bronze
Wildlife: Bee, Bumblebee
Zone: 2-4
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Ornamental Garden
Comments: Rhizomatous colonizer. Excellent for massing & erosion control. Bronze-green foliage. Self-sterile.
Leatherwood out
Dirca palustris
Height: 3'-6'
Width: 3'-6'
Sun: shade
Soil Types: loam
Bloom Period: March-April
Flower Color: yellow, white, cream
Fruit Period: May-June
Fruit Color: green, black
Fruit Type: drupe
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Bee
Zone: 3-5
Recommended: Ornamental Garden
Comments: Difficult to propagate. Common in northern deciduous/mixed & Sugar Maple woods. Pliable branches. Showy flowers bloom before leaves emerge. Flowers and sets fruit in deep shade.
Out of stock. Prices/sizes for reference only.
Eastern Wahoo out
Euonymus atropurpurea
Height: 12'-20'
Width: 15'-20'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium
Soil Moisture: mesic
Soil Types: well-drained
Bloom Period: June
Flower Color: red, purple, maroon
Fruit Period: August-September
Fruit Color: red
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: magenta, red
Wildlife: Bird
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Ornamental Garden
Comments: Showy fruit. Juglone tolerant.
Out of stock. Prices/sizes for reference only.
Wintergreen
Gaultheria procumbens
Height: 6"
Width: 6"+
Sun: part, shade
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic, mesic
Soil Types: acidic
Bloom Period: May-August
Flower Color: white
Fruit Color: red
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: red
Zone: 3-4
Recommended: Ornamental Garden, Fragrant Garden, Groundcover
Comments: Spreading, aromatic groundcover. Rhizomatous. Thick, glossy leaves. Bell-shaped flowers. Berries persist through winter.
Common Witch Hazel
Hamamelis virginiana
Height: 20'-30'
Width: 25'-35'
Sun: full, part, shade
Soil Moisture: mesic
Soil Types: loam
Flower Color: yellow
Fall Color: yellow
Zone: 4-7
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Ornamental Garden
Comments: Horizontal branching habit. Spider-like flowers after leaves drop. Excellent specimen plant.
St. John's Wort
Hypericum kalmianum
Height: 2'-3'
Width: 3'-4'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic, mesic
Flower Color: yellow
Fruit Period: July-August
Fall Color: red, orange, yellow
Zone: 4-5
Comments: Showy flowers. Blue-green foliage. Round, dense habit. Excellent for shrub borders.
Winterberry
Ilex verticillata
Height: 6'-10'
Width: 6'-8'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: high
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic
Soil Types: acidic (pH 4.5-6), well-drained, sandy, loam, clay
Bloom Period: May-July
Flower Color: green, white, cream
Fruit Color: red
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: yellow, maroon
Wildlife: Butterfly, Bird
Zone: 3-7
Recommended: Deer Resistant, Ornamental Garden
Comments: Dioecious. Showy, poisonous fruit. Flood tolerant.
Common Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
Height: 8'-10'
Width: 8'-10'
Sun: full
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic, mesic, mesic-dry, dry
Soil Types: average, loam, clay, sand
Bloom Period: June-July
Flower Color: pink, white
Fruit Color: red
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: maroon, purple
Zone: 2-5
Recommended: Deer Resistant, Buckthorn Replacement, Ornamental Garden
Comments: Dense growth habit. Showy flower clusters. Yellow-green foliage. Excellent for hedging. Flood intolerant.
Bush Cinquefoil / Native Potentilla
Potentilla fruticosa
Height: 2'-4'
Width: 2'-4'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium
Soil Moisture: wet, wet-mesic, mesic
Bloom Period: July-September
Flower Color: yellow
Fall Color: yellow, brown
Recommended: Ornamental Garden
Comments: AKA Dasiphora fruticosa. Fine-textured foliage. Long bloom period.
Eastern Sandcherry
Prunus pumila
Height: 4'-6'
Width: 4'-6'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium, low
Bloom Period: May-June
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: August
Fruit Color: purple, black
Fruit Type: berry
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: red
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 3-4
Recommended: Ornamental Garden, Fragrant Garden, Edible Garden
Comments: Erect, upright habit. 3/4" fruit. Dark green leaves. Protect from rabbits until established. Suckering habit. Mix with prairie grasses & wildflowers.
Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
Height: 5'-6'
Width: 6'-8'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium, low
Soil Moisture: mesic, mesic-dry, dry
Soil Types: well-drained, sandy/gravelly loam
Bloom Period: May
Flower Color: yellow
Fruit Color: red
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: red
Wildlife: Butterfly, Bird
Zone: 4-5
Recommended: Deer Resistant, Ornamental Garden, Fragrant Garden, Rabbit Resistant
Comments: Aromatic foliage. Found in oak openings & upland wood borders. Excellent for erosion control.
Gro-Low Sumac
Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low'
Height: 1'-2'
Width: 6'-7'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium, low
Soil Moisture: mesic, mesic-dry, dry
Soil Types: well-drained
Bloom Period: May
Flower Color: yellow
Fruit Color: red
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: red, orange
Wildlife: Butterfly, Bird
Zone: 4-5
Recommended: Deer Resistant, Ornamental Garden, Fragrant Garden, Rabbit Resistant
Comments: Spreading habit. Fragrant, shiny green foliage. Excellent for massing/slopes. Clonal selection of R. aromatica.
Smooth Sumac
Rhus glabra
Height: 6'-8'
Width: 10'-12'
Sun: full
Soil Moisture: dry
Soil Types: well-drained
Bloom Period: June-July
Flower Color: yellow, green
Fruit Period: July-September
Fruit Color: red
Fall Color: red
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 3-4
Comments: Long, compound leaves. Rhizomatous colonizer.
Skunkbush Sumac
Rhus trilobata
Staghorn Sumac
Rhus typhina
Height: 10'-12'
Width: 10'-12'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium, low
Bloom Period: June-July
Flower Color: green
Fruit Period: August-September
Fruit Color: red
Fall Color: red
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 3-5
Comments: Densely pubescent twigs. Rhizomatous colonizer.
American Black Currant
Ribes americanum
Height: 3'-6'
Width: 3'-6'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: high, medium
Soil Moisture: wet, wet-mesic, mesic
Soil Types: tolerates most
Bloom Period: May-June
Flower Color: yellow, white, cream
Fruit Period: July-August
Fruit Color: purple, black
Fruit Type: berry
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: red, orange
Wildlife: Bird, Bee, Bumblebee
Zone: 3-5
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Ornamental Garden, Edible Garden
Comments: High wildlife value.
Pasture (Prickly) Gooseberry out
Ribes cynosbati
Height: 3'-6'
Width: 3'-6'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium
Soil Types: tolerates most
Bloom Period: July-August
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: July-August
Fruit Color: purple, black
Fruit Type: berry
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: yellow, maroon, bronze, purple
Wildlife: Bird, Bee, Bumblebee
Zone: 3-5
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Fragrant Garden, Edible Garden
Comments: Open habit with thorns along branches & on fruit. Fragrant flowers. High wildlife value.
Out of stock. Prices/sizes for reference only.
Missouri Gooseberry out
Ribes missouriensis
Height: 3'-6'
Width: 3'-6'
Sun: full, part, shade
Water Use: medium, low
Soil Moisture: mesic, mesic-dry, dry
Soil Types: tolerates most
Bloom Period: April-June
Flower Color: green, white, cream
Fruit Period: July-August
Fruit Color: purple, black
Fruit Type: berry
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: magenta, red, orange, yellow, maroon, purple
Wildlife: Bird, Bee, Bumblebee
Zone: 3-5
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Fragrant Garden, Edible Garden
Comments: Very shade tolerant. Upright, arching branches w/ reddish-brown spines. Fragrant flowers. High wildlife value.
Out of stock. Prices/sizes for reference only.
Meadow Rose
Rosa blanda
Height: 3'-6'
Width: 6'-8'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium, low
Soil Moisture: mesic, mesic-dry, dry
Bloom Period: June-July
Flower Color: pink
Fruit Period: July-September
Fruit Color: red
Fruit Type: hip
Edible Parts: fruit, flowers
Fall Color: red
Wildlife: Butterfly, Bee, Bumblebee
Zone: 3-4
Recommended: Ornamental Garden, Fragrant Garden, Edible Garden
Comments: Open woodlands. Upright, branching habit. Fragrant flowers. Rhizomatous colonizer. Thornless new growth.
Carolina Rose
Rosa carolina
Height: 2'-3'
Width: 6'-7'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: low
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic, mesic, mesic-dry, dry
Soil Types: acidic, sand/loam
Bloom Period: May-June
Flower Color: pink
Fruit Color: red
Fruit Type: hip
Edible Parts: fruit, flowers
Fall Color: red, orange, yellow
Wildlife: Butterfly, Bird, Bee, Bumblebee
Zone: 3-6
Recommended: Ornamental Garden, Fragrant Garden, Edible Garden
Comments: Fragrant flowers. Rhizomatous colonizer.
Swamp Rose
Rosa palustris
Height: 5'-8'
Width: 5'-8'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: high, medium
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic
Bloom Period: June-July
Flower Color: pink
Fruit Color: red, orange
Fruit Type: hip
Edible Parts: fruit, flowers
Fall Color: red
Wildlife: Butterfly, Bee, Bumblebee
Zone: 3-5
Recommended: Deer Resistant, Ornamental Garden, Fragrant Garden, Edible Garden
Comments: Excellent deep green foliage. Profuse flowers. 1/2" hips. Rhizomatous colonizer. Native east of MN.
Highbush Blackberry
Rubus allegheniensis
Height: 3'-6'
Width: 6'-12'
Sun: full, part
Soil Types: sandy loam/clay
Bloom Period: May-June
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: July-August
Fruit Color: black
Fruit Type: berry
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: red, orange, maroon
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 3-4
Recommended: Edible Garden
Comments: Rhizomatous colonizer. Sharp thorns.
Northern Raspberry
Rubus idaeus canadensis
Height: 3'-6'
Width: 6'-12'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium
Soil Types: sandy/clay loam
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: July-August
Fruit Color: red
Fruit Type: berry
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: red, yellow, maroon, purple
Wildlife: Bird, Bee
Zone: 4
Recommended: Edible Garden
Comments: Long, arching canes. Colonizer. Very high wildlife value.
Black Raspberry
Rubus occidentalis
Height: 3'-5'
Sun: full, part
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic, mesic, mesic-dry, dry
Bloom Period: May-June
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: July-August
Fruit Color: purple, black
Fruit Type: berry
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: orange, yellow
Wildlife: Bird, Bee, Bumblebee
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Edible Garden
Comments: Canes will tip-root. Thorns. Tasty fruit.
Thimbleberry out
Rubus parviflorus
Height: 4'-6'
Width: 3'+
Sun: part
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic
Soil Types: alkaline
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: July-August
Fruit Color: red
Fruit Type: berry
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: red, orange, yellow, maroon, bronze
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 3-4
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Edible Garden
Comments: Thornless. Large leaves. Showy, 1.5" flowers. Rhizomatous.
Out of stock. Prices/sizes for reference only.
Pussy Willow
Salix discolor
Height: 15'-20'
Width: 10'-12'
Sun: full
Water Use: medium
Soil Moisture: wet, wet-mesic
Soil Types: clay, loam, sand
Bloom Period: April-May
Flower Color: green, silver
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Butterfly, Bird, Bee
Zone: 2-5
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Ornamental Garden
Comments: Dioecious. Upright form. Flood tolerant. Showy catkins. Found along lakeshores, swamps, and bogs.
Prairie Willow
Salix humilis microphyllus
Height: 3'-6'
Width: 3'-6'
Sun: full
Water Use: high
Soil Moisture: wet, wet-mesic, mesic, mesic-dry, dry
Bloom Period: March-May
Flower Color: yellow, green, purple, brown
Fruit Color: brown
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Bird, Bee, Bumblebee
Zone: 3
Comments: Showy catkins. Very dense branching habit. Dark green foliage.
Sandbar Willow
Salix interior
Height: 6'-20'
Sun: full
Soil Moisture: wet, wet-mesic
Soil Types: sandy/silty loam
Bloom Period: May-July
Fall Color: yellow
Zone: 3-4
Comments: Catkins. Fine-textured foliage. Aggressive, rhizomatous spreader, forming colonies which decrease in age and height from the colony center. Excellent for shoreline retention. Fast re-growth after harvest.
Shining Willow
Salix lucida
Height: 12'-18'
Width: 12'-18'
Sun: full
Soil Moisture: wet, wet-mesic
Soil Types: loam, tolerates most
Edible Parts: leaves
Zone: 2-5
Recommended: Deer Resistant, Edible Garden
Comments: Found along streams, wet meadows, swamps, bogs, and lake margins. Glossy, yellow-green leaves. High wildlife value. Releases cotton-like seed.
Slender Willow
Salix petiolaris
Height: 6'-12'
Width: 6'-15'
Sun: full, part
Soil Moisture: wet, wet-mesic
Soil Types: tolerates most
Bloom Period: April-May
Fruit Period: May-June
Fall Color: yellow
Zone: 3
Comments: Catkins. Found in wet meadows, swales and lowland areas. Many-branched shrub with red winter twigs. Adaptable.
American Elder
Sambucus canadensis
Height: 8'-10'
Width: 8'-10'
Sun: full
Soil Moisture: wet, wet-mesic, mesic, mesic-dry
Soil Types: tolerates most
Bloom Period: June
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: August-September
Fruit Color: blue, purple, black
Fruit Type: berry
Edible Parts: fruit, flowers
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 3-7
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Ornamental Garden, Edible Garden
Comments: Flood tolerant. Adaptable. Fast growth. Rhizomatous. Excellent for pies, jams, and wine. Very high wildlife value.
Red-Berried Elder
Sambucus pubens
Height: 10'-12'
Width: 10'-12'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: high
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic
Soil Types: well-drained
Bloom Period: May-June
Flower Color: white, cream
Fruit Period: June-August
Fruit Color: red, orange
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Butterfly, Bird, Hummingbird
Zone: 4-6
Recommended: Deer Resistant, Buckthorn Replacement, Ornamental Garden
Comments: Flood intolerant. Fast growth rate. Found in mixed woodlands and ravines. 5" flower panicles. Bitter berries can be made into wine.
Silver Buffaloberry
Shepherdia argentea
Height: 8'-10'
Width: 8'-10'
Sun: full
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic, mesic
Soil Types: loam
Flower Color: yellow
Fruit Period: August-September
Fruit Color: red
Fruit Type: drupe
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 2-5
Recommended: Deer Resistant, Edible Garden
Comments: Dioecious. Drought tolerant. Nitrogen fixer. Thicket-forming with ascending branch habit. Thorns. Found in western prairies and shrub-grassland communities. Silvery, green foliage. Berries can be made into jam.
Meadowsweet
Spiraea alba
Height: 3'-6'
Width: 3'-6'
Sun: full
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic
Soil Types: silty loam, peaty muck
Bloom Period: July
Flower Color: white
Fall Color: red, orange, yellow
Wildlife: Bee
Zone: 3-4
Recommended: Deer Resistant, Ornamental Garden
Comments: Erect branching habit. Rhizomatous colonizer. Wet meadows. Excellent on shorelines.
Hardhack Spirea (Steeplebush)
Spiraea tomentosa
Height: 2'-4'
Width: 3'-6'
Sun: full
Soil Moisture: wet, wet-mesic
Soil Types: acidic, fine sand, peaty muck
Flower Color: pink
Fall Color: red, yellow, bronze
Wildlife: Bee
Zone: 3-4
Recommended: Deer Resistant, Ornamental Garden
Comments: Upright branching habit. Marshes & water edge. Attractive flower spikes. A must for any raingarden.
American Bladdernut
Staphylea trifolia
Height: 10'-15'
Width: 10'+
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium
Soil Moisture: mesic
Bloom Period: May
Flower Color: white
Fruit Color: yellow, brown
Fruit Type: pod
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Bee, Hummingbird, Bumblebee
Zone: 3-4
Recommended: Deer Resistant, Buckthorn Replacement, Ornamental Garden
Comments: Rhizomatous, clump-forming. Found in deciduous woodlands and ravines. 1-2" papery, inflated “bladder-shaped” pods in fall.
White Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus
Height: 3'-4'
Width: 4'-5'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium, low
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic, mesic, mesic-dry
Soil Types: clay, limestone, loam, sand
Bloom Period: May-July
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: September-November
Fruit Color: white
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Moth, Bird
Zone: 2-5
Recommended: Deer Resistant, Buckthorn Replacement, Ornamental Garden
Comments: Rhizomatous. Flood intolerant. Blue-green foliage. High wildlife value. Self-fertile.
Wolfberry
Symphoricarpos occidentalis
Height: 2'-4'
Width: 4'-6'
Sun: full
Water Use: medium
Soil Moisture: mesic
Soil Types: tolerates most
Bloom Period: June-July
Flower Color: pink, white
Fruit Period: September-October
Fruit Color: white
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 3-5
Recommended: Ornamental Garden
Comments: Rhizomatous. Upright habit. Fruit persists on stems into winter. Western prairies of MN.
Red Snowberry / Coralberry
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
Height: 3'-4'
Width: 4'-6'
Sun: full, part
Soil Moisture: wet, wet-mesic, mesic, mesic-dry, dry
Soil Types: loam, tolerates most
Flower Color: green, white
Fruit Color: pink, magenta, red
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: yellow
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 2-7
Recommended: Ornamental Garden
Comments: Rhizomatous colonizer. Upright, arching habit. Native to southern MN. Fruit persists on stems into winter. High wildlife value.
Common Lowbush Blueberry
Vaccinium angustifolium
Height: 1'-2'
Width: 1'-2'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium
Soil Moisture: mesic
Soil Types: sand, loam
Bloom Period: May-June
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: July-September
Fruit Color: blue
Fruit Type: berry
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: red, maroon
Wildlife: Bird, Bee
Zone: 2-3
Recommended: Groundcover, Edible Garden
Comments: Bell-shaped flowers. Flood tolerant.
Arrowwood Viburnum
Viburnum dentatum
Height: 6'-10'
Width: 6'-10'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic
Soil Types: well-drained, loam
Bloom Period: May-June
Flower Color: white
Fruit Color: blue, black
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: magenta, red, orange, yellow, maroon
Wildlife: Butterfly, Bird
Zone: 2-8
Recommended: Ornamental Garden
Comments: Upright habit. Showy flowers & fruit clusters. Native range to Iowa (not MN). Hardy.
Nannyberry Viburnum
Viburnum lentago
Height: 12'-20'
Width: 8'-20'
Sun: full, part
Water Use: medium
Soil Moisture: mesic
Soil Types: loam, tolerates most
Bloom Period: May-June
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: August-September
Fruit Color: black
Fruit Type: berry
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: maroon
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 3-4
Recommended: Buckthorn Replacement, Ornamental Garden, Edible Garden
Comments: Upright habit. Flat-topped flower clusters.
Downy Arrowwood Viburnum
Viburnum rafinesquianum
Height: 6'-8'
Width: 6'-8'
Sun: full, part
Soil Moisture: mesic, mesic-dry, dry
Bloom Period: May
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: August-September
Fruit Color: blue, black
Fruit Type: berry
Fall Color: red, orange
Wildlife: Bird
Zone: 3-4
Recommended: Ornamental Garden
Comments: Upright habit.
American Highbush Cranberry
Viburnum trilobum
Height: 6'-10'
Width: 6'-10'
Sun: full, part, shade
Soil Moisture: wet-mesic, mesic
Soil Types: loam, organic peat
Bloom Period: May-June
Flower Color: white
Fruit Period: September-February
Fruit Color: red
Fruit Type: berry
Edible Parts: fruit
Fall Color: red, maroon
Wildlife: Beetle, Bird, Fly, Bee
Zone: 2-5
Recommended: Deer Resistant, Buckthorn Replacement, Ornamental Garden, Edible Garden
Comments: AKA Viburnum opulus var. americanum. Dark green foliage. Flat-topped flower clusters. Fruit persists through winter. True type - not a hybrid cross!
Soapweed Yucca out
Yucca glauca
Height: 2'-3'
Width: 2'-3'
Sun: full
Water Use: low
Soil Types: well-drained
Bloom Period: July
Flower Color: white, cream
Wildlife: Moth
Zone: 4
Recommended: Ornamental Garden
Comments: Native to southwestern MN. Fine-textured rosette of spiked, 0.5-1" wide blue-green leaves. Showy flowers.
Out of stock. Prices/sizes for reference only.
