SPP., p. 13; DOGWOOD SPP., p. 48; NINEBARK, p. 44; SCENTLESS MOCK ORANGE, p. 46; SERVICEBERRY SPP., p. 20; SWEETSHRUB, p. 19; VIBURNUM SPP., p. 69.
See Summer Shrubs for HYDRANGEA SPP., p. 143.
See Spring Trees for AMERICAN PLUM and other native plums, p. 78; CHOKECHERRY, p. 83.
Nonnative:
WILLOW. See PUSSY WILLOW, p. 52.
Native Alternatives:
OZARK WITCH HAZEL, VERNAL WITCH HAZEL. Family: Witch hazel (Hamamelidaceae). Genus: Hamamelis (H. vernalis). Height: 6–10 feet. Shrub or small tree. Spread: 8–15 feet. Ornamental Attributes: Extremely fragrant clusters of fringe-like flowers in January to April; yellow petals, red inner calyces. Bloom time depends heavily on the weather. “True spring is still a couple of months away, yet follow the scent and find an enchanting small tree in full bloom.”93 The flowers roll up on cold days to avoid freeze damage. Woody capsules release seeds in fall. Golden-yellow fall leaves. Picturesque winter branching structure. Cultivation: Full sun best for flowering; takes shade. Tolerant of black walnut tree toxicity. Nature Note: “Even more surprising is that, despite the wintery time of year, small native bees, moths and flies venture out on these occasional warm days to forage, and thus pollinate, witch hazel flowers,”94 writes Cindy Gilberg. Hosts 63 species of butterflies and moths. American robin (p. 62), northern cardinal (p. 61), tufted titmouse (p. 169), dark-eyed junco (p. 322), and many other birds eat the seeds. Zones: 4–8.
Ozark witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis)
More Native Alternatives:
FOTHERGILLA SPP., p. 27; SPICEBUSH, p. 22.
See Fall Shrubs for AMERICAN WITCH HAZEL, p. 244.
See Spring Trees for AMERICAN HAZELNUT, p. 102; AMERICAN PLUM and other native plums, p. 78; CAROLINA SILVERBELL, p. 80; CHERRY SPP., p. 82.
Nonnative:
WISTERIA, CHINESE WISTERIA, JAPANESE WISTERIA. See Confusion Note, p. 43.
Native Alternative:
AMERICAN WISTERIA, p. 43
Spring Trees
Nonnative:
ALDER. See Winter Trees, p. 316.
Nonnative:
AMUR MAACKIA. See MAACKIA, p. 109.
Nonnative:
AMUR MAPLE. See Fall Trees, p. 251.
Nonnative:
AUTUMN OLIVE; RUSSIAN OLIVE. See Fall Shrubs, p. 229.
Nonnative:
BIRCH. See Winter Trees, p. 320.
Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’)
Nonnative:
BRADFORD PEAR, CALLERY PEAR. Family: Rose (Rosaceae). Genus: Pyrus. Species: P. calleryana. Cultivar: P. calleryana ‘Bradford’. Origin: China. Height: 30–50 feet. Spread: 20–35 feet. Ornamental Attributes: White flowers in April to May with an odor many find unpleasant. Bees and butterflies ignore the flowers. Among the last trees to turn color in fall, leaves can turn yellow or red, ending up deep maroon. Some trees remain green until it is about to snow. Birds, such as the introduced European starling disperse its tiny inedible fruits. “‘Bradford’ . . . is as common as mud in landscapes across the United States,” observes Michael Dirr, noting it “suffers from a fatal genetic flaw that causes it to self-destruct, literally falling apart with time—the many branches will cause the tree to split in half after 10 to 15 years.”95 Cultivation: Sun, most soils. Shallow roots erupt out of lawns, lift sidewalks and patios, penetrate pipes. Shoots, suckers, and often long sharp thorns appear on grafted and non-grafted trees. Now affected by a new rust disease introduced from Europe.96 Callery Pear Cultivars: Many communities have launched programs to stop planting the short-lived, invasive Callery pear cultivars that once were considered appealing landscape trees. There are over twenty genetically differing Callery pear cultivars, including such well-known selections as ‘Bradford’, ‘Aristocrat’, ‘Glen’s Form’, ‘Autumn Blaze’, ‘Chanticleer’, and ‘Cleveland Select’ that are now identified as “problem plant pests.”97 Once considered self-incompatible, unable to self-pollinate or produce fertile fruit, the cultivars now sexually reproduce, interbreed, create hybrid fruits, and reacquire characteristics such as thorniness that had been purposely bred out. “Bradford pear is worse than kudzu, and the ill-conceived progeny of Bradford pear will be cursing our environment for decades or possibly centuries yet to come,” writes Durant Ashmore.98 The Morton Arboretum designates Callery pear “Not recommended.” Ecological Threat: Invasive in midwestern states. Zones: 5–9.
Native Alternatives:
