My Favorite Tree, Shrub & Ground Cover – Residential
My Favorite Tree
Shadblow Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis
Amelanchier canadensis, commonly called Shadblow Serviceberry, is an elegant, native, multi-stem, small tree species found throughout the eastern United States. I really enjoy that it is one of the earliest flowering trees with white semi-fragrant flowers, followed by crimson colored fruits and delicate open crown. Its ability to adapt to a wide range of soil conditions, partial shade tolerance and its resistance to many pests and diseases makes this plant a great selection for the landscape, finding its way into many of our projects.
Jesse A. Harris, RLA, ASLA, Landscape Architect BSC Group, Inc., Glastonbury, CT
(860) 652-8227
www.bscgroup.com
My Favorite Shrub
Seven-Son Flower
Heptacodium miconioides
Seven-Son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides) offers year-round interest and is a great specimen for gardens with limited space. Its long, thick glossy leaves give it a somewhat tropical look from spring until fall. It is one of few trees whose fragrant blooms appear late in the summer and then turn into bright red seeds, which give the appearance that it is flowering again. After the leaves fall in the autumn, the tan colored exfoliating bark and vase-shaped form are revealed to provide months of winter interest.
Trish Nightingale-Peek, Landscape Designer Higher Ground Landscapes Denver, CO
(303) 422-1445
www.highergroundlandscapes.com
My Favorite Ground Cover
Pachysandra
Pachysandra terminalis
Few plants can compete with Pachysandra when it comes to a care free groundcover. We work primarily around Lake Geneva and our clients come here to relax and enjoy the lake and their gardens. They don’t want to spend much time weeding and watering planting beds. Pachysandra has a dense uniform growth habit and tough evergreen leaves. Deer and insect pests are usually not a problem for this plant. Once established, Pachysandra requires minimal fertilization, weeding or irrigation. It is a definite go-to for any low maintenance landscape planting.
Gregg Johnson, Certified Arborist, ISA, WAA B & J Tree and Landscape Services, Inc. Lake Geneva, WI
(262) 248-3653 •
www.bandjtree.com
