Small to medium deciduous street trees (patio or small spaces; some under utility lines):

Botanical Name Common Name	Native	Mature Height/Spread	Light Requirements	Comments
Acer buergerianum Trident Maple	N	25-35’/20-30’	Sun	Good urban street tree, tolerant of drought, air pollution, and soil compaction; attractive foliage, form, fall color, and exfoliating bark
Acer campestre Hedge maple	N	25-35’/30-35’	Sun/light shade	Extremely adaptable; tolerates drought and soil compaction, air pollution and severe pruning; small lawn specimen or residential street tree
Acer ginnala Amur Maple	N	15-20’/15-20	Sun/part-shade	Adaptable to a wide range of soils, easy to transplant, tends toward multi-stem; not recommended for street tree; good in planters
Acer leucoderme Chalkbark maple	Y	25-30’/20-30’	Sun, light shade	Adaptable; tolerates dry conditions; commercial availability may be problem; great whitish bark
Amelanchier arborea Serviceberry, Sarvis	Y	15-25’/10-15’	Sun/part-shade	Blooms in early spring before dogwoods with white flowers; good under power lines, can be multi-trunked; use with care in urban sites, not drought or urban tolerant
Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam, musclewood	Y	20-30’/20-30’	Sun/shade	Good street tree for residential sites; great for naturalizing along woodland edges, in buffer areas or along streams; not drought or compaction tolerant
Cercis canadensis Eastern Redbud	Y	20-30’/25-35’	Sun/part-shade	Beautiful pink/magenta/white flowers in spring; best for use in woodland/naturalized settings, use in buffer areas as understory or street tree under power lines
Cotinus obovatus American Smoketree	Y	20-30’/20-30’	Sun	Good small tree for street and urban plantings, tolerates dry soil conditions, magnificent fall foliage ranges from yellow/orange to red/reddish purple, attractive bark in winter
Chionanthus virginicus White Fringetree	Y	15-20’/12-15’	Sun/part-shade	Beautiful white fragrant flowers in spring, dark blue fruit in fall; great understory tree in woodland or buffer areas, or under power lines; moderate drought tolerance
Chionanthus retusus Chinese fringetree	N	15-25’/15-25’	Sun/light shade	Excellent floral display and great fruit, only on females; heat tolerant and adaptable
Cornus alternifolia Pagoda Dogwood	Y	15-25’/10-20’	Sun/part-shade	Fibrous spreading roots, best for naturalizing in woodland or buffer areas; spreading habit with horizontal branches creates a layered look
Cornus florida Flowering Dogwood	Y	20-30’/20-30’	Sun/part-shade	Good for naturalizing; needs good air circulation, not pollution or drought tolerant; not recommended for street tree planting
Cornus kousa Kousa Dogwood	N	20-30’/20-30’	Sun/part-shade	Creamy white flowers more prolific in sun, exfoliating bark, more disease resistant than Cornus florida,; moderately drought tolerant; best in open areas to allow for broad spread
Crataegus crusgalli var. inermis Thornless cockspur hawthorn	Y	20-30’/20-35’	Sun	Adaptable, prefers well-drained soil; moderately urban tolerant; use only thornless variety for street trees; great for screens and hedges
Crataegus phaenopyrum Washington Hawthorn	Y	25-30’/20-25’	Sun	Creamy white flowers in May; attractive in winter with persistent red fruit, good street tree; susceptible to rusts; don’t plant adjacent to junipers or quince
Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’ Winter green green hawthorn	Y	20-35’/20-35’	Sun	Vase-shaped, rounded habit; persistent, large red fruits, very nice
Hamamelis virginiana Witchhazel	Y	20-30’/20-25’	Sun/shade	Great for naturalizing in woodland or buffer areas; prefers moist, well-drained soils
Koelreuteria paniculata Goldenrain Tree	N	30-40’/30-40’	Sun	Withstands drought, heat, wind and pollution; good urban street tree, though maybe weak wooded; great yellow flowers in late spring; reseeds easily; ungainly in youth
Malus Flowering Crabapple	N	Varies based on cultivar	Sun	Beautiful spring flowering tree, many colors; disease resistant varieties include: ‘Adams’, ‘Adirondack’, ‘Harvest Gold’, ‘Prairifire’, ‘Professor Sprenger’, and Sugar Tyme^Ô
Lagerstroemia indica Crape myrtle	N	Varies based on cultivar	Sun	Adaptable species; prefers hot conditions; many cultivars suited to various sites
Ostrya virginiana American Hophornbeam	Y	25-40’/20-40’	Sun/part-shade	Useful naturalizing or as a street tree; prefers moist, well-drained soil; slow to establish
Parrotia persica Persian Parrotia	N	20-40’/15-30’	Sun/light shade	Excellent small tree with exfoliating bark and crimson flowers in early spring; tolerant of drought, heat, wind and cold; use as street tree, under power lines or as an accent plant
Pistacia chinensis Chinese pistache	N	30-35’/25-35’	Sun	Tolerates a wide range of sites and soil conditions; tough urban tree, very drought resistant; prune to get uniform crown; use a street tree, open areas and so forth
Prunus sargentii Sargent Cherry	N	20-30’/20-30’	Sun	Pink flowers in April/May, rich brown bark and great fall color, good street tree under power lines; ‘Columnaris’ is 20-35’/10-15’ upright form
Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’ Flowering cherry	N	30-40’/30-40’	Sun	Prefers moist, well-drained soils; not particularly urabn or drought tolerant; great street for wide lawns
Viburnum prunifolium Blackhaw Viburnum	Y	15-20’/8-12’	Sun/shade	Adaptable to many soil types; drought tolerant; white flowers in May, good fall color; ok street tree may tend to sucker, also use in massing or naturalizing

Large deciduous street or open space trees:

Botanical Name Common Name	Native	Mature Height/Spread	Light Requirements	Comments
Acer x freemanii Autumn Blaze^Ò Autumn Blaze Freeman maple	Y (CN)	40-50’/20-40’	Sun/light shade	Excellent red fall color; adaptable to urban sites;
Acer rubrum Red Maple	Y	40-60’/varies	Sun/shade	Fall leaf color varies, ‘October Glory’ and ‘Red Sunset’ cultivars provide good orange/red fall color; not drought or soil compaction tolerant
Aesculus flava Yellow Buckeye	Y	60-75’/30-50’	Sun	Spectacular native trouble free tree; great pumpkin fall color; use in large areas, not as street tree; prefers moist, well-drained soil
Betula nigra River Birch	Y	40-70’/40-60’	Sun/part-shade	Good for areas that flood periodically; heat, but not drought tolerant; best in large areas and limited use as a street tree
Carpinus betulus European Hornbeam	N	40-60’/30-50’	Sun/part-shade	Can prune as a hedge or screen; use in grouping around buildings or in planter boxes; not drought tolerant; ‘Fastigiata’ good columnar form
Celtis occidentalis Common Hackberry	Y	40-60’/40-60’	Sun	Nice native tree, withstands adverse city conditions, yellow green fall foliage, fall fruit is a favorite for birds
Cercidiphyllum japonicum Katsuratree	N	40-60’/40-60’	Sun	Elegant tree, good street tree with sufficient space and moisture; best in large spaces; requires supplemental watering during drought
Cladrastis kentukea American Yellowwood	Y	30-50’/40-55’	Sun	Spectacular cascading white flowers in spring; use as specimen or in groupings; may develop weak crotches and readily splits; great for smaller properties
Fagus grandifolia American Beech	Y	50-70’/40-60’	Sun/shade	Beautiful native tree for large areas and natural settings; will not tolerate heavy pruning, wet soil or heavily compacted sites
Fraxinus americana White Ash	Y	50-80’/50-70’	Sun	Shade or street tree with good fall color ranging from reddish purple to yellow; tolerant of wide variety of conditions; susceptible to emerald ash borer
Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green Ash	Y	50-60’/varies	Sun	Withstands city conditions; good street tree and for large areas; beautiful yellow fall color, some cultivars with purple fall color; susceptible to emerald ash borer
Ginkgo biloba Ginkgo, Maidenhair	N	50-80’/varies	Sun	Ancient tree with unique fan-shaped leaf, beautiful shade tree; use male trees only as female fruit produces offensive odor; good urban tree; slow grower
Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis Thornless Honeylocust	Y	30-70’/30-70’	Sun	Very adaptable; good salt and urban tolerance; does not perform well I heat and high humidity of south; select fruitless varieties for landscape use
Gymnocladus dioicus Kentucky coffeetree	Y	60-75’/40-50’	Sun	Adaptable to wide range of soils, drought tolerant; “ugly duckling” in youth, but becoming picturesque; good for open areas and large tree lawns; females produce large fruits, that may be considered messy by some
Larix kaempferi Japanese Larch	N	70-90’/25-40’	Sun	Deciduous conifer with elegant spring growth; prefers moist, well-drained soils, not drought tolerant; best ornamental larch for large areas; cultivars available
Liquidambar styraciflua Sweetgum	Y	60-75’/40-50’	Sun/part-shade	Excellent fall color, good for planting in moist areas along streams; fruit may be a nuisance; use for streets and large areas, avoid polluted or confined sites
Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip Poplar, Yellow Poplar	Y	70-90’/35-50’	Sun	Large, stately tree; susceptible to drought but otherwise adaptable; beautiful yellow fall color, good for street trees and open areas
Magnolia acuminata Cucumbertree magnolia	Y	50-80’/50-80’	Sun/part-shade	May be hard to transplant; good for large open areas; not drought or pollution tolerant; prefers moist, well-drained, loamy soils
Metasequoia glyptostroboides Dawn Redwood	N	70-100’/25-30’	Sun	Deciduous conifer; distinctive pyramidal habit; easy to transplant; use for screening, streets, also excellent for groves along lakes and streams
Nyssa sylvatica Black Tupelo	Y	30-50’/20-30’	Sun/part-shade	Difficult to transplant; bright red, early fall color; street tree in residential areas or shade tree in large open areas; prefers moist soil, protect from winds

Large deciduous street or open space trees (continued):

Botanical Name Common Name	Native	Mature Height/Spread	Light Requirements	Comments
Platanus x acerifolia London Planetree	N	70-100’/65-80’	Sun/light-shade	Withstands severe city conditions; good for use as street tree; easily transplanted; susceptible to cankerstain; often overplanted
Platanus occidentalis American Sycamore	Y	75-100’/75-100’	Sun/part-shade	Use for naturalized settings along streams; very large tree, needs lots of space; good downtown street tree; susceptible to anthracnose
Prunus subhirtella Higan Cherry	N	20-40’/15-20’	Sun	Long lived; cold, heat and stress tolerant; ‘Pendula’ is a weeping variety
Prunus x yedoensis Yoshino Cherry	N	20-30’/20-30’	Sun	Soft pinkish white flowers in early spring make spectacular display; fast growing; fairly adaptable, but like other cherries, not necessarily drought tolerant
Quercus acutissima Sawtooth oak	N	40-60’/40-60’	Sun	Prefers well-drained soil; transplants readily and grows quickly; highly adaptable, does well in heat of south; great for street tree or large park tree
Quercus alba White Oak	Y	50-80’/50-80’	Sun/part-shade	Majestic large shade tree; slow growing but long lived; difficult to transplant; sensitive to root disturbance when grading and soil compaction
Quercus bicolor Swamp White Oak	Y	50-60’/50-60’	Sun	Good for planting in low lying areas; easier to transplant than white oak; requires acid soil; tolerates wet sites and fairly urban tolerant
Quercus coccinea Scarlet Oak	Y	70-75’/40-50’	Sun	Long lasting bright red and scarlet leaves in fall; good for dry, sandy soils; good for street plantings and large areas
Quercus palustris Pin Oak	Y	60-70’/25-40’	Sun/part-shade	One of the easiest oaks to grow and transplant; good for street plantings if lower limbs are removed; prefers moist, well-drained acidic soil
Quercus phellos Willow Oak	Y	40-60’/30-40’	Sun	Extremely tolerant of heat and stress; excellent street tree; easily transplanted; requires maintenance to keep crown open and fee of dead limbs; great urban tree
Quercus rubra Red Oak	Y	60-75’/60-75’	Sun/part-shade	Excellent shade tree and effective as a street tree; easy to transplant; rapid grower; prefers moist, sandy-loam, acidic soils
Sophora japonica Japanese Pagoda Tree	N	50-70’/50-70’	Sun	Good tree for city conditions; creamy flower panicles in summer, very showy but can be messy; very pollution tolerant
Taxodium distichum Baldcypress	Y	50-70’/20-30’	Sun	Deciduous conifer with tall airy, columnar habit; can withstand swampy conditions, but tolerant of upland drier sites; good street tree with ample root area
Tilia americana Basswood, American Linden	Y	60-80’/20-40’	Sun	Fragrant yellow flowers in June; good for naturalizing or as street tree; slow grower
Tilia cordata Littleleaf Linden	N	60-70’/30-45’	Sun	This is one of the best city street or parking lot trees, yellowish fragrant flowers appear in June
Tilia tomentosa Silver Linden	N	50-70’/25-45’	Sun	Tolerant of heat and drought, good street tree for residential areas, yellowish white fragrant flowers, in summer but later than other lindens
Ulmus americana American Elm	Y	50-80’/30-50’	Sun/part-shade	Tough and durable, good for streets and parking lots, new varieties resistant to Dutch elm disease include ‘Valley Forge’, ‘Princeton’ and ‘New Harmony’
Ulmus parvifolia Lacebark elm	N	40-50’/40-50’	Sun/part shade	Good for difficult urban sites; makes best growth in moist, well-drained, fertile soils; great as a street tree or fro open areas
Zelkova serrata Japanese Zelkova	N	50-80’/50-80’	Sun/part-shade	Good shade tree for streets and parking lots, heat and drought tolerant, exfoliating bark

Evergreens for open spaces, specimens or massing:

Botanical Name Common Name	Native	Mature Height	Mature Spread	Light Requirements	Comments
Abies concolor White Fir	Y	30-50’	15-20’	Sun	Withstands heat, drought and cold; well adapted for general landscape use
Cedrus atlantica Atlas Cedar	N	40-60’	30-40’	Sun	Magnificent evergreen, frosty blue needles; drought tolerant, use as specimen tree
Cedrus deodara Deodar Cedar	N	40-70’	30-50’	Sun	Fluffy dense habit, silvery foliage; adaptable to dry conditions; fast grower; use in large areas as a specimen
Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon	N	40-60’	40-60’	Sun	Stately tree with thick massive trunk, dark green foliage; use as a specimen in large areas
Chamaecyparis pisifera Falsecypress	N	10-40’	10-20’	Sun	Species is large tree but most cultivars are smaller; use as accent or specimen plant, can also use as screen
Cryptomeria japonica Japanese Cryptomeria	N	50-60’	20-30’	Sun/part-shade	Graceful and stately, useful alternative to leyland cypress for hedges and screening; protect from harsh winds
Cupressus arizonica Arizona cypress	Y	40-50’	25-30’	Sun	Prefers hot, dry conditions with well-drained soil; great specimen, screen or windbreak plant; intense blue foliage, so don’t use too many together
Ilex opaca American Holly	Y	40-50’	20-40’	Sun/part-shade	Slow growing, plant male and female for berries, protect from winter sun and desiccating winds
Ilex x ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ Nellie Stevens Holly	N	15-25’	10-15’	Sun/part-shade	Excellent as specimen, for borders and foundation plantings, fast grower, good screen background, vigorous and drought resistant, self pollinating, red berries
Ilex x attenuata ‘Fosteri’ Foster Holly	N	20-30’	5-10’	Sun/part-shade	Excellent as specimen or hedge, especially in narrow spaces, tolerates city conditions, red berries in fall and winter, good in containers, self pollinating
Magnolia grandiflora Southern magnolia	Y	60-80’	30-50’	Sun/part-shade	Prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates wet soils; protect from wind; surface roots very competitive to other plants; use in open areas, as screen or in mass
Osmanthus americanus Devilwood	Y	15-20’	10-15’	Sun/part-shade	Glossy green foliage, low maintenance shrub for urban areas, useful as hedge or screen, dark purple fruit in fall, fragrant spring flowers
Picea abies Norway Spruce	N	40-60’	25-30’	Sun/part-shade	Rapid growth when young; prefers moist, sandy, well-drained soils; plant in light shade in south; use for screening or park areas
Picea orientalis Oriental Spruce	N	50-60’	10-15’	Sun/part-shade	Dense compact narrow habit; tolerant of infertile soils, protect from winds; makes a great specimen conifer; slow grower
Picea pungens Colorado Blue Spruce	N	30-60’	10-20’	Sun	Best as specimen; cultivars can have intense blue foliage, tolerant of dry conditions
Pinus bungeana Lacebark Pine	N	30-50’	20-35’	Sun	Rich green foliage, exfoliating bark; slow grower; often multi-stemmed; plant in open area with moist, well-drained soil; easily transplanted
Pinus densiflora Japanese Red Pine	N	40-60’	40-60’	Sun	Picturesque interesting form, use as specimen; decorative orange exfoliating bark; prefers well-drained, moist soil
Pinus flexilis Limber pine	Y	30-50’	15-35’	Sun/part-shade	Prefers moist, well-drained soils; very adaptable to a variety of sites; use as specimen, hedges or in mass
Pinus strobus White Pine	Y	50-80’	20-40’	Sun	Good temporary screen when young; prefers moist, well-drained soils; tolerates dry or wet soil and high humidity; not pollution, salt or wind tolerant
Taxus baccata English Yew	N	30-60’	15-25’	Sun/shade	Cultivated in England for centuries, with many cultivars available smaller than species, adapts well to varied conditions, easily pruned
Pinus taeda Loblolly pine	Y	40-60’	40-60’	Sun	Does well in moist, even wet soils; adaptable to a variety of sites; good as specimen in large area or as screen
Tsuga canadensis Canadian Hemlock	Y	40-70’	25-35’	Sun/shade	Protect from desiccating winds, not very tolerant of urban conditions, best used for screening and buffers
Tsuga caroliniana Carolina Hemlock	Y	45-60’	20-25’	Sun/shade	More tolerant of urban conditions than Tsuga canadensis, not tolerant of drought, protect from winds

Deciduous shrubs for massing, shrub borders or foundation plantings:

Botanical Name Common Name	Native	Mature Height	Mature Spread	Light Requirements	Comments
Aesculus parviflora Bottlebrush buckeye	Y	8-12’	8-15’	Sun/part-shade	Suckering shrub, great for naturalizing or massing; prefers moist, well-drained soils, but highly adaptable; proliferates in shady spots
Aronia spp. Chokeberry	Y	6-10’	3-5’	Sun/part-shade	A. arbutifolia, red chokeberry and A. melanocarpa, black chokecherry offer great white flowers in spring and great fruit in fall; adaptable, even wet areas; use in massing
Berberis thunbergii Japanese Barberry	N	2-4’	2-3’	Sun	Great for hedges and barriers, withstands dry conditions, yellow flowers and red berries, many cultivars available
Berberis x mentorensis Mentor Barberry	N	5-7’	5-7’	Sun/part-shade	Excellent hedge or barrier due to thorny stems, yellow flowers in spring, but usually does not produce fruit
Buddleia davidii Butterfly-bush	N	6-10’	5-10’	Sun	Beautiful summer flowering shrub in a variety of colors; tolerates heat and drought, once established; attracts butterflies and bees; new cultivars of compact habit available
Callicarpa americana American Beautyberry	Y	4-6’	4-6’	Sun/part-shade	Good background plant for perennials or for naturalizing; striking in groups under trees, showy purple fruit, developing best in full sun; prefers moist soil
Callicarpa dichotoma Purple Beautyberry	N	3-4’	4-5’	Sun	Graceful and refined; prolific fruiter in late September, purple and white forms available; best used in mass
Calycanthus floridus Carolina Allspice, Sweetshrub	Y	6-10’	6-10’	Shade/sun	Dark red fragrant flowers in spring; nice for naturalizing or as a specimen; prefers moist, well-drained soil; white and yellow flowering forms available
Caryopteris x clandonensis Blue-Mist Shrub	N	2-3’	2-3’	Sun	Perennial shrub that should be cut back to ground each year; soft blue flowers in late summer
Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush	Y	3-6’ (15’)	5-10’	Sun/light shade	Requires moist conditions; great for naturalizing; unique flower and fruit
Chimonanthus praecox Wintersweet	N	10-15’	10-12’	Sun/part-shade	Fragrant, yellow flowers in winter; lustrous green foliage; use in shrub border or as specimen
Clethra alnifolia Summersweet Clethra	Y	5-8’	5-6’	Sun/shade	Fragrant white or pinkish flower in summer; very adaptable, excellent in wet sites; good for naturalizing; numerous cultivars of various mature sizes
Cotinus coggygria Smokebush	N	10-15’	10-15’	Sun	Showy in late spring when smoke like panicles are at peak; purple leaved cultivars available; use in border or groupings; Verticillium wilt may be a problem; adaptable
Cytisus scoparius Scotch broom	N	5-6’	5-10’	Sun/part-shade	Wide array of colors, good for massing and bank stabilization; adaptable, performing well on dry, poor soils
Deutzia gracilis Slender Deutzia	N	2-4’	3-4’	Sun	Low, graceful shrub with pure white flowers in May; use in borders and for mass plantings; highly adaptable; renewal pruning keep plant tidy
Euonymus alatus Burning Bush	N	10-15’	10-15’	Sun/part-shade	Useful in many situations for parking lot screening, foundations, and buffers; beautiful scarlet fall foliage, dwarf varieties available; overused and may be invasive
Euonymus americanus Strawberry Bush	N	7-8’	6-7’	Shade	Interesting dark red fruit in fall; useful for massing and naturalizing
Forsythia x intermedia Forsythia	N	8-10’	7-10’	Sun	Spectacular yellow flowers are harbinger of spring; very hardy and adaptable; useful in buffers and parking lots
Fothergilla gardenii Dwarf Fothergilla	Y	2-3’	2-3’	Sun/part-shade	Fragrant white, bottlebrush like flowers appear in mid spring; beautiful fluorescent yellow, orange and red fall foliage; prefers moist, well-drained soils with low pH
Fothergilla major Large Fothergilla	Y	6-10’	6-10’	Sun/part-shade	White fragrant flowers in spring, fluorescent yellow-orange foliage in fall; use for buffers, foundation plantings and in mass; prefers well-drained, moist soil with low pH
Hydrangea arborescens Smooth Hydrangea	Y	3-5’	3-5’	Sun/part-shade	Mounded habit; creamy white flowers in early summer; yellow foliage in fall; used in mixed shrub border; not particularly drought tolerant, shade best in south
Hydrangea macrophylla Bigleaf Hydrangea	N	3-6’	4-6’	Sun/part-shade	Plant in mass, shrub borders or as accent; shade best in south, not drought tolerant, tolerates salt spray; cultivars offer color options and variations in flower form
Hydrangea paniculata Panicle Hydrangea	N	10-20’	6-10’	Sun/part-shade	Showy white flowers in summer; tolerant of dry city conditions; can be pruned to form a small tree; most adaptable and urban tolerant hydrangea; not drought tolerant, though
Hydrangea quercifolia Oakleaf Hydrangea	Y	4-6’	4-6’	Sun/part-shade	Magnificent white flowers in June; exfoliating bark; use along shrub border or in mass; coarse texture so may need to use as background plant; not drought tolerant
Ilex decidua Possumhaw holly	Y	7-15’	7-12’	Sun/part-shade	Adaptable; fruits orange to scarlet; need both males and females for fruit set; Ilex opaca serves as pollinator
Ilex verticillata Winterberry Holly	Y	6-12’	6-10’	Sun/part-shade	A deciduous holly with bright red fruit that persists throughout the winter, male and female required for fruit set

Deciduous shrubs for massing, shrub borders or foundation plantings (continued):

Botanical Name Common Name	Native	Mature Height	Mature Spread	Light Requirements	Comments
Jasminum nudiflorum Winter Jasmine	N	2-4’	3-5’	Sun/shade	Low spreading plant with yellow flower in late winter, good for covering banks
Kerria japonica Japanese Kerria	N	3-6’	4-6’	Sun/part-shade	Yellow flowers may fade in full sun; tough plant; good in parking areas and shady buffers
Lindera benzoin Spicebush	Y	6-12’	6-12’	Sun/part-shade	Multi-stemmed shrub, greenish yellow flowers in early spring, yellow fall foliage with bright red fruit on female plants in September and October, great for naturalizing
Lagerstroemia indica Crape Myrtle	N	15-25’	5-15’	Sun	Tree like shrub, recommend ‘Natchez’ for our area, may be used as street tree under power lines, exfoliating bark
Physocarpus opulifolius Ninebark	Y	5-10’	6-10’	Sun/part-shade	Tolerates wide variety of soils and sites; somewhat drought tolerant, many cultivars with great selection of foliage color
Rhododendron periclymenoides Pinxterbloom Azalea	Y	4-6’	4-6’	Part-shade	Fragrant deciduous azalea, with white, pink or violet bloom in May, use for naturalizing in buffer areas
Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-low’ Gro-low fragrant sumac	Y	2-3’	6-8’	Sun/part-shade	Adaptable but prefers moist, well-drained site; does well on banks, cuts and poor soils; good for bank covers, low hedges and massing
Rhus typhina Staghorn sumac	Y	15-25’	15-30’	Sun	Prefers well-drained soils; tolerates dry, rocky, low fertility soil; tolerates city conditions; suckers profusely
Rhus copallina Flameleaf sumac	Y	20-30’	20-30’	Sun/part-shade	Great for dry, rocky areas, naturalizing; requires well-drained soils; needs space; excellent scarlet fall color
Salix purpurea Purpleosier Willow	N	8-10’	8-10’	Sun	Good choice for stream banks and moist areas; must occasionally be pruned back to the ground; wet soils
Spiraea x bumalda Bumald Spirea	N	3-4’	5-6’	Sun	‘Goldflame’ & ‘Anthony Waterer’ are popular cultivars; pink flowers, bronze red fall color; well-drained soils
Spiraea prunifolia Bridalwreath Spirea	N	4-9’	6-8’	Sun/shade	Graceful habit with white flowers in spring before the leaves appear; best for informal planting, combines well with roses and perennials
Spiraea thunbergii Thunberg Spirea	N	3-5’	3-5’	Sun	White flowers in early spring before leaves appear; wispy affect of foliage best when planted in mass
Spiraea x vanhouttei Vanhoutte Spirea	N	6-10’	10-12’	Sun/shade	Fountain like growth habit with white flowers in May after the leaves appear; useful as specimen or massed in buffer areas
Viburnum dentatum Arrowwood Viburnum	Y	6-8’	6-15’	Sun/part-shade	Very durable shrub, great for screening parking lots; white flowers in late spring, bluish black fruits in fall are a favorite for birds; adpatable
Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum Doublefile Viburnum	N	8-10’	9-12’	Sun/part-shade	Graceful shrub with horizontal branching, white flowers in spring; not drought tolerant; use as understory shrub or specimen
Viburnum x burkwoodii Burkwood Viburnum	N	8-10’	6-8’	Sun/part-shade	Fragrant spring flowering shrub, red fruit in fall turns to black; use for naturalizing and shrub borders

Evergreen shrubs for massing, shrub borders or foundation plantings:

Botanical Name Common Name	Native	Mature Height	Mature Spread	Light Requirements	Comments
Abelia grandiflora Glossy Abelia	N	4-6’	3-5’	Sun/part-shade	Good for use in masses and hedges; pinkish-white flowers in late spring through frost; adaptable to many sites and heavy pruning
Chamaecyparis obutsa Hinoki falsecypress	N	varies	varies	Sun/light shade	Prefers moist, well-drained soil; protect from winter winds; specimen, rock gardens and massing; many cultivars available varying in size and color
Elaeagnus pungens Thorny elaeagnus	N	10-15’	10-15’	Sun/partial shade	Adapts to varied soils; drought, salt spray and pollution tolerant; requires consistent pruning; good for bank stabilization, hedges or screens; variegated forms available
Euonymus fortunei Wintercreeper	N	1-4’	3-4’	Sun/shade	Many cultivars available; good for ground cover or low hedge, best used in mass or groups; some cultivars have shown invasive tendencies; prone to scale and crown gall
Euonymus japonicus Japanese euonymus	N	varies	varies	Sun/shade	Tolerant of many soil types and salt spray; withstands heavy pruning; prone to numerous insects such as scale
Euonymus kiautschovicus Spreading euonymus	N	8-10’	8-10’	Sun/shade	Good for hedges and screens; not as susceptible to scale as other species; avoid over-pruning
Gardenia jasminoides Cape jasmine	N	4-6’	4-6’	Sun/partial shade	Requires moist, well-drained soil; protect from winds and cold; excellent fragrance, but dead flowers detract from plant; susceptible to white flies, powdery mildew, etc.
Hypericum patulum St. John’s Wort	N	3-4’	3-4’	Sun	Evergreen in warmer areas, golden yellow flower in summer, good for foundation plantings or low hedges
Ilex cornuta Burfurd holly	N	varies	varies	Sun/part-shade	Extremely drought and heat tolerant; tolerant of heavy pruning; can prune to tree form; use various cultivars to match height and width requirements for site
Ilex crenata Japanese Holly	N	varies	varies	sun	Functional shrub for massing, screens, etc.; easy to grow; many cultivars available to fit specific needs
Ilex glabra Inkberry Holly	Y	6-8’	8-10’	Sun/part-shade	Tolerates wet soils; rounded habit; very trouble free and useful for naturalizing, massing and along parking lots
Ilex latifolia Lusterleaf holly	N	20-25’	10-20’	Sun/light shade	Pyramidal habit with really lustrous leaves; great for massing, screens, hedges or accent; Prefers well-drained soil; moderately drought tolerant
Ilex x meserveae Blue Holly	N	4-15’	5-8’	Sun	Hybrid group of hollies with dark leathery blue-green foliage; spectacular red fruit with male plants for good fruit set; easily pruned
Ilex vomitoria Yaupon holly	Y	varies	varies	Sun/part-shade	Adaptable to a wide range of sites from very wet to very dry; salt spray tolerant; urban tolerant; many forms for many uses
Illicium parviflorum Small anise-tree	Y	8-10’ (20’)	8-10’	Shade	Prefers moist soils high in organic matter; strong anise odor of foliage; use for naturalizing or in massing or as an accent plant
Kalmia latifolia Mountain Laurel	N	6-8’	4-8’	Sun/shade	Beautiful native shrub for foundation plantings and naturalizing in shady areas; spring flowers range in color from white to deep rose
Lavandula angustifolia English lavender	N	1-2’	2-4’	Sun	Blue-gray foliage; prefers well-drained soil, good for droughty sites; great as border plant in herb or perennial gardens or to soften evergreen plantings;
Leucothoe fontanesiana Drooping Leucothoe, Doghobble	Y	3-4’	3-5’	Shade	Great for naturalizing in shady locations; not drought or wind tolerant; needs moist soil with high organic matter; leaf spot is a serious disease concern
Loropetalum chinese Chinese fringe-flower	N	Varies	Varies	Sun/part-shade	Prefers moist, well-drained soils with low pH and high organic matter; tough plant, but does not prefer dry soils; many cultivars from shrub to tree forms available
Magnolia stellata Star Magnolia	N	15-20’	10-15’	Sun	Tree-like shrub with fragrant white flowers in early spring, avoid planting in a southern exposure, best used as a specimen
Magnolia virginiana Sweetbay Magnolia	Y	15-20’	10-20’	Sun/part-shade	Tolerates wet, swampy conditions, handsome foliage with sweetly fragrant white flowers in spring and red fruit in fall
Myrica cerifera Wax myrtle	Y	10-15’	10-15’	Sun/part-shade	Tolerates poor soil and salt spray; responds well to water and fertilizer; great in open areas, screen, barrier or in mass
Nandina domestica Nandina	N	4-5’	2-3’	Sun/shade	Bright red berry in fall, bronze foliage, many smaller compact cultivars also available; evergreen
Osmanthus x fortunei Fortune’s osmanthus	N	15-20’	15-20’	Sun/medium shade	Prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soils; withstands heavy pruning; fairly urban tolerant; good for hedges, screens, in mass and as a specimen
Pieris floribunda Mountain Pieris	Y	2-6’	4-8’	Part-shade/shade	Fragrant white flowers, resistant to lacebug, underutilized native species, useful for foundation plantings

Evergreen shrubs for massing, shrub borders or foundation plantings (continued):

Botanical Name Common Name	Native	Mature Height	Mature Spread	Light Requirements	Comments
Pieris japonica Japanese Andromeda	N	9-12’	6-8’	Part-shade/shade	Graceful early blooming shrub with fragrant, white flowers; prefers moist, well-drained soils high in organic matter; lacebug a big problem; site in shade in south
Pinus mugo ‘Compacta’ Mugo Pine	N	3-4’	2-4	sun	Good as specimen or container plant; prefers a deep, moist soil; tolerates high pH soil and heavy pruning; sawflies can be a big problem
Pittosporum tobira Japanese pittosporum	N	10-12’	10-20’	Sun/full shade	Tolerates wide variety of soils, must be well-drained; tolerates heavy pruning and salt spray; thrives in sandy soils, hot and dry sites
Prunus laurocerasus, ‘Otto Luyken’ Otto Luyken English Laurel	N	3-4’	5-7’	Part-sun/shade	Popular plant for parking lots in the south; prefers moist, well-drained soil with high organic matter; tolerates salt spray; tolerates pruning
Prunus laurocerasus ‘ Schipkaensis’ Schipka Laurel	N	4-5’	5-8’	Sun/shade	Adapts well to city conditions; prefers moist, well-drained soil with high organic matter; tolerates salt spray; tolerates pruning
Pyracantha spp. Firethorn	N	varies	varies	Sun	Difficult to transplant; adaptable to most any site; shows some drought tolerance; great for espalier and heavy pruning; susceptible to fireblight and apple scab
Rhapiolepis umbellata Indian hawthorn	N	4-6’	4-6’	Sun	Prefers moist, well-drained soils, tolerates drought; salt tolerant and handles confined spaces; leaf spot problem in moist areas
Rhododendron carolinianum Carolina Rhododendron	Y	4-6’	4-6’	Sun/shade	Good for naturalizing in buffer areas or as foundation plant; requires good drainage; light pink to white flowers in late April; shade in south a must
Rhododendron catawbiense Catawba Rhododendron	Y	6-10’	6-10’	Sun/shade	Lilac purple flowers late spring to early summer; use for foundation plantings or massing in buffers; requires good drainage
Rhododendron obtusum Kurume Azalea	N	2-4’	2-4’	Part-shade	Hybrid group of evergreen azaleas; all colors available; good for foundation plantings and small scale settings; requires good drainage and shade in south
Viburnum awabuki Awabuki viburnum	N	15-20’	15-20’	Sun/part-shade	Protect from wind and cold; adaptable to many sites; use as hedge, screen or accent plant

Plants for small hedges (less 6’):

Botanical Name Common Name	Native	Mature Height	Mature Spread	Light Requirements	Comments
Abelia grandiflora Glossy Abelia	N	4-6’	3-5’	Sun/part-shade	Good for use in masses and hedges; pinkish-white flowers in late spring through frost; adaptable to many sites and heavy pruning; evergreen to semi-evergreen
Buxus microphylla Littleleaf boxwood	N	3-4’	3-4’	Sun/part-shade	Requires well-drained soil; responds well to pruning; protect from drying winter winds and sever low temperatures; evergreen
Buxus microphylla var. koreana x B. sempervirens Boxwood	N	2-5’	3-6’	Sun/part-shade	Requires well-drained soil; responds well to pruning; protect from drying winter winds and sever low temperatures; evergreen
Ilex vomitoria Yaupon holly	Y	varies	varies	Sun/part-shade	Adaptable to a wide range of sites from very wet to very dry; salt spray tolerant; urban tolerant; many forms for many uses; evergreen
Jasminum nudiflorum Winter Jasmine	N	2-4’	3-5’	Sun/shade	Low spreading plant with yellow flower in late winter; good for covering banks; evergreen
Mahonia aquifolium Oregon Grapeholly	N	4-6’	4-6’	Shade	Golden yellow flowers and blue fruit; makes a good foundation or specimen plant; prefers moist, well-drained soil; avoid dry, hot windy sites as foliage will brown
Nandina domestica Nandina	N	4-5’	2-3’	Sun/shade	Bright red berry in fall, bronze foliage, many smaller compact cultivars also available; evergreen
Prunus laurocerasus, ‘Otto Luyken’ Otto Luyken Laurel	N	3-4’	5-7’	Sun/ shade	Popular plant for parking lots in the south, large lustrous dark green foliage; evergreen
Rhapiolepis umbellata Indian hawthorn	N	4-6’	4-6’	Sun	Prefers moist, well-drained soils, tolerates drought; salt tolerant and handles confined spaces; leaf spot problem in moist areas
Rhododendron obtusum Kurume Azalea	N	2-4’	2-4’	Part-shade	Hybrid group of evergreen azaleas, all colors available, good for foundation plantings and small scale settings; evergreen
Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-low’ Gro-low fragrant sumac	Y	2-3’	6-8’	Sun/part-shade	Adaptable but prefers moist, well-drained site; does well on banks, cuts and poor soils; good for bank covers, low hedges and massing
Taxus x media English-Japanese Yew	N	varies	varies	Sun/shade	Size depends on cultivar, excellent shrub for hedges, screens or foundation plantings, tolerant of city conditions; evergreen

Plants for tall hedges (over 6’) or screens:

Botanical Name Common Name	Native	Mature Height	Mature Spread	Light Requirements	Comments
Acer campestre Hedge maple	N	25-35’	30-35’	Sun/light shade	Extremely adaptable; tolerates drought and soil compaction, air pollution and severe pruning; small lawn specimen or residential street tree; deciduous
Aucuba japonica Japanese aucuba	N	6-10’	4-8’	Shade	Moist, well-drained soil with high organic matter; pollution tolerant variegated and straight green forms available; evergreen
Berberis julianae Wintergreen Barberry	N	6-8’	6-8’	Sun/part-shade	Makes a great barrier hedge, but avoid pruning; golden yellow flowers in April followed by bluish black fruits; thorny, evergreen
Buxus sempervirens Common boxwood	N	15-20’	15-20’	Sun/shade	Very functional plant, adapts well to pruning; often gets psyllid, not a threat, rather an aesthetic problem; evergreen
Camellia japonica Japanese camellia	N	10-15’ (20’)	6-10’	Partial shade	Prefers well-drained soil; high organic matter; properly site in zone 7 to protect against winter injury; evergreen
Camellia sasanqua Sasanqua camellia	N	6-10’ (15’)	6-10’	Partial shade	Prefers well-drained soil; high organic matter; properly site in zone 7 to protect against winter injury; more refined than C. japonica; evergreen
Chaenomeles speciosa Common floweringquince	N	6-10’	6-10’	Sun to partial shade	Great flower color selections; highly adaptable to wide range of sites; leaf spot may be a problem; fruit used for preserves and jelly; deciduous
Crataegus crusgalli var. inermis Thornless cockspur hawthorn	Y	20-30’	20-35’	Sun	Adaptable, prefers well-drained soil; moderately urban tolerant; use only thornless variety for street trees; great for screens and hedges; deciduous
X Cupressocyparis leylandii Leyland Cypress	N	60-70’	10-15’	Sun	Forms excellent upright hedge or windscreen, fast growing, best if left unpruned and used in a mixed border; evergreen
Cupressus arizonica Arizona cypress	Y	40-50’	25-30’	Sun