The eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a small, deciduous tree reaching heights of 20 to 30 feet with an equal spread. It is often multi-stemmed and has heart-shaped leaves, but perhaps its most noteworthy attribute is the abundance of pinkish flowers that sprout from the branches before the leaves appear in the spring. There are,…
Plantain-leaf, or seersucker, sedge (Carex plantaginea) is a shade-tolerant, evergreen ornamental perennial from the Cyperaceae, or sedge, family that is valued for its long, broad leaves that pucker like ribbon. Its size ranges from 1 to 2 feet, and it has a clumping habit. This grass-like woodland plant adds a unique foliage texture to the…
The rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) is an evergreen multi-stemmed shrub with dark green foliage and clusters of white flowers. These shrubs grow wild in many mountain habitats, where they can form dense thickets that can be up to 30 feet tall. A more typical mature landscape size, however, is about 10-15 feet tall and 7-10…
The mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is an ericaceous evergreen shrub with delicately ornate white to pink flowers. In addition to being one of the harbingers of spring and summer with its late May bloom time, the mountain laurel is Pennsylvania’s official state flower. These shrubs grow 4-10 feet tall with a typical spread of 4-5…
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) is a name that truly conveys the virtues and beauty of this native shrub. This deciduous plant grows to an oval shape with a with a height of 3-8 feet and a spread of 4-6 feet. It features fluffy, bottle brush-like spikes of fragrant white, rose, or pink flowers that bloom for…