American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is a small, slow-growing understory tree that generally grows to 25 feet tall. It is so named because of the hardness of the wood, which reminded settlers of a horn, and the Old English term “beam”, which means tree. Another name for this tree is “musclewood”, because the trunk and branches…
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…
Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a climbing, semi-evergreen vine with beautiful, bright red flowers. This woody vine has a native range from Connecticut to Nebraska and south to Florida and Texas. It climbs its way up supporting structures by twining and twisting its way skyward. In nature, this species can be found growing on fence…