Deciduous Shrubs Of The Day

Rhus typhina syn. Rhus hirta 'Lanciniata'

Staghorn Sumac, Velvet Sumac

Type Tree, woody plant

Hardy range 4A to 8B

Height 15' to 25' / 4.60m to 7.60m

Spread 15' to 25' / 4.60m to 7.60m

Growth rate Average

Form Oval and upright or erect

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Yellow

Bloom Time Spring

The flowers are showy.

EnvironmentThis plant tolerates drought and salt well.
This plant will grow in very dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to alkaline (less than 6.8 to more than 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color Orange, red and yellow

This plant has attractive fall colors.

Culture NotesPlace Sumac in a prominent location in the landscape in the full sun. It is a nice shrub for planting in a low ground cover to display the interesting trunk and branch arrangement. The fine-textured foliage, showy flower display and bright fall color combine to make it suitable for increased usage.
Sumac should be grown on well-drained soil, acidic or alkaline. This shrub is often found on limestone or clay soils with a high soil pH in its native habitat, but it also grows on acidic soil. It tolerates high soil salt concentrations originating from de-icing salt applications better than many other plants. It would be well suited for inclusion in a low maintenance landscape where plants receive little if any irrigation. Too much irrigation and fertilization can lead to plant decline. Stems are covered with a fuzzy pubescence. Plants serve as butterfly nectar sources. This cultivar has a beautiful lacy appearance.

Planting and establishing shrubsThe most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

Hydrangea macrophylla syn. Hydrangea hortensis; Hydrangea opuloides 'Blue Wave'

Bigleaf Hydrangea, Florist's Hydrangea

Type Shrub, woody plant

Hardy range 5B to 9A

Height 4' to 6' / 1.20m to 1.80m

Spread 6' to 8' / 1.80m to 2.40m

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded

Exposure Full shade to partial sun

Persistence

Bloom Color Blue, lavender and purple
Bloom Time Spring and Summer

The flowers are very showy.Deciduous

EnvironmentThis plant tolerates some drought, occasional wetness and some salt.
This plant will grow in dry to occasionally wet soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture NotesSince the deciduous Bigleaf Hydrangea blooms on large buds formed on previous season's growth, any pruning should be done immediately after flowering. Cultivars are available in shades or pink, white and blue. Long popular as a florist's plant, Bigleaf Hydrangea performs well in moist, rich garden soil in partial sun to fairly deep shade, where it can grow 4 to 8 feet tall. Be sure that tree roots are not competing with the roots, since this will slow growth dramatically. Flowers are bluish in acid soil, pink in neutral. Pollen can cause slight allergy symptoms.

Rosa roxburghii

Chestnut Rose, Chinquapin Rose

Type Shrub, woody plant

Hardy range 5A to 8A

Height 36" to 6' / 90cm to 1.80m

Spread 4' to 8' / 1.20m to 2.40m

Growth rate Average

Form Upright or erect and weeping

Exposure Full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Pink

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are fragrant, very showy and suitable for cut flowers.

EnvironmentThis plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture Notes This is a beautiful, but rarely grown, rose. Place in the open in a well-drained soil where they receive plenty of sun light. Plant roses far enough apart so you can prune and treat for insect and disease problems adequately. If you can choose a spot with a soil pH around 6.5 this is ideal.

A 2-3 inch deep cover of mulch is needed to keep the soil cool in the summer, retain moisture and keep the plant warm in the winter months. Plant in full or partial sun, morning sun is best. Soil should be rich in organic material such as peat moss, rotted manure, leaf mold or compost. Allow adequate spacing between plants for better air circulation and to lessen the spread of disease. Do not plant near tree roots as they can deprive the plant of necessary moisture and nutrients. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.

Planting and establishing shrubsThe most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

Please feel free to comment on any post at any time all feedback is welcome and we’d love to hear it.