Online Garden Guide: A Short Guide to the Plants in the Native Plants Garden - Bucknell University

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Online Garden Guide A Short Guide to the Plants in the Native Plants Garden

By Ally Robertson

Trees Alleghany Serviceberry

Sweetgum Eastern Redbud

Downy Serviceberry Sweetbay Magnolia

Tulip Tree River Birch

Common Persimmon Pin Oak Red Oak

Shrubs

Sweet Pepper Bush Red Choke Berry

Gray Dogwood Common Winterberry

New Jersey Tea Dwarf Fothergilla

Swamp Azalea Swamp Rose

Spicebush

Perennials Beebalm

Purple Coneflower Gray Goldenrod

New England Aster Black Eyed Susan White Snakeroot

Little Bluestem Grass Swamp Milkweed

Joe Pye Weed Christmas Fern

Northern Lady Fern Dwarf Crested Iris Wild Columbine Butterfly Weed

Wood Geranium Solomon’s Seal

Trees Alleghany Serviceberry

• Common Name: Alleghany Serviceberry • Scientific Name: Amelanchier laevis • Quantity: 3 • Mature Height: 12-40’ • Mature Spread: 4-6’ • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 5.6-7.8 pH • Bloom Time: Late winter to mid-spring • Native Origin: Eastern (USA: AL, CT, DE, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, ME, MD, MA,

MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV, WI, DC; Canada: NB, NS, PE, QC)

• Native American Uses: Native Americans used the fruits as a source of food • Notes: Attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds; water regularly but do not

overwater; bark is dull gray, stems are reddish brown; blueish-black fruits • References: 8, 10

Sweetgum

• Common Name: Sweetgum, Redgum, Star-leaved Gum, Alligator Wood, Gumtree

• Scientific Name: Liquidambar styraciflua • Quantity: 1 • Mature Height: 45-100’

• Mature Spread: 40’ • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 6.1-7 pH • Bloom Time: Mid-spring • Native Origin: Southern and Mid-Atlantic (USA: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL,

IN, KY, LA, MD, MA, MS, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, DC)

• Native American Uses: Used as chewing gum, made tea from fruits and bark, made salve to apply to wounds, sap used to reduce fever, diarrhea, and dysentery. Mainly used by the Charokee, Choctaw, Koasati, and Rappahannock Native American tribes.

• Notes: Found in swamps or near streams; star-shaped leaves; spiny fruit; pioneers used resin from bark as chewing gum

• References: 8, 10

Eastern Redbud • Common Name: Eastern Redbud • Scientific Name: Cercis canadensis • Quantity: 3 • Mature Height: 20-30’ • Mature Spread: 25-35’ • Light Requirement: full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 4.5-7.5 pH; moist, well-drainded, deep soils • Bloom Time: Spring • Native Origin: Southern and Eastern (USA: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN,

IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, NE, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, DC)

• Native American Uses: Bark used in tea to treat whooping cough, roots and inner bark treat fevers and congestion, used as firewood.

• Notes: Reddish purple buds; regular watering and fertilization; small tree with branches dividing close to ground

• References: 10

Downy Serviceberry

• Common Name: Downy Servicebrry, Shadbush • Scientific Name: Amelanchier aborea • Quantity: 1 • Mature Height: 15-25’ • Mature Spread: 10-12’ • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: <7.5 pH; well-drained soils • Bloom Time: mid-spring • Native Origin: Eastern (USA: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY,

LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WV, WI, DC; Canada: NB, NS, QC)

• Native American Uses: Used fruits as food (both fresh and dried), used the bark to treat diarrhea, and used wood for tool handles.

• Notes: White flowers; multi-stemmed small tree with rounded crown • References: 7, 8, 10

Sweetbay Magnolia • Common Name: Sweetbay Magnolia, Swamp Magnolia • Scientific Name: Magnolia virginiana • Quantity: 1 • Mature Height: 10-20’ • Mature Spread: 10-20’ • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 5.6-6.5 pH; likes acid soil; slower growth in high alkaline pH • Bloom Time: late spring to early fall • Native Origin: Southern and Mid-Atlantic (USA: AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD,

MA, MS, NJ, NY, NC, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, DC) • Native American Uses: Used bark to treat fevers and rheumatism, and used the

fruit to treat coughs. • Notes: Does well in swampy areas; likes warm climates; creamy white lemon

scented flowers • References: 7, 10

Tulip Poplar • Common Name: Tulip Tree, Tulip Magnolia, Tulip Poplar • Scientific Name: Liriodendron tulipifera • Quantity: 1 • Mature Height: 70-90’ • Mature Spread: 35-50’ • Light Requirement: Full sun • Soil Requirement: 4.5-6.5 pH • Bloom Time: mid-spring • Native Origin: Southern and Northeastern (USA: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL,

IN, IA, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WV, DC)

• Native American Uses: Used the trunks to make canoes, also used (by Cherokees) as tonic and cough medicine, and the leaves were used for neuralgia treatment.

• Notes: Plant into deep, moist, well-drained loam; root system is fleshy but poorly branched; sensitive to drought and sunscald

• References: 10

River Birch

• Common Name: River Birch • Scientific Name: Betula nigra • Quantity: 1 • Mature Height: 40-70’ • Mature Spread: 40-60’ • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 4-6 pH; moist soil, although survives in drier soils as well • Bloom Time: mid-spring • Native Origin: Southern and Northeastern (USA: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL,

IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WV, WI, DC)

• Native American Uses: Used the sap as a sweetener, and also used it for medicine and in tea.

• Notes: Only prune in summer as sap is flowing during sorin; male flower; slender dark brown catkins

• References: 10

Common Persimmon

• Common Name: Common Persimmon • Scientific Name: Diospyros virginiana • Quantity: 2 • Mature Height: 35-60’ • Mature Spread: 20-35’ • Light Requirement: Full sun • Soil Requirement: 5-7 pH • Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer • Native Origin: Southern, Mid-Atlantic, and part Southwestern (USA: AL, AR,

CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MS, MO, NE, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, DC)

• Native American Uses: Used fruit as food (ate dried persimmon fruits, which are like prunes).

• Notes: White to whitish-green flowers shaped like blueberries; edible yellowish to pale orange berries

• References: 10

Pin Oak • Common Name: Pin Oak, Swamp Oak • Scientific Name: Quercus palustris • Quantity: 1 • Mature Height: 60-70’ • Mature Spread: 25-40’ • Light Requirement: Full sun • Soil Requirement: 4.5-6.5 pH; tolerates wet soils and is found on wet clay flats

where water stands several weeks; very intolerant of high pH • Bloom Time: Early spring • Native Origin: South Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and part Midwest (USA: AR, CT,

DE, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, NE, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, WV, WI, DC)

• Native American Uses: Bark was used for intestinal pain, and the acorns were used as a food source.

• Notes: Pyramidal habit • References: 10

Red Oak • Common Name: Red Oak • Scientific Name: Quercus rubra • Quantity: 1 • Mature Height: 60-75’ • Mature Spread: 60-75’ • Light Requirement: Full sun • Soil Requirement: 4.3-6.5 pH; prefers sandy loam; more acidic • Bloom Time: Early spring • Native Origin: South Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and part Midwest (USA: AL, AR,

CT, DE, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV, WI, DC; Canada: NB, NS, PE, QC)

• Native American Uses: Used as an important food source, and the bark was used as medicine to treat bowel problems and other ailments.

• References: 2, 10

Shrubs Sweet Pepper Bush

• Common Name: Sweet Pepper Bush, White Alder, Summer Sweet • Scientific Name: Clethra alnifolia • Quantity: 6 • Mature Height: 3-8’ • Mature Spread: 4-6’ • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 4.5-7 pH; grows naturally in wet places and organic matter • Bloom Time: Summer • Native Origin: Southern, Mid-Atlantic, and New England (USA: AL, AR, CT,

DE, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV, WI, DC; Canada: NB, NS, PE, QC)

• Native American Uses: • Notes: Pest tolerant, attracts butterflies, many small white flowers • References: 2, 10

Red Chokeberry • Common Name: Red Chokeberry • Scientific Name: Aronia arbutifolia • Quantity: 5 • Mature Height: 6-8’ • Mature Spread: 4-6’ • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 6.6-7.8 pH • Bloom Time: Mid-spring • Native Origin: Southern, Mid-Atlantic, and New England (USA: AL, AR, CT,

DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MS, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, DC; Canada: NB, NS, PE)

• Native American Uses: Used it in pemmican (dried meat) because of its high concentration in vitamin C, antioxidants, and other beneficial substances.

• Notes: White/ pale pink fragrant flowers; attractive to bees, butterflies and birds; drought tolerant, suitable for xeriscaping

• References: 4, 10

Gray Dogwood • Common Name: Gray Dogwood • Scientific Name: Cornus racemosa • Quantity: 5 • Mature Height: 10-15’ • Mature Spread: 12-15’ • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 5.1-7.8 pH • Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer • Native Origin: Northeastern and part Southern (USA: AR, CT, DE, IL, IN, IA,

KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, WV, WI; Canada: NB)

• Native American Uses: Medicine for eyes, muscle aches, and fever; leaves used for smoking, bark used for dyes

• Notes: Creamy white flowers, attract birds, slow growing • References: 2, 10

Common Winterberry (Holly) • Common Name: Common Winterberry, Black Alder Winterberry, Brook Alder,

Holly • Scientific Name: Ilex verticillata • Quantity: 6 • Mature Height: 6-10’ • Mature Spread: 6-10’

• Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 4.5-6.5 pH • Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall • Native Origin: Eastern and Midwest (USA: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA,

KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WV, WI, DC; Canada: NB, NS, PE)

• Native American Uses: Used as medicine, which is where it got the name “fever bush,” and used the bark to heal cuts and bruises.

• Notes: Develops chlorosis in high pH soils; adaptable to wet conditions; low tolerance to drought

• References: 10

New Jersey Tea • Common Name: New Jersey Tea • Scientific Name: Ceanothus Americanus • Quantity: 3 • Mature Height: 3-4’ • Mature Spread: 3-5’ • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 4.3-6.5 pH; light, well drained soil, tolerates dryness • Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall • Native Origin: Eastern and Midwest (USA: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA,

KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WV, WI, DC; Canada: MB, NB, QC)

• Native American Uses: Used dried leaves for tea, and also as medicine to treat snake bites and gastrointestinal problems

• Notes: Used as a tea substitute during the American Revolution; dark green leaf color in summer, yellow/tan in fall, well adapted to fire (top-killed)

• References: 3, 10

Dwarf Fothergilla • Common Name: Dwarf Fothergilla • Scientific Name: Fothergilla Gardenii • Quantity: 1 • Mature Height: 2-3’ • Mature Spread: >3’ • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 6.8-7.5 pH; peaty sandy loam; good drainage • Bloom Time: Spring • Native Origin: USA: AL, FL, GA, NC, SC (introduced in 1765) • Native American Uses: • Notes: White, fragrant flowers appear before leaves, last up to 14 days • References: 10

Swamp Azalea

• Common Name: Swamp Azalea

• Scientific Name: Rhododendron viscosum • Quantity: 2 • Mature Height: 4-6’ • Mature Spread: 4-6’ • Light Requirement: Light shade • Soil Requirement: 5.1-6.5 pH • Bloom Time: Late winter to mid-spring • Native Origin: Most Atlantic and Southern (USA: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, LA,

ME, MD, MA, MS, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, DC) • Native American Uses: • Notes: loose, open habitat with numerous spreading white flowers, flowers are

fragrant, forms a thicket • References: 10

Swamp Rose

• Common Name: Swamp Rose • Scientific Name: Rosa palustris • Quantity: 1 • Mature Height: 4-6’ • Mature Spread: 3-4’ • Light Requirement: Shade tolerant • Soil Requirement: 4-7 pH • Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer

• Native Origin: Eastern (USA: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MS, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, DC)

• Native American Uses: • Notes: Grows in swamps, marshes, and along streams • References: 10

Spicebush • Common Name: Spicebush • Scientific Name: Lindera benzoin • Quantity: 2 • Mature Height: 6-12’ • Mature Spread: 6-12’ • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 4.5-7.8 pH; best in moist, well-drained soils • Bloom Time: Mid-spring • Native Origin: Eastern (USA: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY,

LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WV, DC; Canada: PE)

• Native American Uses: Dried fruit was used as a spice, and the leaves were used for tea. Also used as a medication for menstruation.

• Notes: Difficult to transport because of coarsely fibrous root system, somewhat slow to reestablish

• References: 10

Perennials

Swamp Milkweed • Common Name: Swamp Milkweed • Scientific Name: Asclepias incarnata • Quantity: 3+ • Mature Height: 24-36” • Mature Spread: 18-24” • Light Requirement: Sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 5.1-7.5 pH • Bloom Time: Mid-summer to early fall • Native Origin: Most Continental United States (USA: AL, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL,

GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY, DC; Canada: MB, NB, NS, PE, QC)

• Native American Uses: Medicine for bowel and kidney disorders; sap used for warts; inner bark used to make rope

• Notes: Attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds; requires consistently moist soil; strong stems filled with milky sap

• References: 10

Beebalm • Common Name: Beebalm, Horsemint, Oswego Tea, Bergamot • Scientific Name: Monarda didyma • Quantity: 12+ • Mature Height: 36-48” • Mature Spread: 15-24” • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 6.1-8.5 pH • Bloom Time: Late spring to early fall • Native Origin: Northern and part South Atlantic (USA: CT, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY,

ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI)

• Native American Uses: Blackfeet used as an antiseptic, and used for wounds and skin infections; used in tea to treat mouth infections; used as carminative.

• Notes: Attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds (especially hummingbirds); slender leaves; spicy, fragrant oil from leaves; similar flavor to oregano; spreads quickly

• References: 10

Purple Coneflower • Common Name: Purple Coneflower • Scientific Name: Echinacea purpuea • Quantity: 16+ • Mature Height: 36-48” • Mature Spread: 24-48” • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 6.6-8.5 pH • Bloom Time: Mid-summer to mid-fall • Native Origin: Southern, Mid-Atlantic, and part Midwest (USA: AL, AR, CT,

FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MS, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI; Canada: QC)

• Native American Uses: Used as an herbal medicine; treated snakebites and anthrax.

• Notes: Attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds; self-sows freely; resistant to deer; spiny central disc; resistant to drought; cone-shaped head

• References: 10

Gray Goldenrod • Common Name: Gray Goldenrod, Oldfield Goldenrod • Scientific Name: Solidago nemoralis • Quantity: 16+ • Mature Height: 24” • Mature Spread: 1-3’ • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade • Soil Requirement: 6.5-7.5 pH • Bloom Time: Fall • Native Origin: Most Continental United States (USA: AL, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL,

GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY, DC; Canada: NB, NS, PE, QC)

• Native American Uses: Used to make tea to help intestinal disorders; flowers used to make yellow dye

• Notes: Golden flowers; upland meadow; produce nectar for honey • References: 10

New England Aster • Common Name: New England Aster, Starwart, First Flower • Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae • Quantity: 16+ • Mature Height: 12-24” • Mature Spread: 18-24” • Light Requirement: Full sun to light shade • Soil Requirement: 5.1-7.8 pH • Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall • Native Origin: Part Northeast, part Midwest, and part Rocky Mountain (USA:

AL, AR, CO, CT, DE, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI)

• Native American Uses: • Notes: Hairy stems and leaves • References: 10

Black-Eyed Susan • Common Name: Black-Eyed Susan, Orange Coneflower, Eastern Coneflower,

Brilliant Coneflower • Scientific Name: Rudbeckia fulgida • Quantity: 17 • Mature Height: 18-24” • Mature Spread: 18-24” • Light Requirement: Full sun • Soil Requirement: 5.6-7.8 pH • Bloom Time: Late spring to early fall

• Native Origin: Eastern and part Southern (USA: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI, DC)

• Native American Uses: • Notes: Gold/ bright yellow flowers; drought tolerant; attractive to bees, birds, and

butterflies • References: 10

White Snakeroot • Common Name: White Snakeroot, Ageratina altissima, White Sanicle, Tall

Boneset • Scientific Name: Eupatorium rugosum • Quantity: 4 • Mature Height: 48-74” • Mature Spread: 36-48” • Light Requirement: Full sun • Soil Requirement: 6.1-6.5 pH • Bloom Time: Mid-summer to early fall • Native Origin: Introduced Cultivar • Native American Uses: Used roots to make tea, treated diarrhea, fevers, and

kidney stones; burned to used smoke to revive unconscious individuals • Notes: Small white fluffy flowers, contains the toxin tremetol; can spread quickly • References: 10

Little Bluestem Grass • Common Name: Little Bluestem Grass • Scientific Name: Schizachyrium scoparium • Quantity: 3 • Mature Height: 24-36” • Mature Spread: 18-24” • Light Requirement: Full sun • Soil Requirement: 5.1-6 pH, dry to medium wet • Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall • Native Origin: All United States (USA: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA,

HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC; Canada: AB, MB, NB, SK)

• Native American Uses: • Notes: Coarse stems and basal leaves; leaves are bluish green and turn reddish

yellow in fall • References: 10

Joe Pye Weed • Common Name: Joe Pye Weed • Scientific Name: Eutrochium purpureum • Quantity:

• Mature Height: 5-7’ • Mature Spread: 2-4’ • Light Requirement: Full sun to partial sun • Soil Requirement: 5.0-6.0 pH; moist, rich soil • Bloom Time: Mid-summer to early fall • Native Origin: (USA: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME,

MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV, WI, DC; Canada: AB, ON)

• Native American Uses: Named after Native American, Joe Pye, who used it to cure typhus. Also used dried roots and flowers for diuretic tea for kidney and urinary problems, fevers, and rheumatism.

• Notes: Attracts pollinators; source of honey; sweet (vanilla) scented • References: 9, 10, 11

Christmas Fern • Common Name: Christmas Fern • Scientific Name: Polystichum acrostichoides • Quantity: • Mature Height: 1-2’ • Mature Spread: 1-2’ • Light Requirement: Full shade to partial shade • Soil Requirement: usually acidic; rich dry/medium moisture, well drained soil • Bloom Time: Non-flowering • Native Origin: (USA: AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA,

MA, ME, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV; Canada: NB, NS, ON, PEI, QE)

• Native American Uses: Used roots to make tea, which treated chills, fever, pneumonia, stomach, bowels, and rheumatism

• Notes: Spores on underside of leaf • References: 4, 10

Northern Lady Fern • Common Name: Northern Lady Fern • Scientific Name: Athyrium filix-femina • Quantity: • Mature Height: 2-3’ • Mature Spread: 1-2’ • Light Requirement: Full shade to partial sun • Soil Requirement: 4.5-7 pH • Bloom Time: Non-flowering • Native Origin: (USA: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID,

IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, ME, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY; Canada: Eastern Canada)

• Native American Uses: Roots were used to make tea, which was used to help labor pains. Powdered root was used to put on small wounds. Fronds were used to decorate woven baskets.

• Notes: Sori (spore casings) grow on underside of leaf; sometimes grow in circular groups

• References: 6, 10

Dwarf Crested Iris • Common Name: Dwarf Crested Iris • Scientific Name: Iris cristada • Quantity: 24 • Mature Height: 6-12” • Mature Spread: 10-12” • Light Requirement: Light shade

• Soil Requirement: 6.1-7.5 pH; acidic or neutral; moist soil • Bloom Time: Early spring • Native Origin: USA: AL, AR, DC, GA, IL, IN, KY, MO, MS, NC, OH, PA, SC,

TN, VA, WV • Native American Uses: • Notes: Endangered in Pennsylvania • References: 10

Wild Columbine

• Common Name: Wild Columbine • Scientific Name: Aquilegia canadensis • Quantity: 12 • Mature Height: 1-3’ • Mature Spread: 1’ • Light Requirement: Full sun to part shade • Soil Requirement: 7 pH; moist to dry • Bloom Time: April through June • Native Origin: USA: AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA,

ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV

• Native American Uses: Used infusions to treat things such as heart problems, fevers, and poison ivy

• Notes: Red/yellow flowers • References: 1, 10

Butterfly Weed • Common Name: Butterfly Weed • Scientific Name: Asclepius tuberosa • Quantity: 12 • Mature Height: 1-3’ • Mature Spread: 24” • Light Requirement: Full sun to part shade • Soil Requirement: 4.8-6.8 pH; moist to dry • Bloom Time: May through September • Native Origin: USA: AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS,

KY, LA, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV

• Native American Uses: Used powdered root to make poultice for sores; used in tea to cause vomiting

• Notes: Orange flowers • References: 10, 12

Wood Geranium • Common Name: Wood Geranium, Wild Geranium, Spotted Geranium • Scientific Name: Geranium maculatum • Quantity: 12 • Mature Height: 1-2’ • Mature Spread: 18-24” • Light Requirement: Full sun to shade • Soil Requirement: 5.6-7.5 pH; acidic, mildly acidic, neutral; moist to dry • Bloom Time: April through July • Native Origin: USA: AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA,

ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV

• Native American Uses: Used as an astringent, for sores, and for swollen feet • Notes: Rose colored flowers; spreading • References: 10, 12

Solomon’s Seal • Common Name: Solomon’s Seal • Scientific Name: Polygonatum pubescens • Quantity: 12 • Mature Height: 1-3’ • Mature Spread: 24”

• Light Requirement: Full sun to shade • Soil Requirement: 4.5-7.0 pH; acidic to neutral soils; prefers moist soils • Bloom Time: April through June • Native Origin: USA: AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA,

MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY

• Native American Uses: Used roots to cure headaches and sunburns, and was also smoked to cure depression

• Notes: Yellow flowers • References: 10, 12

Works Cited

1. “Aquilegia Canadensis.” Flora, fauna, Earth and sky… the natural history of the northwoods. Accessed 16 July 2008. <http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/herbs/aquilegiacan.html>.

2. Brand, Mark H. UConn Plant Database of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines. Accessed 2 July 2008 <http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/>.

3. “Catalog of the Woody Plants of Oklahoma.” Oklahoma Biological Survey. Accessed 2 July 2008 <http://www.biosurvey.ou.edu/shrub/cover.htm>.

4. “Edible, Medicinal, and Useful Plants for a Healthier World.” Plants for a Future. Accessed 2 July 2008 <http://www.pfaf.org/database/>.

5. “Medicinal Herb Uses and Picture Gallery.” Alternative Nature Online Herbal. Accessed 2 July 2008 <http://www.altnature.com/gallery/>.

6. “Northern Lady Fern.” Paghat’s Garden: Athyrium felix-femina var cyclosorum. Accessed 2 July 2008 <http://www.paghat.com/ladyfern2.html>.

7. “Our Land and Landscape.” Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. Accessed 2 July 2008 <http://www.bernheim.org/>.

8. Peterson, John and Seiler, John. Virginia Tech Department of Forestry: College of Natural Resources. Accessed 2 July 2008 <http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/wwwmain.html>.

9. “Plant Database.” Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Accessed 2 July 2008 <http://www.wildflower.org/>.

10. “Plants Database.” United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Accessed 2 July 2008 <http://plants.usda.gov/>.

11. “Plant Information.” Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed 2 July 2008 <http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantinfo.shtml>.

12. “Indigenous Plants and Native Uses in the Northeast.” Native Tech: Native American Technology and Art. Accessed 16 July 2008. <http://www.nativetech.org/>.