Page 66 - Free State Spring 2023_WEB

GROWING WITH EDUCATION (Continued) flowers are arranged in a loose ball or corym on long stalks
twig dogwood prefers to grow in part shade or full sun at the ends of stems. The outer flowers bloom first and
and needs to have organically rich wet or swampy soils. the central flowers bloom last. The flowers mature into a
This small tree or large shrub grows 6-9 feet tall and 7-10 dry triangular capsule that is separated into 3 parts but is
feet wide in an upright arching fashion and is prized for the not very showy. The plants can grow 3-4 feet tall and 3-5
bright red bark of the newest growth. Winter is the best time feet wide as a compact shrub with slender upright dense
to enjoy the glowing red bark, but it also looks stunning branches and a rounded top. The dark green 2-3 inch-long
with the oval shaped 2-5 inch long dark green foliage. The leaves are alternately attached on the slender stems and
oppositely attached leaves help to distinguish dogwoods are irregularly serrated or toothed. In autumn the foliage
from other plants. To maintain the bright red showy bark, changes to a pale yellow or tan. New Jersey Tea is also
it is best to prune 20-25 % of the oldest stems each spring, known by the common name of Redroot, due to the gnarled
which encourages the new colorful growth. The fragrant, red roots that can grow 6-8 inches thick and sink deep into
tiny flowers are clustered together on a flat-topped 2 ½-inch the soil, making transplanting difficult. Plants prefer to grow
bouquet called a cyme. Cymes have the central flower in full to part sun in sandy loams or well drained soils, and as
opening first, followed by the flowers surrounding the central the roots can fix nitrogen, the plants can grow in very poor
flower. The flowers mature into light blue-white fruit that is soils. The leaves were used as a tea during the Revolutionary
both ornamental and tasty to the native birds. The foliage war.
turns to shades of red that fades to orange then purple in Itea virginica or Virginia Sweetspire thrives in USDA zones 5-9
the autumn. Red twig dogwoods also colonize quickly and and blooms in June. The tiny fragrant flowers are held on
can be planted along streambeds or ponds to hold the soil dense upright racemes that grow 2-6 inches long. A raceme
in place. They can be mass planted, in a shrub border, as a is a flower cluster that holds the flowers on short but equal
screen or in front of evergreens so the display of bright red stalks, situated equal distance apart along a central stem,
twigs can be showcased. Flowers are pollinated by native and blooms from the bottom of the flower cluster toward
bees. The foliage of this native shrub hosts the Spring Azure the top. These cylindrical flower clusters densely cover the
butterfly larva and birds enjoy the fruit. Insect pests can shrub on older growth, providing color and fragrance when
include borers, leaf miners, and scale. When stressed, they few other shrubs are blooming. Plants prefer to grow in
are susceptive to canker, leaf blight, leaf spot, powdery full to part sun and average to wet, well-drained humus
mildew, root rot and twig blight. soils. Dense colonies can be formed with erect spreading
Viburnum dentatum or Arrowwood thrives in USDA zones 2-8 branches growing 3-4 feet tall and wide. Medium to dark
and blooms in early June. The white flowers are displayed in green foliage is arranged alternately along the slender
4-inch flat-topped clusters called a corymb. A corymb is a stems, semi evergreen in the warmers zones, and growing
structure where the flower stalks are shorter for the central 2-4 inches long with a serrated margin. In autumn, the leaves
flowers and have longer flower stalks toward the outside can glow in shades of orange, red, crimson or gold. Plant
edges. The flowers mature into nonedible blueberry shaped in Rain Gardens, in shrub borders, hedges, naturalized or in
fruit that is prized by many native birds. Arrowwood can open woodlands along stream and pond edges. The flowers
grow 5-10 feet tall and wide with an upright rounded habit. attract native bees and bumblebees, butterflies, moths,
The plants prefer moist loamy soils but will tolerate a wide predatory wasps, and other insects that need nectar. The
range of soils and soil moisture. The glossy dark green foliage provides food for Mottled Duskywing, Spring Azure,
4-inch serrated or toothed foliage is attached in an opposite and Summer Azure butterfly caterpillars. The plant itself
fashion on the stems. In autumn, the foliage changes to a provides food, cover, and habitat for many birds. Plants are
soft yellow, orange, or wine red. Arrowwood can be planted resistant to Black Walnut and deer. No serious insect pests,
as a hedge, screen or in a shrub border, and the roots plants are susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildew, root
are capable of suckering. The flowers provide nectar to rot and canker.
bumblebees, native bees, Red Admirals and Eastern Comma Callicarpa americana or American Beautyberry thrives in
butterflies. The foliage provides food, nesting sites and cover USDA zones 6-12 and blooms in late June into August. The
for eastern bluebirds and robins, and the berries provide small flowers grow in axillary cymes on new growth, which
food for the caterpillars of the Spring Azure butterflies and means that the flowers are clustered around the axil of a
the Hummingbird moths. Resistant to Black Walnut and deer. leaf. The leaves are large, growing 2-9 inches long, so the
No serious insect or disease problems. light pink, or blue, or purple tinged flowers bloom in very

Ceanothus americanus or New Jersey Tea thrives is USDA dense clusters around the leaf. The vibrant violet or magenta
zones 4-8 and blooms in June. Pure white tiny fragrant ¼-inch fruit literally circles the stem between the leaves.
66 SPRING 2023 • Free State News