Aesculus glabra (Ohio Buckeye), A. parviflora (Bottlebrush Buckeye), A. pavia (Red Buckeye). All like a moist, well-drained, high organic matter growing environment. All will grow in shade (A. parviflora in quite heavy shade), but flower better in full sun. A. glabra if poorly sited is prone to numerous problems (leaf blotch being the worst). My favorites are the Bottlebrush and Red Buckeyes as they are truly spectacular in flower and form and virtually pest and disease free.

Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry), A. canadensis (Shadblow), A. laevis (Allegheny Serviceberry). Little difference among the three in the wild and in the trade (Downy and Allegheny Serviceberry are a little larger, and Shadblow tends to sucker). Very adaptable native with year-round interest. Numerous cultivars of A. arborea, select some of the new rust-resistant ones such as "Princess Diana".

Aronia arbutifolia (Red Chokeberry), A. melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry). Another very adaptable suckering native shrub. Fall color and winter fruit (especially the Red Chokeberry) are best attributes. Disease and pest free. Excellent cultivars of each.

Betula nigra (River Birch). Most adaptable of the birch (except for pH-must be on the acid side). Outstanding bark. Bronze birch borer resistant. Excellent cultivars available.

Callicarpa americana (American Beautyberry). Not as well known as its Asian counterparts. All have prolific and outstanding fall fruit. Cut back hard in early spring to promote dense habit. Good drainage; full sun to light shade. Do not fertilize.

Calocedrus decurrens (California Incensecedar). Very adaptable, drought tolerant, beautiful, problem-free native. Deer browse resistant in trials at IES.

Calycanthus floridus (Carolina Allspice). Another adaptable, grow anywhere shrub. Unusual and fragrant flowers (Dirr: sweet strawberry-banana-pineapple scent; actually all parts of the plant are aromatic), lustrous foliage, hardy, and pest-free.

Carpinus caroliniana (American Hornbeam, Blue Beech, Musclewood). Understory small tree (will grow in heavy shade), with very unusual bark. Best naturalized in rich, moist, woodland setting, but quite adaptable to thinner, drier soils. Acquire young stock, as they are hard to transplant.

Ceonanthus americanus (New Jersey Tea), C. ovatus (Inland Ceonanthus). Both are very desirable for massing in inhospitable, dry sites. Very showy in flower. C. ovatus is perhaps more ornamental (shorter, more compact, better foliage and fruit). Full sun-part shade. Nitrogen-fixing and problem-free.

Celtis occidentalis (Hackberry). Tough and extremely adaptable tree. Excellent small specimen trees with elm-like foliage, corky bark, orange-red fruit (edible, taste similar to dates). Witches broom may be a problem in southern areas. Interesting and disease resistant cultivars available.

Cercis canadensis (Redbud). One of the best small native trees for landscaping. Best grown in well drained, partial shade, but quite adaptable (except to wet soils). Buy young stock to train branching structure. Canker, verticillium problem where poorly grown. Great effect when combined with Dogwoods or Silverbells.

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis (Nootka Falsecypress), C. thyoides (Atlantic Whitecedar). While both are found in limited natural ranges (coastal Alaska-Oregon and Eastern freshwater bogs), both are very adaptable to "typical" New England growing conditions. C. nootkatensis 'Pendula' has an outstanding habit. Neither have any pest problems. Starting to see several cultivars of Whitecedar in the trade.

Chionanthus virginicus (White Fringetree, Old-man's-beard). Once established, a tough drought tolerant wonderfully fragrant native. Polygamodiocious or dioecious, so plant several for best fruiting. Male flowers larger than female. Full sun. Good fall color.

Cladrastis kentukea (American Yellowwood). Adaptable, stately problem-free native. Appealing leaf color (brilliant green), good fall color (golden yellow), fragrant white large panicled flowers (best flowering on alternate years, resembles Wisteria).

Clethra alnifolia (Summersweet, Sweet Pepperbush). Wonderfully fragrant mid-late summer bloomer. Excellent foliage. Good fall color. Partial shade to full sun, likes moist, acid soils, but adaptable to upland sites if supplemented with organic matter. Many great cultivars in the trade.

Cornus alternifolia (Pagoda Dogwood), C. amomum (Silky dogwood), C. sericea (Redosier Dogwood). Pagoda Dogwood is perhaps one of the best small native trees in terms of ornamental value. Unique horizontal branching structure, fragrant flowers, bright fruit, handsome bark. Does best in light shade, moist, acid soils. If well-sited disease problems (leaf spot, canker) minimal. C. amomum has great porcelain blue fruit. Excellent for naturalizing in wet sites. C. sericea is outstanding in twig color; many outstanding cultivars. Very adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions. Full sun.

Corylus americana (American Filbert). Good for naturalizing along an edge or in the understory. Adaptable, suckering shrub. Excellent shrub for wildlife (edible and tasty nut). Never had problem with reported diseases.

Cotinus obovatus (American Smoketree). Outstanding fall color (yellow-orange-red). Not as showy as its Asian counterpart in flower or fruit. Drought and high pH tolerant.

Crataegus nitida (Glossy Hawthorn), C. phaenopyrum (Washington Hawthorn), C. viridis (Green Hawthorn). Transplant young specimens. Excellent ornamental features: foliage, flower, and fruit. All very adaptable. Not as prone to cultural problems as other Hawthorns (English, Downy, Cockspur).

Diospyros virginiana (Persimmon). Hard to establish, so acquire young stock. Adaptable. Problem-free. Attractive whitish, bell-shaped fragrant flowers. Large, edible fruit (wildlife). Interesting bark on old trees (small squarish blocks). Marginal in northern areas.

Dirca palustris (Leatherwood). Great native for naturalizing in shady, wet areas, but will perform well in drier sites. Early spring flowerer. Good, clean foliage and fall color.

Euonymus americanus (Strawberry-bush), E. atropurpureus (Eastern Wahoo). Suckering, edge shrubs great for naturalizing. Outstanding in fruit, flower, and foliage (especially fall color of E. atropurpureus).

Fothergilla gardenii (Dwarf Fothergilla), F. major (Large Fothergilla). Great shrubs for spring (fragrant, white flowers) and fall (outstanding fall color-mix of yellow, orange, and reds). Requirements similar to Rhododendrons. Easy to grow, problem-free. Many great cultivars of F. gardenii.

Franklinia alatamaha (Franklinia). Marginal in zone 5 (best grown in zone 6 or above). Outstanding fragrant white camellia-like flowers in late summer. Excellent foliage and fall color. Start with young stock. Adaptable, but prospers in moist, somewhat acid, well-drained, rich soils.

Gymnocladus dioicus (Kentucky Coffeetree). Picturesque and problem-free tree. Great in the winter landscape. Very adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions. Fragrant small panicled flowers (dioecious or polygamodioecious). Long pods, persistent attractive rachises (the stems of the leaflets).

Halesia tetraptera (Carolina Silverbell). Wonderful floriferous small native tree. Plant container-grown, not B&B. Adaptable, but thrives in rich, well-drained, somewhat acid and moist sites. Partial shade (naturally an understory tree) or full sun. Problem-free. Multi-stemmed typically. Good bark and fall color.

Hamamelis vernalis (Vernal Witchhazel), H. virginiana (Common Witchhazel). Very adaptable understory native shrubs (H. vernalis more adaptable to high pH). Both great for naturalizing. H. virginiana typically larger than H. vernalis. Vernal Witchhazel flowers late winter, Common in late fall (select ones which drop their leaves early). Both fragrant and variable in flower color. Excellent fall color. Problem-free. Great cultivars of Vernal Witchhazel.

Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea), H. quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea). Both very adaptable, prefer light shade, rich, well-drained, moist soil. Treat Smooth Hydrangea as an herbaceous perennial in Zone 5. Best cultivar (hardiest, floriferous) is 'Annabelle'. Oakleaf Hydrangea has outstanding fall color. Mulch. Slower to establish. Exfoliating bark. Both disease and pest-free contrary to the literature. Select cultivars, not species.

Ilex glabra (Inkberry), I. verticillata (Winterberry). Both quite adaptable, but prefer well-drained, moist, somewhat acid conditions. Select compact cultivars of Inkberry. No serious problems. Winterberry needs males for pollination. Best fruiting in full sun. Great cultivars of both. Both best massed for effect. Both will tolerate wet soils.

Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire). Hardy in zone 5. Great fragrant white spring flowers. Outstanding fall color, especially the cultivars. Prefers moist, well-drained sites, but is quite adaptable, even drought-tolerant (Dirr). Problem-free. Select cultivars.

Kalmia latifolia (Mountain-laurel), K. angustifolia (Sheep Laurel). K. angustifolia capable of growing in a wider range of conditions. Smaller than K. latifolia; very showy dark pink flowers. Excellent cultivars available. Mountain-laurel requires acid, well-drained (even dry) sites. Flowers best in full sun, but will tolerate heavy shade. Dead-head for consistent flowering. Mulch. Many outstanding cultivars. Species is likewise outstanding. Some cultural problems (leaf spot, blight, lacewing). Select clean, well-grown stock.

Leucothoe fontanesiana (Drooping Leucothoe). Outstanding all-season evergreen foliage. Requires acid, rich, well-drained shady sites. Grow well to reduce leaf spot. Rejuvenate periodically by shearing to ground. Several cultivars available.

Lindera benzoin (Spicebush). Year-round interest. One of first natives to flower in spring. All parts of plant aromatic. Excellent fall color. Red, persistent berries. Very adaptable, prefers moist, shady sites. Problem-free.

Magnolia acuminata (Cucumbertree Magnolia), M. virginiana (Sweetbay Magnolia). Cucumbertree best acquired small (root system). Will develop into stately specimen. Prefers rich bottomland sites. Excellent flowers and unusual fruit. Several cultivars. Sweetbay quite adaptable, but will prosper in wet soils. Will tolerate shade. Likes more acid soil than other magnolias. Evergreen or semi-evergreen. Excellent in flower (fragrant) and fruit. Several great cultivars of each. Both problem-free.

Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grapeholly). Excellent evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage with year-round interest. Protect from wind and hot sun. Prefers shady, moist, acid soils. Bright yellow fragrant flowers. Ornamental fruit. Few cultural problems (leaf rust, spot) if well-grown. Several cultivars with outstanding foliage. Best to annually prune (after flowering) to keep compact.

Myrica pensylvanica (Northern Bayberry). Very adaptable, thriving in poor, infertile or heavy soils. Problem-free. Semi-evergreen aromatic foliage. Typically dioecious, plant several for good fruiting. Will colonize.

Nemopanthus mucronatus (Mountain Holly). Outstanding early ripening fruit (polygamodioecious). Prefers rich, moist woodland sites, but fruits better in sun. Problem-free? Good naturalizer. Will tolerate wet sites. Good fall color.

Nyssa sylvatica (Tupelo, Black Gum). Outstanding pyramidal shape, excellent foliage, especially fall color. Quite adaptable preferring deep, moist, somewhat acidic conditions. I've found them trouble-free. Shade and wet soils tolerant. Fruit valued by wildlife.

Ostrya virginiana (American Hophornbeam, Ironwood). Very tough and adaptable small tree. Ornamental bark and fruit, clean-looking foliage with good color and texture. Problem-free and drought tolerant. Excellent for naturalizing along woodland edges.

Oxydendron arboreum (Sourwood, Sorrel Tree). All-season ornamental attributes. Pyramidal shape, excellent and prolific flowerer (white, fragrant panicles), outstanding fall foliage color. Quite adaptable, but prospers in protected, slightly acid, rich, well-drained sites. Marginal above zone 5. Start with young stock. Problem-free (leaf spot).

Paxistima canbyi (Canby Paxistima, Cliff Green). Excellent low (12" high) spreading evergreen groundcover. Full sun to partial shade. Prefer rich, moist, well-drained soil. Pretty much problem-free. Once established requires little maintenance.

Potentilla fruticosa (Bush Cinquefoil). Thrives in infertile, dry, exposed sites. Prolific and prolonged flowerer. Many excellent cultivars available. Hardy, problem-free shrub.

Prunus americana (American Red Plum) P. maritima (Beach Plum), P. pensylvanica (Pin Cherry), P. virginiana (Chokecherry). All these native cherries are very effective in flower and fruit. All fruits edible (wildlife food source). P. americana and P. virginiana will colonize. P. pensylvanica extremely adaptable to poor soils, rapid grower. All problem and maintenance-free. Cultivars available for each.

Rhododendron arborescens (Sweet Azalea), R. calendulaceum (Flame Azalea), R. carolinianum (Carolina Rhododendron), R. periclymenoides (Pinxterbloom Azalea), R. prinophyllum (Roseshell Azalea), R. prunifolium (Plumleaf Azalea), R. vaseyi (Pinkshell Azalea). R. arborescens has excellent foliage and good fall color (red). Late flowering (early July), white very fragrant (heliotrope) flowers. Some cultivars available. R. calendulaceum similar to above but with wide range of color (lemon-scarlet and every shade in between). Many cultivars. R. carolinianum is evergreen with excellent, clean foliage and clear white flowers. More shade tolerant. A few cultivars available. R. periclymenoides flowers range from white-pink-violet. R. prinophyllum is more tolerant of higher pH. Very hardy. Bright pink clove-scented flowers. R. prunifolium is another later flowering azalea. Marginal in zone 5. Orange-red flowers. Cultivars available. R. vaseyi very adaptable to different growing conditions. Excellent fall color. Rose-colored scentless flowers. A few cultivars available. Site and grow well to reduce pest and disease problems; good drainage and correct planting height (high-and-dry) is critical; moisture, correct pH, light shade, light mulching (pine bark, pine needles) all necessary for success.

Rhus aromatica (Fragrant Sumac). Aromatic suckering very adaptable shrub. Bright yellow flowers (males) and brilliant fall color. Red fruit. Pest and problem-free (my assessment). Excellent fast growing ground cover (up to 3'). Very adaptable.

Rosa blanda (Meadow Rose), R. carolina (Carolina Rose), R. setigera (Prairie Rose), R. virginiana (Virginia Rose). All four have single, pink flowers (R. blanda is fragrant) blooming late May-June (R. carolina and R. setigera flowering into July). All suckering and will naturalize. All (especially R. blanda) have excellent persistent red hips. R. virginiana has excellent summer foliage and great fall color. All very adaptable. Not too thorny. Ornamental (reddish) canes on R. virginiana, R. blanda, and R. setigera.

Sambucus canadensis (American Elder), S. pubens (Scarlet Elder). Both Elders are adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions and will naturalize in rich bottomland sites. Both have showy white panicled flowers (S. canadensis flowers have a volatile oil, elderflower water used in cosmetic trade). S. pubens has very ornamental red-scarlet fruit ripening in June. S. canadensis has purple-black edible fruit. Several cultivars of American Elder, a few of Scarlet are available in the trade. Reported problems (borer, canker, leaf spot and mildew) not seen at IES.

Sassafras albidum (Sassafras). Problem-free (despite reported canker, wilt, mildew...) small tree with ornamental twigs and bark. All parts of plant are aromatic. Great progressive fall color (yellow culminating in scarlet to purple). Very adaptable colonizer (great in association with Little Bluestem upland meadows), requiring slightly acidic well-drained soils. Nice pyramidal shape.

Staphylea trifolia (American Bladdernut). Unusual shade tolerant small tree. Adaptable, but prefers moist, well-drained sites. Profuse flowerer. Unusual fruit. Problem and pest-free native.

Stewartia ovata (Mountain Stewartia). Outstanding ornamental specimen with camellia-like mid-late summer flowers, and excellent fall color. Problem and pest-free. Acquire small, container-grown stock. Quite adaptable, but prefers moist, rich, well-drained partial shade (naturally an understory or edge species).

Styrax americanus (American Snowbell). "Refined and graceful in appearance and have much beauty and interest" (T.H. Everett). Great hanging bell-shaped flowers. Adaptable, but prefers cool, moist, acid, sunny sites. Not reliable north of zone 5. Problem-free so far in trials.

Symphoricarpos albus (Snowberry), S. orbiculatus (Indiancurrent Coralberry). Tough, grow-anywhere colonizing shrubs thriving in poor, dry sites. Very ornamental fruit (S. albus white, S. orbiculatus purple-red) and good fall color (Indiancurrent). Very shade tolerant. Have not seen reported cultural problems (anthracnose, leaf diseases, insects) at IES.

Taxodium distichum (Baldcypress). "Stately" (Dirr) very adaptable deciduous conifer with attractive bark, habit and texture. Light green soft foliage turns brown red in autumn. Problem-free despite reports (twig blight, canker, insects). May develop knees in moist, waterside locations. Requires acid soils.

Thuja plicata (Western Arborvitae). Impressive specimen if grown properly. Prefers cool, moist, rich, well-drained sites (pH adaptable). Excellent dark green, lustrous foliage and cinnamon-red young bark. Pyramidal habit. Many cultivars. Problem-free at IES despite literature (leaf and tip blight, bagworm, mites). Only a few instances of deer browsing in over 20 years of evaluation.

Vaccinium corymbosum (Highbush Blueberry). Common edible fruiting shrub with excellent ornamental attributes. Very floriferous, outstanding fall color, winter interest with reddish twigs. Tend to be self-sterile making cross-pollination essential for good fruiting (plant 2 or more varieties that flower at the same time). Few cultural problems if well grown. Require rich, high organic matter, moist, very acid (pH 4.0-5.0), and well-drained sites.

Viburnum acerifolium (Mapleleaf Viburnum), V. alnifolium (Hobblebush), V. cassinoides (Witherod Viburnum, Wild-Raisin), V. dentatum (Arrowwood), V. lentago (Nannyberry), V. prunifolium (Blackhaw), V. trilobum (Highbush-Cranberry). All of these native Viburnums are very adaptable to varied site conditions, tough, problem-free landscape shrubs. Most prefer light shade, fertile, well-drained, moist sites. All of these selections have ornamental creamy-white flat-topped flowers (cymes). V. acerifolium is best reserved for naturalizing in shady woodlands, as it is the most shade tolerant of the group. Very nice fall color. V. alnifolium has very large leaves exhibiting excellent summertime and fall color (pink-rosy gold, color develops mid-late summer). Ornamental red fruit (plant several for cross-pollination). Loose, open habit not for the formal landscape. Very shade tolerant. V. cassinoides is one of the best of the Viburnums with excellent foliage (dark, lustrous summertime, showy red-orange fall color) and fruit (progressively changes color from light lime-green to pink, to red, blue, and finally black). Prefers moist, rich, shady acid location for best performance. V. dentatum is best to mass and allow to colonize. Very nice foliage (lustrous, with good fall color, yellow to red-purple). Ornamental blue-black berries. Very durable and adaptable Viburnum. V. prunifolium is likewise very adaptable and suitable for drier sites. Excellent dark foliage with good deep red fall color. Edible blue-black berries with showy red stalks. V. trilobum is very ornamental with the largest flowers of the group. Edible, large red persistent fruit. Cultivars available ('Compactum' for space considerations).

Xanthorhiza simplicissima (Yellowroot). Hardy, tough, very adaptable (prefers moist sites) colonizing groundcover. Desirable shiny-green foliage, small purplish flowers. Great for underplanting.

Zenobia pulverulenta (Dusty Zenobia). Outstanding lustrous, waxy, blue-green foliage is very ornamental and unusual with good fall color (yellow-red) on reddish twigs. Bell-shaped white fragrant flowers on bluish stems. Graceful, arching habit (Dirr). Best grown in moist, acid, partial shade to sunny sites.