Category: Native Plants

After the Redbuds, Dogwoods, and Crabapples have finished blooming, there is another small native tree that continues the spring flower show well into June – if only more people knew about it! Chionanthus virginicus, or Fringe Tree, should be mainstream, but has somehow been relegated to the “fringes” of the suburban gardening world. This is a tree we should see everywhere!

In late May, Fringe Tree covers itself in fluffy white flowers with long, fluttering petals. The flowers are lightly fragrant with a delicate lilac scent. The leaves, which begin to emerge around the same time as the flowers, are large, dark green, and shiny. The resulting effect is stunning. 

Growing to a maximum height of 25 feet and 10-15 feet wide, Fringe Tree is ideal for home landscapes. As a small tree or multi-trunked shrub, it has a rounded shape that rarely needs pruning. It fits beautifully in a border with shrubs and perennials, or it can be featured as a lawn tree in a small yard. It is the perfect size for under power lines or to frame a patio or deck. It flowers best in full sun, but the leaves stay fresher all summer if there is some afternoon shade. In fall, the leaves turn a warm yellow.

Fringe Tree is adaptable to a variety of soil types, but is happiest in slightly acidic soil with even moisture. It is generally care-free and not susceptible to pests or diseases. Compost or organic fertilizer will help get the roots established, but nothing more is really needed over the 50-year life span of this lovely native tree.

The scientific name Chionanthus virginicus (pronounced “kai-o-nan-thus vir-gin-i-cus”), is from the Greek chio, meaning “snow,” and anthus, meaning “flower.” The name also refers to its native habitat in the state of Virginia, but its original range extended from rich woods and streamsides in New Jersey south to Florida and west to Missouri and Ohio. Today, Fringe Tree grows successfully throughout the Eastern US, Mid-Atlantic, and Central regions as it is hardy in Zones 4 to 9. 

Several common names for this lovely tree are more descriptive than the botanical name, including American Fringe Tree, Old-man’s Beard, Grancy Gray-beard, and Sweetheart Tree. An Asian fringe tree has been introduced in the nursery trade, but as always, the native tree is a better choice. Native bees and butterflies visit American Fringe Tree, and it is well-adapted to our soil and climate. In Southeastern states, Fringe Tree is the host plant for several moths in the sphinx moth family.

Fringe Tree is dioecious, meaning the whole plant is either male or female. It is sometimes said that the male tree has showier flowers, but a side-by-side comparison doesn’t always support that notion. If the flowers of the female tree are pollinated by bees that have visited male trees, the female tree will produce interesting fruits that strongly resemble olives. In fact, Fringe Tree is in the same botanical family as olive trees. The fruit is not edible for humans, but many of our backyard birds love it. Cardinals, Blue Jays, Catbirds, Robins, and Mockingbirds will flock to a fruiting Fringe Tree.

One of our most famous Virginians, Thomas Jefferson, loved the Fringe Trees of his home state. When he was living in France in 1786, he requested that Fringe Tree seeds be sent to him to share with his European friends. Perhaps not coincidentally, Fringe Tree is considered by European horticulturists to be one of the finest American plants introduced to English gardens.

So, if you’re looking for a beautiful small flowering tree, Fringe Tree is an excellent choice. We really should bring it back from the fringes and into the mainstream of American home gardens!

THIS BLOG IS AUTHORED WEEKLY BY CATHY LUDDEN, CONSERVATIONIST AND NATIVE PLANT EDUCATOR; AND BOARD MEMBER, GREENBURGH NATURE CENTER. FOLLOW CATHY ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE PHOTOS AND GARDENING TIPS @CATHYLUDDEN.

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One of the early joys of spring is the cheerful sight of Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) blooming in forests and gardens. In April and May, delicate two-tone flowers in red and yellow dance in the breeze, suspended from slender stems above fine-textured foliage. Elongated petals end in tubes or spurs that hold rich supplies of nectar. As the flower opens, yellow stamens descend, loaded with pollen. The over-all effect is simply enchanting.

The leaves are divided into 3 leaflets, and each of those is also divided into 3 parts with rounded edges, giving the plant a soft, fern-like appearance. The leaves are full at the base of the plant, but more widely separated high on the flower stems, emphasizing the blossoms.

The genus name Aquilegia comes from Latin for “eagle” because the spurs at the top of the flower reminded someone of an eagle’s talons. The common name “Columbine” comes from the Latin word for “dove,” apparently because the same part of the flower reminded someone else of doves sitting together in a dovecote. If you don’t see either resemblance, you are not alone.

It has been said that the number of common names a plant collects is a good indicator of its popularity with humans. If so, Columbine clearly is a crowd favorite! It has been called “Granny’s bonnet,” “Granny’s nightcap,” “Jack-in-trousers,” “Dancing fairies,” “Red bells,” “Rock lily,” “Turk’s cap,” and “Meetinghouse,” among others. (“Meetinghouse” was a real puzzler until someone explained that the “doves” are arranged in a circle as if they are in a meeting!) 

Pick your favorite nickname, but definitely add this plant to your garden, because the popularity of Eastern Red Columbine is entirely justified! Native to the entire Eastern US from Canada to Florida and west almost to the Rocky Mountains, Columbine has been a garden favorite for generations. It is easy to grow and never fails to bring a smile.

The flowers and leaves may appear fragile, but the plant is surprisingly tough. Its native habitat is lightly-shaded woodlands with fairly rich, slightly acidic, and well-drained soil. But Columbine also can be found in the wild on rocky outcroppings in sand and gravel soil. Individual plants are not long-lived, and may be out-competed by more aggressive plants, but Eastern Columbine seeds itself around in delightfully surprising ways, maintaining a reliable population in a suitable area. Seeing Columbine pop up around the garden is always a pleasure.

Eastern Columbine may be over 3 feet tall when in flower, but is typically shorter. The flowers last for weeks, and with afternoon shade, the lovely foliage remains fresh all summer. Hot weather may cause the leaves to fade before fall, but the plant is quite drought tolerant and will likely reappear — often in multiple places! — the following spring. It is winter hardy in Zones 3 to 9, and deer and rabbits leave it alone.

As you might guess, with its red flowers and long tubular nectar wells, Eastern Columbine is a favorite of hummingbirds. Butterflies also visit the flowers, and some short-tongued bees may cheat, biting through the tops of the flowers to reach the nectar. It is the only known host plant for the Columbine Duskywing caterpillar.

There are several cultivars of Aquilegia canadensis available, and all three are shorter than the species, reaching only 8 to 15 inches tall. A.canadensis ‘Corbett’ is an all-yellow form that is lovely, but seems to be less robust than the species. A.canadensis ‘Little Lanterns,’ which bears red and yellow flowers like the species, and ‘Pink Lanterns,’ with paler flowers, both do well in garden settings.

There are many other species of Columbines in the world, some native to the Western US and many native to Eurasia, but the only one native to the Eastern US is Aquilegia canadensis. It’s a darling Columbine, and we are really lucky to have it!

THIS BLOG IS AUTHORED WEEKLY BY CATHY LUDDEN, CONSERVATIONIST AND NATIVE PLANT EDUCATOR; AND BOARD MEMBER, GREENBURGH NATURE CENTER. FOLLOW CATHY ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE PHOTOS AND GARDENING TIPS @CATHYLUDDEN.

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Are you thinking about what to plant in your garden this year? Nurseries are already displaying their new stock, and native plant sales are popping up everywhere. It’s time to make your shopping list for spring planting. And we can help!

Over the past year, “Around the Grounds” has recommended some great native perennials that will bring life to your garden. Here are some of our favorite flowering plants — with links to blog posts containing photos and tons of information about each of them:

For Sunny Gardens

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) – late bloomer, hot colors

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) – fall bloomer, essential for pollinators

Milkweed (Asclepius spp.) – long bloom time, critical for Monarchs

Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea or aptera) – blooms early and long

Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis) – long-lived, shrub-like spring bloomer

Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.) – fragrant long bloomer

Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.) – tall butterfly magnet

Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) – long-blooming butterfly favorite

White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) – late blooming bumblebee favorite

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) – red spikes for hummingbirds

Coral Bells (Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’) – deer-resistant hosta substitute

Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana) – shrub-like, blooms early

For Shady Gardens

Native Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia) – long bloomer, hardy

Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) – large, showy white flowers

Pink Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii) – shrub-like with pink flowers

Wild ginger (Asarum canadensis) – low ground cover, hidden flowers

Golden groundsel (Packera aurea) – shade/sun flowering groundcover

Creeping Sedge (Carex laxiculmus) – clumping grass that stays blue all winter

Violets (Viola sororia) – early flowering groundcover

All of these plants evolved in our region, are well-adapted to our soil and weather, and support native insect and bird populations. Many are deer-resistant and drought-tolerant. You can learn more about their favorite garden conditions in the linked blog posts.

We’ve also recommended ferns, grasses, shrubs, and trees, so browse older posts by clicking on the “Around the Grounds Collection” button below.

Happy spring shopping! And if you live in the Greenburg, NY area, mark your calendar for our spring plant sale on May 13 where many of these plants will be available.

THIS BLOG IS AUTHORED WEEKLY BY CATHY LUDDEN, CONSERVATIONIST AND NATIVE PLANT EDUCATOR; AND BOARD MEMBER, GREENBURGH NATURE CENTER. FOLLOW CATHY ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE PHOTOS AND GARDENING TIPS @CATHYLUDDEN.

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She bathed with roses red, and violets blue,
And all the sweetest flowers, that in the forest grew.

Sir Edmund Spenser, 1590

Celebrated in song and verse for centuries, violets have been revered for their delicate beauty, their culinary and medicinal value, their sweet scent, and their happy association with spring. Depending on the culture and time, violets have been symbols of many virtues, including modesty, purity, faithfulness, everlasting love, and remembrance. With over 400 species distributed around the Northern Hemisphere, violets have been known, appreciated, and used by humans all over the world and throughout history.

Only in recent times have violets fallen into disrepute — as an enemy of the perfect lawn. Weed-killers have been employed widely to get rid of this “delicate and fair” little bloom. But at what cost? Let’s reconsider.

The Common Blue Violet, native to forests and meadows of the Eastern US, is Viola sororia. The word sororia means “sisterly,” apparently because our native Violet bears a close family resemblance to the hundreds of other species of Viola distributed around the globe – a vast sorority!

The Viola genus also includes the large variety of annuals known in horticulture as “pansies,” but African violets are in an entirely different genus and unrelated. Numerous other species of Viola are native to the US in varying flower and leaf colors, and are suited to a variety of habitats. Horticulturists have developed cultivars of Viola sororia in pure white, speckled, and even grayish forms that are available for sale. But even in the wild, natural color variations are common among Viola sororia, so you may see blue and mostly-white flowers growing together.

Both the flowers and leaves of the Common Blue Violet are edible – and tasty! The leaves may be eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach, and they are loaded with vitamins A and C. The flowers have a delicate flavor and are frequently used to garnish salads, or candied as a charming decoration for sweets. It’s easy to find directions on-line for making your own candied violets, and all you need is an egg white and sugar. Just be sure to harvest your violets from a spot that has NOT been treated with herbicide or pesticide!

Violets have been used medicinally in many cultures. They are said to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and to be useful in a tea for treating coughs and colds. Poultices made from Violets also have been used to treat skin conditions like insect bites, dry skin, and eczema.

Like most native plants, the Common Blue Violet’s greatest value is to nature. Violets are the host plant for some of our most spectacular native butterflies – Fritillaries. Just like monarchs, whose caterpillars only feed on milkweed, all 20 species of Fritillaries must lay their eggs where their caterpillars can find Violet leaves. The caterpillars usually stay close to the ground, hiding under the leaves and feeding on them at night. The adult butterflies will visit many different nectar flowers and are always a thrill to see.

Violets are also an essential source of nectar to many early-emerging native bees. At least one species of American bee specializes in Violet pollen, meaning that is the only thing the bee can eat and feed its young. Andrena violae is a small bee common in the Eastern US that emerges from its winter hibernation in April and May and immediately begins hunting for Violets, which bloom at just the right time. The bee pollinates Violets so they can produce seed, keeping future populations of Violets available to feed Fritillaries — a great example of the inter-connection between native plants and multiple insects.

The native habitat of Viola sororia is moist woods and along streams, but it can adapt to sunny conditions with enough water, which explains why Violets do so well in fertilized and irrigated lawns. In the garden, in rich soil and partial shade, Violets make a lovely and durable groundcover. The heart-shaped leaves look tidy all summer long, and individual plants can live up to 10 years.

Violets spread easily by seed, which is why they are so often considered “weedy.” In addition to producing seed from pollinated flowers, Violets utilize cleistogamy, a process of self-fertilization that guarantees survival even if unpredictable weather conditions in early spring do not allow for sufficient pollinator visits. Cleistogamous flowers appear in late summer, never opening for insect pollination, yet still producing fertile seeds. The seeds mature in capsules that literally explode, throwing seeds up to several yards away from the parent plant. Seed dispersal is further helped by ants that collect the seeds for their rich coating of protein and fat. The ants discard the seeds after consuming the coating, effectively planting them at even greater distances from the parent.

For most of our history, people considered a “flowery mead” to be the idyllic lawn, a beautiful and romantic place for children and lovers to frolic in the merry month of May. So, consider leaving the “modest and delicate” blossoms of violets blooming this spring. The bees and butterflies will thank you!

THIS BLOG IS AUTHORED WEEKLY BY CATHY LUDDEN, CONSERVATIONIST AND NATIVE PLANT EDUCATOR; AND BOARD MEMBER, GREENBURGH NATURE CENTER. FOLLOW CATHY ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE PHOTOS AND GARDENING TIPS @CATHYLUDDEN.

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