Landscaping Design: 2014

Friday, March 7, 2014

Native Plant Myth 3 Native Plants are not as showy or ornamental as exotic plants

I am dedicating the last of my series on “Myths about Native Plants” to a subtle but widely held misconception. I believe that this particular misconception is the number one reason that prevents people from embracing natives more fully in designed landscapes.

Myth 3: Native plants are not as showy or ornamental as exotic plants.

It’s not that people think that native plants are ugly; rather, when it comes to choosing plants, natives are perceived to be a bit more natural, less over-the-top-bloomy than exotic garden plants. Walk into your local garden center and just try to resist the seduction of a lipstick-red Knockout Rose or the voluptuous softball-sized flowers of a Limelight Hydrangea. The native section, by comparison, is populated by a sad collection of leggy, dull perennials.

Dogtooth Violet

When I was in graduate school, I took my girlfriend to the local botanical garden. I had just finished a class on native plants, and I wanted to show her how wonderful and unappreciated our local plants were. When we arrived, the native garden was hard to distinguish from the unmanaged woodland next to it, and the only plant blooming was a Dogtooth Violet. I got on my knees to show her how delicate and beautiful this little plant was. It was so exquisite it barely existed. She seemed unimpressed. On our way out of the garden, we passed a tulip border that was so colorful, so showy, I was convinced one could see it from the moon. She exclaimed, “Now that’s beautiful!” I knew then my cause was lost.

Since then, I have designed plantings for scores of gardens and public landscapes, particularly large scale perennial plantings. I use native plants interchangeably with exotics for incredibly showy borders and beds. The palette of native plants I use is large and knock-your-socks-off bloomy. Turn-your-head saturated with color. Va-va voom impact. In fact, natives from the American prairie are incredibly popular right now in European designed gardens. The problem is not that native plants are intrinsically less ornamental than exotics; the problem is one of design. Native gardens, for the most part, overly imitate natural plant communities. Native gardens end up looking like some poor imitation of a woodland or meadow. As a result, we have no precedent for natives in man-made landscapes.

A border of mostly American natives designed by Piet Oudolf; photo by Neil Block

Listen up native plant advocates: until native plants are shown to be beautiful, they will never be fully embraced by the American public. The argument about habitat and the environment are good, but what people ultimately want in their landscapes is something pretty. What we are missing are native plant gardens dedicated to showing the ornamental beauty of native plants. Each time a new native garden imitates a natural habitat, we reinforce the notion that native plants aren’t worthy in the designed landscapes.

This is exactly why the New Native Plant Garden at The New York Botanical Garden excites me so much. The 3.5-acre garden currently under construction will showcase “the beauty and diversity of native plants and the best in contemporary garden design.” Vice President Todd Forrest created much of the vision for the garden as a “departure from the habitat-based model that has shaped the design of many public native plant gardens.” Instead, the garden will be “foremost a beautiful garden with native plants providing both seasonal spectacle and year-round structure.” NYBG has charged Oehme, van Sweden and Associates (OvS) to design the gardens. Principal Sheila Brady, project manager Hilary Oat-Judge, and others at OvS are creating a series of garden rooms to work with the site’s diverse topography, hydrology, and habitats.

The previous garden, according to Forrest, featured a series of regional ecosystems such as the New Jersey Pine Barrens, Long Island’s Hempstead Plains, and a serpentine barren. But these ecosystems became impossible to maintain at such a small scale. Forrest says, “Aggressive generalists overran their more demure counterparts, and the various habitats quickly lost their character.” What’s worse, says Forrest, is that “the garden seemed designed to preach to the choir and ignore the congregation. Native plant enthusiasts noted the presence of their favorite taxa, while the general public was left wondering exactly where the ‘garden’ was.”

The focus of the new garden is on the quality of the design, not on imitating a habitat. I had the pleasure of working on the early stages of this project at OvS. I can say with confidence: the designs for this space are outstanding. The design will, in Forrest’s words, “redefine what a native plant garden can be.” The garden will feature bold, contemporary geometry of boardwalks, bio-filtering water features, and modern plantings. The garden is slated to open in 2012. Here is a link with more information about the garden.

What is so exciting about this new garden is that it sheds the nostalgia of other native plant gardens that look backwards to some declining ecosystem. This garden looks to the future. It will be a model that shows that native plants can populate and beautify the places that need them the most: our front yards, public parks, and corporate landscapes.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Low Maintenance Organic Landscaping Using Blueberry Plants

Introduction
You have always wanted a great looking landscape to brighten the yard. But who has time to spend every free minute caring for the yard? With some planning and a little know how it is easy to cut down on the drudgery of yard work. Having an easy care landscape means you must develop a realistic plan. Trees and shrubs give substance to a landscape and flowers provide excitement and surprise. You can enjoy the fruits of near effortless edibles including blueberries and strawberries. Blueberries are a low Maintenance plant. They have few pest and are native to North America. They require a soil pH of 4.6 to 5.1.

Take a look at your landscape
Knowing the physical characteristics of your site, the soil, climate, topography, and exposure is a vital part creating and maintaining a low Maintenance landscape. Choose well adapted Plants to design a functional, attractive layout for your yard.
Some factors like climate you have no control over and it affects your whole yard. Other factors you have some control over, Like the amount of shade which can differ widely in different parts of the yard. Growing Plants can be a breeze if you have deep, fertile soil rich in organic matter. But even if you dont (very few of us do) you can still have a productive low Maintenance yard. You can decide to improve your soil by adding organic matter or using raised beds and adjusting the soil pH if needed. You can also look for Plants that are adapted to your soils existing conditions. Raised beds can provide ideal growing conditions for a variety of vegetables, bushes, and flowers. Where the soil has poor drainage raised beds can solve that problem.

Test your soil. Your local extension service can provide a test for a sample you supply. Test results will tell you the soils fertility, pH, and organic matter content. Getting your soil in shape before planting will go a long way toward promoting healthy, trouble-free Plants in the future.

Reduce Maintenance on tough to mow slopes by replacing turf with a mixture of low care flowers and shrubs such as low growing easy Maintenance blueberry bushes and using a mowing strip. For example, North Country blueberry Plants grows 18 to 24 inches tall or North blue blueberry Plants that grows to a height of 20-30 inches could be good selections.

Lawns
Reduce mowing chores by replacing some of the lawn with shrubs, trees or ground cover. Eliminate grass growing under or along fences and walls and low branching trees. The kind of grass you grow has a lot to do with how much Maintenance it requires. There are grasses that do not grow tall and thus require minimal mowing.

For example, No mow grass ultra low Maintenance grass. Eliminate hours of lawn mowing and lawn Maintenance each month with Pearls Premium grass. Pearls Premium grows slowly above ground. Below ground, it can put down 12" roots, tapping into naturally occurring moisture and nutrients. This type of grass will reduce watering requirements and a lot of mowing. Mow only when it needs it not on a regular weekly or bi-weekly schedule.

End edging forever- For the busy person trees, shrubs and flower beds can quickly turn into a night mare. The shaggy edges that form between planting and the lawn area can give any area an unkempt look and be a real pain to trim. Mowing strips are the solution. A mowing strip is a flat band of brick or flat rock that sits flush with the soil surface and you just mow over the area eliminating the need for the hand or string trimmers to cut the grass at the edge of the of the bed. You just let one wheel ride on the strip and the other on the lawn.

Ground cover
Utilizing ground cover can help to change a bare or dull part of your yard into a beautiful, low Maintenance show area. Low growing ground cover Plants can serve you well in some areas. For example in our yard we had a rock area that we could not mow and looked ugly. We let low growing ground cover Plants grow over this area to transform it into a beautiful area that required essentially no care. You might consider RUBY CARPET a ground cover blueberry plant. The height of the ruby Carpet Plants grow to be 4 to 6 inches at maturity and spread outward to create the Red Carpet. Ruby Carpet is selected for form, color and resistance to dryer soil conditions than most blueberry Plants.

Blueberries make a beautiful delicious landscape
When planting blueberries as part of your landscape you should consider combining them with other Plants that thrive in acid soil such as azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. The following are some example of Plants you can consider.

Legacy blueberry Plants grows 4 to 5 feet tall and can create 4 seasons of interest in your landscape. Spring brings white flowers that develop into shiny green fruit which turn bright blue in the summer. Smooth, glossy-green leaves look attractive all spring & summer in the fall they produce beautiful orange-red leaves.
Sunshine blue is a short plant that is very suitable for growing in a landscape or in containers.
Ornablue grows about 3 feet tall and is considered to be the best ornamental of its size and stature.
North Country grows 18 to 24 inches tall and is an outstanding blueberry plant for landscapes and container growing.
North blue, grows to a height of 20-30 inches. It is good for landscapes and container growing. Its large glossy, dark green leaves turn dark red in the fall making it of good ornamental value.
Patriot grows 3 to 5 feet tall and is also an excellent container and landscape variety. It is also a very good producer of fruit.
For tall hedges you want to use for privacy use the faster growing, upright varieties such as Jersey, or Ozark Blue. To make solid hedges or screens, place Plants 2½ to 3 apart.
Rabbiteyes grow tall so they can make excellent Plants for areas you want to screen off for privacy. Tifblue is considered among best rabbiteyes.
Blueberry Plants grow slowly, and grow about a half-foot a year on mature branches. The Plants are multi-stemmed with new shoots often developing from the base.

Eatable Landscaping
Recently edible Landscaping has received more attention. Part of the reason is because of the well documented health benefits and another is because of the economics of growing your own fruit and vegetables. Raised beds can provide an excellent controllable space to grow blueberry bushes and vegetables. Anyone who has eaten really fresh produce knows a food-producing garden is worth the effort. It is surprising that it hasnt caught on earlier. Its such a brilliant way of taking advantage of the little bit of land that many of us have but usually use strictly for ornamentals. Blueberries make a beautiful delicious landscape. Blueberry Plants can serve as ornamentals while also being grown as a food source.

Border plantings and along Walkways
You can plant shrubs along the borders of your property that can serve several purposes. Serve for privacy, eliminate grass growing under or along fences and the related mowing problems, serve as perimeter border to define your property boundaries while at the same time beautifying you landscape. If you use eatable bushes such as blueberry bushes you are can grow blueberries for your health and enjoyment. Ornablue blueberry plant can serve this purpose well and is considered to be the best ornamental varieties of its size and stature.

Border plantings along walkways or surrounding a planting bed can work well, choose Sunshineblue, Ornablue or Northcountry. These can be planted along with dwarf rhododendrons or compact azaleas. All three of these blueberry bushes will grow well in Kentucky. Ornablue is considered to be the best ornamental variety of its size and stature. Northcountry will grow well all the way up to growing zone 3. The Sunshine blue blueberries we planted on our properties in Kentucky and Tennessee have turned out to be pretty much evergreen bushes the year around. Rhododendrons and azaleas can be planted along with blueberry Plants to blend into borders or serve as a prickly hedge.

Choosing Blueberry Plants to grow
Purchase your Plants state-inspected reliable nursery. Bare root Plants are usually sold by most nurseries unless you pick the Plants up at the nursery. you obtain Plants to be planted in the spring or fall. What is important is to plant them when theyre dormant, either well before or well after they start new growth of leaves, blossoms and berries.

Usually two-year-old potted or bare-root Plants are sold by nurseries and are your best purchase. Older Plants may give you a harvest sooner, but they are generally not cost-effective because of their added expense and can be harder to establish. Younger Plants need to be grown under nursery conditions before they can be planted in the field.

Harold Stewart understands both the theory and practical applications of growing blueberries. He has a PhD in biophysics with many years of teaching, extensive hands on and research experience at the university level. He spent his growing up years on a farm growing crops and raising animals. His farm and nursery (Blueberry Croft Farm and Nursery) specializes in naturally grown blueberries without using harsh pesticides. The farm is a reputable source for quality blueberry Plants. He grows over 30 varieties of blueberries and sells northern, southern and rabbiteye varieties of blueberry Plants all over the in the lower 48 continental United States. The farm is in growing zone 6 in an Amish community with "green thumb" Amish employees in southern Kentucky. Because of his expertise he has served as a United States expert representative to the World Health Organization for committee work. He can be reached at http://www.blueberrycroft.com/. Get free S/H on orders of $65+.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harold_Stewart

Perennial Forget Me Not

Cynoglossum

Cynoglossum nervosum
A bushy, upright perennnial, reaching up to 2.5 x 2 feet.
The leaves are oblong.
The intense blue flowers are borne over a period up to 4 weeks during late spring.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in full sun or partial shade on well drained soil.

Professional Landscaping Design

Do you dream of entertaining your friends in the beautiful garden of your home? Are you thinking about renovating your home? Instead of renovating the inside of your house again, why not improve the landscape of your property. Having beautiful flowers, a pool, and maybe a fountain can prove to be more than inviting for your guests, it can also serve as a relaxing lawn for you to escape your worries. Let Professional landscape company bring your dreams to life.

There are many varieties to consider when choosing the perfect Design of your landscape. A Professional landscape Design company offers a full range of landscape Design consultation services with on site Designs. The experts of the landscape Designers along with your personal Design ideas, Professional landscape company can make your dreams come true within the given time with little complications.

Professional landscape Design company takes time to understand the environment of your ideal area of installation to clarify your needs. They want to give you the best quality service. Youll be along the Designers each stage as you wish to oversee the development of your perfect landscape.

Trees, shrubs, and other plants are an essential part to your landscape Designs. They provide a sense of privacy, arduous smell surrounding your home, and they are a sight to see. Unless youre a botanist or horticulture expert, you may not know that the flowers you place in your yard attract more than your neighbors attention. Different plants can attract some beautiful animals into your garden. The experts also give you advice and train you on the knowledge of the plants blooming cycle. You can easily have a blooming garden all year round.

Professional landscape Design company goes to great lengths in the selection of the clients plants, fences, pavements, etc. Choosing the correct activities for your yard guarantees the proper shade, texture, color, and form of the landscape. Some other varieties to consider are decks, ponds, fence, patios, walks, drainage, and paving. There are specific details that can enhance your lifestyle. The details that the Professional put into your project are what truly make them experts.

Quality service comes along a Professional landscape company that focuses on your need and to try to measure up to your lifestyle. Renovating or improving your landscape can have a peaceful effect to you and your family. A lovely landscape not only serves as a great spot to entertain your guests, it can also increase the value of your property in the long run.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

The Plan On My Computer

the plan on my computer.

Comparison of a Linear Crossfire Burner and a Traditional Linear Burner

The video above shows a comparison between a Crossfire Burner burning 120K BTU and a traditional linear fire ring system burning 250K BTU. You can clearly see that although the Crossfire Burner is burning less than half the fuel as the linear fire ring, the Crossfire Burner still produces a taller, dancing, vortex flame as compared to the 250K BTU traditional linear burner. Not only is the Crossfire Burner achieving twice the flame, but it is only consuming half the fuel as traditional fire ring systems.

Crossfire Burner = 120K BTU & Traditional Linear System = 250K BTU

Warming Trends is the only company in the world with this technology and as ICC certified. For more information on the best fire pit and fireplace burner on the market, please visit us online or call today. 1-877-556-5255.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Zen Garden Kyushu

zen garden kyushu

Landscape Architects By

Landscape Architects - by

Monday, March 3, 2014

Boltonia

A small genus of perennials, closely related to the Asters.
Easy to grow and also easy to propagate via division every 2 years during late autumn.

Boltonia asteroides ( White Boltonia )
Also called Boltons Aster and False Starwort. A rapid spreading perennial, reaching up to 8 x 6 ( rarely over 5 x 4 ) feet, that is native to North America ( from North Dakota to New Jersey; south to Texas to Florida ). Plants can be sheared back to 2 feet during June for a more compact habit. A great plant for the back of the border and looks great combined with tall blue or purple flowering Asters.
The attractive leaves, up to 6 ( typically closer to 4 ) inches in length, are healthy gray-green.
These plants are covered in clouds of small, white, starry daisies, up to 1 inch across, borne on panicles from late summer to mid autumn. The flowers do withstand light frosts.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun or partial shade on just about any well drained soil but preferring fertile, light and moist. Easy to grow, it is tolerant of heat, humidity, drought, salt, temporary flooding and are not eaten by deer. Plants may be prone to powdery mildew and rust in humid conditions, otherwise they are not generally bothered by pests or disease. Older clumps can be divided during autumn or early spring.

King Kong

* photo taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

Nana
Dwarf in habit, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 4 feet, with pink-lilac flowers borne late summer into early autumn.

Pink Beauty
Reaches a maximum height of 8 ( rarely over 5 ) feet, with pink flowers borne late summer to mid autumn. The gray-green foliage is mildew-resistant.
Looks great with dark evergreens as a background.

Snowbank
Compact, reaching up to 7 x 7 ( rarely over 4 ) feet and does not flop over in high winds.
The glaucous-blue foliage is very mildew resistant.
The very profuse, aster-like, white flowers are borne late summer into early autumn.

* photos taken on Sep 15 2013 in Howard Co., MD

Boltonia decurrens ( Winged False Aster )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 7 x 4 feet, that is native to Missouri and Illinois where it is endangered.
The leaves are larger and more numerous than B. asteroides, and the white flowers, up to 1 inch across are bonre in huge masses. The flowers are borne during mid to late summer.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

* photo of unknown internet source

Boltonia latisquama ( Violet Boltonia )
Reaches a maximum height of 8 feet with pinkish-purple, starry flowers borne in panicles during summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8

* photo of unknown internet source

Jim Crockett
A dwarf form with bluish flowers.

* photo taken during June 2012 in Columbia, MD

Chamaebatiaria

Chamaebatiaria millifolium
A shrub, reaching up to 8 x 8 feet, that is native to western North America.
The attractive, fine textured foliage is olive green. In zone 7 and warmer, it is evergreen.
The white flowers are borne on showy spikes. The flower racemes resemble that of the lilac.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in full sun on well drained soil. Clay and drought tolerant. Deer resistant.
Remove old flowerheads during early spring to clean up bush.

Spiraenthus schrenkianus
Also part of the Rosacaea family and is closely related to Chamaebatiaria.
It is a very attractive, dense, medium-sized, deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 6.5 x 13 feet. It is native to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan and is extremely endangered in the wild.
It is an ancient relict, having survived since the The Eocene epoch, which lasted from 56 to 33.9 million years ago. It has much potential for large scale use in stabilizing sand dunes and well as being a quality ornamental shrub for dry continental climates.
The narrow, fernlike, linear leaves, up to 5 x 0.2 inches in size, are bright green.
The pink flowers are borne on long, dense panicles, up to 8 inches in length, during mid-summer. The flowering season lasts from 3 to 5 weeks.
Hardy zones 6 to 8 ( 5 on protected sites ) in full sun on very well drained soil. It is extremely drought tolerant and also very heat tolerant. It may be propagated from seed only.

Bloom Day October 2013 Colors of an Autumn Garden

Its autumn in my northeastern Long Island garden and the landscape is bursting with color. This has been a beautiful October with temperatures a little warmer than normal in the mid to upper 60s with many blooms still in sight. As the cooler breeze starts to move in there is evidence of fall with changing colors of the garden turning to hues of burgundy, orange and gold. It is time for another walk in the garden.

Blooms on Basil Ocimum basilicum (Mountain Magic)

First is this new variety of basil I picked up for the herb garden. We have kept it clipped all summer but now it is going to seed with vibrant purple blooms that bring a burst of color to the fall garden and the sweet aroma of the basil is not bad either!

Blue Atlas Cedar Cones

In the front yard the stately Blue Atlas Cedar is producing an abundance of cones...hopefully not a sign of a harsh winter.

Crape Myrtle Sioux Bark

The bark on my Crape Myrtle is a new treat in the garden. The tree has reached maturity and the exfoliating bark is almost like artwork displaying an array of swirls and variations of multiple colors. Even when this tree looses its foliage the bark is an interesting feature.

Coral Bark Maple (Acer palmatum Sangokaku)

The foliage of the Coral Bark Maple in the front yard is going into its fall color mode. It will be turning a bright yellow within the next couple of weeks and the bark to a bright red by winter.

Back Island Bed

With morning tea viewing from my kitchen window the Pink Knock Out Roses are still in bloom along with my newest favorite addition. This dwarf Butterfly Bush is still blooming and has been for months! Along side it are Heuchera Caramel, Gold Mop Cypress. Barberry and Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar. The colorful folaige of the new Heuchera Caramel fits right into the fall motif!

Buddleia Lo & Behold Blue Chip (Dwarf Butterfly Bush)

Here is the Butterfly Bush close up...still lots of fragrant purple blooms.

Golden Oriental Spruce and Coral Bark Maple

At the end of the driveway the dwarf grasses are showing their plumes and changing to a more golden hue while the coreopsis and nepeta are still blooming. In the background are Golden Oriental Spruce Skylands (left) and Coral Bark Maple Sangokaku (right).

Welcome Station!

There is a new welcome area for the birds of the garden. I had spotted this granite bird bath out east over the summer only to walk over to it again on a second trip. After a third trip it came home with me and the birds love it. Every morning it is like a spa visit for the local feathered friends.

Green Japanese Maple in Fall

Now into the front yard the Japanese Maples are turning into their fall colors...

Red Japanese Maple Fall Color

and showing their fascinating sculptured trunks.

Dwarf Maiden Grass Yaku Jima

Around to the backyard the Yaku Jima Maiden Grasses are at their full height now of about five feet and displaying their wispy plumes that are swaying in the breeze by the poolside.

Dwarf Maiden Grass and Sedum

One of my favorite things in autumn is when the grasses have their plumes and the Sedum Brilliant is turning to a hue of orange-pink.

Montgomery Globe Spruce

Here is the back evergreen and perennial garden in autumn mode. The Montogomery Blue Spruce in the center is about fifteen years old now and has grown to maturity.

Weeping Norway Spruce, Heuchera and Grasses

The Weeping Norway Spruce, grasses and heuchera have also filled in over the years. In the autumn the foliage of Heuchera Palace Purple (coral bells) turns to a rainbow of burgundy and burnt orange.

Fall Garden

Back around to the back this smaller bird bath is also a welcome spot for visitors.

Perennial Border

Moving along the Salvia Maynight is sporting its last blooms for the season adding a little purple to the garden...

Walkway to Secret Garden

and the Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra Aureola) are at their prime. A new addition this summer was this blue stone walkway leading into my secret garden. It is tucked away and when I go back there nobody can find me...ahhh...peace!

Nandina Gulf Stream Fall Berry

Nandina Gulf Stream along the side fence displays its colorful fall berries that will brighten to a fiery red as winter approaches.

Fall Perennial Border

Here is more of the autumn perennial garden...

Fall Perennial Border

the colors getting brighter day by day. Included in the garden is Lambs Ear, Astilbe, Hosta, Salvia, Daylily, Heuchera and Aster with dwarf grasses and evergreens Blue star Juniper and Globe Blue Spruce.

Hydrangea Tardivia

Last but not least are the fragrant blooms of Hydrangea Tardivia turning from pure white to a gentle pink for the days of autumn.

The garden is a changing palette with each season has something to look forward to. Thank you for visiting. Drop a note to let me know youve been here and I will be sure to visit you as well. Also please visit our hostesses Carol at May Dreams Gardens to see what is blooming for October Garden Bloggers Bloom Day and Pam at Digging for Foliage Follow Up.

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower". ~Albert Camus

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Hop Tree

Ptelea

A small genus with only 15 species of trees or shrubs native to North America and Mexico.
Prefers full to partial sun ( partial sun is best in climates with hot summers ).
Propagation is from seed or layers. Cultivars can be propagated from softwood cuttings taken during summer.

Ptelea baldwinii
A large shrub to 15 feet that is native to the southwest U.S. It sometimes becomes a tree, especially if pruned as such; the largest on record is 27 x 20 feet with a trunk diameter of 15 inches.
The foliage is trifoliate with all 3 leaflets the same size to 2.5 inches in length.
The leaves are covered in fine hairs at first and turn to bright green in summer then to bright yellow in autumn.
The pale green flowers are followed by winged fruit that is up to 0.7 inches in width.
The bark is whitish.
Hardy zones 6 to 10

Ptelea crenulata
A large shrub to 15 feet that is native to California. It can be trained to grow as a small tree, the largest on record is 22 x 13 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.5 feet.
The leaves are trifoliate with 3 finely serrate leaflets up to 5.5 inches in length.
The foliage is bright green and borne on a leafstalk up to 3 inches long.
The bark is smooth.
Hardy north to zone 7

Ptelea trifoliata ( Common Hop Tree )
A moderate growing, small tree with a dense, bushy, rounded crown, reaching up to 20 feet or more, that is native to the central U.S. from Nebraska to Ontario to Massachussetts, south to Mexico to northern Florida. It is endangered in its native range in Ontario, Canada.
Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 10 feet ( stump sprout ); largest on record - 50 x 32 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.5 feet.
The leaves are composed of 3 oval, mostly smooth margined leaflets with the central one, up to 4 or rarely to 6 inches in length being the largest. The aromatic foliage is semi-glossy and medium green above and paler below. They turn to bright yellow in autumn.
The very fragrant, greenish-white, starry flowers are borne in terminal clusters in early summer.
The flowers are fragrant and smell like orange blossom.
They are followed by beige color, papery winged fruit up to an inch wide that persists late into fall. Hop Tree is structurally tough and sturdy.
The twigs are stout and aromatic.
The gray bark is thin and warty.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 on fertile, well drained soil. It is hardy far north of its native range and even survives as far north as Saskatoon, SK and Lenningrad, Russia.
Tolerant of sandy soil, it is sometimes found on sandy dunes in the wild.

* photos taken on August 3 2010 @ University of Guelph Arboretum, Ontario