Trees and shrubs are often described as the workhorse or backbone plants in a landscape. They provide shade, flowers, screening & privacy, and habitat & food for wildlife. Our moderate climate allows us to grow plants from many locations around the globe, but when searching for low-maintenance, sustainable plants look first at the many species native to Nebraska and the Midwest. Here are a few of our favorites:
Deciduous Shrubs
Regent Serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Regent’
This durable little serviceberry was selected for commercial fruit production. The fruits ripen in June and can be used in jam, wine, and baked goods, if the birds don’t eat them first! Blooms with a white flower in early spring. Fall foliage color is golden yellow to orange. Because of its thicket-forming tendencies, it is often used in naturalized settings in sun or part shade. Adapts to a wide range of soil types.
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis ‘Sputnik’
Buttonbush is native to Nebraska and it prefers moist planting sites. This variety was selected for its exceptionally large flower spheres that take orbit around the large mounding shrub each summer, looking much like Soviet satellites. Seed balls persist into the winter for added interest. The foliage is clean, glossy, and disease resistant on this easy-to-grow shrub.
Muskingum Gray Dogwood
Cornus racemosa 'Muszam'
The native gray dogwood can be seen growing with many different habits across the state. This selection takes on a low-profile, almost a ground cover. Creamy-white flowers have a lilac-scent and the attractive gray-green foliage changes to a distinctive brick-red in the fall, showcasing its bountiful crop of bright white berries. The fruit is attractive to birds.
Isanti Dogwood
Cornus sericea 'Isanti'
Isanti Dogwood was selected as a more compact version of red-twig dogwood. Stems become an intense red in the winter and stand out against a backdrop of conifers or snow. Small white flowers appear in early summer and give way to fleshy white berries enjoyed by songbirds. It grows in sun or part shade and prefers moist soil.
Crandall Clove Currant
Ribes odoratum 'Crandall'
The yellow spring flowers of this native shrub are intensely fragrant with the scent of cloves. This heirloom variety was selected in 1888 for both flowers and large tasty fruit. The flavor is similar to black currants but is a bit milder. The shrub is adaptable to a wide variety of growing sites, but prefers well-drained soil and will tolerate some dappled shade.
Deciduous Trees
Kentucky Coffeetree
Gymnocladus dioicus
A picturesque shade tree with deeply furrowed bark and stout branches that are particularly handsome in winter. Female trees develop leathery mahogany colored seed pods that add to the winter interest. Compound leaves are late to emerge in spring, are blue-green in color, and provide filtered shade. Autumn brings hues of golden yellow. The tree prefers deep, moist soil, but will adapt to adverse conditions including clay, salt, alkalinity, and drought. Native to Nebraska, 2002 Great Plants award winner, and promoted by the ReTree Nebraska program!
Hophornbeam (a.k.a. Ironwood)
Ostrya virginiana
This native tree goes by several common names including Ironwood and Hophornbeam. It makes its best growth in sites with average moisture and a bit of dappled shade, but it will adapt to a variety of sites. The fruits are quite interesting as they are enclosed in a papery husk resembling hops. The wood of this medium-sized tree is dense and strong.
Chinkapin Oak
Quercus muehlenbergii
Chinkapin Oak is a medium sized shade tree with a broad dense crown. The foliage is dark green and glossy with a silvery underside. Fall color varies from golden yellow to orange to warm leathery brown. It is indigenous to upland slopes with rocky and alkaline soils. It is very tolerant of drought. Small acorns are a source of food for wildlife. Named Tree of the Year in 2006 by the Great Plants for the Great Plains program and is recommended by the ReTree Nebraska program.
Dwarf Chinkapin Oak
Quercus prinoides
Dwarf Chinkapin Oak is a small tree or very large shrub native to Nebraska. It is typically grown as a multi-trunked plant. The foliage is an attractive dark green, but fall color is subtle shades of brown and yellow. It grows in dry, rocky, alkaline soils, making it a rugged and durable choice for the urban landscape. Avoid constantly wet sites. The small acorns are a valuable source of food for wildlife.
Valley Forge American Elm
Ulmus americana 'Valley Forge'
A true American classic, elms are making a comeback! Elms are hardy, vigorous shade trees and they adapt to virtually any soil type. Elms are equally drought and flood tolerant. The really exciting thing is new varieties are being selected for resistance to Dutch elm disease. ‘Valley Forge’ is a true American Elm (not a hybrid) noted for is majestic size, fast growth rate, and strong wood. The fall color is deep golden yellow. A relatively ‘clean’ tree and native to Nebraska.
