Catalpa speciosa, commonly known as the western catalpa, is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to the Midwestern United States. Native to a very small area where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet, the western catalpa is commonly used as an ornamental tree elsewhere, as it is easy to grow due to its tolerance of both wet and dry soils. The western catalpa grows up to 70 feet, with an irregular form and large leaves. This tree exhibits large panicles of white flowers beginning in late May, which give way to long, narrow seedpods. Fall color is often dull yellow, and there are no major diseases or insect problems.

Location: Near Ben West Parking Lot

Photo Credit: J. Jin

Euscaphis japonica, commonly known as the Korean sweetheart tree, is a small rare deciduous tree native to the forests of China, Korea, and Japan. This tree grows to 20 feet, with a 10 foot spread and is often classified as a large shrub. Euscaphis is relatively rare, as it was just discovered on the Korean Peninsula by J. C. Raulston in 1985. Seeds from the tree were taken back to North Carolina State Arboretum for assessment and evaluation. This tree has understated white flowers which bloom in late May, and produce fruit that ripens to showy red in late summer. Fall color is mahogany-purple.

Location: Corner of Beardsley Hall

Photo Credit: J. Coceano

Clematis ‘Mikolaj Kopernik’, common name of clematis, is a large late-flowering clematis. The flowers are lavender color, and fairly large with a 3” diameter. The flowers bloom twice, first in late May, and then in August. The vine is a good climber, attaching itself to supports with twining leaf petioles. This plant prefers full sun and is great for growing on a trellis or stake.

Location: In Front of Parrish Hall

Photo Credit: R. Robert

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photo  credit: J. Coceano Location: Behind Wister Center

Lagerstroemia ‘Tuskegee’, commonly known as the Tuskegee crepe myrtle, is a beautiful and popular shrub or small tree. The Tuskegee crepe myrtle often takes the form of a small tree, and only grows to about 20 feet with an equal spread, making it a great option for small yards and under powerlines. It also thrives in urban environments. This tree provides beauty throughout the seasons, with red foliage turning dark green in the summer and with large pinkish-red flower panicles in the summer. The foliage turns an attractive red in the fall, and the mottled tan bark gives significant winter interest. The Tuskegee crepe myrtle is low maintenance, and has a life expectancy of 50 years; it requires full sun and must have acidic soil.

photo credit: M. Schneider  Location: Summer Border

Eupatorium purpureum ssp. maculatum ‘Gateway’, commonly known as Joe Pye weed, is a lovely perennial cultivar. It is a great pollinator, attracting butterflies and bees. The species is native to North America, where it thrives in meadows. Due to the nature of this plant, soil conditions must be rich and moist in order for it to thrive. The large flower clusters are an attractive powdery-pink blooming in the summer. ‘Gateway’ is a slightly smaller cultivar than the species, growing 4-5 feet in height with a wide spreading multi-stem habit. The look of this plant makes it great for natural or meadow gardens.

photo credit: M. Schneider Photo Location: John W. Nason Garden

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Leucanthemum x superbum

Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Snowbound’, commonly known as the shasta daisy, is a beautiful white flowering perennial. Known as a “classic” shasta daisy is a very popular selection in landscapes. This perennial blooms in clumps, typically 2-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. The ray and disc flower head consists of yellow disc flowers surrounded by white petals. This perennial requires full sun, and can grow in most soil conditions. Shasta daisy is non-invasive, and is also a good selection for flower arrangements. You can plant these directly by seed in the spring, start them indoors prior to spring, or buy them already in a container. Photo Credit: Michael Schneider

Hydrangea arborescent

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’, commonly known as Annabelle hydrangea, is a very popular white flowering hydrangea. The flower heads are very large, up to ten inches in diameter, and are pure white during their peak. The stems are also strong enough to hold the flower off the ground. Annabelle hydrangea requires moist soil conditions, and prefers partial sun but can tolerate full sun in wet soil conditions. The plant usually dies back during the winter, but new growth comes back quickly, and flowers bloom on new growth. Typically, these hydrangeas are pruned to the ground in the winter, or dead branches are pruned in early spring. The flowers bloom June through July, but occasional flowers can bloom until September. Photo Credit: Michael Schneider

Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba, most commonly known as ginkgo or maidenhair tree, is a large tree native to China. Ginkgo biloba is the only living species in Ginkgoaceae, and is one of the oldest living species in the world, with fossils dating back 270 million years. Ginkgo’s are known to live a very long time, up to 3,500 years, and are very tough, with many surviving the nuclear blast in Hiroshima. They are almost extinct in the wild, but are popular for ornamental use. Ginkgo’s are considered to be medium sized trees, growing 50-80 feet tall, with a spread of 15 to 30 feet. They require full sun, and are drought tolerant. The fall color is yellow, and female trees grow a fruit, which has a seed valued in Asian cultures for food. Photo Credit: Michael Schneider

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Fagus sylvatica ‘Red Obelisk’

Fagus sylvatica ‘Red Obelisk’ is a European beech cultivar located in the courtyard of Worth Residence Hall. This narrow growing cultivar has foliage that stays red throughout the year. This tree will grow up to forty feet high, and maintains a very narrow width of approximately ten feet. The Red Obelisk beech requires full sun and moist soil, and is a low maintenance tree making it a great tree for the home landscape. Life expectancy is a solid 120 years. Photo Credit: Josh Coceano

Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina’

Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina’ is a well-respected honeysuckle cultivar. Located near Mertz Residence Hall parking lot, this plant has been beloved by Europeans for centuries, and is a popular favorite for gardeners in this country. This plant won the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society in Great Britain in 1993. The fragrant flowers of this honeysuckle start pinkish purple, and past their prime turn yellow. The flowers bloom for a long period, from early to mid-summer. This plant attracts humming birds, has no disease or insect problems, and is non-invasive. Photo Credit: Josh Coceano

Rosa ‘Bonica’

Rosa ‘Bonica’ is a beautiful rose cultivar located by the steps at Sharples Dining Hall. Commonly known as the shrub rose, this plant was named World’s Favorite Rose in 1997. This rose blooms from spring until frost, is highly reliable, and is almost disease free. The flowers are pink, non-fragrant, and semi-double. The shrub grows three to four feet tall, and prefers full sun. It makes a perfect grouping. Photo Credit: Rebecca Robert

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