Arkansas Bluestar
Name: Amsonia hubrectii
Zones: 4-10
Size: About 3 feet tall and wide
Description: A perennial that transforms into a radiant golden hue in fall. It has a delicate, airy appearance with long stems and fine leaves. Light blue, star-shaped flowers appear in spring and bloom for several weeks. Once established, it is drought-resistant and generally avoided by deer. It is easy to care for.
Butterfly Weed
Name: Asclepias tuberosa
Zones: 3-9
Growing Conditions: Dry, sunny locations
Size: 2-4 feet tall
Description: Produces vibrant orange flowers that attract Monarch butterfly caterpillars and provide nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies. It works well in sunny borders and among ornamental grasses. The flowers are also suitable for summer bouquets.
Perennial Plumbago
Name: Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
Zones: 5-9
Growing Conditions: Sun to partial shade
Size: 8-12 inches tall and 1-2 feet wide
Description: A low-growing groundcover that spreads easily and produces vibrant flowers from late spring into fall. Its foliage emerges in time to cover the fading leaves of early-spring bulbs. It works well in borders in front of shrubs or cascading over walls.
'Rozanne' Geranium
Zones: 5-8
Size: 18-20 inches tall and wide
Description: A hardy perennial with purplish-blue flowers that performs well in intense summer heat and humidity. The flowers have blue-violet coloring with white centers. It works well in perennial borders. Cutting back lanky growth in midsummer can encourage another round of flowers. The foliage turns burnt red in autumn.
Swamp Hibiscus
Name: Hibiscus coccineus
Zones: 6-11
Growing Conditions: Sun and rich, moist soil
Size: Up to 10 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide
Description: A sun-loving perennial with tropical, raspberry-red flowers that can be as large as a hand. Flowers appear from late spring until frost. It grows especially well in moist areas near ponds or other water features but can adapt to most garden soils when adequate moisture is available. Cutting back the branches in late winter helps maintain vigorous growth.
Bottlebrush Buckeye
Name: Aesculus parviflora
Zones: 4-8
Growing Conditions: Shade and slightly acidic, organically rich soil
Description: A summer-flowering shrub with long upright stems covered in white flowers during June and July. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It works well beneath pine trees and other shade trees. Pruning is rarely required.
Purple Beautyberry
Name: Callicarpa dichotoma
Zones: 5-8
Growing Conditions: Full sun or light shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: 3-4 feet tall and wide
Description: Produces deep lavender berries on slender, arching branches in September and October. It works well as a mid-sized transition between taller trees or shrubs and perennials. It pairs well with oakleaf hydrangeas and their colorful fall foliage.
Paperbush
Name: Edgeworthia chrysantha
Zones: 7-10
Growing Conditions: Filtered shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: 4-6 feet tall and wide
Description: Provides winter interest with fragrant flowers that appear during the coldest part of the year. Bare chocolate-colored branches are topped with clusters of white flowers with golden-yellow centers. It is also sometimes called Edgeworthia papyrifera.
'Alice' Oakleaf Hydrangea
Name: Hydrangea quercifolia
Zones: 5-9
Growing Conditions: Morning sun, afternoon shade, and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 12 feet tall and wide
Description: Produces large flower clusters measuring 10-14 inches long. Flowers can last four to six weeks before turning pink and eventually tan. The dried flowers remain ornamental and contrast with the shrub's burgundy foliage.
Fragrant Tea Olive
Name: Osmanthus fragrans
Zones: 7-10
Size: 20-30 feet tall
Description: Produces small white flowers in fall. The flowers may be hidden among the foliage, but their strong fragrance fills the surrounding area. This large shrub works well as a backdrop for borders or as an evergreen hedge. Some cultivars produce yellow or apricot-colored flowers. In upper Zones 6-7, Osmanthus × fortunei is a better choice.
American Hornbeam
Name: Carpinus caroliniana
Zones: 3-9
Growing Conditions: Moist soil and part to full shade
Size: 30-40 feet tall
Description: A versatile midsize tree that adapts to a wide range of conditions. Spring flowers appear as decorative catkins along the branches. Dark green foliage turns yellow, orange, and red in fall. It is suitable for urban gardens.
American Yellowwood
Name: Cladrastis kentukea
Zones: 4-8
Growing Conditions: Full sun
Size: 30-50 feet tall
Description: Produces fragrant white, wisteria-like flowers on 10-14-inch stems in late spring. Its rounded crown makes it suitable for urban gardens. Groups of seven or eight leaflets turn golden yellow in fall. Deep roots provide drought tolerance once established.
Lavender Twist Redbud
Name: Cercis canadensis 'Covey'
Zones: 4-9
Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 15 feet tall
Description: A small, slow-growing, weeping redbud with cascading branches that form an umbrella-like shape. Pink buds and flowers appear along the smooth gray branches in early spring before the foliage emerges. Heart-shaped leaves develop afterward.
'Little Gem' Magnolia
Name: Magnolia grandiflora
Zones: 7-9
Growing Conditions: Full to part sun and moist, acidic soil
Size: 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide
Description: A compact form of Southern magnolia with dark green, glossy foliage and a warm brown leaf underside. Fragrant white, cup-shaped flowers appear throughout the growing season. The foliage is also useful for floral arrangements and holiday decorating. In northern areas, protect the tree from winter wind and sun.
'Yoshino' Japanese Cedar
Name: Cryptomeria japonica
Zones: 5-9
Growing Conditions: Sun or shade
Size: 20-30 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide
Description: A fast-growing, narrow evergreen that provides strong vertical structure and works well for hedges. Its blue-green needles turn plum purple in winter. Some protection from winter winds is beneficial.
Athena 'Emer I' Elm
Name: Ulmus parvifolia
Zones: 4-9
Size: 30-40 feet tall and up to 50 feet wide
Description: A compact tree with a classic, globe-like shape. Its shiny dark green foliage turns bronze before falling. Exfoliating bark reveals gray, green, orange, and brown tones, providing winter interest. It is resistant to Dutch elm disease.
