Landscaping Plant Names

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

• A landscaping plant used in both northern and southern parts of North America is the Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). This tree, growing between 30 and 65 feet, survives from U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone 2 southward to Zone 9. Red cedar is an evergreen tree with peeling, shredding bark that thrives in many soil types. Landscapers often use red cedar to form privacy screens, or as a specimen tree.

American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)

• Use the American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) as a street tree or a shade tree if you have plenty of room for this potentially 100-foot tall tree to develop. Aspects of the sweetgum, such as its colorful fall foliage and persistent, spiny fruits, make it an interesting landscape tool. Sweetgum grows from southern New York to Florida and westward to Texas. The tree is not a cold-hardy plant. Cultivars include a dwarf hybrid called Gumball that is about 15 feet tall.

Roseshell Azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum)

• Winter hardy enough to survive in southern areas in Quebec, the roseshell azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum) has many uses as a landscaping plant. This deciduous shrub works as a foundation plant when planted in groups, used in woodland gardens and alone as a specimen species. Roseshell azalea's fragrant, pink flowers bloom in April. Butterflies and hummingbirds frequent your yard when these shrubs are present. Roseshell azalea can grow to heights of 8 feet, notes the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Windflower (Anemone canadensis)

• Wet areas, such as the borders of ponds and streams, are perfect setting for the windflower (Anemone canadensis). In the wild, this herbaceous perennial grows along floodplains and in damp meadows. Windflower blooms from April through June, producing a white flower with five petals at the top of an erect stalk. Windflower grows to 2 feet in those areas of your yard that are somewhat shady or always exposed to the sun.

Woodbine (Clematis virginiana)

• Woodbine (Clematis virginiana) is a vine native to eastern North America. Woodbine grows as long as 20 feet. It does well in full shade. It flowers as late as October. Landscapers employ this plant on trellises and arbors, or they allow it to grow along the ground. Woodbine takes over an area if allowed. It will produces plenty of seeds and it can develop new growth through its roots as well.