Plants Resistant to Black Walnut

Trees

• The toxin released by walnut trees (found in the bark, stems, fruits and foliage) will damage nearby trees that aren't resistant. Gardeners must consider all surrounding plants, from the biggest to the smallest, before planting or transplanting walnut trees in the yard. Many species of maple, including black maple and Japanese maple, show no negative reaction to black walnut trees. Red maple and sugar maple are also safe from black walnut damage. The Ohio buckeye, hickory, hawthorn, beech and red cedar, common forest trees, are not affected by the presence of black walnuts. Landscape trees unaffected by black walnuts include the flowering dogwood and the tulip tree. Many trees in the oak family, including white oak and red oak, may be grown alongside black walnut trees as well.

Shrubs

• American barberry, hazelnut, wild hydrangea, black raspberry, dwarf sumac, wild rose and common elderberry are on the list of landscaping shrubs that are resistant to the toxic effects of black walnut trees. Many shrubs, vines and other types of landscaping plants grow easily alongside black walnut; unfortunately, many invasive plants are unaffected by the trees as well. Honeysuckle and poison ivy both grow easily around black walnuts.

Plants

• Common yarrow, wild ginger and common milkweed all make good garden plants, and none will be harmed by the toxic nature of black walnut trees. Common garden plants like mustard, wild lettuce, wood sorrel and common mullein may easily be grown near black walnut trees. A long list of garden flowers remain undamaged by the effects of black walnut trees: aster, tall bellflower, ox-eye daisy, crocus, wild geranium, sunflowers, daylily, iris, spiked lobelia, evening primrose, phlox, goldenrod and violet. Invasive dandelions also flourish in spite of black walnut trees growing nearby.

Edible Crops

• Some popular edible garden crops will be greatly damaged by black walnuts; tomatoes will not survive long when planted near the toxic trees. Other food crops will remain undamaged by the presence of the trees. Onions, beets, wild yam, soybean, parsnips, lima beans, wheat and corn may all be grown near black walnut trees with no negative effects.