Garden Experiments
For the love of gardening and wildlife habitat
Trees and shrubs add shade, structure, nesting and roosting habitat, and beauty to your garden. Select your tree or shrub based on growing conditions, height, season of interest, and more. Some trees and shrubs are deciduous while others are evergreen. Selecting the perfect one for your garden depends on your overall garden design and purpose.
Drive down a rural dirt road or along an old fence line, and you will almost certainly spot the familiar silhouette of an eastern red cedar. For generations, these trees have anchored field edges, stabilized soils, and even supplied rot-resistant fence posts. More importantly, eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) plays a critical ecological …
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Common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a unique, late-blooming shrub known for its striking, spidery yellow flowers that appear from late fall into early winter, as well as its amazing fall color. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it offers significant benefits to local wildlife and a rich history as an herbal remedy and dowsing tool. About …
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Winterberry, Ilex verticillata, is a deciduous holly renowned for the stunning display of brilliant red berries (also called drupes) that last on bare branches throughout the winter months. This native shrub is not only a spectacular landscape feature but also provides crucial support for local wildlife. About Winterberry If you take a walk …
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When I was learning to identify plants, the leaves of boxelder used to trip me up. To me, they looked so much like poison ivy. However, there are a few key features that can help you tell the difference between these two plants. Boxelder Maple Similarities with Poison Ivy The leaves and leaflets of these two plants have a similar appearance. …
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I often see sassafras growing along the trails, in the forest breaks, and in old fields. However, it’s the mitten-shaped leaves that stand out to me. If you break off a twig of a sassafras tree and smell it, you get the distinct smell of root beer. My dad used to do this for us every time we took a hike with him. It was a family tradition and …
Fall is a great time to enjoy the beauty of nature in your garden. Native shrubs offer various foliage colors, colorful berries, textures, and shapes that will add interest and color to your yard all season long. Add a few native shrubs for fall color into your landscape! Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) In late fall and early winter, this …
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