Blog | Arbor Doctor

Glossy Abelia (shrub up to 6 feet) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Abelia x grandiflora

Flame Amur Maple (small to medium tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Acer ginnala ‘Flame’

Paperbark Maple (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Acer griseum

Gingerbread maple, Girardâ€™s Hybrid Maple tree

Gingerbread maple, Girard’s Hybrid Maple (small to medium tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Acer griseum x nikoense

Gingerbread maple, Girardâ€™s Hybrid Maple tree trunk

Gingerbread maple, Girardâ€™s Hybrid Maple tree leaves

Bloodgood Japanese Maple (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’

Crimson Queen Japanese Maple bush in front of house

Crimson Queen Japanese Maple (very small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Crimson Queen’

Crimson Queen Japanese Maple tree in front of house

Bottlebrush Buckeye (large shrub) (Native)

Aesculus parviflora

Rogers Bottlebrush Buckeye (large shrub) (Native)

Aesculus parviflora var. serotina ‘Rogers’

Red Horsechestnut (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Aesculus x carnea

Briotii Red Horsechestnut (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Alleghany Serviceberry tree

Alleghany Serviceberry (small tree) (Native)

Amelanchier laevis

Serviceberry (small tree) (Native)

Amelanchier laevis

Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry (small tree) (Native)

Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’

Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry branches with flowers

Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry tree in front of building

Devil’s Walkingstick (small tree, very difficult to locate) (Native)

Aralia spinosa

Red Chokeberry (shrub) (Native)

Aronia arbutifolia

Brilliantissima Red Chokeberry (shrub) (Native)

Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’

Black Chokeberry (shrub) (Native)

Aronia melanocarpa

Common Pawpaw tree branch with leaves and fruit buds

Common Pawpaw (small to occasionally medium tree) (Native)

Asimina triloba

Azalea 'Karen'

Popular variety with a profuse display of lavendar-pink flowers in spring. A very hardy azalea with evergreen foliage that has a coppery hue in fall and winter. Thrives moist, well-drained, acidic soils and dappled shade.

Fox Valley™ River Birch (small tree) (Native)

Betula nigra ‘Little King’

Carolina Allspice (Large shrub) (Native)

Calycanthus floridus

Calycanthus 'Aphrodite'

A tall, early summer blooming shrub with fragrant, bright red magnolia-like flowers that often rebloom. The blooms smell similar to apples. The glossy foliage is attractive and makes a beautiful addition to mixed borders and beds.

Chinese Sweetshrub (shrub) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Calycanthus x raulstonii ‘Hartlage Wine’

European Hornbeam (small to medium tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Carpinus betulus

Columnar European Hornbeam (medium tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Carpinus betulus ‘Columnaris’

American Hornbeam (small tree) (Native)

Carpinus caroliniana

Amazing Grace Weeping Katsura (medium tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Amazing Grace’

Amazing Grace Weeping Katsura trees on edge of water

Amazing Grace Weeping Katsura trees behind tombstones with people standing by

Amazing Grace Weeping Katsura tree branches with buds

Amazing Grace Weeping Katsura tree with empty branches

Eastern Redbud (small tree) (Native)

Cercis canadensis

Eastern Redbud tree with trees and background

Appalachian Red Redbud (small tree) (Native)

Cercis canadensis ‘Appalachian Red’

Lavender Twist Redbud (very small tree) (Native)

Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’ Lavender Twist™

Forest Pansy Redbud (small tree) (Native)

Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’

Hearts of Gold Redbud (small tree) (Native)

Cercis canadensis ‘Hearts of Gold’

Ruby Falls Weeping Redbud (very small tree) (Native)

Cercis canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’

Nootka Falsecypress (evergreen medium tree) (North American native)

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis

Weeping Nootka Falsecypress, Weeping Alaska-cedar (evergreen medium tree) (North American native)

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’

Hinoki Falsecypress (evergreen small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Chamaecyparis obtusa

Aurea Hinoki Falsecypress (evergreen small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Aurea’

Filifera Aurea Falsecypress (evergreen small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Filifera Aurea’

Gold Spangle Threadleaf Cypress (small evergreen tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Gold Spangle’

Gold Mop Sawara Falsecypress (small evergreen tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Golden Mop’

Gold Mop Sawara Falsecypress tree plaque

Vintage Gold False Cypress (small evergreen tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Vintage Gold’

White Fringetree (large shrub/small tree) (Native)

Chionanthus virginicus

Yellowwood (medium tree) (Native)

Cladrastis kentukea

Perkins Pink Yellowwood (medium tree) (Native)

Cladrastis kentukea ‘Perkins Pink’

Perkins Pink Yellowwood tree next to building

Zagreb Coreopsis plants behind wood edging

Spring Grove Flowering Dogwood (small to occasionally medium tree) (Native)

Cornus florida ‘Grovflor’ Spring Grove®

Spring Grove Flowering Dogwood tree trunk

Kousa Dogwood (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Cornus kousa

Milky Way Kousa Dogwood (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Cornus kousa ‘Milky Way’

Chinese Dogwood (Small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Cornus kousa Chinensis

Golden Glory Cornelian Cherry (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Cornus mas ‘Golden Glory’

Golden Glory Cornelian Cherry tree branch with fruit

Japanese Cornel Dogwood (small tree, hard to locate) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Cornus officinalis

Japanese Cornel Dogwood tree in front of house with kid walking by

Venus® Dogwood (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Cornus x ‘Venus®’

Aurora Dogwood (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Cornus x rutgersiensis ‘Aurora’™

Celestial Dogwood (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Cornus x rutgersiensis ‘Celestial’™

Blue Muffin Arrowwood Viburnum (shrub)

Viburnum dentatum ‘Blue Muffin’™

Shasta Doublefile Viburnum above bench area

Shasta Doublefile Viburnum (shrub)

Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum ‘Shasta’

Burkwood Viburnum (shrub)

Viburnum x burkwoodii

Mohawk Viburnum (shrub)

Viburnum x burkwoodii ‘Mohawk’

Judd Viburnum (shrub)

Viburnum x juddii

Leatherleaf Viburnum (large shrub)

Viburnum x rhytidophyllum

Amethyst Falls American Wisteria vine plant

Amethyst Falls American Wisteria (vine) (Native)

Wisteria frutescens ‘Amethyst Falls’

Amethyst Falls American Wisteria flowers

Diervilla ‘Kodiak” series (black, orange, red) (shrub to 4 feet tall) (Native)

Diervilla â€˜Kodiakâ€ shrub with reddish green leaves

Boxwood (evergreen shrub 3-4 feet tall) (Non-native, non-invasive):

Buxus x 'Green Gem'

A compact selection that naturally produces a rounded shape with minimal pruning. Dense foliage retains its dark green color through the winter. Sheers well into most any shape. Great foundation shrub where a low maintenance evergreen is desired.

Cornus s. 'Cardinal'

A fast-growing, multi-stemmed shrub with cherry red winter stems. Stems are oustanding with a backdrop of evergreen or snow. White flowers and white fruit add additional interest throughout the season. Add to shrub borders or use as an informal hedge.

Cotoneaster apiculatus

A dense, mounding, low-growing shrub with small, glossy leaves and good fall color. Its red verries add winter interest. It is easy to grow and great for erosion control, as groundcover and cascading over a wall.

Lagerstroemia 'Pocomoke'

Dwarf variety with deep rose-pink summer blooms. This foliage emerges maroon, turns deep green for the summer and red-bronze in fall. A nice addition to beds, borders, and containers for summer and fall color. (May die to ground in cold winters.)

Potentilla f. 'Goldfinger'

A hardy, compact, mounded shrub with large, bright yellow flowers bloom in the summer. This long-blooming variety has compact growth and tolerates poor soils as well as tough growinf sites.

Sambucus r. Black Lace®

Distinctive, dark purple foliage makes this a good choice as a garden contrast plant. The finely cut foliage is accented by clusters of white flowers followed vy ornamental fruit. Easy to grow as an accent to beds and borders or as a specimen shrub.

Sambucus r. Lemony Lace®

A high impact shrub with thread-like golden foliage that emerges red. White flowers followed by red fruit adds extra interest. The mounding form displays well in beds, borders, and large containers.

Gold Mound Spirea (Non-native, non-invasive)

Spiraea japonica ‘Gold Mound’

2 feet to 4 feet

Yucca f. 'Color Guard'

A striking garden addition with green and golden spiky foliage with year round appeal. Tall stalks with large white flowers adds to the midsummer show. Urban tolerant with excellent drought and heat tolerance.

Purple Fountain European Beech (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Fagus sylvatica ‘Purple Fountain’

Early Bright Chinese Witchhazel (large shrub/small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Hamamelis mollis ‘Early Bright’

Early Bright Chinese Witchhazel branch with buds

Princeton Gold Chinese Witchhazel (large shrub/small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Hamamelis mollis ‘Princeton Gold’®

Princeton Gold Chinese Witchhazel branch with buds

Vernal Witchhazel (large shrub/small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Hamamelis vernalis

Common Whichhazel (large shrub/small tree) (Native)

Hamamelis virginiana

Arnold Promise Witchhazel (large shrub/small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’

Seven-son Flower (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Heptacodium miconioides

Climbing Hydrangea vine on side of bridge with people looking at it

Climbing Hydrangea (large vine) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris

Annabelle Hydrangea (shrub)

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’

Panicle Hydrangea (large shrub/small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Hydrangea paniculata

Hydrangea p. Quick Fire Fab®

A dramatic long-blooming shrub with early blooming, large mophead blooms that open pink and age to blush, then, bright pink and then, red. The strong stems keep the blooms looking good through fall. Plant it at the back of boarders or as a feature shrub.

Hydrangea p. Little Quick Fire®

A smaller variety with cone shaped blossoms that open earlier than most varieties. The blooms change from white to reddish-pink. The smaller size fits into most any size garden area for late season color and interest into fall.

Limelight Panicle Hydrangea (shrub) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’®

Limelight Panicle Hydrangea bush behind another group of flower bushes

Tardiva Panicle Hydrangea (large shrub/small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Tardiva’

Quick Fire Hydrangea tree form

Little Lamb Hydrangea (shrub) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Hydrangea paniculata Little Lamb

Climbing Hydrangea (vine) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Hydrangea petiolaris

Oakleaf Hydrangea (shrub) (Native)

Hydrangea quercifolia

Oakleaf Hydrangea shrubs in front of house

Oakleaf Hydrangea (shrub) (Native)

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Pee Wee’

Oakleaf Hydrangea (small shrub) (Native)

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Sikes Dwarf’

Hypericum a. 'Albury Purple'

Colorful greenish plum-purple leaves are complemented by bright yellow flowers in summer. Tolerant of a wide variety of growing conditions. Hardy to the Tri-state, but stems may die back in harsh winters.

Hypericum calycinum

An easy to grow perennial often used as a groundcover. Bright yellow flowers add a splash of color in midsummer. It is tolerant of a wide variety of growing conditions including poor soils, heat, and drought.

Hypericum Sunny Boulevard®

Semi-evergreen shrub with dark green, narrow leaves and bright yellow summer flowers. Flowers give way to attractive seed capsules. A great accent shrub for mixed beds and foundation plantings.

American Holly (medium evergreen tree) (Native)

Ilex opaca

Winterberry Holly (shrub) (Native)

Ilex verticillata

Red Sprite Winterberry Holly (shrub) (Native)

Ilex verticillata ‘Red Sprite’

Winter Red Winterberry Holly (shrub) (Native)

Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’®

Virginia Sweetspire (shrub) (Native)

Itea virginica

Henry’s Garnet Sweetspire (shrub) (Native)

Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’

Henryâ€™s Garnet Sweetspire leaves with plaque of name

Virginia sweetspire (shrub) (Native)

Itea virginica ‘Little Henry’

Chinese juniper (evergreen shrub) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Juniperus chinensis

Keteleeri Chinese Juniper (evergreen large shrub/small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Juniperus chinensis ‘Keteleeri’

Blue Rug Juniper (low evergreen shrub) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltonii’

Needle Juniper (medium evergreen tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Juniperus rigida

Eastern redcedar (medium evergreen tree) (Native)

Juniperus virginiana

Canaertii Juniper (medium evergreen tree) (Native)

Juniperus virginiana ‘Canaertii’

Grey Owl Juniper (evergreen shrub) (Native)

Juniperus virginiana ‘Grey Owl’

Stover Eastern Redcedar (Large evergreen shrub) (Native)

Juniperus virginiana ‘Stover’

Japanese Kerria (shrub to 6 feet tall) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Kerria japonica

Golden Rain Tree (medium tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Koelreuteria paniculata

Spicebush (large shrub) (Native)

Lindera benzoin

Slender Silhouette Sweetgum (medium, slender tree) (Native)

Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’

Magnolia denudata

Brackenâ€™s Brown Beauty Southern Magnolia trees

Bracken’s Brown Beauty Southern Magnolia (medium evergreen tree) (Native)

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’

Bigleaf Magnolia (medium tree) (Native)

Magnolia macrophylla

Umbrella Magnolia (medium tree) (Native)

Magnolia tripetala

Sweetbay Magnolia (medium tree) (Native)

Magnolia virginiana

Evergreen Sweetbay Magnolia (medium tree) (Native)

Magnolia virginiana var. australis

Elizabeth Magnolia (medium deciduous tree) (Native)

Magnolia x ‘Elizabeth’

Firebird Crabapple (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Malus sargentii ‘Firebird’®

Royal Raindrops crabapple (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Malus sp. ‘Royal Raindrops’

Spring Snow Crabapple (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Malus sp. ‘Spring Snow’

Sugar Tyme Crabapple (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Malus sp. ‘Sugar Tyme’

Persian Parrotia (medium tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Parrotia persica

Weeping Norway Spruce (medium evergreen tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Picea abies ‘Pendula’

Picea a. 'Pumila'

A dwarf, dense selection that forms a broad globe of attractive green foilage. It is very hardy when planted in well drained soil and not prone to winter burn. Use for year round interest in beds, foundation plantings, and rock gardens.

Lacebark Pine (medium evergreen tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Pinus bungeana

Tanyosho Pine (small to medium evergreen tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Pinus densiflora ‘Umbraculifera’

Autumn Flowering Higan Cherry (medium tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’

Weeping Cherry (medium tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Prunus subhirtella var. pendula

Snow Fountains Weeping Cherry (small tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Prunus x ‘Snofozam’ Snow Fountains®

Yellow and green Snow Fountains Weeping Cherry

Yoshino Cherry (medium tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Prunus x yedoensis

Akebono Cherry (medium tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Prunus x yedoensis ‘Akebono’

Gro-Low Fragrant Sumac (shrub) (Native)

Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-low’

September Glow Chinese Sumac (shrub) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Rhus chinensis

September Beauty Sumac (small to medium tree) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Rhus chinensis ‘September Beauty’

Dwarf Sumac (shrub) (Non-native, non-invasive)

Rhus copallina var. latifolia ‘Morton’ Prairie Flame™

Staghorn Sumac (medium tree) (Native)

Rhus typhina

Cascade Falls Weeping Bald Cypress (small tree) (Native)

Taxodium distichum ‘Cascade Falls’

Blue Muffin Arrowwood Viburnum (shrub)

Viburnum dentatum ‘Blue Muffin’™

Shasta Doublefile Viburnum (shrub)

Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum ‘Shasta’

Burkwood Viburnum (shrub)

Viburnum x burkwoodii

Mohawk Viburnum (shrub)

Viburnum x burkwoodii ‘Mohawk’

Judd Viburnum (shrub)

Viburnum x juddii

Leatherleaf Viburnum (large shrub)

Viburnum x rhytidophyllum

Amethyst Falls American Wisteria (vine) (Native)

Wisteria frutescens ‘Amethyst Falls’

Diervilla ‘Kodiak” series (black, orange, red) (shrub to 4 feet tall) (Native)

Boxwood (evergreen shrub 3-4 feet tall) (Non-native, non-invasive) :

Buxus x 'Green Gem'

A compact selection that naturally produces a rounded shape with minimal pruning. Dense foliage retains its dark green color through the winter. Sheers well into most any shape. Great foundation shrub where a low maintenance evergreen is desired.

Cornus s. 'Cardinal'

A fast-growing, multi-stemmed shrub with cherry red winter stems. Stems are outstanding with a backdrop od evergreen or snow. White flowers and white fruit add additional interest throughout the season. Add to shrub borders or use as an informal hedge.

Cotoneaster apiculatus

A dense, mounding, low-growing shrub with small, glossy leaves and good fall color. Its red berries add winter interest. It is easy to grow and great for erosion control, as groundcover and cascading over a wall.

Lagerstroemia 'Pocomoke'

Dwarf variety with deep rose-pink summer blooms. The foliage emerges maroon, turns deep green for the summer and red-bronze in the fall. A nice addition to beds, borders, and containers for summer and fall color. (May die to ground in cold winters.)

Potentilla f. 'Goldfinger'

A hardy, compact, mounded shrub with large, bright yellow flowers bloom in the summer. This long-blooming variety has compact growth and tolerates poor soils as well as tough growing sites.

Sambucus n. Black Lace®

Distinctive, dark purple foliage makes this a good choice as a garden contrast plant. The finely cut foliage is accented by clusters of white flowers followed by ornamental fruit. Easy to grow as an accent to beds and borders or as a specimen shrub.

Sambucus r. Lemony Lace®

A high impact shrub with thread-like golden foliage that emerges red. White flowers followed by red fruit adds extra interest. The mounding form displays well in beds, borders and large containers.

Gold Mound Spirea (Non-native, non-invasive)

Spiraea japonica ‘Gold Mound’

2 feet to 4 feet

Yucca f. 'Color Guard'

A striking garden addition with green and golden spiky foliage with year round appeal. Tall stalks with large white flowers adds to the midsummer show. Urban tolerant with excellent drought and heat tolerance.

Thuja o. Mr Fire Chief®

Dwarf evergreen with a rounded habit and distinctive golden foliage with reddish tips. Its best coloration is in full sun, but it also, tolerates part sun. Makes an excellent founation shrub in beds and borders.

Thuja o. Mr Bowling Ball®

A perfect compact ball shaped evergreen with sage green foliage. The rounded shape and evergreen foliage make it a perfect foundation, accent shrub for beds and borders, or low hedge.

Picea a. 'Pumila'

A dwarf, dense selection that forms a broad globe of attractive green foliage. It is very hardy when planted in well drained soil and not prone to winter burn. Use for year round interest in beds, foundation plantings and rock gardens.

Azalea 'Karen'

Popular variety with a profuse display of lavendar-pink flowers in spring. A very hardy azalea with evergreen foliage that has a coppery hue in fall and winter. Thrives moise, well-drained, acidic soils and dappled shade.

Recommended small to medium trees and shrubs

Recommended small to medium trees and shrubs