Midwestern Native Shrubs and Trees. Charlotte Adelman

Prefers moist well-drained soil; APPLE SERVICEBERRY (A. × grandiflora). A naturally occurring hybrid of A. arborea and A. laevis; COMMON SERVICEBERRY, DOWNY SERVICEBERRY, COMMON JUNEBERRY, SHADBLOW SERVICEBERRY (A. arborea var. arborea). Sometimes sold as Canadian Serviceberry (A. canadensis). Height/Spread: 20–30 feet. The most tree-like and tallest of the native serviceberries. Cultivation: Prefers moist conditions; INLAND SHADBLOW, PACIFIC SERVICEBERRY (A. interior). Height: 15–20 feet. Spread: 10–15 feet. Despite its name, this serviceberry is native to the Midwest. Nature Note: See SERVICEBERRY in Spring Shrubs, p. 20. Cultivar/Nativar Note: “We’ve been very disappointed to see that [A. canadensis ‘Glenform’] produces very few berries. And of course, berries is what we bought this plant for! What a loss for birds!” writes Janet Allen.¹⁰¹ Also sold as Rainbow Pillar Serviceberry, Plant Finder writes, “While it is considered to be somewhat self-pollinating, it tends to set heavier quantities of fruit with a different variety of the same species growing nearby.”¹⁰² Tree Grafting Note: Nursery trees are usually grafted, trained to a single trunk, and throw up root-suckers.¹⁰³ To purchase true or straight serviceberry species, patronize native plant nurseries. Zones for All Species: 4–9. For more native serviceberry species, see SERVICEBERRY in Spring Shrubs, p. 20.

      Common serviceberry flowers (Amelanchier arborea var. arborea) Also see pp. 20, 271

      American plum (Prunus americana)

PLUM. Family: Rose (Rosaceae). Genus: Prunus. Plum Ornamental Attributes: “No matter what the species, they all provide quite a show in early spring,” state Weeks, Weeks, and Parker.¹⁰⁴ With their interesting shapes and bark, colorful fruits, and fall colors, all native plums provide summer, fall, and winter interest. Cultivation: Sun and more than one plant are best for flowers and fruit; well-drained soil; AMERICAN PLUM, WILD RED PLUM, WILD YELLOW PLUM (P. americana). Height/Spread: 15–25 feet. Ornamental Attributes: Pure white or pale pink flowers. “Plum flowers, especially on this species, rival those of any of our popular exotic flowering trees. . . . they bloom early, at the same time as the exotic ornamental pears (Pyrus calleryana), and are every bit as attractive” and “reach their peak as the redbuds begin to bloom,” creating a “spectacular” combination.¹⁰⁵ The delicious orange-red fruit ripens midsummer to fall and has a typical plum-like bloom; the fall leaves are orange-red or orange-yellow. The short, crooked trunk, scaly black bark, and spreading, sometimes thorny branches add winter interest. Grow as a small tree, a large shrub or a thicket. Native American Note: “Wild plum fruit was extensively consumed by the Indians of the prairies,” writes Kelly Kindscher.¹⁰⁶ Cultivation: Tolerant of black walnut tree toxicity. Zones: 3–8; CANADIAN PLUM (P. nigra). Height/Spread: 20–30 feet. Ornamental Attributes: “When this tree of the plum family is in bloom or hung with its translucent, radiant fruit it seems to elicit continual praise.”¹⁰⁷ Small thorns provide winter interest. Note: Endangered or presumed extirpated in parts of the Midwest. Zones: 3–8; CHICKASAW PLUM (P. angustifolia var. angustifolia). Height/Spread: 12 feet, can attain 30 feet. Zones: 5–9; MEXICAN PLUM, BIGTREE PLUM (P. mexicana). Height/Spread: 15–30 feet. Ornamental Attributes: Edible purple plums. Does not sucker or create thickets or colonies. Note: Presumed extirpated in part of the Midwest. Zones: 6–8; HORTULAN PLUM, HOG PLUM (P. hortulana). Another midwestern native small non-suckering plum tree. Zones: 5–9. Plum Native American Note: Cultivated native plum orchards before Europeans arrived. Note: Native and heirloom plant sellers sometimes carry native plums. Plum Nature Note: The shrubby branches “provide an impenetrable fortress for a little animal to hide from hawks and cats,”¹⁰⁸ and offer nesting cover for many songbirds, particularly those preferring edges or thickets, including gray catbird, American robin (p. 62), and blue jay. Woodpeckers nibble at the largish fruits. (Birds prefer small fruits, like native roses and cherries, which they swallow whole.) Red and gray fox enjoy native plums. For more nature information, see Springs Shrubs for SAND CHERRY (p. 17).

      Blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

      Gray catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)

      Yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)

      Carolina silverbell (Halesia carolina)

      CAROLINA SILVERBELL, SNOWDROP TREE. Family: Storax (Styracaceae). Genus: Halesia (H. carolina, syn. H. tetraptera). Height: 20–40 feet. Spread: 20–35 feet. Ornamental Attributes: Large shrub/small understory tree of southern midwestern regions where its abundant, showy mid- to late spring flowers resemble clusters of snow-white or pink-flushed silver bells. “Few trees can match the beauty of the silverbells.”¹⁰⁹ Redbud blooms about the same time and the two provide a stunning contrast. Fall brings yellow leaves and showy four-winged brown fruits that persist during winter. It has exfoliating bark; its branches are low to the ground; when pruned, it makes a good street tree. “This is yet another case of a beautiful, unappreciated native plant,”¹¹⁰ writes Patricia A. Taylor. One of Christopher Starbuck’s selections for uncommon trees for specimen planting. Cultivation: Part shade; takes sun. Well-drained, mulched soil, preferably acidic. No serious insect pests or diseases. Tolerant of black walnut tree toxicity. Note: Endangered or presumed extirpated in parts of the Midwest. Nature Note: The flowers attract bees and ruby-throated hummingbirds (p. 91) and the tree hosts 7 species of butterflies and moths. “If you plant silverbell, oaks, birches, willows or black cherry in your yard, you may attract the spectacular prometha moth.”¹¹¹ Squirrels use the trees for dens and eat the seeds; birds use the trees for nesting. Zones: 4–8.

       More Native Alternatives:

      CATALPA, p. 86; CHERRY SPP., p. 82; CRAB APPLE SPP., p. 89; CUCUMBERTREE, p. 111; FLOWERING DOGWOOD, p. 94; FRINGE TREE, p. 105; GREEN HAWTHORN, WASHINGTON HAWTHORN, and other native HAWTHORN SPP., p. 106; PAWPAW, p. 113; REDBUD, p. 92; SASSAFRAS, p. 99; SNOWBELL, p. 116; YELLOW BUCKEYE, p. 98; YELLOWWOOD, p. 96.

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