dry
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Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry)
$45.00An attractive tree for all seasons. Birds love its berries. Delicate white, star-like flowers bloom in early spring. Pleasant gray-green foliage, orange to rusty-red fall color, and smooth red-gray bark. Full sun to part shade. Likes well-drained soil. Host tree for moths and butterflies.
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Amelanchier laevis (Allegheny Shadblow or Serviceberry)
$45.00Amelanchier laevis, commonly known as Smooth Serviceberry, is a native plant species that thrives in the state of Illinois. This small deciduous tree or multi-stemmed shrub belongs to the Rosaceae family and is celebrated for its striking appearance, ecological significance, and its adaptability to a variety of environments. Here’s a detailed description of Amelanchier laevis in the Illinois landscape:
1. **Appearance**: Smooth Serviceberry typically grows to heights ranging from 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 meters) but can occasionally reach up to 30 feet (9 meters). It is characterized by a graceful, upright form with a dense canopy. The smooth, grayish-brown bark adds to its aesthetic appeal.
2. **Leaves**: The leaves of Amelanchier laevis are alternate, simple, and oval-shaped with finely serrated edges. They emerge as bronze or reddish in spring, transition to a deep green in summer, and transform into beautiful shades of orange, red, or purple in the fall, adding vibrant colors to the Illinois landscape.
3. **Flowers**: In early spring, Smooth Serviceberry produces showy clusters of delicate, white or pale pink, five-petaled flowers. These blossoms are an early source of nectar for pollinators, including bees and butterflies, making the plant a valuable addition to Illinois gardens.
4. **Fruits**: One of the most distinctive features of Amelanchier laevis is its edible berries, which ripen in late spring to early summer. These berries are initially red or purple and eventually mature into dark blue-black fruits that resemble small cherries. They are not only visually appealing but also a sought-after food source for birds and wildlife.
5. **Ecological Importance**: Smooth Serviceberry plays a vital role in the Illinois ecosystem. Its flowers attract pollinators, and its fruits are eagerly consumed by various bird species, including cedar waxwings and robins. It also provides habitat and shelter for a variety of wildlife.
6. **Environmental Adaptability**: This native plant is highly adaptable and can thrive in a range of soil types, from well-drained sandy soils to heavier clay soils. It is often found in woodlands, open forests, and along stream banks.
7. **Cultural and Landscaping Uses**: Smooth Serviceberry is an excellent choice for native plant enthusiasts, wildlife gardeners, and those seeking ornamental plants for their landscapes. It can be used as a specimen tree, in mixed borders, or as a naturalistic planting in more natural landscapes.
8. **Historical and Cultural Significance**: Native American tribes historically utilized Amelanchier species for medicinal purposes and as a source of food. The berries were consumed fresh or dried for later use.
Amelanchier laevis offers year-round interest with its attractive flowers, colorful foliage, and edible berries. Its ecological importance, adaptability, and historical significance make it a valuable addition to the Illinois landscape, providing both aesthetic and environmental benefits.
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Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey Tea)
$40.00A low-growing, compact woody prairie plant. Spectacular white flowers bloom on the 4th of July. Hummingbirds are attracted to the tiny insects that pollinate its flowers. Very hardy shrub with glossy leaves. Full sun to light shade; medium to dry soil. Drought tolerant.
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Celtis occidentalis (Hackberry)
$45.00 – $175.00Looks similar to an elm in form and foliage. Very adaptable; grows in wet and dry soils in full sun. Good street tree. Birds relish the purplish-black fruit. Also attracts butterflies. Growth rate is fast in youth and moderate as it ages. Distinctive grooved, warty bark. Deer resistant.
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Cornus racemosa (Gray Dogwood)
$40.00A tough shrub that is sun and shade tolerant, grows in wet or dry soils, and grows in a variety of soil types. It has white flowers in May that turn to white fruit on red panicles, that birds relish in the fall. Will spread to form thickets if root suckers are not removed. Fall color is a dusky purplish red. Host for many larval butterfly species. Deer resistant.
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Corylus americana (American Filbert (Hazelnut))
$40.00Nut is edible and attractive to wildlife. Likes at least half day of sun and good garden soil. A harbinger of spring when male catkins elongate 2-3 inches and release puffs of pollen. Excellent red, yellow, and orange fall color. Better chance of producing nuts if you have 3-5 plants. Best grown in moist, well-drained soil.
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Crataegus mollis (Downy Hawthorn)
$45.00A handsome tree with a tall trunk and compact, rounded crown of spreading branches, large broad hairy leaves, many large white, unpleasant smelling flowers, and large scarlet fruit. Branches have varying degrees of thorniness. The leaves are susceptible to cedar-hawthorn rust. Recognized by pollination ecologists for attracting large numbers of native bees. Also recognized as a plant that attracts predatory insects that prey on pest insects. Grows best in full sun to part shade, in moist, well-drained soil. Drought tolerant. Provides a nesting habitat for a variety of birds and other wildlife.
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Dasiphora fruticosa (Shrubby Cinquefoil)
$40.00A dense, bushy shrub with upright, slender branches and bright yellow flowers. The beautiful flowers bloom throughout most of the growing season. This is a wonderful shrub to place under a window that gets a lot of viewing. Attracts large numbers of native bees. Grows best in loamy soil that is well drained but can be watered regularly. Tolerates occasional drought.
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Diervilla Ionicera (Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle)
$40.00Not a true honeysuckle, this small native, densely branched, suckering shrub is noted for its yellow trumpet-shaped flowers, dark green leaves and fall color. Flowers bloom in late spring to early summer. Full sun to part shade; dry to medium moisture in well-drained soil. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.