Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) 

Why we love it: A hard to find tree at an affordable price at only $14 for a 1-gallon.

• Ornamental beauty - fragrant, white, fringe-like flowers in spring.

• Color - deep, dark green, glossy leaves give way to yellow foliage in fall.

• Versatility in the garden - can be grown as a large shrub or a small tree, making them suitable for various garden sizes and designs.

Chokeberry (Aronia spp.) 

Why we love it: One of the most adaptable and versatile shrubs with great wildlife and human benefits.

• Berries with health benefits - studies suggest Aronia berries improve cardiovascular health while boosting the immune system due to their antioxidant content.

• Red/purple foliage is ornamental in fall.

• Low maintenance - no pruning needed and generally disease and pest resistant.

'Red Baron' Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) 

Why we love it: A low maintenance shrub with striking leaf color.

• Year-round appeal - deep reddish/purple foliage, clusters of white blooms in late spring, and exfoliating bark is exposed in winter after leaves drop.

• Low maintenance - drought tolerant once established. Can be grown as a privacy screen and allowed to get tall and thick, or can be cut back each spring for a dense compact shrub. 

Maple Leaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium)

Photo source: Native Plant Trust

Why we love it: The only viburnum that tolerates full shade!

• Shade loving - this viburnum will tolerate shady areas, making it a suitable addition to a woodland garden.

• Wildlife value - host plant for the Spring Azure butterfly, and fruits are enjoyed by songbirds, wild turkeys and squirrels.

• Ornamental - white clusters of blooms in spring, colorful fall foliage, suckering shrub gives a "stepped" form.

Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Why we love it: Unique spring blooms!

• Blooms - pink, pea-like blooms sprout along trunks and branches before leafing out, giving an appearance of blooms engulfing the tree.

• Important nectar source - since redbuds bloom in early spring, before most flowering plants, the blooms provide an important nectar source for bees.

• Versatility in the landscape - reaching only 20-30' tall, the manageable size of these trees give plenty of options in your big or small landscape: specimen trees, mixed borders, understory in wooded areas, etc.