Landscape - Smaller Trees for Delaware Landscapes

The following are some smaller trees to consider for Delaware Landscapes

Amur maple (Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala). Hardy; multi-stemmed tree; 15-20’ tall; fragrant, inconspicuous, creamy-white flowers in spring; red fruit in summer that turns brown; bright orange to red fall color; can reseed in wild; tolerant to a wide range of soils and pH.

Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata). Hardy; compact; upright; 15-25’ tall; reddish-brown, shiny bark; large, creamy-white, slightly fragrant, terminal flowers in June; yellow fall color; tolerant to a wide range of soils and pH; urban and salt tolerant.

American hornbeam, musclewood (Carpinus caroliniana). Hardy; wide-spreading; multi-stemmed tree with low branches; 20-30’ tall; fluted, muscle-like bark and branches; yellow to orange-red fall color; slow grower; prefers rich, moist, slightly-acid soil; salt intolerant; shade tolerant. Native tree.

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis). Hardy; spreading; vase-shaped tree; 20-30’ tall; reddish-purple new leaves that change to green; brownish-black bark with orange inner bark; reddish-purple flowers that fade to pink in early spring; yellow fall color; prefers a moist; welldrained soil; pH adaptable; partial shade tolerant; native tree.

Apple serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora). Hardy; upright; multi-stemmed tree; 15-25’ tall; smooth gray bark; reddish-bronze new growth; white flowers in early spring; reddish-purple edible fruit in early summer; attracts birds; yellow-orange to red fall color; full sun to partial shade; prefers a moist, welldrained, slightly acid soil.

Landscape and Nursery - Plants for Delaware Landscapes Featured at the 2009 UDBG Spring Plant Sale V

This year, the University of Delaware Botanic Garden spring benefit plant sale features those plants that add to the biodiversity of the landscape and offer food and habitat for wildlife, especially insects and the birds that eat them. Many native plants are featured. This is the fifth in a series on plants being offered at the UDBG spring plant sale that are recommended for Delaware landscapes.

Amelanchier × grandiflora ‘Robin Hill’, Apple Serviceberry, 20-30', full sun to shade, moist soil conditions. What’s not to love about this small tree: Deep pink buds opening to white flowers in April; sweet edible fruit in June; and yellow to red fall color. Add to this the smooth grey stems in the winter and you have four seasons of outstanding display! Native plant. Photo by Burncoose Nurseries, UK.


Amelanchier laevis, Allegheny Serviceberry, 15-25', full sun to shade, moist soil conditions. Allegheny serviceberry is more tree-like in habit with fewer suckering stems. The new foliage emerges bronze before changing to green in summer and orange-red in fall. The leaves and 4-6 inch long clusters of white flowers in April are covered with soft hairs, separating it from other serviceberries. The sweet black fruits are delicious to humans and wildlife. Native plant. Photo from the Dow Gardens Archive, Dow Gardens, Bugwood.org.


Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Bearberry, 1', full sun to shade, dry to moist soil conditions. Evergreen groundcovers are so valuable to the landscape and this is one of the best. The white flowers tinged with pink appear in late April to May, followed by showy red fruit in fall. Plants thrive in poor sandy soils and show good salt tolerance. Native plant. Photo by Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org.

For more information on the 2009 UDBG Spring Plant Sale go to http://ag.udel.edu/udbg/events/annualsale.html