Native Bushes for the Hedgerow continued
Here are the three other native bushes we have planted so far in our hedgerow.
4. Ninebark Bush (Physocarpus opulifolius)
Size:
6-10 feet wide and tall
Prune often if a more formal planting is desired. Older shrubs can be renewed by pruning right to the ground in winter.
Location:
Full sun to partial shade, moist to dry well-drained soil. Tolerates occasional drought, occasional flooding and road salt well. Tolerant of Black Walnut toxicity. Good for erosion control.
Appearance:
Dark green, 3-5 lobed, alternating leaves are a paler green underneath. They turn a bronzy-yellow in fall.
The young twigs are shiny and reddish-brown turning dark brown as they age and developing a papery-strip texture that peels away from the branch. This provides excellent winter interest.
The flowers form 2 inch clusters with each tiny white flower having hairy petals and prominent purple-colored stamens. Flowers look their best in late May to early June.
Flowers turn into drooping clusters of reddish fruit which are inflated seed capsules. These ripen in July and remain on the plant until they explode in winter spreading the seeds, unless the birds eat them.
Incredbile microscopic cross section of a ninebark stalk by Anatoly Mikhaltsov
Habitat:
Commonly found growing along stream banks, rocky ledges and moist thickets.
Benefits:
Flowers are food sources for native and honey bees. Both short and long-tongued bees, as well as mining bees like to frequent the flowers in spring. Butterflies and other pollinators are also attracted to them.
Caterpillars of the moths Eulithis molliculata (Dimorphic Eulithis), Nepticula opulifoliella (Ninebark Pigmy Moth), and Olethreutes permundana (Raspberry Leafroller) prefer to feed on the leaves. Also caterpillars of the moths Lomographa vestaliata (White Spring Moth), Palthis angulalis (Dark-Spotted Palthis), and Schizura unicornis (Unicorn Caterpillar) will eat the leaves if they come across a bush.
The seed capsules attract seed-eating birds.
5. Red Osier Dogwood Bush (Cornus sericea)
Size:
7-10 feet high and wide
Location:
Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours of direct sunlight), in moist to wet well-drained soils. WIll tolerate dry conditions, occasional drought, occasional flooding and heavy clay soils. Flowers best in full sun.
Appearance:
Medium green leaves, paler underneath, are 2-5 inches long. They turn a lovely reddish-purple in fall.
Young stems are a brilliant red but get darker with age. To keep the beautiful red stems forefront remove the oldest few stems to the ground every spring. These look amazing planted in front of evergreens or against the snow in winter.
Flowers are 1-2 inches and flat topped with small white blooms. These mature into bluish-white fruit (drupes) in late summer and can persist into winter if the birds don’t eat them all.
Habitat:
Found along river banks and lake shores as well as in wooded or open, wet areas.
Benefits:
The nectar and pollen attract many pollinators including long and short-tongued bees, and butterflies. Larval host of the Spring Azure (Celastrina "ladon") butterfly.
Over 13 different moth species visit for nectar or lay their young so their caterpillars can feed on the leaves.
More than 98 species of birds, including flicker, tanager, woodpeckers, and catbird are attracted to the plant’s fruit and use the plant as shelter. The fruit is so beneficial because of the higher than normal fat content found within making them especially valuable to migrating waterfowl and songbirds.
Some Turtles even, like the Snapping (Chelydra serpentina) and Slider (Trachemys scripta), eat the fallen leaves.
Serviceberry Bush (Amelanchier canadensis)
One of the serviceberry bushes is in the front garden with tulips and grape hyacinth planted around it. Then 4 other bushes are planted on the west side of the property to act as a hedge to block out the neighbours billboards.
Size:
10-20 feet high and wide but easily pruned as a specimen tree to whatever size.
Location:
Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours plus), prefers wet soil and will tolerate flooding but adapts to dryer soil as well. Try to plant it in a wetter area of your yard if it's going to be in full sun, it can tolerate less water with more shade. Tolerates black walnut toxicity and salt.
Appearance:
Two inch long leaves unfurl a bronzy colour in spring and then turn a dark green in summer. They are furry underneath. They then turn orange and red in the fall.
Bark is a lightish gray and smooth, quite pretty in the winter.
Flowers bloom in loose white clusters with a tinge of pink. These mature into edible red to purple fruit that is delicious if you can get it before the birds do.
Habitat:
Common along wood borders and moist upland woods.
Benefits:
Special value to native bees because it’s an early bloomer. Also attracts predatory or parasitoid insects that prey upon pest insects in your garden.
Larval host for striped hairstreak butterfly.
So far the hedgerow in the back is more a series of individual plantings until I can get more stock.
The front hedgerow has a little bit more shape to it. I’ve also planted lilacs, black currant and some bergamot in it as well and will add more native perennials and grasses as they germinate.
