Carya cordiformis 50-80' x 30-50' Also known as Bitternut Hickory. Thin-shelled nuts can be pressed into a mild nutty cooking oil. Closely related to the pecan. Z3.
Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia 24–36" tall. Fine grassy willow-like foliage. Clusters of powder-blue florets in early summer. Best planted en masse. Z3.
Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 24-36" tall. Midsummer sprays of bright red flowers open from bottom to top on long arching bronze stems. Grows well in pots. Makes a long-lasting cutflower.
Echinops ritro 3–4' tall. Luminous steel-blue spiky spheres on stiff stems with silvery green leaves. Excellent for fresh or dried arrangements. Blooms mid-to-late summer. Z3.
Pulmonaria 9-12" tall and eventually up to 2' wide. Periwinkle-blue buds open to pink flowers in spring. Large slate-green leaves with silver-white splotches. Woodland plant. Z3.
Sempervivum Low-growing rosette-forming succulents produce runners and babies. Drought and heat tolerant. Cold-hardy too! Colorful mix of reds, greens and purples. Z3.
Chelone glabra 2–4' tall. Native wildflower blooms late along with the asters. A final feast for the bumblebees. Prefers moist soil, dappled light. Z4.
Acorus americanus 24-36" tall. Water-loving bog plant with broad sword-like foliage that smells sweetly of citrus and vanilla when crushed. Roots traditionally used as an aromatic bitter for digestive upsets. Z3.
Viola sororia 6-10" tall. North American native with cheery blue-purple flowers and attractive heart-shaped leaves, all edible. Larval host plant for multiple species of butterflies. Z3.
Gaylussacia baccata 1-3' x 2-4'. Cousin of the blueberry. Less acidic, more mildly sweet flavor. Flowers in June, fruits in August. Full sun to part shade but fruits best in sun. Native to eastern U.S. and Canada. Z3/4.
Prunus tomentosa 6-10' x same. Broad dense highly ornamental fruiting shrub blooms early. Excellent hedge and edible landscape plant. Plant two or more for pollination. Z2.
Calycanthus floridus 6-10' x 6-12'. Beautiful native shrub with dark burgundy-maroon flowers and shiny leaves. Blooms early, flowers through summer. Highly fragrant. Z4/5.
Myrica pensylvanica Waxy blue skin. 5-10' x same. A common sight along Maine’s rocky shores. Fragrant glossy deep green leaves and small waxy berries. Fixes nitrogen and feeds wildlife. Z2.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 6-10". Low-growing evergreen groundcover. Can sprawl to 15'. Pinkish-white flowers in spring. Small red berries persist into winter. Self-pollinating. Z2.
Cephalanthus occidentalis 6-10' x 8'. Loose rounded branchy shrub with masses of ornamental blooms that appear 4–6 weeks in summer. Attractive to pollinators. Z4.
Diervilla lonicera 2-4' x 2-5'. Clusters of yellow tubular flowers attract pollinators. Lustrous green leaves emerge with a hint of bronze. Good for erosion control. Z3.
Hydrangea quercifolia 4-6' x 6-8' Spreading multi-stemmed shrub with oak-like leaves and spiked white flowers. Dried flowers turn pink to bronze. Cultivar selected for strong flower stems that won't flop over. Z5.
Philadelphus lewisii 4-5' x 3-4' Medium-sized loosely arching ornamental blooming shrub. A “blizzard” of sweet citrusy fragrance from white blossoms in late spring. Z3.
Cercis canadensis 25-30' × same. Small vase-shaped ornamental tree. Clusters of brilliant edible purplish-pink pea-like flowers fill the entire tree in spring. Z4/5.
Lindera benzoin 6-12' x 8-12'. Large rounded multi-stemmed fragrant native shrub suited to moist or wet areas. Soft-yellow flowers. Glossy red edible berries. Z5.
Rhus aromatica 5-6' x 6-8'. Leaves emit a pleasing aroma when crushed. Phenomenal fall colors. Adaptable and easy to transplant. Useful in erosion control. Native to eastern U.S. Z3.
Clethra alnifolia 4-5' x same. Red buds and beautiful spires of heavenly scented deep-pink flowers appear for 6 weeks in midsummer. Erect oval habit. Z3.
Ilex verticillata Bright-red berries stand out through the winter, providing late-spring forage for birds. A staple of the Maine landscape. Unsexed seedlings, plant several for berries. Z4.
Gaultheria procumbens 6-10". Aromatic evergreen native groundcover. Glossy dark green leaves. Bell-shaped white flowers in June. Vivid red berries. Self-pollinating. Z3.
Hamamelis virginiana 8-20' x same. Small fall-flowering tree or large shrub. Brilliant golden-yellow fall color. Quirky yellow flowers in November. Z3.
Prunus persica White flesh. Early-Mid. Peento-type peach is flat, semi-freestone with sugary white flesh. Great for drying. Heavy yields on vigorous tree. Z4.
Pyrus pyrifolia Summer, russeted yellow skin. Medium-sized crisp juicy fine-textured very sweet Asian pear. Not as firm as others. Keeps about 6 weeks. Z4/5.
Pyrus communis Late summer, greenish yellow skin. Large greenish-yellow classic obtuse-pyriform pear. Adaptable to many climates and soils. Full reliable annual crops. Z4.
Pyrus communis Fall, russeted dark yellow skin, white flesh. Distinctive sweet rich spicy buttery flavor. Melting juicy tender white flesh. Bears huge crops annually. Good pollinator for other varieties. Z4.
Pyrus communis Fall, greenish yellow skin, yellowish flesh. A superior dessert pear with sweet very juicy flesh. Better wear a bib. Highly ornamental tree. Z4.
Pyrus communis Late summer, red-blushed golden yellow skin, white flesh. Fine-grained buttery flesh is juicy and sweet with notes of honey and vanilla. Begins bearing at a young age. Z4.
Pyrus communis Late summer, red-blushed greenish yellow skin. The best-quality large hardy pear available. Very good fresh eating with sweet “high flavor.” Good canning. Z3.