My Favorite Tree
Trembling Aspen (Quaking Aspen)
Populus tremuloides
Growing up in the Canadian prairie and now resident of the Midwest, the Trembling or Quaking Aspen is a regional favorite. A delicate native of the North American forest, with showy white bark and leaves that flutter in the faintest breeze is a staple in a natural forest setting or a suburban woodland composition. The Quaking Aspen has green foliage throughout the season and the round leaves turn an outstanding gold in the fall. Quaking Aspen will grow to be about 40-50 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet.
Terry Minarik, Principal, ASLA
Confluence, Minneapolis, MN
(612) 333 3702
My Favorite Shrub
Butterfly Bush
Buddleia davidii
Butterfly bush is an attractive deciduous flowering shrub. A shrub of medium height, this flowering accent works well placed in full sun with well drained soil. Butterflies and birds are very attracted to these plants, which bloom through summer and into fall. Since blooms occur only on new growth, a severe pruning in early spring will encourage plentiful flowers against blue green to silver grey foliage. Butterfly bush makes a beautiful and pollinator-friendly addition to any garden.
Adrienne Stutz, Horticulturalist and CPO Russell Landscape
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
(850)622-1381
My Favorite Ground Cover
Bugleweed
Ajuga reptans
Ajuga is a dense, rapidly spreading groundcover that enhances the landscape with its shiny, dark green leaves capped with whorls of tiny, blue-violet flowers in spring. It is easily grown in full sun to part shade and prefers moist soils with good drainage. Ajuga’s dense foliage will choke out weeds but the plants are not particularly tolerant of foot traffic. Several cultivars offer varied foliage color, Catlins Giant being my personal favorite. When in full flower, large clumps of bugleweed produce a striking display, especially planted among naturalizing spring bulbs.
Bruce Phillips Jr., Landscape Designer Beary Landscape Management
Des Plaines, IL
(847) 768-9800
