Horticulture Principles and Practices

3–5 feet tall and spreads the same length. In spite of its beauty, the plant is
actually classified as an invasive species and must be kept in check in the
landscape. To optimal color development, the plant must be properly watered and
grown in sunny locations.
2. Sumac (Rhus spp.)—The name sumac conjures up negative images because it has
both toxic and nontoxic species. The staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is a very tall
bush, while smooth sumac (R. glabra) is shorter, reaching about 10 feet. The fall
colors of the varieties include reds, maroon, and gold.
3. Forthergilla (Fothergilla major)—This is a white-flowered, sun-loving shrub
with a pleasant fragrance, reaching a height of 6–10 feet. Its fall colors include
yellow, orange, and scarlet.
4. Spirea (Spiraea betulifolia)—The ‘Tor’ variety of this shrub stands as tall as it is
wide, reaching 2–3 feet. It produces white flowers in spring, but in fall its dark
green foliage changes color to red.
5. Black viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium)—This shrub can attain a height of
12–15 feet, and produces white flowers in spring. In fall, it changes color from
purple to reddish-bronze to crimson.
6. Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)—These species attains a height of
4–6 feet and about the same spread. It is partially shade-tolerant, bearing white
flowers in summer that fade to pinkish-brown in fall, along with foliage that
changes color to purple, orange, and red.
7. Oriental or American bittersweet vines (Celastrus orbiculatus)—The former is
an invasive species. A striking feature of the bittersweet plants is the spectacular
morphing over the seasons. In summer, they bear green berries that turn yellow in
early fall, as the foliage starts to change color as well. As the fall season advances
the yellow husk of the fruit peels back to reveal an orange berry as the foliage
turns bright yellow.
8. Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)—This shrub attains a height of 6–10 feet
and spreads 3–5 feet. It bears white flowers in early spring that change to red
berries in summer. In fall, the berries change to deep purple.
9. Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) —This vine is relatively easy to
grow. The caution with this vine is that, once it attaches to the wall, it is difficult
to get rid of it. Consequently, unless one wants to have this permanently on the
wall, it should not be grown near a building. In fall, its leaves change color from
green to red and then burgundy.
10. Viking black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)—The ‘Viking’ variety of this
shrub produces white flowers in spring. It reaches a height of about 3–5 feet
and about the same spread. In fall, its foliage changes color from red to purple.
It produces dark, purplish berries that persist through fall, attracting birds into the
landscape.
Other shrubs and vines with great fall foliage and flowers include:
Attractive foliage
1. Barberry (Berberis spp.)—This shrub is adapted to zones 4–8. They produce red
and yellow foliage with berries in fall.
2. Clethra (Clethra spp.)—Adapted to zones 3–8, these plants change foliage color
to yellow or orange.
3. Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica)—It produces red foliage and is adapted to
zones 6–9.
4. Winged euonymus (Euonymus spp.)—This plant is adapted to zones 3–8 and
produces red foliage in fall.
5. Ornamental grape (Vitis spp.)—This vine is adapted to zones 5–9 and produces
burgundy foliage in fall.
536 Chapter 17 Installation of the Landscape