Species and Varieties

You should always select the best plant for a given location or one that is able to adapt. However, there are so many types of trees and shrubs to choose from. In this section, you’ll find information on selecting the best varieties for your site. Species and varieties covered include walnut, oak, pine, hemlock, beech, ironwood, viburnum, crabapple, boxwood, fir, ash, pachysandra, poplar, privet, hackberry, holly, dogwood, elm, hawthorn, hickory, and more.

How to Choose What Type of Trees to Plant

When you’re planting trees, you first need to consider the site in which you’ll be planting. Pay close attention to the type of soil, hardiness zone, amount of light, exposure, soil compaction, drainage, space, and availability of nutrients. Choose the right plants for your home or the best tree for a given location. With the right guidance, you can easily choose the right tree for the right place.

Being able to correctly identify trees will make the choice easier. Tree and shrub growers should always be able to identify invasive species. Once they’ve become established they can be difficult to control.

Whether or not to choose native trees is a consideration. There are, for example, a wide variety of evergreen shrubs and trees that are ideal for Pennsylvania. They can tolerate the cold Pennsylvania weather, prolonged drought in the summer, and late spring frosts. Evergreen native plants are a good choice because they add interest to the winter landscape.

As well as suitability for the climate, consider whether trees and shrubs are tolerant of wet soil. There are going to be species that grow well when the soil is dry and those that can tolerate shade.

Choosing What Shrubs to Plant

Plant shrubs in your garden, public, or community area and they can provide year-round interest. There is wide variety of shrubs to choose from. Use Penn State Extension’s resources to help you identify the best deciduous performers in Pennsylvania.

Some of the most common shrubs include:

• Russian cypress (Microbiota decussata): Features include cold hardiness and likeness to groundcover juniper. Its dark green needles turn a purplish-bronze in the winter.
• Boxwood: Numerous boxwood varieties and hybrids are available, each with its own unique characteristics.
• Spicebush: Plant as a border shrub in shade or woodland gardens, naturalized areas, rain gardens, and alongside streams or ponds. When you crush the twigs, leaves, or fruit they have a spicy fragrance.
• Shrub honeysuckles: This species was introduced from Europe and East Asia in the 1800s and is well known for its iconic scent and blossoms, a favorite of the European honey bee.
• Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane': This witch hazel produces copper-red flowers from late-March to early April. In the fall, the leaves turn red, orange, and yellow.
• Mountain laurel: This shrub is very familiar, as it’s the state flower. The healthiest of mountain laurel can take on the stature of a small tree; however, it grows very slowly.
• Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia): Provides aesthetic value in the landscape in the spring and fall, as well as in the winter. Its peeling bark adds additional interest.
• White fringetree (Chionanthus Virginicus): Can reach anywhere from 12 to 20 feet. Its most valuable asset is its spring floral display.

Avoid invasive shrubs such as burning bush, privet, Japanese barberry, and butterfly bush as they can be detrimental to local ecosystems.