J Jenkins Arboretum, one of the region’s oldest remnants of the once continuous eastern forest, quietly resides in Devon, Pennsylvania for all to enjoy and admire. It nurtures a large collection of native deciduous azaleas, hybrid rhododendrons, perennial wildflowers and ferns.
In the Arboretum’s goal to educate the public on the advantages of using native plants in the landscape that thrive in southeastern Pennsylvania, Jenkins Arboretum has created its "Green Ribbon Native Plant ®" Selections. Every spring, the Arboretum Horticulture Committee and staff select three native plants (a tree, shrub, and fern or wildflower) that are grown in the Arboretum which should work well in residential and commercial landscapes.
A native plant is defined as a species existing in eastern North America prior to European settlement. Native plants tend to be more hardy and resilient to environmental conditions since they have evolved and adapted to grow in the region. They are also aesthetically pleasing and offer great ecological value for a diversity of insects, birds, and animals in all landscapes.
Sourwood, Oxydendrum arboreum
Sourwood, also called Sorrel or Lily-of-the-Valley Tree, is a member of the heath family (Ericaceae) which includes azaleas and rhododendrons. Its habitat includes well-drained, gravelly soils along the streambanks of eastern North America. An excellent specimen tree, the sourwood is grown mostly for its fall foliage, however is attractive year round. Its deciduous leaves have a sour taste, hence its name.
The perfect, white, urn-shaped flowers are fragrant and appear from June to early July. This hardy tree grows 25 to 30 feet and has a pyramidal habit. It flourishes in full sun to partial shade although flowers and fall foliage are better in full sun. It grows in moist, acid, well-drained soils.
This is an extremely valuable ornamental tree since it is attractive during all seasons. Sourwood is a gorgeous small-flowering specimen tree that can be used in woodland gardens, shade gardens, open islands, and as a focal point. Bees love sourwood flowers and its honey is highly prized. It has trouble with leaf spots as well as twig blight, however neither serious.
Virginia Sweetspire, Itea virginica
The Virginia sweetspire is a deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen 3 to 5 feet tall shrub of the saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae). Commonly found in swamps, wet woodlands and along woodland streams of eastern North America. It has medium to dark green leaves that change to yellow, orange, reddish purple, scarlet, and crimson in autumn. White and slightly fragrant flowers appear in May. Virginia sweetspire grows in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, fertile soils. Additionally, this shrub tolerates drought and may be adaptable to different pH levels.
Virginia sweetspire is a valuable ornamental shrub. It can spread to form in masses or be planted in naturalized settings. Its attractive flowers appear when few other plants are flowering. It is not seriously affected by insects or disease.
Wild Bleeding Heart, Dicentra eximia
Wild bleeding heart is named after its heart-shaped flower that appears as if there is a drop of blood forming at the base as the flowers hang like charms on a bracelet suspended over the leaves. It is a member of the Fumitory family (Fumariaceae) and is native to woodlands in the Appalachian Mountains from New Jersey and West Virginia south to Virginia and Tennessee. This herbaceous perennial enjoys sunny to shady sites in moist soil, however, bright light and moisture enhances the flowering period. Dicentra forms 12-18 inch clumps of grayish-green fern-like leaves. Its showy pink, occasionally white, flowers begin to appear in late spring and continue in flushes until autumn giving an appearance of nonstop blooming.
Easy to grow and great for naturalizing, Dicentra does not have any serious insect or disease problems. It is great source of nectar for bumblebees. Somewhat difficult to start from seed, it is easy to propagate from division. Once established, Wild Bleeding Heart will naturalize and last for many years.
