Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia by Michael A. Dirr, Michael Dirr

• Read an Excerpt

Read an Excerpt

I hope the book provides a measure of inspiration for the plants and incites the readers to search them out for their gardens and landscapes.

Aesculus parviflora, Bottlebrush Buckeye

Truly one of the best native shrubs for late-spring and early-summer flower. This broad-mounded, suckering shrub can colonize a large piece of real estate. The wonderful coarse-textured, dark green leaves are composed of five to seven 3- to 8-in.-long leaflets that turn rich butter-yellow in fall. The 8- to 12-in.-long, bottle-brush-shaped inflorescences contain hundreds of white, four-petaled flowers with pinkish white stamens that stand out an inch from the petals. The inflorescences occur at the ends of the branches and are held upright. Interestingly, this species flowers almost as prolifically in shade as in sun. Smooth, 1- to 3-in.-long, pear-shaped, light brown capsules contain one or two shiny, light brown seeds. Bottlebrush Buckeye requires moist, well-drained soils for best growth, although quality specimens are found in every conceivable situation. Transplant balled and burlapped or from a container. Ideal for underplanting in woodlands or for use in shrub borders and large masses. Grows 8 to 12 ft. high, 8 to 15 ft. wide. Zones 4 to 8 ...

Calycanthus floridus, Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice

One of the great treasures of eastern North America, especially the open-grown specimens that develop into large, roundish shrubs and offer wonderfully fragrant, brown-maroon flowers in April and May. Truly an old-fashioned heirloom plant that I have found in many old gardens. It offers a sense of permanence and purpose ... Always buy the plant inflower to insure pleasing fragrance ... Zones 4(5) to 9 ...

Parrotia persica, Persian Parrotia

I love this tree: the clean summer foliage; the yellows, oranges, and reds of autumn; the cream, green, gray, and brown exfoliating bark; and the small, maroon flowers that glow on a late-winter day. Over the years, my travels have led me to many parrotias, no two alike ...