(Sugar Maple)

The great American sugar maple is a beautiful deciduous tree that offers some of the prettiest fall color of all maples. It is widely distributed from the northerly reaches of eastern Canada down to Georgia and Louisiana, so there is a lot of variability in hardiness and the trees are well-adapted to many growing situations; though in the wild they tend to be upland trees. Sugar maple seedlings are also surprisingly shade-tolerant and will grow fairly vigorously in the forest understory.

Sugar...

(Siebold's Maple)

A Japanese maple that closely resembles the plant that bears that name (Acer palmatum), this small deciduous tree from the forests of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu is attractive year round and spectacular in fall. Elegant rounded leaves with 9 (occasionally 7 or 11) pointed lobes unfold in spring, just as the clusters of small pale yellow flowers appear (in contrast to the red blooms of Acer palmatum). The leaves are downy when young. Two-winged fruits follow the flowers, maturing...

(Siebold's Maple, Sode-no-uchi Maple)

A Japanese maple that closely resembles the plant that bears that name (Acer palmatum), this small deciduous tree from the forests of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu is attractive year round and spectacular in fall. Elegant rounded leaves with 9 (occasionally 7 or 11) pointed lobes unfold in spring, just as the clusters of small pale yellow flowers appear (in contrast to the red blooms of Acer palmatum). The leaves are downy when young. Two-winged fruits follow the flowers, maturing...

(Painted Maple, Shantung Maple)

Shantung maple is a tough deciduous shade tree from northern China and Korea that has interest in all four seasons. In spring, yellowish green flowers decorate the twigs, which may have a slightly purple hue. The leaves emerge reddish and mature dark green, looking very much like those of Norway maple. In autumn, the leaves typically turn shades of yellow and orange, with possible blotches of red. The bark of this tree is gray, and looks like the battered and age-worn skin of a large elephant's...

(Pacific Sunset® Maple, Painted Maple, Shantung Maple)

Pacific Sunset maple ('Warrenred') is a tough shade tree with a fast growth rate and atypical red fall color. Although its parentage is uncertain, it is perhaps a hybrid of the Shantung maple (Acer truncatum)from China with Norway maple (A. platainoides). Pacific Sunset's deep yellow-green leaves are slightly larger in size than the species and have more small lobes and more pointed lobes on the leaf blade. In autumn, leaves typically change bright red, but may include dulled purple...

(Tschonosk's Maple)

The dainty, deeply lobed leaves of this lovely but little known East Asian maple often turn spectacular yellows and reds in fall. A small shrubby deciduous tree, it typically has multiple, smooth, gray-barked trunks and a narrow vase-shaped habit. The dark green, five-lobed leaves have bright purple-red stems. Clusters of small yellow flowers emerge in late spring, after the leaves have expanded. Two-winged fruits follow the flowers.

This maple likes moist, well-drained, humus-rich, acidic soil...

(Appleblossom Yarrow, Hybrid Yarrow)

'Appleblossom' displays a profusion of large, rose pink flowerheads on vigorous, compact plants throughout summer. Bred in Germany, this hybrid is a member of the popular Galaxy Series, which were developed by crossing common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) with the yellow-flowered Achillea ‘Taygetea’. It forms a healthy clump of fine, ferny, green foliage which spreads more politely than that of common yarrow. Its dense, flattened flower clusters are displayed on sturdy stems...

(Coronation Gold Yarrow, Hybrid Yarrow)

This big, beautiful yarrow displays large, flattened platters of golden yellow flowers which seem to float above healthy clumps of silvery, aromatic, finely divided foliage. The long-lasting flowers appear on tall, slender stems from late spring to early summer, and are attractive to butterflies. ‘Coronation Gold’ is thought to be a cross between the species Achillea filipendula and Achillea clypeolata.

Grow this easy, drought-tolerant perennial in full sun and well-drained...

(Hybrid Yarrow, Mary Ann Yarrow)

This lovely yarrow displays many flat-topped clusters of pale lemon-yellow flowers from late spring to midsummer. The blooms rise on slender, compact stems above spreading clumps of finely divided, fernlike, silvery foliage, and are attractive to butterflies.

‘Mary Ann’ grows easily in full sun and well-drained soil of average fertility. Faded flower stems may be cut to the ground after blooming to maintain a neat appearance. Yarrow is suitable for mixed borders and cottage-style gardens,...

(Hybrid Yarrow, Moonshine Yarrow)

This gorgeous, compact yarrow lives up to its name with its shimmering display of brilliant yellow flowers held atop compact mounds of silvery, finely divided foliage. The blossoms appear in dense, flat-topped clusters on short, sturdy stems from late spring to early summer, and are attractive to butterflies. This hybrid is the result of a cross between Achillea clypeolata and Achillea ‘Taygetea’.

Grow this easy, drought-tolerant perennial in full sun and well-drained soil...