April 2024: American Fringetree
Article written by: Brandon Parks – Horticulturist
Common name & Latin name: American Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus)
Plant Family: Oleaceae
Light: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Height: 20-30 ft.
Spread: 15-25 ft.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Origin: Eastern North America
Location on Property: Ohio Hybridizer Historic Daylily Garden, Children’s Garden Entrance
Old Man’s Beard, also known as the American Fringetree, is a native understory tree to shaded forests, organically rich woodlands, and flood plains of Eastern North America, including Ohio. The name, Old Man’s Beard, refers to the long tassels of white flowers that emerge in middle-to-late spring, end of April to mid May. In Southern wild populations, a rare and unusual, reddish-pink flower may be seen. This tree has a wide tolerance of growing conditions from sun to shade. Old Man’s Beard is dioecious, separate male and female trees, and is prized for its wonderful flower display. This tree can be a beautiful specimen plant in the landscape as both a fruitless male or as a fruiting female tree. As a native tree, Old Man’s Beard offers many benefits to wildlife. They serve as a host plant for several species of butterflies and moths, specifically the Rusty Sphinx moth, and the attractive dark blue fruits on female trees feed a variety of wildlife, including Cedar Waxwings and other fruit-eating birds.
May 2024: Red Buckeye
Article written by: Liz Coverdale – Senior Horticulturist
Common name & Latin name: Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia)
Plant Family: Sapindaceae
Light: Full sun with afternoon shade
Height: 15 -20 ft in cultivation
Spread: 15 – 20 ft
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8
Origin: Southern and Eastern US
Location on Property: Working Yard: Kind Gift of Pam & Jack Beeler Family, located in the Community Garden Campus
The Red Buckeye, a member of the Horse Chestnut family, is a small native tree or large shrub that is common in woods, along stream beds and on rocky hillsides in the Southern and Eastern United States.The common name Red Buckeye refers to the 6-8’ dark red tuberous flowers that form in showy clusters in the spring. These impressive flowers provide nectar for early hummingbirds and bees. The word Buckeye describes the nut-like seeds that resemble the eye of a buck deer. Squirrels are able to eat the seeds,but they are poisonous to humans and most livestock.
This tree is highly adaptable and prefers moist well drained soils but will do well in most soil textures. It is able to tolerate brief periods of flooding.The Red Buckeye will perform best in partial shade or full sun when protected from the west sun in late afternoon. The afternoon sun may cause leaf scorch and growth will be shrubby and open in full shade. The Red Buckeye can be a good accent in shaded areas, utilized in woodland or naturalized areas,as a specimen along ponds and streams or in a wildlife garden.
June 2024: Southern Magnolia
Article written by: Chase Williams Horticulture Manager
Common name & Latin name: Southern Magnolia, (Magnolia grandiflora)
Plant Family: Magnoliaceae
Light: Full sun to Partial shade
Height: 60 – 80 feet
Spread: 30 – 50 feet
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9
Origin: Southeastern US
Location on Property: North Courtyard
The Southern Magnolia is a broadleaf evergreen tree with glossy bright green foliage which has a brown fuzzy underside to the leaf. As its name illustrates it is native to the southeastern United States. The largest, most impressive, stately trees can be found in the southern regions of North America. The Southern Magnolia grows with a mostly pyramidal shape, with a dense canopy.
Breeding and cultivation to improve hardiness in colder climates has improved the cold tolerance including the cultivar ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’ which has a cold hardiness in zone 6 and even in some cases zone 5a. The striking green leaves in a snowy winter landscape really showcases the dark green glossy foliage. Cut stems can be used in arrangements and wreaths for winter decoration.
Southern Magnolias are a late blooming magnolia, blooming late May into June. The large 6-9 inch round, creamy white, sweet lemon fragrant flowers are striking against the dark foliage. The wonderful fragrance is sensed before the sight of the flowers. These flowers give way to cone-like clusters with bright red fruit ripening in the fall season. This landscape tree is a good option for something with more interest.
July 2024: Silver Linden
Article Written By: Alexis Lorentzen – Horticulture Project Manager
Photo By: Karin Noecker
Common Name & Latin Name: Silver Linden, Tilia tomentosa
Plant Family: Malvaceae
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Height: 50’ to 70’
Spread: 30’ to 50’
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-7
Origin: Southeast Europe & Southwest Asia
Location on Property: Front Entrance of Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
The Silver Linden is a large, deciduous tree with attractive green leaves that have a silvery-white underside. Leaves are ovate and can be heart shaped with finely serrated margins. The undersides of the leaves contain hundreds of tiny, soft hairs that are silver in color. When wind blows through the canopy of these trees, the silvery undersides can make the tree look like it is shimmering! This tree has a broad canopy with an upright growth habit and makes for an excellent shade tree during the summer.
Tilia flowers appear in mid June to July and release a pleasant, floral fragrance similar to honeysuckle or jasmine flowers. Flowers are a beautiful, creamy yellow and hang downward in flower clusters called cymes. These individual blooms are delicate and smaller than a thumb but in large clusters can be a wonderful sight during the summer months! The collection of stamens and anthers that hang from the flower look like fiber optic lights in the way they spread out from the center and have a source of bright orange pollen at the tips. This pollen source attracts many pollinators including bees, butterflies, and other flying insects.
August 2024: Texas Ebony
Article Written By: Dylan Henthorne; Horticulturist
Photo By: Karin Noecker
Common Name & Latin Name: Texas Ebony, Ebenopsis ebano
Plant Family: Fabaceae
Light: Full Sun
Height: 30’ to 70’
Spread: 20’ to 30’
USDA Hardiness Zone: 8-11
Origin: Southern Texas, Mexico
Location on Property: Desert Biome; North Conservatory
Ebenopsis ebano, commonly known as the Texas Ebony tree, stands as a testament to resilience and beauty within desert landscapes. Belonging to the Fabaceae family also known as the legume, pea, bean family, this tree is not only admired for its dense foliage and slow growth rate but also for its ability to thrive in conditions many other trees would find challenging. The native range of Ebenopsis ebano extends from southern Texas, down through eastern Mexico. They are extremely drought-tolerant, making them suitable for arid environments where water conservation is crucial.
The Texas Ebony grows as a small evergreen tree, typically reaching heights of 25’- 30’ but under ideal conditions can reach over 60’. The tree is characterized by its dark green, compound leaves that emerge from spiny branches. From June to August, it is adorned with dense plumes of fragrant, light yellow to white blossoms and the fragrance attracts a variety of pollinators.The tree also produces large curved, dark brown or black seed pods.
Texas Ebony, with its dense canopy, serves as an excellent shade tree. Additionally, the seeds of Texas Ebony are edible and have historically been used as a coffee substitute. Texas Ebony wood is also highly valued by woodworkers for its luster, density, and resistance to rot.
September 2024: Umbrella Magnolia
Article Written By: Dave Brigner; Senior Horticulturist
Photo By: Dave Brigner
Common Name & Latin Name: Umbrella Magnolia, Magnolia tripetala
Plant Family: Magnoliaceae
Light: Bright Indirect Light
Height: 15’ to 30’
Spread: 15’ to 30’
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 – 8
Origin: Eastern to Southeastern U.S.
Location on Property: The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden
Magnolia tripetala, also known as the Umbrella Magnolia is an underutilized deciduous tree with large leaves that adds a “tropical” look to the landscape. The enormous leaves, 2’ long, and up to 10” wide, grow in attractive loose and airy clusters. This understory tree seeks protection from the upper canopy as strong winds can tear its leaves. They prefer rich, moist, well-drained soils. These relatively short trees are suitable for growing under power lines, have a medium rate of growth, and have an average lifespan of 60 years.
Flowering in the late spring with creamy white petaled cup-shaped flowers of the Umbrella Magnolia can grow 6-10” across. It’s recommended not to plant these trees close to where people gather as some consider their scent to be unpleasant and comparable to burnt rubber.
Their 4-6” cone-like fruit start out green and turn pink as they mature. In the fall, the ripe seeds turn pink to bright red. These attractive fruits also provide food for many types of birds.
In addition to their beautiful show of spring flowers, the Umbrella Magnolia’s exotic summer leaves and eye-catching fruit as well as gold fall foliage, their smooth gray bark can also be enjoyed during the winter, thus providing 4 seasons of interest.
October 2024: Sweetgum
Article written by: Katie Lambert, Horticulturist
Photo by: Karin Noecker
Common name + Latin name: Sweetgum ‘Slender silhouette’ Liquidambar styraciflua
Light: full sun or partial shade
Height: 60-65’
Spread: 6’
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a-9b
Origin: Eastern US, Mexico
Location on property: Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus
As October graces Ohio with its crisp air and vibrant foliage, the sweetgum tree takes center stage as our Tree of the Month. This striking tree not only enhances the autumn landscape with its colorful display but also offers intriguing characteristics that make it a standout in Ohio’s diverse flora.
The sweetgum tree is native to the southeastern United States. It is easily recognizable by its distinctive star-shaped leaves, which can have five to seven lobes. These leaves turn an array of colors in the fall, ranging from deep reds and oranges to rich purples, creating a spectacular autumnal display.
Another remarkable aspect of the sweetgum tree is its fruit. The tree produces small, spiky, balls known as “gumballs.” These are clusters of seeds encased in a prickly shell and are enjoyed by a variety of wildlife including goldfinch, purple finch, sparrows, mourning doves, wild turkey, northern bobwhite, and wood duck, as well as by squirrels and chipmunks. The sweetgum is also among the host plants for the luna moth.
The cultivar that greets you as you enter from the parking lot is ‘Slender silhouette’. It has a tight branching structure and is known for being easy to maintain. As you explore Ohio’s landscapes this October, take a moment to appreciate the sweetgum tree. Its striking fall colors, unique fruit, and impressive stature make it a noteworthy feature of the season.
November 2024: Eastern Red Cedar
Article written by: Luke Varvarosky
Photo by: Karin Noecker
Common Name + Latin Name: Eastern Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana
Light: Full sun
Height: 40’-50’
Spread:8’-20’
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Origin: Eastern USA
Location on property: Crane Ornamental Grass and Conifer collection
Eastern Red Cedar is a medium to large conifer native to eastern North America, and is one of Ohio’s six native conifers.This is a widely adaptable species that has prolific reproduction and a relatively fast growth rate that can land them in some trouble. The species characteristics may vary from tree to tree but the structure is generally a single straight trunk with a tight pyramidal to almost columnar form when young. The Eastern Red Cedar matures into a 30-60’ tree with some specimens reaching up to 90’, and the oldest known Eastern Red Cedar is over 940 years old!
With the removal of fire from the environment, Eastern Red Cedar can quickly choke out native grasslands, reducing biodiversity. With that said Eastern Red Cedar is a pioneer species and is responsible for returning the land to forest after a disturbance. Another issue worth mentioning is that Eastern Red Cedar is the host for cedar-apple rust, a fungal infection that infects both juniper and plants in the Apple family. For the juniper, the infection is mostly cosmetic and can become unsightly.
Regardless of these negative characteristics, the Eastern Red Cedar is a valuable native wildlife tree that provides dense cover and forges during the coldest days of winter. Its timber is highly valued and rot-resistant. It thrives in poor soils, is drought tolerant, salt tolerant, and its wood strength and predictable structure make it a safe selection for planting around structures. The red bark exfoliates in strips, and the inner bark could be used by peeling long strips that the native Americans used to make cordage. Colonists almost exclusively sought Eastern Red Cedar for its timber for building their settlements. With so many more uses for the Eastern Red Cedar to be explored, this is what makes the Eastern Red Cedar November’s tree of the month.
December 2024: Persian Ironwood
Article written by: Win Fox
Common name + Latin name: Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica)
Light: Full/Partial Sun
Height: 20-40’
Spread: 20-30’
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-7
Origin: Southeast Azerbaijan to Northern Iran
Location on property: Children’s Garden Playhouse Garden; Food Truck Island; Park, East of Crane Conifer Collection near production greenhouse
While winter’s onset signifies the end of seasonal interest for most trees, Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica) is still in the midst of its beauty.
A native of northern Iran and the surrounding area, this slow-growing, small to medium sized tree (up to 40 ft), sometimes also grown as a large, multi-stem shrub, is a member of the witchhazel family (Hamamelidaceae). It prefers full sun and rich soils, but is adaptable to part sun and a wide range of soil conditions. These characteristics allow it to serve a variety of roles in the landscape; as a specimen, in a border, or as a durable street tree.
Arriving later than that of many other trees in the landscape, its fall color ranges from burgundy to yellow with all shades within that spectrum. The show does not end there, however, as the bark on mature specimens exfoliates to display patches of colors varying from tan to gray and light green, providing interest through the winter.
As with other members of the family, its flowers open during the colder months, so look for blooms starting in the later winter. It takes a keen eye to spot them and they are especially showy, but they are a fascinating petalless flower with deep red stamens emerging from the fuzzy brown bracts.