The American Beech is a magnificent native, revered for its smooth, silver-gray bark and stately, rounded canopy. Its glossy dark green leaves turn warm shades of gold and bronze in fall, often clinging through winter to rustle in the breeze. Slow-growing but extraordinarily long-lived, it becomes a commanding presence over generations. Plant it in part shade in rich, well-drained soil, where it matures into a true legacy tree. As a keystone native, it supports abundant wildlife. For grandeur, longevity, and winter character, the American Beech is unmatched.

Fiber Optics ^® is a distinct improvement over the coarser Cephalanthus occidentalis that grows twice the size of this compact selection. Buttonbush is quite happy in moist conditions, tolerating flooding and wet spring soil. As such it is often used in wetland restoration work, along streams and pond banks. It’s also a great plant for low areas in the landscape that don’t dry out until late in the season. The spherical flowers are fragrant, creamy white, and many species of waterfowl eat the seed.

White Pine is primarily valued in the landscape for its ornamental globe-shaped form. It has rich green evergreen foliage. The needles remain green throughout the winter. The furrowed gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Bee Mine Red Bee Balm is a compact, disease-resistant Monarda that delivers bold crimson blooms through the summer without the sprawling or mildew issues that can plague older varieties. The vivid red flower heads have a distinctive, spiky texture that creates an eye-catching display in borders and mass plantings alike. As a Great Lakes native, it draws an impressive range of wildlife—hummingbirds, butterflies, and songbirds all return to it reliably. Growing 24 to 36 inches, it fits comfortably in mid-border positions and makes an excellent cut flower. Juglone tolerant and cold hardy, it’s a dependable, ecologically valuable perennial.

A brightly variegated bullrush, with yellow centers and green edges. In summer, yellow stems emerge tipped with clusters of flowers that look like fireworks. Native to wet prairies, this graceful plant is adapted to seasonal flooding and mild drought. A cultivated selection of a native plant. Perennial.

Gee Whiz Baldcypress is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its interestingly mounded form. It has attractive green deciduous foliage which emerges light green in spring. The ferny bipinnately compound leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding gold in the fall. The shaggy antique red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Homestead Elm is a vigorous, disease-resistant hybrid that revives the classic elm form for modern landscapes. Its upright, vase-shaped canopy of dark green leaves casts generous shade and turns golden yellow in fall. Bred for strong resistance to Dutch elm disease, it grows quickly into a stately street or lawn tree. Plant it in full sun, where it adapts to a wide range of soils and urban conditions. Tough and reliable, it delivers the grandeur of an American elm with modern resilience. For fast, classic shade, Homestead is an excellent choice.

Chinkapin Oak has dark green deciduous foliage on a tree with a round habit of growth. The serrated narrow leaves turn coppery-bronze in fall. However, the fruit can be messy in the landscape and may require occasional clean-up.

Early Glow Ohio Buckeye is a refined native shade tree celebrated for its outstanding, early-coloring fall foliage. Upright clusters of creamy flowers appear in spring, followed by the handsome palmate leaves that turn brilliant gold and orange. More resistant to leaf scorch than the species, it holds its good looks through the season. Plant it in full sun, where it forms a neat, rounded canopy for lawns and parks. As a Midwest native, it offers regional character and dependable hardiness. For early autumn color and native charm, Early Glow shines.