When you live in a city that averages almost 40 inches of precipitation and 60 inches of snow every year, you need some tough landscape plants. Albany native plants are specifically adapted to handle our bitter, snowy winters and wet summers, which means less yard work, more money in your pockets, and a healthier Hudson Valley environment.<\/p>
Benefits of Albany native plants:<\/strong><\/p> When looking up native species, check out plants that thrive in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b<\/a>, <\/strong>where the lowest temperatures are -15 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. Here in the upper Hudson Valley<\/a>, we\u2019re right on the cusp of Zone 5b and the slightly milder Zone 6a, but in case of an especially cold winter, it\u2019s a good idea to choose plants that can handle Zone 5.<\/p> We\u2019ve compiled a list of 10 nifty native plants \u2014 from trees to shrubs to wildflowers \u2014 that\u2019ll stand up to Albany\u2019s frigid winters so you can smile as spring approaches, instead of worrying about which plants you\u2019ll need to replace.<\/p> Autumns in Albany are always a sight to behold, and red maples make them all the more amazing. With orange and crimson fall foliage, the red maple tree<\/a><\/strong> (common names include Carolina maple, curled maple, and swamp maple) is a fast-growing stunner that stands up to cold winters and northeastern storms. <\/p> Want some early spring color? Plant a red maple! They produce pretty clusters of red flowers before foliage appears. Later in spring, get ready for a helicopter-fest as red-winged samaras (seed pods) twirl to the ground. They\u2019ll delight your kids, baffle your pups, and give you spring and summer fun.<\/p> Red maples are easy to transplant from bare roots or burlapped root balls. They\u2019re hardy, relatively shade tolerant, and disease-resistant. Keep an eye out for pests like bagworms<\/a>, leafhoppers, and leafrollers. <\/p> Pro Tip:<\/strong> Spread a generous 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch<\/a> around your red maple\u2019s roots to prevent weeds and erosion, keep soil moist, and protect roots from damage. Leave 3 to 6 inches of space between the trunk and the start of your mulch ring to prevent internal rot. Mulching around your trees is always a great way to encourage healthy growth.<\/p> With attractive reddish-brown bark that strips off to reveal soft grey inner bark, the eastern red cedar<\/a><\/strong> is a favorite tree among Albany homeowners. It\u2019s a fast-growing needled evergreen that produces petite blue-green flowers in early spring. Groups of eastern red cedars are perfect for a windscreen or to add privacy to your backyard. <\/p> Eastern red cedars are adaptable superstars that are cold, heat, and drought-tolerant, and can be found growing from the swamps of Florida to dry rocky regions of Colorado. Just make sure your lawn has proper drainage and enough sunlight: Eastern red cedars cannot tolerate constantly wet soil or full shade. <\/p> Eastern red cedars are dioecious<\/a> (separate male and female trees), which means you\u2019ll need to plant male and female trees together to ensure pollination. In fall, male trees produce small yellow cones and females produce pretty round cones that look like frosty blueberries.<\/p> Resembling a charming white pagoda, the pagoda dogwood<\/a><\/strong> boasts layered, tiered branches that explode with creamy white flowers in early summer. Also known as the alternate-leaf dogwood, this large, fragrant shrub is a lovely border for butterfly and cottage gardens. <\/p> Plant a row of pagoda dogwoods to give your backyard a layer of privacy or accent your patio and home foundation. These shrubs grow slowly and spread horizontally more than vertically, so you won\u2019t have to worry about your dogwoods growing too tall and overwhelming your landscape. In October and November, leaves turn a rich red to add deep autumn color to your yard. <\/p> Pagoda dogwoods provide a habitat for birds and feed native critters like chipmunks, cotton-tailed rabbits, lepidopteran caterpillars, and specialized bees (like the Andrena fragilis<\/em>). <\/p> Elderberry jam, anyone? If you\u2019re itching to do some home cooking, plant American elderberry<\/a><\/strong>. These flowering shrubs produce delicious berries you can harvest to make elderberry jelly, sauce, pie, and \u2014 yes, Elton John \u2014 wine. <\/p> Elderberry shrubs blossom with creamy white flowers in early summer and produce purple-black berries in late summer to early fall. Elderberries form a dense thicket perfect for hedging and side yard barriers, and as fun backyard trees for your kids to climb at harvest time. <\/p> Exceptionally heat-tolerant and erosion-resistant, the American elderberry stands up to extreme weather and can handle both stormy, wet summers and unexpected dry conditions. <\/p> Elderberry bushes have been used for centuries. Many Native American tribes, including the Acjachemen Nation<\/a>, use elderberry twigs and fruits to weave and dye beautiful baskets, craft rattles, and flutes, and make clapper sticks<\/a> to accompany chanting and dancing rituals.<\/p> Note:<\/strong> Uncooked elderberries, leaves, and bark are toxic when eaten in large amounts<\/a> and can cause nausea and vomiting, so don\u2019t eat too many raw berries. If you\u2019re craving a big elderberry fix, cook your berries before eating them to neutralize the hydrocyanic acid (the part of the plant that makes it toxic).<\/p> Want beautiful bees, butterflies, and songbirds fluttering into your yard? Add smooth blue aster<\/a><\/strong>. With cheerful purple-blue, daisy-like petals and bright yellow centers, these native wildflowers are a delight for your eyes and a treat for local pollinators, including specialized bees (like the \u200b\u200bAndrena asteris<\/em>), pearl crescent butterflies, cardinals, and chickadees. <\/p> Smooth blue asters are rapid growers that generally reach 2 to 4 feet tall and bloom in September and October. They\u2019re excellent border plants and eye-catching additions to your butterfly or native plant garden. If they get too weedy, trim them back with scissors or garden shears to make room for other plants. <\/p> The northern blue flag<\/a><\/strong> (AKA harlequin blueflag or large blue iris) is the perfect wildflower for Albany\u2019s wet summer weather. If you have a pond in your yard, or if your lawn is prone to puddles after rainstorms, these shade-tolerant, moisture-loving plants will soak up the water and turn your soggy, gloomy lawn into a violet-and-white floral paradise. <\/p> Northern blue flags are excellent for rain gardens<\/a> and in areas surrounding wetlands and rivers (like the Hudson). They resist deer and produce showy, 4-inch flowers in late spring to early summer. <\/p> What\u2019s with the name \u201cversicolor\u201d? The northern blue flag produces many different-colored flowers, ranging from blue and white to lavender with yellow flecks \u2014 so you\u2019re in for a surprise with each new blossom!<\/p> Note:<\/strong> Northern blue flags can cause skin irritation and are slightly toxic if eaten (symptoms include nausea, fever, and lethargy). Keeps dogs, cats, and horses away from them. <\/p> Full shade is tough on grass, but shade and wild columbine are a match made in heaven. With red-and-yellow, bell-like flowers filled with nectar, wild columbine<\/a><\/strong> (AKA eastern red columbine) is a showy wildflower that\u2019ll bring beautiful pollinators to the shaded corners of your lawn.<\/p> Wild columbines bloom from April to May, attracting hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, hawk moths, and finches. These fast growers are highly resistant to drought, heat, and cold weather, so you can rest easy during extreme temperatures knowing your plants are safe. <\/p> Wild columbine favors alkaline soils (with a pH of 6.8 and above), and Albany\u2019s Honeoye soil<\/a> tends to be acidic. So, it\u2019s a good idea to amend your soil<\/a> with lime to raise the pH before planting columbines in your garden. Do not plant wild columbines in continuous full sun, as leaves may burn.<\/p> 1. Red maple (Acer rubrum<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
2. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
3. Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
4. American elderberry (Sambucus nigra <\/em>spp. canadensis<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
5. Smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
6. Northern blue flag (Iris versicolor<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
7. Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
8. Spotted joe-pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>