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Apple Tree (Dwarf)

Scientific Name: Malus hybrid

Family: Rosaceae

Height: 5 – 10 ft.

Spread: 5 -10 ft.

Bloom Time: April – May

Native Range: Eurasia, Orchard Hybrid

Ecological Value: Nectar for pollinators; fruit for squirrels

Human Value: Fruit for humans

We grow three cultivars: Jonathan and Golden Delicious on the west sidewalk espalier and a six variety espalier between the crabapple and red bud.

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Passionflower

Scientific Name: Passiflora incarnata

Family: Passifloraceae

Height: 15 ft.

Spread: 15 ft.

Bloom Time: July – August

Native Range: Mid Atlantic and Southeastern United States, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Nectar source for butterflies and bees. Larval host for the variegated fritillary butterfly

Human Value: Native Americans used the Passionflower for food and medicine. Captain John Smith reported that it was grown for its fruit near Jamestown. The fruit can be eaten raw, juiced, or boiled to make syrup. Young shoots and leaves were eaten as greens.

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Honeysuckle, Coral

Scientific Name: Lonicera sempervirens

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Height: 10-15 ft.

Spread: 5-6 ft.

Bloom Time: June-September

Native Range: Eastern United States, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Nectar source for hummingbirds. Birds eat berries.

Human Value: Ornamental

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Raspberry

Scientific Names: Rubus idaeus

Family: Rosaceae

Height: 5-6 ft.

Spread: 5-6 ft.

Bloom Time: May-June, August

Native Range: North America, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Nectar plant for beneficial insects. Birds enjoy berries.

Human Value: Berries are eaten fresh or cooked. Leaves can be used for tea.

We grow three varieties of raspberry: two red and one yellow. The first two years, the raspberries did exceptionally well, but in 2019 and 2020, they struggled. As a rule, I don’t water our garden once plants are established. It is possible that the dry summers of the last two years have stressed the canes. Last year, the yarrow growing with them seemed like it might be out competing them, so I have kept it in check in 2020. Nevertheless, many canes have turned brown over the summer. Once the Corona virus pandemic passes, I plan to have the soil retested and see if an imbalance is contributing to our raspberries’ troubles.

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Violet, Blue

Scientific Name: Viola sororia

Family: Violaceae

Height: 0.5-0.75 ft.

Spread: 0.5-0.75 ft.

Native Range: Eastern North America, Pennsylvania

Bloom Time: May-June

Ecological Value: Larval host for fritillary butterflies. Nectar source for insects.

Human Value: Flowers and young leaves are edible. The leaves may be eaten in salads or added to soup to thicken it like okra. Flowers can also be used in salads or candied. Both leaves and flowers can be used for tea.

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Spiderwort, Ohio

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Scientific Name: Tradescantia ohiensis

Family: Tradescantia

Height: 2-3 ft.

Spread: 1.5-2 ft.

Bloom Time: June-July

Native Range: Eastern United States and Ontario, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Nectar source for insects especially long tongued bees like bumblebees. Mammals such as deer and rabbits eat foliage.

Human Value: Leaves, stems, and flowers are edible.

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Aster, Heart-leaf / Blue Wood

Scientific Name: Sympyotrichum cordifolium

Family: Asteraceae

Height: 2-5 ft

Spread: 1-2 ft

Bloom Time: September-October

Native Range: Eastern and Central United States, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Larval host for Pearl Cresent. Nectar plant for bees and butterflies.

Human Value:

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Aster, New England

Scientific Name: Sympyotrichum novae-angliae

Family: Asteraceae

Height: 3-6 ft

Spread: 2-4 ft

Bloom Time: September-October

Native Range: North America, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Larval host for Pearl Cresent and checker spot butterflies. Nectar plant for bees and butterflies.

Human Value: Medicinally used as a decoction to treat weeks skin and as a poultice for pain, fever, and diarrhea.

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Black Eyed Susan

Scientific Name: Rudbeckia hirta

Family: Asteraceae

Height: 2 – 3 ft

Spread: 1 -2 ft

Bloom Time: June – August

Native Range: Eastern and Central United States, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Nectar, seeds for birds.

Human Value:

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Foxglove Beardtongue

Scientific Name: Penstemon digitalis

Family:

Height: 3-5 ft

Spread: 1-2 ft

Bloom Time: May-June

Native Range: Eastern United States, Pennsylvania

Ecological Value: Early nectar source for hummingbirds and bumblebees.

Human Value: Once used as heart medicine.