Plant Identification

Horticulture I

Objective 17.00

Abelia X GrandifloraGlossy Abelia

Deciduous shrub3-6 feet tall and 3-6 feet widePinkish to white fragrant flowersAttracts butterfliesUsed in the landscape, often in hedges

Acer palmatumJapanese Maple

Deciduous TreeHeight: 15-25 feet; Width: 10-25 feetLeaves are green during the summer;

yellow, bronze, purple or red in the fallUsed to add layers to the landscape.

Acer rubrumRed Maple

Deciduous TreeHeight 40-70 feetSummer leaves are green or gray; Fall

leaves range from greenish yellow, to red, to burgundy.

Used for shade in the landscape.

Ageratum mexicanumAgeratum

Container plant- AnnualHeight: 6-8 inches; Width: 8 inchesMagenta or Red FlowersUsed in edging, mass plantings or

containers

Ajuga reptansAjuga

Semi-Evergreen groundcoverHeight: 2-4 inchesLeaves can be light to dark green,

brownish, purple, bronze or verigated. Flowers are small and blue, white, pink or purple depending on cultivar.

Aracaria heterophyllaNorfolk Island Pine

Evergreen treeHeight: Over 40 ft; Width: 20-25 feetLooks like a Christmas TreeOften used indoors during Christmas time;

Can be used in the landscape as a part of a hedge row or specimen plant.

Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’Sprengeri Fern

Container plantHeight: 12-24 inches; Width: 3 ft.Looks fern like with delicate feather like

leaves and thorns.Good in hanging baskets, or as a

groundcover.

Aucuba japonicaJapanese Aucuba

Evergreen ShrubHeight: 6-10 feet; Width: 4-6 feet3-8 inch leathery leavesUsed in the landscape for it’s foliage

Begonia X semperflorens-cultorumWax Begonia

Container plant- AnnualHeight:6-15 inches; Width: 6-15 inchesGlossy, thick, succulent leavesShowy flowers from June until frost

Berberis thunbergiiJapanese Barberry

Deciduous Shrub3-6 feet tallSummer leaves: Bright green; Fall leaves:

orange, red or purple.Used in the landscape in mass plantings,

hedges, and borders

Betula nigraRiver Birch

Deciduous Tree50-70 feet tallMulti-stemmed tree with ornate peeling

bark.Tree drops leaves quickly in the fall.

Buxus sempervirensCommon Boxwood

Evergreen ShrubHeight and Width 15-20 feetDark to light green leaves (new growth)

with smooth margins.Used in mass plantings or hedges.

Canna X generalisCanna

Single large showy flower24-48 inches highLarge showy colorful flowerProvide splashes of color in the

landscape, with tropical looking foliage.

Cercis canadensisEastern Red Bud/ Judas Tree

Deciduous treeHeight 20-30 feet; Width 25-35 feetBronze or medium green heart shaped

leaves; slowly turning green.Small pink/lavender flowers in springUsed in the landscape as group or

specimen planting.

Chlorophytum comosum cv.Spider Plant

Container Plant8-18 inches tallOften used indoors or outdoors in hanging

baskets.

Chrysanthemum morifoliumFlorist Chrysanthemum

Container plant- Annual1-3 ft. tall and wideOften used in the landscape for seasonal

color, or indoors for added color. This plant flowers in the fall.

Flowers are large and showy. Can be pink, purple, red, lavender, yellow or orange.

Chrysanthemum superbumShasta Daisy

Perennial PlantHeight: 12-36 inchesFlowers are showy, and are white with

yellow centers.Popular for perennial borders, or cut

flowers in vases.

Coleus X hybridusColeus

Annual plantHeight 8-20 inches; Width 6-10 inchesUsed in the landscape or in containers for

it’s colorful foliage. Colors and leaf textures vary widely.

Cornus floridaFlowering Dogwood

Deciduous Tree30 feet tall and wide3-6 inch green leaves in summer; showy

red leaves fallFlowers are small and yellow or whiteUsed in the landscape alone or in a

grouping.

X Cupressocyparis leylandiiLeyland Cypress

Evergreen TreeHeight: 60-90 feet; Width: 12-15 feetBluish green needlesFast growing tree often used in the

landscape as a screen.

Dieffenbachia maculataDumbcane

Tropical plant (Annual in our climate)6-8 feet tallGrown for it’s leaves (Large green leaves

with white patterns)Often grown in containers indoors

Epipremnum aureum cv.Golden Pothos

Evergreen vineVery invasive in the wildHeart shaped leavesOften used as a house plant

Euonymus alataWinged Euonymus

Deciduous Shrub15-20 feet tall and wideDark green summer leaves; bright red fall

leavesUsed as a foundation planting (around

houses, in a group, or on a border)

Euonymus japonica ‘Veriegata’Evergreen Euonymus

Evergreen ShrubHeight: 10-15 feet; Width: 5-6 feetGreenish white flowers 1-3 inch dark green waxy leavesUsed in hedge rows. Often in formal

gardens

Euphorbia pulcherrima cv.Poinsettia

Deciduous Shrub (Often seen as a container plant)

2-16 feet tallLarge green leaves (3-6 inches long) that

turn red, white, cream, pink, or marbled. This is what is often called the “Flower”.

Ficus benjaminaWeeping Fig

Evergreen treeCan reach over 95 feet tallGracefully drooping branches and leaves

that are dark green, glossy, and 2-5 inches long.

Often used indoors, but can be part of the outdoor landscape.

Ficus elastica ‘Decora’Decora Rubber Plant

Tropical Tree (Often used indoors)30-40 feet tallGrown for it’s leaves, which are large, dark

green, and leathery.Most suitable for growing indoors in our

climate.

Forsythia X intermediaBorder Forsythia

Deciduous ShrubHeight: 8-10 feet; Width: 10-12 feetShowy yellow flowers in spring3-5 inch long, dark green leavesUsed in the landscape as a shrub border,

or mass planting.

Hedera helixEnglish Ivy

Evergreen VineDark green leaves with white veins.Used in the landscape as a groundcover,

wall cover, or in shady locations

Hemerocallis cv.Day Lily

Perennial PlantAbout 2 feet tallAdd seasonal color to the landscape with

large showy flowers. Flowers are present for 24 hours, then replaced by another flower, hence the name Day Lily.

Hosta sp.Hosta

Perennial Plant1-18 inches long, and 1-12 inches broadLarge green or green and white leavesSmall white fragrant flowersUsed in the landscape as a shade tolerant

ground cover.

Ilex X attenuata ‘Fosteri’Fosteri Holly

Evergreen Shrub or TreeHeight: 20-30 feet; Width: 10-20 feetWaxy evergreen leaf with spinesUsed in the landscape as a tall hedge, or

specimen tree

Ilex cornuta ‘Dwarf Burford’Dward Burford Holly

Evergreen shrubReaches 6 feet tallSmall red fruitLeaves are waxy with smooth edges and

one spineUsed in the landscape as a foundation

planting or small screen

Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’Helleri Holly

Evergreen shrubHeight: 2-3 feet; Width: 3-4 feetSmall black fruitGlossy green leaves with one spineUsed in the landscape as a foundation

planting, or as a hedge row

Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’Dwarf Yaupon

Evergreen ShrubHeight and Width: 3-5 feetWhite flowers produce small red berriesDark green oval shaped, crenate leaf; new

growth is yellowish green.Often used in the landscape as a hedge

row.

ImpatiensImpatiens

There are about 1,000 species of this flowering plant

Height and Width 9-20 inchesFlowers up to 2 inches in diameter; Colors

range from white, pink, salmon, purple, orange or red.

Often used in containers, or in the landscape to add seasonal color.

Iris X germanica var. florentiveBearded Iris

PlantHeight: 24 inches; Width: 15 inchesLarge white flowersSwordlike leavesOften used in the landscape in large

groupings

Juniperus confertaShore Juniper

Evergreen ShrubHeight: 1-2 feet; Width: 6-9 feetGray-green, or blue-green needle like

leavesProduces small conesUsed in the landscape as a fast growing

ground cover

Juniperus horizontalis ‘Plumosa’Creeing Juniper

Evergreen ShrubHeight: 1-2 feet; Width: 8-10 feetGreen to blue-green needlelike leavesUsed in the landscape as a groundcover.

Lagerstroemia indica cv.Crape Myrtle

Deciduous TreeHeight ranges from 18 inches to 40 feet Flower clusters are large and showy.

Colors range from white, pink, purple, lavender and red.

Exfoliating (peeley) bark; multi-stemmed trunk.

Used in the landscape as a specimen or as part of a grouping.

Ligustrum japonicum Japanese Privet

Evergreen shrub or small treeHeight: 6-12 feetGlossy dark green leavesWhite flower clustersUsed in the landscape as a hedge, or as a

multi stemmed tree.

Liquidambar styracifluaSweetgum

Deciduous TreeHeight: 65-115 feetProduces a 3-4 cm capsule shaped fruitPalmate leaves are green in summer; red,

yellow, or purplish in the fallUsed in the landscape as a specimen tree

for its dramatic fall color.

Liriope muscariLiriope

Flowering perennial plant12-18 inchesLong skinny dark green or varigated

leaves.Small, showy purple or white flowersUsed in the landscape as a border or

ground cover.

Magnolia grandifloraSouthern Magnolia

Evergreen TreeHeight can be up to 90 feetLarge dark green leavesLarge white fragrant flowersUsed in the landscape as an ornamental

tree.

MalusFlowering Crabapple

Deciduous Tree10-25 feet tallPink or white flowersFruit is similar to an apple, but less that 2

inches in diameterMany uses in the landscape: Specimen,

screen, patio, wildlife habitat, etc.

Maranta leuconeura var. kerchovianaPrayer Plant

Indoor foliage plantHeight: 12-18 inches; Width: 12-36 inchesLeaves are green and silver varigatedUsed as an indoor container plant, or in

the landscape as a border or ground cover.

Myrica ceriferaWax Myrtle

Evergreen: Small tree, or shrubHeight: 10-15 feet; Width: 8-10 feet1.5-3 inch green leaves that have an

interesting smellUsed in the landscape to provide screens,

or as a part of a perennial border.

Nandina domesticaDwarf Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo)

Evergreen shrubHeight: 7-8 feet5-10 mm bright red fruitLeaves- Spring: Copper; Summer: Green;

Fall: Reddish-purpleUsed in the landscape because of its

interesting foliage. Used in shrub borders, or group plantings.

Nephrolepis exaltataBoston Fern

House plantFronds can be up to 2-3 feet longFronds are comprised of smaller pinnate

leavesUsed mainly in hanging baskets or

containers

Ophiopogon japonicusMondo Grass

Evergreen perennial plant6-10 inches highLong dark green grass like leavesLilac to white flowers in the summerUsed in the landscape as a border or

groundcover.

Pelargonium X hortorumGeranium

Annual plantHeight: 12-18 inches; Width: 18-24 inches3-5 inch heart shaped leavesShowy flowers range in color from orange,

white, pink, red, salmon, violet, and bi-colors.

Used in hanging baskets, and to add seasonal color to the landscape.

Pelargonium peltatumIvy Leaf Geranium

Perennial PlantHeight: 1-2 feet; Width: 1-3 feetShowy flowers that range from red, pink,

white or lavenderIvy-like green leavesUsed in hanging baskets, or in the

landscape as groundcover.

Petunia sp.Petunia

Flowering PlantHeight: 3-6 inches; Width: 3-4 feetKnown for their brilliant flowers; ranging in

colors from red, purple, pink, blue, lilac, white, and others.

Used in containers, or in the landscape as a groundcover.

Philodendron scandens var. oxycardiumParlor Ivy

Evergreen perennial vine5-12 inch leaves are heart shaped and

dark green in colorUsed indoors because of its tropical

nature.

Pinus mugo var. mugoMugo Pine

Evergreen dwarfed treeHeight and width 5-20 feetLeaves: 1-2 inch evergreen needlesFruit: 1-2 inch gray coneUsed in the landscape as a group planting,

or evergreen border.

Pinus strobusEastern White Pine

Evergreen treeHeight: 50-80 feet; Width: 30-50 feetLight green; 4 inch long needles. There

are 5 needles per fascicle (bundle)Fruit: 6-8 inch brown conesUsed in the landscape in large spaces.

Pinus taedaLoblolly Pine

Evergreen tree98-115 feet tallLeaves: Needles (5-9 inches) are in

bundles of three, and are often twisted.Fruit: 3-6 inch reddish-brown conesUsed in the landscape in large areas

Plectranthus australisSwedish Ivy

VineStems trail to 3 feet1-1 ½ inch dark green leaves with

scalloped marginsSmall flowersUsed in containers, or as a groundcover in

the landscape.

Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’Japanese Flowering Cherry

Deciduous TreeCan reach up to 30 feet tall and wideLeaves: 3-5 inches long, greenFlower: Very showy, deep pink flowerUsed in the landscape as a specimen tree,

or as part of a group planting.

Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’Bradford Pear

Deciduous Tree30-40 feet tall2-3 inch oval shaped leaves with a crenate

margin. Summer: Green; Fall: Red, purple, or orange

Flowers: Small and whiteFruit: ½ inch round fruitUsed in the landscape as a specimen, or

as a group planting.

Quercus palustrisPin Oak

Deciduous tree75 feet tall and 40 feet wide3-6 inch long leaves with 5-7 lobes.

Summer: Green; Fall: Red or bronze colorFruit: small acornsUsed in the landscape as a shade tree, or

in a large space

Quercus phellosWillow Oak

Deciduous Tree2-5 inch linear leaves; dark greenFruit: ¼-1/2 inch acornsUsed in the landscape for shade, or in

large areas.

Rhododendron catawbienseCatawaba Hybrid Rhododendron

Evergreen ShrubHeight and Width: 6-10 feetFlower: 5-6 inch bunches of purple or lilac

flowersLeaves: 3-6 inch large leathery leaves that

droop in cold weather.Used in the landscape in a large

groupings, or in a hedge row.

Rhododendron kiusianum (obtusum japonicum)

AzaleaEvergreen Shrub2-3 feet tallWhite, red or purple funnel shaped flowersSmall, oval, dark green leavesUsed in the landscape in group plantings,

or as a hedge row. Widely used in our area.

Saintpaulia ionanthaAfrican Violet

Container plantHeight: Under 6 inchesBlue-Violet single flowerLeaves: Dark green with a serrated edgeUsed mainly indoors as a container plant

in our area.

Salvia splendensSalvia

Annual bedding plantHeight 8 inches- 3 feet depending on

cultivarSpiked, two lipped flowers. Range in color

from white, salmon, purple, or red.Used as a container plant, or to add

seasonal color to the landscape.

Schefflera arboricolaDwarf Schefflera

Evergreen Shrub10-15 feet tall4 inch- Palmate Compound leavesUsed mainly indoors in large containers

Spathiphyllum cvs.Peace Lily

Indoor Container Plant2-3 feet tallLarge, dark green, glossy leavesLarge, white cone shaped flowersUsed indoors, needs little sunlight

Tagetes erectaAfrican Marigold

Annual bedding plant8-24 inches tallLarge, showy round flowers range in color

from orange, yellow, to red-brownUsed in the landscape to add seasonal

color.

Tradescantia zebrinaPurple Wandering Jew

Annual VineForms a dense groundcover3 inch hairy leaves are striped with purple

and green. The underside is an intense violet color

Used in hanging baskets, and as a groundcover in the landscape.

Voila X wittrockianaPansy

Perennial plant; often used as an annual6-8 inches tall1-2 inch showy flower. Colors range from

blue, orange, pink, purple, red, white, or yellow.

Used in the landscape as winter annual color. Also suitable as a container plant.