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A Helpful Service - "What Shall I Plant?"

To assist in the proper selection of plant material for various conditions, uses and requirements, and to easily classify plants as to fruit, colors and other characteristics, we refer you to the following lists.  Click on each link for more information.

Most, but not all of the plants recommended are offered at Princeton Nurseries.

Planting

For a quick-growing screen

For an informal flowering, fruiting,

or evergreen hedge

For a formal clipped hedge

Trees for avenues and streets

For a wet location

For a dry location

Berry-bearing trees and shrubs especially

attractive to birds

Berry-bearing trees and shrubs

For partially shaded locations

For a dusty, smokey, city situation

For a seashore location

Small or dwarf plants for the border

 


Planting

Dig a planting hole two to three times wider than the size of your root ball.  Allow more space when working with heavier, compacted soils.  Calculate the depth of the hole, keeping in mind that you want the root ball to retain the same grade as it had in the nursery.  The root collar should be at or above the natural grade of the plant, as it was when you received it.  Loosen the soil of the tree pit walls, but leave the hardpan directly beneath the root ball undisturbed to prevent settling.  Use existing soil as backfill, removing any debris or stone greater than 1 1/2 in. diameter.  Amend soil only in heavy clay or compacted soils.  Amendments can include humus, organic matter and/or lime and fertilizer depending on your soil analysis.

Dispose of any non-biodegradable sisal/rope or burlap to prevent girdling of the root crown or constriction of roots.  Pull any burlap away from the trunk of the tree that could also cause girdling.  Prune and remove all broken and damaged branches but do not prune live wood.  The tree's energy must focus on root regeneration at this time.  Pruning for plant size or form can be done when the tree is established.

Stake your trees as needed, particularly when added support is necessary in open and windy places.  Remove stakes after one year or when roots are established to prevent girdling.  Tree wrap is not recommended.  Research to date has not disclosed any benefits from the use of tree wrap.

Your "Princeton Plants" are an investment and with the proper planting and maintenance your investment will grow!

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For a quick-growing screen

Trees Thuja occidentalis 'Nigra' ŋ Ligustrum spp.
Chamaecyparis spp. Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens' Lonicera spp.
Cryptomeria jap. 'Yoshino' Tsuga canadensis ŋ Syringa chinensis
Cupressocyparis leylandii Shrubs Viburnum dentatum ŋ
Juniperus spp. & cvs. ŋ Cornus spp. ŋ Viburnum lentago ŋ
Pinus strobus ŋ Elaeagnus umbellata Viburnum prunifolium ŋ
Pseudotsuga menziesii Forsythia x intermedia cvs.  
     
ŋ = native to Eastern U.S.; ω = wetland species
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For an informal flowering, fruiting,

or evergreen hedge

Aronia spp. Lonicera spp. Taxus x media 'Hatfieldi'
Berberis spp. & cvs. Myrica pensylvanica ŋ Viburnum dentatum ŋ
Deutzia gracilis Philadelphus cvs. Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum
Euonymus patens 'Manhattan' Rosa rugosa Weigela spp.
Hippophaë rhamnoides Rosa nitida ŋ  
Juniperus chinensis 'Pfitzeriana' Spiraea spp. & cvs.  
Juniperus chinensis 'Hetzi' Taxus x media 'Densiformis'  
ŋ = native to Eastern U.S.; ω = wetland species
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For a formal clipped hedge

Trees Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens' Ilex x meserveae cvs.
Acer campestre Tsuga canadensis ŋ Ligustrum spp.
Acer ginnala Shrubs Pyracantha coccinea 'Mohave'
Carpinus spp. ŋ Berberis thunbergii Taxus cvs.
Crataegus phaenopyrum ŋ Buxus spp. Viburnum prunifolium ŋ
Crataegus crusgalli ŋ Euonymus alatus  
Fagus sylvatica Euonymus alatus 'Compactus'  
Ilex opaca ŋ Euonymus fortunei 'Sarcoxie'  
Taxus cuspidata 'Capitata' Ilex crenata cvs.  
Thuja occidentalis 'Nigra' ŋ Ilex glabra 'Compacta' ŋ  
ŋ = native to Eastern U.S.; ω = wetland species
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Trees for avenues and streets

Habit-Tall, formal and heavy textured Habit-Tall, medium to light textured Habit-Medium height for narrow residential street
Acer saccharum & cvs. ŋ Acer rubrum & cvs. ŋ Acer campestre
Corylus colurna Celtis occidentalis & cvs. ŋ Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata'
Liriodendron tulipifera ŋ Fraxinus spp. & cvs. ŋ Koelreuteria paniculata
Platanus spp. & cvs. ŋ Ginkgo biloba & cvs. Maackia amurensis
Quercus rubra ŋ Gymnocladus dioicus ŋ Malus baccata cvs.
Tilia tomentosa cvs. Liquidambar styraciflua & cvs. ŋ Ostrya virginica ŋ
  Quercus palustris ŋ Phellodendron amurense & cvs.
  Quercus phellos ŋ Prunus x 'Accolade'
  Ulmus americana cvs. & hybrids ŋ Prunus serrulata 'Amanogawa'
  Ulmus hollandica cvs. Quercus acutissima
  Taxodium spp. ŋ Quercus imbricaria ŋ
  Zelkova serrata cvs. Quercus robur fastigiata
    Sophora japonica & cvs.
    Sorbus alnifolia & cvs.
    Tilia cordata & cvs.
    Tilia x euchlora
ŋ = native to Eastern U.S.; ω = wetland species
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For a wet location

Trees - Evergreen Salix spp. & cvs. Ilex verticillata & cvs. ŋ ω
Chamaecyparis thyoides ŋ ω Taxodium spp. & cvs. ŋ ω Itea virginica & cvs. ŋ ω
Thuja occidentalis 'Nigra' ŋ ω Ulmus americana & cvs. ŋ ω Lindera benzoin ŋ ω
Trees - Deciduous Shrubs Salix caprea
Acer rubrum & cvs. ŋ ω Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima' ŋ ω Vaccinium corymbosum ŋ ω
Betula nigra & cvs. ŋ Azalea viscosum ŋ ω Viburnum dentatum ŋ ω
Fraxinus pennsylvanica & cvs. ŋ ω Chionanthus virginicus ŋ Viburnum lentago
Liquidambar styraciflua ŋ ω Clethra alnifolia & cvs. ŋ ω Viburnum opulus & cvs. ω
Magnolia virginiana ŋ ω Cornus alba 'Sibirica' Viburnum trilobum & cvs. ŋ ω
Metasequoia glyptostroboides ω Cornus amomum ŋ ω  
Nyssa sylvatica ŋ ω Cornus drummondii ŋ ω  
Platanus occidentalis ŋ ω Cornus racemosa ŋ ω  
Quercus bicolor ŋ ω Cornus sericea & cvs. ŋ ω  
Quercus palustris ŋ ω Ilex glabra ŋ  
     
ŋ = native to Eastern U.S.; ω = wetland species
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For a dry location

Trees Koelreuteria paniculata Hippophaë rhamnoides
Acer campestre Pinus spp. & cvs ŋ Juniperus spp. & cvs. ŋ
Acer ginnala Quercus macrocarpa ŋ Myrica pensylvanica ŋ
Carpinus spp. & cvs. ŋ Quercus prinus Microbiota decussata
Catalpa speciosa Sassafras albidum ŋ Prunus maritima ŋ
Celtis occidentalis & cvs. ŋ Sopora japonica & cvs, Rhus spp. ŋ
Cotinus obovatus ŋ Ulmus hollandica cvs. Rosa nitida ŋ
Crataegus spp. & cvs. ŋ   Viburnum prunifolium ŋ
Fraxinus spp. & cvs. ŋ Shrubs Yucca filamentosa ŋ
Gleditsia triacanthos cvs. ŋ Cornus racemosa ŋ  
Juniperus spp. & cvs. ŋ Elaeagnus angustifolia  
  Elaeagnus umbellata  
ŋ = native to Eastern U.S.; ω = wetland species
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Berry-bearing trees and shrubs especially

attractive to birds

Amelanchier spp. & cvs. ŋ Mahonia aquifolium ŋ Sassafras albidum ŋ
Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima' ŋ Malus spp. & cvs. Sorbus alnifolia
Chionanthus virginicus ŋ Myrica pensylvanica ŋ Symplocos paniculata
Cornus spp. & cvs. ŋ Nyssa sylvatica ŋ Vaccinium corymbosum ŋ
Crataegus spp. & cvs. ŋ Parthenocissus quinquefolia ŋ Viburnum spp. & cvs. ŋ
Ilex spp. & cvs. ŋ Pyracantha spp. & cvs.  
Juniperus virginiana ŋ Rosa spp. ŋ  
Lindera benzoin ŋ Sambucus canadensis ŋ  
     
ŋ = native to Eastern U.S.; ω = wetland species
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Berry-bearing trees and shrubs

Red Berries Viburnum spp. & cvs. ŋ Deep Blue Berries
Aronia arbutifolia Brilliantissima ŋ   Berberis julianae
Cornus florida & cvs. ŋ Black Berries Berberis triacanthophora
Cornus kousa Amelanchier spp. & cvs. ŋ Mahonia bealei
Cornus mas Aronia melanocarpa ŋ Symplocos paniculata
Cotoneaster spp. & cvs. Ilex crenata 'Compacta' Vaccinium corymbosum ŋ
Crataegus crusgalli & cvs. ŋ Ilex glabra & cvs. ŋ Viburnum dentatum ŋ
Crataegus phaenopyrum & cvs. ŋ Nyssa sylvatica ŋ Viburnum lentago ŋ
Ilex opaca & cvs. ŋ Sassafras albidum ŋ Viburnum prunifolium ŋ
Ilex verticillata cvs. & hybrids ŋ Sambucus canadensis ŋ  
Lindera benzoin ŋ   Yellow Berries
Magnolia virginiana ŋ White Berries Malus spp. & cvs.
Malus spp. & cvs. Cornus alba 'Sibirica'  
Pyracantha spp. & cvs. Cornus racemosa ŋ Grey Berries
Rhus spp. ŋ Cornus drummondii ŋ Myrica pensylvanica ŋ
Rosa spp. ŋ Symphoricarpos albus  
Sorbus alnifolia & cvs.    
     
ŋ = native to Eastern U.S.; ω = wetland species
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For partially shaded locations

Trees Shrubs Rhododendron hybrids ŋ
Acer palmatum & cvs. Abelia x grandiflora Skimmia japonica
Amelanchier canadensis & cvs. ŋ Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima' ŋ *Symphoricarpos spp.
Carpinus spp. & cvs. ŋ Berberis julianae and evergreen var. Taxus baccata 'Repandens'
Cercis spp. & cvs. ŋ Calycanthus floridus ŋ Taxus x media 'Densiformis'
Chionanthus virginicus ŋ Clethra alnifolia & cvs. ŋ *Viburnum acerifolium ŋ
Cornus spp. & cvs. ŋ Cornus spp. & cvs. ŋ *Viburnum dentatum ŋ
Franklinia alatamaha ŋ Euonymus fortunei & cvs. *Viburnum lentago ŋ
Ilex opaca & cvs. ŋ *Hamamelis spp. & cvs. ŋ *Viburnum prunifolium ŋ
Nyssa sylvatica ŋ Hydrangea arborescens & cvs.  
Oxydendrum arboreum ŋ Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen' ŋ  
Stewartia spp. Ilex crenata & cvs.  
Tsuga canadensis ŋ *Kalmia latifolia ŋ  
  Leucothoe spp.  
Ground Covers Lindera benzoin ŋ  
*Hedera helix Lonicera fragrantissima  
*Pachysandra terminalis Pieris japonica & cvs.  
Vinca minor *Rhododendron maximum & cvs. ŋ (*tolerates dense shade)
     
ŋ = native to Eastern U.S.; ω = wetland species
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For a dusty, smokey, city situation

Trees Nyssa sylvatica ŋ Berberis spp. & cvs.
Acer ginnala Phellodendron amurense & cvs. Chaenomeles japonica
Aesculus hippocastanum & cvs. Pinus nigra Cotoneaster spp. & cvs.
Carpinus spp. & cvs. ŋ Platanus x acerifolia Eleagnus umbellata
Catalpa speciosa ŋ Pyrus calleryana & cvs. Forsythia spp. & cvs.
Celtis occidentalis & cvs. ŋ Sophora japonica & cvs. Ilex crenata & cvs.
Crataegus spp. & cvs. ŋ Taxodium distichum & cvs. ŋ Ligustrum spp. & cvs.
Ginkgo biloba & cvs. Tilia spp. & cvs. Lonicera fragrantissima
Gleditsia triacanthos & cvs. ŋ Ulmus spp. & cvs. ŋ Spiraea x vanhouttei
Gymnocladus dioicus ŋ Zelkova serrata & cvs. Symphoricarpos spp. &cvs.
Koelreuteria paniculata   Syringa vulgaris
Liquidambar styraciflua &cvs. ŋ Shrubs Viburnum prunifolium ŋ
Maackia amurensis Acanthopanax sieboldianus  
     
ŋ = native to Eastern U.S.; ω = wetland species
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For a seashore location

Trees Vines and Ground Covers Lonicera spp. & cvs.
Acer pseudoplatanus & cvs. Juniperus spp. & cvs. ŋ Myrica pensylvanica ŋ
Amelanchier spp. & cvs. ŋ Parthenocissus spp. ŋ Prunus maritima ŋ
Celtis occidentalis & cvs. ŋ   Rhus spp. ŋ
Crataegus x lavallei Shrubs Rosa nitida ŋ
Elaeagnus angustifolia Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima' ŋ Rosa rugosa
Ilex opaca ŋ Clethra alnifolia & cvs. ŋ Rosa wichuriana
Juniperus spp. & cvs. ŋ Elaeagnus umbellata Syringa vulgaris
Nyssa sylvatica ŋ Hippophaë rhamnoides Viburnum dentatum ŋ
Pinus rigida ŋ Hydrangea macrophylla & cvs. Viburnum prunifolium ŋ
Pinus thunbergii Ilex glabra & cvs. ŋ Yucca filamentosa ŋ
Platanus x acerifolia Juniperus spp. & cvs. ŋ  
Sophora japonica & cvs. Ligustrum ovalifolium  
     
ŋ = native to Eastern U.S.; ω = wetland species
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Small or dwarf plants for the border

Abelia x grandiflora Forsythia virid. 'Bronxensis' Symphoricarpos 'Hancockii'
Acer palmatum & cvs. Fothergilla gardenii ŋ Taxus cuspidata 'Nana'
Azalea kurume cvs. Ilex crenata 'Compacta' Thuja (dwarf & globe forms) ŋ
Berberis triacanthophora Ilex crenata 'Helleri'  
Berberis 'Wm. Penn' Juniperus spp. (groundcover cvs.) ŋ  
Cotoneaster horizontalis Leucothoe axillaris ŋ  
Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko' Spiraea bumalda 'Anthony Waterer'  
Euonymus fortunei cvs. Spiraea japonica cvs.  
     
ŋ = native to Eastern U.S.; ω = wetland species
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Last Updated:  July 18, 2003