100 Woody plants popular in Northwestern Nevada

Common Name
Scientific Name
Type
Plant
Leaves Height, ft.,15 years Mature
size,ft.
Growth
rate
Sun/shade Flower
color
Bloom
time
Fruit Type;
color
Fall
color
Water Soil Native
to
Habitat Best
Features
Remarks
Althea or Rose of Sharon
Hibiscus syriacus
TS DB 5 8X6 M FS-PSH V 8-10 CA;B Y L NP C,I T FL Blooms late summer
Apple, Fruiting
Malus domestica
T DB V V M FS W,PN 4 PO;V O,P,R,Y M A HY N/A EF,FL Grown for fruit
Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis
T EC 30 80X20 S-M FS N/A N/A C;B N,Y M NP ENA M SH Columnar habit
Ash, Green
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
T DB 20 45x25 F FS I N/A S;B-W Y L D NA W FC,WB Bright yellow fall color
Aspen
Populus tremuloides
T DB 20 40X20 F FS-SH I N/A I Y-B H M NA W FC Beautiful fall color
Barberry, Japanese
Berberis thunbergii
T DB 4 5X6 M FS I N/A B;R P,PN,R L D J T HD,S Thorny
Bearberry or Kinnikinick
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
G EB 1 1X5 S-M FS-PSH PN 4-5 D;R BR,R L P EUS V HD,S Good ground cover
Birch, European Weeping
Betula pendula
T DB 20 40X30 M-F FS-PSH N/A N/A N,ST;B Y H NP EU W FC Not recommended
Birch, River
Betula nigra
T DB 25 60X60 M-F FS-PSH N/A N/A N,ST;B Y H AC,M EUS R BA,FC Striking bark in winter
Bluebeard
Caryopteris X clandonensis
S DB 3 3X3 F FS-PSH BL 8-10 I Y L NP C,J H? BI,FL Blooms late summer
Boxwood
Buxus spp.
S EB 3 4X4 S-M FS-PSH I N/A I N M NP A,AF,EU T?,W? BU,FR,HD Makes good hedges
Broom, Lydia
Genista lydia
S DB 2 2X4 S-M FS Y 4 I N L D,P SEU T?,W? FL,SH Beautiful in bloom
Broom, Scotch
Cytisus scoparius
S EB 6 6X6 F FS-PSH O,R,Y 5 I N L NP E T FL,SH Beautiful in bloom
Butterfly Bush
Buddleia davidii
S DB 8 8X8 F FS V;FR 6-10 I N L NP C,J T? BI,BU,FC,FR Blooms all summer
Catalpa, Western
Catalpa speciosa
T DB 20 50X25 M-F FS-PSH W 5-6 P;B Y L NP MW W FC,FL,S Huge leaves
Cedar, Atlas
Cedrus atlantica
T EC 15 35X25 S-M PS-PSH N/A N/A C;B GR L NP NAF W L,SH,S Nice blue-green needles
Cedar, Deodar
Cedrus deodara
T EC 15 55X40 M FSH N/A N/A C;R-B N L NP HIM W L,SH,S Protect from wind
Cherry, Flowering
Prunus spp.
T,S DB 15 25X25 M FS PN,W 4-5 D;V O,P,Y M NP V T,W FL,FC Beautiful in bloom
Chokeberry
Aronia spp.
S DB 6 8X4 S FS W 4-5 PO;R-BK O,R L NP EUS T BI,FC,FL,S Brilliant fall color
Clematis
Clematis spp.
V DB 15 18 F FS-PSH V;FR 6-10 ACH;W-Y N M NP HY N/A FL Beautiful in bloom
Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster spp.
S,G EB V V V FS-PSH I N/A PO;R N,P M NP C T BI,L,S Red berries all winter
Crabapple, Flowering
Malus spp.
T DB 15 20X20 M FS W,PN,R 4 PO;V O,P,R,Y L A HY N/A FC,FL,S Beautiful in bloom
Dogwood, Flowering
Cornus florida
T DB 15 25X25 S-M PSH-SH PN,W 5 D;R O,P,R,Y H AC ENA W FC,FL,S Beautiful in bloom
Dogwood, Kousa
Cornus kousa
TS DB 12 20X20 S-M PSH-SH PN,W 5-6 D;R O,P,R,Y H AC J W FC,FL,SD Beautiful in bloom
Dogwood, Shrub
Cornus spp.
S DB 8 8X10 F FS-SH W 5 D;W O,P,R,Y M NP V R BA,FC Colored bark in winter
Euonymus, Evergreen
Euonymus spp.
S EB 6 8X8 M-F PSH-SH I N/A CA;PN N L NP C,J W HD,L Colorful leaves
Euonymus, Winged
Euonymus alatus
S DB 5 10X10 S FS-SH I N/A I R L NP A,C W BI,FC,S Brilliant red fall color
Euonymus, Wintercreeper
Euonymus fortunei
S EB 3 10X10 F PSH-SH I N/A CA;R O,P,R,Y M NP C W BI,FC,S Keeps color all winter
Forsythia
Forsythia X intermedia
S DB 6 8X10 F FS Y 3-4 I Y-G M D HY N/A FL,FR Early spring beauty
Goldenrain Tree
Koelreuteria paniculata
T DB 15 30X30 M-F FS Y 6-7 CA;B Y L NP C,K T?,W? FC,FL,S Seedpods striking in fall
Grape Holly
Mahonia spp.
S,G EB 5 6X6 M PSH_SH Y 4 B;BK BR,P M A WUS W FL,FC,S Keeps color in winter
Grape, Table
Vitis lambrusca
V DB 10 20 M-F FS-PSH V,Y 5-6 D;V N,O,Y L NP HY N/A EF Grown for fruit
Hackberry, Common
Celtis occidentalis
T DB 20 60X60 M-F FS I N/A D;Y-P Y L NP NAF W BI,FC Irregular shape in youth
Hawthorn
Crataegus spp.
T DB 15 20X15 M FS-PSH W,PN 6 D;R O,P,R,Y L NP V T?,W? BI,FC,FL,S 3-season beauty
Heavenly Bamboo
Nandina domestica
S EB 5 6X4 M FS-SH PN-W 5-6 B;R O,R,Y L NP C T,W FC,S,SH Keeps color all wnter
Holly, Meserve
Ilex X meservae
S EB 5 8X6 S PSH-SH W 5 D;R N M NP HY N/A L,S Red berries all winter
Honeylocust, Thornless
Gleditsia tricanthos inermis
T DB 25 50X50 F FS Y 5-6 P;B-R Y L NP EUS W FC,FL,S,WB Nice fall color
Honeysuckle, Japanese
Lonicera japonica
V SB 15 20 F FS W-Y;FR 6-10 B;BK N,P,Y M NP C,J W BI,FL,FR Rampant grower
Honeysuckle, Tatarian
Lonicera tatarica
S DB 8 10X10 M FS-PSH P 5-6 B;R Y-G L D RU T,W BI,FL,FR,S,WB Tough
Horsechestnut, Red
Aesculus X carnea
T DB 15 35X20 M FS-PSH R 5 CA;B Y M M HY N/A FL Beautiful large blooms
Ivy, English
Hedera helix
V EB 20 40 F PSH-SH I N/A D;BK N M NP EU T?,W? L Needs no support
Juniper
Juniperus spp.
TS EC V V S-M FS N/A N/A B;BL N VL NP C,J H S,SH Light blue berries winter
Kentucky Coffee Tree
Gymnocladus dioicus
T DB 20 50X40 S-M FS I 5-6 P;B-R Y L NP EUS,MW W BA,FC,SH Interesting winter profile
Lilac, Common
Syringa vulgaris
S DB 10 15X12 M FS-SH P,PN;FR 5-6 CA;B Y-G L NP ENA W FC,FL,FR Beautiful in bloom
Linden
Tilia spp.
T DB 18 40X25 M FS Y;FR 6-7 N;W-B Y-G H NP V W FC Good large street tree
Locust, Purple Robe
Robinia 'Purple Robe'
T DB 25 50X50 F FS-PSH P 5-6 P;B Y-G L NP EUS H FL,WB Limbs break easily
London Plane
Platanus X acerifolia
T DB 25 70X50 M FS I N/A CA;B Y-B M NP HY N/A BA,L Seedballs, large leaves
Maple, Amur
Acer ginnala
TS DB 15 25X25 M FS-PSH I N/A S;B O,R,Y L NP C,J T? FC,S One of best for fall color
Maple, Freeman
Acer X freemanii
T DB 15 40X30 F FS-PSH R,I N/A S;B O,R,Y H AC,M HY N/A FC,S Plant instead of Silver Mpl.
Maple, Japanese
Acer palmatum
T DB 15 20X20 S-M SH I N/A S;R N,O,R,Y M M C,J T FC,S Good fall color
Maple, Norway
Acer platanoides
T DB 20 40X25 M FS-PSH Y-G 3-4 S;R Y L NP SWA,E W FC,S Good fall color
Maple, Red
Acer rubrum
T DB 15 40X35 M-F PS-PSH R 4 S;B R H AC ENA W FC,S Bright red fall color
Mock Orange
Philadelphus spp.
TS DB 5 10X10 F FS-PSH W;FR 5-6 I N M NP EU W? FL,FR Beautiful fragrant bloom
Mountain Ash, European
Sorbus aucuparia
T DB 20 35X25 M FS-PSH W 5 P;O-R O,R,Y M A AS,EU W FC,FL,S Orange/red berries-winter
Mulberry, White
Morus alba
T DB 15 35X35 F FS-PSH I N/A D;V Y L NP C H FC Good fall color
Myrtle or Periwinkle
Vinca minor
G EB 1 1X4 M-F PSH-SH BL-P 3-4 I N M NP EU,WA W FL,L,SH Good shade ground cover
Oak, Bur
Quercus macrocarpa
T DB 20 70X70 S FS I N/A A;B Y-B L NP MW W FC,S,SH Nice winter shape
Oak, English
Quercus robur
T DB 20 50X10-50 S-M FS I N/A A;B Y-B L NP EUS W S Columnar shape popular
Oak, Northern Red
Quercus rubra
T DB 20 50X50 M-F FS I N/A A;B O,R,Y L-M A ENA W FC,S Spectacular fall color
Oak, Pin
Quercus palustris
T DB 20 40X25 F FS I N/A A;B O,R,Y H A ENA W FC,S Leaves brown all winter
Olive, Russian
Perovskia angustifolia
T DB 15 25X25 M-F FS I N/A D;O,Y N VL D A R BI,L,WB Thorny, tough
Peach, Fruiting
Prunus persica
T DB V V F FS PN 4 D;V O,P,Y M A C HY EF,FL,FR Grown for fruit
Pear, Callery
Pyrus calleryana
T DB 20 35X25 F FS W 3-4 P;G O,P,R,Y L NP C T FC,FL 3-season beauty
Pear, Fruiting
Pyris communis
T DB V V F FS W 3-4 P;V O,P,R,Y L NP HY N/A EF,FC,FL Grown for fruit
Pieris or Andromeda
Pieris japonica
S EB 5 10X7 S PSH-SH W,PN 3-4 I N M A C,J W FL New leaves red or bronze
Pine, Austrian
Pinus nigra
T EN 15 35X20 M FS N/A N/A C;B N L D EU H S,SH,WB Commonly planted here
Pine, Bristlecone
Pinus aristata
S EC 8 20X25 S FS N/A N/A C;B N L D WUS H S,SH Very dense foliage
Pine, Mugo
Pinus mugo
S EN V V S FS-PSH N/A N/A C;B N L NP SEU H? S,WB Can be kept small
Pine, Pinyon
Pinus edulis or monophylla
T EC 8 40X25 S FS-PSH N/A N/A C;B N VL D WUS H S,SH Nevada native
Pine, Scotch
Pinus sylvestris
T EN 15 45X35 S-M FS N/A N/A C;B N L NP AS,EU H S Commonly planted here
Pine, Vanderwolf
Pinus flexilis 'Vanderwolf'
T EC 15 30X20 S FS-PSH N/A N/A C;B N L NP WUS H S Pyramidal/columnar shape
Plum, Purple Leaf
Prunus cerasifera
T DB 20 25X20 F FS PN 4 D;R P L NP WA W? FC,FL,L Purple leaves
Potentilla
Potentilla fruticosa
S DB 4 4X4 S FS-PSH Y 6-10 I N L D NA M FL, HD Blooms all summer
Privet, Japanese
Ligustrum japonicum
S EB 6 8X8 M FS-PSH W 5 D;B N L NP J,K T BI,FL,S Makes a thick hedge
Purshia or Bitterbrush
Purshia tridentata
S DB 4 8X8 S FS Y;FR 4-8 I N VL D WUS D FL Nevada native
Pyracantha or Firethorn
Pyracantha coccinea
S EB 10 10X10 M-F FS-PSH W 4-6 P;O-R N L D EU H FL,HD,S Orange-red berries
Quince, Flowering
Chaenomeles japonica
S DB 6 6X8 M FS-PSH V;FR 3-4 I N L NP J T? BI,FL,HD Beautiful in bloom
Rabbitbrush
Chrysothamnus nauseosus
S DB 3 4X4 S FS Y 8-10 ACH;W-Y N VL D,P WUS D BI,FL,FR Allergies to flowers
Redbud, Eastern
Cercis canadensis
T DB 15 20X20 M FS-PSH P 4-5 P;B Y M NP EUS W BI,FC,FL,S Beautiful in bloom
Rhododendron and Azalea
Rhododendron spp.
S DB,EB V V S PSH-SH V 5-6 I G-P H A HIM W FL,L Hundreds of cultivars
Rose
Rosa spp.
S DB V V M-F FS-PSH V 6-10 ACH;O-R V M A C,J,K H BI,FL,FR Hundreds of cultivars
Sage, Russian
Perovskia atriplicifolia
S DB 5 5X5 F FS B-P 7-10 I N L NP AS R,T FL,FR Blooms all summer
Sagebrush, Big
Artemesia tridentata
S EB 4 6X6 S FS Y 7-10 I N VL D,P WUS D FR,L Very tough plant
Sand Cherry, Purple Leaf
Prunus X cistena
S DB 5 5X5 M FS PN,W 4 D;V BR-P L NP HY N/A FC,FL,L Puple leaves
Sequoia, Giant
Sequoiadendron giganteum
T EC 30 200X40 F FS N/A N/A C;B N M A WUS M HA World's largest trees
Serviceberry
Amelanchier spp.
TS DB V V M FS-PSH W 4-5 PO;R-P O,R,Y L AC V W BI,FC,FL Beautiful in spring and fall
Silver Lace Vine
Polygonum aubertii
G,V SB 20 25 F FS-SH W;FR 7-10 I N L NP AS T?,W? FL,FR Fast-growing ground cvr.
Smoketree
Cotinus coggygyria
TS DB 8 10X10 M FS I N/A I O,P,R,Y L NP MW H BI,FC Seedheads like smoke
Snowberry, Common
Symphoricarpos albus
S DB 5 5X5 F PSH-SH PN 6 D;V N L NP ENA W BI,FL,S Wht./pur. berries-winter
Spiraea
Spiraea X bumalda
S DB 4 4X5 F FS PN,R 6-8 I P,R M D HY N/A FC,FL,FR,WB Long bloom season
Spruce, Colorado Blue
Picea pungens
T EC 15 60X40 S-M FS N/A N/A C;Y-B N M A WUS W L,S,WB Blue-green color
Spruce, Norway
Picea abies
T EC 20 60X40 M-F FS N/A N/A C;B N M A EU W S,WB Weeping branches mature
Sumac, Staghorn
Rhus typhina
TS DB 15 15X15 M-F FS-SH O,P,R 6-7 D;R O,R,Y L D EUS H FL,FC,S Spectacular fall color
Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua
T DB 20 45X30 S-M FS I N/A CA;B O,P,R,Y H A EUS,MW W BA,FC Interesting corky bark
Trumpet Vine
Campsis radicans
V DB 15 30 F FS-SH O,R 6-9 CA,B N,Y M NP EUS T?,W? BI,FL Rampant grower
Viburnum, Burkwood
Viburnum burkwoodii
S SB 8 10X7 S-M PSH-SH PN,W;FR 4 D;BK O,R,Y M NP HY N/A FC,FL,FR Very fragrant
Viburnum, Snowball
Viburnum opulus 'Nana'
S DB 8 10X12 M FS-SH W 5 None O,P,R,Y M NP EU,NAF T FC,FL Striking in bloom
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quercifolia
V DB 20 50 F FS-SH I N/A B;BK-BL R L NP EUS,MW T?,W? FC,SH Brilliant red fall color
Wisteria
Wisteria spp.
V DB 20 30 F FS P,PN,W 4-5 P;B Y L NP C,J W FL Needs strong support
Witch Hazel
Hamamelis X intermedia
T DB 10 15X15 S FS-PSH O,Y 1-3 I O,Y M A HY N/A FL,SH Blooms Jan.-Feb.

KEY

Leaves: C, broadleaf; C, conifer; D, deciduous; E, evergreen Height, 15 Yrs.: in feet; V, varies
Mature Size: feet height by feet spread; no spread for vines; V, varies
Growth Rate: F, fast; M, medium; S, slow; V, varies
Sun/Shade: FS, full sun; PSH, afternoon shade; SH, all-day shade
Flower Color: B, brown; BL, blue; C, brown catkins; G, green; I, insignificant; N/A, not applicable; P, purple; PN, pink; R, red; V, varies; W, white; Y, yellow; F denotes fragrant
Bloom Time: Number denotes month(s)
Fruit Type: A, acorn (e.g. Oak); ACH, achene (e.g. Rose);C, cone (e.g. Pine);CA, capsule (e.g. Rhododendron); D, drupe (e.g. Peach); I, insignificant; N, nutlet (e.g. birch); P, pod (e.g. Pea); PO, pome (e.g. Apple); S, samara (e.g. Maple); ST, strobile or catkin (e.g. Birch)
Fruit Color: B, Brown; BK, black; BL, blue; G, green; P, purple; PN, pink; R, red; V, varies; W, white; Y, yellow
Fall Color: BR, bronze; GR, gray-green; N, no color change; O, orange; P, purple; R, red; Y, yellow
Water: VL, very little needed; L, low; M, medium; H, high; all except H indicate some drought tolerance
Soil: AC, acid; AL, alkaline; D, dry; M, moist; NP, not picky; P, poor
Native to: AS, Asia; C, China; EU, Europe; ENA, Eastern North America; EUS, Eastern US; H, hybridized by man; HIM, Himalayas; I, India; J, Japan; K, Korea; MW, midwestern U.S.; NA, North America; NAF, North Africa; RU, Russia; SEU, Southeast Europe; SWA, Southwestern Asia; V, various places;WA, Western Asia; W, Western U.S.
Habitats: D, desert; H, rocky hillsides; M, meadows or bogs; N/A, not applicable (hybridized); R, riparian or streamside; T, thickets; V, varies; W, moist woods
Best features: BA, bark; BI, birds; BU, butterflies; EF, edible fruits; FC, fall colors; FL, flowers; FR, fragrance; HD, can be hedged; L, leaves; S, seeds or fruits; SH, plant shape in winter; WB, good for windbreak
Principal References: Dirr, Michael A., Manual of Woody Landscape Plants; Sunset, Western Garden Book; Coombes, Alan J., Trees -- The Visual Guide…

Last Updated on 9/15/2005
By Rod Haulenbeek