Plant I.D. Level 1

Red seal exam plants from level 1 Hort Ed

Acer griseum, Sapindaceae

• Paperbark maple

• Form: Oval, round; Habit: Open, spreading, twiggy

• Deciduous, fall/winter interest, accent plant, small garden space

• Full sun - part shade in acidic, well-drained soil

• Orange, red, brown showy, exfoliating bark

• Susceptible to gall, heart rot, mites, root rot

Acer palmatum, Sapindaceae

• Japanese Maple

• Form: Vase; Habit: Upright

• Deciduous, fall interest, shade tree, woodland margin

• Full sun, well-drained soil

• Susceptible to anthracnose, canker, cutworm, mildew, wilt, winter moth

Acer platanoides, Sapindaceae

• Norway maple

• Form: Oval, round; Habit: Upright

• Deciduous, Invasive, specimen plant

• Full sun - filtered shade, well drained soil w/ moderate water use

• Susceptible to powdery mildew

Achillea millefolium, Asteraceae

• Common yarrow

• Herbaceous perennial, rhizomatic growth, medicinal, perennial border

• Full sun, rocky, gravelly, dry soil - drought tolerant

• White head (capitulum) July-August,

• Susceptible to mildew and rust

Aesculus hippocastanum, Sapindaceae

• Horse chestnut

• Form: Round; Habit: Open, upright

• Deciduous tree, spring interest, specimen plant

• Full sun - part shade, well-drained soil

• Susceptible to anthracnose, fungal leaf spot, leaf scorch

Aquilegia (hybrid cvs.), Ranunculaceae

• Hybrid columbine

• Herbaceous perennial, alpine/rock garden, perennial border, woodland margin, attracts pollinators

• Full sun - part shade, rich, well-drained soil, moderate water intake

• White, yellow, blue, pink, violet, red cyme April-May

• Susceptible to aphids, cutworm, fungal leaf spot, mildew, rust

Astilbe x arendsii cvs., Saxifragaceae

• Astilbe

• Herbaceous perennial, aquatic planting, cut flower, aquatic plant, rock garden, border plant

• Part sun - filtered shade, boggy, rich soil w/ moderate water intake

• White, purple, pink, red panicle July-August green, red stems

• Rhizomatous growth

• Susceptible to beetles, mildew, bacterial leaf spot

Berberis thundbergii, Berberidaceae

• Japanese barberry

• Deciduous shrub, accent plant, mass planting, hedge row, security, sheared hedge

• Full Sun, rocky, gravelly, dry soil

• Yellow, red corymb May-June, red berry Sept-Oct

• Pest/disease resistant, drought tolerant

Betula pendula, Betulaceae

• European white birch, silver birch

• Form: Oval; Habit: Upright

• Deciduous tree, invasive, shade tree, street tree

• Full sun - filtered shade, well-drained soil, drought tolerant

• White, grey, brown exfoliating, moderately fissured bark

• Susceptible to anthracnose, weevils, stem borer insect, virus

Calluna vulgaris, Ericaceae

• Heather

• Invasive groundcover, spring interest, drought tolerant, container plant, dried flower/fruit, mass planting, small garden space

• Full sun, acidic, rocky, gravelly, dry, well-drained soil

• White, purple, pink, red raceme July-Oct, brown capsule Oct-Nov

• Smooth red, brown bark

• Susceptible to mites, root rot, scale

Campanula persicifolia, Campanulaceae

• Peach-leaf bellflower

• Semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial, summer interest, perennial border

• Full sun - part shade, well-drained soil w/ moderate water intake

• White, blue, violet, purple, raceme June-Aug

• Rhizomatous growth

• Susceptible to aphids, mites, slugs

Cerastium tomentosum, Caryophyllaceae

• Snow-in-summer

• Herbaceous perennial, summer interest, drought tolerant, ground cover, rock garden

• Full sun, rocky, gravelly, dry, well-drained soil

• White cyme May-June

• Susceptible to root rot

Cotoneaster dammeri, Rosaceae

• Bearberry cotoneaster

• Broadleaf evergreen, pollinator friendly (butterfly), erosion control, espalier, fall/winter interest, rock garden

• Full sun - part shade, rocky, gravelly, dry, well-drained soil

• White solitary flowers May-June, red pome Sept-Oct

• Susceptible to bacterial leaf spot, blight, canker

Dahlia x hybrida, Asteraceae

• Dahlia

• Herbaceous annual, tuberous roots, accent plant, bedding plant, container plant, cut flower, fall/summer interest, mass planting

• Full sun, well-drained soil

• All colours, head (capitulum) July-Oct, green/red stems

• Susceptible to aphids, blight, cutworm, earwigs, mildew, mites, mold, root rot

Delphinium elatum, Ranunculaceae

• Delphinium/perennial larkspur

• Herbaceous perennial, rhizomatic, attracts pollinators (birds, butterflies), cut flower, floristry, perennial border, tall background, wildflower garden, woodland margin, summer interest

• Full sun, rich, well-drained soil, drought tolerant

• White, orange, yellow, purple, pink, red cyme July-Aug

• Susceptible to diptera, mites, rust, slugs, thrips

Echinacea purpurea, Asteraceae

• Purple coneflower, echinacea

• Herbaceous perennial, rhizomatic, accent plant, pollinator friendly (butterflies), cut/dried flower, fall/summer interest, mass planting, perennial border

• Full sun, well-drained soil, drought tolerant

• Orange, yellow, violet, purple, pink head (capitulum), perfect flowers July-Sept, green/red stems

• Susceptible to beetles, fungal leaf spot, leaf miner insect

Erica carnea, Ericaceae

• Heath, winter heather

• Ground cover, spring/winter interest, container plant, erosion control, filler, mass planting, rock garden

• Full sun - part shade, acidic, well-drained soil

• White, violet, pink, red raceme Dec-April

• Pest/disease resistant susceptible to root rot, rust

Euonymus alatus, Celastraceae

• Burning bush

• Form: Oval; Habit: Dens, horizontal, spreading

• Deciduous shrub, fall/winter interest, pollinator friendly (birds), filler, mass planting, screening

• Full sun - deep shade, well-drained soil, drought tolerant

• Green-yellow cyme, perfect cruciform flowers May-June, orange, magenta, red capsule Aug-Oct

• Susceptible to dieback, fungal leaf spot, mites, nematodes, scale insects

Euonymus fortunei, Celastraceae

• Winter-creeper

• Broadleaf evergreen w/ arial/climbing roots, accent plant, groundcover, mixed shrub border, sheared hedge, small garden space, winter interest.

• Full sun - part shade, well-drained soil, drought tolerant

• White cyme, perfect cruciform flowers June-July orange, red capsule Sept-Oct

• Susceptible to anthracnose, gall, scale, wood deformity

Fagus sylvatica, Fagaceae

• European beech

• Form: Oval, round; Habit: Spreading

• Deciduous tree, fall interest, hedge row, screening, sheared hedge, topiary, wildlife food, wind break

• Full sun, alkaline, rocky, gravelly, dry well-drained soil

• Green-yellow catkin April-May brown, edible nut Sept-Oct

• Susceptible to aphids, caterpillar, rodents

Hedera helix, Araliaceae

• English ivy

• Broadleaf evergreen, invasive, rhizomatic, arial/climbing roots, pollinator friendly (birds, insects), arbors, erosion control, filler, ground cover, mass planting, rock garden, winter interest

• Full sun - deep shade, well drained soil, drought tolerant

• Susceptible to anthracnose, bacterial leaf spot, mites, mold, scale

Hemerocallis spp., Liliaceae

• Daylily

• Herbaceous perennial, rhizomatic, cut flower, mass planting, perennial border, waterside plant, summer interest

• Full sun, rich, well-drained soil, drought tolerant (summer dry)

• White, orange, yellow, purple, pink, red cyme July-Aug

• Susceptible to diptera, mites, rust, slugs, thrips

Hosta spp, Asparagaceae

• Hosta, plantain lily

• Herbaceous perennial, cut flower, ground cover, mass planting, perennial border, summer interest, woodland margin, waterside planting

• Part sun - deep shade, humus rich soil

• White, violet, pink raceme July-Sept green, brown, black capsule Sept-Oct

• Susceptible to beetles, nematodes, slugs, deer

Hydrangea macrophylla, Hydrangeaceae

• Common/bigleaf hydrangea

• Deciduous shrub, cut flower, mass planting, mixed shrub border, summer interest

• Part sun - deep shade, acidic, well-drained soil w/ high water intake

• White, blue violet (acidic = blue, alkaline = pink) cyme July-Sept

• Susceptible to abiotic disorder, beetles, fungal leaf spot, mildew, mites. mold. rust, scale, slugs

Hydrangea paniculata, Hydrangeaceae

• Panicle hydrangea

• Deciduous shrub, accent plant, cut/dried flower, fall interest, mass planting, mixed shrub border, tall background

• Full sun - filtered shade, well-drained soil

• White, pink thyrse July-Sept

• Susceptible to abiotic disorder, fungal leaf spot, mildew, mold, nematodes

Iberis sempervirens, Brassicaceae

• Evergreen candytuft, rock candytuft

• Broadleaf evergreen, alpine plant, mass planting, perennial border, rock garden, spring interest

• Full sun-part shade, alkaline, well-drained soil

• White, purple, pink raceme April-May

• Susceptible to mold, drought tolerant

Jacobaea maritima, Asteraceae

• Dusty miller

• Herbaceous perennial, bedding plant, mass planting, rock garden, summer interest

• Full sun, well-drained soil

• Yellow corymb July-Aug

• Pest/disease resistant, susceptible to rust

Juniperus horizontalis, Cupressaceae

• Horizontal/creeping juniper

• Conifer, ground cover, alpine plant, erosion control, mass planting, mixed shrub border, reclamation, rock garden

• Full sun, rocky, gravelly, dry, well-drained soil

• Susceptible to abiotic disorder, beetles, blight, caterpillar, heart rot, leaf miner, mites, nematodes, root rot, rust, scale

• Drought tolerant

Juniperus scopulorum cvs., Cupressaceae

• Rocky Mountain juniper, weeping juniper

• Form: Pyramidal, weeping; Habit: Arching, upright

• Native conifer, accent plant, screening, specimen plant

• Full sun, alkaline, rocky, gravelly, dry, well-drained soil

• Susceptible to blight, dieback, mites, rust

• Drought tolerant

Lamium maculatum, Lamiaceae

• Spotted dead nettle, dead nettle

• Herbaceous perennial, ground cover, invasive, weed, bedding/container plant, hanging basket, perennial border, summer interest

• Full sun (if kept moist) - deep shade, well-drained soil

• White, violet, pink, purple, magenta, red verticillaster May-Aug

• Stoloniferous, pest/disease resistant, drought tolerant

• Susceptible to slugs

Lavandula angustifolia, Lamiaceae

• English lavender

• Broadleaf evergreen, attracts pollinators (butterflies), container plant, cut/dried flower/foliage, ground cover, mass planting, hanging basket, herb, border plant, rock garden, hedge, summer interest

• Full sun, rocky, gravelly, dry, well-drained soil

• Blue, violet, purple verticillaster June-Aug

• Drought tolerant, susceptible to crown rot, fungal leaf spot, root rot, rust, spittlebug

Leucanthemum x superbum, Asteraceae

• Shasta daisy

• Herbaceous perennial, attracts pollinators (butterflies), container plant, mass planting, perennial border, cut flower/foliage, summer interest

• Full sun, well-drained soil, drought tolerant

• White head (capitulum) June-Aug

• Susceptible to aphids, crown rot, earwigs, fungal leaf spot, leaf miner insect, mites, wilt

Lobularia maritima, Brassicaceae

• Alyssum

• Herbaceous annual, attracts pollinators, bedding plant, container/hanging basket, filler

• Full sun-part shade, well-drained soil

• White, violet, purple, pink, red raceme May-Oct

Malus floribunda, Rosaceae

• Japanese flowering crabapple

• Form: Oval, round; Habit: Spreading

• Deciduous tree, attracts pollinators (birds), espalier, fragrant, specimen plant, urban agriculture, woodland margin

• Full Sun-part shade, acidic, well-drained soil

• White, pink flowers May, edible orange red, purple, yellow pome Aug-Sept

• Susceptible to fungal leaf spot, mites, rust, scale

Miscanthus sinensis, Poaceae

• Maiden grass

• Herbaceous perennial, fall interest, border plant, screening, cut flower/foliage, tall background, specimen plant, waterside planting

• Full sun, well-drained soil

• Pest/disease resistant

Narcissus cvs., Amaryllidaceae

• Daffodil

• Herbaceous perennial, container plant, cut flower/foliage, floristry, fragrant, mass planting, indoor plant, perennial border, spring interest

• Full sun-part shade, acidic, well-drained soil

• White, orange, yellow, pink, red solitary flowers, March-April

• Susceptible to root rot, slugs, virus

• Drought tolerant, pest/disease resistant

Paeonia lactiflora, Paeoniaceae

• Garden peony

• Herbaceous perennial, cut flower/foliage, spring/fall interest, floristry, mass planting, border plant, specimen plant

• Full sun-part shade/sheltered, rich, well-drained soil

• White, pink, purple, red solitary flowers May-June

• Susceptible to blight, fungal leaf spot, mold

• Drought tolerant

Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Vitaceae

• Virginia creeper

• Deciduous vine, arbors/trellis, fall interest, filler, screening, wildlife food

• Full sun-deep shade, well-drained soil

• Susceptible to fungal leaf spot, scale, wilt

• Drought tolerant

Picea abies, Pinaceae

• Norway spruce

• Form: Pyramidal; Habit: Stiffly upright

• Conifer, screening, forestry, tall background, specimen plant, wind break

• Full sun-part shade, acidic, well-drained soil

• Susceptible to adelgids, galls, mites, stem borer insect

• Drought tolerant

Picea pungens f. glauca, Pinaceae

• Colorado spruce

• Form: Pyramidal; Habit: Horizontal, stiffly upright

• Conifer, alpine, screening, specimen plant, winter interest

• Full sun, well-drained soil

• Susceptible to blight, canker, mites, rust

• Drought tolerant

Pieris japonica, Ericaceae

• Lily-of-the-valley shrub

• Broadleaf evergreen, shrub border, screening, specimen plant, spring interest

• Full sun-filtered shade, acidic, well-drained soil

• White, purple, pink, magenta, red panicle, March-April

• Susceptible to fungal leaf spot, heteroptera, mites, nematodes

Pinus mugo, Pinaceae

• Mugo pine, Swiss mountain pine

• Form: Irregular, mounded, pyramidal; Habit: Irregular

• Confier, mass planting

• Full sun, acidic, well-drained soil

• Susceptible to crown rot, rust, scale

• Drought tolerant

Robinia pseudoacacia, Fabaceae

• Black locust

• Form: Columnar, oval; Habit: Arching, open, twiggy, upright

• Deciduous tree, erosion control, reclamation, shade tree, specimen plant, street tree, summer interest, tall background, woodland margin

• Full sun, rocky, gravelly, dry, well-drained soil

• Susceptible to beetles, canker, caterpillar, fungal leaf spot, leaf miner insect, mildew, scale, whitefly, wilt

Sequoiadendron giganteum, Cupressaceae

• Sierra redwood, giant sequoia

• Form: Pyramidal; Habit: Dense, stiffly upright

• Conifer, wind break, specimen plant

• Full sun-part shade, well-drained soil

• Susceptible to dieback, root rot

Spiraea japonica, Rosaceae

• Japanese spirea

• Deciduous shrub, accent plant, mass planting, hedge row, shrub border, summer interest

• Full sun-part shade, humus rich soil

• White, pink cyme, April-June

• Drought tolerant

Syringa vulgaris, Oleaceae

• Common lilac

• Deciduous shrub, attracts pollinators (birds, butterflies), cut flower/foliage, fragrant, hedge row, shrub border, screening, spring interest

• Full sun, alkaline soil

• White, violet, purple thyrse, April-May

• Susceptible to bacterial leaf spot, blight, canker, leaf miner, powdery mildew, psyllids, scale, stem borer, thrips, wilt

Tulipa cvs., Liliaceae

• Tulip

• Herbaceous perennial, container plant, cut flower/foliage, floristry, mass planting, indoor plant, spring interest

• Full sun, rich, well-drained soil

• White, orange, yellow, violet, pink, magenta, red solitary flowers, March-May

• Susceptible to mold, nematodes, rodents, root rot, virus

Forsythia x intermedia, Oleaceae

• Showy forsythia

• Deciduous shrub, cut flower/foliage, mass planting, shrub border, hedge, spring interest, tall background

• Full sun-filtered shade, well-drained soil

• Yellow solitary flowers March-April

• Susceptible to bacterial leaf spot, dieback, fungal leaf spot, galls, nematodes, root rot, virus

Buxus sempervirens, Buxaceae

• Common boxwood

• Broadleaf evergreen, cut flower/foliage, floristry, mass planting, hedge row, topiary, rock garden

• Full sun (if kept moist) - deep shade, alkaline, well-drained soil

• Susceptible to dieback, leaf miner, psyllids

• Drought tolerant

Bergenia crassifolia, Saxifragaceae

• Heartleaf bergenia

• Broadleaf evergreen, accent plant, cut flower/foliage, spring/summer/fall interest, ground cover, border plant, rock garden, waterside planting

• Full sun (if kept moist) - deep shade, rich, well-drained soil

• White, pink, purple, magenta, red cyme April-May

• Susceptible to caterpillar, nematodes, root rot, sawflies, slugs